Blogging My Way....

Hi everyone,

This spring's Creativity Circle and Blogging Your Way courses have me contemplating Melissa's Kitties. Since 2006, I've been faithfully posting weekly drawings for Illustration Friday. (Can you believe it?) Blogging Your Way, which is in its final week, has focused a lot on blogging from the heart. It's made me realize that rather than throwing all of myself into Melissa's Kitties, strangers who discover my blog typically find out only two big things about me--that I love The Kitties and drawing them and that Johnny Depp is one of my most favorite people in the world. True.

While The Kitties always indirectly showcase my hobbies, inspirations, and whatever may be going on in my life, I'm still categorized as either a Crazy Cat Lady or a Crazy Johnny Fan. I may be both, but--like everyone--I'm also much more.

My sister once told me that she didn't know how to describe me to her friends because the things I love are too many and all over the place--cats, drawing, Johnny Depp, Sting, Gene Kelly, all kinds of music, all kinds of movies, Turner Classic Movies, books, fashion, museums, theatre, dance, The Orioles, The Celtics, live jazz, New York, good food, tea, yoga, Bugs Bunny.... Yes, the list is endless, varied, and growing.

In the past, I've stopped myself from writing about things happening in my life on my blog just because  either it was not related to The Kitties or I didn't have a related drawing to include in my post. It's finally dawned on me to put the markers down once in a while. Now, in addition to my drawings, I plan to post more often about my life and the many favorite things in it--the inspirations behind my artwork. I hope that learning more about me will make your visit to Melissa's Kitties even more colorful than before.

The Kitties seem okay with this idea, and even a bit excited about it! I hope you are too. Let's see how it goes.... Let me know what you think and--as always--enjoy!

Best,

Blogging Your Way 2.0

Hi everyone,

This spring, I had Workshop Fever. During Tranquil Space's Artist's Way Creativity Circle workshop series, which lasted from February to May, I started a 4-week healthy eating workshop series at the same place. Coincidentally, my local Whole Foods offered a 28-day healthy-eating challenge at the same time. The rules--no added sugars, no oils, no processed foods--were reinforced by cooking demos to get participants trying healthy recipes at home. After the challenge was over, I was workshopped out! I planned to take a break, assess, digest, and reboot. But, then Blogging Your Way 2.0 showed up.

Led by Decor8's Holly Becker, Blogging Your Way e-courses offer tips on using your blog as a catalyst for living your best life. I took the original Blogging Your Way class last year and found it entirely helpful and inspirational for improving and beautifying my blog! So, I snatched up the opportunity to take Blogging Your Way 2.0, which aims to help me take my blog to the next level.

I'm now in the middle of the course, which began June 1 and lasts until the end of the month. While I don't feel ready for some of the topics discussed so far, such as creating e-magazines, advertising, and monetizing my blog, I'm taking in all the information--some for now and some for later.

So, soon, you may notice even more blog beautifying and changes at Melissa's Kitties, and you'll know why! Wish me luck as I forge ahead, and let me know what you think!

Best,