Welcome Back to A Time to Play, my new blog where I share what I am doing to make time for play as an artist, a fashion stylist, musician and creative! 

Today I am excited to share the beginnings of my Sketchbook Series!
But first, Let me tell you how it all began. 

Several years back, I decided that I wanted to get back to the Basics of my art practice by using supplies without color. Specifically I wanted to use pen and pencil, like things were when I was a young artist, only this time, I wanted to continue to hone my drawing skills but with a different approach.

Contour drawing is basically using line to create an image. Whereas using Shape and Shadow to create an image is a completely different approach. So I decided that I would get back to pen and pencil with the Shape and Shadow approach. I did several drawings this way and was very satisfied. 

Initially I did some sketching when out running errands with hubby, but since then, I didn't find a consistent time to invest in this approach. 

That changed about 5 months ago. 

Here is what happened. I was watching some shows in the afternoon with my iPad on my lapdesk for a time; then I decided to switch to watching my shows on a TV and I had space on my lap once again. 

I noticed I would get bored and annoyed during commercial breaks and decided I would use that time to create! Yes! So I set me up my lapdesk with a lamp for good lighting (I absolutely have to have good lighting for my creating space no matter where it is!) Plus my sketchbook and pencil bag of art supplies with include 6B and 8B pencil, sketching pencil for starting a new drawing, and pencil sharpener with pink erasers. 

It is very important to me to have my supplies ready at hand so I don't have to get up for anything!  

Furthermore, I decided, after being inspired by another artist who was doing drawings of old family photos, that I would pull out some of my own decades-old pictures of family and friends and put my hand to the shape and shadow approach to rendering with pencil. I was super excited to have a regular time to get back to the basics with my drawing skills. I've never lost my penchant for this activity! I always find it fascinating, challenging and rewarding to do. 

So every afternoon, when it's time for my shows (usually between 3 and 4 p.m.), I get out my supplies, set up my lamp and prepare to draw during commercials, while I sit comfy cozy on my bed! 

I have done quite a few drawings over the past few months and I plan to share some of them in future posts with my new Sketchbook Series. Yes! 

Thank you for reading my sketchbook story and for being a part of my Time to Play! 
What playful activity can you incorporate into your daily routine that would bring you excessive amounts of joy? You're welcome to leave a comment below and let me know so I can cheer you on in community! 

​Have yourself a delightful day and Let's remember to Play! 

Play Prompt: 
What would you like to engage in to add more play into your every day? Is there a specific thing you do in your day that could make space for something fun? 
Set a time that works for you that you can look forward to without stress or struggle. It's all about the joy of creating and doing something fun that is doable and repeatable! 

Welcome back to A Time to Play and one of my favorite ways to play is with color, texture, layering and silhouette with my wardrobe ensembles! I love to experiment with different looks to see what pleases my eye and what is comfortable and yet dynamic to wear. 

This look book is from March 31 through April 5, so two weeks ago! I love looking back on my fashion choices to see what really worked for me comfort wise and what I love visually as well. 

So our winning look is Easy Earth Tones! with over 2 thousand views on my YouTube channel so this one is popular! 
What I love: the coziness of the leopard print sweater wrap with ribbed sweater underneath  was a perfect combination of softness and texture, plus the texture of the tassels from the wrap and the scarf together. It was an easy look to put together and very comfy! (This was when we had a big dip in temperature during early spring so this look really worked!)

The jewelry for this ensemble (see below) was a mix of a wood beaded necklace and long brown necklace with smaller stacked beading (a recent purchase at an antique store). Bracelet stack features all wood beads and the earrings are a wood circle drop earring with silver accents. So, Wood won the day! 

The Runner UP features my favorite color, WINE, and the tunic features embroidery with my favorite colors, red, wine and burnt orange. So color really wins this look for me, plus the coziness of the scarf was extra comfy and really brought in some nice texture! Over 1,000 views on my YT channel! 

So that's my look book to share some Fun with Fashion! Leave a comment with your favorite ensemble. I'd love to know what you love and why. 
Let's have Fun together in this Fashion Community! 

And Remember to have FUN with YOUR Fashion! 

PS. My Fashion Styling with Dawn playlist is below for your convenience! My delight is for you to be inspired!

We are back with another Fashion Styling Look Book here at A Time to Play! Loving playing with color, layering and dynamic design for my looks. This look book is from March 24, -29, 2025. There is quite the mix here, between very colorful to very demure! Some have a mix of prints (LOVE) and some are color blocking! I love using my fashion to experiment in all kinds of ways. It is just So Much Fun, friends! 

