fresh picked whimsy

jumping in to the art licensing world

BIG things are happening at whimsy studios!

Last month, a whole line of products (like the flag featured in the picture above) featuring my art premiered with Studio M...a leading provider in the artful home and garden décor market.  This has been a project in the works for a year now. I have been so excited to share it with everyone! 

I had the pleasure of going to the launch of these products at the Studio m Showroom in America's Mart in Atlanta. 

 
Studio M's Showroom was dreamy and inspiring!

One of the best parts of my "field trip" to the Mart was that my sister Kim lives near Atlanta.  I stayed with her and she came to the show with me.  I swear we walked like 20 miles in 2 days.  The Mart is enormous. ENORMOUS!

Three buildings, 55 floors, and each floor is the size of a huge shopping mall.  It was an incredible experience.  Eye candy fo dayzzzzz.  I would've LOVED to have taken a million pics of all the inspiration, but snapping pictures is a big no-no there. {competition is fierce!}

It was doubly fun because I got to stay with my sister Kim, who lives near Atlanta and she came with me to the show.  We had the BEST time.

It was fascinating to see how this industry works.  We oohed and aahed over all of the displays, trends and colors.  But, by far the MOST thrilling part was seeing my work on these products on display in the Studio M showroom.  Wow...somebody pinch me!

This pineapple "southern welcome" line is now one of their best sellers!

For each piece of artwork I created, Studio m produced into 5 different products, like these... 

and this particular line is offered with a monogram option, too...

It's just so surreal for me to see my art like this! SO exciting!

BIG thrill for me at the Mart was getting to meet Mary Engelbreit.  She was also premiering a new adorable line of fairy garden décor for Studio m. 

 It was a total fangirl moment for me. I told her I still have every issue of my Mary Engelbreit Home Companion magazines and that I still thumb through them for inspiration.  She seemed to be genuinely pleased by that. She was super sweet and wished me well in my new art licensing adventure!  {I still can't believe I got to meet and talk with her!}

Studio m has been amazing to work with.  I am so blessed that this was the first company I have worked with.  I'm so green...they helped me throughout the entire process, from brainstorming, to early sketches to finished products. It's been a dream!  They even did a full page feature about me in their catalog...

what? that's nuts!  You can search for me and my entire product line on the Studio m website.

SO many of you have been asking where you can find and purchase these products.  The first thing you should do is go to the Studio m website and search under the 'Our Community' tab for Retailers within and near your zip code.  Now, just because a retailer near you carries Studio m, it doesn't necessarily mean they chose to carry pieces with my art on it.  (the Studio m catalog of products is HUGE!).  So, as an alternative, if you don't have a retailer near you, you can go to one of the online retailers that carries Studio m, such as Flags on a Stick.  They carry most of my product line and you can purchase directly from them.

If you do find any of my Studio m products at your local retailer, I would LOVE to hear from you! And I would really LOVE a picture! You can email me or post it to my facebook page! This whole experience has been incredible.  I'm so thankful and grateful that Studio m chose me to work with.  Believe it or not, there's a new line coming out very soon for their fall and winter catalog and we are getting ready to work on new designs for 2017! 

I will post soon about how this whole process works and show you some of the pictures of the sketches where these designs originated.  I've learned SO much!  I have to shout out to my family.  They were in on this from the very beginning and have been so supportive.  Big, BIG thanks to my amazing hubby, Mark who helped me with all of the technical computer challenges and is always my biggest cheerleader!

This last picture pretty much sums up how I feel about this opportunity.  I saw this sign in a display window at the Mart and I just couldn't resist. 

Pinch me! More soon, friends! xo

Vitamin Sea

 It's the fastest week of the year.  We count down the days leading up to it...and they go by at a snail's pace.  And then, BOOM! It's over. Gah! Take me back!!!! 

We spent last week in our happy place, Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

I've blogged about it many times before: like here, here and here.

This year we rented the most adorable beach house...the Lucky Dog

It was a dog-friendly rental and we would give it 2 paws up if you are looking for a place to take your family and pups to the beach!  It was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house and it was perfect!  There was a little fenced in backyard full of fun toys for them and less stress for us having to take them out to potty.

A little inside tour...

We had some stormy weather off and on during the week.  It would be super sunny with blue skies and then all of a sudden a wall of black clouds would swoop in. 

