Rabbits in Space

In case you missed my last post with those adorable movies, go back to it RIGHT NOW and watch them. I loved the artist so much, that I became momentarily obsessed with her Etsy site, and couldn't decide what to buy. Of course, every time I marked something as a favorite, then milled over it, it was sold when I came back! Like this sweet ACEO and this bunny among the stars.

Like many people (I assume), I love original art (as opposed to prints), and I wanted to get a set of paintings for my son's room that had this rabbit in space. Well, she had this print (not the original) of a bunny in a space suit in outer space that I fell in love with, and she and I had some back and forth emails about it. The NEXT day (I kid you not), she painted this pair of paintings JUST FOR ME (okay, actually for my son) that were just perfect:

I purchased them on the spot, and now I'm just waiting for them in the mail. I love Etsy! I'll let you know how they turn out matted and framed on his blue walls...

The artist's name is Nakisha Elsje VanderHoeven, and her shop is called bluedogrose. You can also see her work on her personal website, www.nakisha.com. Go now!

Bunnies and Bluebirds

I just stumbled upon this adorable video created by one of my favorite playful artists on Etsy... It will make you smile!



And then there is this adorable one, too!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not one to usually make new year's resolutions, but I'm going to try this year. So, I came up with my creative/business resolutions. Yes, I made a list of personal resolutions, too, but instead of boring you with those, I thought I'd share this list instead...

1. Learn a new craft.
2. Design a new I Spy Bag every week.
3. Devote 2 days a month to making things that ARE NOT I Spy Bags. - stickers, cards, graphic design, maybe that new craft I'll be learning in #1...
4. Blog at least once a week.
5. Reorganize the fabric in my studio. Note that I didn't say I was going to clean my studio! That would be preposterous.
6. Allow myself some time off when the baby is born (May/June time frame).

Is it too early for Valentine's Day and Spring?

In my workshop, it's never too early for Spring! I've been busy designing, and came up with this adorable rabbit. I can't decide which photo should be the "first" photo on Etsy (you know, the one that shows up when people search). Next, I'd like to make it in dark grey with lime green stitching. I'm out of green thread at the moment, though... And, a few eggs to get you in the Easter spirit! Rabbit and eggs are currently only available to my wholesale customers ~ sorry!

I've also been crazy busy making up hearts for the Valentine's Day season. My mom found some amazing fabric and has been helping with cutting and putting in windows for me. I just love these psychedelic hearts~

I built a reindeer!

Well, I was part of a team that built this mammoth of a reindeer. It was a lot of fun! We made it as the main attraction on a Christmas parade float for our school. Unfortunately, I couldn't go to the parade today because I was home alone with 3 kids, and just couldn't fathom taking them all by myself to a crowd in the snow...

We started with the pattern for a small wooden yard ornament deer, enlarged and traced it to create a frame for this guy (and doubled the torso pieces). Then, we covered it with 11 yards of faux fur - machine stitching and hand stitching, stuffed it with newspaper, and secured the final touches with a staple gun. Awesome, huh? The head is hinged and swings back and forth, too!

Have I disappeared? Not quite.

I am back, at least temporarily. November was a crazy month. Let's recap:

1) Still getting over a cold that has lasted now for over 10 days...

2) Renewed my driver's license. The day before it expired.

3) Celebrated a milestone birthday.

4) Had record sales. which caused a virtual meltdown.

5) Found out I am pregnant with #4 (even though I have an IUD) . Sometime around Memorial Day or later (they think) I'll be carting around 4 kids. It's a good thing we have a minivan. And a babysitter.