So....which one is my favorite? I would say White Wins Again! I just LOVE wearing all white, especially with gold accents with the jewelry I chose. It feels a bit "heavenly," if you know what I mean. It currently has 403 views on my YouTube Channel with 6 thumbs up, so apparently it's popular! 

Runner up is Dynamic Duo. I just love the combo of plaid scarf and the cozy sweater wrap with chevron striping. Plus I love the texture of the tassels. I would say this one was the most comfy and relaxing to wear, which is key to my delight. This one has 606 views, so even more popular! 

Which one is your favorite and why? Sometimes when we look at other wardrobes, we can see what works for our eye and gives us a clue into our own aesthetic. 

Thanks for joining me for another fashion look book! You're welcome to comment below your top choice. 
And remember to have FUN with your FASHION! 

(Below is my Fashion Styling with Dawn playlist! Enjoy!) 

Hello and Welcome to A Time to Play. In case you didn't know, this is my brand new blog with the recent launch of my new website! So exciting! If you haven't read the first post, you're welcome to check it out here. 

​With this new blog, A TIME TO PLAY, I've decided to have some FUN sharing my Fashion Look Books with you and pick my favorite from the week and tell you WHY I love it so much. I'll get into the details of why it works for me, from color to silhouette to texture to layering. Give you an idea of how my eye/creative mind works as I put looks together. 

You're always welcome to check out my Fashion Styling with Dawn Playlist which I linked above for the videos where I build a look from the ground up, so you can choose to Keep It Simple...or Not! So much fun! 

For this post, I am excited to share 6 looks of the week. One of which is not a fashion image but I thought I'd share it since it's what I wore that day. The rest are from my daily look video shorts from my YouTube Channel. 

For this past week's looks, my first choice favorite is A Turquoise Tango and apparently others liked it too at 418 views as of 3/26/25 on YouTube! 
Although I prefer a brighter turquoise, I do love the way the color sings. And I paired it with a black jacket with some swing and one of my favorite silk scarves in turquoise, dark purple, black and white. I LOVE the way the scarf adds color and pizzaz to the look overall. This look was probably the most comfortable from the week as well. I'm also wearing a fun statement necklace with drop earrings to complete the look. See image below!

The runner up of this week's Fashion Look Book is Mixed Prints with 418 views on YouTube! I do really love the look of the stripe on the wrap in contrast with the leopard print featured on the fun colorful scarf that just makes this look sing! I have so much fun mixing prints, and this one featured is a first. The reason why it works for me is a similar color scheme, black, white and grey in the wrap, along with black, white and gray in the leopard print. Plus the orange of the tunic with the orange oversized floral motif just works well together! 

So there you have it! 
You're welcome to share below which one is your favorite and what makes it work for you! 

Let's make Fashion Fun as we share in community together. I'm so glad you're here. 
Thanks for being a part of Fashion Styling with Dawn and for your interest in my new blog, A Time to Play! 

Really, when I put a look together from my wardrobe, I see it as playtime, often! 

If you have any fashion questions, drop them below in the comments and I may answer it in a fashion styling video! 

​You have yourself a delightful day and Remember to PLAY and have FUN with Your Fashion! 

I am super excited to introduce you to my new blog, A TIME TO PLAY! Play is powerful, fun, dynamic and full of possibilities. And you know what's really great? Play doesn't take a ton of time...unless you want it to! 

Think moments of delight. A Playful Point of View. Seeing a task in a new light that makes it easier. 

Some of my favorite ways to play include: 
Playing piano to songs I've written
Watching the birds at the feeder or in the tree outside my window
Talking and laughing with my grandson on Facetime (he reminds me to play!) 
Playing with art supplies in my journal
Playing with my clothes as I put a fun, dynamic look together 

So what are some of your favorite ways to play? 
Do you engage with them often? Do you wish you played more? 

My delight is for you to see PLAY in a whole new way that is do-able and easy to engage. 
Almost like breathing. The most natural way to play is what pulls at you heart and soul and following that curiosity. 
Dabble. Laugh. Engage. Reflect. 
Stay Open Minded and See What Happens. 

Let's Play together in community and support the idea that PLAY is powerful and empowering, so worth those minutes invested! Because You're Worth It! 
​

 Journaling Prompt: 
Make a fun list of things you consider PLAYFUL. It can be something small or something that takes a bit more time. 
Circle the one that you know you could do right now if you really wanted to! Then go do it! 
And ENJOY! 

Have yourself a delightful day and Remember to PLAY!