After tons of encouragement from my facebook friends, I finally went ahead and updated my Etsy store.  I spend Sunday taking, editing, and posting pictures of my artwork.    I do hope you'll take a look.  There is a link -----> right over there. :)  

Earlier this week I decided to go ahead and post my portfolio onto Pinterest and crazy as it sounds, I got a phone call from a long time friend saying, "OMG, I just saw your artwork on Pinterest!"   Crazier is that we aren't online friends and haven't spoken in years!!! :)

A few months ago I posted that I had some top secret news.   It was simply that we were moving.  It's done now.  We moved a few blocks away into a gorgeous house that definitely has required more attention than we originally thought.   That's ok though.   I can't even begin to tell you how frustrating it was to find a house to meet  our needs. I can say that in our search I realized one important thing, my family recognizes me as an artist.   We'd walk through houses and my husband would say, "Where would you put your studio?"   I would get all melty inside every single time he'd say that.   Our new house is slightly larger than our previous home, but one bedroom less. 

My studio used to be in a tiny downstairs bedroom, tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of the world.  Now my studio is upstairs in an open loft central to EVERYTHING.   It's definitely taken some getting used to, that's fo' sho.    I used to be able to video tape without distraction, now I have to learn how to edit.      My new studio is nothing short of amazing.  I probably have double the space of the previous area.  I don't have the computer in there, we have a separate office area.  I have room for several friends to come over and join me, I have a window that lets in plenty of light and a gentle breeze.   And best of all, no ceiling lights...say what?   Well for whatever reason the previous owners never put up ceiling lights. For the first few weeks we lived here, I was MISERABLE in my studio.  I was only able to work during the daylight hours which is totally NOT me.  I finally had enough and last week I decided to fix that.   I bought some lights, strung them across the ceiling with a staple gun, hung paper lanterns and ......
the room is so fun, you can't help but be happy in there.     I'm still working on unboxing things, but slowly it's coming together into something I adore.   I was able to get some artwork on the walls.   It's all temporary though as I see this as a gallery too and it's all for sale! :)

C-ya! 

I have a ridiculous amount of things to share. First off, we are moving. I'm excited, nervous, and just plain tired. Packing up an entire house is exhausting. Our move will be local which is super great.

As you know, I'm a teacher and in early August I went back to school. I have an amazing class this year. I'm truly blessed to have 29 amazing, quiet, brilliant students.

I'm sure you all are wondering about the things I've been creating in the studio. I've been pretty busy as creating art takes my mind off packing.

I've been using a lot of different mediums and I can't wait to try more.

I was introduced to the smash journal at the winter 2011 CHA. I honestly didn't see the point as it was just another scrapbook item.

Over the next year I began to see Smash products all over the place. Each time I would hold them in my hand, flip through the pages and tell myself over and over, "NO, it's not gonna happen."

Well it happened alright. I own two Smash journals, a host of product, and I still continue to peruse the aisles.

I'm constantly asked, "What do you do in there.". Well, I smash. I smash when I remember. I've recently decided to take all my snapshots from my iPad and iPhone, edit them in instagram or picframe and print them out. It's pretty easy to preserve memories this way. Picframe has an add-on purchase where you can add labels to your pics. I absolutely love that feature.

So here you go. Check out how I use my smash books.

Just a little piece that I'm working on in my Moleskine. I can't wait to add color to it.

For the past few weeks I've been working on a simultaneous remodel and destash here in the studio.  Essentially my studio went from fairly organized to an absolute mess to starting to resemble something really amazing.   My dining room table on the other hand is a freakin' mess!!! I have boxes piled high in there for my soon to be craft/yard/junk sale.   For the past 43,506 years I've been absolutely fascinated by the Tiffany blue color only for it to become the IN color.  I'm not sure how I feel about everyone loving MY color, but I guess I'll live.   I have these amazing blue metal bins that I got from Target about 5000 years ago.    I decided to cover them with Blue Ocean Breeze by Krylon.   I ♥ them more than I ever thought I could.   Here's a before and an in-progress.  I LOVE the pop of green ribbon.   I seriously want to marry it!

Before: U.G.L.Y.

After: Beautiful! :)

Then because I fell in love with spray paint, I decided to paint all my little $1 buckets that I got from Target! :)  I used Banner Red from Krylon.     I used a Cropodile to add ribbon holes to some of the tins.

I also painted some Ocean Breeze color.

Then I decided to add paper to my clear Ikea storage bins.  Again I labeled with a tag and coordinating ribbon. :)    Swoon.   Now you can't see my messy fabric.   

Cropper Hopper paper files with ribbons ♥ I'll label them as I organize.

I might even paint more of the photo boxes.  I haven't decided yet. That gives you an idea of the current wall color.

It's no secret, I have a studio full to the brim with art supplies. I love to create in there with my Daylight and Ott lights, optimal space, and endless supplies.

I also like to get out of the house, especially when I've been cooped up with my children all summer long. One of my favorite things to do is head to my local coffee shop, ahem.... Starbucks, and spend an hour listening to my tunes and working on art.

What's a girl like me supposed to do. I'm not used to having to pick and choose from my supplies. I recently got a Copic 72 marker case and I was pretty bummed about it cause how could I possibly choose only 72 markers???? Before a recent trip to Starbucks I simply grabbed the markers that were on my desk and stuffed them in the case along with my multiliners and literally ran out the door with my case and my sketch book. It was actually nice not having to weed through all my markers.

I'm sitting here at the local Starbucks with my coffee in hand, sketchbook and Copics. This drawing is taking a life of its own and I couldn't be happier with it. I had a friend email me and ask if I would ever consider making a blackline of my drawings and that's when it hit me. I work organically, draw a little, color a little, draw more, and color more. I can't imagine creating in any other way, it would almost seem boring.

Look a squirrel.

I think the other part is that I have art ADHD. I'm not making fun, it's the truth. I have a hard time sitting still for any activity which is why I'm blogging from Starbucks, duh.

I'm also enjoying This blogging on the fly. It definitely fits my style.

Cya.

We are anxiously awaiting some top secret news and I've caught the insomnia bug. What's a girl to do? Color, that's what. I'm working in my Moleskine watercolor journal. I'm definitely channeling my inner Mary E., which is totally fine by me.

I don't enjoy blogging, however I recognize the importance of it. I've been contemplating a few ways to make it easier. What if I blogged from my iPhone or my iPad? I've downloaded the appropriate apps and I'm going to give it a whirl. This week I had the opportunity to finally achieve one of my art goals in becoming a certified Copic designer and while I was doing that I went ahead and got my intermediate certification as well. Woooohooooo. I had a fabulous time with one of my friends and got to meet some other fabulous people as well.