No, your eyes don't deceive you...I'm actually blogging. Yep, blogging! My sister Kim likes to send me snarky texts about my lack of new blog posts because she checks my blog regularly. At this point, she's probably the only one checking on it.

So, I don't have any huge revelation as to why it's been so long. Truth of the matter is...I just wasn't feeling it. Also, I use instagram A LOT and that sort of has the feeling of a blog for me. Well, anyway...I cleaned off all of the cobwebs and it feels like I've got a brand new sketchbook and this is page 1.

I just returned from a week on the beach with my favorite beach bums. That's always a huge creative battery charger for me.

I'm also working with the fabulous Holli Conger...illustrator extraordinaire. She has been offering an illustration career consulting program for a few years now and I had it on my creative "bucket list". She is an illustrator whose work I have been following for many years now. I finally got the courage up and sent her an email and signed up. She's been a wealth of knowledge and has let me pick her creative brain. I'm trying to make more of an effort to be present on my social media and also to build a new portfolio website. This blog will be linked to it. I'll keep you all posted on when it's done. My uber-talented daughter, Katie is helping me build it. Katie's AMAZING...and I love working with her!

Whimsy studios has been busier than ever. We are so busy creating and shipping out SO MANY SIGNS...summertime is always a busy time for those! Mark is my shipping manager. He wears many hats in whimsy studios. He's a keeper...

I've done a ton of custom things for clients. Just a few here...

These pencils were a huge hit for teacher's gifts this year. Yup, those are the same pickets we use for our directional signs. Hmm, what else can we make with those...?

I'm also working on my first licensed artwork for a company called Studio M. They make indoor and outdoor home décor products and I am super excited about the pieces I am making for them. I can't wait to share them with you soon! Think flags, door mats, mailbox wraps and garden signs...yay!

This year has flown by so quickly already. I can't believe we are already in July! I've been sketching up all kinds of fun things for the holidays. They'll be here before you know it and we'll have all kinds of fun things for you then!

My family is doing great. I'll post more about our vacay tomorrow. We brought a selfie stick with us and boy, did we have fun with it!