Welcome to my |
| One that I really enjoyed was the clothing on the sailor. I love drawing fashion so this suits my artist aesthetic. Which drawings were the most popular: The shrimp plant, the glass, the spider and crayons (that was top, I think), the croissant and the hubcap. |
When I see so many enjoying my drawings, I must say it is truly motivating to keep going. I so appreciate those who share my work so more can view it. Your support means a lot to me, so thank you!
One of things I really love the most about these challenges is choosing how I will present the subject. It reflects my aesthetic as an artist and how my mind works.
One of things I really love the most about these challenges is choosing how I will present the subject. It reflects my aesthetic as an artist and how my mind works.
January Doodlewash Prompts: Crayons, Snowfall, Ladybug, Sneezeweed, Croissant, Hubcap.
I've learned a lot about myself as an artist, what pushes me to keep going, what subject matter I most enjoy, and how I like using my art supplies to do my very best work. Having high quality supplies to start with can really make all the difference in how well the drawings turn out.
I do trust my instincts and dive right in since I've had many decades of practice; a creative practice and how you build one, really shows how you work and play and how you get into flow with the most ease.
I highly recommend making your creative practices part of your daily routine.
These drawings are done immediately after I write and illustrate my day in my journal. Then I pull out my sketchbook and start on the next subject.
My husband often refers to what I do as a discipline. I suppose it could be seen that way; I see discipline often in a heavier light; like I'm disciplined so this is what I do to accomplish this...
I think if I used that word, it would feel like a burden; so I prefer to use the word Practice or Playtime. It's more fun that way! (I do appreciate my husband's point of view since discipline is important to him! )
Well I trust you have enjoyed checking out my January Doodlewash roundup!
If you ever desire to talk about how you want to build a creative practice from the ground up, contact me direct at [email protected] or message me on social media (see this page for links! )
Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY!
I do trust my instincts and dive right in since I've had many decades of practice; a creative practice and how you build one, really shows how you work and play and how you get into flow with the most ease.
I highly recommend making your creative practices part of your daily routine.
These drawings are done immediately after I write and illustrate my day in my journal. Then I pull out my sketchbook and start on the next subject.
My husband often refers to what I do as a discipline. I suppose it could be seen that way; I see discipline often in a heavier light; like I'm disciplined so this is what I do to accomplish this...
I think if I used that word, it would feel like a burden; so I prefer to use the word Practice or Playtime. It's more fun that way! (I do appreciate my husband's point of view since discipline is important to him! )
Well I trust you have enjoyed checking out my January Doodlewash roundup!
If you ever desire to talk about how you want to build a creative practice from the ground up, contact me direct at [email protected] or message me on social media (see this page for links! )
Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY!
Sketchbook Series: Dear Old DAD
A Look Back
Welcome back to A Time to Play! Here we focus on making time to do the things we love, every day if we can!
For me, I started a daily sketch practice last year in 2025 using 6B & 8B pencil, where I sit in my bed, watch my current favorite show on my TV and sketch faces, especially during commercials! Why watch commercials when you can sketch?! Ha!
My sketch time primarily started with drawings of family from photos. And one of those family members has been my Dad, P. Daniel Bel-Tempo.
For me, choosing to sketch him became a way to remember him by, after his passing on January 8, 2023. Yes, it's been 3 years already since. It doesn't feel that long, but time is relative.
I started this Sketchbook Series here at my blog, A Time to Play, back in 2025 where I shared sketches of my daughters with their sons which you can view here.
So I'm glad to be bringing the Sketchbook Series back and I wanted to share these sketches of my Dad in honor of his passing this month. I also want to make mention that my Mother, his wife of over 60 years, also passed in January a year after his on the 15th. So I recognize both of my parents passings with great love and gratitude.
For me, I started a daily sketch practice last year in 2025 using 6B & 8B pencil, where I sit in my bed, watch my current favorite show on my TV and sketch faces, especially during commercials! Why watch commercials when you can sketch?! Ha!
