Lindsay Brackeen

What boundaries?

2012-01-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

We started the week off with a snow day around here. Not technically a snow day, but a "backroads are icy" day. We gladly took it! Sleeping in feels like such a huge luxury! There's been very little snow here thus far. How about where you're at?

Today I stepped out to the studio where I finally took scans of the above paintings. I worked on these last week, and it felt really good to paint something outside my usual style. It still feels very me, but florals aren't something I've done in the past. I love them. It gives me a little push to try other things, which I'm excited about! You can find the originals here, and the prints here & here.

Post Holiday

2012-01-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

We had a great holiday break! How about you? The best part for me was having the girls home for 10 days. They had so much fun playing with all their new stuff. We played with new board games, made pottery, etched glass vases, made mosiacs, and did science experiments! Hooray for crafty gifts! We spent the after Christmas portion of our break working on the house. The living room has been painted and flooring is being installed a little at a time. We hope to have the living room & kitchen done by Febuary, when my Dad will be flying in to help us knock most of the painting out. Cannot wait for that!

The Ugly.

2011-12-16T06:27:00.001-08:00

One good thing about the holidays is the impending arrival of company. Having guests always puts us in productive mode. We have a huge list of things that need to get done around here. We spent our first couple of months at the new house focusing on the outside, while the weather was still decent. The previous owners raised show dogs, and as a result, had the entire back yard set up as a kennel. We had tons of fencing to remove, as well as 5 acres of overgrown brush to get rid of. We also dug up old landscaping and planned next years garden area. And...just before the frost came, we managed to start landscaping around the pond. Finally, it's freezing outside, and the inside gets some attention!

The first thing on our list is paint. The previous residents left behind a ton of nail holes, blistering drywall tape, a picket fence stencil ( in mauve, no less), and hand painted clouds. Cannot wait to see all that gone! I've had a patchwork quilt of paint samples on the wall for a month. My husband finished all the drywall repair in the living area, so we'll be painting this weekend. We're going with Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray. It's the greenish/blue gray to the left, above the mantle. I seriously about drove him crazy bringing home samples. Our living room is back lit by the sun room, which makes the color change throughout the day. This was the only gray I found that didn't turn muddy looking at night. The woodwork will be painted white, but not until spring, when we can open the windows and bust out the oil based paint.

Next up, hardwood floors! After ripping out the carpet and walking on sub floor for two months, it's another project we're pretty excited about!

Baby It's Cold Outside

2011-12-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

Is it cold where you are? The big chill is officially on in Michigan. And while I don't necessarily love the cold, I do love the snow. I snapped these pictures with my phone one morning after I dropped the kids off at school. I love how a fresh coat of white makes it much easier to spot the birds, squirrels, and deer roaming around here. I'm looking forward to watching our pond freeze. We have our ice skates ready!

Up & Running!

2011-12-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

Well folks...it's been a looooong time since I've posted anything here...talk about a dry spell. I'm excited to be blogging again! I even gave the space a colorful little facelift. I have lots of fun stuff and news to share...

1.) We've moved! We're settling into our new home, slowly but surely. By slowly, I mean we've been here 2 months, still have unpacked boxes in the basement and 17 million half- finished house projects on our plate. More on that later...

2.) I have a brand new studio space. It has a couple of sunny windows, one which looks out across our backyard and towards the pond. (someone slap me- I still think I'm dreaming) My sweet husband hung shelves for me and put a shiny lock on the door. It's my lady cave and I love it. My dog comes to work with me everyday.

3.) Items 1 & 2 have me on cloud 9, which means I'm pretty inspired right now, so you can expect to see lots of new art over here on the blog. Yay!

So, don't be a stranger, stop by occasionally & I promise you won't have to stare at the same post for months at a time. Deal? Good. See you soon.

*Paintings are here, here, & here!

A New Mermaid...

2011-08-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

We have a new mermaid in shop! This little redhead is quite popular, and so, after many requests...I've added a blonde. "Just The Two of Us" is available as a print and original.

Any Left for Me?

2011-06-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

I designed a new invitation for pingg this week! This little guy would perfect for inviting your friends to a picnic or cookout! You can find it over here. :)

Colorful Collage.

2011-05-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

A couple pieces of new work I've been meaning to post...loving the saturated color in these two!

It's finally warming up here, woo hoo! We've had tons of rain, the gardens are lush & flowers are blooming. We're enjoying the busy birds and the girls are happy to be finding lots of bugs in the backyard again. Two more weeks and school is out! I can't believe how fast the year went. Next year I'll have a kindergartener & a 2nd grader. My oh my!

