by Linda | Feb 10, 2016 | DIY printables
I’m proud to announce that I’ve joined Petit A Petit and Family and will be blogging there once a month with happy mail printables for you to enjoy! Be inspired and get creative, whether in sewing, parenting, photography or crafting (or all of the above really).
Today I’ve posted the Puuurfect Cat-Themed Printables inspired by Celina’s pinterest board. I’m teaming up with Made by Toya as we will be posting in tandem, taking inspiration from a different board each month. You can join in on the fun and take inspiration how you see fit as well – use hashtag #pinandcreate on social media.
Excited for this new adventure I’m diving into as a blog contributor and excited to see where all the craftiness will take us. Here’s to collaboration and community!
by Linda | Feb 6, 2016 | my creative journal
I blogged about my daily doodle challenge for this year and I’m still going strong posting (almost) daily on instagram. There have been busy days when I forget or get to busy, but I can quickly pick up the habit again or sometimes I’m just not able to post but I still create my doodle.
It’s really not a revolutionary practice since my doodles are pretty simple and it might seem repetitive even if I try to shake it up. I can’t help but draw cute girls and I thought it would make it easy on me to have this constraint of drawing a girl and a word.
It’s interesting how constraints make it easier. You would think we want ultimate freedom, but that usually just means we get frozen in the possibility of too many options! So if you even get stuck wanting to do something, try putting down some rules – oddly enough it makes it all easier!
Of course, I do allow myself the freedom to join in on other creative challenges and prompts offered out there in the instagram world. It’s fun to riff off the prompts of other creative challenges, but I don’t commit to joining them indefinitely… I just go with whatever inspires me that day.
I’ve realized how easy it is to create more using these creative challenges. Again, you would think with total freedom, an artist should be able to create an amazing portfolio. But we need something to springboard off of… at least I do. It’s so much easier for me and I’m thinking… how can I make everything I do this approachable? Right now I’m creating quick doodles and they don’t really become any type of completed artwork… but what if they can become more?
I’m thinking that creative challenges can easily become creative habits and if that translates to final artwork, it would be a hop skip and a jump… an amazingly fun process instead of more trudgery. Usually, I find it very difficult to finalize things – that is my week point. I have a million ideas, but need to finalize them if they will do any good out in the real world. Otherwise, it’s just a million sketches after all!
Do you have creative habits just for the sake of “exercising” or do they often become something more “final” for you? Obviously there is something to be said about warm ups, exercise and just practice… but at some point you do have to deliver!
I would love to hear what or how others approach this type of situation and what creative practices and habits you have in place. Please do share!
In the meantime, I’ll be continuing my daily doodles for sure and will be thinking about how to apply the simplicity of it to all that I do… because it doesn’t seem so hard to be prolific, afterall.
by Linda | Jan 9, 2016 | my creative journal
This year I’m taking on the challenge to create a doodle a day and post it online for accountability. At first, it might seem a bit silly because if you create for a living, you probably already create every day (or almost every day). You don’t really need to be challenged, right?
But I’ve learned that I really like these kinds of challenges and group accountability. It gives me the opportunity to focus on a particular subject and create a body of work slowly, but surely. It’s not as daunting and it sort of guarantees a little bit of creative time, even when life gets busy.
As you can see, I have chosen to doodle a little girl each day which is a comfortable space for me. I want to set myself up for success, after all! However, I added the difficulty of handlettering which I’m needing to practice. There is room to add more elements when the day permits. So far so good… although I feel like I need to get better or do more each day already. Sort of a weird type of personal, but entirely unnecessary pressure. I just need to relax!
I’m posting on Instagram and the link goes to my Twitter and Facebook as well, so please follow along and let me know what you think. Is there something specific you want me to incorporate in a doodle? I’m open to any and all ideas, because I’ve got over 350 days to go 🙂
by Linda | Dec 13, 2015 | DIY printables
Need coffee, just about right now?! I often get that craving and suddenly the battle of should I or should I not ensues!
Even when I’m super busy, trying to juggle mom life, work life and creative life all together… I try to find a few minutes to play in my art journal. Sometimes that is the “fix” that I really need. It’s helpful for my sanity and mood to do something fun and creative.
