Hello and Welcome Back to A Time to Play where we share the way we like to creatively express ourselves as we play every day! How Fun is That? 

In this post, I am sharing one of my favorite ways to play: with accessories for my wardrobe ensembles! Yes! 
I absolutely love styling with accessories; it's one of my favorite things to do each morning when I determine what I will wear. 

I love pulling out my pieces and then choosing the specific pieces of jewelry: earrings, necklace (or 2 or 3!), bracelets, sometimes rings and even brooches too! 

I decided to create a video featuring my TOP TEN Necklace Choices that I am pulling and wearing the most right now. I share each of them in detail in the video below. 

I love showing you my eclectic mix of beaded jewelry, from black and white vintage to wooden safari style! I love the comprehensive collection I have curated over years with treasure hunting! I find pieces that suit my aesthetic, my color palette, and my preferences based on size, weight and style. 

And knowing my wardrobe pieces is key to my success in finding what will work for multiple ensembles. And I love finding pieces that come with a multitude of colors that are mainstays in my color palette. So I have CHOICE. Being able to pick one color or two from my wardrobe ensemble and accessorize accordingly is the Cat's Meow of personal styling. So. Much. Fun!

So I trust you will get inspired watching my Top Ten Necklace RoundUP and get some ideas for how you can curate your own personalized collection to give you some creative impetus with your closet! You can have FUN with getting dressed in the morning! 

So without further ado--my video for you! 
Enjoy and leave a comment with your favorite necklace from my collection or yours! 

And remember to have FUN with Your Fashion! 

Hello and Welcome Back to A Time to Play, a place where we celebrate Playtime as adults expressing our creativity every day and have FUN in the process! Playtime is really essential to our well being, isn't it? 

So, for this post, I continue my tradition of sharing my daily art challenge journey with my Doodlewash RoundUP and this one is for July 2026. Now this month of July was a bit more of a challenge as far as prompts go. 

The list provided by World Watercolor Group who hosted July was very subjective with very open ended prompts. My preference is more Objective where there are specific objects such as food, nature, and things to render. 

So I decided to create my own July list, which was harder than I thought it would be! I did put the word out to my online community, asking for their ideas of what I could render for the month. And I deeply appreciate those who contributed: both of my daughters and my Facebook friends, Shannan and Jeremy. So, a shout out to them for their contribution! 

The rest of the list came from varying subjects around my house and also reference material I had stashed in my art studio! 

July 2026 Doodlewash Prompt List: Chocolate chip mint ice cream, overalls, elephant, American Flag, Daisy, pencil sharpener, binder clip, push pin, blueberry. 

Here's a review of what was most difficult, what my favorites were and which ones were popular to viewers online! 

The most challenging ones for me: the elephant was a decorative figure which required a lot of line work due to the consistency of the matter it was made of. Another tough one was the pencil sharpener due to the angle and geometry! The wood bracelet was also a challenge due to angle and size of the varying pieces. The chocolate chip cookie and sourdough bread were also challenging since they required a lot of heavy pen work and fine detail in order to present its texture properly. 

July 2026 Doodlewash Prompt List: Barbie Doll, stapler, scrunchie, Pinolith stone, denim hat, mini clip, wood bracelet, nylon sock, cloth napkin. 

Ok, now for my favorites! 
One of the things I love to draw is Texture, and one of the quickest ways to find it is with textiles and fabric in general. So, many of the subjects I chose for this list were related to that category, such as a washcloth, fabric napkin, a nylon sock with all the folds. Also, the scrunchie, and the denim hat. All textures I love. 

Now for the most popular (many views!) from online friends: The one that comes out on top was the sashed skirt! YEP! Love me some fashion! Fashion illustration has Always been a LOVE of mine as an artist, so this was pure joy to draw. The texture of the fringe was challenging with lots of line work, but it was fun to do. 

