4:365 or The very BIG "little" announcement

4.365 Yep. That's a self portrait. Or an "I-will-soon-be-that-big" self portrait.

Baby #4 is coming this summer, and we are so so so super thrilled.

It's been hard to keep it a secret, because I've actually been so sick. Like, this weekend I barely got out of bed. I think I sat up to ask for more ice chips a couple times. Maybe.

My husband is earning major medals, let me tell you. He's a total rock star. He's been on bedtime duty, dinner duty, laundry duty and dish duty for a while now. I think he's seriously ready for his wife back!

I wish I could say my pregnancies are easy, but unfortunately, I've been lucky if I can eat more than a handful of oyster crackers and a protein shake each day.

Ian's comment the other day was "Mom, all you eat are vitamins and popsicles!"

Yup.

So, needless to say, I've been pretty preoccupied and maybe you noticed my posts since December have been a bit more sparse!

But I'm on the up-and-up (I hope!) at 12 weeks now, and baby is now the size of a lime. I love thinking about this little darling!

Right now, I'm making sure to just focus on the most important things. But I will say that I'm constantly thinking about juggling all this amidst book deadlines, fabric deadlines and other work stuff. But what I do know, is that I'm doing what I know is right for us, and that God provides. I've seen it too many times to get concerned (which I do, cause well, I'm a worrier....I admit!) But I'm really looking forward to an infant in the home. It softens everyone, and everything always seems to just come together. And Ella is just getting too old. She's definitely the baby of the group, but it's time for another little pixie. Oh, I just can't wait to meet this little person!! This baby is awesome. I can feel it.

So....here we go! It's a beautiful, thrilling ride. I'll keep you updated. It's going to be a wonderful adventure!

 

3:365

3-365  

We are keeping things simple today. This week marks the THIRD stomach flu battle this winter to cycle through the family, and I'm SO done. Thank goodness for a weekend coming up.

The "drawings" that I'm committing to this year are going to include so much: today is a simple study in textile.

Link your #365drawing project below! It's been so fun to see your projects, or find them on Instagram! 

Off to bed now, and hope you have a lovely weekend!

2:365

2.365  

Thanks for all your comments and excitement! It's really great to hear so many of you excited to play along.

If you are wanting to participate in the #365DRAWINGS adventure, just comment below my posts and add the link to your blog, or if you are on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook, just use the hashtag #365drawings and leave a link in those places too.

Again. No perfection here. Just energy being used towards doing something illustrative every day. Come Play along!

Or just check in daily and watch me sweat it out. Ha. Just kidding. This is the play time I never seem to allow myself:)

xoxo

#365 Drawings

1.365  

This year is one where I am seriously determined to really become better at what I do all around. There are lots of ways to go about that, and one of them is to make sure I'm drawing as much as I can.

I've been motivated by Fifth& Hazel and Alma Loveland with their #365 Patterns project, and Loobyloo's 365 sketch project. Both are super realistic, and I don't promise to post all of my sketches to this space. Although I'm pretty motivated to.

I know having a public space can intimidate some to take risks, expose growth and change, especially when for someone like me, I've worked really hard at branding myself in a certain style. But, I'll be the first to tell you that taking risks and being willing to produce stuff that's lousy or mediocre is the first step to cracking the code to successful growth.

Basically, what I'm saying here, is that I've always been terrified of posting sketches and doodles on a frequent basis here, which is exactly why I need to.

So, hello #365 Drawing Project.

Anyone who wants to join in, please do. Or just come here and visit, and maybe say "Nice Job" or something like that, just to make this not so intimidating!

There will be doodles, sketches, art....some rendered and some super loose and quick. Mama does need to get dinner on the table too. But this is my race this year. How far can I push myself? Let's see!

 

Printable Pick-me-ups

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CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PDF PRINT 

How about something new? I've been toying with the idea of having some printable small prints in the shop, and I'm excited to start a new little collection.

I'm a MANTRA kinda girl. I'll get a phrase, motto, quote or lyric in my head, and use it to give me that pick me up when I need it.

This poster was inspired this week by a friend who was going through an unbearable hardship, and in some cases, she was treated a bit unfairly and she just wanted to shout out and let everyone know how challenging her life was in that moment. And I was reminded once again, that if we were all to treat each other like they were going through an unbearable hardship of some kind, we'd all treat each other with a little more understanding, patience and kindness. And maybe even offer more help, even when it isn't asked for.

And this thought came to my mind: "Treat everyone you meet like they are climbing mountains, because they probably are."

This is a 5x7 print and it's just the right size to hang by your desk, or right in the kitchen.

I'm going to be making more of these...easy little illustrated words of wisdom. Have any you'd like to see me make? It could be really fun to hear your ideas;)

 

 

2012 CALDECOTT & NEWBERY AWARDS

Did you know that the Caldecott & Newbery Book awards were announced this morning? I wanted to post them here as soon as they were announced. Have you read these yet?

CALDECOTT WINNER

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2012 CALDECOTT HONOR BOOKS

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extrayarn

OneCoolFriend

sleep like a tiger cover

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2012 NEWBERRY WINNER

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So exciting! I'm super thrilled for Jon Klasson...I'm sure it feels absolutely SURREAL to win a Caldecott AND a Caldecott Honor book in the same year.

I'd rush off and get these from the library if I were you before they are stolen off the shelves:) Do you have a favorite of these? I'd love to hear!