A Trip to Maine

Over the summer, I treated myself to a creative retreat. The purpose was a break from routine and to come out refreshed with new ideas.

And because I've never been, I decided to go to Portland, Maine.

I rented a well-appointed cottage on a peaceful street.

There was a lot of quiet time to brainstorm, write, and paint. I found this bowl in the owner's cupboard and the indigo paint, I bought at the Art Mart. 

Here's a page from my travel journal. I tried to capture a day on the ocean where I got to see several lighthouses...

Including the Portland Head Light (the oldest light house).

A calm day on Casco Bay.

The view from the Eastern Promenade.

Maine is known for their lobsters. These are lobster traps, just a typical scene.

I had to indulge in fresh lobster rolls at the Portland Lobster Company.

I always make time to visit the vibrant farmer's markets.

Maine is also known for their blueberries.

 The Stonewall Kitchen was born in Maine.

To satisfy my sweet tooth, I stopped by a few bakeries like and Rosemont Market and Bakery, Tandem Coffee and Bakery, and Standard Baking Company.

As with other New England cities like Boston, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, I also discovered that Maine is teeming with makers and artists.

An afternoon at the museum (with an impressive museum shop).

My first time to attend a poetry reading! The power of the spoken word in the beautiful Longfellow Garden.  

Summer nights in Congress Square Park means music and dancing.

Sea Bags are totes made from old sails...TADA!

Chart makes jewelry and keyfobs made from old maps...TADA!

Greeting cards and postcards made by Maine artists!

Reading recommendations at Longfellow Books. 

Crafty kits at Circa Home and Vintage.

Lots of possibilities at the Knit Wit yarn store.

Vintage finds and local crafts at these shops: Pinecone and Chickadee, Blanche and Mimi, Folly 101, and The Merchant Co. 

Antique treasures at Portland Flea for All. I loved all these independent shops!

Here is a print of a mermaid with Allagash beer in one hand (it's a city of breweries) and a doughnut on the other (they're also known for their potato doughnuts)...a perfect souvenir from a very memorable trip.  I've already framed this and added it to our gallery wall at home...TADA!  

Hygge at Home

I'm happy that you came over!

Yesterday, I waxed poetic about a Nordic concept called HYGGE.

Hygge is being cozy, feeling safe, and taking pleasure in the simple things in life. And in this hectic and chaotic world we live in, who doesn't want that?

I've fallen in love with HYGGE and here's how I've added it to my life:

Homes are the HYGGE headquarters. So I made myself a hyggerkrog or "a place in the room where you come to snuggle up with a blanket, with a book and a cup of tea."

Mine is a little corner with a sleek reading light, a side table, a comfortable chair that my husband and I bought when we were newly married, and a recently purchased ottoman. I "feathered the nest" with pillows and throws in neutral colors. 

This is where I start my day with meditation and prayer. At night, I love to sit here and read with only the reading light and a collection of candles:

It's said that, "there is no faster way to get HYGGE than to light a few candles". When they're lit, the glow and faint floral scent eases me into relaxation.

Being in nature, like going on hikes, is truly HYGGE. Bringing nature indoors is another option.  

I like browsing flea markets and I've taken home some vintage finds like these records that I listen to every now and then. It's affirming that this hobby of mine is considered HYGGE: "One can find everything one needs to create a lovely home in a vintage store, and the fact that all the things there have a history makes them even more interesting and hyggelig."

This blue cup and saucer are also a vintage find! I found it at the Country Living Fair. 

Treating yourself with cakes, pastries, chocolate, and comfort food are also high on the HYGGE list.

I also have my favorite things close by like books, photos, old letters and handmade crafts.

Because, really, HYGGE is making the most out of the moment and all its pleasures.

In case you want to learn more about HYGGE, here are a few books that I would recommend:

See you next week!

Hoopla Over Hygge

Hi Everyone! Have you heard of the word "hygge"? I first learned it early this year and read more about it from this book:

It's written by Meik Wiking who works at the Happiness Research Institute 
(I didn't know such organization existed and he must have a really satisfying job!).

