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

Christmas Pop Up Wrap Up!

 

I know, I know...it's January and I'm just now posting pics from our Christmas Pop Up.  I'm trying to play catch up.  There's so much going on in the studio right now, but I don't want to bypass all of the great stuff that happened over the holidays.  So, I'm going to show you all of the fun things I made for Christmas and how amazing our pop up was!

I had never had my pop up over the Thanksgiving weekend, but I decided to give it a go this year.  I kicked it off with a midnight madness opening on Thanksgiving night.  It was insane! There were people waiting at the door when we opened and then in a matter of minutes, we were wall to wall customers.  Truly, the line to check out was to the door!  I couldn't believe it!

I asked Katie to decorate my front door.  I gave her the words I wanted it to say and just gave her free reign to do it up.  Seriously, she's amazing.  My niece Megan helped her fill in some little snowflakes.  How cute are they?

Then, I asked her to create something on my chalkboard wall in the kitchen.  I wanted it to say 'have a holly jolly Christmas', but again, told her she could do anything she wanted for the design. My jaw hit the floor when she was done. 

I loved it so much that I asked her to make it into a print. 

We gave the prints away to everyone who came for the midnight madness and then sold them for the remainder of the weekend.  They're also available in my etsy shop.  They are my favorite!!!!

I was incredibly inspired this holiday and incredibly busy! It was kind of nuts. These are a few of the fun wood signs I made.  They were all different sizes and shapes...

These were 2.5 feet long!...

and these were my favorite...made to lean on your front porch or entryway.

I found that yummy plaid fleece and it inspired me to make these...which I've made a few more of for Valentine's...again, in the shop!

I thought these were kind of fun...

We had a yummy hot cocoa bar set up for the weekend...

I invited my friend Jenny Elkins to join me for this sale.  We love working together.  I think our work complements each other.  We're both on the whimsical side, but definitely each have a unique style.  We had to capture this moment when we realized that Katie, Jenny and I were all wearing black and white stripes...

These were my new ornaments this year.  The wine glasses were a big hit!

Santa was a jolly addition to the collection this year...

and who doesn't love a giant candy cane?

I added a few new designs to my prayer candles this season.  Ones for your loved ones and ones for world peace...

I created a few new magnets/pin back buttons, too...

This guy came about because I had a piece of scrap wood sitting on my table and I sketched it out while I was on the phone one day.  He just makes me smile...

Phew! Last picture, I promise.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I told you I was inspired this year! :)  I'm already busy working on fun things for spring and summer.  This was the last sign I made before Christmas, but I think it works year-round.  Everyone needs a little sparkle in their everyday life!  Don't you think?

 

 

 

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!!!

 

the yummiest

Finally getting around to blogging about our first ever fall open studio... the Whimsy Studios Yummy October Pop Up Shop!  It was amazing!!!

As i told you before, i had some special guests join me for this sale.  We had originally planned to hold this event under white tents in my front yard and then spill into the studio.  Mother Nature had other plans and gave us a rainy, blustery, cold weekend.  So, plan B...we squeezed it all into the studio.  When we first brought it all in to begin staging, we were overwhelmed, but somehow, it just fell into place perfectly and the studio was transformed into this cozy, magical shop. 

Let me show you around...

My friend and neighbor Stacey, of The Rusty Toolbox brought all of the fun vintage stuff and my sister Susan, of The Gingham Chair brought the re-loved painted furniture.  We had so much fun doing this   sale together.  It was sweet having co-workers for a change!

My sweet Katie and her adorable roommates surprised me and drove down from school just for a few hours.  Those crazy kids made my day!

Susan and I really missed our sister Kim, who lives in Georgia.  Couldn't resist taking a family selfie "with her" when my parents stopped by...

These striped monogram pumpkins were the surprise hit of the day for me.  More on those tomorrow...

Thank you, so much to everyone who came out to support us!  I loved meeting so many new people.  It really was a blast! It was a huge success and we will do it again!  Next up for me is my Holiday Open Studio, the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Susan and Stacey will be participating in the Holiday Market on Cherry Tree in Noblesville on November 8th. 

