Who doesn't love a baby.  And, they are great to celebrate with  tiny tennis shoes, soft rattles, and that great baby smell.

I love to give art for nurseries as baby gifts.  Of these, my favorites are my personalized nameplates.  They have blue or pink backgrounds for girls and boys, and have the whole name spelled out in celebration of the new little one.  These work great for moms and dads, and grandparents too.

I have a whole set of baby art, some personalized and some not.  Here are some examples--

So, what are your favorite gifts to send to celebrate new babies?

Ok, today I get to stop and smell the roses (yes, I know these are not roses, but I like the picture.)
Last night I hosted a cocktail party for a bunch of people I knew, did not know, or wanted to know. I had no idea who, if anyone would show up, and no idea how all these stranger would interact.

Success.  Everyone had a great time.  Enough people came to make it fun and let people interact individually with several people.  Guests shared their ideas of their art and got to know one another.

I had decided to do this months ago, and I actually did it.  Too many times I excuse myself from accomplishing my goals.  But here, I just jumped in and let go of results, and it was great.

So, take that leap, forget those excuses, quit worrying, and try something new.  Get out these odd crayons you bought but never used, try that new idea for a menu for dinner, take a class in something that intimidates you.  It will undoubtedly work out great.  It does not matter what happens, just because you did it, you will be a winner.

I just hope I remember my own advice.  I love this feeling of success and freedom, and want to feel it again and again.

I love to cook and entertain.  tonight, some wonderful artists will gather here.  So, my menu---

                                                    Roasted  Orange Shrimp

                                                Fresh Veggies with Curry Dip

                                      Bleu cheese and Italian Monte Bello Cheese

                                                  Roasted Eggplant Spread

                                                           Garlic Toasts

                                        and for dessert, mini raspberry shortcakes.


Nummy.  Wish you could all be here.  Does this menu sound good to you?  I am pairing this with Sangria and Chardonnay.  I think it will work out well.

The key to all of this was a careful plan--to get all the ingredients. to start early enough to get everything done, and to have fun doing it.  Whatever I am doing, it always benefits from some serious time at the front end anticipating the requirements and making it all work.

Wish you could all be here.  it is a beautiful night in Minneapolis.
Where ever you are, have a great night.

Tomorrow I am hosting my first Artist Party.  As creatives, we often work alone, so this is a chance for local artists to get together, just to have fun and socialize.  I think that it will also give us a chance to share issues, explore collaborations, and have people to call upon when we need feedback or support.

There are many times when other people are the key to happiness and success, but so many things keep us from one another.  Some people are shy, others worry their work or ideas are not "good enough".  We worry that we are imposing on other people's time, or that we don't deserve help.

Collaboration can be time consuming and even frustrating, but for creative work, it is invaluable.  Even the Harvard Business Review knows this. They indicate that research proves collaboration is very important for issues with no obvious solutions, for problems without clear paths to resolution, and where interdisciplinary information is critical.

So if you want  better process, a more innovative solution, and input form many perspectives, make that call, send that email, even host a party.  Only good things can result.

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been some time since I posted, but from now on we are going to remedy that.  Expect a new post every day, Monday trough Friday.  I might miss a few days here and there if I am traveling, but mostly, you will find me here 5 times a week.

To make up for my tardiness, I am sending you my new puppy, Max.  How can you be disappointed with such a face looking at you.  Yesterday was his 3 month birthday, and you can expect to see him grow up here.

That brings me to the topic of Puppy Love.  It can be a teenage crush, or it can be that instant, bonding experience you have with a person, place or thing.  I had an instant crush on the city of New Orleans.  I was introduced to that wonderful place on a family trip when I was 15, and I  have never forgotten the first rush of attachment.  Every time I go back the smells, the sounds and the friendly people blow me away.

For me the same is true about making "art".  When I was a kid I made ethnic costumes for my troll dolls and parade floats out of kleenex and individual cereal boxes.  A new box of crayons was pure delight.  I had plenty of toys but nothing that smelled so good, and lasted so long.

As an adult I lost some of the wonder of puppy love.  I thought that I should be more serious, more practical, more grown up.  How wrong I was.  Now I know that it is love, puppy or not, that makes the world go round.  It is about enjoying those things that really get your juices flowing.

So have some chocolate, or spend half an hour in the park this afternoon.  Puppy love your own obsessions. You will be a happier, healthier, more creative person for it.