So, we would head back to the house for a little break and hang out on the screened porch and just watch the storm until it passed.  Griffin loved this hanging swing on the porch...

We all worked on this fun jigsaw puzzle and Sudoku, too...

The owners of this house have thought of everything.  There are games, cards, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could want and the drawer in the cocktail table in the family room was totally full of tons of issues of eye candy magazines.  I LOVED thumbing through them and daydreaming about our SOMEDAY beach house...

It was our first vacation with our brand new 21 year old.  She played bartender a lot. We brought our Nutri Bullet from home and it made fantastic frozen cocktails...

She was trying to style a pretty photo of her concoction...

I can't tell you how many photobomb shots she got before getting that one above...

Which takes us to the photos...oh, the photos.  We brought a selfie stick with us to GS.  Before we left on vacay, I posted our family beach portrait from our very first year that we stayed in Gulf Shores {2001}.  Griffin was just one year old!

We used the selfie stick and recreated this memorable picture...14 years later:

Of course, I'm trying to get our Christmas card photo and they are all a bunch of goofballs...

Me:  "can I get a nice shot of you kids with Daddy?"...

my turn...and I love it.

 Katie tried to get us to take a special family selfie of a selfie.  It was a #selfiefail...

then she took one with her brothers on the beach and it was awesome...

We loved bringing the dogs down to the beach at the end of the day each night, when it had cooled off and the sand wasn't so hot.  They loved it too...

the ocean turned pink from this delicious sunset...

On Thursday evening, we saw something we had never seen before in all our years going to the beach.

A shark!

He popped up right in front of us...thankfully we were not in the water! He was about 5 feet long and swimming in knee deep water.  KNEE DEEP!  Katie snapped those pictures.  I don't know how she did it...we were all so rattled by it.  Riley ran down the beach to some folks who were in the water in the shark's path to warn them.  The next day was our last beach day and sadly, we stayed out of the water all day.  But, we sure counted our blessings. 

 Yet another fabulous beach week is in the books.  We're already daydreaming about next year!  

blog clog

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!

Well, that felt good.  I'm back at it!  See you tomorrow!!!

 

18 years flashes before your eyes

Everything was going just great and then Riley goes and does this...

And then without notice i look over at him at any given time of the day and a movie reel of the most precious moments of his life play in my head with an equally emotional soundtrack and i'm choking back the tears. 

I see him in that cap and gown, but what i'm really seeing is him on his first day of kindergarten...

Of course, there is a kind of spoiler alert as they begin their senior year in August.  You do know how it's going to end.  With that cap and gown, parties, prom, diplomas, and tears {mine, not his}! But in August you think to yourself, oh geez...that's not until NEXT YEAR! And then, BAM!...it's May.  And, so begins the emotional roller coaster of firsts and lasts and letting go.

i snapped this pic of him doing homework at his desk in his room.  one of the little things i will miss about him is seeing him there on a school night.  In the fall, that desk will be empty.

Last day of school...last time i will kiss him on a school day morning, standing at the front door telling him "i love you...drive carefully!" as he says "i will mom, i love you, too!"

ever.

The letting go.  I wrote about this when Katie graduated.  It's palpable.  It needs to happen.  It's the way it's supposed to happen.  But, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt your heart.  This sweet, funny, snuggly little boy is a man now.  He used to need me to tie his shoes, tuck him in, hold his hand and wipe his nose (ahem, and other things).  And now he's driving, shaving, dating and leaving home in 2.5 short months. 

I'm telling you people, with little people still in the business of growing up.  This will happen to you, too.  And, you will vaguely remember me warning you about this.  Because in the right now, your life is messy and loud and you're breaking up fights over barbies, the xbox controller and who gets to ride shotgun in your mini van and really, you're just trying to use the bathroom without someone yelling your name.  But, i promise that one day, your little people will grow up like mine and you will miss all of that. 

We had a little party for our Riley, which we co-celebrated with our next door neighbors.  When we moved to this house, Riley was 2 and Nick, next door, was also 2.  They have been best friends ever since. 

We have embarassing photographic proof.

We capitalized on this when decorating for the party, which we held between our two yards...

table centerpieces (pics of Nick are on the other side)...

we lucked out with the most perfect weather.  We recycled the picture frame photo booth from Katie's grad party...

 It's been so much fun watching Riley and Nick grow up together.  They have a really wonderful group of friends. We got them all together for pictures the day before graduation. 

