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Months in the making and that is no joke. This topic has been hard to shake off. Let’s just say that if I’m relatively quiet in terms of sharing my thoughts on this blog, you will know that I’m either super, super busy with projects or I am seriously deep in thought about something...that I am just waiting for the right moment to share.

I’m still not 100% sure, but I guess as soon as I hit publish on this post, I will have decided that it is indeed the right moment. Recording this one for some reason really scared me. And now on the other side of completing it, I have to say that I feel a huge sense of relief . You know the moments when you are passionate about sharing something, but you worry about whether it will come out right, how it might be received ~ that instead of saying it, you hope the need to share it will just go away? But it doesn’t. In fact somewhere in your brain the story just begins to write itself every time you think of it. When this happens to me over a period of time, I know that it needs to be shared. It’s the 'The War of Art' -If you’ve read this book then you know it’s actually all Steven Pressfield’s fault. 

Also, I do want to emphasize that overall I feel very optimistic, and excited about where I’m headed with Creative Thursday, especially with this new fabric adventure. And I want to say again how much I appreciate the partnerships I’ve developed on the publishing side. I really love the companies I’m working with to take my brand farther. In no way shape or form do I want to discourage anyone from expanding their brand on a larger scale, because aside from reaching a larger audience there is so much to be learned and inspiration to be found in collaborative efforts. And money to be made. 

If you had told me five years ago that I would be standing here today, I would’ve been thrilled. And I am thrilled. I am however, also much wiser about what it is going to take to keep Creative Thursday expanding in the way I envision. I hope by sharing this part of my journey it will help those of you embarking on a similar path to be more aware of the whole picture.

I’m in the learning phase all over again and when I have more to share and am officially rolling in money ;)  I will keep you posted.

There’s always a lot of dialogue about social media these days. Whether it’s useful or a time suck?

I would say that for most of us, it is a little of both.

Since I left Facebook I’ll just speak about twitter. It really depends upon who you follow and how you decide to use it as to which above categories your time on twitter falls into.

I’ve tweeted about the fact that recently I have been 'almost entirely successful' in making self care + balance and well being my highest priority. This means a lot of things, but pertaining to today’s topic it mostly means less time online.

I guess that’s why this morning when I finally spent some time on twitter,  I felt like I could really indulge following a lot of threads to various videos and articles.  Let’s face it. There is just so much content out there now? What stands out and what is really worth paying attention to? I don’t have the answer to that. I’m working on it. In the meantime here are a few links that really stood out to me.

• Ez wrote a great post sharing a tip about using Pinterest to help understand your readers/shoppers. I have yet to accept my invitation to Pinterest...speaking of time. But I love it. I really do. It’s a beautiful, inspiring site. Speaking of 'paying attention' I have to say that sometimes I wonder if you all are really listening out there? So many of you visit here daily, but only a very few of you talk to me regularly. Do not misunderstand - I totally and completely get it for the same reason: there’s too much content which means there’s too much to respond to as well. But still - even though I keep this blog as a personal record of my journey, I am sharing it with you and thinking of what you might enjoy when I’m posting.  Sometimes I wonder if I’m still providing inspiration and useful content? Entering this blog’s URL into Pinterest revealed to me that you are following along out there, you are still interested and inspired and many of you are drawn to the same images, colors and creations right now. {see above} So interesting.
• Two very thoughtful and insightful videos on innovation among designers, specifically independent designers and how that relates to trade shows. One by Susy and one by Megan
• And a great article about no longer giving everything away for free 'No you cannot pick my brain- it costs too much' - I may have to continue this discussion...

My first attempt at sewing a tote bag! 

In my own spoonflower fabric too. Pretty exciting. 

I found the initial Twenty Minute Tote tutorial online at the Purl Bee. Combine my wish to learn more, my need to embellish with thread, and a couple of mistakes; the bag became mine.

So, I was cutting one of the panels on top of another panel {what was I thinking? I wasn’t. I was too busy trying to cut a piece of fabric perfectly} and sliced the bottom corner of a panel. As per my usual approach to these kinds of *mistakes* I had to turn it into something. A pocket. of course!