I would say that the push pin was the other contender for most popular. I think the simplicity of the design with only shadow for shading, the rest just line work, was the draw. I love picking out the shapes and shadows with light line work; it's so much fun to do! 

July 2026 Doodlewash Prompt List: washcloth, kitchen scissors, weather vein, sashed skirt, striped chair, chocolate chip cookie, biscuit, twine, sourdough bread, child's sneaker, leather glove, sunflower, handbag.

I would say the others with more views were the sunflower (no shading, just contour and detail lines) and the handbag with shading being mentioned by commenters. Yay! I always appreciate feedback from those who love my work; it is very motivating for an artist to see the love! 

July 2026 Doodlewash Prompt list: child's sneaker, leather glove, sunflower, handbag. 

So, there you have it! All my July 2026 daily drawings all in one place! Which one is your favorite? 
Also, do you see my work online? If you have given it a heart or comment, you are Greatly Appreciated. Thank you! I do post my daily drawings on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Threads, as well as my stories, so you're welcome to join me there if you'd like! 

Your presence here at A Time to Play blog is valuable to me; I appreciate your interest and for being part of my artist journey of growth and play! 

Stay tuned for August 2026 Doodlewash RoundUP! I will announce it when it is live! 

Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY! 

Welcome back to A Time to Play, where we focus on how our creativity can bring such satisfaction and FUN to our lives, so we play every day! Yay! 

In this post, I am sharing a very special topic based video all about journaling and specifically showcasing my current active journaling practice in all of its facets! It's really a free masterclass for those of you who are curious, who have questions, who may be confused or overwhelmed with the idea of journaling but don't know where to start. With 40 years experience, I know I have something to offer! 

In this video, I share the essence and essential elements to a successful and satisfying journaling practice along with techniques I use regularly as well as ideas you may want to run with. 

Here is somewhat a summary of what I cover in the video: 
My night dream journaling
My long form journaling and my regular techniques
My illustration aspect of my journaling practice
My art based journaling practice which is my daily art challenge
Plus I share the specifics of my bullet journal collections and purposes along with some visuals that I share up close! 

The reason I have chosen to share this information is in response to questions I see folks asking online, so I felt compelled to answer them! 

I trust this video masterclass will help you decide whether you want to start a journaling practice or what you might want to try next! 

You are welcome to leave a comment below if you have further questions! 
And if you want personal customized guidance with starting up a journaling practice that will speak to where you are right now, message me on social or email me direct at [email protected] for a personal consultation. 

Journaling is one of my favorite power tools for creative intuitive living and I wouldn't live without it! 
I also provide two resources: The Art of Journaling Prompt Play Book and The Art of Journaling Toolbox. 

Thank you for joining me and for watching my journaling masterclass and leaving a comment or question below! I look forward to hearing from you and connecting with you going forward! 

​Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY! 

Hello & welcome back to A Time to Play, where we share the way we are having FUN and experimenting with the ways we want to express ourselves and making Play a Priority! Yep! 

A bit of a Preface here. 
Back in April of 2025, I decided to make a series for my blog, A Time to Play, called my Sketchbook Series. This stems from the sketchbook practice I started at about the same time when I decided to pull out a sketchbook and have FUN drawing Faces again. (I am a long time portrait artist but that practice fell to the wayside for a while as I focused on other creative outlets.) 

I decided, after being inspired by some pencil portraits I had seen online, that I wanted to try my hand at it again. I also recalled watching the Portrait Artist of the Year series and watching a master showing how he used Shape and Shadow to create a face. Fascinating process. 

So I decided to see if that approach would make a difference in the way I drew faces. 

Each afternoon when I watch a bit of TV on Amazon Prime, I grab my sketchbook and pencil case, my lap desk and lamp (Always Have to Have Good Lighting!), my remote handy to silence commercials, and settle in for my session. 

My initial goal was to do sketches of family members from old photos which I did here. 
​I've done a few of each of my grandsons, my father, and both my daughters with their children. 
Loving every minute of it. 

