And the Winner is...

Another awesome week of Sew Mama Sew Giveaways has come and gone - I hope you were able to enter into lots of great giveaways - I know my fingers are still crossed! So without further ado, I'd like to share the one lucky print winner...

Number 95 -The Happy Crochet Chic! She suggested "A is for Armadillo!" which was a popular suggestion! Congratulations - I'll contact you by email to work out the details.

Didn't win? Don't worry you can still get any one of my prints for a GREAT holiday price (lucky you!!)  Pop over to my shop, pick out your favorite Prints and Paintings and enter the code 15SEWMAMASEW2012 (just copy and paste) during checkout to get 15% off your entire order through December 31st.  Perfect for that niece or nephew who lives far away or new baby present you've been meaning to buy. I also do custom work to create the perfect painting(s) for you!

A huge thank you to everyone for the AMAZING suggestions - I have so many ideas on how to make your suggestions a reality! Be sure to check back in the next coming months for updates on the new works I'll have in progress and upcoming additions to the shop (hint - some are pictured above!)

 And now, back to work - I've got armadillos to sketch and zeplins to paint!!

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Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Week!!!

Well, I am back for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Week!  I had so much fun last time getting to know so many new visitors last spring, I'm excited to participate again!!

It may seem strange to be involved in a sewing giveaway, since I am all about painting here, but sewing is a big passion of mine, mostly involving apparel, toys and blankets for my kiddos. And I have a bit of a fabric problem obsession. You can see this love in some of my prints too, like this one:

 
For this week's giveaway I am offering one lucky winner YOUR CHOICE of any one of my new alphabet prints (fun!)

: : Here are the nitty-gritty details : :

- All prints are done on archival matte paper with pigment inks, so it will last (and last and last - no fading or yellowing here!)
- If you win, I will ship to you no matter where you live (in or out of the US)
- The giveaway opens Monday, Dec 3rd at 8am CST and will run through Friday, Dec 7th closing at 7pm CST.
- The winner will be chosen via a random number generator
- The winner will be announced HERE on Saturday, Dec 8th

: : To Enter : :

- I'm staying simple this year, just leave a comment with a suggestion for what letter images you would like to see next! (example: S is for skier) Now that my prints are complete, it's time to start on some more.

: : Bonus : :

For the month of December, I'm offering a special coupon code just for you! Enter "15SEWMAMASEW2012" at checkout in my shop and get 15% off your entire order - hooray!! Coupon applies to ready-to-ship items only, does not apply to custom orders.

: : The Prints : : 

Here are the prints you could get to choose from - good luck!

: : A couple other things : :

Do you have a kiddo ages 2 through 7 in your life? Your own child, niece or nephew, godchild, cousin, friend? If so, don't miss out on the Crafting Connections Sew Mama Sew giveaway - it includes a sewing project for your little one and a sewing project for you, plus recipes, crafts, science, literature and more. (disclaimer: I am also a co-founder of Crafting Connections)

And don't forget to pop back over to Sew Mama Sew to enter in some more fabulous giveaways!!
I know I will be :) Pin It

Fall French Market Review

Well the Market was a success! The days and weeks leading up to the show were busy - I completed nearly 200 prints and 6 new original paintings exclusively for the event. It was so much fun getting to meet you customers, both big and small, and sharing my art on such a public level. Plus, it was just the boost I needed to decide that next year, I will certainly be attending more shows - who can resist?!

Here is a wonky shot of my table - I dashed out and snapped these pictures during a lull in the crowd, but that meant I couldn't really back up too much!

Now it's the slow process of uploading all my prints to the shop - stay tuned for both those new prints as well as some paintings I've completed but haven't had a chance to share yet - yipe! Pin It

Come to a show!

Come see me live in my very first craft show! I will be there with my original paintings, new prints and a few special paintings I'm doing exclusively for this event. The show is Friday evening through Sunday afternoon - can't wait to see you there!!
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Prints in Progress

Lately, it seems like if I'm not parenting my kids or working on my other fun business, Crafting Connections, I'm painting. I paint during nap time. I paint after the little ones go to bed. I paint early in the morning before anyone else is up. I paint.

Why? Prints! I've been accepted into my very first craft show the first weekend of November (more on this soon!) and there is oh-so-much to do. I'm in the process of completing the entire alphabet on single canvas sheets, so that I can turn them into professional prints.

It's fun. It's exhausting. But ultimately, it is totally worth it! Pin It

DIY: Personalized Phone Case

My fancy new phone case

My daughter, E, is a coloring machine.  In fact, as I write this, she is sitting next to me coloring away as we listen to audio stories, a daily occurrence.  But what to do with all the lovely pictures I receive?  I have some hung in my studio for color inspiration (and, well, pure happiness).  There are others in our main living area and in the kids' bedroom.  But there are many other pictures that pile up. 

On another note, I've been looking for a cover for my phone for many months now.  I have been working on a cross-stitch case, but I'm painfully slow and as much as I try to like it (since I love the idea of cross stitch) I get bored quickly. 

In an Ah-Hah! moment (and after seeing this on Pinterest) I decided to combine my need for a phone case with my love of E's art. 

All you need is some art you don't mind cutting, a clear case, and your phone.

Trace the outline of your clear case onto the blank side of the art you have chosen to use.

Cut out the art just a touch smaller than the case (don't forget the camera hole) - look, a perfect fit!

Snap the cover on and presto, a new case and a new customizable look

A beautiful phone cover that makes E feel pretty proud too (she likes to show me my own phone and comment on how colorful and "love-a-ly"it looks).  I can't wait to make some more!

Have you had any "ah-hah" creations lately?

