First, if you made it past the title of this post, I’m ok! This is not life threatening. While I’m not ready to go into all the details of the procedure, partly because I don’t yet know the outcome, it is fairly routine~and I’ve been told 100 times that I’m in excellent hands with the doctor I am working with. He’s a pro. And of course, Sean will be there in the waiting room. So not to worry.

However I will be going under anesthesia and may be having surgery and I will not know whether I’ve had the surgery until I wake up tomorrow. 

Having only been in the hospital once, I sincerely think the last time I was in one as a patient was as a new born baby...could that be? I’m first very appreciative that I’m not all that familiar with hospitals, although I did volunteer at one while I was in college, and second I’m a bit scared. The last and only time I’ve been under anesthesia was when I had my wisdom teeth taken out, also while I was in college. Although everyone says anesthesia is the best part. Is this true? It might be the one time my mind will be still without whirling thoughts of life and this business, did I mention I think a lot about my business? So in a weird way, while I’m scared, I’m also curious about what this whole experience will be like and kind of looking forward to the mental break. You know I’ve got put {a positive} spin on this right?

Actually in all honesty, the possible outcome of all of this health hootenanny is likely to be very positive. I hate to talk in such vague terms, because as you know I don’t mind being honest and personal on my blog, even if this is mostly my 'art blog' ~ but the truth is that aside from close personal friends and family I’m better at sharing most stories when I’m on the other side. I’m a perspective girl. I like to have a healthy *no pun intended* one when I write in a public forum like the interwebs. And sometimes when you’re in the thick of it, that healthy perspective is not to be found.

In fact it’s been super challenging keeping my feet on the ground this week. Remembering to try and have grace in the face of fear, yup, that’s a tough one. But that’s where it’s at really. That’s when you know you’re showing up the best you can be, when you can show up with grace even when you’re afraid.

So as you can see, it’s kind of synchronistic really that my new Kate Spade Iphone case that I won in a raffle at Alt arrived with this message stamped inside. Sometimes that’s all there is to it, we just need to have courage.

I’m a big believer in sending good thoughts for people, so if you have any to spare tomorrow afternoon, I will happily accept them.

Since I do not yet know whether I will be able to come home tomorrow evening or will be staying in the hospital for couple of days, I also don’t know what my recovery time will be or when I’ll be back to the blog ~ which is why I wanted to keep you in the loop over here. There is some hope I’ll be home tomorrow *fingers crossed* and then I’m sure I’ll be back sooner rather than later, because you know I’ll miss you guys. One way or another, I will try to let you know how it’s all going either here or on twitter, because you know the Iphone with the above message stamped on the inside of my cover is coming with me. xo

*Edit Monday morning, February 21* Am home and am resting. Thank you SO much for all your good thoughts from twitter to email to the blog. I am happy to report, they worked ;) While I did undergo a same day surgery, I did not need to have a full on abdominal surgery {insert really big *sigh* of relief here} which would’ve left me in the hospital for a few days. I was able to come home Friday evening. While still under the influence of pain meds I was able to tweet my return home. Then...let’s say my big events for the weekend were sleeping and watching a movie every so often, occasionally moving from the bed to the couch. Post surgery recovery is rather intense, and the will to type, or tweet, let alone open my computer was not there. Which let’s be honest, for someone who’s rather attached to her computer ~it’s also been a nice break. I do not feel like I’ve rested in this way, since I started this business five years ago, and I think I really need it. With that in mind, plus the fact that every other letter I type here is backwards, I’m going back to bed now and will see you back here sooner than expected. Thank you again. Good thoughts for those near and far really do make a difference. 

Love inspired.

I don’t know if/when I will get the chance to work on ceramics again, so these two are the last vases that I just listed over at the shop. Oh the bunny has a little dress on! 

each painting is 6 x 6 in.

In honor of Valentine’s day, not one but two new paintings!

So cute together, I’ve decide to call them the 'happy baby' combo. I think they would be so sweet in a baby’s room.

Sending lots of love your way today xo

Happy Valentine’s Day!

