Explore imaginative works and artistic experiments — chalkboard animations, stop-motion shorts, and the occasional quirky sketch. It’s the place where creativity runs wild and weird.
Let’s Color Plastic Monkeys, Mermaids, Elephants, and Tiny Umbrellas Back to Life!
If you grew up in the ‘60s or ‘70s, you might remember the real stars of any fancy drink — those tiny plastic charms clinging to the rim. Maybe it was a monkey swinging from your Shirley Temple, or a pink elephant floating above the fizz. As a kid, I didn’t care what was in the glass… I just wanted that charm! I’d collect them like treasure, each one a glittery souvenir from a grown-up world of Tiki bars, velvet lounges, and pineapple slices on toothpicks.
These quirky drink companions were basically the Happy Meal toys before Happy Meals — and I’ve brought them back to life (minus the sticky fingers) with a set of vintage-inspired coloring pages! You’ll find all the classics: the monkey, elephant, mermaid, and camel — plus the tiny plastic sword that once skewered cherries and orange wedges. And of course, no retro cocktail is complete without a paper umbrella or two.
Two of the pages even invite you to play mixologist — add your own garnishes, umbrellas, and fruity flair. Go wild with the colors and create something Trader Vic himself would envy!
✨ Click the link for your free download and let’s toast to a splash of nostalgia, one crayon at a time. 🍹
Shredded docs → sassy fish. 🐟 Reel In the Craft of the Day!
If your living room tree is more “ever-delightful” than “evergreen,” these Kraft Paper Fish Ornaments are a playful way to keep it dressed up between holidays. They’re eco-friendly, easy to make, and give you an excuse to break out the crayons, paints, and markers like a kid again. Bonus? This recycled craft adds some serious charm to your earthy, year-round tree.
Download & Print Grab the fish template and print it on letter-size Kraft paper.
Double It Up Place a blank sheet of Kraft paper behind each printed design. Hold both sheets together and cut out your fish shape. (Keep each cut-out pair together!)
Decorate Color, paint, or doodle your heart out on one side of each fish.
Staple & Stuff Lay the decorated fish on top of its blank twin. Staple halfway around the edge so it looks like cute little stitches. Leave an opening, then stuff it with shredded paper. Tuck in any strays.
Add the Hanger Cut 5-inch ribbons, knot them into loops, and staple one to the back of each fish at the top fin.
Close It Up Finish stapling around the fish to seal it in. Done!
Pro Tip: Try this same method with my other templates—birds, bugs, shells, starfish, or milagros. Mix them together for a whimsical, garden-of-delights tree that feels alive all year long.
Hey there, creative souls! Let me introduce you to something that’s been in the works for a while now—the Poodoodle Journal. It’s more than just a notebook; it’s a creative companion designed to help you unleash your ideas, without the pressure or perfectionism that often holds us back.
The Birth of the Poodoodle Journal
The idea for the Poodoodle Journal came from my own struggle with the dreaded blank page. You know, that empty stare-down where your mind goes blank and creativity feels miles away? Sound familiar? I’ve been there too many times to count, and I realized: we need something to help us embrace that initial mess, the not-so-perfect ideas, and the glorious “oops” moments.
That’s where the Poodoodle comes in.
I wanted to create a space where anything goes. A place to doodle, brainstorm, make lists, scribble down half-baked ideas, and write without judgment. The Poodoodle Journal is here to remind you that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. Whether your ideas are fresh, funky, or even a little funky-looking, it’s all good. The journal’s name alone is a playful nod to this—because sometimes a little fun (and a little nonsense) is exactly what we need to spark our best ideas.
Poodoodle Journal Features
140 dotted pages: The dots give you just enough structure for sketches, bullet points, and creative layouts, but they don’t box you in. It’s all about flexibility.
5.5″ × 8.5″: A compact size that’s perfect for tossing in your bag, yet spacious enough to let your ideas stretch out.
Wire-bound for easy use: No awkward flipping or bending. It’s ready to go, wherever you are.