My sketch time primarily started with drawings of family from photos. And one of those family members has been my Dad, P. Daniel Bel-Tempo.
For me, choosing to sketch him became a way to remember him by, after his passing on January 8, 2023. Yes, it's been 3 years already since. It doesn't feel that long, but time is relative.
I started this Sketchbook Series here at my blog, A Time to Play, back in 2025 where I shared sketches of my daughters with their sons which you can view here.
So I'm glad to be bringing the Sketchbook Series back and I wanted to share these sketches of my Dad in honor of his passing this month. I also want to make mention that my Mother, his wife of over 60 years, also passed in January a year after his on the 15th. So I recognize both of my parents passings with great love and gratitude.
I was so glad to have received a copy of this photo of my Dad when he was young in the Army in his uniform. He was very proud to look back on his time in the Service of the United States Armed Forces. He even wrote a fiction book series on the subject. But he spoke often of his experiences, especially as the snare drummer. His enthusiasm was contagious. I always enjoyed wishing him a Happy Veteran's Day.
In the sketch above, Dad is posing with his beloved saxophone, an instrument he greatly enjoyed playing. I remember when he would go upstairs while we visited and he would serenade us from his bedroom with his sax playing. Then he would come back downstairs and ask if we enjoyed that, and I always said, absolutely, Dad! It gave me such a thrill to experience my Dad as a musician in his element. The joy it gave him was palpable. I always love to talk about his influence on me musically!
The above sketch is of DAD in his tuxedo! Yes, he wore one at my wedding (almost 37 years ago!) and he ended up wearing one for other events, so this one he owned. I always thought he looked so DAD handsome when he wore it. This image was the one he used on his social media for his profile pic.
In the last season of his life, I was privileged to play my piano for him before he passed. There was one song I played called, The Verdict, which is a song to Spirit, that he enjoyed. I played that song on January 15 this month, thinking of Dad and then realizing it was the 2 year anniversary of Mom's passing. So that hit me hard in the gut that day. That's why I wanted to share these sketches with you to honor my parents and how January has become such a month of remembrance (In addition to my eldest daughter's birthday!)
The last sketch I did of Dad was during a FaceTime call and I was so grateful for the technology that was available so I could see him, even though we lived across the country from each other. Such loving memories that hit the heart fully. I choose not to reveal that sketch here because it was a deeply personal and meaningful time between myself and my father.
Thank you for joining me for this very special Sketchbook Series post featuring my beloved DAD in varying stages of his life.
Whenever I do a sketch, I'm never looking for perfection, just my way of seeing and honoring my own perspective with each face I draw. I find it so valuable, so much so, that I do it daily.
Make your sketchbook time relevant and do it at a time when you're doing other things that just keep your eyes or ears busy. That's what I do and it Works!
ENJOY!
Have yourself a delightful day and Remember to Play!
The last sketch I did of Dad was during a FaceTime call and I was so grateful for the technology that was available so I could see him, even though we lived across the country from each other. Such loving memories that hit the heart fully. I choose not to reveal that sketch here because it was a deeply personal and meaningful time between myself and my father.
Thank you for joining me for this very special Sketchbook Series post featuring my beloved DAD in varying stages of his life.
Whenever I do a sketch, I'm never looking for perfection, just my way of seeing and honoring my own perspective with each face I draw. I find it so valuable, so much so, that I do it daily.
Make your sketchbook time relevant and do it at a time when you're doing other things that just keep your eyes or ears busy. That's what I do and it Works!
ENJOY!
Have yourself a delightful day and Remember to Play!
Let's Begin 2026 with Some Fun Vintage Jewelry Finds!
I'm so excited to share with you our first Vintage Jewelry video/post of 2026! Welcome back A Time to Play, and if you know me, I'm all about Playing and Having Fun with my Fashion and You Can Too!
So, I am an avid treasure hunter of all things vintage, but especially when it comes to accessorizing for my Winning Wardrobe. Yes!
In the video above, I share with you a jewelry compilation from varying sources: Main Street Main in the city where I live, 3rd Monday Trade Days in the county where I live, as well as estate sales I have perused and found some great pieces!
