Things I want to say to people online, all of the time but don't ...

1. If you feel super passionate about your work, are emotionally driven, your soul is filled and just all around have your fire lit by the work you create, you are probably in the wrong line of work. Surface pattern design/ licensing is a business. It's art for money. Its commercial. If you are overly attached or emotionally invested, make some stuff for a gallery, sign up for an art fair, make art just for yourself and your friends. We're trying to sell products here- most of which nobody even needs. 2. If you do not have the goal of making a full time wage, an income that could sufficiently support your entire household and you are perfectly content to sell a few things here and there for "fun money"- get out of the way. Quit clogging up the process and watering down the industry for everyone else. The hard cold truth is, there is not enough room for us all, no matter what those people that are selling classes say. 3. If you have taken more than 5 online classes and have yet to send out something of some sort to someone that may possibly have the ability of purchase it, stop. Don't over prepare, over analyze or think that those classes have the answers you're looking for. If you understand the general workings of how this is all done- start doing it. Right now. Sign up for a trade show or send out an email- right now. 4. If you are not willing to sell your car, move to a way too small apartment or completely stop all unnecessary spending for the next year, in order to be able to buy the best equipment on the market, you are not serious and should do something all together different until you are in that frame of mind and have purchased the necessary equipment and software. 5. Do you have a hard time with critique or revisions (often for no good reason at all)? If you answered yes- forget it. This probably should have been #1, I could have saved you from reading the above 4 points if you answered yes.

Embroidery Designs

I've been making designs for embroidery for almost as long as I have been working. Here are a couple of Figgy Pudding Designs sets I am in love with. Amazing Designs - is pretty amazing!!

Book Illustration

I am thrilled to announce that I have just completed illustrating Rapunzel. I will put up a link where you can purchase a copy when it is released. It was a dream come true to be able to work on this amazing assignment! I am currently illustrating Peter Pan and will post some samples here too when it's complete. If you have a childrens book assignment you'd like to discuss working on with me, just let me know- I'd love to discuss it!

Granddad's Island

This is such an inspiration of a book in every way. -------------------------------------------------

hello Monday

I don't hate Mondays- in fact- I really like Mondays. Probably because I work from home, but even when I didn't, I liked Mondays. They feel like a fresh start. Sorta a do over. Clean slate. Get everything organized and start again. Thats what I like about Mondays. My birthday was last week and I put aside $200 to buy whatever I wanted, which is something I never do, because Im very cheap and guilt ridden. I didn't go nuts or get anything super special but I did get a big bag of stuff from tjmaxx. My favorite thing in that bag is the shirt I have on in the photo below. My favorite shirts always have stripes for some reason. Like where's waldo, but usually black and white or navy and white. This is a great shirt because it has long enough short sleeves, a loose but not boxy gut fit, a neck that's not too chokey and stripes. Thats what I look for in the perfect shirt. I might put on my new favorite shirt while I work today..... no, thats a lie- something that sounds good in theory, but it's probably not going to happen. Good in theory but its not gonna happen. Happy Monday.................................

wow... thats pretty bad- no post since December Seems worse than ever because it says 2015 (wasn't that like 7 years ago)? Im gonna keep the blog up and running starting here and now. I'm not making a public proclamation or anything, just saying I'm gonna do better. Public proclamations obviously don't work with me. I went to weight watcher meetings. Didn't loose a pound. I made a public commitment last week on IG stating that I was going to Scope today. Didn't happen. I'm not in the right frame of mind to scope- that's why. You can't go on there if you're not feeling it. It would be a disaster for me. Some mean ole troll might say something and I'd bust into tears in front of everyone. That would be terrible. Too tender for scope today. Maybe I need a post notice that will excuse me from my periscope schedule that says just that "too tender today" - hell- maybe I need a t-shirt that says that so when I venture out in public people will be a little more cautious of my mental state. To quote Bobby Brown "...and if you find a tender roni that is right for you, make it official, give her your love." Here's a pineapple for ya-

Paint your Pet Class at The Wild Nest

Fritzi Flock

I joined a new Facebook group started by johanna Fritz called Fritzi Flock. I actually had to make a Facebook for myself after not having one for ages. She asked us to draw ourselves as a bird and post them to Instagram. Here's my Shelley-bird...

new product in stores

New product with Figgy Pudding Design Artwork, now in stores! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paint your Pet Class at The Nest!

What a great time we had at the Paint Your Pet class that I taught this Saturday at The Nest, located in Colleyville, Texas! If you are interested in signing up for classes or just want to learn more about The Nest- check them out at www.thewildnest.com ------------------------------------------------------

View on Flipagram

my office

This is something new Im trying out. My office is usually pretty sparce. Nothing on the walls, just a desk with a computer on it. I always sort of felt like I couldn't concentrate if there was too much going on around me. Yet, at the same time I think it might be good to have sample and products that Ive made out of the closet so I can see and be inspired by them. Here's the redecorated office with the stuff all out. Too much? probably.

Halloween Product

I know its been ages and ages and assume nobody is even clicking on this blog link of mine anymore, but just in case anyone is thought Id upload some pictures of some of the new product with my designs I just saw at Michaels today.

In the mood for Easter!

Im in the Easter spirit this year and crafting like Im in a competition. Here are some of the things Ive made....

panties

I had this one pattern with underpants that was screaming to be made real- so here's a "Sad Granny panties" lingerie party invite set in case you were looking for one.......................

Calendars

I just realized that I haven't posted my desktop calendar designs from the last 2 months... here they are in case you didn't get them..........................................................

party-time

Here are some party things that were made using my designs- cool-