In the pecking order of social media, I favor Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook . Twitter has never been my thing. I guess the artist in me prefers pretty pictures. So, when I logged into Twitter a few days ago, I was surprised to find Artful Pursuits awarded the Sunshine Blogger Award!
The Sunshine Blogger Award is a peer nominated award. Blogger colleagues choose other bloggers who they feel brighten the world a bit with positivity, creativity, and sunshine. As I look at the fellow nominees and awardees, I feel incredibly honored and grateful to be among them.
Many Thanks to Sadie’s Mom Designs
Foremost, I thank Judy from Sadie’s Mom Designs for nominating me. Judy exudes creativity and sunshine on her blog. She designs SVG files for Cricut and Silhouette die cutting machines. Generously, she gives away a freebie every week. Stop by her blog to find an idea or inspiration whether you dabble in paint, vinyl, stencils, decoupage, mixed media, or any other craft/DIY/home decor/art form.
Answering Judy’s Questions
What inspired you to start blogging?
Recently, I found notes from a workshop I took in 2006 where I listed some goals — “start a blog” made the list. I guess I’ve wanted to blog about creativity for longer than I can remember. People frequently asked me how I make my creations. Plus, I love to write and I attained a degree in web design. How could I NOT start a blog?
What does a typical day look like for you?
The alarm, dog, or kids wake me up between 6:30 and 7. Once I get moving, I let the dog out, get dressed, and pour my first mug of coffee. I make breakfast for my littlest one and prep lunches for the big kids. I get the kids where they need to be and then settle in to work at my desk by 8. All morning, I clickety-clack, designing print items and web pages. After a short lunch break, I refill my coffee mug, and clickety-clack some more until 4ish.
After logging off for the day, I retrieve the kids from their various schools and activities. Sometimes, I try to squeeze in some art time or blog time over the next hour. Unless I have to run a kid to an extracurricular activity, I start dinner around 5:15 – 5:30. My husband normally comes home as I’m leaving, cooking, or just before we sit down. If we’re all home, we force everyone to turn off electronics and sit around the table for dinner. While he cleans up the kitchen, I give the little one a bath and get her settled into bed around 7:30-8. Finally, I head into my art studio, turn on the tunes, and get to the business of creating!
What do you like least about blogging?
I truly enjoy blogging. The only thing I dislike might be the time it takes. Taking time to blog takes time away from the family or my art practice.
What activities do you enjoy when you’re not blogging?
In addition to art, I love the outdoors. Some of my favorites activities are camping and hiking. I also adore a good book. Anytime I’m waiting somewhere, I try to read.
What are your goals for your blog?
I’d like my blog to become a helpful and inspirational resource for people. Additionally, I’d love to make money with my art at some point, so I hope to open a store to sell my art, prints, and possibly offer online or in person workshops.
What are your three favorite foods?
Tacos, Veggie Tempura, and Spanakopita
What’s your favorite travel destination?
That’s tough. Cinque Terra and Jamaica are the favorite places I’ve visited; however, when I travel I want to go somewhere I’ve never been. So, my favorite travel destination would be anywhere new.
What would you do if you won a multi-million-dollar lottery?
After taking care of the family and setting aside the funds needed for the future, I would buy a waterfront property with a large art studio. Then, I would alternate between traveling the world and coming back to my studio. When traveling, I’d do plein air art and when home I’d utilize my studio.
What 3 blogs do you read on a regular basis?
I read blogs daily. You can see all the blogs I follow on BlogLovin’.
If I must choose 3, though, I find myself consistently opening and reading the articles of:
Artist Network Magazine : It has great instructional, inspirational, and educational art content.
Adobe Create Magazine : I find the work high quality, the tutorials inspire me for work and play, and I love the graphics they use with their articles. Those inspire me for my blog, too.
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer : A long time fan of her work, I find myself always reading her posts to see what she’s been up to.
What types of blog posts do you enjoy, and why?
I like tutorial posts. If I read about what someone made, I want to know how to make it. I don’t like posts that are 900 word sales pitches, and I also don’t like purely bragging posts. I’m happy you made something cool, but what’s in it for me (the reader), ya know? What’s the value add?
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.”
—Pablo Picasso
I’m a huge Picasso fan. Check out my recent post on Picasso.
My Nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award
Without further ado, I nominate my following peers for brightening the world a bit with positivity, creativity, and sunshine.
- Valerie from A Clever Cat
- Nolwenn Petitbois from Inner Voices
- Ellie from The Forgotten Muse
- Meghan Roswell
- Pauline from Mama Bear Outdoors
- Kate from Southern Possibilities
- MaryJo from Cool Bean Living
- Glory from GSC in Paris
- Kerri from Mama Dares to DIY
- Alexandra, Alex, and Cosmos from A Perfect Day to Play
- Larissa from Go Love Be
11 Questions for my Nominees
- What’s your backstory and consequently, what would your autobiography be called?
- What inspired you to start blogging?
- What’s your spirit animal? Explain.
- What’s the easiest and hardest thing about blogging for you?
- You’re stranded on an island and you can only listen to one Pandora station or album for the rest of your life. What do you choose and why?
- What 3 blogs do you read the most and why?
- You’re on death row, what would your last meal be?
- Someone visits your blog for the first time. What do you hope to make them feel?
- You get to choose one superpower. What do you choose and why?
- Name one short-term and one-long term goal for your blog/website.
- What do you wish someone told you before you started your blog?
3 Comments. Leave new
Great answers! And congratulations!
Thanks, Scully!
Congratulations! Lovely to receive recognition for something you had as a desire way back in 2006! I enjoyed reading your answers. Thank you.