For this post, I am sharing two sketches I've done of each of my grandsons. The one above is my eldest grandson (who is almost 15 now!) when he was about 6 years old. The photo was taken at a pumpkin patch while he was on a school field trip and here he's hugging a pumpkin he found. I love the tenderness of his gaze and the way his hair lands on his forehead. I really enjoyed drawing his plaid button front shirt with t-shirt underneath. (At the time he loved dressing like Grandpa!) 

The second sketch is one I did of my younger grandson (who is 2 now!). In the image reference, he is in his first year. I took the photo during a FaceTime session and he gave me a big grin! I so enjoyed capturing the softness and roundness of his face and the detail and shading of his onesie. I decided not do to any background, just with the goal of capturing just his face and figure visible in the photo. I loved this age of his navigating being strong and brave moving about and following his curiosity. Everything is so new at this age. Always something to discover. 

For each of these sketches, I used a 6B and 8B pencil, (which have thicker leads than a #4 pencil), using the shapes and shadows as my guide in working out how to approach the drawing. This is in contrast to simple line or contour drawing. It is fun picking out the details of the face and fingers, being sure to define the parts with accuracy but also with a softer edge. 

This is one of my favorite practices, doing my daily face sketching each afternoon. 

One of my tips for you concerning a practice is to sometimes incorporate that time with another activity, whether at your kitchen table while cooking a meal, sitting on the couch watching TV with family or some other time that suits you! 

And if what you choose to do is truly enjoyable and satisfying, all the better! 

Thanks for being a part of my artist journey and for sharing below how you are playing each day! I'd love to hear from you and cheer you on! 

Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY! 

Hello and Welcome to A Time to Play! This is a place where we just have so much fun sharing how we are Playing Every Day! Yes! And one of my favorite ways to play is with a daily art challenge. 

As an artist and creative, making art daily is a JOY to me; I don't find it to be chore or an obligation, but rather, it's something I look forward to! Do you look forward to your playtime? Let me know in the comments below! 

So, I have been doing a daily art challenge since October 2025, so I'm currently in my tenth month! Yes! So exciting. (I am writing this post in August 2026.)

For this post, however, we are backing up a bit to review June 2026 Doodlewash Daily Art Challenge! I have so much fun looking back on the drawings I did and remembering which ones I loved the most, which ones got the most engagement online when I shared them, and which ones were the most challenging. 
So, here we go! 

June 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: wings, petals, sailboat, bat, sycamore, space buns, wind chime, swing, bird feeder. 

First we'll start with the ones I struggled with and why: 
I think in the first images the bat would win the prize for the most difficult especially with the anatomy and intensive pen work required. I was tired when I finished!
In the second round of images, I would say the Tasmanian Devil was a really tough one for the same reason. Way too much pen work required. I don't like having to do a lot of fur when it requires so much intensive pen work. The last challenging one was lesser so but the parts involved in the stamp and making sure it lined up properly with it's angle. 

​So that was the super tough stuff. 

June 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: Sturgeon, hula skirt, Tasmanian Devil, hammock, carousel, spool, popsicle, agate, Cassowary. 

On to my favorites, the ones I really enjoyed doing: There are three Ps: Popsicle, picnic and paw. 

I love drawing food and this particle one was really fun even with using color, which was a necessity for really bringing out the essence of the food itself! What's a popsicle without fun color, right? 

The picnic was fun with the texture of the weaving and fabric both on the basket and the blanket. I love drawing fabric since it lends itself to clothing too, which I adore illustrating. I love the simplicity of this one too. It just gives a cozy vibe, doesn't it? 

For the paw, I simply loved rendering the fur! The softness was cool to capture and I happen to adore cats! So the subject matter was on point. I actually looked forward to it all month. 

Yes, there was a huge difference between the fur of the Tasmanian Devil and the fur of the paw. Intensive versus light. 

June 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: picnic, train, wrench, Spinner Dolphin, Blue Morpho, stamp, repurchase.