{click here to buy original - also available as prints at the shop}

Maybe you’ve heard? Almost a year in the making, it’s finally here! Susannah and I released our podcast today! 

I feel like Susannah needs no introduction on this blog, but maybe you are new here and you haven’t yet met her?

First introduced virtually, by our friend Swirly, we have known each other online for a few years now. Then I think it was our connection on twitter that bonded us for life when we learned that we were literally born hours apart in February 1973. Yup, that’s it, the inspiration behind the name of our collaboration, The Aquarian Twins. 

The more we got to chatting first via video on Skype, then in person at Squam and during my visit to see Sus at her flat in Bath on our way to Paris last year ~ we realized that not only do we share a lot of Aquarian traits, like a love for analytical thinking *ahem* {and talking}, we share a crazy passion for the teaching we do.

Susannah’s one of the e-course pioneers launching her first class in January 2009.  It all started with a small in person class in Bath, England that has now grown into the wildly successful Unravelling e-courses, Susannah’s full time business and even a book that she is authoring, coming out in the Fall this year! Not to mention, she takes some of the most beautiful polaroids, that will also be published in a collaborative book set for release this year too.

See what can happen when you have a passion that you are ready to share with the world? It’s incredible really. 

I guess what I’m trying to say with all of this, something I say a lot which is:

Look what is possible for all of us today?

I mean really, we just collaborated on a project from across the Atlantic Ocean!

But it should go without saying really, right? It all begins with heart. Something Susannah and I also agree on, the qualities we think make up a successful business: heart, integrity, honesty, genuineness and a love for what you do. And that is exactly what we’ve put into this almost two hour podcast that we are sharing with you.

Since we both get a lot of emails asking our advice, we decided to create this package that we hope will be really useful to those of you who also feel inspired to share what you know and love with the world.

Everything you need to know, including as Susannah put it,  our 'silly but sincere' video saying hello to you is at our new website right here.

We hope you enjoy it, and thanks so much to all of you who have been so enthusiastic and supportive in spreading the word today xo

{photo by the lovely Lisa Field-Elliot and for those of you interested in taking Susannah’s course, she opens registration again this Saturday!}

6 x 6 in. title by Victoria

A fan of sweet Lucy for a long time, I finally just asked Victoria if she wouldn’t mind if I painted her. Have you seen Lucy? Those eyes are amazing! And Victoria takes the best pictures of her.

I’ve been feeling inspired to paint more cats and dogs lately...not sure where it’s coming from...but I’m going to follow it... And yes, I do take on commission work too.

Since my last post was all words, this one is all Iphonongraphy eye candy for you. Enjoy!

in order of appearance

1. What I call the 'kitty guardians' who watched over me while I slept ~ fabric and design by Lizzy House
2. Waking up to rows of beautiful fabrics also designed by Lizzy {pssst...if you’re interested in  breaking into the world of fabric design, go get her e-book right now}
3. Sleeping tucked into a bundle of quilts also made by Lizzy...are you beginning to see why she is a creative angel? not to mention one of the loveliest people I am honored to know.
4. entrance to the Grand America in Salt Lake City
5. my arrival at the Grand America ~ trying to be all 'nonchalant' while taking a selfie portrait in a lobby mirror
6. the morning view from my eleventh floor hotel room
7. balloon filled entrance to the Kate Spade and the Girls with Glasses party
8. Snowing at Sundance Film Festival, Park City 
9. Hot chocolate in Park City with my new friend EZ. {She is pointing to the crazy, semi-celebrity L.A. nut-bags who felt entitled enough to try to cut in front of us for a table at this restaurant~ they ended up sitting across from us, just on the other side of that hot cocoa ~ lovely.}
10. Be Here, Sundance 2011
11. Creative Monday, sewing with Lizzy ~ yes, that is her gorgeous quilt design featured in the background
12. my first quilting attempt!!! final creation to be revealed soon

Speaking of being comfortable in your own skin...the quote in the title above is from Marc Maron.

A fan of comedy, I spent the better part of yesterday tuning into the Marc’s podcast titled WTFpod. 