The jewelry is a mix of bracelets, earrrings and necklaces (a little bit of each), some wood, some beaded, some metallic. But all great colors, textures and pieces that fit my Winning Wardrobe Color Palette and Aesthetic.
I am picky choosy about these choices when I shop to be sure they will suit me and how I dress. Once you really know your style, finding jewelry treasures becomes more of a pleasure since you know what you're looking for.
So join me for some Fun Jewelry Finds as we look back on my Christmas shopping of 2025!
It is my delight for you to get some fashion inspiration for your next wardrobe ensemble! Yes!
And if you're looking for some fashion styling assistance along the way, just reach out to me here in the comments, email me direct at [email protected] or message me on social. I'd love to hear from you and get you going in the direction that works for you and your wardrobe!
And remember to have FUN with Your Fashion!
So, I am an avid treasure hunter of all things vintage, but especially when it comes to accessorizing for my Winning Wardrobe. Yes!
In the video above, I share with you a jewelry compilation from varying sources: Main Street Main in the city where I live, 3rd Monday Trade Days in the county where I live, as well as estate sales I have perused and found some great pieces!
The jewelry is a mix of bracelets, earrrings and necklaces (a little bit of each), some wood, some beaded, some metallic. But all great colors, textures and pieces that fit my Winning Wardrobe Color Palette and Aesthetic.
I am picky choosy about these choices when I shop to be sure they will suit me and how I dress. Once you really know your style, finding jewelry treasures becomes more of a pleasure since you know what you're looking for.
So join me for some Fun Jewelry Finds as we look back on my Christmas shopping of 2025!
It is my delight for you to get some fashion inspiration for your next wardrobe ensemble! Yes!
And if you're looking for some fashion styling assistance along the way, just reach out to me here in the comments, email me direct at [email protected] or message me on social. I'd love to hear from you and get you going in the direction that works for you and your wardrobe!
And remember to have FUN with Your Fashion!
Let's Start the New Year with
Some Doodlewash!
Hello and Happy New Year! (I'm writing this on January 8 so I'm still in New Year mode. But you know what, why not stay in that jolly attitude??)
So, I'm glad you're here at my blog, A Time to Play. Since we're just beginning a new year, I thought I would start with ART, one of my favorite subjects and practices.
If you don't know already, I've been engaging in some art challenges since October of 2025 (InkTober). If you want to read that post and see my sketches, see this link. If you would like to see November's drawings, see this link.
I have had so much fun with art challenges, I've decided to keep going!
Even with the busy holiday season, I kept my daily sketching with Doodlewash prompts. (I've included the list of prompts under each of the drawing boxes.)
I continued to use my personal journal for my sketches until I realized that the space I was needing wasn't quite big enough for especially larger subject matter. So on December 26, I decided to keep a separate sketchbook just for my daily sketches that are prompt based. At first I did two drawings per page, but then I did something really tall and decided to only do one drawing per page. So now each sketch gets its own space, so I have lots of room and don't feel inhibited with my creative expression.
So, I'm glad you're here at my blog, A Time to Play. Since we're just beginning a new year, I thought I would start with ART, one of my favorite subjects and practices.
If you don't know already, I've been engaging in some art challenges since October of 2025 (InkTober). If you want to read that post and see my sketches, see this link. If you would like to see November's drawings, see this link.
I have had so much fun with art challenges, I've decided to keep going!
Even with the busy holiday season, I kept my daily sketching with Doodlewash prompts. (I've included the list of prompts under each of the drawing boxes.)
I continued to use my personal journal for my sketches until I realized that the space I was needing wasn't quite big enough for especially larger subject matter. So on December 26, I decided to keep a separate sketchbook just for my daily sketches that are prompt based. At first I did two drawings per page, but then I did something really tall and decided to only do one drawing per page. So now each sketch gets its own space, so I have lots of room and don't feel inhibited with my creative expression.
