Inside Out

Morning window views.

Sweet Summery Dresses

Facebook Fan 

Pink Gasoline

Havilah Ashby

The Cutest Owl Ever

Okay fellow artists, as Picasso so aptly described (see quote below), we can try, we can want, we can wish, and we can spend our whole adult art life attempting to achieve it, but we can never completely tap into that fabulous creative abandon of our youth. My friend's daughter designed our town's tee shirts. I challenge you to look at this without being overcome with a warm and delightful giddiness.
Oh and btw, I do actually live in a wildlife preserve:))

by Hazel Robinson

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child" 
- Pablo Picasso

My New Business Cards

I have been using Overnight Prints and very happy with the results. The color reproduction is spot on.

Another On A Whim 2 quilt

by Quiltville on Etsy

Just Spring

I took a walk around my neighborhood yesterday and was overcome by spring, the day was sleepy still, an occasional bird call, the sound of running water, and the sweetest smells when a small breeze hit. Tree tops shaking hands getting ready to share another summer of sky.

(yup, I am feeling all poetic after reading e.e. cummings:) - see below)

(for maximum enjoyment click on the photos to see super sized)

ahhhhhh, Wisteria

yup, this is my home, somebody pinch me please!

sleepy stillness on the lake

it was a six turtle day

greens and pinks everywhere

In Just by e.e. cummings -

in Just-

spring       when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman
whistles       far       and wee

and eddieandbill come

running from marbles and

piracies and it's
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer

old balloonman whistles
  far       and       wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and
it's

spring
and
    the
        goat-footed

balloonMan       whistles

far
and
wee

James Lavadour

I recently saw these oil paintings online and fell in love. The work is by artist, James Lavadour, a self taught NW American artist.

On A Whim 2 in Germany

On A Whim 2 fabrics showed up at the Handerbeit Hobby show in Germany, this was the Kurt Frowein booth, a distributor of RK fabrics. I am loving these sweet bags and quilt.

Yummy....

Happy Birthday to sweet Caroline! My niece's daughter turned one last week and her mom had these funky pants made with the pink Confections cupcake fabric. Totally digging those retro ruffles.

Reading With Dads

As part of the bookitime.org program that I blogged about last week, there is a program that encourages reading with dads. Why is the Sky Blue? has been turned into a quiz and game that children can play. If you haven't gotten a copy of the book, you can get a feel for some of the illustrations that are in the book. They did such a great job animating my illustrations.

Some Things I Am Lovin'

Here are some fabulous Marilyn Neuhart (who worked with Alexander Girard) dolls:

I saw these monochromatic color excercises in an elementary school in Willimastown MA a couple of years ago. I never posted them, but I love love love them. I just am sorry I cannot credit the very talented children who created them, so I apologize for that, but they are so wonderful I felt compelled to share them.

Book Winner

And the winner is.......

Michelle Engel Bencsko

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Sharing: Beet Fabric, Papyrus Cards, and an On A Whim 2 Dress

Here are some fun things to share with you -

I received my Beet Soup fabric from Spoonflower yesterday and put some fat quarters in my shop, more yardage is available for sale directly from Spoonflower. It turned out great, beautiful color and detail. Click on photos to see up close.

Here is a fun birthday card I illustrated for Papyrus that you may see in stores soon.

And I received an e-mail yesterday from Em of the Little Bits and More blog with a photo of her adorable daughter wearing a beautiful dress made from the On A Whim 2 collection.