It will be November at the end of this week, so it's time to get crack-a-lackin'!

Thank You, friends!!!!

staying in is the new going out

{print available in the shop}

Maybe I'm showing my age, but i love to stay home.  Yup, that's right, i'm a homebody.  Although i might have to make another print; only this time it would be a wine glass instead of a cocoa mug.  just sayin'...

Tis the season to snuggle, right?  Me and the Mr. are pros.

Snuggle on, my friends.

xo

Life on the Cape

This place is so unique in so many ways.  The sea life, the houses, the history.  New England eye candy.  Unlike anywhere i've ever been.   

Let me show you...

they use crushed seashells for mulch.  um...yes, please!

see!

everywhere you will see old buoys tied to trees and mailboxes.  Again...yes, please!

this lobster pot washed up on our beach.  no lobsters inside...just seaweed.

We had an outdoor shower.  The kids loved it!

There is history everywhere here.  After all, this is the land of thy pilgrim's pride.  Oh, and of the Kennedy's.  This museum is in Hyannis...near their famous compound...

There are quaint little bity cottages everywhere! This one backs up to a salt marsh.  The sign on the door says "The Marsh Mellow" 

i mean, c'mon...isn't it darling??????

and quintessential cape cod beach front homes... i die.

The view from our bed.  we weren't mad :)...

 the sun begins to rise over the ocean at 4:30 every morning.  The whole sky glows orange.  Riley and i both decided to get up and take pictures one morning.

Totally

worth

it.

Only thing that competes with that is the sunsets!!!

More of this gorgeous place to come.  Tomorrow, i'll take you to Martha's Vineyard!

 

Healing

So, i'm just jumping back in here.  Yes, i'm still here.  It's been a very busy few months.  We have been getting Mark's parent's home ready to sell.  It has been a very big undertaking.  Where do you even begin?  Packing up, giving away, keeping, honoring and sorting through a lifetime of love?  So many treasures and memories.  It's overwhelming.  I'm thankful that my mom and mark's brother were able to devote so much time and energy to the task with me.  The house went on the market yesterday.

We still have much to do.  We were in a hurry to take advantage of the spring market, so we packed much of their things and brought them over to our house.  There is still a lot of sorting to do.  I've never felt more motivated to get my own home organized in my life.  {the main reason i have been absent here}  I have a new clarity about the worth of things...and a new appreciation for letting things go.  I'm very sentimental and have always been a keeper.  But, after this experience i want so badly to pare my possessions down to what is truly important and meaningful.  When you really examine what you own, and you look at it from that perspective, it's easy and liberating to purge the excess and make room in your life for what really matters. 

I'm using the same approach when it comes to my health and the health of my family.  We ate our way through our grief.  Comfort food.  'nuff said.  It's time to prioritize and get serious about it.  And honestly, it feels good.

Through it all, we have been surrounded by love.  From both friends and family.  So much kindness and support and understanding.  I am STILL writing thank you notes.  Having been on the receiving end of this outpouring of love, i just want to say that every little message, hug, smile and gesture has meant so much.  I know how awkward it is...not knowing what to say...how to say it.  But, just know that it all helps.  I only hope and pray that i can be that kind of light for others when they are in need. 

As early as i can remember, my grandmother and mom have both always had a candle on their countertops in their kitchens, which they would light as an offering in prayer...in the midst of their busy everyday lives.  i think it's a Catholic thing, primarily, but i don't see why anyone can't do it.  Whatever is on your heart...light a candle and say a prayer.  It's that simple.  My grandmother had these big chunky candles that would melt over time and eventually would reveal a plastic Virgin Mary statue.  as a kid, it was kinda magical and i loved them.  i have continued this tradition and often buy those tall, colorful Jesus votive candles in the Mexican food aisle in my grocery store.  My store also sells some that are simply clear glass and i of course only see that as a blank canvas. 

So i made these...

I found those words on Pinterest, but i don't know their origin.  If anyone out there does, i would love to credit them.  It sooooo speaks to me.  I have put them in my etsy store because i posted that picture on instagram and was happily surprised at how much interest they got.  They're sparkly and pretty and hopefully encourage prayer.  They're available here.