This is a page in my journal for the ecourse The Creative Life: Documented with Amy Tan and Jamie Waters. I was inspired to create the graphic about coffee because I realize how much I love it and practically need it sometimes. It’s just become a routine and ritual, more than the actual physical need – if that makes sense?
Or maybe it’s both – for the love and need of coffee!
It was a quick and easy page to get my creative fix for the day for sure. That is something that I learned from the class – that it really doesn’t take that much time to satisfy my creative needs. It’s not about the best or perfect layout or design – not the point at all!
I would love to share the need coffee graphic I designed as a printable with you – just click the image to get the full size graphic to download. I hope that it satisfies your creative fix, if not the coffee one 🙂
Have fun and let me know what you create – enjoy!
If you like my design printables be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter for more freebies and the latest updates!
by Linda | Nov 28, 2015 | my creative journal
Awhile back I jumped on the midori traveler’s sketchbook bandwagon and started making my own fauxdori covers. It’s pretty easy to accumulate way more covers than you can use at once. So why not retire some of them by transforming a fauxdori into a bona fide sewn and handbound journal?
I still love the idea of being able to refill travelers type sketchbooks and keep one in my purse, so when I’m out and about, I have a place to jot notes and keep papers organized. I think of it as a mish mash notebook that I would NOT necessary keep forever.
However, I like the permanency of bound journals and we can retire some of our extra fauxdori covers into permanent sewn journals pretty easily. For the purposes of art journaling, memory keeping and just creatively play, I like finishing up a journal to add to my shelf. Perhaps because I like binding books, perhaps because I have leather at my disposal – either way, I decided to transform this blue leather fauxdori into a bound journal.
First thing to do is to cut off all the elastic – my super thick elastic, because that was what I had to work with. I did decide to keep the wrap around part though, so I could close up my journal, just like the midori.
After snipping off the elastic, I folded up regular paper to make the pages of my journal. By measuring it up with the holes already in the fauxdori cover, I marked off where I had to punch holes to sew it together.
I basically eyeball everything and use a pencil to mark up where I have to punch holes. It’s good enough to use just 3 holes as it will be enough to secure the book together. But if you like the look of more holes seen in the spine, you can punch more holes as well.
I use an awl to punch through all the pages of the paper. The better you punch the holes, the easier it will be to sew things up in the end!
Also, I usually do not trim the right edge of my papers when they are bound together, because I think it’s a waste of paper. I don’t really mind the fact that the folded pages create a zig zag edge. However, in this case my fauxdori cover doesn’t have a lot of extra space, so I thought it would be better to trim it all off.
After all the elements are ready – cover, signature of pages, holes punched – I just went on and bound the journal together. It’s super simple since it’s only one signature of papers folded. You can check out my longstitch bookbinding tutorial if you are interested. Super easy!
Since my fauxdori has extra holes on the edges, I just looped the thread around a few times for decoration. It’s still a super simple longstitch with extra loops, no knots, nothing fancy. Just make sure your thread is tight.
The fauxdori cover really converts well to be a stitched up journal. I kept the elastic to close it up and it all works quite nicely.
I’m happy to have converted my cover into a bound journal, which will hold all of my creative experiments from The Creative Life: Documented class with Amy Tan and Jamie Waters.
Do you have a lot of extra midori or fauxdori covers and thinking of turning them into something more sturdy and permanent for safekeeping? Try transforming it to a sewn bound journal to add to your collection!
by Linda | Nov 7, 2015 | my creative journal
I’m participating in a Getting-to-Know-You game of 20 Questions with Kris (With a K) from the With a K Writing Academy. I’m excited to get to know my own blog-readers better & to find other bloggers to play with too. You know – friends who just get it. If you want to participate, you can too! Just go to check out Kris’s post about it here, & get started.
1 – What’s a ridiculous nickname you’ve had?
Not sure about ridiculous but my brother Vo, deemed me Linx as my animal name – we all had an animal name, so the thought brings back fond memories from childhood!
2 – Why do you write a blog? Have your reasons changed over time?
I started blogging way back in the livejournal days and have started many different ones focused on my many diverse interests, but here on tortagialla it’s my homebase for all things creative. I’ve consolidated here at this point in life to keep it simple. Blogging is fun brcause I enjoy sharing creative projects and ultimately it’s about feeling alive through creativity!
