Sneak Peek: New Series

Hello folks!! I wanted to take a quick break from my virtual drawing board and give you a sneak peek at my latest design project. I am creating a new collection of vintage cottage-themed illustrations that will be part of the work I will be bringing to the Craft & Hobby Association 2012 Winter Conference in January! Did I previously mention that I am going to exhibit at that show? Anyways, I am (in the Licensing and Design section), and I am so excited/nervous/crazy about it all. But I always feel good when I get into the groove with a new set of designs, because then the work flows much more freely. Now that I have this design done, the others in the series should roll out a bit quicker because I have figured out all the basic layout questions, style decisions, color palettes, themes, etc...

But, there is SO much more to do than just design new work and revamp existing work - there are press kits to design and prepare, a booth to design and create, marketing materials to finalize and print, and the list goes on and on...mercy!!

I'll be sharing more and more about my preparations for the show as I go along. Since this is my first time to exhibit, I hope to be able to take my experiences and help future new exhibitors to avoid the mistakes I am sure to make and to be encouraged by the wonderful things I am sure to see and learn. I hope you'll follow along the journey with me!

We'll talk again soon! Have a fabulous day and a fun weekend upcoming! HUGS y'all!

Wildfire Aftermath

I finally took the time to download and process all my photos from the wildfire and its aftermath here in the Magnolia, Texas area, so I thought I would tell the story through pictures...

The following photo if from my front porch facing East. It was about 3:15 in the afternoon on Labor Day and I had looked out of the window in our home office and noticed the dark black "clouds" near the horizon, and I thought, "it's not supposed to rain today, what are those clouds?" But in a split-second after I had that thought, I realized that those were not clouds - that was smoke - thick black and brown smoke! (the photos don't do it justice -the second photo captures the blackness at the horizon a bit better)

Well as you can see, the fire appeared to be fairly close by, and it wasn't just a small brush fire. About this time the police drove through our neighborhood informing us that we needed to evacuate. Within ten minutes, my husband and I and our dog Maddie were in two vehicles, carrying as much as we could think to grab from the house. It would be six long days before we were able to return, not sure what we would return to...

As I explained in a previous post, our entire neighborhood, with the exception of one house was spared from the fire damage. Strong NE winds blew the worst of the fire South and West of us on that first day, and the firefighters, who are true heroes, made fire breaks and managed to keep the fire from reentering our neighborhood! However, the fire went on to do incredible damage not far from us - 75 people lost their homes and the pretty countryside here is marred where huge swaths of pasture and forest lands were destroyed. Here are a few photos I took after we were allowed to return home. All of these photos are within a mile or two from our home, so it gives you a perspective of just how blessed we really are to come out with no damage...

Burned pastureland...

Charred underbrush...

Melted resin fence...

Torched trees and shrubs...

Destroyed abandoned brick house...

I am still amazed that we were spared...thank you Lord!

A few days after we returned, we got a heaven-sent blessing...RAIN! (though it was only a shower here)...this is our front porch...

(thanks for all your prayers for rain!)

But you can see beyond the fence that the drought has really taken its toll on our area. Here's a closeup of what the "grass" looks like in our yard and all around the region...

Those leaves are not Fall leaves, they are dead Summer leaves that have simply fallen from our trees from the drought. So, we are still in dire need of extended periods of measurable rain...

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OK, enough about fires and drought! It's the first official day of Fall! I love this time of year!

And I am happy about all the good things coming up! If you don't see me around here very often or if I'm slow in visiting your blogs, it's just because I am very busy with a number of projects that I am very excited about! More about all the upcoming goodies very soon I promise! Oh, and I've managed to do some fun thrifting and I've found some awesome stuff...photos coming!

Have a blessed weekend friends and thank you sincerely for checking in on me from time to time!

We'll talk again soon!

"The Cat's Pajamas" are in the Shop!

I've been working to complete a new product set in my Just Bee 'n Me online shop, and it's all ready! It's called "The Cat's Pajamas" and it has lots of fun products to help you throw an amazing slumber party! From coordinating flip-flops

 ...and pajamas...

...to customizable invitations...

...and matching pins for favors...

There's even a large wall-cling sign with the Cat's Pajamas design for decorating!