Sometimes it's a good idea to go with a child version of things. Examples are the carousel, the train, and the foot! It, in some ways, simplifies things and makes them more interesting for me to render.
The toy train was fun to do with the primary colors.
The carousel was a bit of a challenge capturing the ins and outs of each horse and how they overlapped. 
The infant foot was just adorable to do, anatomy and all. 

Another favorite of mine, not to forget this experience, was the hook. It was fun working with the shape and to incorporate the shine of the metal with very carefully placed line work. I was pleased with the result. 

June 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: Foot, hook, bouquet, paw, watermelon.

Now the most popular drawings based on responses and views on line were these: 
Sycamore tree (It might have been the angle of the subject I chose that caught folk's attention!), the hammock (lots of eyeballs and comments!), and the three P's I mentioned above. Who cannot love a cat's paw, right? And a picnic in the park? And the all American popsicle! 

I was glad to see some of my favorites get so much appreciation. That brings me joy! 

Thank you so much for being a part of my art journey as I play my way through daily art prompts! So much fun! 

Let me know which one (or several!) are your favorites from my sketches and also I'd love to hear how you're playing! What is lighting you up right now that you look forward to in your day? 
And you're welcome to follow me on social where I share my work daily! 

Have fun in your playtime! 
Remember to Play! Your inner child will thank you! 

P.S. If you are interested in working with me one on one with discovering what your playtime could look like and you would like some fun direction along the way, contact me direct at [email protected] or message me on social! I'd love to connect! 

Welcome back to A Time to Play, where we chat about what we're doing in our playtime, which is hopefully every day! One of my favorite ways to PLAY is accessorizing what I wear each day. 

I simply love choosing earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and pins to highlight and playfully decorate my ensembles in a way that makes my eyes happy and adds a zip to my step! Feeling comfortable, confident and creative in how I dress is one of my favorite things to do and it's good for my soul! 

In the above video, I am sharing with you my latest finds in the spaces I frequent when I shop for those much desired accessories that make my day brighter and more FUN! For this jewelry roundup, I'm sharing one necklace from a new vintage store, some handmade bracelets and earrings from resale and retail shops, and some lovely handmade stone and beaded bracelets from Rock Shops I frequent. 

As always, I share my tips for purchasing your own accessories so when you buy, you are gleeful with how well they suit you and your wardrobe aesthetic and color pallette! 

So without further ado, enjoy watching my collection I've curated! Some I'm already wearing and others I haven't yet worn since they are very recent purchases. 

Let me know in the comments which pieces you like the most as well as your own happy finds! 
​And remember to have FUN with Your Fashion! 

PS: If you would like some ideas for putting looks together or how to organize your closet and determine what your favorite pieces are, connect with me! I'd love to assist you as your personal stylist. Let's go treasure hunting! 
My email is [email protected] or contact me on social! 

Welcome back to A Time to Play, or, if you're new here, this is the place where we talk about how we spend time playing, with art supplies, music, sketching, dreaming, and anything that floats your boat that makes you feel like a happy kid again! Yep! So join me as I share with you a look back on my continuing journey of doing a daily prompt based drawing (been going strong since October 0f 2025!) 

I'm still having fun, I'm still being challenged and I'm still loving the time spent doing what I love. I been drawing/illustrating since I was a kid and my inner child still loves it! So here we are! 

So, as I'm writing this, it is July 2026, My goal was to share my month's worth of drawings the next month after the fact, but LIFE. Busy. But I'm here sharing even if it didn't meet my time parameters. But it's fun to recall what the experience was like. Many of these drawings are so memorable that I wouldn't forget!  

May 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: Mother Goose, truffle, coffee pot, rug, chipotle, serow, Horned Lark, Yapok, Rosy Maple moth.

