Paint by Pencil

Have you seen these?  CJ Hendry draws portraits of paint with...wait for it...colored pencils!!  Isn't that wild?  Follow on instragram here - I find these absolutely mesmerizing!

image/cjhendry

Flowers In Bloom

I adore Rifle Paper Company's prints!  In addition to collecting their notecards, calendars, and stationary, my daughter's nursery boasts not one, not two, but FIVE of their colorful prints.  Lately, I'm loving these photographs from Rifle's lookbook which pairs the artful floral stylings of NYC florist Amy Merrick with Rifle's colorful floral prints.  Stunning!

images via riflepaperco

Calligraphy Aficionado

How did I forget to post about this?!  I've decided to pick up a new hobby - calligraphy!  We hired a local Seattle calligrapher to address our wedding invitations, and we were over the moon with the results!  The beautiful script truly enhances an invitation, I was so pleased with the results, I've been eager to try my hand at it ever since!

In late January, my friend Sarah and I took a 2-hour calligraphy class.  And man, let me tell you, calligraphy may look easy, but it is no easy task!  We used the old fashioned style "dip" calligraphy pens with metal nibs.  It took a while to get the hang of it, but inevitably we had a rhythm going.  

Now, at only 2-hours of practice, I'd hardly call myself an expert.  The next step in my plan to to acquire calligraphy supplies of my own and practice, practice, practice!  My long-term goal is that perhaps one day, I'll be experienced enough to make a side-business out of this.  Know anyone who needs a calligrapher?  Contact me in 1-2 years...  Here's hoping!

myphotos

Print Love

Proud of your state, coast, or country?  Check out these sweet prints!  

Wishing there was a West Coast one so I could give my home coast a shout out!

images/orange&park

Citrus Fruits

Wishing I had these prints to hang in my kitchen!

images/rifle

Ol' Wobbly

There's something charming about this wobbly bicycle print, affectionately entitled, "Ol' Wobbly." I think this would be the perfect reward for the kiddo that just mastered his or her first two-wheeler.

image/etsy

Let Us Eat Cake

In case it's started off as one of those weeks and you had forgotten...

via etsy-sweetdee

Speaking for Autism

In this day and age, autism is increasingly in the forefront. Today, it is estimated that one in every 150 children born is diagnosed with autism. Being an elementary educator, I've encountered many students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Working together to provide for and support children with autism is something I strongly believe in, Autism Speaks in particular is a charity I support and give to every year. I'm fond of these posters promoting Autism awarness by the Rugh Family Workshop. I can relate the content of these artistic representations to the uniquely creative thinking of students I've worked with.

"The Rugh Family Workshop was started by Jaime & Jeffrey Rugh for their children. Collaborating as artists with family, old friends and new friends, the workshop started making posters to promote awareness, support and compassion for individuals, families, and communities living with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The posters vary widely in range, focus and design as does the spectrum itself."

images/rughfamilyworkshop
via/designmom

Be Brilliant

Because you are.

image/etsy

Make Lemon...Bars

Love this poster...A fitting alternative to..."make lemonade." I mean everyone loves lemon bars, right?image/etsy

Cream In My Coffee

I love this! Without cream, coffee just isn't quite the same...Share this with someone special, to let them know how truly important they are to you. While I know it's terribly tacky to reference last week's Grey's Anatomy finale right now - I think the message in that particular episode was a valid one worth repeating. It is so important to tell those you love and care about how you feel NOW...today...this moment...before it's too late.

image/keepcalmgallery

Rainy Day Love

Have to say, I'm loving these love-in-the-rain prints by ArtShark. Thanks to Nicole for the introduction to this fabulous designer. The contrast of the red umbrellas to a handful of America's finest landmarks is artful and stunning. I'd love to own the entire collection (and visit the cities to match!).image/artshark{etsy}
via la mia vita

Friendships

The best ships are...FRIENDSHIPS. Love this print, perfect for that cross country gal pal.image/etsy

Keep Calm And...

Who in the blog world hasn't been a fan of those Keep Calm and Carry On posters? Check out LobsterPot for a new line of reasons to keep calm. Loving the labs!
images/lobsterpot{etsy}
via greedygirl

Count the Waves

Yet again, another fabulous print from of my latest fave etsy shops, dazeychic. I've posted some of her art before here and here.

image/etsy

Inside That Counts

Very true. I try and instill this message in my students everyday. Your true friends will be your friends no matter what.image/keepcalm

Burn, Burn, Burn

This Jack Kerouac quote is one of my all time favorite quotes.

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars." -Jack Kerouac

I find it incredibly uplifting and inspiring to never settle, and keep reaching for those dreams. I'm loving the artful presentation of this print of the quote by isuwanee.

image/isuwanee

Calender Crush

The dawn of 2009 is nearing, and with that comes the annual investment of a calendar. I'm thoroughly enjoying these little desk calendars by the lovely Alyson of unruly.things via seventy & sunny. Don't waste anytime, you may have to pencil something in for next year!

images/etsy

Etch a Sketch

Try this! Upload any photo and turn it into your very own sketch drawing. Here's a pic of my friend Lindsay and I out on the town in Santa Monica for her birthday!

via missjane

Wanderlust

Meet etsy artist Rachel Austin. Her zeal for the wanderlust is captured in these distinctive map paintings. Austins's vision begins with random international maps, oil painted over with flirty birds and sunny wildflowers. If this peaks your interest, try this...I found myself scrutinizing the image, trying to decipher the location of each map.

images/etsy
via/dailycandy