These products would also be great for the the cat lover in your life - there's lot's of sweet kitty-goodness to go around!

All of these new products also coordinate with my Cat's Pajamas digital clip art kit too...

 That kit could provide even more slumber party fun for craft projects, favors, decorations, plus all you need to scrap about the party after it's done!

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I'm still creating more new products non-stop, so please stay tuned! Next up, a line of cute Fall products for kids and adults, everything from t-shirts to notecards to art journals! Can't wait to show you!!

Now, I gotta get back to work... Thanks again for all your prayers and well wishes during our flight from the wildfire. We are so very grateful! HUGS to all!!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." 

Philippians 1:3

Home Again - and Grateful

I am happy to report that we are home again - safe and sound! Though 22,000 acres have burned all around us, our neighborhood of 70 homes, with the exception of one, was spared. It was amazing to drive in late last night after the evacuation notice was lifted and see that not only were we spared, it's as if nothing had ever happened. Our house didn't even smell of smoke! 

I am just so very grateful for all the prayers prayed by family, friends, and strangers, all the sacrifice and hard work of first responders, all the generosity and kindness of neighbors, all the hospitality and care of my parents, and the all the goodness and grace of our Father God! May God shed His grace on thee! 

Blessings to you and yours and to this great land of ours on this day of 9/11 remembrance..it will now and forever have an additional significance for me. May I never take for grated the incredible blessings we have and the love that has been shown to us by so many. And may our prayers continue to be with those who lost so much 10 years ago on this infamous day, and with those around here today who are without a home....may God bless them all and bring them comfort...

Wildfire!

Viewer photo from iwitness.abc13.com - taken about 1/2 mile from our home 9/5/11

Hello friends. I wanted to let you know what's happening in our little corner of the world. We were evacuated from our Lake Holly Hills neighborhood near Magnolia, TX Monday yesterday afternoon as a large wildfire threatened our area. We had about 10 minutes to evacuate and we grabbed as many things as we could think of and got out. Hubby, our dog Maddie and I headed to my Mom's house about 30 miles away and we are safe and sound. The fire is still burning over several thousand acres and our neighborhood and many others are still under mandatory evacuation orders, so there is no going in to check on things at this time... 

SO, we wait and pray. And we know God is in control...

Ours is just one of over 63 wildfires raging in Texas right now. The massive wildfire near Austin (about 150 miles from here) has already burned 500 homes and it is not contained. The severe drought here coupled with high winds has made all of Texas one huge tinderbox. We would appreciate your prayers for our region...

I will keep you updated as often as I have news...Hugs to you all!

Create!

Oh yes, I am a huge fan of Pinterest, no doubt. LOTs of great inspiration to be found. But when I find myself doing more pinning than creating, that's when I have to step back a bit. Somebody has to create that next awesome 5 ingredient casserole recipe, or try that fabulous art journaling technique, or crochet a granny square garland....and it should be, us! We were created by the Creator to be creative!!

So, what's on your creative plate today? I encourage you (and me) to step out and do it, try it, experiment with it, enjoy it! It's what you were made to do...

...and oh yeah, I'll be sure to pin it once you're done!

She's Always our Biggest Fan!

Well with school back in full swing and Friday night football starting again, I thought it would be a good time to debut a fresh new version of "Sports Mom" in my CafePress shop. I wanted to honor those Moms who tirelessly (and loudly) cheer their kids on at every game (in any weather), taxi the team to get ice cream, put up with muddy cleats and grass stains and finger sprains, all to support their kids. I thought she deserved a design that celebrated her dedication and enthusiasm!

I've added this design to a wide variety of Sports Mom gear in the shop - everything from baseball jerseys...

...to Thermos bottles...

...and even laptop skins!

...and just about everything in between!

I hope you'll go check out the new gear - I had a lot of fun putting it all together! I think our Sports Moms deserve some fun gear to coordinate with their enthusiasm!

This is just the first of many, many new products and updates coming to my CafePress shop - stay tuned for more fun cute goodies to come...

Drawing to the Music

I often play music when I draw (or paint or write or do housework) - do you? Or do you do better with it quiet? Well today, I have Michael Buble on my player and I do believe I can draw better while he sings :o). Now if I could just stop getting up and dancing every other song, I might actually accomplish some things...