Ei Ei Ooooo.

2011-05-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

Originals & Prints.

We were in a farm mood over here! I did these around Mother's Day, hence the mamas & babies theme. I used acrylics, pencil, & collage papers. Wouldn't they look sweet in a nursery or playroom?

March already.

2011-03-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hi there! It's been a while since I posted aye? Hectic days over here. I've been shutting all the computers down during the day, taking a break from the internet in general, freeing up time to do other things. Sometimes it's nice to not be so connected.

I clicked through my blog archives this morning just to see what I was blogging about this time last year. Anticipating spring and gardening of course! Right on par...our tulips are coming up, as are the lillies, sedum, chives, and hostas. I love this time of year when the ground starts to wake up.

We spent the weekend house hunting & doing taxes. Needless to say we enjoyed one activity more than the other! Today I'm finishing the doggie's spring haircut. The poor thing has been sporting a half finished fur coat for a week. It's been like shearing a sheep! What's on your spring to do list?

A boy!

2011-02-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

It's high time I added some boyish things to my sketchbook...and this is my first little collage! Last night I summoned the help of my facebook and twitter friends. I asked all the Moms of little dudes to let me know what they're into. Cowboys came up more than once, so I figured it was a good one to start with. The little man can be found in my shop as an original or print. (I'm also offering personalization on the print, if you'd like it that way.)

What are your boys into?

On painting & memories

2011-02-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

My First Tree Swing & now finished , Field of Dreams

Here's a look at the finished piece I posted on Monday. It reminds me of spring's first daffodils behind my Granny's house & knowing you were going to get a brand new dress for Easter. Probably even new shoes & a hair bow. What a treat!

I resist the temptation of buying my girls too many things. It's hard because there are just so many cute things available. I've seen how their personalities change after a period of getting everything they want though. Suddenly, no amount is enough & more more more catches on pretty quickly. I want a new outfit or toy to really be appreciated. I want them to have memories like I do.

Do you remember jelly shoes? They were plastic-like, totally uncomfortable, not to mention pretty ugly. I remember wanting a pair of clear ones so bad. Cinderella had clear shoes you know. I wore them to wade the creek & one slipped off and washed away in the current before I could catch up to it. I was so sad. My glass slipper was gone.

I guess the point is, I'm glad I felt it was worth it to run barefoot across a rocky creek bottom to try and retrieve it. So many kids (and adults) these days expect a replacement anytime anything is lost, broken, worn. They assume there is always more and everything loses it's preciousness. So glad my family never passed that idea onto me. Something I'm passing on to my own girls.

See the memories a painting conjures up...I guess that's why I keep at it. :)

Progress Shot.

2011-02-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hi there! How's your Monday?

Time is short & the to do list is long over here. I had a little time to paint this morning & I managed to take a few progress shots. So far I've went from a sketch to having the underpainting done. Next, details, highlights, & lots of little collaged bits in the background & on her dress!

Springy.

2011-02-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well...we did not get hit by the blizzard. A mere 6 inches or so is all. Enough to go sledding, so no complaints here. Today I worked on a couple springy paintings. This one will eventually be edited & added to my collection over at pingg. Are you ready for spring or still enjoying winter's chilly grip? Personally, I'm in no hurry...yet.

Shop Local + Blizzard Prep

2011-02-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

Last night I popped into Yellow Door Art Market to set up my little display! (yep, it's going to be yellow every time I type it, ridiculous I know.) When the owner contacted me, she had one space left, an end cap. A teeny space to work with, but I managed to stock over 100 prints, as well as some ABC Sets, ACEOs, button sets, & pocket mirrors. If you're in the area, stop by & have a look! The store is chock full of great gifts.

Today I'm working on Easter designs & making soup. One must always make soup while anticipating a blizzard. We have hot cocoa supplies on hand & my husband has hooked up the generator, you know, just in case. Bring it on! We're ready to play.

Sweetest Thing Ever.

2011-01-28T04:56:00.000-08:00

So for my birthday, my 7 yr. old wanted to make me a gift. My husband told me she wanted to make this for Christmas, but he talked her out of it. Can you tell what it is? Well, Rylee noticed how frustrated I get sometimes, trying to take pictures of my art. I'm always waiting for good lighting & looking for a white background. She decided to line a cardboard box with white paper so I'd have the perfect backdrop. Can you see all the tape & little strips of paper? She tried so hard to cover everything. Isn't this the most thoughtful gift ever? She even made 5 little collages for me to "test" it out! (And they are amazing!!!) We took a couple pictures & then I let her touch it up in Photoshop. She also added her name & age. She wants full credit for her hard work! What a budding little artist I have on my hands. :)

Yellow Door.

