Happy Fall

 I'm so excited it's officially Fall, it's my favorite time of year! The Summer is ending, a cool breeze starts to blow and it's not unbearable hot anymore, that's a big deal when you live in Texas.
Here are some things I've got on my to do list to really enjoy the season :)

1. Start enjoying the cooler weather by taking morning walks
2. Go to the Dallas Arboretum and see the pumpkin village!!!
3. Plan & shop for Fall flowers to plant
4. Shop for pumpkins
5. Bake loads of pumpkin muffins
6. Go to a craft fair
7. Take a weekend trip
8. Decorate the house with Fall festive-ness
9. Get hot chocolate on a chilly day
10. Get inspired and work on new winter drawings

a scene from the pumpkin village

What have you got on your Fall to do list?

Free Shipping Today

Free Shipping on Society6 today, I've added some new artwork with fun little owls, the quote is from song lyrics by Hilary Weeks, it reminds me to be more optimistic about every opportunity, and that I can choose to be upbeat about things even when they are hard.

I hope you all have a lovely week :)

Do Not Worry

 I've been wanting to do some "scripty" postive phrases as prints, I think everyone needs a little more positivity in their lives and I want my work to bring happiness to others and even be an encouraging reminder to myself :)

 Everyone struggles with worry, life is constantly throwing a curve ball and lately I've really been focusing on one of my favorite verses. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34.

It's from a larger passage Matthew 6:25-34,  that also talks about the birds, how they do not store food in barns or grow food like we do but God cares for them and makes sure their needs are met,  and how much more would He care for us. That has always struck a chord with me because in the large scheme of everyday life birds seem somewhat insignificant but even so God cares about them and meets their needs. My pastor explained in a way I thought was awesome, "If God cares for his creatures in this way, how much more would he care about his children?" It really reinforced the truth in that passage for me. So after much tweaking, I decided to focus in on that last part, it's a really good reminder for me, not to let worry paralyze me from doing things, to be diligent and make good decisions sure, but when unexpected stressful things happen not to be overrun with worry, just to remember that He is looking after His children, and that worry doesn't add a single hour to your life (from verse 27) it's not productive so don't dwell on it.

So here's my final version, I want to plaster it everywhere as a reminder so I can be constantly reminded and uplifted. I put the print in my shop with other items too, like a mug and a pillow :)
I hope others can find some encouragement in it too. Happy almost Friday to you!

Inspiration & Loss

I think God brings amazing people in our lives at critical moments because He knows we need a little help or encouragement, sometimes you don't recognize how special relationships are until life changes and you don't have them anymore. But what stays with you are lessons and memories that you have for the rest of your life.

The past few weeks have been difficult as my Grandpa passed away and it was also the 6 year anniversary of the passing of my high school mentor and basketball coach.

My grandfather, was thoughtful and kind, was also a huge encouragement to me, he lived a very full life and had many hilarious and interesting stories to tell from his 98 years of life. I know what a blessing it was to have him in my life for so long and I am so thankful for that.  Encouragement and interest from a grandparent is always so special and I'm so happy to have that for so long.

one of my favorite pics of us together

I was never super interested in sports until I discovered basketball in junior high, I wasn't very good starting out, but my wonderful Coach molded and encouraged us, and pushed us hard, because she saw potential in us, that I don't think we even saw in ourselves. Eventually after a couple of seasons we got better and everyone's strengths started to emerged and we became better because we relied on each other and worked as a team(we even made it to state). As we got older and graduated she still encouraged us, and believed in us as we began new chapters in our lives. I still struggle with her loss to this day, but I try to focus on the awesome memories I have and think about ways I can impact people and encourage people like she did.

her smile was always contagious

a yearbook page from my senior year

These two people that were so different, made such a huge impact in my life and while it is natural to be sad at their passing I know I will see them again.


I am reminded that we all have a purpose, God has blessed everyone with special gifts, things that you are good at, talents that you can use to help and encourage those around you. You will never know what a huge impact a little effort can make to encourage someone to help someone in some way that you are capable of because of your skill because of the talent God has blessed you with. As a terrible procrastinator, I am challenging myself to be more deliberate and make time to intentionally help & encourage others. I'm trying to remind myself to not put things off and do them later. Because whether you have 33 years or 98 they go by in the blink of eye, so make it count and try to encourage those around you.<3  

Don't Give Up

The past few weeks have been very busy and stressful, I didn't adjust well at all to "springing forward" and work has been crazy and then I got really sick. I finally got to watch the one movie I I really wanted to see during Oscar season, Inside Llewyn Davis.  I love movies about music and I just thought this one would be great, since T Bone Burnett did the music and I just knew Llewyn would find his way in the music business, and things would possibly turn out alright. But then I should of asked myself, how many Coen Brothers movies end happily? Spoiler Alert: It doesn't go well. I was disappointed in this movie, but the musical performances were really good.

The Llewyn Davis movie, got me thinking about giving up on your dreams all together or trying to make them work in some shape or form. Then I started to think about how fortunate we are to live in such an amazing time, where there is so much opportunity for e-commerce, for anyone to have a blog to share their thoughts and for anyone to have an online store to sell their own creations. It really is amazing, and I feel so very lucky to be able to share my thoughts on my blog and share my creations and drawings in my shop.  I can do a little bit everyday, it's not all or nothing, it's whatever I have time for and that's pretty wonderful.  And to find like minded people who are interested in the same things you are is pretty amazing too. 
  

All that to say, don't give up on your dreams do what you love because it makes you happy :) 



And on a side note new sloth items in my shop, and free shipping and $5 off ends tonight.

Show & Tell- week 3 & 4

It's time for Show and Tell again! I've talked about past projects here . Sometimes there are unforeseen hiccups in life like illness or exhaustion, so we had to finish our projects within a couple weeks instead of just one. We decided that the goal would not always be to completely start and finish the project within a week but more importantly we would focus on making good progress on our projects and goals. I still feel like I have the momentum and drive to get more done during the week than I used to so I'm counting that as a small victory!


My friend Jenn has come up with really cool ideas lately, quilted initials. These are large oversized pillows with her kids initials that match their quilts!!! So freaking cute and adorable and customized and amazing! Custom orders are a possibility and stay tuned her shop is gonna have some great new goodies!!!

I worked on some drawings and brainstorming on how I could make them into stuffed animals.
Like my Valentine's Day take on a dapple dachshund, like Elsie's little sweetie Dolly!

photo from ABM

Dapple Dachshunds have swirls of black and gray and brown and are simply adorable!
I added heart shaped spots for a whimsical look. 

plush version

I used my fun fabric for the printer and did better on clipping my curves but I would like to make a larger version like 3 x the size so it's big and snugly :)

I also finally drew a sloth for a sweet coworker who loves them. This was a quick ipad sketch, I'd like to do another version and flesh out the details a little more. What projects are you working on?
Happy Friday!!!

Show and Tell- Week 1

My friend and I decided that we would start working on projects during the week and then have a "show and tell" on Friday. I don't know about you, but I always love to see what other people are working on, it's great for inspiration and you never know what will come from bouncing ideas off each other. My friend came up with this cute pillow cover with an X & 0 pattern just in time for Vday! I have been in a rut lately, but this challenge has really made more driven during the week even when I'm tired I'm pushing myself just a little bit harder to get a little more done each day.

sometimes thin mints help too ;)

Last week was our first week and I had a special child's bday coming up so I had to make them something fun! Of course I wanted to make a cute little plush creature, that's my go to gift for kids. I found some fabric that I had put to the side and just started sketching a pattern on the fabric, I knew I wanted to use felt legs like I had in the past.  I drew the face with fabric markers and sewed her up and completed the plush all in one night.  I also included a little notebook to record adventures with space to draw and lines to practice hand writing and story telling :)

Meet Ollie the Owl

What projects have you been working on lately? do you have any crafty friends to share progress and frustration with? Happy Weekend to you!

Enjoy the Process

These past few weeks have been kinda tiring, I got bronchitis which takes forever to get over so I have been sleeping alot. BUT I'm trying to stay focused and find energy to still make things, especially during the week. I have been thinking about how I'm always trying to rush and make a prototype to see how it turns out or how I just want a drawing to work out on the first try.
I'm trying to remind myself to enjoy the process of creating and getting to my end goal. I have been playing with different drawing apps, love the textures it's like finger painting with pastels and painting without all the mess.

Sometimes it's just fun to play

I have also been doodling animals for bday cards and possible prints.

Happy Hippo

Also on a happy side note that have adventure time toys and DIY inspired Paul Frank toys in McDonald's happy meals YAY :)

Happy Tuesday!!!

Be Bold

I have been playing with my drawing app on my ipad and came up with this colorful bunch of squiggles.

Being bold is my goal for 2014, I want to try new things and go with spur of the moment creative ideas and not be afraid of failure because that's how you learn new things :)
I think I'm probably going to put a miniature version of this in my cube.
Happy Thursday :)

Art In Unexpected Places

I love going to museums to look at art, it really recharges my creative batteries. I love being surrounded by color.... to see other people's perspectives and interpretations on things. A couple weeks ago when I was traveling to see family, I was happy to see an art exhibit right in the airport terminal! Granted it is a very tiny airport, but it was still fun to wander around it and be relax before I got on a plane. My favorite pieces were works of Van Gogh painted on paint chips with the same title.... pretty clever and fun :)
See more of Todd Johnson's paint chip paintings here

Starry Nights by Todd Johnson

Sunflowers II by Todd Johnson

I love paintings of the sky, there are so many color combinations of sunlight and clouds, it's just always calming and relaxing.

"At the Closing of the Day" by Roy McCullough

Another piece I thought was intriguing was "Emotions" by Jacene England, they are ceramic faces full of expression, I really like how different they all are. Clay is such an awesome medium the more I learn about it, the more I see that the possibilities are endless.

Have you experienced art in an unexpected place lately?

Bunnies on the brain

Whenever I get stressed I typically go straight to bunnies, they are fluffy and happy and they make me smile.

I starting thinking about bunnies in cute little outfits for the first day of school maybe.
I haven't gotten very far, but I enjoy the process. I like to give them each their own little personality and details, it makes me want to write a story about them.

bunny leggings

I've also been toying with a patterned softie, and of course its gonna be a cuddly bunny. This is what a bunny looks like without ears, limbs and a mouth....lol

bunny in progress

I saw this floral fabric at a quilt show and it spoke to me so I had to get it to make a stuffed animal.
I hope to get more done this weekend, trying to get back into my crafty groove after being sick and super busy with work.

What projects are you working on? What always gets you inspired to create?