Here's to new beginnings...

Image cred: PinkPot

Here's to a new year full of potential!
It appears that I have abandoned this blog for long enough. Finally, the pull to create and share my creations has gotten so strong that I can no longer ignore it. That's a dramatic way of saying: I'm ready to take some concrete steps towards living a more creative life and putting my art 'out there' - ha!
I find myself constantly composing blog posts in my head, or coming up with ideas for designs or paintings. And I guess it just feels like the right time to get those things out of my head.
The kids are a little bit older now and are both in school full time. So, that frees up a bit of my energy. Plus, we are living close to family again. I guess there is something about having the security of family, friends and supporters around that makes me more inclined to take risks (I am naturally so incredibly risk-adverse)!
So, here it goes.... Here are my goals for 2016:

1. Start posting on this blog again (at least 3 times per week).
2. Open an etsy store, focusing on printables of my designs. I have signed up for Etsy Resolution Canada - an amazing-sounding group that I hope will give me the motivation and the tools to finally get my store up and running. Sign up before Jan 25th!!!
3. To sell at least one piece on society6.
4. To work on at least one painting per month.

So, there you have it, my goals for the new year. I will keep you posted on my progress. Did you make any resolutions or goals for 2016? I would love to hear them!

Cheers!

Designing a 'Big Girl' Room

As we prepare to transition our little girl from a crib to a twin bed, I am inspired to give my daughter's bedroom a bit of an update. The design that I originally used for her room was relatively simple and gender neutral (since we didn't find out if 'the baby' was a boy or a girl). But, now that she is 2 and has a definite personality and style of her own, I think it's time to give her room some character. Here are some of my ideas:



1. Yellow and White Zig Zag fabric from Hodi and Poppi Fabrics
2. Amy Butler Floating Buds fabric from Seth Grayson
3. Take Shelter print from Ashley G and Drew
4. Love Candy print in lemon from Made By Girl
5. Pretty Bird plush from Pretty Little Things
6. Tall Wood Bed Frame in white from West Elm
7. DwellStudio for Target rug (we already own this rug and it is no longer listed on Target's website)

I will post updates once the room is in progress / completed. What do you think so far?

Back From Vacation

A bad case of the flu, 3 weeks out of the country (on vacation) and potty training have kept me away from this blog for a little while. But, now that we are back home and settled, I am feeling ready to start posting again. Plus, I received a little extra incentive this morning via an email from Apartment Therapy. Luca's birthday party is featured today on Ohdeedoh. If you are unfamiliar with Apartment Therapy and their children's site, Ohdeedoh, you Must Check Them Out Now. I always find inspiration and great ideas on both of these sites, so I am very honored to be featured.
Lots more posts coming soon :)

A Very Simple Felt Board

A little while back, I made this little felt board for my daughter. It was really easy to make, and Luca has a great time playing with it. Plus, it is one of those toys that you can constantly modify by adding new felt pieces.

I started by buying a basic white frame. Any size will do, but this one was 21 x 17". I removed the glass and mat from the frame (I used the mat for this project). Then I cut a piece of cardboard (I used the cardboard that the frame was packaged in) to fit the frame. I cut a piece of blue felt slightly larger than the cardboard.



I attached the felt to the cardboard by gluing the overhanging pieces of felt onto the back of the cardboard (it helps to cut triangles out of the corners so that you don't get bunching from excess felt). When the glue was dry I put the felt-covered cardboard in the frame, and voila!



So far I have just cut a few basic shapes out of colored felt, along with some pennant letters, but you could really have so much fun with this. I am thinking of buying one of these sets off of etsy if I don't get around to making my own.

I don't know how I missed this...

We were featured on Prudent Baby in their Prudent Project Round-Up on July 31st. So exciting! Take a look.

Now this is my kind of sewing machine...

I'm not sure that my daughter would know what to do with this, since my sewing machine hasn't seen the light of day in quite some time. But, it's so cute that she might have to fight me for it.
This pretend plush sewing machine is from the etsy shop Nifty Kid Stuff. They also have some adorable plush bunnies and pretend cake decorating sets.

The owner, Caitlin also has a great blog. You can check it out here.

ABC!

I just designed an alphabet poster for my daughter, so now I've got letters and typography on the brain. I love how a simple letter can look so beautiful, graphic and bold. As a designer, I have so much fun playing with different fonts, colors and negative space. With that in mind, here are some of my favorite 'typography/alphabet' themed finds on etsy:


White Wood Ampersand by Hindsvik


Paris Letters - 5x5 Original Photos by Little Brown Pen


Initial Letter G (from Antique Typewriter) by QA Create


Yellow Orange and Pink Alphabet Pillow by Pillow Factory


Wood Alphabet Blocks by August Grove