December 2025 Doodlewash prompts: covered bridge, mouse, wreath, winter moon, Ornament, nutcracker, Christmas cactus, garland, snickerdoodle, tree, snow globe, jack-in-the-box.
During the month of December, the doodlewash prompts were fun and challenged me, stretching me as an artist, which is one of the great benefits to a challenge. I'm drawing/illustrating subject matter that I would not do otherwise.
You know what subject matter I have really enjoyed working with? FOOD! Yes! I love drawing food. Cookie, tea, pie, chocolate, etc. I loved the nuances of color as I layered colored pencil and some pastel with fine pen.
Plus anyting to do with fabric, especially with the snowman and gnome. The snowman sketch was, I think, my most popular one with the most views online. (Yes, I share my drawings on Facebook and in my Instagram stories!)
I love drawing clothing I wear daily so this is a familiar subject matter and I never tire of it. But in a different context, like in snow or on a figure I don't usually draw, it created a different vibe that I really enjoyed.
Another one that got more views and comments were the sleigh bells. Challenging and fun!
You know what subject matter I have really enjoyed working with? FOOD! Yes! I love drawing food. Cookie, tea, pie, chocolate, etc. I loved the nuances of color as I layered colored pencil and some pastel with fine pen.
Plus anyting to do with fabric, especially with the snowman and gnome. The snowman sketch was, I think, my most popular one with the most views online. (Yes, I share my drawings on Facebook and in my Instagram stories!)
I love drawing clothing I wear daily so this is a familiar subject matter and I never tire of it. But in a different context, like in snow or on a figure I don't usually draw, it created a different vibe that I really enjoyed.
Another one that got more views and comments were the sleigh bells. Challenging and fun!
December 2025 Doodlewash prompts: Jolly, hot tea, gnome, snowman, toboggan, winter wonderland, carolers, mistletoe, favorite decoration, ribbon candy, gingerbread house, sleigh bells.
When it comes to my sketches, I use a lot of layered color, like a painting. It helps to create depth, texture and more realism, which I find very satisfying as an artist.
Using prompts in December kept me going and I'm finding the experience to be deeply gratifying. I look forward to sketching after my journaling/illustration session. It's like my journaling inspiration just flows right into this newer practice.
I must admit I've been surprised by how much I'm loving this. I thought I would stop after one month, but now I'm in January and still going strong.
Using prompts in December kept me going and I'm finding the experience to be deeply gratifying. I look forward to sketching after my journaling/illustration session. It's like my journaling inspiration just flows right into this newer practice.
I must admit I've been surprised by how much I'm loving this. I thought I would stop after one month, but now I'm in January and still going strong.
December 2025 doodlewash prompts: Gift, wooden shoes, favorite dessert, lamp post, hat and scarf, chocolates, hot chocolate.
Thank you so much for your interest in my work and my journaling/creative practices. It is such an integral part of my life as an artist, creative, and journal keeper.
If you're looking to find a way to build your own creative practice but don't know where to start, let me know. I'd love to chat with you about listening to those intuitive nudges that call to your heart. Whether it's journaling, creating, learning, listening, it's all about following the path that's right for you.
Just email me at [email protected] and we'll connect.
Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY!
If you're looking to find a way to build your own creative practice but don't know where to start, let me know. I'd love to chat with you about listening to those intuitive nudges that call to your heart. Whether it's journaling, creating, learning, listening, it's all about following the path that's right for you.
Just email me at [email protected] and we'll connect.
Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY!
A Look Back on my Top 10 Scarves
of 2025!
Hello friends and Welcome Back to A Time to Play, a place that gets your creative juices flowing right into playtime for you every day!
For this post, I'm having some fun looking back on some of my favorite scarves! Scarves are a super go-to accessory that is an essential part of my Winning Wardrobe, so much so, that I wear one every day of the year! Yup!
I have so much fun finding scarf treasures in varying places such as estate sales, retail shops, antique shops, and more! When I see a scarf in just the right color scheme for my wardrobe color palette, I gladly add it to my growing collection (50+ over many years of collecting!)