After tuning into a few episodes, I realized that not only was I listening to Marc interview other comedians and entertainers, but I was getting access to fellow creatives talking about their lives. For me, there’s nothing better. It’s what inspired my own podcast way back when, and it makes me want to bring it back in big way. I love the opportunity to hear creative people talk candidly about life, work and all that goes with it. 

In my two years dedicated almost exclusively to studying Improv and going to the Improv, almost every week, to see comedians perform, I’ve seen Marc do stand up several times. He’s a great stand-up. He is also an excellent interviewer. You know what makes a good interviewer? A good listener, and willingness to reveal the hard, honest truth about yourself. Because only then, when you can be totally open about who you are, can you comfortably ask those honest questions of another. And Marc asks them. He lets the podcasts run over an hour and when I tune in I feel like I’m hanging out with friends who are  having a real conversation. We need more real in this world, and I’m not talking about reality tv.

This is why I want to share an excerpt from an opening to Marc’s podcast interviewing Kevin Smith {episode #141}. The vulnerability we feel as creatives comes up all the time, in conversation with Sean, my friends, my colleagues, and in every class I teach both in person and online. Here are Marc’s thoughts on this. I wanted to keep it as accurate as I could so I transcribed it verbatim. Because the point Marc is making is about being himself, and the way he expresses himself is a big part of his persona. Oh and he curses. Hello, his podcast is called "What The Fuck?"

Truth? I curse too. In fact my favorite curse word is "fuck".  I don’t ever curse in my blog posts without putting pretty little symbols #$%*& in place of some of the letters because I don’t want to offend anyone who doesn’t like cursing, but the the hard honest truth is that’s not really me. I’m not saying I curse like a sailor over here, but I no longer want to apologize for using these words that I think, depending upon the context, can serve quite well to add some color to our vocabulary. Let me also just say that I absolutely respect that there are differing opinions on the use of curse words and well, on pretty much everything. But that’s the beauty of the world we live in today. We can choose the content we give our attention to. With that said, I’m not bleeping Marc and I’m not going to be bleeping myself any more either. 

I can only do what the fuck I do.

It’s always comforting for those of us who dedicate our lives to getting comfortable in our own skin, to know we’re not alone in our vulnerabilities. And I think it’s a great accomplishment, and a relief when we finally learn to let that shit go. It’s only taken me 38 years.

You see I told you, that picture of me holding the heart, very closely resembles me holding this orange ;)

I share this photo with you today, because I’m celebrating a birthday! Woot! And what I love about getting older, {yes, you read that right, I said 'love about getting older'} that I could not have anticipated would feel so good, is that whole thing everyone tells you, you will gain: feeling totally comfortable in your own skin. Always slightly ahead of my time and age with my thinking and world point of view...I’ve been waiting a long time to feel like I am finally catching up with me. And in the last year, I felt like I did. I caught up with me! I feel totally in sync with the flow of my life {*ahem* on most days}. There’s nothing better ~ an amazing feeling, one that actually makes me feel more connected to the spirit of this little one featured above. Honestly, I feel younger now than I did fifteen years ago. Craziness. So, as it is eluded to in the title of my post. I’m feeling closer to age 11 in terms of enthusiasm and excitement about life and that makes this a really good day and year ahead!

Ok then, I’m off to celebrate for the weekend! Before I go, a happy weekend to you! and a happy birthday to all my fellow Aquarians out there! xoxo

{oh and a little birthday gift for you! if you’re not on my email mailing list, you should know I’m celebrating today with my annual one day only print sale over at the shop!}

6 x 6 in.

Is that how you say it "happy year of the rabbit"? According to the Chinese Zodiac, today is the day: the Year of the Rabbit begins. Seeing as how I tend to favor rabbits in my art work, especially lately...did you notice? I’m sort of loving this new year from a creative inspiration stand point especially. I anticipate a lot of bunnies making appearances in the coming months...

I was so creatively inspired today, I managed to get in a painting along with the Valentine’s and I almost forgot it was Thursday? Whaaa?! But of course it was Thursday. They are almost always one of my best days of the week, which is absolutely why I chose to call this company Creative Thursday not Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. 