I've been referencing the Doodlewash Art Challenge each month, so I am working with prompts I didn't come up with myself, and a lot of the subject matter is totally new to me. Like with animals I've never heard of and food I would not recognize, etc. But that's what makes it interesting and challenging and fun all at the same time. 

These challenges continue to stretch me as a artist and show me what I'm capable of, especially in a short time frame of less than an hour, after I have completed my evening journaling session. I do look forward to this drawing time as I sit in my living room recliner, lap desk and art supplies in place, watching a movie or show with hubby. I find it very relaxing. 

May 2026 Doodlewash Prompt: Mom, cat, fudge, flying frog, soursop, woodpecker, sea monkeys, walnut, dishes.

So, I will share the drawings I like the most from this month of May 2026: fudge (absolutely love the texure!), strawberry, my wonky penny (no it's not perfectly round but I loved the process using the colors that really give it that glowey patina look), the towel (loved creating that fluffy look!), grapes (although I usually prefer pen alone, I really like the way the color and pen work together on this one), and my most favorite of all, the solitaire. I chose a diamond instead of the game. I love how the shapes come together to represent such a lovely piece of jewelry! 

I would say the ones that were the most challenging: truffle (so much dark detail-must admit, it was a chore to do!), yapok (although I'm pleased with the way it turned out. the anatomy was a challenge), the cat (getting its position just right in the hunting vibe!), sea monkey (gosh, the parts were a lot of work and using the negative space to make them pop-such a challenge!), escargot (very intensive pen work to make this dimensional). 

May 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: dragonfly, fossa, strawberry, bugloss, penny, escargot, towel, paper airplane, grapes. 

I love being able to see what I can accomplish with just pen. I usually only choose color when I know it's the best way to represent the subject matter. Sometime I use stippling (pen dots) to create a lighter fluffier consistency, sometime repeating lines and crosshatching are required with heavy pen work, and sometimes light lines to accent shapes and shadow. 

Which images were the most popular when shared online: The cat was at the top! The Barbie rug was also a hit. I got remarks on how adorable Mother Goose was! And the towel got a lot of likes. 

May 2026 Doodlewash Prompts: Jaffa cakes, paperclip, mint julep, solitaire. 

So, there you have it! Another month of drawings from my nightly sketchbook I reserve just for art challenge prompts! I absolutely love sharing these with you. I want to thank all the readers, commenters, and likes from so many of you as I share daily on social! It's so much fun being a part of the artist community and cheering each other on. 

Thanks for being a part of my artist journey! You're welcome to share below which drawings are your favorites! Your feedback is always welcome. 

And remember, if you want to challenge yourself creatively, do something you look forward to. I don't find this daily drawing to be a chore. It's a fun challenge. Plus it gives me the opportunity to create a body of work I'm proud of! 

Remember that I'm cheering you on! And if you would like to work with me privately with discovering your own creative framework of cross pollination and expression, contact me direct at [email protected] or send me a message on social! I look forward to connecting! 

​In the meanwhile, Remember to Play! 

Hello friends and Welcome Back to A Time to Play! If you're new around here, This is the place where we Play Together: I share with you what I'm up to and cheer you on with what you're up to during PLAYTIME. 

What, you don't have playtime? Well, this is the place to get some inspiration for your next jaunt into whatever lights you up! Ready? OK! 

Today's post is my monthly Doodlewash Round UP! This one is for April. (Yes I'm one month behind schedule...I try to share all of my drawings for the month within the month following, but LIFE happens and I have fallen behind. Oh dear. Well, here's April's anyway! ) 

In cast you don't know, Doodlewash is a daily art challenge that comes with a list of prompts for the month. I'm writing this in June, so that means I'm in my 8th month of a daily drawing based on these prompts. Each month that I complete continues to amaze me. Wow. 

April 2026 Doodlewash Prompt: robin, breakfast, palm tree, shadow, colored eggs, picket fence, strawberry shortcake, miniature golf, kayak. 

