Current Favorite Art Supplies

If you're looking to add some fun into your creative routine check out Tracy's Current Favorite Art Supplies on Shutterbean.

I’ve been asked by quite a few people to do a post on my Current Favorite Art Supplies and here it is! These are the things I’m into right now and I’m sure that in a few months, I’ll have a few more things to add to the list.  My melted crayon phase has morphed into a daily routine of practicing my penmanship through  hand lettering song lyrics that mean something to me. It’s been fun!

Here’s what I’m into:

Moleskine Notebooks  I am currently alternating between two books in addition to my bullet journal. I have a leather book for my writing journal and a few of these as sketch books. I like how thin they are and they feel less formal so I don’t feel pressure to make whatever I put in it GOOD. 

Mechanical Pencils- I tried one of these at my sister-in-law’s house and was HOOKED. They write like butter. Smooth, bold and dreamy. Sometimes I break the lead. I am an aggressive pen writer. What can I say?

Koi Brush Pens – I’ve been using these ones lately to color in drawings in my journal and highlight things in my bullet journal. I have to stop letting kids use them because the tips are looking ROUGH around the edges. Fortunately, my local art supply store sells them all independently so I mostly need to replace RED BLUE and BLACK.  

Prisma Colored Pencils – I like to use these ones when I’m working on coloring books. I tend to press hard when I am drawing and these ones provide so much color and pigment that I don’t have to push too hard.

Watercolor Travel Kit – I’ve written about this kit before. It’s my favorite and I’ve had mine forever…although I think I am almost ready for more teal (my favorite watercolor color). It’s small enough to pop in my bag so we have something to play with if we’re out on a family hike or at the beach. I always make sure I have a small mason jar filled with water and some brushes in a little bag and we’re ready to go.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens– These ones are super versatile. TWO PENS IN ONE! The only thing I don’t like is that they’re kind of long and don’t always fit in my pen cases. Oh and also— I lose the caps all the time. But other than that, they’re dreamy!

Staedtler Eraser – They’re the best. If you know of a better eraser, please tell me so I can test them out. I’m always down to try new/ dreamy erasers.

Pentel Brush PensI’ve already written about these on my favorite writing pen post, but a few of you asked me what pen I was using the other day on Instagram, so here it is! I like that you can see brush strokes!

Sharpie Brush Tip I can’t get enough of these. Is it the fumes? Is it because they are inky? When I’m at baseball coloring in the bleachers with the kids, the girls calls these ones the “spongey pens” and that makes me happy. They’re right. These pens are very satisfying to work with when you get the right edge! SPONGEY!

Crayola Twistables Crayons– I don’t like drawing with crayons unless they are these twistables. THEY ARE SO GOOD and I don’t feel like I am going to break them (like a regular crayon) when I’m using them with my giant man hands.

Pentel Pens– Fun fact: I still have the set my mom bought me from Costco when I was like 11. Most of them still work but the tips are SOOOO JANKY. I treated myself to a new set because I deserve it. Also, I don’t let any kids use these. THEY ARE ALL MINE. I want them to last until I pass them onto my grandchildren. Is that too much to ask?

My Everyday Life - Week 19 on Shutterbean.com

Are any of you really enjoying new art supplies in your creative routines? I’m always looking for fun art supplies, so let me know! 

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May 8, 2017

Intentions for the Week:

 Every week, Tracy Benjamin from Shutterbean.com types up her TO DO list with her Intentions for the Week post. Check out this week's post!

Happy Monday, friends! Hope you’re doing well. I found out that we have 24 days left of school and I have this tremendous pressure on myself to get as much done as possible (while I can!) before Cooper is off for Summer break. Childcare/working gets a little tricky during the Summer!  Let’s see what my Intentions are for the week….

Intentions for the Week:

  • make kombucha
  • harvest kale/braise it
  • drop off library book + cd
  • school field trip- clean up car/move stuff around
  • mother’s day cards + gifts
  • clean up laptop screen
  • catch up on invoicing
  • follow up on past dues
  • catch up on social media
  • make summer bucket list
  • recipe testing/writing
  • collect items to donate to thrift store
  • follow up on Emma’s package
  • volunteer at thrift store
  • write letters/send/pick up mail at P.O. Box
  • paint toenails
  • yoga x 2
  • hike
  • baseball x 2
  • finish camp sign ups
  • first communion & all the things that go with that! yay Cooper!
  • book haircut appointment
  • grocery shopping/plan for BBQ after baseball game
  • eat healthier/drink more water!!!!

