Thankful

Diana, at A Muted Palette is just about the coolest ever. So I knew that Strathmore was going to use my ACEO in an ad campaign, but I had not seen anything about it yet, until I was contacted by Diana with a surprise on her blog. And there it was, my self portrait in her local art supply store! I have been having a little bit of my 15 minutes lately. Not only am I in Strathmore's ads, but I am also in this issue of Venus Zine magazine. I was contacted by Amy, the founder, telling me that she liked my art, asking me if I would like to be their "Reader of the Ish" so right now I am in two magazines, Venus Zine, and The Artist's Magazine, on their Strathmore Ad. Pretty cool.

"Delve"

Also, I am not the only fan in my family of Diana's beautiful and haunting artwork, my dad really likes her work too, and just bought a copy of Delve (my favorite, I am so jealous!).

On another note, I finally had time to make a few books for my shop. I have been a bit bogged down with custom orders and making books for shops outside of Etsy, that I haven't had the time to give Etsy much time. Now if I could get some time to paint I would be a very happy girl.


Aspen Journal


Plum Blossom Guest Book


Blue and Brown Guest Book


Silver Flowers Guest Book

Till next time, thank you for all your support!

In love

Right at this very moment I have the sweetest, softest little bundle of cuteness curled up on my lap asleep. His name is Buttermilk, and he is a sweet Holland Lop/Netherlands Dwarf mix baby bunny. He is so tiny I can cup him in my hands.

We took Maya on Saturday to go and get him from a rabbit breeder as a surprise for her. She was a very excited and happy little girl when she realized what we were doing! When we brought him home at first he was a little timid, but now he is a part of the family. He runs around my house like a crazy person and then jumps up on my lap and grooms me. He and I have really bonded together. He likes Nathaniel and Maya as well, but Maya needs to learn to sit still if she wants him to jump up onto her lap!

Now if only we could get him litter trained completely (we have nicknamed him Sir Poops A Lot)

Lush Plush

My find for today is the work of Waffle Brown, a newbie on Etsy who creates idiosyncratic plush creatures. His creations are not only works of art, but look at how snuggly they are! I am having a hard time resisting them! Find his work here.


"Kingsley"


"Molly"


"Cupcake"

Memorial Day

It is a week past Memorial Day, but I have been busy snuggling with my husband , who returned from Japan on Wednesday. Nathaniel was gone for a week, not that long, but having him so far away made me miss him more. Anyway to take my mind away from missing him I decided to have a little "me" time and go on a little vacation by myself. This was the first time I have ever done this and I LOVED it, I think I may make a habit of once a year going off by myself. On Saturday, I left for Door County with the radio turned up. I stopped in Sturgeon Bay and walked around a little arts and crafts fair, and then made my way up to Ephraim. At around 5 I made it to the little bed and breakfast I was staying at called The French Country Inn of Ephraim and met Walt, the innkeeper. The French Country Inn was perfect! It was exactly what I expected. The decor was simple and beautiful and the rooms were cozy and comfortable. Walt was the nicest innkeeper, as were the other guests. I loved the late night conversations over tea and homemade cookies. The best part of my vacation were the delicious homemade breakfasts Walt would make and sitting around for hours at breakfast talking with him and the other guests. It was so comfortable it felt like home. Walt made homemade pancakes and scones, and there was fresh rhubarb sauce and cherry yogurt parfaits just to name a few of the delectable items. (mmmm... I have been craving cherries since I got back!) I did not do too many activities while there, but I did go to a few gallery openings, walked around a folk school, visited the Ridges Sanctuary and went to a fish boil. I had an absolutely wonderful time and am looking forward to my next trip to Door County.



The French Country Inn of Ephraim, Ephraim, Wisconsin


My room



Walt and the other guests, Walt is the man in the plaid shirt



The breathtaking view of Peninsula State Park


The Fish Boil



The fish boil dinner, so yummy!



The Cliffside Room at The Clearing Folk School


You can't take a trip to Door County without seeing the goats on the roof in Sister Bay!


The view of Bailey's Harber from the beach by The Ridges Santuary

My lucky day!

Hello all, I just returned from my little solo vacation (will post pics and tell you all about it tomorrow) and found out that lo and behold I am in FOUR treasuries! I could not believe it and they all contain the same two journals, one of which sold, the other maybe soon? So here they are ladies and gentlemen (although besides my dad I don't know if any other gentlemen who read my blog).

"Lady" from the wonderful Peach Tree



"Oh Jealously" from the lovely Ozknits



A bookbinding "Shop Hop" treasury made by Flurrsprite (to learn about the "Shop Hop" go here.


"Some Like it Hot" from MissKnits


So thank you all who included me in their pretty treasuries. It was a really nice surprise.

Blue

I have a new journal, and I have to admit I really love it. The paper has a really wonderful texture to it and I love the silver chandeliers. Yesterday when I was photographing it, I decided to do a few with Maya holding it. I think I may do more of these, she is so cute :) Then I decided to do a little photo shoot since she was wearing one of her princess dresses and looked really magical. It was such a beautiful day yesterday too, I am so glad the weather is finally warm again. Now I just need to get to the garden!

Writers Block

I have had a serious case of writer's block for about two weeks now. There have been things going on with the family, and I have been working like a mad woman on my books. Therefore my blog has looked quite sparse. Luckily A Muted Palette has been kind enough to tag me, therefore giving me something to write about.

So without further delay; "Seven Random Irrelevant Things about Me"

1. I used to be goth. From the time I was 17 until about 24 I wore predominantly black, listened to The Cure, Nine Inch Nails etc. Now I wear whatever is clean and really do not spend much time on my looks at all. A complete 360 degree turn from when I would meticulously apply black eyeliner and lipstick and dye my hair purple.

2. I don't like to wear chapstick because I think that if I wear it, I will become dependent on it.

3. I am completely addicted to sugar. I actually *try* to eat healthy organic food, but I just can't stay away from such junk as snickers bars. It's bad.

4. My mother is 40 years older than I am. I have three much older brothers, two of which are in their 50's. I was the only one planned.

5. When I was younger I was obsessed with the Violent Femmes.

6. My favorite thing in the world is absurdism.

7. I am told I look like Scarlett Johansson. Sweet, she's hot.

Now the fun part is that I get to tag seven other people. So if you are on the list below, "you're it"

1. Red Otter, of course ;)
2. How to Draw a Cup of Coffee
3. The Peach Tree
4. Oz Knits
5. SmacThoughts
6. Margins
7. Dollface Design