And here’s a little bonus inspiration on the back cover:
That’s right. Not every idea has to be a stroke of genius. Sometimes, you’ve got to start with the so-so ones and let them evolve. The Poodoodle Journal is here to encourage that messy, beautiful process.
A Thoughtful Purchase
One of the things I’m most proud of with the Poodoodle Journal is how it’s made. Each journal is crafted just for you when you place your order. No mass production, no piles of unsold stock. This on-demand model helps reduce overproduction and waste, so every purchase is a more sustainable choice. How cool is that?
Let’s Doodle, Let’s Create
I truly believe that creativity flourishes when we take the pressure off and just let the ideas flow—no matter how imperfect they may seem. So, if you’ve been staring at a blank page, hoping for inspiration to strike, it’s time to stop waiting. Pick up the Poodoodle Journal, and let the creative chaos begin.
Remember, it’s not about the end result; it’s about the process. So let’s make room for a little mess, a little doodle, and a whole lot of inspiration.
I hope this inspires you to dive into your next creative adventure. Whether you’re sketching your dreams, planning your goals, or just letting your thoughts run wild, the Poodoodle Journal is here to help you do it all—no stress, no pressure, just pure creative freedom.
The Dino Denim Jacket has officially made its mark—and what a roar-some statement it was! Auctioned at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science’s 2023 fundraiser, Cretaceous Couture, this unique hand-painted jacket left buyers and guests in awe, capturing the perfect blend of creativity, fun, and fashion.
A Dino-Mite Twist on Denim
The jacket was more than just a piece of clothing—it was a canvas waiting for creativity to come alive. The sleeves were adorned with whimsical, white dinosaur shapes—perfectly poised for little artists to add their personal flair. Buyers had the chance to transform their prehistoric pals, whether it was a T-Rex with colorful rainbow spots, a Triceratops in neon stripes, or perhaps a Stegosaurus in cozy pajamas!
What made this jacket so special was the interactive aspect. It wasn’t just about wearing a jacket—it was about creating one. The dino designs offered endless possibilities for imagination to take flight.
The Paint-Your-Own Jacket Kit
Each Dino Denim Jacket came with a special kit that included 3D fabric paints in a range of vibrant colors, turning the jacket into an exciting craft project. The paint was easy to apply, dried quickly, and—most importantly—lasted through wear and tear, making it the ideal material for young, enthusiastic artists.
Painted sleeves with frolicking dinosaurs.
A Jacket with a Purpose
Beyond the fun of designing and wearing a personalized jacket, the Dino Denim Jacket was also created with a heart full of purpose. The jacket was a featured in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science’s fundraiser, with proceeds supporting important programs in science education and museum outreach.
Not only did the lucky winner walk away with an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind piece of art, but they also contributed to a cause that inspires future generations of explorers, scientists, and artists. It was a win-win situation for both fashion and philanthropy!
Final Thoughts
The Dino Denim Jacket proved to be more than just a fashion statement—it was a full-on creative experience! The jacket provided the perfect outlet for self-expression, while also supporting a cause that nurtures curiosity and love for science. Whether it was the chance to personalize a favorite jacket or the thrill of owning a unique, one-of-a-kind piece, this product certainly left a lasting impression.
While this particular jacket is now a collectible, we can’t help but hope that it inspires other dino-mite creations in the future! Keep your eyes peeled—you never know when the next interactive art-meets-fashion sensation might pop up! 🦕🎨
Creating chalk drawings on dark paper is my current favorite drawing activity. For me, drawing the light instead of the shadows is a both a drawing technique and a formula for contentment. Converting these drawings into an animated video involved lots of watching and re-watching online animation tutorials. Here’s the basic process along with links to the videos I found most helpful:
Preparation
Create thumbnail sketches of actions to be animated.
Work out the sequence of events.
Write-out notes to the side of sketches to describe camera angles, zooming in or out, sound effects, etc…
Photograph models or collect reference images for each major action. (I took photos of my son with a strong light coming from the bottom for this video)
Modify the reference images in Photoshop as needed to unify lighting or amplify dramatic moments. Convert to black and white images.