2011-01-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

Today I'm hard at work pulling together a display for the Yellow Door Art Market. I'll have a little space open there February 1st! This means all of you local peeps (in the Berkley, MI area) will soon be able to find my art right at home. Perfect for those of you who need something the same day (ahem, last minute gifts) and for those who just really like to see something in person before they buy. So excited to be a part of this new shop!

Homemade Oreos.

2011-01-26T06:17:00.000-08:00

It's my 31st birthday folks! Let's make oreos. Ya know, the famous 24 hour, calorie free oreos, you've heard of them, right?? Yes, well, they're new. We made these yesterday and they are yummy. Double stuffed is where it's at. So crisp, perfect with a glass of milk.

For the chocolate wafers:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter

1 large egg

For the filling:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

tiny bit of milk to blend it all together

Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. To make wafers mix all dry ingredients. Then cut in butter & add egg until until thick dough forms a mass in the center of bowl. Make sure the dough is moist throughout, so you can roll it into little balls without crumbling. Take dough a teaspoon at a time and roll into a small ball, place on parchment and slightly flatten. Bake for 9 minutes, then let cool.

To make filling cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk until it's nice and fluffy. When cookies are completly cooled, pipe filling onto cookies and top with another wafer, pushing filling out to the edges.

Grab a glass of milk & dig in!

Art turned Cake!

2011-01-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

Last week I received an email from Renee, a stay-at-home mom who runs a small cake business. She stumbled across my work on Etsy and sent me a convo asking for permission to use my art as imagery on a cake. (Kudos to her for being professional.) Since the cake was for her sister (and not for profit) I agreed to let her use it. She slightly altered the image to suit a baby shower, and I think it looks so sweet! Isn't the little baby bump adorable?

Valentines Mini Prints.

2011-01-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

I worked on a couple of Valentine's Day prints today. Can you sense I have a somewhat cheesy sense of humor? haha. Really though, I think these would be darling hung in your kiddos room or nursery. A year round reminder of how much you care. You can find them here & here.

These are also available over at pingg as ecards.

2011-01-14T04:37:00.000-08:00

Under My Umbrella, 9x 12
Original/Print

It's Friday! Whew. Can't wait to sleep in tomorrow, even if it's only an extra half hour. We packed in a full week over here, despite a sick kidling on Monday. Two paintings were finished thanks to my usually rambunctious (4 yr. old) studio mate. She was especially cooperative this week, and "worked" alongside me quite well. I'll take that anytime I can get it! What are your weekend plans? I think we may be giving ice skating a try. I've only been once in my entire life...wish me luck!! I think I might just where my husbands hockey pads, just to be on the safe side. Definetly going to embarrass my kids.

Under the Sea.

2011-01-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

A new painting/print in the shop!

On Snow.

2011-01-11T04:56:00.000-08:00

After seeing the photos my sister took of the snowfall in Tennessee, I've decided snow in the countryside is waaay prettier than snow in the city. I do believe that's the sweetest snowman I've ever seen.

Photos copyright Kendall Dabbs.

Hello There!

2011-01-04T18:29:00.001-08:00

A Song in Her Heart (here).

Where has the time gone??

Let's see... (belated) Happy Holidays ...and New Year!

Seriously, I think it's the craziest time of year. Fun, but too action packed and intense to last too long...for me anyway. With the whirlwind come and gone, we are settling back into a routine over here, school's back in, we're getting up early, sticking to our schedule.

I've been thinking about where I want to take things this year. A lot in the cards for us in 2011. We'll be moving and my baby starts kindergarten, KINDERGARTEN! She is so ready for it, I'll be happy to see her enjoy it, but it is bittersweet of course. It'll just be me and the dog at home during the day. What on earth will I do with myself? Time to really dig into my creative wings.

The painting above is the first for 2011!! I've been thinking of the work I was doing in 2007, when I used a lot of collage, mixed media, and text. I'd like to revisit that process again sometime this year. There's something about taking a mess of paper bits & putting them together in a way that conveys a message, that I like. It's very satisfying work.