"Hygge" is pronounced "Hoo-ga". It finds its origins in a Norwegian word that means "well-being". The other ways to desribe it:

• the art of creating intimacy
• coziness of the soul
• the absence of annoyance
• taking pleasure from the presence of everyday things
• cozy togetherness

It's about being with the people that we love. It's a feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe and sheltered from the world. It allows ourselves to let our guard down.

And here is how to achieve it:

With these descriptions alone, I'm all in. 

Tommorow I'll show you how I've incorporated hygge into my life. See ya then!

Urban Sketching

One of the things I'm determined to learn more about is urban sketching. Instead of just taking pictures, I would love to illustrate what catches my fancy. Oh how awesome it would be to fill travel journals with drawings! 

And so I am on my quest to improve.

Serendipity led me to the Urban Sketching Meetups. They were held in Herald Square, just by the Macy's flagship store in New York City.

It's led by the Art Students League of New York.  Students were readily available for questions and tutorials.  

Drawing paper and materials were provided. 

With my chosen tools, I found a seat and observed the environment for potential things to draw.

I wanted to practice detail. I picked out some items that were not too overwhelming to copy.

I drowned out the noise of the traffic and the salsa dance class across the street. Before I knew it, one hour flew by!

I've got a long way to go but I'll keep practicing. The Urban Sketchers motto is “We show the world, one drawing at a time” and I can't wait to do that!

A Travel Journal

Hi guys! Have you visited new places recently? Like most people these days, we show off our travel photos on social media. It's immediate and we get comments right away.

As an alternative, do you keep a travel journal? I always have. Here's what they look like:

It's filled with checklists like landmarks to see and delicacies to try. I also write down my thoughts and highlights of the trip. But mostly, it's just words in these pages.

Do you know what some people do? They illustrate their trip! Let me show you:

via JR Sketches

via Liz Steel

via James Gurney

What sorcery is this? They're highly talented and I became jealous.

I want to be like them! So I'm learning more about this art. In my travel journals this year, I'm attempting to be more visual. I think it's a productive way to practice my brush letting and watercolor while telling a story.   

First, I gathered together my journaling kit. I keep it light and compact so it's easy to take anywhere.

I keep everything in a zipper pouch. Here's what's in it: 

• Sketchbook - watercolor paper is my preference and this measures only 3.5 inches x 5 inches, making it less overwhelming to fill the page
• Pencil - a mechanical pencil is ideal; no need for sharpening!
• Eraser - I like using the pen eraser because it easily clips onto the sketchbook
• Technical drawing pens in different point sizes - Micron, Le Pen and Sharpie are some of the brands I use
• Paintbrushes - I have regular brushes and a nifty waterbrush (just press for water!) 
• Ink pad and date stamp - these are not necessary but nice to have
• Watercolors - an inexpensive set with primary colors suit me just fine

I like pan watercolors because they're less messy compared to tube watercolors. Did you know that you can remove the little pans from the tray? Yeah! You can customize a smaller set depending on what you'll be painting (ex. ocean blues or woodsy greens). I store mine in recycled mint tins...TADA! 

A sturdy, water-repellant envelope is a handy way to stash ephemera like tickets, receipts, coasters, and small keepsakes that you want to include in your journal page. It's a place where all these can hang-out while you await the next journaling opportunity. 

If you're travelling to many places (ex. different states across the US, or countries around Europe), use binder clips or an accordion envelope to segragate souvenirs.   

Here's a photo of my "work space" on a bench at the New York Botanical Gardens.

And here is another on a bench by the Hudson River.

Here are some attempts at illustrating my adventures:

New York Botanical Gardens exhibition

New York Botanical Gardens exhibition

New York City's Chinatown

Union Square Farmer's Market, New York City 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

Portland apartments

The house on Vaugh Street

The Brooklyn Bridge, New York City 

These are my baby steps...TADA! 

Please stop by tomorrow. I'll show you another way how I practice this art.