So, as I continue on this fun art challenge, let's look back on my April experience. Every month is different since we usually get a different prompt each day. Occasionally a prompt will repeat from a previous month, but not often. 

Looking back on April, I continue to enjoy drawing food. I had breakfast (I chose waffles with fruit and bacon!), strawberry shortcake, maple syrup (that was a challenge for sure!), and then drinks. The drinks are more challenging with the containers, like tea cups and glass. A latte and a spritzer. These are ones I had to do in full colored pencil and pastel crayon. That in itself is more of a challenge since it requires some layering. And, often, at least 4 colors to combine and blend. 

We had some flowers/trees, all of which were just "bones" as I like to call them; no color. Just anatomy with shading for depth and texture. I enjoy doing them that way more. 

Then there was some structure based prompts like the kayak and the toolbox; they also feel like anatomy in their own way. They also require pen and color together. 

April 2026 Doodlewash Prompt: shells, grape hyacinth, latte, tool box, maple syrup, spring break, stained glass, bonnet, game, apron, spiderwort, ladybug. 

There were some prompts that really satisfied me: The bonnet with all the creases, The shield with the wood texture and metallic framework, and the grasshopper with all its parts, 

The ones I didn't like as much: the spritzer (I don't especially like drawing glass), Birds with their feathers, the dominoes without linework, and the spring shower (it's hard to capture rain well using colored pencil). 

April 2026 Doodlewash prompt: April shower, shield, cricket, House Finch, Water spritzer, Crocus, Red Junglefowl, Salamander, Lily pad. 

I continue to keep a parameter on the amount of time spent. Believe it or not, I do most if not all of these drawings in my living room recliner with a lap desk, art supplies at the ready while I watch TV/Movie with my husband! Yep! Usually it's between 7-9 pm after my evening journaling practice. 

You know I gotta love it if I'm doing it late in the evening for as long as I've been doing it. 
What I really appreciate is the body of work I'm producing (in the most relaxed state possible) and how much I'm learning about observation, strategy, detail, color, choice of approach (how will I represent my subject?), and trusting myself to get it done, not because it's a task but because it's what I do. Because I'm an artist and I make time for what I want to accomplish, and to be part of a community of other artists who are engaged in the same challenge. 

Also, I so appreciate the comments I have received on social media (like Facebook, IG and Threads); you have all been so kind and supportive! Thank you for being on this journey with me! 

Let me know in the comments below if you're doing Doodlewash too or if you're engaging in some kind of creative challenge. Or maybe just share how you're playing right now! 

I'm here to cheer you on. 
Enjoy Playtime. Do something your inner child misses. 

I know mine loves to draw; so I draw. 

Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY! 

Hello and Welcome Back to A Time to Play! I'm so excited to share with you what is giving me PLAY vibes with my Fashion Accessories...one of my favorite subjects! 

If you know me at all, you know I'm a Treasure Hunter! Yep! Love going to estate sales, trade days and sometimes thrift stores looking for what aligns with my aesthetic and works with my color palette. Yes! 

And when I find something ON Point, I get SO excited! There is just something about finding the Perfect Accessory for the perfect look that just lights me up! 

So I've got a new round up of jewels I've acquired (very budget friendly, I might add!), and thought I would share them with you! My goal is to give you some shopping tips that can help you determine what accessories would work well for you and your wardrobe. And of course, I'm here for you if you're looking for a personal stylist that can help you put a look together. I love me some fashion! 

You can watch my latest vintage jewelry video below. 

Now, wasn't that fun? I trust you had as much fun as I did! Woot! 

I had a little bit of everything...from necklaces to bracelets, rings and brooches. And I'm having so much fun mixing and matching with my ensemble looks! 

It's all about have FUN with Your Fashion! 

Thanks for joinng me for this fabulous jewel haul! It's always more fun when we share, don't you think? I appreciate your enthusiasm and your desire to see what I'm up to when it comes to fashion and styling. It is one of my favorite subjects! 

