Hello July!

It's July!

Are you ready for hot hot days, backyard fun, BBQ's, gardening, and relaxation?

I know we are all trying to make the best of things this year.

It's strange not to be able to do all the things of previous years... but we can get through this!

Some things don't change... like the fresh air, having the many blessings we each have, the many ways we can communicate and a roof over our head. 

I like to go to sleep thinking of atleast 5 reasons to be thankful...from big reasons to very small....they all count.

I have a new phone or tablet calendar for you...click here!

I also have a desktop version as well.... click here!

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My last monthly celebrating cat pattern is now complete!

July Kitty Cat Embroidery pillow pattern #413

July is all about the America's birthday, BBQ's, fireworks, Waving old Glory and being together with family & friends.

Stitch up this quick design that features a sweet cat that loves

celebrating with a balloon.

The cat has little stars on his booty....lol.

Every month is now available...each has a monthly theme.

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I love making dolls.... and when a friend asked me to make Frida...I took on the challenge.

She started off plain, with some base coats....

And then I decked her out into a cool doll. I gave her a burlap scarf, necklace, palette (Selina, my daughter, made for me) and a paint brush. I had a blast making her.

Here is a close up...complete with her eyebrows. 

I used jump rings for her earrings.

My favorite part is adding accessories! 

Here I am making a lady liberty... she is bland right now.

Here she is all done...complete with tutu, torch, pocket with flag and her crown.

She is now on display in my home....I love having all my Americana up.

If you are interested in my dolls...

I have some Halloween dolls for sale on my website.

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Getting back to being patriotic...

My July project in my book "Lovely little hand embroidery": features an sweet gal, dressed up for the 4th of July.  The patchwork pinwheels remind me of fireworks.

You can also order it on C & T Publishing,  Amazon, Search Press, EE Schenck,  and Checker Distributors

There is 30 different projects in the book!

This is August's project.. a sunflower girl.

Here are a few more...a sweet witch and some smaller projects... like pillows, pincushions and mug rugs.

They sent out this promo...

of best sellers...yay!

Mine is second row, 2nd spot.

I am very happy about the whole process.  

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I went shopping this past weekend...and had to share some amazing  patriotic displays!

A lot of effort and care go into these displays.

A cute flag covered mannequin...with old tool belt.

It really makes you happy seeing all the beauty.

I love the "go camping" banner... odd, simple items in red, white and blue too.

I had to buy these paint by number portraits of Lincoln...

and Washington.  I love them.

I did a complicated "Titanic" paint by number...it was so much fun....time consuming, but well worth it.  These two paintings were 12 each.

Lemons are so popular now... I had to hang this sign in my coffee bar...with beautiful lemons.

So sunny yellow!

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I have a big project I'm working on....it is taking all my time...so I better get back to it!

Happy 4th of July!

March calendar freebie

 

Can you believe it...March is almost here!

I am really excited because you know spring is finally coming and I think we could all happily say goodbye to winter right!

You know how I love to make surface pattern designs...well this is my Irish shamrock one....very green and cheerful.

Above is my phone/tablet wallpaper freebie

And this is the computer desktop calendar freebie!

This one is really pretty on the screen...very bright!

And speaking of more Irish goodies....

I have a new Embroidery sheet pattern...

very inexpensive and easy...just download and print.

I love using a light box and a blue disappearing marker...these would make sweet ornaments!

Isn't this a sweet Irish bunny?!

I think green is so welcome in a month like March!

We want to see green outside and if it isn't there yet then we can have it indoors with decor.

My daughter Selina made some embroidery designs recently too ...like her "Camping is the life".

It is a fun coloring page as well.

This is her Hipster set....

She made some more designs that fit perfectly in her mini hoops.

Lots of flowers, unicorn, deer ... easy yet sweet.

This is her pack on embroidery blanks with some finished designs to the left.

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My Irish Lass is in my Etsy shop...I won't be making another...so come check her out if you are interested.

She has fun green hair, a magenta nose and a fun pin to hold or wear.

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Please click on the below link.

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Monthly markers & spoonflower

Recently I made some Monthly markers for my instagram account. 

It was a challenge from Bonnie Christine...of the Roost tribe/Going home to roost. 

It is a cool way to mark the beginning of each month....and you can see when going thru the Instagram.....the timeline easier.

I illustrated drawings to match the theme of the month...since I love holidays....I mainly used them as inspiration.

I used some of my repeating patterns and put them into the drawing...like the pot in the month August.

I really love challenges...they motivate me much more than just writing something on my to do list.

I tend to be a procrastinator....and I need to push myself.....which I do all the time.

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My daughter has a spoonflower shop!

And she has done a bunch of work on it.

She had to have a swatch test of each design and mailed to her....she approved how it turned out and now they are officially for sale.

I showed you this before...but it is available printed on all kinds of fabric.

and as Wallpaper!!!!

and gift wrap!!!!   I need some of this soon!

She has cute forest animals for fabric...

and gift wrap as well.

It is so cool what is available now.

I love the wallpaper options too.

It would be great to do one wall and make it an "accent wall".

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I have been working with color options...

changing repeating patterns into completely different looks.

I learn so much from Bonnie Christine's Skillshare classes.

I had so much fun that I was dreaming about it at night.

More snow today....ugh!  I guess spring will come when it's ready.

Hope you have a wonderful day!!

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Making my space more me...

I probably said this before...but bear with me. 

My studio is a huge building right next to my house.

To save on a huge heating bill...I decided to have an office in my house during the real cold months....since I am working on adobe illustrator most of the time anyway. When I want I can heat the building...and craft up a storm...haha.  So far our weather has been pretty darned nice.

I guess I am a thrifty Scotswoman.

I made my new office as cute as can be ....and the sun shines brightly in it most days!

I started organizing it...looking better all the time!

I got some wonderful wall pockets from Deflecto....My hubby put them up in a flash.

My house was built in 1921....plaster walls....so there is alot of wallpaper!

I kept this yellow wallpaper....so retro and cheery.

I added more stuff to my bulletin board.

Here is another wall pocket...right next to the door.

I put my DMC thread chart in there and my tablet and also the latest mag I am in (my project is n the cover)

My daughter gave me a cute butterfly print for Christmas along with some other goodies.

This file holder is handy for my idea files and also pattern info.

Nothing gets bent or scratched...love it.

Here is my one of my lamps...made from a goodwill lamp (olive green and mustard yellow base when I saw it).  I painted the base white....took off the awful fabric on the shade.

Took strips of a flowery vintage sheet and tied it to the shade....instant shabby chic lamp.

I have my old computer handy and printer.

It truly feels like my space...inspiring.

I have my artwork above my computer...it is nice to see all together like this.

This organizer has an inside divider so pencils/scissors can fit it without sliding around.

These fit great on a small wall space area that was even used before.

It is nice to have things easy to reach for.

Very handy.  They are strong too.

Selina (my daughter) and I went to Goodwill....there were these artist pens just brought out by a gal.....these are premium double ended ....one side a marker brush and the other a smaller tip...Tombow. A ton in a big blue basket. 5.99......SCORE! All new

Pretty all grouped together!

Normally these pens cost 3.19 a piece.

I felt so lucky to get these.

We are going to play around with them on her break!

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Life is art

Paint your dreams!

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