Battles and Bridges.
Still here. Heading out soon, and wishing I was there already.
Found this last year, and forgot about it until today. We all have these thoughts. Well, at least I do, and I am in constant change and motion as an artist and person that I sometimes fall into these traps. You? Call it the perfectionist in me fighting with the free spirit in me. They go to battle every once in a while (ok...a lot). Who wins? Who ever I allow.
OK, so can you tell I have had a hard battle this week? The hardest part is recognizing these mean evil ideas that creep in and having the confidence to push them away. Or in some cases, when they really don't want to leave and it seems like they are setting up camp in your brain, burning their villages down. These thoughts are ALWAYS a trap, and I have to admit that I fall in more than I would like to. This week's battle, I think Mr. Free spirit won. I hope.
Enjoy your weekend!
PS: found on Keri Smith's illustration/author blog. She posted this last year. You will find lots more deep/humorous thoughts on her blog. Enjoy!
TIME.OUT.
Ok. It's official. I am going on vacation. Not just any vacation. Hawaii. 2 weeks. No email. No computer. Husband's orders.
My husband's family is cramming all together in a 2 week vacation on the beach. I am more than ecstatic. My mother's side of the family has lived in Hawaii since the early 30's. So my roots are deep there. But this is a first for my husband's side, and I can't wait!
But this translates into a few things:
Shop will be closed June 10th -June 23rd.
This is the longest break I have ever taken.
(In my 7 month career on ETSY).
But it is much needed.
Sometimes I wish I was like these dear artists who have a lot more time on their hands to make make make. But then I pinch myself and realize that my time is filled with diapers, dressups, tantrums, tickles, messes, lullabies and kisses and I wouldn't have it any other way! My time to be creative is limited to a couple hours a week (which is not enough for my art brain that doesn't ever shut off!). But though I wish I had creative time everyday, I would be wishing my truest joy away: being a mom.
Everyone needs breaks from the go-go-go of real life. Charging the battery is key. Being truly alive is everything. Breathing and listening is vital to any scheduled day.
So, folks. There are just a few more days to order before I leave for two weeks. If you have been itching to get something, my last day at the post office is on Monday June 9th.
Oh, and a lot of you have been dying to see my studio...well, I drew a picture of it for you above. Isn't it cute?? My bike is parked on the side and you can borrow it while I am gone. Just bring it back.
French cuties.
Well, I never thought that I would be adding more to my little french animal series, but I have....and I like it. I am working on a licensing project with my "Maman" and "Papa" elephant and giraffe series, and they just looked so lonely to me, I decided to add some more.
I like that these can go together as a foursome, stand alone, work as a pair or work with other prints in my shop currently.
Stay tuned for more! My husband (a school teacher) is done with teaching for a bit and I am in "crank it out" mode. Crank it out, meaning, lots of creative time at night. Too bad I am up so early with the kids, that by 9pm I am falling asleep on my computer tablet! But oh well. Stay tuned!
My 3 year old can sew her own clothes.
It's 1pm and Addie won't take a nap.
Addie, It's time for bed.
But mom, I'm awake.
No you're not. You need to go to sleep. You are so tired.
Mom, I want to be with you.
Go to bed.
But there are monsters.
Go to sleep.
Mom, can I sew a dress?
What?
Pause.
Puppy dog eyes.
OK. Let's sew a dress.
I have always been interetsed in teaching Addie to sew. I knew as soon as she learned, she would be hooked. I just didn't know the right age to start. She is 3 1/2 and needles and such aren't much for 3 year olds. But I pulled out a yarn needle, and a full length of embroidery thread, and we began to sew. And amazing! She got the hang of it!
Poke it in/Pull it out/Pinch the eye/ pull until it stops/ poke again close to where it came out.
She is a rhythm girl, and even began singing a song about the above routine.
Hum-dee-dum. Pinching the needle. toodle-oo. Poke it through.
Seriously folks...she sewed every stitch in this dress. Granted it didn't last long, but I couldn't believe it.
But she is hooked. Every day since: "Mom, can we sew today?"
And now she notices her toys, clothes, blankets, couch pillows: "Mom! Somebody sewed this for me! I can see the thread!"