What I love about my scarves is that they can be a great source for the perfect pop of color, for texture (think types of fabric, fringe, tassels, etc), for layering, for warmth, and just plain fun! Whether solids, animal print, florals, polkadots, or somewhere in between, they just work! and they are playful and delightful, sometimes the perfect accessory to really pull a look together!
So, in the video above, I share my TOP 10 SCARVES of 2025! I had so much fun pulling out the ones I wore the most and why I love them so much! So if you're looking for some wardrobe inspiration, you've come to the right place!
You're welcome to leave a comment on which scarf you loved the most from my collection!
Do you wear scarves with your wardrobe ensembles? If so, what are your favorite kind? You're welcome to share below!
Thank you so much for joining me for some Winning Wardrobe fun here at A Time to Play and how we dress is the perfect place for Play, isn't it?
Enjoy the video and if you haven't already, you're welcome to subscribe and leave a comment on my YouTube Channel, Plus I have a whole playlist of videos just waiting for you, Fashion Styling with Dawn.
Here's to a Winning Wardrobe and Remember to have FUN with Your Fashion!
For this post, I'm having some fun looking back on some of my favorite scarves! Scarves are a super go-to accessory that is an essential part of my Winning Wardrobe, so much so, that I wear one every day of the year! Yup!
I have so much fun finding scarf treasures in varying places such as estate sales, retail shops, antique shops, and more! When I see a scarf in just the right color scheme for my wardrobe color palette, I gladly add it to my growing collection (50+ over many years of collecting!)
What I love about my scarves is that they can be a great source for the perfect pop of color, for texture (think types of fabric, fringe, tassels, etc), for layering, for warmth, and just plain fun! Whether solids, animal print, florals, polkadots, or somewhere in between, they just work! and they are playful and delightful, sometimes the perfect accessory to really pull a look together!
So, in the video above, I share my TOP 10 SCARVES of 2025! I had so much fun pulling out the ones I wore the most and why I love them so much! So if you're looking for some wardrobe inspiration, you've come to the right place!
You're welcome to leave a comment on which scarf you loved the most from my collection!
Do you wear scarves with your wardrobe ensembles? If so, what are your favorite kind? You're welcome to share below!
Thank you so much for joining me for some Winning Wardrobe fun here at A Time to Play and how we dress is the perfect place for Play, isn't it?
Enjoy the video and if you haven't already, you're welcome to subscribe and leave a comment on my YouTube Channel, Plus I have a whole playlist of videos just waiting for you, Fashion Styling with Dawn.
Here's to a Winning Wardrobe and Remember to have FUN with Your Fashion!
Doodlewash Art Challenge
November 2025
Hello friends and Welcome Back to A Time to Play! I hope you're having as much fun as I am here as I share my behind the scenes life in my playtime, with the delight of inspiring you with yours!
So...I decided to share what I've been doing with my journaling practice since October. In case you didn't see the first post I wrote about a change I made and how much fun I had with Inktober, check this link to get started! That link is part one.
So today I'm continuing this conversation about using PROMPTS in my journal in the evenings. For a long time I was using a word as a prompt to make abstract art. More about that with the previous link I just shared above.
Well, I had so much fun with Inktober (many of the drawings have the word built in to the design) that I decided to find another art challenge for November. Yup! And I found to my delight another challenge called Doodlewash. You can either draw or paint (or do both) with the subject matter on the monthly prompt list.
I was excited with the possibility of incorporating color into my sketches. Yes, technically you can do that with Inktober too, but the initial challenge was just using ink. So I wanted to stick with that as my parameter.
But with the Doodlewash challenge, I did start to use a bit of color in the first week with some of my sketches. It really took off with the RED prompt since that is obviously a color choice! Then apples came along, and I just went to town with color. I had so much fun with that one. Then I got a bit nostalgic with my Barn choice and decided to draw a toy barn, then came Raggedy Ann for the Rag-doll. From there it was color full on.
So...I decided to share what I've been doing with my journaling practice since October. In case you didn't see the first post I wrote about a change I made and how much fun I had with Inktober, check this link to get started! That link is part one.