3 – Where do you like to be when you are writing?
Usually just at my desk on my computer on a nice bright day because the light is so pretty here in my studio and it’s just a happy situation for me.
4 – Peanut butter & __________.
Jelly. Classic all the way!
5. What does your Writing Process look like?
It’s a run-on sentence as usually I have so much chitter chatter that just pours out. I type away and attempt to edit afterwards. I really want to get better at expressing myself articulately and succinctly though.
6 – What keeps you up at night?
Dreaming about so many projects I want to work on. Worries about work and moving forward towards my goals. Missing family in the USA and every little thing regarding my kids. Just so many thoughts on my mind… it can be very unsettling and overwhelming.
7 – What was your last online purchase? Did you hide it from anyone? (I see you, impulse buyers & shame shoppers)
A gumball machine for my son and a creative ecourse for me. I love to get fun trinkets for my kids and I’m a total learning online junkie!
8 – What do you honestly think of elastic waistbands?
Why not?!
9 – What blogs or magazines do you love to read? Why?
I love anything creative, designy and pretty. I don’t discount anything really because any subject can be inspirational and educational.
10 – What is your favourite way to express your creativity?
I draw and design… and pretty much explore in many different ways. I think creativity can be expressed in all parts of our lives, from organizing the pantry to creating a beautiful piece of artwork to hang on the wall (or wear). There is no limit. I’m very much a paper and pixels nerdy mix – the old and the new – the traditional and the techy. I contradict the norms! Hah!
11 – DSLR or iPhone?
I lost my iPhone and went android way back, but I’m really for everything. Whatever floats your boat, dear! Currently I actually use my mirrorless camera the most – yeah, I’m sort of nerdy techy like that… it’s the future!!!
12 – How do you feel about the semicolon? Do you have any feelings about punctuation marks, in general? (it’s ok if you don’t)
I suppose I don’t have any strong emotions either way for the semicolon – but I do use dashes and ellipses way to much… and probably incorrectly – hmm…
13 – What is a skill you really want to learn?
To drive stick shift? But sort of afraid because I don’t want to put people’s lives in danger if I freak out while trying to drive… so… one day!
14 – Do you use a planner or journal to keep your life from derailing? What kind?
Both planner and art journaling are necessary. I make my own since I also love bookbinding and customizations… not to mention it’s just crafty fun. I also love spreadsheets…
15 – What does your dream Sunday look like?
To wake up late and the kids waking up late as well?!?! (I know, dream on!) and have the whole day to do absolutely nothing but chill with family. Good food and fun times with family… good weather… really that is the ultimate.
16 – Do you have a full-time business or a side hustle?
Full-time freelancing graphic and web design for clients, full-time mom to two young kids and full-time creative entrepreneur experimenting with all things here on tortagialla.com!
17 – Coffee or tea?
Coffee first, but sometimes a spot of tea as well!
18 – What is your favourite outfit?
Jeggings with my favorite black boots and a maxi type shirt/sweater depending on the temperature. Comfort!
19 – What scares you?
A whole lot of things, but definitely worries of what could be bad for my kids – so many mom-related worries… eek!
20 – Cats or Dogs?
Definitely dogs because my first baby is a furbaby Westie named Vash, but I still love you Kris with a K, even if your branding is all kitties 😛
by Linda | Oct 5, 2015 | my creative journal
Working from home often results in feeling isolated and downright lonely at times – and I mean lonely in my business work life which is completely different from the fact that I have a wonderful family around me 24/7. I’m grateful for the love and unconditional support I receive from my close ones…
But I’m talking about online business and social media – geeking over things that my family doesn’t totally “get.” We all need community and peers when it comes to career and worklife. My problem was finding the right people to connect with. I can be really shy at first… but when I connect with cool, like-minded people, I turn into a chatter box!
Recently I joined Tara Swiger‘s starship program and besides using all the tools and courses for my business, I’m looking forward to the community aspect as well. Connecting with people who will “get” what I do. I suppose it’s all about acceptance and the feeling of belonging. I listened to a talk from Tara and Kim Werker and totally connected to their thoughts about finding our right people.
Clarity in our frame of mind can do wonders… because I’m feeling good about what I do and looking forward optimistically more than ever. Isn’t that the point of all that we do? To be happy and wake up feeling great every day of our lives?!
