New Painting - Amate Style!

Yep...Still crushing on Mexican folk art. I love this style and how easy it is to create a uniquely personal piece of colorful & whimsical art. This piece was created for my fabulous Aunt on her 60th birthday.
I was able to depict her love of horses and riding, her 4 Aussies and an agility course, my cousin's wedding, our recent trip together to La Quinta (fountain/Marichi band) , CA, her love of the outdoors fishing, entertaining ...It was a blast to create.

We are just a week out from having floors in the new part of the house! After much dreaming (and WAY too much Pinterest pinning) I am close to having my own space to create and paint! A year without a desk is too long. I am so excited to begin creating on a more regular basis again. Pictures of the new studio space to come! Most likely will be sharing with both daughters . . . they love to steal my paint brushes. ") We did the painting below for Great Grandma!

Jello Mold Sunday

Just because I love the stuff. ")

Pink Cupcake

Soap-y Birthday!

Inspired by my wonderful Etsy customer BikerB!

Red/Blue Cake

Some Days You Just Need to Eat CAke!

True Love, Fishing and Dinos

Vines, Tulips & Birthday Cakes

A Birthday Horse for Ella

New cake doodle!

Happy Birthday Cousin Clayton!

My cousin & his friends decided to have fun with a few slugs this summer and we caught him in the act. This illo. eludes to the poor slug's misfortune. I thought it would be quite appropriate to re-enact the event for his Birthday card. Poor ol' slug! I think he got his revenge in the end.

The Fairy Cake Delema . . .

I have been struggling with how to illustrate "fairy cakes" without being too redundant and typical. This is pretty typical, but was sure fun to draw. Still trying to doodle this one out. Not 100% happy but moving along. I just found out that the ATC swap I am doing this for is mixed media not just illo. Bummer . .. Oh well . .. ") Maybe a few of these will make it into some Birthday cards. Ta-ta!

New Birthday Card!

I was supposed to be working on an Artist Trading Card mixed media swap "fairy cakes" but got distracted. This was the pre-doodle to get the ideas going. My girls are all about fairies these days. Fairy houses have once again taken over our garden!

Birthday Cakes, Cake Cards & NOW Fake Cakes!

I just got the chance to whip this up today. I have been wanting to tackle this "fake cake" project for a while, but the styrofoam cake rounds are not on my regular route. I can't wait to do more!! They are a quick and easy project that can actually get accomplished in the midst of children buzzing about. The best thing is that no hot glue is required! This one is for my Aunt, who needs a Birthday center piece for the guys in the family. The store only had this small size. (They had just been ransacked by a bakery school.) I wanted to go two tier, but thought Id give a little one a try first. Very reasonable $ wise to put together . . . a BIG plus.  The cool thing is that I can get another larger round to put under it if she wants to go bigger. Then she can have two options. 

I highly recommend this project!!!! Tooo fun.

New Birthday Card Designs . . .

These are such a kick to draw! I am off tomorrow to get pictures/sketches of that neat gate in out neighborhood . . . can't wait to give it a go and see how it would translate on a card. Ready to give the cakes a rest. 

Birthdays & Salmon Cake

Wanted to surprise my hubby with a salmon cake this year for his Birthday. Experimented with using fondant . . . it was a first for me and a total blast! Loved using the paste food coloring to paint the cake. Just like watercolors, but more entertaining. This whole cake obsession has gotten completely out of control. I think I need help. 

*Click on the photo to see larger image.