What a priviledge it is to be your Mom, Riley.  I am so very proud of you and the young man you have become.  There is so much excitement and wonder ahead for you!  Here we go!

i love you, Ri

"say woo-hoo"

it's a feeling

i love the fresh start of January.  i know it's technically just another month, but it feels so different.  I love that feeling after the Christmas decorations have come down, and everything seems so open and fresh.  There's this feeling that anything is possible because you've got a whole year in front of you.  I know it's all in my head, and that's true at any time, but it works for me anyhow.  And even though i hated taking Katie back to school yesterday and will be sending my boys back to school tomorrow, i am looking forward to starting fresh in the studio...super excited to work on some new projects, make new art, teach more classes and see where this journey takes me next.

This print is new in the shop today.  A client requested it and i fell in love with it. 

The year of me!

Brand new print in the shop to kick off a brand new year! 

Happy New Year, friends!  Wishing you all the love and happiness and hope that a new year brings!

 

Open Studio with a full heart

Once again, i was blown away by the turn out and excitement at my Holiday Open Studio.  Lots of familiar faces, family and friends and lots of new friends, too!  If you weren't able to make it, here are some pictures that capture the studio all decked out for it's biggest annual event! 

These snowmen were a last minute idea that popped into my head 2 days before the big day.  I used only supplies that i had on hand (including the wood).  I was only able to make a dozen of them and they sold out pretty quickly.  I promise to make larger quantities of everything for next year.  I should probably start producing in January!

These artsy fartsy necklaces also sold out quickly.  I will be replenishing these all year long and yes, i promise to get them into my etsy shop for all of my out of town friends!

This year we expanded the studio into what was formally my dining room, next to the studio.  The dining room furniture has been relocated to the sun porch by the pool and it looks so pretty there!  I will share pics of that another day.  We moved all of my supplies out of the studio and into this room, allowing for a little more elbow room in the studio.  I bought that light at IKEA this year.  I had been drooling over it for the past few years and never had a place to put it...until now!!! i lurrve it!

These signs were a HUGE hit this year.  Again, they were another "hmmm, what could i do with this wood?" brainstorm.  Now, i have ideas for all the holidays to come.  They are fun to make and fun to display!  I love to hand letter!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support me and my little studio that could.  Thanks to my family and friends who helped me get organized and ready for this weekend. I have to be honest and share with you that a little over a month ago, i was completely drained emotionally and creatively.  Mark's mom had suffered a stroke and i spent a week helping to care for her in the hospital and rehab center.  I didn't know how i would be able to pull this open studio off and help my in-laws and be a mom, fulfill my etsy orders, and show my work in a local salon, too.  I prayed and prayed for some direction, a sign, anything.  Within a day or two, i got this wild burst of creativity.  There weren't enough hours in the day to do everything that i wanted to do, but i had this clarity about how to go about getting what was important done. And, no...it isn't lost on me that i prayed for a sign and got the idea to make all of those signs you see above! Ha! God has a great sense of humor! I LOVE what i do and sharing it with all of you.  In a million years i never dreamed this is where my art would take me, but i do love the way God is showing me how to use the talent He gave me.  I have so much to be thankful for.  ♥

p.s. Mark's mom is doing really, really well and came home this week from the rehabilitation center.  We are all so happy to have her home!

my Hallmark moment

This week i was invited to attend the Hallmark Moments and Milestones Tour in Indy.  It was a fun opportunity to get a sneak peak behind the scenes at Hallmark, to meet and interact with other Indy bloggers and to hear from a few of the many creative folks on the Hallmark team. 

It was a beautiful Indian summer day downtown Indianapolis.

The event was held at the historic Canterbury Hotel, which also happens to be where Mark and I spent our wedding night 21 years ago. i love this beautiful hotel! 

We had a delicious breakfast waiting for us and time to meet the other bloggers attending.

They surprised us with a sweet video at the beginning of the morning which included photos and sentiments from our individual blogs.  {they had asked us each to email them a favorite holiday post from our blogs}.  Not gonna lie...i teared up.  Then we did a couple of group creative brainstorming activities where we encouraged to recognize and celebrate the people we love by telling them what they mean to us.  They supplied some really beautiful cards for us to write and send to loved ones...

and then we listened as two of their creative writers and one of their artists told us about their creative process.  This was fascinating to me!  One of my "shoot for the moon" creative goals has always been to illustrate for Hallmark.  I loved hearing Tom and Lisa talk about the ways Hallmark employees find inspiration as they are writing copy for cards and books.

