Refreshed and Refocused

Inspiration leads to design for me.  So, I have been taking this summer to refresh and refocus.  Many hours have been spent walking through gardens, forests, sandy beaches, and my own backyard just observing the flowers, leaves, bugs, and critters around me.  I have really enjoyed watching my children discover new things in old places.  Nature always inspires me.  I naturally look for patterns and designs in everything I see. Organic shapes and patterns seem to jump out of the woodwork...literally at times.  I have been sketching like crazy, and tonight I sat down at my computer for the first time in over 2 months.  It felt so good to create again.  I felt inspired...and this is what I designed.

Butterflies for Lupus Showcase 2015

For the third year now, a fellow designer friend, Dawn Clarkson, has organized a "Butterflies for Lupus Showcase" to help increase awareness about the chronic autoimmune disease Lupus. Lupus can attack your tissues and organs causing a multitude of symptoms.  A rash on the cheeks in the form of a butterfly is a common symptom of Lupus, which is the reason Dawn chose the butterfly to showcase.  She will feature the butterflies on World Lupus Day, Sunday, May 10th on her blog NiceandFancy.  

This year Ruby and I collaborated on our butterfly designs. We both created our own butterflies and then colored them with the same color palette.  It was great to do this together and explain to Ruby the reason behind the showcase.  Here are our entries for Dawn's "Butterflies for Lupus Showcase".

Sunday, May 10th is World Lupus Day.  Please check out Dawn's blog, Nice & Fancy to learn more about Lupus, and to view the incredible "Butterfly Showcase" that she has assembled. 

My First LOOK BOOK!!

Here it is...FINALLY!!!  My very first LOOK BOOK on ISSUU!!  I am super EXCITED and doing a little HAPPY DANCE right now!!  My LOOK BOOK has 8 different collections of patterns that I have designed and am thrilled to share with everyone.  Just click on the photo to view my LOOK BOOK.  I hope you enjoy looking.  :) xo

"MY" Secret Garden

I just can't wait to dig in my garden.  I love to start flowers and vegetables from seed and watch them sprout.  Gardening is really a true passion of mine, and I tell my husband that it is my "therapy" after a long days work.  Tending to and nurturing all of my little plants truly brings me joy.  This collection of prints was inspired by many of the flowers I enjoy caring for.  My hope is that they will bring you joy.  Happy Gardening!

My "seedling" sketch

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...

My beautiful city of St. Cloud is home to six absolutely gorgeous gardens.  Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi, the Munsinger Gardens explode with color all throughout the spring, summer, and fall.  I eagerly await the opening of the gardens as Spring is now here.  Soon, the very talented gardeners and caretakers will begin to prepare the planting beds for new annuals.  The perennial gardens will fill with exquisite colors from every part of the spectrum.  And, the Virginia Clemens Rose Garden will bloom with over a thousand delicately fragrant roses.  I could literally spend the entire day walking through all the lovely pathways around the gardens...it is ever changing.

My newest collection of patterns was inspired by the stunning roses found in the Virginia Clemens Rose Garden.  If you ever find yourself in St. Cloud, you must stop at the gardens.  You don't want to miss them!

NEW Summer Designs Added to my Society6 Store

I am FEELING THE HEAT ALREADY!!!  I am looking forward to the hot summer days when I can kick back, put my feet up and have a nice, cold, refreshing glass of lemonade while the sun beats down on my face.  Aren't we all?!?!

BUT....in the meantime...while we all wait PATIENTLY for summer to arrive...we can grab one...or two...of my new summer inspired designs in my Society6 store to help us keep focused.  It can be our daily reminder of the many wonderful things coming...very soon!!  Hope you like them!

From my sketchbook....

These long dreary winter days seem to go on and on and on...BUT, coffee, music, and positive thinking have me gearing up for warmer days!  I have been sketching lots and lots of flowers and all kinds of spring and summer elements.  Recently, I sketched these sweet little flowers and berries and quickly had to add color to them.  Pinterest is my go to place for color collections.  I have a board of my favorite palettes that I draw inspiration from.  I ended up pulling colors from about 5 inspiration palette collections and I LOVE the results! Please let me know which one is your favorite?

Dreaming of warmer days

It is February, so the COLD and SNOWY forecast that so many people are experiencing is not a surprise.  However, today I was dreaming of warmer days and looking forward to the sweet birdies song and the feel of lush grass between my toes.  I started sketching trees and birds and quickly turned my drawings into a fun little summertime scene. I added this great quote from Henry David Thoreau as a reminder of the beauty all around us.  Happy Sunday Everyone!