New Year's Resolution 2014

My New Years resolution... I'm not usually one to do this but I thought this year I would try. I've realized this week that I have 4 major quilt projects started, 3 paintings that are so close to being finished, a few knitting projects in progress and a bed room that is dying for some new paint and clean up. My resolution is to be more self motivated on my own projects and complete them. Sometimes putting my own projects first isn't a bad thing. Happy beginnings to everyone! I wish you an amazing 2014 

Cross Quilt

Here is a quilt I did as a gift for Caleb's parents for Christmas this year. It fits on a California King size bed. It took about 3 weeks and my aunt used her quilting machine to put the backing and batting in. I am very pleased how it turned out and I am excited to see their reactions! I would also do this pattern again. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.

Recycled Can Craft

Here is a simple craft to do on a rainy afternoon. After eating some spaghetti o's for lunch, we washed out the cans and broke out the construction paper and this is what the kids came up with.

Sewing Memories

When I was 8 or 9 I remember my mom was sewing a pair of pants for my dad. And I wanted to learn to see too. As practice she would draw a maze on a piece of paper and let me "sew" through it without thread. With it only poking holes, I had lots of practice making the needle go where I wanted. Here is my first sewing project I was able to do myself. (With help sewing the final edge) A simple pillow that I still have on my bed today. I was so proud when I made it and it reminds me how awesome it really is to create something from nothing.

Squirrel Town

Here is a spread from a project I am working on. I'm loving the colors and how it is coming together! It is a two page spread so you can see in the large blue area where I will place type once I'm ready to put the layout together in InDesign. 

Squirrel!

I'm working on a new book and the main characters are squirrels. I've been drawing them everywhere! I think I am done doing studies of them and ready to move on to character designs. I'm really excited about this project! 

Doodling with paint

I'm not working on anything in particular today. Just playing with shapes in a sketchbook. If anything I'm reminding myself of how gouache can be used and practicing layering different colors. It's a great warm up before working on a painting.

Flower Craft

Here's a really cute craft you can do for a keep sake to remember how small your baby once was. It's simple and works well when framed. I used construction paper but you can always trace out on heavier paper that doesn't fade as easily. If you do use construction paper I recommend getting high end glass for framing that protects against sunlight damage.

Box Craft

Today's craft we used jumbo craft sticks, also known as popsicle sticks. This craft was good to work on patience for a 4 year old to wait for glue to dry. She also had to focus on lining this up so she would not have a lopsided box. Each layer of sticks are alternating which you can see in the photos. Otherwise you end up with wide spaces in the sides for things to fall out of your box. It's also pattern practice for the child making it!

Sweet Spot Logo

Here is a quick logo I created for a presentation my sister is doing on spiral galaxies for her research. The "sweet spot" she is presenting on deals with the biggest gold star in the logo which is right outside of the galaxy which I tried to create with the two"s" shapes that start each word.

Teddy David

I had a friend's mother ask me to make some Teddy bears from her husbands old jeans and shirts for her two children. I think they came out great!

Making Crayons

Making your own crayons can be loads of fun and easy. It's also a great way to get rid of all your broken crayons! All I did was preheat oven on to 350 degrees, then while that was warming up I had the kids tear off all of the wrappers. Once we had enough unwrapped crayons we broke them up and put them into muffin tins. You can do it without the muffin cup papers but makes it way easier to clean up if you have them. It takes about 10-12 minutes in the oven. Once you take them out it will be liquid so they need to sit and harden, just like a melted candle would. Try not to stir them, part of the fun is having multi-colored crayons :)

Styles today

Here is another hair style to do on girls. They called them pony Mohawks. Addy has 7 because she is 7. Avery has 4 because she is 4. Like their logic?

And when big sisters have little brothers.... You can see what happens.

Baby Faces!

Today, I spent an afternoon photographing one cute little boy! A friend wanted to get some photos taken of a baby that she nanny's, as a gift for the parents. After a few hours I captured some great facial expressions. Here are some of my favorites. This also turned out to be a great way to show all of the expressions at this stage of his life at 6 months.

Produce Stand

Along with a million other projects, here's one that is exciting this week! We are officially running a produce stand at my parent's farm. My boyfriend, Caleb, and younger brother, Lars, built an amazing stand. So far we are doing well, and hopefully our customers come back again! We have been selling produce and flowers. Tomorrow, I plan on sitting all day at the stand and painting, should be a wonderful day being able to stay outside and enjoy myself!

Flower Hair piece Crafts

Here is an image of one of our flower experiments. I think it's cute but I think it may be something I can easily do with the kids I babysit. Not sure if it is my style but it was certainly fun to make!

Hair dos!

Remember when you were 4 and you had so many pretty hair clips and couldn't decide which one to use?? one of my favorite parts of babysitting Is being able to play with Avery's hair. I let her pick out the hair clips she wants and I try to use them all!

She always cooperates and doesn't fuss if I comb out a knot. It's great. Since I'm at the beach this week we decided to try and make our own hair pieces. We are using things found in a craft store. Plain head bands, bobby pins, feathers, fake flowers.... I even have some sea shells from the beach I'll try to include. Hopefully it works out! I'll posts the out comes in the next few days.

Ice CreamDoodle

I drew this with the kids I babysit a few days ago. Now that I'm on vacation this week in Hilton Head Island I'm wishing I had an ice cream cone to go with this heat! Not my favorite drawing but I'm getting more practice with watercolor pencils. I think I got a little heavy with using black especially around the finger nails. I will try using gouache next time to fix some minor mistakes and add a different texture.

2 years <3

Today is 2 years since my first date with Caleb. He gave me 2 dozen roses and over the weekend he worked hard with Lars on our produce stand! I am hoping to also sell some prints and cards of my own designs. It will be exciting to see how we do!

Success!

Avery loved making the butterfly snack with pipe cleaners and pom poms! I put the hot glue on and she stuck the pom poms on. She also insisted on being in the pictures :)