Initially I thought it would be a great place for my Iphone but then with my haphazard sewing it became much smaller than originally planned. It did however become the perfect home for my business cards. Since I took this bag with me to Quilt Market, this was ideal. Instead of rifling through the inside of my bag, I just had to reach into the pocket on the lower outside corner to get my business cards. It also became conversation piece because as it turns out people were fascinated with the pocket placement choice. I proudly expressed that it was a mistake turned into something useful. Over time I’ve also sort of grown to love this unexpected place to put a pocket. When I design my own bag pattern, this design element will have to be included, I think. I also embellished one of the handles with a felt flower I made with Betz at Quilt Market and a Lizzy House button. 

So, there. Mistakes are functional and beautiful and my love for sewing continues to grow.

5 x 5 in.

Looking back over my last few daily paintings, am thinking that we might be witnessing my 'blue period'? not because I’m sad, but because I’m really liking a certain kind of blue these days, primarily a blue with some gray.

This little blue lamb fellow is meant to bring you some calm and some peace. Oh and if you are also wanting some serious, silly laughter this weekend, go see "Bridesmaids". Most of those ladies were Groundlings with Sean. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several of them, and seeing them perform live. Such great improvisers. They are awesome. And that is all.

happy weekend x

{click here to buy original}

6 x 6 in.

helllooooo out there

boy Quilt Market took it out of me. I’ve needed the last couple of days to recover which included doing something creative just for me *painting* see exhibit above

When I say recover. Let me explain. {I’m so tired I haven’t tweeted in a whole 3 days} Quilt Market was greatness all around! It is however five days of non-stop talking, visiting, absorbing design + creativity, while walking and/or standing {or sitting + eating which btw the food in Salt Lake - Eva’s, Gourmandise and Settebello restaurants in particular = delicious} Who’s got time for sleeping? Combine all of that with releasing your very first line of fabric which is also selling for the very first time ~ it’s pretty emotional and by emotional I mean emotionally exhausting. The excitement! The concern! Will people love it? Will they not? If they don’t, they are crazy :)  

I think my fabric actually sold really well. Since I was not the one taking the orders I don’t know for sure, but I do know a lot of people told me they loved it and those same people bought it! So good for all of you who want it ~ it will be in the world soon.

All I know for sure is that when someone sees your fabric for the first time and gasps in that way you do when you love the work you create = your work is done.

Thanks for all your support here at the blog and at Market. I had the best conversations with so many people I adore. I learned SO much more about entrepreneurship and running a business {that I cannot wait to share in the new course} I will definitely be showing all of the fabric designs once they are printed. Thank you to the shops who have bought it so far. I hope it sells crazy well for you. To those of you who get to make something pretty with it, I cannot wait to see!!!

The other reason I’ve needed to recover from Market is because now I have a trillion new ideas about where my business is going and I think I will need every bit of energy...for what’s next.

The other thing I know for sure is that sock monkeys in blue are pretty darn cute. Thank you to Ilse on my daily painting email list, who just wrote to me and said 'This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life'. Once again my work is done here. Bringing a little extra joy to the world, one sock monkey at a time.

{click here to buy original}

Hello from Salt Lake City where the Spring Quilt Market festivities are about to begin!

And also the moment I reveal my very first fabric line ~ that I love so much it hurts. Honestly I can’t even begin to put into words the joy I feel having the opportunity to expand my creative expression, and take Creative Thursday in a brand new direction. Pre-selling this market and printed by fall by Andover Fabrics, a sneak peek above of  'Meet the Gang'.

See you at Quilt Market! and/or back here on the other side. 

This is the beginning of a big week for me. 

In two days I’m heading off to quilt market with my first line of fabric finished and available for pre-sale.

I have a fabric line.

It’s taken me these last few weeks, since my trip to New York when the final designs really came together, for this new stage of my business and creative expression to sink in. 

Ever since the reality of this new venture has set in, I’ve been thinking so much about what it means to have a growing business. Let’s be honest, over the last five years I’ve also been thinking about what it means to stay in business. 

Launching a business is very different from expanding one. 

What’ve I’ve found is that there is a whole lot of information about finding your path, following your dreams, and starting a business but what about keeping your dream alive and keeping your business going. It’s an amazing ride and it’s a challenging ride. I don’t find enough of us talking honestly about the challenges. Oh, privately among dinner conversations maybe but not publicly. 