So here's a little serenade for whatever you are doing right now - I guarantee it'll make it go smoooother...

Enjoy!

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PS friends...I am still here, it is still oppressively hot in Houston, and I am still drawing and designing non-stop, trying to get a whole new set of products ready to debut for the Fall. I really appreciate you stopping by to see what I'm up to and check in on me! Hang on with me just a bit longer until I can debut some really fun stuff! It won't be long now...

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

You just have to laugh...

When it's 104 degrees outside, and you're a heatwave hostage, you just have to laugh...and color! Feel free to grab my little coloring page as my gift to you for your personal use - and get coloring before your crayons melt! 

(click the image, then right click and "Save As" - then just print and enjoy!)

I'm sorry I have been away from the blog for so long - I was out of town at a women's conference most of last week (connecting with old friends from Colorado) and I have been working on a licensing project and a blog design project...plus I have been working on a grown up girl coloring book idea (the coloring sheet is from that project). If you enjoy coloring, I'd love to hear from you. I find it very relaxing...do you? Anyway, look for more from me on the coloring book project soon!

Thanks for hanging in there with me...I just didn't want to let one more day without stopping to say hi! Stay cool friends - we'll chat again real soon!

Savor the Summer!

It's the weekend - what'cha got planned?

Will you play in the water, 

or play in the sand...?

Or lie in meadow, gazing at the sky

pretending you're a butterfly, flying up high...?

Will you open a paint box

and make a glorious mess...?

Or color outside the lines

without one ounce of stress...?

Will you scale the highest mountains,

or climb the tallest trees...?

Or fly to the farthest planets,

or sail the seven seas...?

Will you dance with abandon,

and skip as you go...?

Or catch fireflies just after

the sun's final glow...?

Will you rejoice in each day,

let your imagination run wild, 

and savor your Summer

like you did as a child...?

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! 

For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

In Class

Hi everybody!  I'm taking an online class this week that has been awesome so far. It's all about creating multiple revenue streams from your art/crafting/creative endeavors, and it has been so inspiring! I am already loaded up with ideas for new art adventures (and revamping existing ones). The course is about so much more than revenue generation though - we have a vibrant, creative, supportive group and and active message board/interaction - the brainstorming and sharing has been wonderful. And Laura Bray, the course developer and leader, and the specialists she lined up to share with us have all been fabulous!!

BTW, I found out about two new-to-me blog sites that I have added to my right sidebar - you might want to check them out and perhaps get added to their directories...

Faithful Bloggers

and

ArtSee Bloggers

Just more great resources for connecting! 

I'm looking forward to sharing some of my new plans with you after class!! Have a great, creative week!!

A Pinterest Flea Market

source: http://thewillowshomeandgarden.blogspot.com/2011/02/first-friday-flea-markets.html

Happy Friday friends! I thought it would be fun to do a little Pinterest "shopping" today and share some of my fun "finds"! Since I don't do too much garage saling these days, this helps a bit to get my junk "fix"...

CUTE pink Pyrex

source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/63421088/holiday-sale-vintage-pyrex-pink

Awesome vintage tablecloths!

source: http://alovelymorning.blogspot.com/2009/06/tablecloths-advice.html

Gorgeous china plates!

source: http://itsybitsyvintage.blogspot.com/p/gallery.html

LOVE vintage buttons...but ones one cards are even better!

source: http://teaforjoy.blogspot.com/2009/09/five-friday-faves_09.html

Really, can you ever have too many vintage hankies?

source: http://justbeenme.blogspot.com/2011/04/round-top-report-part-2-shopping.html

Can't pass up doilies - hopelessly addicted!

source: http://soandsewproductions.blogspot.com/2010/08/doilies-doilies-everywhere.html

A glorious tangled pile of lace and trims - one of my favorite things to do when I get a pile of lace like this at a garage sale or flea market is to slowly go through the whole pile and wind each separate trim onto a card or just pin it into a loop...very relaxing...

source: http://caleenrae.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-love-lace.html

OK, the back of my Jeep is full, so I'd better head home...thanks for Pinterest-junking with me today! C'mon and follow the fun with me over at Pinterest!!

Have a great weekend friends!!