Thanks so much for stopping by in 2010. I'm excited about the fun to be had in 2011!!!!

You can also keep track of what's new by following me over on Facebook, Twitter, & by subscribing to my newsletter (it's not a daily thing, won't clog up your inbox, I promise!)

Holiday Designs for pingg.

2010-12-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

A few new holiday cards can be found in my collection for pingg! My fave is the peppermint mocha. I love to grab one in the midst of my frenzied shopping for the girls...which is almost done, by the way. (Patting myself on the back.) Now shopping for those people on the "difficult" list. sigh....

Annual BOGO offer

2010-11-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Newsletter went out today with my annual BOGO offer! Didn't sign up? View it here.

New Evites at pingg

2010-11-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have added a couple new designs over at pingg, perfect to use as evites for your holiday gatherings! Check them out! ;)

Winter's Blanket

2010-11-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

Winter's Blanket { Original & Print}

I know I'll eat these words around March, but I love the snow, and I can't wait until we get to play in a similar landscape!

A New Painting.

2010-11-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Farewell { Original & Print }

Here's a new painting I finished yesterday. I pulled together some progress shots so you can see what the process of building up layers looks like. I love to see progress shots from other artists, so I hope you enjoy these. You should be able to click to enlarge. I have one more painting finished, which I'll post as soon as it's scanned. ;)

We're Back.

2010-11-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treaters by Rylee, 6yrs. old

How was your Halloween? Full of fun and sugary treats I'm sure. We went to Tennessee to celebrate the holiday. I hope it becomes a tradition. There's something so nice about not having to wear a winter coat over your costume. Speaking of winter coats, the s word is in the forecast on Friday! ... which means my hunt for coats just got a kick in the pants. Time to go shopping!

I have several sketches ready to go on canvas, so watch this space for new work. Also, a reminder I've added a button to sign up for my newsletter in the right hand column. That'll be going out soon.

Village.

2010-10-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

This Is My Village. It's full of love...and cats. { Original & Print }

The houses were fun to paint. I think I want to live in the one with the pink diamond patterned roof, you know, because of the big windows. I also added this listing to the shop, so that you can now easily request any print in the larger size if you're so inclined. And finally...in the right column of my blog you will see a link to sign up for my newsletter. So hop over there, sign up, it's quick & easy, I promise.

Etsy Vintage.

2010-10-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

I'm loving this shop I found while browsing Etsy vintage. Sushipot (parts) carries cute vintage toys & too cool instant collections (sorted by color). There's also lots of vintage anatomy illustrations, printing blocks, and other oddities for the grown ups.

A New Cookie to Love.

2010-10-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

These are so good! The little & I have been baking together while big sister is at school. We've made 2 batches of these in the last few days. I can't quite get my cookies as thin as I'd like, so these turned out to be monsters. Not to mention my 4 yr. old wants the be the sole "smasher" (the person who flours the fork and presses the cookies). So we have some barely pressed, and others mashed into smithereens. Maybe you'll have better luck in that area. Anyway, they are my new fave + they're perfect for dipping in milk!

Recipe here.

Quickie Post.

2010-10-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Counting Snowflakes (Original & Print)

I know I'm pushing it, enjoy fall while it's here, huh? I like the snow though. A nice blanket of white that seems to hush the whole neighborhood. Until we all go out to play that is.

Gone Weekending. { + new painting}

2010-10-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

Sleepy Owlet (Original & Print) Hello Bluebird (Original & Print)

A couple new things in the shop...a sweet sleepy eyed little owlet...and...the Hello Bluebird original which I've been meaning to add for ages. It's the weekend and we're heading out to buy new fish. Sadly our first batch didn't last too long. I'm not sure what we're doing wrong. We're going for smaller ones this time and maybe fewer? Any ideas?

The rest of the batch.

2010-10-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more from the series! (I just put them in the little shop.) I love them & hope you do to. I'm off to make a print of the doggie one pronto. My 4yr. old wants it hung in her room, NOW! It's suits her for sure ;)

Saarinen Pedestal Table.

2010-10-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

My mother in law just might be getting her hands on one of these. She's tossing around ideas on how to work it into her dining area, and she asked for my opinion. So... I dug around my home inspiration files and came up with these. Lots of possibilities, don't you think?

Images via Apartment Therapy, Living Etc., Decorpad & sfgirlbybay.

What'd they say?