Last Week’s Intentions:

  • keep working on the 100 days project
  • return library books 
  • return Old Navy dress (thinking about bleaching it…)
  • grocery shop
  • kick ass at laundry and get to ground ZERO
  • make a new recipe/map out May calendar 
  • send out letters
  • research more garden stuff  (went to nursery!)
  • put all of my books away (I have so many stacks around the house!)
  • order more bags from ThredUp
  • catch up on emails  (behind!!)
  • catch up on bookkeeping (still have work to do)
  • catch up on social media
  • finish vision board (I didn’t even open my computer file! oops)
  • put away winter clothes
  • packaging supplies for Etsy  (got more prints/samples)
  • yoga  x 2  
  • baseball x 2     lost: 1  won: 1
  • plan for BBQ/sleepover? on Saturday
  • post my April 2017 currently post/share April drawing

 

What about you? What are you up to this week?

Share your intentions in the comments!

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May 7, 2017

My Everyday Life: Week 18

Here’s what this past week looked like on My Everyday Life- Week 18

There’s something so powerful about sitting below a giant tree and resting against the trunk.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

All the May flowers are catching my eye.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

All of these little daisies have been popping up in our yard.

THEY ARE MY FAVORITE THING.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

R O S E

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

The colors are pretty crazy!

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

On a walk.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

I’m a sucker for a solitaire dandelion.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

Coloring club with my friend Lila. She made me this. So cute, huh?

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

We had burgers twice this week….

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

Tater tots twice as well.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

Discussing clogs with my neighbor as she picks up her newspaper and I go off for my walk. She reminisced how my dad used to take that same walk when I was a kid…..with his big headphones on. That made me happy.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

This week I went on Instagram Live and wrote people’s names LIVE for 20 minutes.

My Everyday Life: Week 18 on Shutterbean.com

CONTINUE READING

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May 5, 2017

I LOVE LISTS

I love lists // shutterbean

Welcome to I Love Lists! It’s Friday. Let’s surf the internet together:

  1. Cat owners are guilty of a few things….
  2. A new Wes Anderson movie! YAY
  3. I could use some mini mottos around my house.
  4. What do Chefs notice in restaurants?
  5. What I Needed to Hear
  6. Very cool black out shades.
  7. This doesn’t seem like a good idea. 
  8. What happens if you get shot and how to survive it. I suppose this is helpful?
  9. Are meal kits cheaper than buying groceries?
  10. I wish I knew more about her. I love her smile.
  11. This looks amazing. Too bad it’s sold out!
  12. How old should kids be to get cell phones?
  13. Anthony Bourdain’s favorite airport foods.
  14. Mirrors reflecting on a lake. This is so beautiful.
  15. Apparently, I am 42, and they got my height correct! 5’7″!
  16. The history of McDonald’s uniforms (I love stuff like this)
  17. Muji hut for the backyard. Yes, please.
  18. Passwords….ugh…they are the death of me.
  19. If you need help creating a cleaning schedule.
  20. See ya later, June! I’m gonna binge watch House of Cards!
  21. People who work in hospitals are miracle workers.
  22. The backfire effect <—– good read!
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May 2, 2017

Currently: April 2017

Currently April 2017 on Shutterbean.com

I almost wrote 2016 when I typed April 2017. I’m also annoyed at myself that this is being posted in May and not in April. But, I’m trying to get over that. I think that sums up where my head is at right now!

The flowers here in California start popping off in April. We’ve had quite a show. The leaves are on most of the trees now and the birds are out chirping. The turkeys are chatting and the jackrabbits are running around on our hill.

April was a travel month for me! There was a lot of traveling which through my schedule off quite a bit. I haven’t been in the kitchen as much as I wanted, but I got to recharge, rest and regroup. Travel is the best way for me to keep my creativity alive.

So, let’s see. How was April?

Currently April 2017

Currently April 2017 on Shutterbean.com

Inspired By:

Travel always inspires me.  I really need to see new surroundings or else my creativity suffers. Also, my MIND SUFFERS. I feel cagey when I haven’t had an adventure. It’s a byproduct of living in the house I grew up in. I want to GOOOOOOOOO EXPLORE!

