ArtsyMama... {Year in Review}

Happy Birthday ArtsyMama Blog!!!

Artwork above by Jenny of Everyday is a Holiday. Please do not reproduce.

A year in review…but it’s only November?! I’m looking back now, because it was one year ago today that this ArtsyMama blog was born! I remember when the idea began. It was early in the morning, Chloe and I were up all alone and she was playing on the floor (left). I started taking pictures of her and began thinking about how I would love a place that I could share the things that I love with others: photography, decorating, scrapbooking, crafts and other creative pursuits. That’s when I thought, why not have a blog?! So then it all began with my first post.

Over the last year I have posted 254 times and have had over 44,000 people visit. It has been so much fun to have a place to throw the bits and pieces of my life out there. It’s hard to know who’s really “out there” reading it. I only know some from my comments. I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog however long you’ve been reading it and will come visit again.

ArtsyMama first year highlights:

My first Self Portrait Tuesday contribution- I only did Self Portrait Tuesday for a few months. It was really fun to play around with different themes and really outside my comfort zone to take pictures of myself.

I had a fun idea to take my camera around with me and the kids one day and took pictures of our everyday life, an ordinary day in January. I took a bunch of these pictures and made a “Just one day” album.

I did a several of what I called Art and Blogging interviews with artists that had blogs. It was fun to pick their brain a bit and talk to them about the intersection of the two their art and their blog and the influences they had on one another.
*Swirly Girl
*Shimelle
*Lesley Riley

*Mati Rose
*Rice Freeman Zachary
*Ali Edwards and Elsie Flannigan
*Misty Mawn

ABC’s of life- This was just for fun. I was so touched when my sister told me she printed this out and has it in her home office. I still live by these words each day:)

Started my first (of several) 21 Days challenge with Rhonna Farrer. Her challenges really helped my art evolve and made me think outside the box. I *loved* them!

Book of Dreams- I posted an altered book technique each week for 8 weeks. There were participants all over the world, each making their own altered book. Great fun! The first post of this project, my "invitation" to join was my post with the most comments to date.

Book of Dreams
week 1

week 2

week 3

week 4

week 5

week 6

week 7

week 8

Complete BOD

Inspiration book- This was fun to take a look at the different color palettes that inspire me and something that I hope to continue to add to.

Sera Beak Interview- Her Red Book really intrigued me. Such a neat person to talk with:)

This I Believe book- Made this book after hearing an excerpt on public radio. This was a thought-provoking project to reflect on my beliefs.

JunkMarket- Oh what fun!!! Just love these pictures:)

Birthday post- A nice reflection of where I’m at going into my 31st year.

She Book- This collaboration was with one of my favorite artists and lovely friend Cassondra.

Fall Favorites book- I just love fall and love how this book turned out. I look through it over and over again!

Last but not least, my beloved scrapbook of my Silver Bella experience. A weekend not to be forgotten!!

Wewh, well if you made it through that whole post and feel like leaving a comment. I will be drawing one name from the comments posts to receive a one-of-a-kind ArtsyMama original…this “beautiful” giant bottle cap collage:)

Here's to another year of blogging!!!!