Easter Printables

Every week, I have a "craft" day with my two year old. I drew these lil' guys up, and then I cut them and we tape them to the wall.  She loves arranging them just so on the wall. Older kids might like to color them, or you could attach them to popsicle sticks and have a little puppet show. Or you could hide them around the house and have your kids search for them. 

I'm selling the pdf's on etsy for $0.25 (the eggs are free) and you can print off as many as you like.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/thepapersandwich

Recycle, Reuse

My darling husband cleans and reuses food jars for other purposes. He took a old jar of sun-dried tomatoes and cleaned it up for our Q-tips. The boxes they come in are awkward and ugly. 

My assignment was to create a cool label for the lid to cover the old food design. We can't decide which one we like better. Can you?

 I shamelessly stole these shapes and designs from milk labels I googled. Typography and graphic design is NOT my strong suit. I did learn what I liked though. Its a good exercise. I think I may try it again.

#inktober

It's the Little Things...

I'd been feeling down because I've lost some steam on my goals to exercise and eat more healthy. Then today, getting ready for church, I put on a little blush and mascara. Voila! I felt pretty. It was the boost I needed to tackle this next week and keep trying. 

#Inktober

Whaaat???? A Current Post???

Are you shocked and awed? I know. Me too. I've actually filled two of these sketchbooks with our daily doings. I'm still inking book 2. This is from book 3. I'm trying to keep up with the latest as I go back and ink the penciled in entries of June and July..... Oh crap. I just had the realization. I marked this day as July 3rd. It's actually today: August 3. Shoot. Ah well. I had fun drawing it. My friend Amanda was a good sport and posed for reference for me to draw this well. I have a hard time remembering what people wear when I get home. And she is so stylish! 

Also. Please notice the purple cauliflower I bought at the market. I can't wait to eat it!   

Cuddles

If ever you get the opportunity to hug a baby, I highly recommend it. It make me super happy and content. Crying, kicking baby? not as much. :)

Mom

Moms are the best. Seriously. Having my sister and mom come was immensely helpful. FYI mom has the short hair, Twin is the curly short one.

The Art of the Pregnant Hug

Figuring out how to get a decent hug while hugely pregnant has been a bit of a puzzle. Side hugs are the new cool thing. With a big 'ol baby in the front makes for practically zero contact or weird acrobatics. At least my belly doesn't hinder any kisses! :)

More Feet....

With all these comics on feet, you'd think I have a weird fetish or something. Really though, its just on my mind a lot because my feet swollen like this, hinder many of my favorite activities... like standing and walking.... and sitting. Seriously! Sewing and creating is no fun when your feet are balloons!

Another day in January

Another journal comic. Simple, but I'm pleased with it. I hope I get better at storytelling as I do this. I'd like to do it everyday. I think I could, if I can keep it this concise most of the time. With a new baby on the way, I won't exactly have oodles of time to draw like I used to. 

...

Do you ever feel this way? I do!

Use what'cha got

I don't have a light table. I wish I did. I know I could technically get my husband to make me one, but....meh. So During the day, I use my living room window and last night I did this:

Drawing is part of a super secret project! Muahahaha!

The glass is usually my acrylic's palette and the lamp is one we got at Home Depot for a couple of bucks. I use the lamp for lighting my recent self portraits and general use in the room. Makeshift and temporary, but it works. In other random art conversions, I use a laptop stand for a small drawing table, or easel for my smaller paintings. 

What are some things you've converted for your art uses? 

Because I Can......

My sister Sam is on a religious mission in New Jersey for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I try to write her letters about twice a month as well as e-mail weekly. In her letters, I try to include little comics or drawings. I didn't have any good ideas for comics, so this kinda popped out. 

I haven't done this painting method in a while (acrylic washes) so it was fun to prove to myself I could still do it. I'll admit these little mushrooms aren't gallery worthy, but I enjoyed doing it just the same. 

So I love writing and getting mail. Would anyone want to be pen/illustration pals with me?

Cleopatra in SpAAAAAAAAce!!!

I was doodling in my sketchbook, periodically looking over some of my favorite websites. One is a webcomic called... you guessed it! Cleopatra in Space by Mike Miahack. It took a good part of the day to do, but it was a great test drive for me.

Fan Art for Cleopatra in Space

I love seeing other people's process, so I thought I'd share mine!

Monsters are so FUN!!!

There is something about hanging out with my twin sister that gets my creative juices flowing. I think that having her area of expertise be in another field(interior design) is extremely helpful. We both know the basic principles of design and art, but are different enough that a lot of the competition of our childhood is gone. This was created, after a day of my twin, Sam, helped me design several quilts and make them (aka she designed and I took notes). So... Thanks SAM!

ps. I like monsters.

Walking Home... well Trying Anyway

So I understand why people ask if I need a ride. They are trying to be charitable and thoughtful. I can appreciate that, but seriously. I live about a half a mile from my church building and most of the people offering me rides live closer than I do. I have a very sedentary job, so this is one of my few opportunities to walk (mostly because I don't make time for it, but still....) Any way. Its a good time to think about all the great stuff I learned and plan my week, or just enjoy the beautiful weather.

Meanwhile...

"Ode to the Natural Egg 2"

So while I take your suggestions to work on the previous one, I thought I'd show you my first scanned/digital piece! Yay! Its a work in progress as well. I'd like add some light and darks, while keeping it a bit flat and graphic for fun. I'm really having a blast. Yay for new scanners and computers!!!