The year of the rabbit is said to bring "Peace". I for one am looking forward to that. {ok fine I’m up for a little adventure too, as is this bunny in his boat ;)}

{original is sold , available as a print here}

If you tune into my twitter stream then you are one of the lucky one’s that heard me carry on about my many failed gocco printing attempts yesterday.

I had BIG plans for printing some, first time ever, tiny gocco Valentine’s this year. You know how I’m loving the gocco these days...But as often happens, plans change. I went through almost 5 screens and 10 lightbulbs before my final screen turned out. By this time I had given up on hand printing the valentines and just printed my favorite new bunny design {inspired by the year of the rabbit, officially starting today!!} on the little cloth pouches that the tiny cards will be packaged in. I still do not know what caused the first screens to come out so poorly, but I did learn some new techniques in the process. There’s that 'positive spin' on a dining room filled with multiple gocco failures = a big mess.

So, plan B. Tiny valentine’s illustrated by hand and digitally colored and printed on eco-white card stock. Personal favorite, "I am over the moon for you" and I managed to get an eiffel tower in the mix to. Paris love. Something about the coloring, they resemble letterpress cards...another printing technique I’m dying to try.

They are now over at the shop, a limited edition of 25. Hope you enjoy them! Did I mention they come with confetti hearts too? Oh yes they do! A little love from me to you.

12 x 9 in.

Two paintings in a row? That rarely happens these days. And technically, it didn’t...I painted this one last week amidst my not feeling so great ~ why? because I love to paint, even when I’m sick and more importantly this painting was a birthday gift for Seanie. His birthday was last Thursday, January 27. My fellow #aquarian!

He has written a wonderful, heartwarming screenplay featuring these sweet fellows. And yes, it is a story about rescue dogs. {Any movie producers reading this blog? this screenplay is looking for the right home...} From left to right, Shane, Saga, Andrew, and you might recognize the last two Tank and Lulu ;) Those sweet pups. We miss them. 

The original is not for sale, but it is available as a print over at the shop.

12 x 9 in.

There are times in life, when doors open. And there are times when you walk through them. They do not always happen simultaneously.

You could say that life has been opening a lot of wonderful doors for me lately. You could also say that maybe I’ve been knocking long and hard enough on those doors that it was about damn time they open! ;) Or maybe you could say that they have opened before, but I wasn’t ready to walk through them until now.

You see, I’m beginning to realize that doors of opportunity open often~ but you have to know how to recognize an open door when you see one, and you also have to be ready to walk through. That’s the part that I’ve been so frustrated about before in life, the part when I felt like I was ready, in fact I was absolutely certain I was ready but in hindsight I could see that I actually wasn’t ready yet. Am I making sense here or am I just typing the word 'ready' a lot?

This painting was actually inspired and painted back in November, immediately following my time at Quilt Market. It was a pivotal time because I had the fabric line in clear view, I was invited to speak at Alt and I have some other projects in the works that I haven’t even been able to share yet that also came together during this time. It was like something shifted.  And this image has become a symbol of that. On a totally random note, I also realized that I had never painted the backs of my characters before. It’s funny to me that you can still recognize them this way.

The little red rabbit, though....he’s looking back. He’s looking back because he wants everyone to come along with them. He wants everyone to go on the adventure, to succeed and thrive and have fun together. He’s making sure you know you are welcome to come too.

But the thing is, not everyone will come along for the journey at the same time or sadly at all. And this is a bummer really, especially when those people are your close friends or family, the ones that you want to come with you the most. Then you remember that the only time anyone can go through an open door of opportunity is when they are truly ready, and not before. It’s important to acknowledge this, but don’t let it keep you from going forward ~ because that really doesn’t help anyone. People want to be inspired. We are inspired when we see people, what is that saying?, "go confidently in the direction of their dreams" and I will add "walk through those open doors".

Are you ready? 

A new favorite, I’ve been holding on to the original of this painting until today. I’m finally 'ready' to let it go to it’s new home. *there I had to type "ready" one final time, for good measure ~ you know.*

{ original is sold ~ also available as a print here and here (because it looks really good in a large size)}