Cat Print

Our days are full. Full and crazy and happy and sad and silly and EXHAUSTING. I've mostly accepted the fact that this is a stage of my life that leaves little time for hobbies (or friends or exercise or personal hygiene). At the end of the day, after the kids are asleep, Eric and I collapse onto the nearest piece of furniture; if we're lucky, we have a glass of wine and a chat. Most of the time, we we watch an episode of something on Netflix before dragging ourselves to bed (Person of Interest is awesome, by the way).

However, a couple of Sundays ago, I was able to carve and print a little linoleum block. It was a quick carving job, and my printing skills are rusty (though I was never that good at printing in the first place), but I really enjoyed myself. It felt really great to do something for myself, by myself. 

Thanks, Eric, for herding the children.  

Since then, I've been using our Netflix and chill (actually chilling, mind you) evenings to sketch. I might not have enough time or energy to do major projects right now, but I've been enjoying practicing being creative. It will be all too soon before the kiddos are in school and I have far too much time and energy on my hands. And I have a feeling that will be much worse than my current lack of both. 

Leah Duncan & the New Shower Curtain

There have been so many things I've wanted to tell you about lately, but - since getting pregnant the first time - I've been finding it really difficult to form words into coherent sentences. I don't know if it's the pregnancy brain or if I'm really out of practice, but I will attempt to persevere - don't judge me if things are even more poorly written than usual. I'm strugglin'.

I did, however, just take a two hour nap, and Eric is entertaining Cora with dried mangos and some snack/snuggle time so here goes!

I'm a huge fan of Leah Duncan. I'd noticed (and loved) the patterns she made for Schoolhouse Electric Company (left) and the The Link Collective (right), but I hadn't put together that the textiles were designed by the same person until recently.

Then, of course I had to google her and I found that she incorporates her prints into all kinds of media. Pillows, scarves, even jewelry. I love the plants and mountains she depicts and I really love the colors she uses to depict them. Probably because they're all pretty muted. Go figure.

Coincidentally, we now own the shower curtain she designed for Schoolhouse - I wanted something with more color for our bigger, soon to be guest/kiddo bathroom and it definitely fits the bill. I'm hoping to finally paint and add some accessories in there so stay tuned for some inspiration boards on that. Maybe after my next nap.... :)

Comfortably Blue

I have been tired a lot lately; and when I'm tired, I like to look at pretty, soothing things. Therefore, it makes sense that Comfortably Blue has become one of my favorite tumblrs. Comfortably Blue features a collection of drawings, sculptures, and photographs by a girl named Salome who lives in Switzerland. Her art is sweet and soft and feminine and I find it inspiring. It helps me to be excited for the day when I will have the energy to create pretty (or not so pretty) things on my own again. Soon :)

Happy Friday

My new favorite Tumblr feed: It's no biggie. It's filled with darling little animated gifs such as these...

Enjoy your weekend!!

Cindy Rizza

After two weeks of solid rain, I've started looking at summery paintings to combat the dreariness. These by Cindy Rizza are just the thing to keep one dreaming of long summer days....

(you know, except for that last one).

Carmel Seymour

Loving these pencil drawings by Carmel Seymour. Especially the first one, A Walk with a Park.

Find more information about her process, materials, and life in Iceland at the Design Files.

Rifle Paper Company iPhone Cases!

Rifle Paper Company is an awesome stationary store that just came out with a new line of iPhone cases. I would seriously consider buying one of these if they had more options in the 4s, instead of just for the iPhone 5.

They're so pretty!

I think my favorites are these....

Or maybe I'll just settle for a bobby pins print?? Eric is always complaining how I take them off and sprinkle them about the house...

The Calligraphy of Seb Lester

Note: I should warn those that are swear-word adverse to avoid this post.

A couple of months ago, I checked out a few books from the library in an attempt to learn calligraphy. A few frustrating weeks later, I gave up because, well, I wasn't that great at it and I wasn't sure what I'd actually want to write once I had mastered the skill. I'm not really one for hanging cheesy quotes and "family, friends, faith" plaques around my house.

However, it would seem that Seb Lester, a calligrapher and type designer hailing from the UK, doesn't care what the words he's writing say, so much as how beautiful they are. For example:

Good heavens. I feel so guilty just posting that. Look away! 

As you can see, Mr. Lester has a bit of an attitude, but his calligraphy is lovely. Of course he has a real job where he designs book covers and typefaces and perfectly presentable quotes which he sells as art prints. He's pretty good at it, too.

But my favorite work is that in his sketchbook:

Especially his series, "Break Bad News Gently with Calligraphy."

You can follow him on Instagram @seblester or see his portfolio at http://www.seblester.co.uk/

And again, sorry for all the swears....

Inspiring Illustrator: Liekeland

I've been enjoying these illustrations by Lieke van der Vorst. You can explore more of her (I think it's a her? I can't really read Dutch...) work at: http://www.liekeland.nl/

Goals

I set some goals for myself this week; not New Year's Resolutions, per say, but just some little creative practices I'd like to get better at or do more frequently. The goals themselves shall remain private, but I will probably show little snippets of projects along the way. Step one of goal two includes making icons. That's me in the top left. And my friend, Chrissie, in the bottom left. She has a lot of hair.

Wish me luck in my super secret endeavors! :)

Hard Cider Labels

Eric and his buddies brewed some hard cider, and I made a few labels for our personal stash.

They have yet to name this tasty treat.

Inspiring Illustrator: Yelena Bryksenkova

You can buy here work here, on etsy.