Making Art

The first thing I want to share with you is personal. I know I said I was going to stop doing that, but this was also a part of art!

My dear husband decided he was going to make me an ART CAKE for my recent birthday. Now here is the thing...he doesn't really cook unless it involves a grill, and he has NEVER (yes, you have read that correct) baked anything! I thought...OMG, how in the world and what am I in for as far as a mess? But hey, the kindness was TREMENDOUS! So my son went upstairs to his room, my daughter and I went shopping and Steve started in the kitchen! When I returned home 3 beautiful layers of cake were cooling on the counter, the kitchen was spotless and (the best part) Steve was smiling! He insisted this had to be an ART CAKE, and I wasn't sure what he meant. This is it:

I think you will agree with me this was an incredibly sweet and kind gift. The cake was absolutely delicious, and Steve may have started something! By-the-way, "Mumphie" is what they call me around here, in case you wanted to know. I am pretty much only Mom when being spoken of to someone else.

The other thing today is not about cake baking or sweet families (although I could go on and on about the last subject). I haven't been in the studio all week...I know, I am ashamed, but wanted to confess. But I have been thinking about art a lot and doing a bit of sketching and doodling. Most of you know I travel a bit and often have a need to take along art supplies, etc. Today, I thought I would share a bit of that with you.
This is a bit of what I might carry along when going somewhere. The backpack, I gave myself. I have sketchbooks, inspiration books, ink, watercolor pencils and crayons, pens, brushes and a bit of water. The other thing I always have with me is my camera. I am always adding to and taking away from. I keep this downstairs, because sometimes I would rather be down here as opposed to being upstairs. From time to time, I will pull things from the studio to take a long if I will be away for any length of time.

But what about when I am just moving around this area...running errands, etc.? I keep a few things in my purse, too, which are always with me. Here is a sample of those bits and pieces.
I always have to have my little Moleskine. I carry like 3 of these books with me (sketch, address and calendar), a Rotoring sketch pen with extra ink, a set of Copic technical pens and my (new) iPod. The little knitted deal in the corner is what I use to stash the iPod so I can have my hands free (spent time knitting that this week...blah).

So tell me thing things you find helpful to carry with you and how you might find them useful. How do you carry them? What do you do for art when you are not in your studio?

Have a lovely weekend! Next week expect to see some studio work! :)