{Full} of Color

Lately, I've been inspired by the dark backgrounds I often see with Folk applique designs. I love how it makes the colors pop.

This 11"x14" piece is full of mood-lifting colors! I used a white pen to outline some of the darker areas that got lost in the dark, wood-grain background, such as the stems. The white pen smeared more than I wanted it to- so next time I think I'll try a fine point white paint pen. (Luckily for me, folk art is often beautiful because of it's imperfections).

A few close-ups. (Prints will be available in my Etsy shop soon....the original is already listed).

Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you have a color{full} day!

{Exciting} News!!!

 Today is the Day! My friend, Trisha and I just got some exciting news today! We have been accepted as artists/ vendors for downtown Rochester's summer market and music festival! It happens every Thursday throughout the summer (we chose 8 of these dates).

 We had to fill out a lengthy application, including pictures of our work and pictures of us actually making the work... and then we had to wait for a jury to approve our application. Our wait for approval is over, and now production begins! Neither one of us has done a craft show before, so we will learn as we go, which isn't bad when you have someone to do it with. Trisha will be selling decorated windowpanes and signs and chalkboards. We have some friends that will contribute handmade greeting cards, as well.

Trisha and I have broken down each date into themes (like Father's Day, Fourth of July, Christmas in July, etc. This way each Thursday we will have different merchandise to offer. (I'll give those dates and themes closer to the start date, which is in June).

 I love creating...and creating with a purpose is great motivation. I love special orders and I'm going to love following our themes. So, go get to work, girl!!

{Time} for Spring

 Yes, it is time for Spring. Although, very far from Spring-like weather here in Minnesota. I was okay with it (afterall, this is Minnesota) until yesterday when I awoke to find yet another blanket of the white stuff.  But, like everyone else, I had kids to get off to school (motivation enough, right?!) and several errands to run. After sliding through an intersection and later a near fender-bender, I was almost DONE with it all. Done with the cold and done with the snow. But that wasn't enough. Oh no, schools had a 2 hour late start today...which meant Ella didn't have kindergarten. Oh, the tears. When I finally dried my eyes (just kidding...almost). I meant, when Ella finally dried her eyes, we had this entire morning to fill. Which is easy, dump in some arguing and fighting- oh toss in a bit of whining and look, we are already to lunch time. Just when I think it will never come, ahhh, quiet time has arrived. Here I am, coffee, computer...it's great. I can almost even tune out the sound of Cohen banging on his bedroom door. Almost.

 I'm so lucky to create beautiful things- to bring the feeling of Spring on paper. It's refreshing, really. This is a cutie-bunny surrounded by cheerful purple pansies that I made using the Tonic "Pick of the Bunch Punches and stamps. (I also used these for the leaves). The bunny is Tim Holtz, "Spring Elements." Super easy and super cute. Oh, and it's a little guy, 6"x6".

I stained the sides brown, because that sweet little bunny made me think of biting into a big chocolate one on Easter. Mmm, chocolate...

Art for the {ENTIRE} Family!

 I recently had the privilege to make personalized art for each family member of a dear friend of mine. These were seriously fun! She gave me a list with each kid's name, there name's meaning, a symbol (cross, shield and sword, bird and butterfly) as well as a specific color for each kid. She also asked me to do one that had her and her husband's wedding date and asked that I include "one boy, one girl: two hearts forever" on it.

 I couldn't wait to get started. Each piece is 8"x8"x 1 1/2". Doing Abigail's was especially fun, because she's just a precious little baby still waiting to be born! And for the wedding date one, I used a flower in the center which included each of the kid's specific colors from their art.

Here's a side view. Each box is stained brown, as are the male and female silhouette on the wedding date piece. Perfectly coordinated wall art for the entire family!

New {PRINTS} in my Etsy Shop!

Whew! I've been super busy updating my severely neglected Etsy shop! I re-newed some expired items and added some brand new ones. The addition I'm most excited about are prints of some of my originals. The colors and details are remarkably bold and clear...the only thing that's different is the lack of texture that the originals have.

 Here's the orignal. This is all Crate Paper from the "Fourteen" Collection. 10"x8" on a black-stained wood box.

And here's the photograph of the print! Can't tell the difference, can you? Super exciting!!

Ready to mat and put in a frame of your choosing. Yay! Looking forward to getting the rest of the prints listed soon!

Tulip {Photography}

 For Valentine's Day, Eric bought Ella and I beautiful pink tulips. Besides my two wild kiddos, flowers are my favorite thing to photograph.

 I found a sunny, morning spot in the house and took pictures of the tulips everyday for a week, capturing the daily changes.

 The light and the shadows were almost as interesting as the flowers themselves.

 This is only a few of the oh-so-many pictures I took!. I'm really looking forward to taking pictures of the forth-coming Spring-time blooms....however far in the future that may be!

 Sadly, the beauty of these blooms was short-lived. Why can't they last longer?!