2010-10-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Go Ask Dad Original & Print
Because Mom Said So Original & Print

You're The Cat's Meow Original & Print
All now in shop!
So here's the first 3 of the new batch of paintings I'm working on! I've been thinking about the dialouge between kids and their parents...and how often you hear other parents saying the same things to their kids. And of course, how many times have you said, "when I was little, my mom would always say......" OR you hear yourself sounding just like your mother or father now that you have you own kids. It's funny. And of course, KIDS say the darndest things too...some of which don't need to be illustrated in a painting either! (I'm sure we could exchange stories about THAT all day.) I loved working on all the little animals in this set. They're sure to charm your children & the words make me chuckle. ;) I have four more completed that I'll be lettering today, so look for those soon too. I hope you're having a fab day!

The Little Things.

2010-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday and I'm cleaning out the garden, adding compost to unused beds, picking things as I go along. I came inside to whip up a quick pizza crust (perfect loaded with garden fresh veggies) for lunch. Also, I added a few new things to the shop last night! A sweet little Alice in Wonderland Button Set , pocket sized mirrors, each featuring an image from my paintings, and a bunch of ACEO prints. So excited to have some little things in the shop. Perfect for gifting or treating yourself!

So Domesticated.

2010-10-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

I spent the whole morning in the kitchen. I made a ton of tiny biscuits to freeze, a loaf of Cinnamon Bread (with dried cranberries & golden raisins), a pint of apple/pear chutney, harvested/rinsed some parsley, and cleaned out my baking cabinet. It smelled wonderful around here. I cleaned lots of glass jars...it's time to dry and stock all of our garden herbs. A sure sign fall is here and winter is just around the corner! My husband likes to talk of the days when I could barely fry eggs or throw together noodles and marinara. He remarks how "domesticated" I've become. (I laugh.)

I lettered a few of the paintings I've been working on. I hope to have the first batch ready in a day or two ;) They make me chuckle.

I used this recipe, sub. butter, add cinnamon & dried fruit.

My Little Shop Gets a New Look.

2010-10-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

So....here's a bit of the project I've been working on. About a month ago I was thinking about taking photos of my prints and how it gets so complicated. Waiting for the perfect lighting, dusting the frames, removing the glass (prevents glare!), all the test printing, etc....and I thought to myself, I should just draw my frames, it'd be so much easier! Heck, I should draw a whole room. I always have ideas of the spaces my art may hang, and this way, I can bring them to life. All of the objects in the rooms are either drawn by me or they're from my real home. My dog even shows up in a few! ;) Anyway- I've had a lot of fun designing little rooms, nooks, and crannies to fill my little gallery. My intention was to put the shop in vacation mode and upload the new look. Unfortunately, even I can't access my shop when it's in vacay mode. So I will start giving the shop a face lift tonight. As I do this, some items may become inactive for bit, but it shouldn't take too long. What do you think?

All images Copyright Lindsay Brackeen 2010.

New Series.

2010-10-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick peak of the new series I'm working on! 6 in the works and several more to go. Lots of little animals to love ;)

Gone Weekending.

2010-10-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

What's on your weekend agenda? It's going to be a chilly rainy one here...but we're keeping it sunny & warm inside. Pancakes, warm lattes, painting, a birthday party, and ....date night! Hooray. Hope you enjoy your weekend too. ;)
Image by Lifethroughthelens via KindoverMatter.

On the day.

2010-09-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

How's your day going? Mine is slipping by at rocket pace & I have little to show for it. I took the little to school this morning, came home, did a little house wifey stuff. Since then I've been sitting at the dining table, plugging along on the big photoshop project until my eyes started to cross. Then I killed an hour on the tele with our insurance company, another half hour grooming our dog, who's in love with mud. (I love the rain, but mud, I hate) After that I figured my schedule is blown at this point, so why not have a cup of chai and blog. So here I am, and here I go. I skipped my workout yesterday, so catching up will make me feel ambitious and productive. I think. Whew.

Image via Solidfrog.

ACEOs.

2010-09-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

ACEOs. Heard of them? They are tiny little pieces of art printed at trading card size, 2.5 x 3.5. Years ago I offered mini originals at this size. Since then I've seen these lil' cards really take off on Etsy. Mini frames and mats are made in this size and sold everywhere, I even saw an ACEO album at Michael's last week. They look cute hung on the wall, in a coffee table book, or pinned to a corkboard or frig. I'm going to be adding these to the shop with the next update. They will be limited editions & come packaged in hard trading card sleeves, as to withstand lots of handling from tiny fingers!