  Joanne is a sculptor at Hallmark and makes some of the Keepsake ornaments.  She brought original sketches, wax/clay molds and final ornaments with her to share with us.  Sooooo cool to see!  Oh my gosh, i could have listened all day to these folks. 

We left with bags full of Hallmark swag and a bonus for our readers, too!

 

You can use this coupon code: BLOG30 to receive 30% off of your order at Hallmark.com where they have personalized cards, gifts, plates, etc.. Yes, personalized plates! Check this out...  

It was important that you guys see this plate, so i took one for the team and ate the yummy Christmas cookie that was on it.  No worries...I got your back.

Thank you, Hallmark, for inviting me to be a part of this special event.  I know i was invited because i am a blogger, but this illustrator was thrilled to catch even a glimpse of the creative awesomeness that your company produces.   

* I was not obligated or compensated to write this post about Hallmark or this event, but was happy to share my experience with you today.

 

you can find her at the president's residence

Her artwork, that is.  We drove up to Purdue for a big event on Friday night.  Katie's artwork had been selected as part of a juried art exhibition at Purdue.  And the exhibition is held at the home of the university's president.  The home is called Westwood. 

It's on Purdue's campus but i've never seen it because the house is actually located deep into the gated property, up on a hill.  You cannot see it from the road.

until now...

It was an incredible honor as Katelyn was one of only 2 freshmen selected for this show which featured mostly upperclassmen and grad students.  The art will hang throughout this private residence through March.  We met the current acting president, Tim Sands and his wife Laura and had a lovely conversation with them.  Purdue is in transition right now while we await the arrival of our new President, Mitch Daniels.  He is the current Governor of Indiana.  He will move into Westwood in January.  {i know this is probably more info than you ever wanted to know about Purdue, but it is all very exciting to us!} 

Katelyn's work is hung in the foyer, which you see to your right when you enter the front door.

{that ferocious looking animal was another student's art.  He's keeping guard over Kate's art.}

This was a still life that Kate did in class recently.  She didn't love it.  But her teacher did.  Her teacher encouraged her to enter it for this show.  We were happy to meet her teacher on Friday and thank her for the encouragement!

we were missing Riley, who stayed home to cheer on his Greyhounds in football sectionals.  For the record, he felt very badly that he missed his sister's show.  Really, he did.

There was a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres and we were able to meander throughout the first floor of this beautiful home to see all of the incredible student work. 

i wish i had gotten a better pic of the mini cupcakes, which were black and gold of course!

On the president's coffee table...one of our most famous and beloved alumni...

on the porch...

and Griffin's favorite feature of the house...

Truly, we could not be more proud of our Boilermaker.  She is working so hard and is loving college life.  Her talent amazes us and we cannot wait to see where it takes her.  The sky is the limit!

Congratulations, sweet Katelyn.  Boiler up!

i love to drawer pitchers

There is a TOP SECRET project going on here in whimsy studios.  Shhhhhhh! i wish i could tell you all about it right now, but i can't.  The suspense is killing you, right?  i know...it's killing me keeping it from you.  Unforch, it will be a few months before i can reveal it.  But, i wanted you to know that something is brewing...and has kept me very busy.

So, for now, i will share with you a few of the custom projects i've recently completed for clients. You may remember the holiday poster i made for Faucett & Flame last year and the one i made for their Summer event.  They asked me to create for them again this holiday season and i was so happy to do it.  Can you believe there are only 75 days until Christmas?!  If you live in the NW Indy area, be sure to shop Faucett & Flame.  So much homemade goodness in one spot!

 
This is my version of a house portrait.  Kinda wonky...not to scale...a little bit embellished.  if i had to measure and use a ruler...i just wouldn't do it.  ick.

This was a special request by my brother in law...too complicated to explain why...it's work related.  But, i rather like this big little fella. 

I have painted one of these whimsical kid's portraits for each one of this client's children.

Oliver is their 4th.  She sent me a photo of all of them hanging on their wall.  i love when client's do that!  so so fun.

 
...much much more to come!  New prints, new homemade goodies, a holiday open studio and bonus studio shopping hours for the holiday season!  Stay tuned for the details coming soon!