I'm back. For real, this time.

I'm back folks.  Back in action.  Motivated to blog, create and be inspired.  So here it goes...a little Blanco Bunny blog update:

• I am going to be a reporter for The Rapidian for ArtPrize!  I am SO excited about this. I have a few behind-the-scenes interviews lined up and will share more details once the articles and videos are up.

• I am going to be an artist in Beneath the Tree!  This was just what I needed to get back into making things...making art, having craft nights with good friends and just being creative.  Happy again.

I still have my regular 8-5 job, too, which keeps me very busy.  But, I am going to document the process here, have some tutorials and share some inspiration.  So come back soon...because I will be here!

Much Love,
Blanco Bunny

Wow. It's been too long.

Boy did I ever let this blog slip. Geez. Anyway I have a full time job now (hooray!) and have been super busy since my last blog post, which was way too long ago I will admit. Truth be told, I forgot. I forgot to blog. Then I realized that I actually LOVE blogging here...so I am going to try and change my habits and blog more often. More intentionally. Just more. I am not going to hold myself to any set number of blogs per day or week. I just need to do it. For my sanity and for art's sake because, let's face it, I create more art if I blog about it. So, here I go......

I'm back!

Well, kids, I am back. Back to blogging. Back to working with my dog and my cat in my "office." I like it. I have a lot to share with you and cannot wait! Check back soon.

Howdy Stranger

I have the day off today and am playing catch-up. Catch-up on house cleaning, laundry, freelance projects, blogging...the list goes on and on, really. I am actually feeling very relaxed today and am enjoying this much needed time to catch-up. I am hoping to get so much done today that I can play with fabric or on my loom tonight. So, until next time........

Pizza Dough

Okay, so my friend wrote about making homemade, frozen pizza on her blog and now I think that is a fabulous idea. Since I am gone 50+ hours a week for the next few months, I have decided to try and make some things ahead for quick weeknight meals. I think her idea is fabulous. I would, however, like to use a different crust so I found a couple of alternatives:

• Pizza Dough for Hippies via Bread & Honey

• This HEALTHY Pizza Dough via GET BETTER

I usually use this recipe from Donna Hay and have successfully replaced half of the AP flour with whole wheat flour but have never managed a 100% whole wheat dough that actually tasted good and was not heavy. So, I think I should get some vital wheat gluten and test this out. I have baked 100% whole wheat bread using vital wheat gluten and it turns out beautifully every time. I have no doubt that this will work for pizza dough, too. Happy Baking and please share in the comments section if you tried either recipe or the technique described for freezing pizza. I would love to hear from you.

Freelance Work

Hey there, bunny readers. I forgot to tell you that I just started a freelance job. Woohoo! It requires me to travel everyday and work 40 hours a week, so I am going to post when I can :)

Paper Cut Love

I just discovered Ingrid Siliakus while looking at Apartment Therapy. Wow. I have tried my hand at making paper pop-up books, cards, etc., but have never actually made paper cut art. I think I am going to have to try it. Soon.

So, if you feel inspired to either look at more fabulous paper cut art or are in the mood to make some of your own, here is a mini list to get you started:

• Angry Chicken has a BUNCH of posts on paper cut art just use her search box and type in "paper cut"

• Scherenschnitte, the art of paper cutting

• The work of Peter Callesen

• Tord Boontje (make sure to check out his other work, too...fabulous)

•Elsita and the art f paper cutting

Now go grab some fabulous paper, a sharp exacto knife, a pencil and a self healing mat and get started. Oh and if you have a link to a web site or artist that I did not list, please leave them in the comments section for myself as well as other to get inspired by. Happy paper cutting!

The Tea Sub

How stinkin' awesome is this tea sub? Very. Being a lover of tea, I think I may need to purchase this.

Images found via Swiss Miss

The Truth

This poster was created by Mikey Burton. I just recently discovered his work and can sum it up in one word: Awesome. I could not agree more with this poster.

Image found via Swiss Miss

Let's Talk Typographic Posters

Piotr Fedorcyzk found via Smashing Magazine

Alex Banks found via Smashing Magazine

Technix found via Smashing Magazine

That's just a few that caught my eye this morning while working. I have to design six posters with a lot of text on them and was looking for inspiration. I think I found some. I also think I need to use Flickr more often. You should reall check out the Typographic Inspiration Pool on Flickr. I just discovered it and wow! I have an account with Flickr and never do anything with it. Guess I should add that to my list of habits I need/want to change, eh?

