So very cool

These past two weeks have been such fun filled ones. My baby girl took her first steps, I opened my Etsy shop, got a DVD of family pictures from mom and dad, and last but certainly not least, I was featured on Firefly Hill Designs blog. A few weeks ago Anne asked me if it would be OK to do a post on my Artfulife blog. I said it would be an honor to be featured. A few posts back I featured Anne and her wonderful blog. She designs and makes wonderful bags and purses. She also has the most wonderful posts about colors and beautiful objects that she finds inspiring. She was much too kind with her post, and I am sure if you talked to my little Sloan she would let you know what a "mean" mommy I am. It sure brought a huge smile to my face all weekend long. It was a huge honor to be featured on her blog.

I know I am not the only one who visits their favorite blogs every day. So I was super surprised to see that the talented artistic trio Dylan & Jo of The Cart Before the Horse had added me to their links list. I love their handmade dolls. They are truly unique and I hope to someday own one. I am tickled pink to be added to their links. 

Before I go I also wanted to mention one more time the kindness of Dana over at Old Red Barn Co.  Dana was kind enough to volunteer to make the banner for my Etsy shop. Thank you so much! What a special and wonderful last two weeks. I couldn't be happier.

If you haven't had a chance to visit the wonderful blogs mentioned above, you should. They are all filled with creativity and inspiration.

New Links!

I am always amazed at the talented and kind people I keep meeting via the blogging neighborhood. Anne form Firefly Hill Style is one of those people. Actually she found me through another blog. I am happy she did. Anne makes the most amazing bags. I love her sense of color and design. All her bags are made out of the most fun and unique fabrics. She sells them for what I consider to be a very reasonable price for a handmade bag. They would make a great gift for a mom, sister, aunt or best friend. Heck! It would be great to get one for yourself. If you haven't had a chance to visit her blog yet, I would highly recommend it. Anne also features the most lovely photo's of her beautiful home (she lives on a farm in New Jersey) and the surroundings of her adventures to farms and other interesting locations. I also enjoy seeing the posts she does on different colors that inspire her. So hop on over and take a peek. Hey mom, if you are reading this, I'll take the cute bag in the first picture.

Anne's link has been added to my links to the side of my blog.

Newest "Links I Like"

These are the only shots of the store I could find. I am sad because if you could see all the paper they carry, it seriously makes me drool.

I had a chance to run to one of my favorite scrapbooking store yesterday. The pink for "Ella" elephant just wasn't working for the illustration. I thought grey would work a little better and I needed to go and get some more paper. Scrapbooks Atelier is the most amazing store. They have the best selection of scrapbook paper here in Reno and ton's of embellishments for all your scrapbooking needs. The owners Silvia and her husband, and staff are super friendly. Silvia is not only a talented published scrapbook artist, business owner and mother of two darling girls, but a Dr. on top of all of the other amazing things she can do. It is a reminder to me that you can never dream too big. In her blog you can find layout ideas for all her amazing scrapbooking ideas. The layout's are set up so even the most inexperienced scrapbooker will find the ideas easy to use. I am linking you to her blog, you can link to the store website from her blog. Silvia was kind enough to look at my blog last night and left a super kind comment under yesterdays post. Thanks Silvia for your words of kindness and your creative spirit, you are truly an inspiration to us all!

(All photos of layouts are by Silvia, taken from her gallery of past layouts.)

Artist of the week: Eren Blanquet Unten

I got quite a bit of computer time in this week. There wasn't much else to do. I needed to be ready to grab the barf bucket for Zoe at any time. I found the really great blog of artist Eren Blanquet Unten. I have always been a huge fan of vintage illustration art from the good ol' days (the days when my mom and dad were little) Sorry guys. Erin's art is so colorful and whimsical and totally reminds me of the illustration's from the good ol' day's. If you have a few moments, take a peek at her blog. It will be a real treat. You can find her blog under my links I like.

Whole lotta workin' going on

These are just a few paintings by Chris.

The "work in progress" sketches.

I know, I am a little obsessed with smiling suns.

Had a chance to talk with an old friend from art school. Chris Ryniak his wife Trisha and two darling kids live in Ohio. They are some of the kindest nicest people you will ever meet. Chris also happens to be quite an amazing artist. I was fortunate enough while in art school to always be surrounded by friends that were the funnest and most talented artists. There were many sketch nights over at Shawn and Kevin's apartment. I was lucky enough to always be invited. So much talent. It was fun to be in school surrounded by the frenzy of constant creativity. Sometimes I wish I still had a group of artist friends I could meet with once or twice a month to have sketch nights and allow for constructive criticism of current works of art. Life just gets so busy when you have family and little ones. I still keep in touch with a few of my old friends from art school and have recently come back into contact with a few I had lost touch with. All are doing exceptionally well in there artistic fields. It keeps me moving forward. I have so far to go when it comes to my art, but everyday I do something artistic I am one step closer to attaining my goal of becoming a better artist.

I am leaving you with a few of the sketches I will be working on for the next few days. Can't wait to show the finished pieces this weekend.

Awesome artist highlight

I was doing my weekly search for interesting and inspiring artists. The site's I would like to highlight this week are Sarah Jane Studios, and Bloesem Kids.

Sarah is a super talented illustrator. I love the gentleness of her art. You can purchase her works for a very reasonable price on her itsy site. It would be a perfect addition to any little girls room. Her blog is worth taking a look at.
Bloesem Kids has tons of unique items for your little tot. If you don't have a little tot, these items would be an excellent choice for a friends baby shower, or a child's birthday.

A diffrent take on an old favorite

I know, I know, only certain people will find this amusing. I guess I am one of those few. This is by one of the artists I have on my links, Adrian Johnson. He is a super talented illustrator. I love that his art has such a vintage feel to it. Advertising art from the 20's -60's is some of my favorite.

A talented crafter

Thought I would add a super talented crafter to my "links I like" area. Nancy Bevin's is a wool felting artist. Her wool felted animals are some of the most adorable things I have ever seen. I wish she would illustrate a children's book with her whimsical little animals. If you have a few minutes, her site is well worth the visit.

I am off to paint. Sewing will have to wait until later. Hopefully toward the end of the week. I will be posting some more photo's tomorrow.