A welcoming...

 New love, new joy, and new little mouths to feed!

This is a card I made for Design House Greeting last spring inspired by my neighbors apple tree and the momma robin who made her nest there.  I studied her new chirping family every morning while I drank my coffee.  

She’d fly back and forth with a beak full of worms to feed her chicks.  I admired her diligence and dedication and thought yes, motherhood can be hard but at least as human moms we don’t have to feed our little ones that way.

Here's the work in progress and the final card. It's available at Trader Joe's.

Around the World

 

Pack your bags, let's globe trot!  This is a map print Little Sleepies commissioned me to do last year.  

As you can see there's a lot to look at!

 

My Around the World map ties into my love of making fun, colorful art that you can learn from.

 

(And visit time and time again to soak up all the little details.) Where do you want to explore next?  

 

 

Maybe you'll dream about it tonight?

 

To see more product formats with my Around the World print visit Little Sleepies.

Look, you can even deck the entire family out in them!

 

Monkey business

 

Apes are fascinating to watch!  They're also fun to draw.

Types of tea

 

Do you have a favorite type of tea?  I like Jasmine or Portland Breakfast (from Smith Teamaker) & really don't like anything with chamomile. I don't get that flavor?  On the note of decisive flavors, I do like cilantro although I've never tried that in tea.

Happy Easter

 

Bunnies, blooms, and a few chicks — hope you're enjoying an eggscellent EASTER weekend! 🍫

 

 My favorite bunny ended up being the one with the prize winning carrot. 

Spring is in the air!

 

This is a cut paper piece I licensed to Design House Greetings last spring.  I enjoyed snipping out all the flowers and spring characters.  Do you have a favorite?  I like the bird on a circular branch in the bottom right corner.  That's the fun thing about spring, so many new little details to enjoy.

Duck, duck, goose

 

 

I like birds, especially ones with somewhat silly and curious dispositions, like geese.

This art was turned into a gift bag and wrap by Jillson Roberts.  It would make a delightful theme for a baby shower!

 

Fairway Fun

 

I don't golf much but maybe someday.  One of my favorite parts are the cool golf carts.  Do you have a favorite one?  

Another thing I really like is the pretty green course you get to play on.  This all came together on a new print I designed for Little Sleepies called Fairway Fun.  Nestled on a see of green are some fun and funky golf carts. See if you can spot the alligator!  I hope this art sparks some joy in old and new golf fans.  

How cute is that Lil Caddy?!

Family Fun Night

 

I’ll be at the Kansas City Public Library, Plaza branch this Friday night at 6pm for a family fun night. I’ll be reading two Hello, World! (Ocean Life and Let's Go Camping ) and doing a coordinating craft with each.  If you have little ones and live in the Kansas City area join me for some Friday fun!  

Fun fact *I heard everyone leaves with a Hello, World! board book and one of these cute pins.

This one is my fav!

 

 

Head outside

 

The weather here has warmed & I couldn't be happier about that!  Over the pandemic I bought myself the prettiest aqua bike. (think Tiffany blue)  While I will admit I haven't been on it much lately,  I'm hopeful that the change of weather will inspire me to take it for a weekly spin.  (that seems doable)

The art I'm sharing was painted in watercolor.  I made an assortment of bikes I'd like to see come down the street.  Which one would you like to ride?  

This art was licensed by Design House Greetings and was a card in Trader Joe's.

Watercolor blooms

 

It’s March!  At this time of the year, I’m hungry for color and sun filled days.  This month nature starts to awaken and I’m ready!

 Bring on the sprouts, blooms, bugs and warm breeze.  Spring is just around the corner and it’s such a hopeful season.

Spinning hues

 

Heading into the last couple days of February with a kaleidoscope of color!

It's fun to draw with a rainbow in hand.

Keys and Chords

 This one is for the music makers!  Meet my new print Keys and Chords available at Little Sleepies.

 Available in a range of sizes and products.  A little something for all the music lovers in your life.

                              ❤   🎵   🎸    🥁   🎺   ❤   🎵    🎸    🥁   🎺     ❤   🎵

Presidents Day

 

Wow, that's a lot to look at!  These are the presidential portraits made in 2015.  Barack Obama had just been elected and my son was almost a year old.  I was so excited to see what the future could hold.  Since then I've added on the new additions.  I was compelled to add our first female VP.  (we needed a female presence somewhere) 

Did you know Presidents Day was previously celebrated on George Washington's birthday, Feb 22?  In 1970 it was moved was moved to the third Monday in February to give federal employees a three-day weekend.

 As of this year Washington would have been 292.

Let's hear it for the....

 

Are you a member?  Hope so!

Happy Valentine's Day 💘

Sketchy fun

 

This is something I drew a couple years ago with Valentine's Day in mind.  It was purchased by American Greetings and found it's way onto a card.  I enjoy making lighthearted, goofy little drawings that sometimes find their way out into the world.  Hope it brought a smile to your face!

Spotlight on FEBRUARY

 

I like February!  The holiday season is in the past, dreary, cold January is over and the early morning light starts to change in February.  A little more light brings a spring to my step!  I also don't mind the focus on letting the people you love know it.  Some of us need more of a reminder than others.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has designated the month of February as Black History Month.  A time to remember and celebrate the achievements made by African Americans recognizing their central role in U.S. history.  So much to love about February!

 

Hello, World!

 

Well friends, it's almost the weekend with more time built in to kick back and read!  

Have you checked out my Hello, World!  Kids' Guides picture books?

These are the next step up from my board books and are made with a slightly older reader in mind.

They act as a deeper dive into a variety of topics with lots of fascinating, fun facts you'll remember & enjoy.

 

 

 

On another book worthy note, I'll be at the Kansas City Public Library: Plaza branch on Friday March 15 as part of their 150 year birthday celebration.  I'll bring a bunch of my Hello, World! books for an action packed family story night.  Stay tuned for more details!

January is hard

 

Up, up, and away - somewhere warm!

Painted papers that I then cut into hot air balloon shapes to lift the spirit.

White to brown

 

Thinking of spring.  Did you know Arctic fox fur is white in the winter months and turns brown during the spring.  This help it blend in better with its environment in each season.  I'm keeping my thoughts warm as we inch our way towards spring!

Brrr!

 Hope you have everything you need to stay warm and cozy the next couple of days.

Dreams a flutter

 

I had a gumball machine as a child.  I never chewed the gumballs because I thought they looked so perfect placed inside the glass jar.  When we'd go to the store we'd sometimes get a quarter or two to try out one of the three tiered vending machines.  I'd get so excited to see what kind of toy or treat I'd end up with.  I must admit I've never seen butterflies emerge after popping in my quarter but I'm sure that would have delighted me!

State Flowers Personalized Family Wall Art

 

Geography meets botany on my new State Flowers Personalized Wall Art available exclusively at Uncommon Goods.  The official flowers of all 50 states have been lovingly painted with watercolor. This print can be customized with your child’s name, birthday, place of birth or list all the locations where family members live, also marked by a little heart. 

P.S. My state flower is the White Hawthorn Blossom.  What’s yours?

Onward

 

🌟 I think it's a good year to sparkle! 🌟  Happy 2024 to you and yours.