Eye Candy: The Art of Rex Ray

If you have not noticed, I have a thing for collage. I also have a thing for the art of Rex Ray. His website is beautiful and colorful; very inspirational to me as a designer. So colorful, well thought out, easily navigated, etc., etc., etc. Sigh. In fact, his site has made me want to re-design my own site and make it a bit more me...a better reflection of me as a designer, artist, person, mother, wife. I should also note that his work makes me want to go make some collages right now. I have been pondering a collage a day, much like this here, but am not sure I can commit to it. I can't even remember to take a photo a day, or write a blog post a day! But, hey, bad habits die hard and if I want to change my habits I have to work hard at it. So here I go, changing.........

Image found Via Rex Ray

Yes, please. I will take one!

I think I *need* this. Badly. I even have the wall space for it! Their site has countless other designs to choose from, all of which are just as drool worthy.

Image found via StickHOME

Procrastinating

That is what I am doing right now. Remember that design project I posted about on Friday? Well, turns out it has some limitations, which is a good thing. I think parameters or guidelines would be better words. Anyhoo, I am stuck. I have hit that creative wall with a loud thud. So I decided to do what I do best...procrastinate. I have found that if I allow myself to get lost in something then I work better under pressure. Weird, I know. I am pretty sure it is genetic.

What about you? What do you do when you hit that wall and you HAVE to get something done?

I've Been A Busy Bunny

Yesterday I got a freelance project. A project that I was given instructions to "go nuts and be creative." Wow and ugh all at the same time. So, needless to say, I have been brainstorming. Looking. Watching and observing. Notetaking and then working on some concepts. I just sent the first round of concepts ideas in and am a little nervous, to be totally honest. I am going to re-do my ideas later this evening. I find that I am better at this later at night. Until then...have a wonderful weekend. Oh, and I will share the final design once I have finished.

Things I Am Loving Right Now

First: A Solution for Blanket Hogs...perfect for me and my hubby (Image found via Apartment Therapy)

Second: A WPA poster for some design inspiration (Image found via Coroflot)

Third: I really love the look of that firewood wall found at Parliament in Portland, Oregon (Image found via Design*Sponge)

Fourth: A FABULOUS solution to organizing your sewing project parts (Image found via Craftzine)

Back On Schedule

I am sorry for not posting yesterday. I had a very full plate yesterday! I will be back to posting everyday now so stay tuned. I am going to upload some Project 365 photos for you to see.

Photo Stories

My dad emailed me this photo last week. My great Aunt Sonny, who will be turning 98 this year, is in it. This is her high school basketball team. Pretty cool, eh? I thought it was interesting that there even was a high school girls' basketball team back then.

Moss House

I think I have said before that I love moss. So, naturally, I thought this moss house was SO cool that is featured today over on Design*Sponge. I think this year I am going to do a little moss graffiti on some pots and the outside walls of my home, since it is brick.

Image found via Design*Sponge

I Like It

Simple words, beautiful typography and the truth. Can't get much better than that.

Image found via Frazier & Wing

Also, on a side note, I would love to make some of these garlands and mobiles for my home. Please check out the rest of the work over at Frazier and Wing, too.

A Bedroom Makeover In Process

I saw this post over at Apartment Therapy and instantly fell in love with this room and the idea of a bed on the floor. I have been wanting to re-do our bedroom for awhile now, but am on a limited budget. Plus I am a big fan of using what you have already and shopping at thrift stores. So, the first step was to actually put our bed on the floor. We ditched our old metal bed frame and put both mattress and box spring on the floor. At first, I was not sure about it, but then I slept great that night....and every night since we did this. I asked my husband and he said the same thing. So it's on to phase two, making the bed look pretty and rearranging the room (hence the numerous posts yesterday about textile love...I am thinking about making some duvet covers, quilts and throws, maybe even a rug and some curtains). I only wish I could paint the walls. We rent our house and our bedroom has this HORRIBLE floral border at the top of the room and our landlord does not want us to take it down. The wall color is not my first choice, but I can live with it. I can make the paint color work. I have been trying to think of clever ideas to cover/hide the wallpaper and not damage it. Something removable and temporary. Do you know of anything to hide ugly wallpaper? If so, I would love to hear your ideas.

Image found via Apartment Therapy