Pop Up Craft Fair

It is almost here! I'm so excited to participate, please come and check it out. The fun doesn't stop there, SF Design Week has tons of great events. I will be there with all of the items you see in my shop, plus a few new things as well. There will be lots of great vendors there, and did I mention food and drinks? You can't say no now :)

The Sketchbook Project

{Image source: Irena Zablotska via Behance}

I have heard of this mobile art project before, but recently came across it again. I went on their site and read a little more about it and I am seriously considering participating. It is called The Sketchbook Project. What an amazing creative prospect, a blank sketchbook, almost limitless applications, and it gets incorporated into an amazing group of traveling books for the country to see. Check it out here and sign up, you don't even have to be an "artist," after all we are all artists in our own way, right? You can also become a member of The Art House Co-op and browse this year's collection. How awesome is the sketch above by the way?! It is by an artist named Irena Zablotska and she has some amazing stuff up on Behance and her own site as well. You can also see me over at Rena Tom's blog today, check it out for a fun creative process challenge.

Mix It Monday :: 3

{skirt, bracelet}

I hope you all are enjoying your 3-day weekend. Happy Memorial Day to all and thank you to all the men and woman who serve our country. We had ourselves a stay-cation this 3-day weekend, but it turns out I am lucky enough to be going on a much needed Hawaii trip this summer. I'm so excited I can almost feel the Hawaiian air even as I type. That said it means that I have been doing some swim suit shopping. Insert sad face. I have never enjoyed this, but my post 2 babies bod is even more scary to squeeze into a suit. I managed to find something I don't hate, but in Royal Blue. Not my first choice but it has grown on me. Hence this week's Mix it post is all about what to pair with Royal Blue. I've decided Neon is my favorite.

{paper ornaments, rug, jotters}


I have been seeing neons and brights everywhere and they do compliment blue ever so nicely, don't you think? Happy Monday!

Stories :: 2

This week, Miss M has been having a very hard time with giving me space to work. Suddenly, my very independent child has become very needy.  It is amazing how quickly things change with these little people. I have come up with the solution of giving her jobs to do, and it seems to be working--at least some of the time. While Everett (who has his own set of challenges) was sleeping, I gave her a giant piece of paper and a stamp and she spent an hour stamping. It might have only worked because I was doing my own set of block prints, but I have hope that I can use it again. I think she likes feeling like she is a part of the job. That is a victory around here! She went marching around the house today saying, "I'm going to work, I'm off to work." Now, what do I do with the rest of those hours....

{photo & layout by Monkey & The Whale}

Mix it Monday :: 2

This weekend I was wearing some bright coral shorts (it was briefly warm enough to do so) and when it finally did get a little chilly I put on a hot pink sweater. My first thought was, "no, what are you thinking?" but then I realized it was just the right combination of pinks! Thus, was born my quest for more pink + coral inspiration. Such a bright and happy mix!

{images: lightbulb, lamp, paper, outfit}

SF Living

This print perfectly illustrates my morning, minus our grilled cheese sandwich lunch! We took a little trip down to the Ferry Building, walked along Pier 14, checked out the farmer's market and enjoyed some warm San Francisco sunshine. It was one of those days that reminded me why I love it here.

{art by Loose Petals}

Stories :: 1

I've decided to get a little more real with you all and let you in on some of the more personal things going on with crazy old me. A lot of people have asked me how I do what I do. Full time mom, while simultaneously building my own design business? What?! It's a great, exciting, and exhausting place to be. But my "how to" answer is not a simple one. I thought it might be more fun to show you a little peek into my world every week and share my process with you.

Every day is different, but I can tell you the first thing I had to let go of was the boundary between work and home because in my case there isn't one. So it comes down to stealing hours here and there with a play date stuck in between. I do make sure to take a shower and get dressed like a normal human being which does help, but it also means that my life is very much a juggling act. This mompreneur is going to give you the scoop. Here is a brief picture...

It means:

Staying up really really really late to get my work done

Locking myself in the bathroom for a quick phone meeting (don't worry, I make sure the kids are safe 1st)! To quote Tim Gunn, you just "Make it Work!"

Listening to shouting, singing, playing, and loud crashing of toys instead of Pandora.

Yes, my kids watch a little TV (and no their brains are just fine, thank you)

That all my tasks are mingled in with one another, which I still haven't gotten used to. Multi-tasking is key!

Play dates are my lunch break, and naps are business hours

And more which I will share with you next week :)

Mix It Mondays :: 1

Well, hello and welcome to your Monday! I am starting a new set of posts for the blog, and Mondays will have something special. A little mash up to give you the get up and go you need for the Monday Mondays. I will be curating a mix of two things every week for your visual enjoyment. This weeks Mix It? Type and Pattern.

{1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6}

For my very first Roundup, I decided to bombard you with a little pattern and a little type. I have been incorporating a lot of hand lettering in my projects and I love the organic feeling it brings and the combo of organic lettering with modern elements as well. Mix in some pattern and you have yourself something really eye popping. Don't you love those Sweater Letters! Oh, and did I mention color? Make it bright people!