Autumn is HERE!

Honestly, walking around outside and seeing the tips of tree branches just starting to turn is like opening up one Christmas present after another. So excited!

Lovely fall scene from peaceroad.wordpress.com

Adorable art print with the famous quote, 'Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.' (William Cullen Bryant) By PrettyPrintShop on Etsy.

A Grateful Heart is a Happy One

'Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have'. Love this! Beautiful artistic quote from lifesublime.ca blog http://lifesublime.ca/we-need-to-focus-on-all-we-have-instead-of-what-we-dont/

Time to get stuff DONE!

Boy do I need to get my hands on this mug! We've been blessed with a cool front that has had temperatures dipping into the low 70s all week, ensuring you need a light jacket to be comfortable. It's been a wonderful respite from the heat, but when I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy sitting around in my hoodie, it seems all I want to do is read a book or browse Pinterest for hours on end while I sip my coffee. I guess in a way it's like a mini stay-cation and I've definitely enjoyed it. But I still do have quite a long list of projects to complete and deadlines to meet, so...off the couch I go! 

If You Have a Garden and a Library You Have Everything You Need

 I have had this quote in another style pinned up in my office for a while now. Obviously, it's meant to be kept in a certain context, but at it's heart it is a great reminder to me that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring you the greatest pleasure (especially when that's all you have at the moment...you learn to be very grateful for every good thing). Words of wisdom from Cicero, many moons ago.

Appreciate Life As It Happens...Black & White Art Quote

Wherever you are I hope you have plans to make some memories with friends and family this weekend. Challenge yourself to enjoy every good thing - the sun on your face, the laughter of children, the taste of good food, bright lights in the sky, and the aura of freedom. Drink it all in.

New BLOOMing artwork and a summer sale!

 In between gardening projects, I finally found time to finish my 'Bloom Where You're Planted' prints and list them in my Etsy shop. This is the 1st piece of brand-new artwork I've created since before I got pregnant with my son (over 3 years ago). Woot! Woot! To celebrate, I'm offering 15% off all purchases from my shop (with Coupon Code: BLOOM. Good through the end of August). Happy Day!!! :)

Shalom Schultz  Designs on Etsy

A Negative Mind Will Never Give You A Positive Life

This is so true, in life as well as in business. You can't prevent setbacks and disappointments, but you CAN choose to believe that better things are on the horizon. Find something that interests you and immerse yourself in it. Enthusiasm and positivity will follow.  Beautiful print by vol25 on Etsy.

Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken

Good reminder. Don't fall into the trap of constantly comparing yourself to others...we are all meant to be unique. Art print by emilymcdoweldraws.

'Sooner Or Later We All Quote Our Mothers' art print

I had a very relaxing, stay-at-home-and-do-nothing kind of Mothers Day yesterday and didn't even get online (except to check the weather, since it was so stormy) with my 2 favorite people. Those are the best kinds of days. Proud to be a mom and even to have my husband (occasionally) compare me to my own mother...the older I get the less I mind, lol. 

(btw, I saw this photo on Facebook and loved it, but am having trouble finding the original website to give credit...if anyone knows who this gorgeous artwork belongs to, please let me know!)

Life's Better In Flip Flops

I NEED this sign to display on my mantel this summer. Is it not the absolute, hand-on-heart truth? Raise your hand if you LOVE flip flop season!!!

Bloom Where You're Planted...Finished the Sketch Today

So this is what I've accomplished in the past 2 weeks since I posted the photo of my partial sketch. I have to say, I was definitely motivated by all your encouragement to continue working on it in whatever pockets of time I could find (15 minutes here...30 minutes there...). So thanks again! The next steps to finishing the art piece, now that it's been scanned, are for me to move and re-size portions of the drawing digitally until I have the layout exactly where I want it (this is where it helps to be a graphic designer). Then I will print it out, VERY carefully trace over it with a fine art ink pen, then re-scan it again and digitally color it so I can offer it in different color combinations. After all that, Voilà! It will be done...hopefully before the end of the summer. :)

Be More Like A Flower

And they are all different...yet all beautiful in their own ways. Great reminder as we welcome Spring and the start of Growing Season!

INSTANT Modern Art...your kids can do!

I'd like to highlight a new artist I've just discovered...my son!! Connor is 2 1/2 and LOVES to create with anything I put in front of him. Earlier this week he did watercolors and paper mosaics for the first time and suddenly I knew what to do with that barren spot on the wall in my kitchen. I hung up a bulletin board and then tacked up his artwork so it overlapped the board by 2-3" on all sides (thicker paper like card stock works best as it won't curl on the edges). The result is one big, colorful, abstract art piece and it looks AWESOME if I do say so myself. I know I'm a bit biased, but it's just such a cheerful pop of color now where there once was nothing but a phone jack we don't use anymore. Just around the corner is a dark hallway that could also use some sprucing up...can't wait to see what my baby comes up with next! 

Whatever You Are Be a Good One...Art Print

Great reminder and such a cheerful design! Love this print by AnneGarrisonStudio.
Available in yellow, turquoise, pink & sage.

Sneak Peak...NEW Flower Art Coming Soon!!

It's been a while (read: several years) since I've sat down with pencil and paper and actually created something brand new...to say that life got in the way is a major understatement. But now that I'm getting back in the swing of things I've decided I want to take my shop in a 'new' direction. Get back to my 'roots', so to speak, and do more of what I've always loved about art (like drawing!) and less of what I didn't love so much (like doing the same thing over and over and over again). The nice thing about starting over is that I no longer feel constrained by the need for a steady income. I don't have to keep doing something I don't enjoy just because it sells well. Of course, I want my shop to make money. But this time I won't let that stop me from doing what makes me happy.
. . .
So anyway...this is a drawing I am working on that I hope will turn into a line of new hand-drawn prints, featuring beautiful & whimsical artwork mixed with inspiring quotations. This one will read, "Bloom Where You're Planted", which has become the mantra of my life.

Creativity is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent caffeination

After a week without coffee (substituting water and green tea instead, while I battled a sinus infection), I'm ready to get back ON the wagon!! A natural-born night owl, I always seem to do my best work in the wee hours of the morning (also the only time when my house is still and quiet). You can't create if you're not awake! :) I love this quote from The Design Blog.

It's a Good Day to Have a Good Day!

No better way to start the week than with the right attitude. This print would be a great addition to my office, where I need the most motivation to get things done. Be sure to check out wickedpaper's other awesome prints as well!

A True Love Story Never Ends

I couldn't stop thinking about this quote I found on Pinterest today, so I had to share. To me it means that 'love' requires action and that your 'love story' will last as long as you are willing to work on it. What does it mean to you?

It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done

Do you feel like you have to face the impossible this week? Just remember the last time you felt the same way...you can do this!

from DesignedByWilma on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/109213942/quote-artwork-print-it-always-seems

A Brew Will See You Through

It's almost the weekend, you'll make it. Just reach for another mug of your favorite warm drink and believe that things WILL get better!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watersounds/8083814722/in/photostream