This April I went to Monterey with my family for Easter and then flew to Nashville (to visit Joy!)  and road-tripped to her house in New Orleans. There was a lot of movement in April!  I’m normally not away from home for that long, so April kind of went by in a blur. It was great to be with family near the beach. We did something new and it was FUN!!!!!!!!

My Everyday Life: Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

During my trip to Nashville, I made an effort to talk to strangers.

I convinced Marguerite from Montreal at the airport bar in Denver to try ginger beer. She loved it.  I also found out that I went to the same art school as a bartender named Nick who served me a few “Punch Drunk” cocktails in New Orleans.

The world is small even though it doesn’t feel that way sometimes. These are the things I like about travel.

 

timbuk2 backpack shutterbean

During this trip, I used a new backpack and my roller suitcase for my flights.

OH MY GOD.

How did I ever travel without a backpack? My shoulders were like WHAAAAAAAAT IS THIS??? We’re not sore???!!  The best part about this backpack is that I knew where everything was when I needed to get items out. The straps didn’t cut into my shoulders.  It cut down so much travel anxiety!

My Everyday Life: Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Pen-pals– you guys!!! I am so touched by all of your postcards and letters. THANK YOU! I am so honored that you have all taken time out of your schedule to do something nice for someone else (me!). A lot of you have mentioned that you started writing more letters to other people as a result. <— AMAZING!

I’ve been getting letters from Norway! New Zealand! France! England!!!  Honestly, that is just unreal to me. There are also so many awesome people from all over the US that have written me too.  A big should out to all of the readers from the Bay Area who have written!  I think we should probably figure out a get together soon. How does that sound?

Here’s my address:

Tracy Shutterbean

P.O. Box 604

San Anselmo, CA 94979

I occasionally share some of the cool letters I get on my Instagram Stories.

You can follow me @shutterbean

My Everyday Life: Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Watching:

Big Little Lies. Did you watch it?!!??  It haunted me for a few weeks. I really love the soundtrack. We went to Monterey (where it’s filmed) a few days after we finished watching the series.

I’m behind on The Feud & Girls.  Again…TRAVEL.

Reading:

I checked out too many books at the library this month. I also didn’t return a lot. DANGIT. I’d like to get better at what I check out…I mean, actually reading things on time instead of having to renew too many time before it’s too late.

Currently on my nightstand:

Mindful Games

Do the Work

Trader Vic’s Kitchen Kibitzer

I Hate to Housekeep 

I’m super excited about this new David Sedaris book that comes out this month. I love when he reads from his diaries on his book tours. His observations are comic gold.

My Everyday Life: Week 15 on Shutterbean.com

Thinking About:

My head’s in the clouds for Summer. We go to Tahoe every year with my family. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT. I think we’ll try to go to Santa Cruz and LA. Can I make it up to Oregon or Idaho in the Summer? That’s the question I’m figuring out. I’m also anxious to start working out in my front yard garden.

Thinking about doing some Instagram Live/Facebook live sessions.

(what would you want to see?)

I’ve been experimenting with Instagram Live. I randomly turned it on one morning recently and had people tell me their names and spent about 30 minutes writing them live (with commentary).  People asked questions. I told people what associations I had with their names. It was fun! I did it standing up which was weird, so I have to figure out a better setup. That picture above there shows all of the names I wrote on my first session and here’s my second session:

(press play)

 

Listening To:

Agnes Obel. September Song (is my fave) is from the show Big Little Lies and it’s a good one! I’ve had her on non-stop for the past few weeks.

Also— love her songs Familiar and Stone.

Also if you are having writer’s block, I suggest listening to a little Harry Belafonte. It puts my brain in a good mood.

Finished listening to S-Town!!!! SO good. Did you finish it too? Can we talk about it??

Also- Listening to George Carlin (checked out from the library). It’s amazing to see how much his stuff still stands up after t

 

Dream Life:

I had a dream when I was on my Nashville trip that a tree fell down on our hill. It hit nothing….but it came out of nowhere. Like, I didn’t even remember a tree being there to fall down in that spot. Dreams are weird. I also woke up that night to a gigantic thunderstorm, so maybe that had something to do with it. There’s definitely some Oregon streets in my dream life. Sometimes my subconscious gets stuck in old college stories.