Drawing
Print images at medium quality on copy paper (20#) to fit the size of your dark paper and scanner bed. (I use 8″x10″ black card stock which fits on my scanner bed)
Transfer image to black paper, tracing only the very basic outlines and shapes.
Draw the light values onto the dark paper using a white pastel pencil. Re-establish darkest values and lines with a kneaded eraser and/or pencil eraser.
Scan each drawing and save as a jpeg. Improve contrast as needed in Photoshop.
Animating
Place jpeg images in a Photoshop document as layers.
Select VIEW > Timeline to begin animating. Here are two video tutorials that I found very helpful:
Francesca Blueher easily identifies as an independent-minded person. She is my older sister, leader of our clan of six children, and a self- described “hero from zero to now.” She is also the first owner of a Cowboy Kimono. As her birthday approached in 1996, I found myself fund-challenged and needing to come up with a zero dollar present—stat! I took a denim jacket from the closet, dusted off my fabric paints, and spawned the first Cowboy Kimono.
It is not unusual for Francesca to act on her own initiative and her Cowboy Kimono (featured above) is a reflection of that. Curious about what appears to be an undying devotion to the garment and an insistence on wearing it well beyond its life expectancy, I asked her to share about her Cowboy Kimono crush.
Do you still have the jacket or has it crossed the rainbow bridge?
FRANCESCA: “I still have it and I will never get rid of it. It is 25 years old, a quarter of a century! Perhaps I will include it in my will – maybe going to my (yet-to-be-born) granddaughter.”
You wear/wore the jacket to tennis matches – what’s the story behind that wardrobe strategy?
FRANCESCA: “I’m not playing competitive tennis anymore, but I wore it as a form of sunscreen until I hit the court and put it back on as I walked off the court. The wardrobe strategy? To be used as a protective garment.”
What’s the oddest / funniest / best / most inspiring encounter you’ve experienced while wearing the jacket?
FRANCESCA: “My daughter said, ‘My gawd, every time you wore that you would get a compliment on it!’ I started putting Cowboy Kimono business cards in the pocket and giving them away when people asked me about it. I’ve worn it to New York, Paris, and Japan. In New York, it gets a lot of compliments.”
Why did you continue to wear it when the denim began to “evaporate?”
FRANCESCA: “OMG it just got better and better as the denim evaporated. It didn’t get older, it just got better – just like me!”
What do you want people to know about it?
FRANCESCA: “I wear it to gala or formal fundraising events – much to my husband’s chagrin. I wear it because that beautiful design on the back is meant to go with anything and is such a celebratory design. The jean jacket is the fancy. “
Do you have any special connection to the jacket’s subject matter?
FRANCESCA: “It fits me like a glove. The design is stunning. Absolutely love how perfect the colors are. I’ve never had a piece of clothing that I love as much as this Cowboy Kimono.
If you have a favorite garment that only gets better with time, please share a photo and your story in the comments. #FashionCrush.
One of the emerging side-effects of social distancing is our remarkable ability to use limited resources in unconventional ways. The 2020 Quarantine is proving that scarcity + isolation = mighty springboards for creative work-arounds.
1. Zoom and Skype Set Design
Brilliant homebound workers camouflage bed heads, tweak waist-up wardrobes, and map-out ideal camera angles without hiring digital marketing teams.
2. Pantry Mixology
Newcomers to day drinking re-craft cocktails and make the most of what’s left on the shelf. Got maple syrup and BBQ sauce? Go!
Resourceful parents breathe new life into their high school Spanish or create secret languages to shout expletives without their homebound kids understanding a single word.
7. Songs That Bond
Virtual choirs generate entertaining lockdown tunes, opera parodies, and hand washing ditties to amuse themselves and divert family squabbles.
Did you know? Bing Crosby was refused a room at a hotel in Vancouver because he was wearing jeans? Levi Strauss & Co. was the first to attach a label to the OUTSIDE of a garment? The evolution of denim from conception to adaptation to perfection – all in one infographic! An interesting, quick read for denim fashionistas.
