Fresh white

Nothing like a new coat of fresh white paint.

Remember this cottage in red, well, what do you think?

Should we encourage "The Gardener's cottage" to paint it white and add a zippy black and white awning? What doth thou say?

Happy Mother's Day

Today, I wish all Mothers a Happy day indeed.

While on a walk with my family, I took this photo to honor all Mothers.

Hope all Mothers have a day full of blue skies and lots of love and kindness.

Here is my list of sage tips for all Mothers.

1. Know what you are having for dinner in the morning. My Mom taught me this.

2. Never do for your child what they can do for themselves.

3. Teach your child to contribute to society and make this world a better place.

4. Celebrate little steps for they lead to bigger ones.

5. Lead by example and your children shall follow.

6. Give thanks and praise for routine and good habits. Reminders instill good habits. Repetition is the Mother of learning. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!

What sage tip that you would like to share on Mother's Day?

run for the roses

I absolutely adore this painting by Leroy Neiman. It embodies the spirit of the race. Colorful, fast, and full of energy. Happy Derby Day to each of you!

low country

If you have ever been to Kiawah island, some refer to it as "low country" and I just love the laid back charm of living on the down and low. The beaches there are pretty and the shopping is sweet. Life is better with a little bit of low hanging fruit. I wonder if there are any coconuts in that tree? Have you ever been to Kiawah?

french tangerines

The French Tangerine contacted me via etsy with a monogram request. The above monogram was the first one that I designed.

My client came back with comments to make the letters "equal" in size, so I went back to the drawing board and came up with this one.

I thought this one might be fun using a tangerine as the moniker for the monogram.

After getting to know my client a bit more by reading her blog, my homework paid off.

I realized that perhaps something that was a bit more "french provencal" would be more suited to her style than a monogram. The above artwork was sent.

My client came back requesting just the monogram, no wording and to eliminate one top tangerine. So I did the above illustration and sent it off and she was thrilled.

So you see that part of my work is getting to know the client, and to also let them know that this process takes time as all my work is done by hand and I strive to create original work for each client.

I love creating unique designs for each and every client to be used for personal stationary.

Imagine getting one of these pretties in the mail...from The French Tangerine!

here goes

Since my studio is under renovation and the worst of the dust is about to ensue, I have taken this space for the next few months. I went yesterday to sweep and take inventory of what I need to bring. Let's just say the space came to me and I could not be happier.

I am giving myself a challenge this summer.

Firstly, I have a few commissions to complete and then I am painting a series of work for me.

I am looking forward to having a studio to go and really lose myself in my work.

Here goes. Wish me luck. I am looking forward to sharing my new paintings.

little and lovely

I just had to post this shot of Trina's la la lovely children. Trina has another one on the way!

If you have a minute, please read Trina's guest post which I posted yesterday on my Monday mojo series. A mother of nearly four and she has time to contribute, to blog and to inspire and motivate each of us to look at the little things that make life lovely.

Please feel free to e-mail me to share your motivation. I will promise to post on mondays. It is a great way to begin the week with a bit of inspiration and motivation.

monday mojo series 5 - guest la la lovely

(Welcome guest motivator Trina, of la la lovely)

I often get asked how I stay inspired living where I live (small town in the middle of the country). I’m not sure I always know how to answer that. Sometimes I look for inspiration but mostly it just finds me.

I know, ideally, I shouldn’t be looking for inspiration on the screen of an electronic device but I do. And I have to say, that that is where I meet some form of inspiration every day. Reading blogs has opened a whole new world to me. It’s where I meet ideas, color, words, friends, design and magic almost daily. I always see something that makes my heart skip a beat and then another thing that I put in my pocket for a rainy day.

Words are another something that I can’t get enough of. Put this way they can mean one thing and put that way they can mean another thing. Sometimes it is a short story, a quote, or quirky comment that one of my children has made. If it something that hits me, I have to write it down. And when I do, I might find a word or two of my own.

Littles always add life, even when you think you already have more than enough of it. I have {almost} four little la la’s (as I call them) and they are always adding color to my world. Something they say, something they “don’t” mean to do and of course their giggles. It’s the sound of magic in the air.

And for me, when all else fails, one of my greatest forms of inspiration is just getting outside and talking a walk. Listening to music that makes me think, clearing my mind, saying a prayer and then just being quiet and listening.

And come to think of it . . . that is probably the greatest source of inspiration for me . . . just being quiet and listening. You’ll be amazed at what you can hear when you can’t hear anything at all.

Thank-you Trina and I wish you all the best with your new (almost) four little la la lovely family!

monday mojo series 4

WORK HARD

&

be

nice

to

people.

I love that this poster serves as a reminder hung above this desk.

Everyone would benefit from a little motivation like this, right?

image from source

Poster found here.

see jane run

Go see Jane run.

Run to see the movie Jane Eyre.

What a vivid movie to awake one's heart.

The fashions, the broody scenery and the story of love made my heart tremble.

Read this review.

It has been a fairy tale weekend.

First the royal wedding and then this royal classic love story.