Stay creative,
A

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behind the scenes: Is Bigger Better?

Last week I finally opened a box I should have opened much sooner - a box of 6x6 canvases.  You see, up to this point, all of my paintings have been done on 4x4 inch canvases - perfect to fill that little nook or corner needing a pop of color.  But I wanted to experiment with a bigger canvas, and I have to say, I'm really happy with this new size!

Look - I've put the smaller frame on top of one of my new ones - certainly a size difference 2 inches all around makes!  These bigger canvases still have the nice, deep sides that I love, and the backs are finished beautifully.

I got to work right away on several.  Instead of continuing my alphabet series literally, I've decided to do some of the images sans letter on the bigger canvases.  It is exciting seeing past images re-imagined into a larger size!

I have also been inspired to add some new paintings to the mix.  Hint: there will be French, there will be poetry, there will be a submarine.  It seems my happy problem of lots of ideas, not enough time to paint continues, a nice enough "problem" to have, if you ask me!

I can't wait to show you more in the coming weeks!

What have you been immersed in lately?

Stay creative,
A

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Layers of Lace

I have a box of antique lace gathered and carefully saved by my grandmother.  When she moved homes I became the recipient of the lovely collection.  Sometimes I will open it and look through the delicate pieces, but I haven't found quite what I want to do with all the beautiful lace.  I would like to incorporate a couple pieces into handmade clothing for E (and perhaps C too, you don't find a lot of lace on baby boys!)  But I'd like to incorporate it into some more lasting projects, and today I'm finding some inspiration...

Lace lanterns plus inky-blue paint = the mood has been set

These lace cards would make pretty invitations or thank-yous

Delicate colors invite you to sit and stay awhile

This vintage doily looks right at home on this mustard pillow

I like this idea of wrapping lace around terracotta pots, probably best for indoor plants!

A great idea for small scraps of lace - this adorable coin purse has been retro-updated

Such a cozy fort - with "stars" cast to the sky through that lovely crocheted lace throw

The lace detailing, the tomato red saturated color, I think I should bring this number home (as a tunic!)

Another great use for lace scraps - this pendent necklace is a beautiful statement

So what do you think I should do with all my lace?  For now, it all goes back in the box, and I will go back to dreaming...

Stay creative,
A

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behind the scenes: Something is Brewing

Over the past couple of weeks we have been busy with summertime travels to visit friends and family.  Most recently I got to spend nearly 2 weeks in New Hampshire with the kids and my family.  I grew up in New Hampshire, playing in the woods, swimming in the lake - as a teen I thought it was "so boring" and now I luxuriate in nature each time I get to go back.  It's an inspiring place to be, creatively, since I'm surrounded with so much color and natural beauty. 

Indeed we had days and days of this...

Looking over part of the White Mountains and Little Lake Sunapee while hiking Kearsarge Mt.

Then it was time to leave and head back to the city - we left some amazing storm clouds behind us!

Curve of the world - amazing!

And now it's back to work - raising kiddos (OK, that doesn't ever stop), ordering supplies and new canvases (my favorites were recently discontinued - boo - but I found lovely replacements - hooray!), and working hard with a close friend and fellow artist on a new project that will officially launch August 1st!  If you have kiddos in your life, you're going to want to stay tuned for this new adventure.

Work and Lunch while the kiddos are resting.

But when all is said and done, I'm excited to get back to painting - I have a whole bunch of new ideas and not enough time, it seems, to get them down on canvas fast enough.  But in my book, that's an OK problem to have!

Have you been able to visit with friends and family this summer?  I hope so!

Stay creative,
A

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Shop Spotlight: Eve Sand

I love the saturated colors in these Eve Sand prints (she's a painter and graphic designer out of Vancouver).  The ombre effect she often uses is modern and beautiful.

Day and Night over the Mountains

I'm in love with the RED of this

This blue and gold color combo is retro and modern at the same time

I can almost hear the whisper of these windmills

All of these prints remind me of the mountains I've been able to visit this summer - oh how I love the mountains!!

Stay creative,
A

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Inspired by Fire

The colors of fire, sunsets and citrus (yum!) - orange and yellow are bright additions to any room or outfit!  I'm loving these fiery shades alone or in combination.  Are you feeling fiery too?

 (nature does it right - orange and yellow blooms)

(unexpected ombre)

(white accents make this clementine-inspired bathtub pop)

(the voluminous curtains add light and drama)

(a curvy and unique addition to your secret garden...or back porch!)

(my E has two of these gorgeous handmade dolls - she may need a Ginger too!)

(I've been meaning to make this yellow number for a couple years now - love the roomy hood)

 (the tangerine linen and white pom pom trim puts this dress on my must-make list)

 (a new twist on a vintage radio!)

So, are you inspired to inject more fire into your life?  I hope so!!

Stay creative,
A

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And now for a bit of vintage!

Brought to you by one of my favorite vintage shops, Dear Macy Vintage, a rainbow of vintage glass to start the week off right! 

Amber bottles - displayed on a table with flowers or tall grasses would be simply lovely.

Frosted orange glasses waiting for a yummy summer drink.

Golden dessert dishes perfect for a scoop or two of ice cream or sorbet.

Such pretty green bottles filled with sweet sewing novelties - love!

An emerald serving set fit for a bright fruit salad.

Speaking of fruit - elevate apples and bananas to something a bit more special with this bright teal pedestal bowl.

These textured blue glasses would be perfect for a fancy backyard dinner under the stars.

Soft lavender frosted glasses with gold rims feel elegantly understated.

My mom has a bunch of these old telegraph insulators - function and beauty, a winning combination!

Hope your week is off to a beautiful start as well.

Stay creative,
A

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