Early Bird Sale!!!

Take advantage of these great savings to get a head start on your holiday shopping! Hurry, as these deals will disappear soon after the leaves stop blowing...

2010 Modern Art Calendar

It's finally done, well the art part anyway. Putting a new calendar together is a lot of work - the pressure of producing something "fresh", along with getting all the dates right in time for the holiday shopping season is intense. I typically begin designing it in mid-summer, with the goal of finishing by October. Last year was the first year I'd ever done a calendar, so ALL the artwork was new. This year, while I've mananged to design a few brand new pieces since the end of the Christmas rush, there was no way I could have 12 virgin designs ready to go for the new one - I'm not a factory, thank you very much - so I had to tap deep into my creativity for a solution. I'd toyed with a few unexciting sketches, before the idea came to me while I was working on another project. I'd started designing patterns, to be background images for some new artwork and suddenly I got a flash of inspiration (yes, it really does happen). I wondered what it would look like if I zoomed in on portions of my existing designs and did a little rearranging. After a couple experiments, I fell in love with the "new look". I find it abstract, yet intriguing and I tried to choose shapes and colors that I felt told the story of the seasons. Perhaps the story will be just a little different for each person that looks at my calendar and that, I think, is a beautiful thing.

Now, I just have to fill in all the numbers, still a daunting task, which is why I'm offering my new calendar as a pre-order for a limited time, while I work to get all the dates in place (checked, double-checked and triple-checked - thank God for Google Calendars!) for the new year. Through the end of July at least, customers can get my 2010 calendar at 60% off the price it will retail at when I officially debut it in October, saving them money AND the holiday-rush hassle with the post office. Don't you just LOVE Christmas in July?

Recycle and Renew

Had lots of fun re-doing some old prints last week (the orginals were just the fruit graphics with no backgrounds)...playing with fonts and textures. Think I'd like to continue along this vein, but with "inspirational" phrases...

NEW Baby Announcements and Shower Invitations!

I've been toying with the idea of starting a Baby line for a while and I finally had some time to design these this week. I am so in love with them and I can't wait to add more. The best part is they are available as digital files for those times when you NEED IT NOW.

Thoughts on Turning 30

Cupcake with Nonpareils by creativeapples.etsy.com

It's finally here. The day when, from hence forth, I am supposed to dread and deny every succeeding birthday until the day I die. Only, I don't feel any longing for the “days of my youth”. Truthfully, I am happy and relieved to have made it out of my twenties and am now, more than ever before, looking forward to what lies ahead on my path. There aren't many warning signs when you enter your twenties, to advise you that all your hopes and dreams, instead of coming true, may turn to dust before your eyes and/or veer off into scary, itchy, weed-ridden paths you'd prefer not to take. What may also take you by surprise is that some of those paths could eventually open onto breathtaking vistas. You just never know.

I have learned to be grateful for the painful experiences that have taught me valuable lessons, but also to cherish the happy times too. I know now that I am stronger than I thought, but am also very aware that life can change in an instant and nothing – not a cup of hot coffee by a sunny window, a cuddle from my dogs or a smile from my husband – should be taken for granted.

To celebrate this milestone, I've decided to take a quick look back and see what I've accomplished, compared to what I've yet to achieve:

In my 20s, I:
-met my husband
-graduated from college
-got my first “real” job
-got married
-bought a house
-got into debt
-became mom to 2 dogs
-left the rat race
-started a business
-failed in business
-succeeded in business
-became an “auntie”
-decided that my future included adoption
-began to climb out of debt

Not too shabby a list, if I say so myself. It's harder to put in black and white everything I'd like to accomplish in the next decade, but here are some of the more important ones:
-expand my business lines
-give up my part-time job
-build up my savings
-pay off all debts (except mortgage)
-learn a thing or 2 about investing
-finish the basement
-build an addition
-tackle the more challenging landscaping projects
-be more physically active
-adopt a child...or 2
-publish a children's book

Why don't you try making a “Then/Now” list of your own? It might surprise you.

Coffee Love: Who Doesn't?

I'm thinking about getting an over-sized wall mural made of this print, to put in my kitchen with the hope that it will give me a jolt of energy every time I walk by. If you are a non-morning person like me, then you probably understand the comforting feeling that settles over you when you A) take a big whiff from the coffee grinds jar and B) hear the coffee pot start bubbling on it's way to bring you salvation. Still, all the "reasons" in the world to drink coffee can't compare with the fact that it is just plain delicious! Staring at this print, thinking of what to say next, I can practically smell the glorious scents washing over me, each offering just a hint of the promised taste it advertises.

As an artist, I have often found myself staring, mesmerized, into my cup for several seconds, watching the swirl patterns created as I stir (and am always thankful that no one else is around to witness my neurosis). I finally, just had to put my fascination to good use and design a piece that would remind me of one of my very favorite things every time I looked at it.

FRIDAY FINDS: Red Florals

Poppy Ring by bellabijoujewelry.etsy.com, $42. It's so adorable - a tiny little flower for your finger to make you smile every time you look at it.

Contemporary Red and White Swirl Pillow by MARIESCOSYCUSHIONS.etsy.com, $38 (set of 2). At 18" each, these really are a steal. Fabulous and fun don't hurt either!

Japanese Chiyogami (old-paper) Votives by gamiworks.etsy.com, $54 (set of 12). I was instantly drawn to the intricate and cheeful paper designs on these glass votives. They are re-usable and would make great gifts.