Country Mouse Studio
Welcome to my corner of the wild — where feathers, fur, and a whole lot of sass collide! On this blog, I share hilarious and fascinating facts about the birds and animals I bring to life through my watercolor art. From the side-eye of a great horned owl to the surprising antics of squirrels and foxes, each post pairs humor with a love of wildlife. Plus, if you fall in love with any of these quirky creatures, you’ll find links to my related products on Zazzle — including prints, stickers, cards,
Pages
Friday, August 22, 2025
Bluebird – The Hopeful Romantic
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Great Blue Heron: The Serene Visionary
- Height: 3.2 to 4.5 feet (1 to 1.4 meters).
- Wingspan: 5.5 to 6.6 feet (1.7 to 2 meters).
- Weight: 4 to 8 pounds (1.8 to 3.6 kilograms).
- Body Length: 38 to 54 inches (97 to 137 centimeters).
Friday, July 18, 2025
10 Daily Habits of Highly Creative People (That You Can Try Too!)
Have you ever wondered how creative people seem to have a never-ending stream of ideas? Do they whisper to trees? Dream in watercolor? Maybe. But more often, they’ve built small daily habits that feed their creative spark — and you can too!
Here are 10 whimsical, doable habits to welcome more creativity into your days — whether you’re an artist, writer, daydreamer, or just someone curious about the color of the clouds.
🌞 1. Begin With a Tiny Ritual
Creative people often start their day with a “spark” — morning pages, tea in a favorite cup, or even lighting a candle in their studio. It's less about what you do, and more about the signal you send: “Hello, imagination. I'm ready now.”
✨ 2. Take Wonder Walks
Not just any walk — a Wonder Walk. Look for interesting shadows, birds chatting on telephone wires, or the exact color of summer grass. Carry a tiny notebook (or phone) to collect moments that might become stories, paintings, or sticker designs later.
📦 3. Keep an “Idea Nest”
Writers have notebooks. Artists have sketchpads. You? You can have an Idea Nest. A box, jar, or folder full of odd things that inspire you: feathers, phrases, old tickets, paint swatches, or characters waiting for their turn.
🎨 4. Make Bad Art On Purpose
This one's essential. Some of the most creative minds play without needing a masterpiece. Try drawing with your non-dominant hand. Scribble blindfolded. Collage nonsense. Surprise yourself — and your inner critic will stay quiet.
🕰️ 5. Create in Short, Magical Bursts
You don’t need a full afternoon. Just 15 minutes can bloom a whole idea. Set a timer. Turn off distractions. Make something just for you — a line, a bird, a thought. That’s where the best ideas sneak in.
📚 6. Read Widely (and Weirdly)
Creatives devour books. But not just the expected ones. Try field guides, fairy tales, forgotten recipe cards, or vintage magazines. Inspiration hides in the unexpected — like a hummingbird sipping from a soda can.
✏️ 7. Eavesdrop on the World
Writers, artists, and quirky thinkers listen carefully. The world is always talking — a couple whispering in the park, a cat yelling at a squirrel, the rhythm of rain on the roof. Tune in, jot it down, and borrow it for later.
🌙 8. End the Day With a Thought
As you unwind, ask: What delighted me today? What made me pause? Writing down one small creative moment before bed helps you build awareness — and feeds your imagination while you sleep.
🎁 9. Surround Yourself With Charm
A cozy studio corner. A sticker on your journal. A little watercolor bird watching you from your shelf. Surround yourself with art, quotes, and objects that feel like you. Creativity grows best in cozy nests.
🌟 10. Stay Curious (Especially About Silly Things)
Creative people are eternal question-askers: “What if clouds are shy?” “What do magpies gossip about?” Let yourself wonder. Let yourself wander. Curiosity is creativity’s favorite snack.
🍄 Final Thought:
You don’t need to be a “professional artist” to live a wildly creative life. You just need a bit of play, a pinch of practice, and a lot of permission to be yourself.
So pick one habit. Try it for a few days. See what happens. Maybe you’ll doodle a moon mouse. Or write a haiku about blueberry pancakes. Or start painting tiny birds with big opinions.
Your creativity is already there — it’s just waiting for you to say hello.
🛒 P.S. Looking for a little inspiration to keep close?
Check out
for prints, mugs, and journals with whimsical quotes and illustrations to spark your daily magic. What kind of creative rituals do you use?Sunday, July 6, 2025
Saw-whet Owl: Tiny, Fluffy, and Absolutely Ferocious
Friday, June 27, 2025
Blue Jays: The Bossy, Brilliant Backyard Bosses
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Magpies: The Feathered Drama Queens of the Bird World
If birds had their own reality show, magpies would absolutely be the stars — loud, flashy, and always up to something. These sharp-dressed troublemakers are ridiculously smart too. They can recognize themselves in mirrors (which is more than some people), plan ahead, use tools, and even throw what looks suspiciously like tiny bird funerals for their fallen friends.
Magpies also have a serious attitude problem. They’ll yell at cats, dogs, people, the wind — anything that moves (or doesn’t). They adore shiny objects, holding the title of "glitter-obsessed raccoons in feathered coats." And yes, they remember faces. So if you annoy one, expect the grudge to last.
Folklore can't decide if they're lucky or cursed — in some places, a single magpie spells bad luck, but two bring joy. In China and Korea, they’re good omens. Native Americans thought of them as helpful companions. In your backyard? They’re probably pulling up seedlings and harassing robins.
Love them or fear them, magpies make sure life is never boring — and that’s why we can’t help but watch the drama unfold.