I went through a few nights with some crazy night sweats. Whoa, dude. 37-year-old hormones are interesting. Is this TMI? I don’t know. Can’t we just be real and not pretend like our bodies don’t age?  Also, will someone please tell me if electrolysis is something worth doing? K, thanks, BYE.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Eating/Drinking:

I ate/drank too much on my trips but you know what? THAT’S COOL. YOLO.

Asparagus season!!!!!!  My favorite way to eat asparagus is simple! Roasted…with parmesan and a squeeze of lemon. But maybe I’ll make an asparagus soup when I have a surplus and I need to make something fast with them.

I’m starting to switch to gin in my cocktails. Bourbon is taking second place.

I WANT TO GRILL EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

GRILL SEASON HAS BEGUN. Time to grill some pizza. 

Here’s a page from my bullet journal:

Currently April 2017 on Shutterbean.com

A self-portrait for April:

My Everyday Life: Week 15 on Shutterbean.com

SO! Tell me what’s up with you! 

How was your April?

What do you want to do in May?

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May 1, 2017

Intentions for the Week:

Intentions for the Week - May 1, 2017 on Shutterbean.com

It’s Monday! It’s a new month. HELLO, MAY!! How are we feeling about May?  I like that the first day of the month is on a Monday. Doesn’t seem like that happens often enough.

Today I am going to be getting my brain in the game for May by working on my Intentions for the Week. I can’t believe we are almost halfway through the year. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO????!!!

I have to finish drawing up my April spread in my bullet journal and then I’ll be able to post my April currently post.  All of the traveling in April threw off my schedule (in a good way!), so I am working hard to get myself back on track/catch up. Stay tuned for that.

Let’s see what’s in store for this week…..

This Week’s Intentions:

  • keep working on the 100 days project
  • return library books
  • return Old Navy dress
  • grocery shop
  • kick ass at laundry and get to ground ZERO
  • make a new recipe/map out May calendar
  • send out letters
  • research more garden stuff
  • put all of my books away (I have so many stacks around the house!)
  • order more bags from ThredUp
  • catch up on emails
  • catch up on bookkeeping
  • catch up on social media
  • finish vision board
  • put away winter clothes
  • packaging supplies for Etsy
  • yoga  x 2
  • baseball x 2
  • plan for BBQ/sleepover? on Saturday
  • post my April 2017 currently post/share April drawing

Last Week’s Intentions:

  • get home safely from trip to Nashville/New Orleans (I’m here! safe!)
  • laundry (always) (working on currently)
  • unpack suitcase  (my rest of my family still needs to unpack from Monterey!)
  • yoga x 2  (once in NOLA and once at home and a hike too!)
  • water plants
  • work on garden/trip to the nursery
  • send out letters (got thrown off course, catching up soon!)
  • art class on Friday (I TOTALLY SPACED AND FORGOT OMG)
  • make a recipe (I haven’t been home much, just making eggs. Fixing that!)
  • write a Currently post for April
  • draw a spread for April in my journal
  • baseball games x 2
  • finish vision board (almost done)
  • catch up on emails (must carve out more time)
  • clean out the fridge 
  • post pancake recipe    posted!
  • drop off library books (dropped off half. have like 5 more to go back)
  • get packaging supplies for prints (back on the to do list for this week)

What about you? What are you up to this week?

Share your intentions in the comments! 

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April 30, 2017

My Everyday Life: Week 17

Here’s what this past week looked like- My Everyday Life Week 17

MAJ TRIP THIS WEEK!

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Trip to Nashville to visit Joy and see her give a demo and host a book signing at the Country Living Magazine fair.

That night we went to a fancy pop-up dinner for an upcoming restaurant– Henley.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Tequila shots behind the bar.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Food that looked like art. Art that looked like food.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Followed by too many drinks. I drank beer??! WTF. At least I didn’t eat late at night…

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

My new friend Brian, giving a kissy face to his husband Mikey!

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Always.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Five Guys in Alabama. ROAD TRIP!

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

I finally got to see Joy’s house in New Orleans!!! The light is exquisite.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Night time spirits.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

TRON!

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

Morning light.

My Everyday Life Week 16 on Shutterbean.com

CONTINUE READING