Remember, I'm here if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help! Contact me direct at [email protected] or hit me up on social for a consult! 

Also, leave a comment about which piece of jewelry was your favorite! 

Have yourself a delightful day and Remember to have FUN with Your Fashion! 

Hello my friends and Welcome Back to A Time to Play, a place where I share with you how I am engaging in PLAY every day so you can be inspired to PLAY too! 

I am so excited to share this particular post with you, because it's VERY SPECIAL. 
For those who may not know, I enjoy art journaling. It is one of my intuitive, spiritual modalities that has stayed with me since 2011 when I first discovered this fun, engaging, messy, mixed media marvel, where I love getting my hands dirty! 

I've enjoyed creating two page spreads in my art journal many a year over, and this one is no exception. But this PLAY spread is actually the seed that was planted back in late 2024 to start this blog, A Time to PLAY. Yes, that is how far back it goes! PLAY is a vital essential element to my every day existence as a creative, artist, and musician. I could not live without it. 

Art journaling is one of my favorite modalities I continue to engage in because it gives me a way to explore on a deeper level, bringing my subconscious mind to the fore, and that is a very powerful way to know myself! 

First of all, I love to play with all kinds of media: paint, stamping, fabric, collage, design, embellishments, gesso and anything else I decide to throw on! Yes! 

For this particular spread, I counted approximately 12-13 layers of creating this highly textured dynamic design from the heart and soul! 

The first idea that came to me was cutting out letters from a fabric featuring honeycomb and bumble bees to spell the word PLAY. From there I lay down some gesso to prime the paper and then went step by intuitive step to create the following layers: 
Stamping circles using gouache paint; Cutting strips of fabric and adhering them in a vertical design I created; Cutting out circles that reminded me of mandalas and adhering them into a pleasing design; Adding more gesso in between for texture and visual interest; punch cutting circles from card stock like little balloons of celebration and adhering them where it pleased me in the design layout; stamping small flowers in various places; adding more gesso for texture, cutting out bumblebees and adhering them in strategic locations, adhering the letters for PLAY; adding marks with varying hues of oil pastel and colored pencil; and Stamping the letters that read, Cross Pollination. 

This entire spread was created and assembled between January 2025 and March 2026 (with several weeks? of pause in between during a move.) The culmination of this art journal spread feels strategic and with a heart-based layering of importance to me. My desire to focus on PLAY and share it with you is primary to me. I have come to understand how undervalued PLAY time can be, even associating it with guilt in leu of not doing the work that we still have to do each day. 

Please let this spread be an inspiration to you to make PLAY time a priority, no matter how small the play is, no matter how much time you spend. 

Folks often refer to playful activities as Hobbies. But I also see folks dismiss hobbies when other responsibilities come in, leaving them feeling depleted and exhausted. 

The KEY I have found with playtime is that I don't see it as optional, or a nicety to do occasionally. In my experience, my playtime is vital to my joy and happiness. I have seen how the many creative modalities that I engage in Cross Pollinate with each other; and when I zoom out to see the big picture, I am absolutely amazed as to the importance of how each of them work in tandem with each other to create a multi-dimensional experience that fills my heart and soul with JOY and Goodness! 

Let this art journal spread be a reminder that the things that light you up are not random; they are not just little engagements that have no meaning other than relaxing you. They All Matter. Because YOU matter. Your creativity is essential to you for Who You Are and Who You Are Becoming, authentically and multi-dimensionally. 

If you desire to get a clearer picture of how your creative modalities and what you would like to engage in can help you discover more of yourself and why it matters, connect with me either in the comments or by email ([email protected]) or send me a message on social. 

I'd love to connect with you and show you how we can go treasure hunting for what might be right there in front of you and how you can lead a more creative and intuitive life that brings you joy and soul satisfaction. 

Thank you so much for being a part of my creative journey; it would not be the same without you! 

Leave a comment below about what you are doing to incorporate play every day! I'm cheering you on! 

Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY!