Back At It

It's been so long since I've given this blog any attention. I put my Etsy shop in mothballs when I went back to work full-time, and then sort of forgot about everything I was using to support my shop: this blog, my Facebook page, how to scan a picture, where the ink is for my good printer. I have not forgotten how to paint, though. I've been doing lots of creative things for fun, but mostly in my journal.

Today is Black Friday in the U.S., which means I'm off work and enjoying a day as far away from stores and the crazed shopping public as possible. The quiet of my studio and the company of the sweet little guy pictured above have made me realize how much I miss sunny days at home. My studio has windows on three sides, and it is wonderfully cheery. If I could move a coffee pot in here, I might never leave. Of course, I could easily move a coffee pot in here, but then I might never be seen again.

I've spent a lovely morning painting little bits for a project that is slowly taking shape in my head. I want to learn to make labels for journaling and scrapbooking. I have the die-cutting machine and the scanner and too many ideas to keep up with. Often, having too much to think through will paralyze me, but I'm determined to just pick away at the learning curve and the steps until something comes of it. I don't have a lot of free time, but I do have some. So, there are no excuses for staying paralyzed. I will get back at it!

A Digital Easter

I had fun painting this whimsical picture of Mr. Bunny with his elaborately painted egg. I thought of several captions for it, from silly to downright ridiculous, but decided against including any of them on the painting. I also didn't want to limit how someone might want to use a picture like this, so I'm offering it in the shop as a digital download. Go straight to the listing on Etsy by clicking here.

I don't decorate my house for Easter or most other holidays, for that matter. I've also never been a big fan of Easter bunnies, but I do think bunnies are adorable and make delightful illustrations. I've always been inspired by Beatrix Potter's work, and this is what came out of my inspired imagination.

Mr. Bunny's Awesome Find; 8x10 watercolor

In addition to the image in three high-resolution file formats, I'm including a medium-resolution file of the image formatted as an Easter greeting (see below). Print cards or a scrapbook page or even a piece to frame. Don't you just love options? The digital option is new for me, so this is sort of a test. Don't you just love tests? No? Sorry.

Happy Easter Card, 5x7

Thanks Very Much

I've put some simple thank you cards in the shop for sale. They come in sets of six identical cards. Nothing fancy--just a simple little design for when you want to simply say "Thanks." Go to the listing here.

Thanks Very Much Cards

Thread Painting

I've been enjoying taking one of my floral designs from paper to fabric. I've loved thread arts since I was a young girl, and when I was introduced to the wonderful world of embroidery floss, with its jewel box of gorgeous, shiny colors, it was pretty much love at first sight. Here is the original painting that I'm using as a base.

I might turn the embroidery piece into a cover for a handmade journal. 

Do You Have a Heart O' Green?

Green is probably my favorite color to paint with. Like gray, green has an infinite number of shades, and I think I like them all. I just finished another fantasy floral and have made it available in my shop as a print on a 5x7 frameable card. This "floral" is more like fantasy ferns and shamrocks. These pieces are so much fun to paint!

If you're Irish, or just pretend to be Irish one day in March, your day to "go green" is coming soon. Go ahead and celebrate your "Heart O' Green"!

"Heart O' Green," 5x7 watercolor

Yarn Scraps Wanting To Be Art

I just finished knitting a soft, white blanket for my great nephew's baptism. Spending all that time with white yarn on a big project left me craving some color and wanting to knit something considerably smaller. I grabbed some yarn remnants and my smallest needles and started knitting. Do you wonder what this will turn into? So do I! I have a few rough ideas...that might involve penguins.

More Letters

I've been working on more fantasy floral letters. These are now available as prints in my shop, along with the "M" and the "H" that have been in the shop for a week or so. The prints are cut 8x8, but the actual designed area is closer to 6x6. I've been thinking of other ways to use these letters. Stay tuned. For now, it's just so much fun to create my own flowers!

Fantasy Floral "S"

Fantasy Floral "E"

Fantasy Floral "A"

Please, keep in mind that all images on my blog are copyrighted and not available for use without my written permission. Thanks for your respect of my work!