So today I'm continuing this conversation about using PROMPTS in my journal in the evenings. For a long time I was using a word as a prompt to make abstract art. More about that with the previous link I just shared above.
Well, I had so much fun with Inktober (many of the drawings have the word built in to the design) that I decided to find another art challenge for November. Yup! And I found to my delight another challenge called Doodlewash. You can either draw or paint (or do both) with the subject matter on the monthly prompt list.
I was excited with the possibility of incorporating color into my sketches. Yes, technically you can do that with Inktober too, but the initial challenge was just using ink. So I wanted to stick with that as my parameter.
But with the Doodlewash challenge, I did start to use a bit of color in the first week with some of my sketches. It really took off with the RED prompt since that is obviously a color choice! Then apples came along, and I just went to town with color. I had so much fun with that one. Then I got a bit nostalgic with my Barn choice and decided to draw a toy barn, then came Raggedy Ann for the Rag-doll. From there it was color full on.
Here are the prompts for Days 1-12 for the Doodlewash challenge: flowers, ocean, soft toy, cherries, glowing, red, miniature, apples, barn, rag-doll, backpack, leaf.
The fun continued with designing my own mug with hearts, and drawing a table I recalled from my childhood that I used to do my homework on. I loved drawing a piece of pumpkin pie, then using one of my own dream catchers as reference for feathers, enjoying the drips of a beautiful candle, and using my own scarf and gloves for Day 26.
Prompt list for days 13-26: Mug, table, water, misty morning, badger, pumpkin pie, feathers, umbrella, candle, party, stag, soup, chestnuts.
One of the things I had so much fun with with the Doodlewash challenge is determining what I would draw based on the prompt. It's totally open to interpretation! Example could be drawing a banner for A Time to Play for party. And for turkey, I could have chosen to draw the food, but instead I went WILD with it. So much fun.
So there you have it! My first full month of a Doodlewash challenge starting in November of 2025. So much fun!
I wanted to share a note here about how I made space for this challenge.
I use my evening journaling practice for my sketches. I was creating abstract word art prior to this and decided that would be the perfect place.
Due to the length of time some of the sketches take, I don't always illustrate my day in addition to it. It depends on how large the sketch is and how much space it takes up on the page.
But I find the benefits of this art challenge to far outweigh what it replaces if it does. It has stretched me to draw things I wouldn't normally choose to draw, such as animals and other nature based things. It continues to strengthen my skill set and induce growth in me as an artist, honing in on observation to detail.
And for you:
Is there something you have chosen to do to stretch yourself creatively? I would love to hear about it. We are here together to cheer each other on in our creative paths, making time to play every day.
Thank you for joining me on my art journey and being a part of my space here at A Time to Play blog! It wouldn't be the same without you!
You have yourself a delightful day and remember to play!
I wanted to share a note here about how I made space for this challenge.
I use my evening journaling practice for my sketches. I was creating abstract word art prior to this and decided that would be the perfect place.
Due to the length of time some of the sketches take, I don't always illustrate my day in addition to it. It depends on how large the sketch is and how much space it takes up on the page.
But I find the benefits of this art challenge to far outweigh what it replaces if it does. It has stretched me to draw things I wouldn't normally choose to draw, such as animals and other nature based things. It continues to strengthen my skill set and induce growth in me as an artist, honing in on observation to detail.
And for you:
Is there something you have chosen to do to stretch yourself creatively? I would love to hear about it. We are here together to cheer each other on in our creative paths, making time to play every day.
Thank you for joining me on my art journey and being a part of my space here at A Time to Play blog! It wouldn't be the same without you!
You have yourself a delightful day and remember to play!
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I'm Dawn Herring, artist, illustrator, musician, and avid journal keeper. My delight is for you to be inspired in your own creativity as I share my times of play and how I find satisfaction in my creative voice. I'm loving being Grandma to two grandsons and keeping the light on with my connection with Spirit, who never lets me down. Enjoy and you're always welcome to leave a comment with your own Playtime!
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