alphabet doodles \\ a 26 week challenge

Happy New Year!

I am just coming off of my two week winter break with my family and am getting ready to face the "real" world.  I need a little kickstart to get me moving (designing, creating and illustrating) on days when my client work load is a little slower than usual. So.....I came up with a super easy - 26 week program using  the alphabet as my inspiration. Super easy, as in....week one I doodle things that start with Aa., week two I doodle things that start with Bb, etc.  Doesn't get much easier than that in my book!

I have a few friends from an online course that I took with Lilla Rogers who are going to join me. I thought I would put it out there in case any body else was interested.  There is no pressure, no competition....I have just found it's helpful to have a few "buddies" doing the same thing to help keep me accountable.

I created a VERY SIMPLE facebook page where we can post our doodles. If you are interested, please just like the page and join on in!

  https://www.facebook.com/alphabetdoodles

Week one starts today ( Letter Aa) and doodles are due on Sunday the 12th. Here is an example that I worked on  yesterday:

be thankful for this day \\ free 8 x 10 printable

I am thankful.  I truly love my life and am thankful EVERY day for all of my blessings.

I am  thankful for this (and every) day!

free 8 x 10  here \\  download, print, frame & enjoy

never stop learning

I believe that continuing education is important in every profession.  Although I am excited about the continued success of my little business....I felt that something was "missing". I needed a little "refresher course", if you will - something to get my creative juices flowing in the right direction! I stumbled across Lilla Rogers Studio years ago. She is extremely well known in the licensing industry as she represents some amazing artists - some of my favs being Lisa Congdon and Suzy Ultman.

I decided to invest in myself and my talent and sign up for Lila's e-course "make art that sells". Even though I do make art that is currently selling....I want to expand my horizons a bit. The course starts on Monday! I am super excited, focused and determined to get as much out of this course as I can. I will keep you updated with any exciting new work or revelations that may come about as I am expecting great things from myself!

I am already feeling inspired by the possibilities of this course. We, as artists, should "never stop learning". Don't you agree? Here is a link to download this free 8 x 10 print.

new invitation suite for wpd | penned promises

My penned promises invitation suite recently went live on wedding paper divas. I love how it's bold, yet simple and modern. This design is available exclusively through our retail partner.

shop this design here

The creative ladies at WPD also created an inspiration board featuring my blush pink & gold version.

this invitation | that cake

I was laying in bed "pinning" stuff last night and I came across this adorable cake! And then I was like, "wait a minute.....I know why I love it....it looks just like my invitation for wedding paper divas".  How fun that I happened to run across this! Looks like this creative couple & bakery used  my invitation to inspire this trendy gray/yellow cake.

I love it. I love to see how people use their invitation design (especially when it's mine) to inspire other components of their wedding day!  Have I mentioned lately that I L-O-V_E what I do!??!!

Have a great week.

xo

my favorite quote. ever.

I was driving home today after a quick lunch date with my sweet Tyson, my middle son.....I was feeling grateful. Just him and I. No little brother begging for my attention. No big brother making fun of him. Just us. Sitting at a booth talking and laughing and catching up. I almost got all filled up with tears thinking about how blessed I am to do what I love as a professional AND more importantly, be the kind of mom I've always wanted to be.

I'm not sure why I feel a pull some times to create. I'd like to think it's my inner "light"...begging me to do more. Be a better person. Love more. Inspire others to do the same.

After my lunch today, I was practically running to my mac to get this done. I couldn't wait to share it with everyone.  (free download link is below)

One of my favorite people in the entire world, my dad, wrote this amazing quote after his father passed away. I don't even know if he realizes that I've had it memorized since I was a little girl. I love it. It has had such an impact on me.

It was so simple, just a lunch. But it reminded me that I am doing what I've always wanted to do....be a great mother to my children and shower them with my love. Even after I'm gone, I know it's the simple things we've done together (lunch dates in the middle of the day), that they will remember the most....and the love that they feel pouring out of me, will be passed along to all the people in their lives.

I am including a free 8 x 10 download here for you.

I hope you enjoy it.

xoxo

meet my newest "inspirations"

There is no denying the fact that major life events tend to inspire us.... Let's just say that these two little love bugs have definitely stirred up some major inspiration in the creativity department. My new nephew, Degan Robert, and my niece, Samaya Elizabeth, were born a week a part.  I am, of course, completely in love with both of them and just being around them gets my creative juices flowing.

Just when I was starting to feel a little "out of it" in the inspiration department, these two peanuts came along and perked me right up! Funny how the universe has a way of setting everything right.

Enjoy these pictures and I dare you to try to NOT kiss their delicious cheeks through your screen!

baby shower inspiration - courtesy of tinyprints

I love the inspiration boards that tiny prints puts together. I love them even MORE when one of my designs is the inspiration behind them :).  Check out this beautiful mint, aqua and sage green gender neutral palette.....love it.

image taken from tinyprints