Finally, I realized that my blog readers and past customers have always been there for me as well. Perhaps, I haven’t been paying enough attention to y’all – just in realizing that I already have a lot of supporters and I’m not alone. Have I taken you for granted?!
So this post is for all of you out there, cheering me onward by reading posts, commenting, responding to my newsletter and using your purchasing power to invest in my work. That is so darn wonderful and I totally appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I’m going to keep at it and just wanted to send out acknowledgement and love today.
by Linda | Oct 3, 2015 | my creative journal
I must admit that I have never really understood marketing. Because I didn’t know how to approach it, I simply avoided it altogether. I often fell into the trap of thinking, hey, if I create great stuff, people will just find me naturally, right? I never want to be a pushy sleezy salesman and marketing seemed to just be about advertising your life away.
Boy, was I wrong! What a mistake and incorrect perspective on marketing.
Turns out, marketing is not about tactics to trick people into spending money. It’s not about manipulation. It’s really about getting your offering in front of the people who actually want it!
Marketing is the conversation and relationship between you and your right people.
So ultimately, you can make it what fits for your personality. That sounds nice and non-slimey, right? In fact, it sound pretty cool and something I definitely want to cultivate.
After the first week of April Bowles-Olin’s class on CreativeLive: Double Your Followers with Creative Marketing my entire perspective on marketing has shifted dramatically.
I’m learning what it really means to market yourself and clear steps on how to approach it. I have a feeling that marketing will be a part of my everyday creative life and I’m not dreading it! Amazingness!
I purchased April’s course after seeing a coupon code elisejoycreativelive to save 35% from Elise Joy’s podcast. Amazing discount and either way the course is an great value and totally worth the price. It’s 5 weeks of marketing bootcamp that is easy to understand and to take action on. That aspect is really important to me, because we can intake all we want, but if action is not taken, the results don’t come!
I wanted to share my excitement regarding my shift in thinking about marketing and this super affordable opportunity for all of us to learn from April. Yay! You can purchase Double Your Followers with Creative Marketing via this link which gives me a slight commission kick-back, but of course I only talk about things I love, so it’s a win-win! You can also watch the course for free during the live broadcast, so definitely tune in and listen up.
I hope you enjoy, learn and change your perspective on marketing as well, because now, finally, marketing totally makes sense to me.
by Linda | Jul 27, 2015 | my creative journal
These past couple of weeks I have been creating a visual moodboard each week to participate in Decor8’s moodboard instagram challenge.
It’s actually been a very relaxing and fun process to go through my collection of magazines. Not only am I finally using my magazines and destashing in a sense (still cleaning out my studio space), it’s also a bit of creative funtime to quickly collage and put pretty things together.
The more I learn about visual inspiration and how it transforms and affects a piece of work, the more I understand and agree that it is essential for the design process. I watched the fabric design course on creativebug and it really clicked for me when listening and seeing how Denyse Schmidt puts a name to her collection and the story she creates to support it. Very cool! BTW, the amazing thing is that you can try creativebug premium free for 14 days… like an ecourse binge watching session even if you don’t plan to continue. But honestly at less than $5 a month, it’s a steal for creatives!
I suppose it is a pinterest board the old fashioned way. Do you create moodboards to start a project off?
by Linda | Jul 23, 2015 | my creative journal
Working from home means I often feel disconnected from the rest of the world… the real world. So of course I think it’s amazing to be able to connect with others in real-time as if I was a social butterfly, chatting it up in a cool coffee shop.
Enter Periscope! It’s the latest social media platform by Twitter allowing you to broadcast live anytime, anywhere. People can tune in and comment live, so it’s a community thing that can’t be contrived since it’s LIVE broadcasting.
I’m really a shy person and have never felt comfortable doing video, even though I love watching videos of others who share their art. But the ease of using Periscope made me dive in, not to mention the buzz!
I decided to join in on the fun and put myself out there – finally. Although I’m busy caring for my newborn and toddler, I know that my business has been in a slump because I refrain from putting myself out there fully. There are a lot of fears around my hesitations… but for a variety of reasons – RIGHT NOW – I really need to step up. This is a first step in that direction. Join me? My handle is @tortagialla
Are you on Periscope? Would love to follow and chat up!
