Jumping Bean Train T-Shirt Gets it Right

Jumping Bean T -Kohl's

I feel a little extra joy every time I look at this t-shirt. Our little dude is extremely particular about what he wears. If he doesn't fall in love with the design on the shirt, forget it. If it has buttons on it, it's dead to him. Seriously. I was really excited when I found this shirt at Kohls because he loves the trains, and I love the great illustration. There's so much great shape, texture, and repetition. Lots of movement and a good use of the vertical space. The detail on the logs and the little trees have to be my favorites. Now not only do we have a shirt that he likes, but one that I love to look at. Well done Jumping Bean!

PS- Even better yet, it costs $6! (Looks like stock may be getting low)

Quiet Still

I recently took this great Skillshare class called Digital Illustration: Communicating with Color, Pattern, and Texture with Brad Woodard. I was actually really nervous to take the class. Seriously, I think I read the description a good 20 times mulling it over.  I am not an illustrator by any stretch of the imagination, but the topic seemed really neat, and promised to uncover some new techniques for me. I took the course despite being a bit freaked out...and if you've never taken a class through Skillshare, the price was right. And of course, I reminded myself to get over it...we're talking online learning here! Best $15 I've spent in a long time! Seriously, how can you beat that?!

Our project was to create an illustration for either the word loud or quiet. We started with sketching...an important step that I always skip and shortcut. Then I got to this point on the left here and under normal circumstances, I probably would have stopped. I really was quite pleased. Luckily though, I got some great feedback and tutorials on how to keep pushing the project forward. If there's anything I've learned from the classes I've taken this year, it's to keep pushing designs, even if you think they're done.

I'm also signed up for Brad's Learn the In's and Outs of Illustrator class that's taking place right now (for only $25- what a steal). It's not too late to join in if you want to learn more about using Adobe Illustrator (honestly, it's four days in and I haven't started yet). If you do, I'd love to know so I can check out your project! :)

Hoping to put this piece up for sale soon, hopefully via digital download. 

Create and Create Again

It's been quite around here lately. Not that life has been quiet, but I've been working on some things behind the scenes, and haven't really been posting.

Refocusing

I'm taking this blog in a bit of a new direction. I love sharing ideas about projects for tots and all the creative energy that goes into them; I will continue to share them too...but always seemed like such a small piece of the pie (yum!). 

Instead, I'll be following more of a creative lifestyle route. (Because like most creative folks, I have a hard time focusing my energy all in one place). I want to blog about photography, graphic design, interior design, fashion, creativity,  and all those fun and playful things that inspire me every day. They're all so tightly interwoven, and I can't wait to share my creative journey!

Rebranding
Most of my energy lately has gone to designing and revising my brand. I recently launched phase 1 of my website. with it's brand spanking new logo. (Huge shout-out to Melanie and all the student's at Nicole's classes who helped me work thought my brand design in the Creating an Identity class!) I'm also working on this space here. I'm just getting started, but happy to start fresh!

Ok, enough about that! More brand spanking new content to follow.

Little Loves- Joy in a Little Artist

One of the things I love most about early childhood art is watching the process. Watching the concentration, those little gears turning, and those creative sparks flying is just priceless. What else have I learned? Creativity takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. It truly is a process, no matter how old you are. I've been rediscovering the importance of practice my own creative path, but I see it reflected in these images.

And because I'm a proud momma, I can't help but share one of Ethan's recent drawings. It's probably the third example of something representational that I've witness him draw accurately, and it's by far the strongest. 

Phew! Creating great art is hard!

"I'm drawing a sun. It's wearing sunglasses."

Doesn't get much better than that!

Quick and Easy Hot Air Balloons

In our new house, we have  a spare room that really is just a place to throw some toys and call it an extra playroom. It's quite neglected. I wanted to spice it up a bit, but I didn't want to put too much time or money into it.

Enter hot air balloons.

I bought three Chinese lanterns. I think they cost around $1 each. I also bought three round craft boxes (at less than $1 each). I used hot glue and some scraps of ribbon to attach the box bottoms to the lanterns. Ta-da! Done! The only bummer is that there were UPC stickers on the boxes...Didn't notice until I hung them up, and they won't come off. So be careful--or paint your boxes first.

It really took me about 10 minutes to glue all three of these together. If you notice, not all the baskets are perfectly aligned, but I didn't think that they should be. They also can be illuminated if you put batteries in them, but I decided I didn't want to be constantly climbing up and down to turn them on and off (although it would be a great addition as a party decoration).

The prints on the wall are freebies from The Handmade Home. I absolutely love them! (PS- great blog- you should take time to read it while you're there) I had them printed out at FedEx for $3 and the frames were Target bin finds at $1 each.

So my total investment for this little corner is around $12. Not bad :)

My Valentine

This morning I made my boys some heart shaped pancakes. Nothing fancy. I didn't have a special cutter. I didn't cut little heart shaped strawberries to put on top (although my belly is a little sad that I didn't). The mix came from a box (although I did step it up from the "just add water" variety--because there's some of that in my pantry too). I didn't even bother to put it on a regular plate (as in not plastic). I just poured the batter with a little more care than usual.

Sorry Pinterest, but today I'm being real. Because today, the intention and thought went a lot further than the presentation...and that's what this greeting card holiday is really all about.

After saying "It's a heart!" and "I love pancakes!" my now two and half year old insisted that I use a cookie cutter to make his pancakes into snowmen. "Two Frostys." Oh well. Frankly, I'm just happy that he ate breakfast--that's a mother's valentine win.. :)

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Pony Bead Wreath

I can't remember which blog I read a few weekends ago that reminded me about making a beaded wreath. I thought I pinned it, but no (would have liked to give credit where credit is due). Although honestly, I think I really did see this a few different places since. Holiday brain strikes again.

Anyway, I thought the project would be great for a teacher gift, and since I already had the pipe cleaners and pony beads laying around, it was quite convenient.

Ethan loved beading, and talking about the wreaths and who he wanted to make them for....but he never did finish any. Just as he'd get them just about to completion, he'd pull all the beads off and start over. So really, the only complete wreaths we have are the ones I made while we were crafting together...but as they say, art projects are really about the process at this age, so in that case, we found success.

I'm certain this will be my last post before Christmas, so here's wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!