Completed Garden Projects

I caught up on some podcasts and spent part of the afternoon working on the garden projects I linked to on the previous post. I made three small planters and several plant markers. I didn’t have any clay tools, specifically a smoothing tool to make the joints and connecting pieces look clean and professional. Since these are the first ones, I’m giving myself some slack. They aren’t perfect, but I like them anyways.

I stamped “Hello” into this container. The H was too light and it looks more like “ello”. Oops.

The plant markers were much easier and looked a lot better because they required less tools. I had a set of alphabet stamps which made the markers especially simple. I made markers for some of the succulents and herbs. I’m already making a list for more to make later. I think they look pretty good! FYI, the Mint marker is really white. The light gave it an orange tint.

Thanks to Say Yes to Hoboken for the planter instructions, and Wit & Whistle for the marker guide!

Tags: clay, craft, garden, markers, mint, succulents

Garden Projects

My summer to do list is starting to get a little out of control. A lot of my early efforts have been happening in the backyard. I’ve got most of the vegetable garden planted and seedlings started in small pots. I cleaned the back patio and got almost all of my new succulents planted! A few crafty projects have popped up that I really want to try. They both involve using polymer bake-able clay.

One is a Handmade Clay pot. The author designed hers in the shape of little houses. It looks fun and easy! Second is making garden makers with the same material. I think it’s time to get crafting.

In other news, several of my succulents are getting ready to flower! I’ll post pictures when that happens. Others are branching off new succulents, like the Hen and Chicks Sempervivums. This photo was taken a few weeks ago and the little babies are much bigger now.
Happy planting!

Tags: craft, garden, succulent

Succulent Extravaganza!

A few years ago our landlord gave us a few succulents that they couldn’t take with them on a move. A few years later, our backyard is full of clippings from these original plants, as well as a growing collection purchased at various nurseries, farmers markets and this weekend – the local Succulent show and sale!

I never gave much thought to succulents or cacti. Once they were in my possession and didn’t shrivel and die from lack of attention, I was intrigued. When a branch from the jade plant fell off during a wet and cold winter, I stuck it in an old pot, and miraculously, it lived! It rooted, and is still happily growing away. Plants that can survive with little attention and can easily propagate are right up my alley. I’ve always wanted to be a good gardener, but I’m not. My vegetable and herb garden do OK, but the plants that do best are the mints and rosemary that don’t require constant care and don’t require me to invest in new seedlings every year. I have a small budget and those that cost the least are my friends.

I find succulents to be both cost-effective and rewarding. I’ve been able to get cuttings off my plants and start new ones. They don’t require much water and tolerate the hot California summers. This weekend I gathered up some friends and we browsed the awesome selection at the Sacramento Cactus and Succulent Society Show. The selection far outnumbered any local plant nursery I’ve been to. The sheer variety was mind boggling and awesome. I found several plants that I had eyed in my succulent books and was super excited to add them to my collection.

Alright, let’s look at some of the goodies!

Crassula Capitella – isn’t it gorgeous? I saw this in a book and love the color and shapes of the leaves. I really hope this thrives.

This is an Echeveria “Ghost buster!” (Not kidding, look at the label!) I couldn’t resist. Also, it has a long stem with flowers that will bloom soon.

Beautiful Sempervivum

Fancy a cup?

This last one isn’t new. I got this tea cup from the as-is section at Ikea for a buck, filled the bottom with rocks for drainage, and put a few cuttings in it. I love it. Super simple and looks great.

Anyone else going succulent crazy?

Tags: garden, plants, succulent

KDVS Fundraiser T-shirt

 

Hey all! My favorite radio station, KDVS, a fantastic community run station is having their annual Fundraiser this week. I designed a shirt for them for their awesome theme, “Your Beacon in a Sea of Sound.” I had a lot of fun developing a nautical themed design. It’s available in a variety of sizes for a $25 donation. Please support this awesome community resource. I do a show on-and-off here and it changed my life when I stepped through those doors 10 (!!!!) years ago. These types of radio stations are dying and need public support. Please help out if you can. There are tons of great premiums to get in exchange for your donation including music packages, gift certificates and more! Thank you in advance!

You can listen to archives from my shows last summer here.

Tags: beacon, design, illustration, kdvs, nautical, ships, t-shirt

Housewarming Party Invitations

This month so far has seen the creation of 4 invitations! I plan on unveiling many more over the next few weeks. I’ve always wanted to get into developing and creating paper goods and here we go. The first one I’m sharing here are my Mid-Modern Century inspired Housewarming invitations. I really love these. Text & color are customizable. They are available in my Etsy Store. They are sold in sets with envelopes, but can also be set up and sent to you as a high-quality PDF for you to print yourself. Contact me for more information.

Happy Tuesday!

Floating leaves and lots of Sheep

Yay! New fabric! Designing fabric during the last year has been one of my favorite projects. If you’re a graphic designer or illustrator, learning to make a pattern is a useful skill. I learned by following some great tutorials online. Here’s one, and here’s another!

SHEEP-A-DOTS!
At first glance they appear to be polka dots, but take a closer look…they’re sheep! Cute fluffy sheep on a beautiful eggplant purple background. Available on Etsy and Spoonflower.

FLOATING LEAVES
Floating leaves on a white background.
Available on Etsy and Spoonflower.

Rain!

Finally…it’s raining! We’re having such a dry spell in California this year. The rain is totally welcome. Speaking of dry spells…yup, another lapse in the blog posting. I’ve been hard at work creatively on new fabric designs, as well as custom button orders.

No one knows busy like two of my office mates (pictured above.) Dora and Orange Puff like to keep an eye on my productivity. And they’re also great seat warmers.

Well, I’ve got to get back to trudging along in the studio. I’ll post some of my new fabric soon! I have some great stuff to share.

New Fabric Designs

I’ve been keeping so busy this year and it’s only one month in! I’ve been hard at work on several new fabric designs and three are now available in my Etsy Store. They are also available for purchase on Spoonflower in a variety of sizes and fabrics. These are all from my own original illustrations and designed by me and printed through Spoonflower.

Blue Umbrellas Fabric. Large motif blue and white striped umbrellas on a baby-blue background.

Heart Whales Fabric. Pink, white and gray whales on a beautiful rich blue/turquoise background.

Gray and White Flowers Fabric. Vintage-style gray flowers with a modern twist on a mustard yellow background.

 

 

Wedding Buttons a “Favorite Goodie!”

Another awesome way to start the New Year was to see my buttons chosen as a Favorite Goodie in Our Wedding Magazine. They featured the bride and groom design that I illustrated. If you’re in need of wedding buttons (or any other kind of custom button) you can check out my Etsy shop. Thanks again to the kind folks at Sacramento/Our Wedding Magazine. It was great to see my buttons in print.

Happy New Year!

Wow, we made it. 2012 is here! As much as I love the holidays, I’m glad they’re over and I’m ready to move on to a new year and a new month. I started the year by cleaning my office including cleaning out a daunting closet made tolerable with some Doctor Who episodes. This work week I’ve already clocked in a bunch of time on design and illustration projects. I designed a “time tracker” for myself to be more productive with my time and track my creative projects! I’m not one for resolutions for the new year, but I have made goals for myself and have already started the year organized, on task and in an organized, clean office with my cats.

I hope you all had a great new year and are all ready for an awesome year to come.