Tuesday, December 31, 2019

1, 2, Cha, Cha, Cha


Dancing my way into 2020!
Wish I had those starry boots.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Monday, December 30, 2019

Hello, World!


Over the last couple years I've been busy writing & illustrating a board book
series for toddlers called Hello, World!  This series has been such a gift.
I've learned some basic information around science & nature & then I get to boil it down some & draw pictures to further tell the story.  The best part is when I see the books in stores- better yet in hands of young readers! (like I said... what a gift)
Writing is something I was terrified to try.  I'm dyslexic & writing just doesn't go well with me- or at least I thought.  My ideas are good but the transcribing can be a mess.  I decided to take a chance & give it a try.  It takes me a long time to get the words down, there has got to be complete silence and usually a stomach ache, always self doubt, an overwhelming feeling when I look at a pile of words I'm linking together but, I've worked through it.
 I'm currently working on my 17th book in this series.  So I've proven to myself
I CAN WRITE! (of coarse with help from a good editor)

I'm sharing this with you because I'm proud to have taken a chance & as the 
year draws to a close it feels good to take stock of what you've accomplished
& gratefully gear up for what's next.

*Author of my own life.
CHEERS!




Friday, December 27, 2019

You did it!


Some awards for crushing the holiday season- some years that
is no easy feat!
(well done)

Thursday, December 26, 2019

How will you get there?


One day late but no less sincere- 
Merry Christmas to you & yours!

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Hanukkah


Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah a festival of lights set against
a backdrop of painted blues.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Let it grow,


let it grow, let it grow!

(grow over snow my kind of December)


Sunday, December 15, 2019

What to do when it's really cold outside?

Make a batch of mulled wine!  It'll keep you warm & toasty with or without the booze.
Here you go!
(I got you:)

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Holidays on Ice


Slipping & sliding my way through the season!
Something so charming about an outdoor ice rink.


Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Something different



Floral jewels on a mossy green background.  Sometimes it's nice to have something festive this time of year without it screaming Christmas.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Holiday decisions...


which one?
We have a fake tree we put up each year.
It's not as much fun as picking the perfect pine 
but, I feel better about it.


Monday, December 9, 2019

Technicolor Christmas Village

Made with gouache, cut paper, colored pencil & lots of holiday cheer!

Friday, December 6, 2019

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Buckle up–


The holiday season has begun!

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Let the caroling begin....

on land & sea!
Do you have a favorite holiday tune?
If I'm feeling melancholy I go for Silent Night if I'm in the 
mood for festive fun it's Deck the Halls.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Time to Deck the Halls


I wait until December then...
I let the holiday decorating BEGIN!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving

Wherever you ended up today I hope you felt loved.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

November

                                                 
                                                     Mark making in blues and tans.
Paired with some painted birds in my sketchbook.
They seem to work well together.


Sunday, November 24, 2019

Planning Pies


A few of the pies I will be busy baking in just a couple days.
I enjoy making them but, have a hard time following a recipe.


Wednesday, November 20, 2019

A nice reminder....


That it's not Christmas yet.
The jump on the holiday season is a bit much!
Every year it eagerly creeps in a bit sooner.
I'm holding on to fall a little longer.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Balance bouquet


A nice quote for the weekend– when everything feels a little more manageable!

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Forest retreat


Doesn't that sound nice!
Few things feel better to me than being surrounded by trees.
(Even in the winter when it's more open & bare.
There's different discoveries in each season.)

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Snip, snip!


I still love to cut & paste.
Winter flowers in my sketchbook.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Monday


Hand full of bling! * * * *
(some promo buttons we take to shows as a fun little giveaway)

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Fall back


This year that whole fall back deal has zapped me!
But, it did inspire this so... that's something.
Going to bed early tonight!
–Shine ON–

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

November Vibes


Enjoying all the autumn colors around me!


Thursday, October 31, 2019

It's ARRIVED


Hope you're not superstitious... black cat headed your way-
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Monday, October 28, 2019

DREAM fabric collection

Met DREAM my gender neutral baby collection for Windham Fabrics.


Packed with a playful crew of characters in a nice, neural palette.


I'm really excited about the baby milestone mat I designed
A great way to capture how baby grows month by month.
(or no baby, perhaps your pet?)


There are simple animal outline prints in two colors.


A playful alphabet print.


A sprinkling of dots....
A panel print with 4 different pillow options- perfect for a reading
chair or rocker in the nursery.


And this lovely quilt pattern to make your own Fresh Faces quilt.

Hope you enjoy sewing with my latest labor of love!






Friday, October 25, 2019

Halloween


Wishing you a scary good weekend!
I'm excited that Halloween is just around the cobwebbed corner.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

PETS


Pets is one of the newest additions to my Hello, World! board book series.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my life long love of 
animals with curious little learners.


Met my pet Sophie!  She keeps me in good company
while I work in my studio painting, collaging, writing &
working on the computer.
She brightens up the day!



Monday, October 21, 2019

Spicing up...


a grey Monday.
Here's to a brand new work week!

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Seasonal Fun Fact


This one might just blow your mind!
Did you know that pumpkins are berries?
I've spent most of my life thinking they were a vegetable.
Had to pass this tidbit along!

pumpkin is technically a berry. Defined as a "simple, fleshy fruit that usually has many seeds," the word "berry" actually encompasses a whole lot more than you may have previously thought. ...  

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Quack, quack!


A sleepy fall village & one silly goose.


Sunday, October 13, 2019

Look Up


Enjoying a beautiful fall weekend & noticing all the magic that is starting to 
happen high up in the trees.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Arctic Animals


Arctic Animals is one of the new additions to my Hello, World! early learning
book series.  Let's head to the frozen Arctic & meet the animals that live there.
Brrrr, it'll be cold so don't forget your coat!


Warm Wishes

As the weather cools....



I prefer the heat but,
there are always nice moments in
the cool, crisp air.

Friday, October 4, 2019

It's FRIDAY....


Let your imagination run wild!

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

OCTOBER

See ya September – HELLO, OCTOBER!
A month of pumpkins, changing leaves, spider webs, cool mornings, warm
afternoons, fuzzy socks, dramatic shadows & the occasional chill in the air.

Monday, September 30, 2019

Blueprint Show


The Blueprint show is in full bloom October 1st- 3rd.
If you're in San Francisco & headed to the show I hope you'll
stop by & take a peek.  Lots of  lovely, new art to see!

Monday, September 23, 2019

Fall Vignette



I like to mix up seasonal art & inspiration on my walls.
This is a medley of painted florals & some embroidery work from my friend Gina.



Friday, September 20, 2019

Headed to the orchard?


If you're headed to the orchard soon check out How Do Apples Grow?
This board book part of my Hello, World! series covers the growth cycle of apples.
From seed, sapling, bloom, to fruit!
It's a fascinating process that is explained in a simple, concise way.
I know it made me look at the apple laden trees differently during my last
trip to the orchard.