Once we’ve reached a certain level of exposure, success and brand awareness the last thing we want to do is start talking about what’s not working. We want to put our best foot forward and share the good news ~ completely understandable and as it should be.

However, I’m not only and artist and a business owner, I’m a teacher. As a teacher I want to help others. This means that I want to be honest about the challenges I’ve faced and share what I’ve learned over the last five years in particular. I want to talk about what it means to be a successful business beyond the two year mark. 

All of us creatives in business for ourselves - this is a huge accomplishment, and it’s a BIG effing DEAL to make it beyond two years {especially the past two years}

Somehow I thought that once I started a business, the rest would figure it self out and fall into place. In many ways it has. And in many ways I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants. I realize now more than ever how important it is to not only stay afloat but know where I’m going and why I’m going there. I also know how important it is to keep learning.  And support is key. Getting and giving the support we need to to keep ourselves and our businesses balanced and thriving.

I’m ready to share more of what I know in a follow up to 'In the Fish Bowl' called 'From the Fish Bowl to the Sea'.

Want to come swimming? Ready to take your creative business to the next level ~ We are heading out to the sea now.

{starting May 26 - click here to learn more + register}

It’s that time of year when we celebrate our Mamas.

One of our resolutions for 2011, Sean and I decided that we want to celebrate our family more. We want to visit them more. We want to love and appreciate them more. So that’s where I am this Mother’s Day, with my Mama.

An early Mother’s day wish to all the Mamas out there. Celebrating you! xo

Just enter THANKYOU2 at checkout for a 20% discount over at my Etsy shop until 11 pm PST this Sunday May 8.

Changes are coming to the shop over this next month! I will be phasing some images out permanently, so if you’ve had your eye on something special...now’s the time.

Thank you to all my customers & supporters who keep me creating

Happy Tuesday!

12 x 9 in.

For my Aussie friends! My mom tells me that I have been to Australia once but I was too small to remember.

All this means is that I want to go back. 

Visiting Australia has been on my mind lately, as has painting this piece. I think I first sketched it almost two years ago. Um hello that’s a long time to have one painting idea stored somewhere.

Anyway, now it’s finally out there and it was such an interesting one to paint. First, I realized just how unfamiliar most of these animals are to me. Second, their coloring which informed the entire color palette of the piece was also very unfamiliar to me. Stretched me. I was stretched a little creatively. I have never painted a Wombat before or used mostly grey and brown colors.

In case some of this fellows are new to you too, from left to right a baby book-book owl, wombat, echidna, koalas, kookaburra, kangaroo, fringe-necked lizard, wallaby, platypus, sugar glider and emu. I’ve got to say that the in this one, the sugar glider is killing me. Wouldn’t you love to fly like that?

{click here to buy original} also available as a limited edition large print over at the shop - a small size just doesn’t do this one justice

As you may or may not know? I have many passions ~ especially in the 'all things creative' category.

One of them is film.

I think my eyes really opened about the world of film upon moving to Los Angeles almost eleven years ago now. I mean hey, it is my city’s industry after all. One would hope to be exposed to the details of film and its creators when living here? And one is if one seeks it out ~ but, truthfully my eyes really opened upon attending the Sundance film festival a few years in a row.  This festival has become a little hyped over the years, but it is still the one place where I’ve been completely moved being in the midst of people who share a true love for film making.

Independent film produces some of my favorite films to date. And lately it’s been documentaries. I can’t get enough of them.

I’ve always loved hearing people’s honest stories about their own lives, and this Joan River’s documentary delivers. Whether you are a fan of her comedy or not? As a creative person, especially one who is working for themselves, I think you might really enjoy this one. Even better, it’s available for instant viewing via Netflix. You could watch it right now!

I am endlessly appreciative of all of the people who are willing to share their lives so openly and honestly. It continues to give me great comfort hearing other’s stories, especially when I am in the face of challenging times. I would not have believed I could be here without knowing how others made it. Those who are themselves,  find their passion, and stay committed to that passion through a lifetime - inspiring. Watching this particular doc reminded me to keep sharing more of my own story honestly...and share more of my love for film with you too!