Flower House Detroit

Words can't describe Flower House Detroit and these photos can't do it justice, but it's a glimpse into the magic of the weekend. Lisa Waud of Pot & Box was the mastermind behind this wonderland of flowers in an abandoned house in Hamtramck. Florists from Michigan and across the country filled the rooms with american-grown fresh flowers and living plants. Now that the weekend is over, the house will be responsibly deconstructed and its materials repurposed. The land will be converted into a flower farm and design center. There's so much more to say, but you can read all that starting here.  

 

2016 Illustrated Calendar

It's here! My new illustrated calendar for 2016 is online and waiting for you. I'm really excited about this one. I probably think—and say—this every year, but I really do feel like I pushed myself design-wise on this one. I hope you enjoy! 

Illustrated Billboard

In case you haven't seen me jumping up and down and waving my arms on social media, here's a look at a billboard I illustrated for local Ann Arbor non-profit Leslie Science & Nature Center. It was installed last week and I am so happy with how it turned out. As some of you may know, I don't often draw people and this was going to include people — larger than life size!

The billboard is on I-94 near Chelsea, bout a mile before the Fletcher Road exit if you are traveling east, into Ann Arbor. It is on the north, or left, side of the highway.

Five years of Octobers

I have just released my new 2016 calendar, but let's hold onto 2015 while we can! A look back at five years of Octobers in my calendar designs. Septembers are here, Augusts are here, Julys are here, Junes are here, Mays are here, Aprils are here, Marches are here, Februaries are here, Januaries are here.

DIY Street Fair

It's time for the DIY Street Fair! After missing last year's show, I'm super excited to jump back into craft shows this season with this awesome weekend of goodness. You know I love seeing the Ferndale community out in its best friendly fashion. This is one of my favorite weekends of the year! I'll have my 2016 calendars available, new prints and more! I'll be in my usual location at booth F44 right behind the WAB. See you there!

Five years of Septembers

A chill is in the air and everyone's headed back to school! A look back at five years of Septembers in my calendar designs. Augusts are here, Julys are here, Junes are here, Mays are here, Aprils are here, Marches are here, Februaries are here, Januaries are here.

Illustration Friday: Pointy

Uh-oh, something's not quite right … This is my submission for this week's Illustration Friday topic: Pointy.

Dog Days of Summer

I had fun with this one: Summer promo card for a client … the Dog Days of Summer!

Five years of Augusts

Ahhhh … summer times. A look back at five years of Augusts in my calendar designs. Julys are here, Junes are here, Mays are here, Aprils are here, Marches are here, Februaries are here, Januaries are here.

Illustrated Wedding Invitations

Last weekend my younger brother got married in Charlotte, North Carolina. I had the pleasure of working with him — and his lovely bride — on invitation materials to suit their charming rustic barn location. So along with a huge congratulations, I thought I'd share a look:

Five Years of Julys

A belated look back at five years of Julys in my calendar designs. Junes are here, Mays are here, Aprils are here, Marches are here, Februaries are here, Januaries are here.

Craft-a-way Camp 2015

This is what camp is all about. Craft-a-way Camp 2015, hosted by Small Craft. So much crafting, laughing and good times. Read more about it here.

Summer camps — then and now

I went to summer camp for nine years as a kid. It was a small, family-run all-girls overnight camp in western New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap called Camp Nyoda — the same camp that my mother and aunt went to as girls. That's me, fifth from the left in what I'm guessing was about 1986.

From the very first summer when I called home halfway through the first week and asked to stay longer, I knew that I was in a special place. It was a place that nurtured creativity in all its forms, embraced individuality while helping us form deep, lasting relationships. My seven years as a camper and two as a counselor at Camp Nyoda truly formed the person I would become and was where I most felt myself.

I'm reflecting on this time in part because I have been lucky enough to find a new camp tradition at Small Craft's Craft-a-way camp which happens this coming weekend in Waterloo State Park here in Michigan. Hooray! This will be my third year at Craft-A-Way camp and each time I am flooded with memories of my childhood camp experiences.

But really, Nyoda is in my thoughts these days because they suffered a great loss this spring when a fire wiped out four of the seven bungalows campers and counselors live in for the summer. In true Nyoda spirit, there has been an outpouring of support to get everything rebuilt and up and running for the 2015 camp season that starts July 5. They are almost there! If by chance you'd like to lend a hand — or send some dollars — the Give Forward campaign to rebuild is here. 

Bride & Home Magazine 1968

In the late 1960s, my grandmother was the editor of Bride & Home magazine. This "Autumn Preview" issue from 1968 was saved for me by my mom. It featured photos of my parents' apartment in Manhattan. I love everything about this: From the stories highlighted on the cover, to the much hyped — and somewhat exaggerated — obsession by my parents of all things nautical in the article and apartment styling. 

The wooden schooner on the wall still hangs in my mom's home. How's that for a little #tbt?!

From the Sketchbook

Greeting cards update in the shop

I just completed a massive update to the greeting card section of my shop. Hooray! This has been a long time coming, but now you can see just about every card I have available. That includes this fun green Vespa card, or perhaps you need to send an apology or oops message with this sassy Pink Pearl eraser card!

Custom paintings for local real estate office

I'm really excited to share photos of three custom paintings I just finished for Buckley Jolley, a local real estate office here in Brighton, Michigan. The three pieces will be displayed together as a series and I loved thinking about imagery for house hunters: A large prominent exterior, an all-over design with all different types and styles of houses and a cross-section of a house representing the idea of home. 

The whole project was an adventure! I don't usually work this large — 29x41 inches each — and don't do a lot of commissioned original painting. A big thank you to Colin at The Artisan's Bench for orchestrating the whole thing and to Todd and Natalie Buckley for being so great to work with. And a big thank you to Katie Bramlage for being my model above! I look forward to seeing these framed up and in the space and will be sure to share photos then.

Some details up close