I pray that you all know how much i appreciate you and that you are blessed with much happiness!

Here's to happier days ahead! xo

 

You had me at "barn sale"

Indy area peeps....you have to get out to the Resyled Barn Sale!!!!

My sister Susan surprised me with tickets to the preview night last night and it was AMAZING! It was a beautiful autumn night with white twinkle lights everywhere and we were surrounded by so much creative goodness! 

{junkey monkey's gorgeous booth}

Our mom was originally supposed to go with us, but has just recently had hip replacement surgery and our other sister Kim would have wanted to be with us but she lives in Georgia!  So...because we wanted them to feel like they were with us, we got a little creative...and brought them with us in our own way!

People kept asking us about them and laughed when they saw us taking pictures with them.  We even scored two extra drink tickets just because the lady at the gate loved that we brought them with us...in spirit!  Love!  Thanks, Mom & Kim!

A couple of my friends had booths here and i couldn't wait to see them!  This is Jill Broadhacker of Jilly Jack Designs.  She has a letterpress lab and art studio.  Her work is fabulous!

i bought this print of hers for Susan's birthday...

i was also excited to see my friend, Lindsay Clark of Seven Lemons.  Her paintings and illustrations are so fun!  I bought this one for my own collection...

There was live music at the farm...performing on a haywagon.  Don't you love it!?

and the Flying Cupcake food truck, which is just too damn cute...

There were not one, but two mobile boutiques!  This one, which was made from a vintage school bus...

and this one, Bizzy's Boutique, which was originally a bookmobile!  Oh my gosh, how i loved bookmobile day in elementary school...

Tuns out, this beauty is owned by Amy of Bizzy Buckets...someone who i had been in a holiday pop up shop with a couple of years ago.  Amy saw me in the truck and said "hey, you look really familiar!"  I immediately remembered her. 

 She and her husband completely and adorably renovated this bookmobile and turned it into a mobile artisan market.  It's genius and i wish it were mine!  So so clever!  Amy asked me to get in touch with her about putting some of my art in the Bizzy Mobile Boutique.  I will definitely follow up.  I am so inspired by creative people!

The sale continues today and tomorrow and it's out in Westfield among some really beautiful farmland.  Get out there and support small business owners, friends!  I did buy a pretty fabulous new industrial work table desk for the studio, but let the gal who sold it to me keep it until Saturday because it was a major part of her display.  I'll share it with you when i get it all set up!  I'm so excited about it!!!

Thanks, Susan for such a fun night.  Love you!

movie love

I've got two brand new prints to share with you today that are inspired by two of my very favorite movies.  The number one movie OF ALL TIME for me is...

i keep this little framed picture of the Bedford Falls welcome sign in the front hall of our home. 

 

and that was the inspiration behind this print...

{Our Bedford Falls in the shop here}

The second print that's new in the shop today is inspired by another favorite movie of mine...

i love ALL things Jane Austen...don't you?

{Our Pemberley print in the shop here}

If for some unthinkable reason you have not seen these two movies, you need to drop everything.  Get in your jammies, pile on the couch with a big comfy blanket and watch...now!

(Really...i can't think of a single reason why you wouldn't have seen them)

I'll be sharing lots of new things from whimsy studios in the coming weeks. I'm so excited to show you!  xo

 

Pumpkin spice and everything nice!

Happy Fall, friends!

  I'm celebrating the arrival of this lovely season with a giveaway! One winner will receive this brand new print along with one other print of their choice from my etsy shop (non personalized)!  Simply leave me a comment at the end of this post for one entry.  You can earn one extra entry for each of the following:

• share this giveaway on your facebook page and tag me in it (@whimsy studios-Lori McDonough)
• share this giveaway on twitter and tag me in it (@LoriMcDonough)
• follow whimsy studios on facebook (@whimsy studios-Lori McDonough)

I hope you are enjoying all of the beauty of autumn, wherever you are! 

This giveaway will end on Thursday, September 26th at midnight.  Winner will be announced on Friday! 

Good luck!