Since this dress, she has made a dress for Flower and a toy cow and is working on a blanket for her baby.
I can't wait to get her an embroidery hoop. She may still be too young. But this might be just the thing to keep her away from Barbi just one more year.
Happy Site Friday: Creative Thursday
Hello! Have a seat! Tea? Hot cocoa? So glad you came by today cause I have a special friend with us today. Marisa is joining us for a little while, and I can't wait for you to meet her. If you haven't yet, then well, you are in for a treat. Plan on making a new friend today!
When I was first figuring out how to get my art into the world, I began doing research and came across this lovely lady's site. She is just full of passion, color, creativity and life and she loves to share it. Her studio? Creative Thursday came about when she was working 9-5 in an office and needed to set aside time to be her true artistic self, which just happened to be on Thursdays. She made a note to herself: Must do this more! She started a daily painting exercise, began blogging, posting on ETSY, and well, the rest is history. She has made quite the career for herself and has been able to quit her 'day job' and do what she truly loves. And just to give you a sense of her approach to things, she found her artist title in quite the circuitous way before finding her true life's calling. From acting to interior design to marketing...she has learned to not be scared to do what you TRULY love. And in her graceful, sharing way, she shares lessons and advice from her experiences for other artists and creative minds. Some artists are very closed about how they find success in their art. Marisa is completely different. She sees the need for artists to support each other. She has found her own journey, recognizes everyone else has their own journey, and is passionate about helping other's along the way. She is truly a generous and good person!
Marisa has put together a very wonderful site full yummy pictures, podcasts, blog posts, and even scheduled workshops, so I won't try and duplicate that here. But I will say, she has invited you over to visit and have a look around. She truly is fearless and so passionate and loving. Though I haven't met her yet, I plan on making a visit the next time I am in L.A. If you are an artist, have creative aspirations, Marisa's journey will inspire you. She does a little of everything:
From this:
To This:
To this:
To this:
A message from Marisa:
"When you visit this site I hope you feel inspired to be more creative in your own life, and to surround yourself with color as you can't help but feel happy and alive in its presence. Just remember there is no limit to what we can do when we live to be FREE, Happy and TRUE and be CREATIVE every day, especially THURSDAYS!"
She loves what she does and believes that 'starving artist' is a phrase of the past. You CAN make a living doing what you love. Thank you Marisa! We hope to stay a while!
For more yummy creative thursday, visit:
Her ETSY shop
OOpsy Daisy
Urban Outfitters
Her blog
architectural stationary for the sentimental heart.
One of those nights where I start drawing to just draw. (This is so important for me...I have some 'projects' I am working on and I have to keep tricking my hands that they aren't working). Started as Dollhouses. Morphed into Houses. Morphed into Pattern. Morphed into greeting card. Morphed into a 'goodbye' card for my next-door neighbor of 3 years moving on Saturday. The inside of the card says "Come over sometime."
Then I wished I lived in one of these houses.
Only bigger.
Well, maybe just people size.
I'd keep the pink roof. But then I'd paint it so my husband would want to live with me.
Wanna trade me?
Ok. In my next life I am going to be a seamstress. I especially wish I had this talent because my little Addie, is well, little. Her waist and bum is the size of an 18 month old, but she is tall, so she is a size 3 in length. Problem? Shorts just fall off her. Solution? Handmade skirts and summer dresses. I have made a few, and it is all she wears.
Here is my proposition: I need one more summer dress before our family takes a 2 week long trip to Hawaii in June. I KNOW that many of you are great seamstresses...I read your blogs!I am looking for a pillowcase dress in exchange for some prints. The only catch is I would need it in 2 weeks. I have had this beautiful Amy Butler fabric and am happy to mail it to you. So, if you are interested in a really fun trade, email me (my email is on my profile page). I feel kinda silly, but the truth is, Addie mostly sports around in her underwear unless she is wearing a skirt or slip on dress! Any takers??
Don't you love Amy Butler's new line? Me too.
Here is an example of what I didn't get around to making:
(photo from molly coddle)Thanks yo guys! You are the best!