Interiors.

2010-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Just a few images I'm digging at the moment. I like the... Chalkboard wall (we have one, love it), paper lanterns, maps, fun wallpaper + teeny tiny house plants. All images found via emmas designblogg.

p.s. Check out the sweet write up about my art over at Pure + Lovely.

Children's Books.

2010-09-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

I'm currently finding huge amounts of inspiration in children's book illustrations. Above are a few of my favorites. I love the thick black lines & digital collage combo. I've been toying with photoshop lately in an attempt to mix my photos with my art. Still tweaking the idea, but soon, I'll show you. ;)

From the top: Olivia illustrated by Jared Osterhold, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin, Sammy the Seal by Syd Hoff, Purplicious by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann, and my fave, (Charlie and Lola) But I am an Alligator by Lauren Child.

Gone Weekending.

2010-09-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

What did you do?

Snippets.

2010-09-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a little piece of what I'm currently working on. She looks smashing in pink pearls, don't you think?

Redesign.

2010-09-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

I've redesigned the ABC poster! Why? We have some vintage wood alphabet blocks lying around the house, that my kids have long outgrown...but I refuse to get rid of them because they look so darn cute stacked up on a shelf. Which led me to think, hey, my alphabet would look cute as stacked blocks too. My daughter really pushed putting an octagon in there instead of a triangle. She said they're way more interesting. So...if your poster needs an octagon instead, just let me know.

p.s. the black border does not appear on the actual print* (8x10) (11x14)

Purging = SALE.

2010-09-16T18:37:00.000-07:00

My Very Blue Door.

Okay folks, I'm in purging mode. Closets cleaned, check, under beds, check, pantry, check...Etsy shop...check! MAJOR SALE on ORIGINALS right now. Seriously an awesome chance to scoop up an original painting...prices reduced 20%-%50. Check it out. (See, my being neurotic about clutter is producing something positive, a sale.)

I have close to a dozen sketches in the works, (snippets here) and lots of new things coming to the shop soon! I need to clear my shelves and make way for the new stuff. Now, back to work. The contents of the linen closet are just begging for a ride to the Salvation Army.

Inspiration.

2010-09-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a series of animal sketches and I want them to have a touch of retro. Here's a look at several of the images in my inspiration folder. I love the patterns, colors, and the figures' pointy noses! Wouldn't you love to open the paper and see advertisements like these still around?

Images via Google Images & AshleyG. ( I love her use of color!)

Harvest.

2010-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

The garden is fading in some departments...(bye bye cucumbers), but some of my favorites are ready for picking! As the weather cools I love bringing in the root veggies, onions & leeks, red peppers (I didn't have much success with them turning last year, so I'm super happy about those) and acorn squashes. I've also started a few more rows of lettuce and spinach. I'm going to need some salad in the house for balance...tis the season around here for rich hearty meals and more baked goods than I care to admit. What foods do you look forward to in the fall?

Hey look...new work.

2010-09-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Eeks! It's been a while since I've added any originals to the shop... But with my new schedule (a.k.a...school's back in session) I've found some time to paint. {thrilled} You can find I Have Something To Show You here and here. We Shall Find Our Way Back available here and here. It feels good to pick up the ole brushes again!

Gone Weekending.

2010-09-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Isn't the weather lovely? Cooling temps, big breezes, crunchy leaves starting to fall. We spent part of the day running in the park, collecting acorns (you can never have too many apparently), and playing I spy fall color. Then we took turns sitting on the bleachers cheering each other on, as we pretended to be soccer stars. The girls took turns rolling down the mini hill (I'll be on grass-stain removal duty later)...and when they were both so itchy they couldn't stand it any longer...we went home. How's the last days of summer in your neck of the woods?

*I started a "Progress Shots" folder on my Facebook Page for all my works in progress...I have lots of sketches I'll be bringing to life soon, so follow me HERE to stay up to date on that. ;)

Spooky Owl Quartet

2010-09-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hey there! How are ya?

My daughter went back to school today... I feel a new rountine coming on... and I like it!

I created a new Halloween ecard for pingg using the painting above! Find it here, along with all my other invites. You can customize it to make the perfect invitation for your child's Halloween party! I'll be adding the original to shop soon too.

So Cute It Hurts.

2010-08-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

Es + Es on Etsy. Back to school fever is here.

Mini Cottage.

2010-07-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

If I ever own a home with a little shack in the backyard, I'm transforming it to this. Isn't it perfect?

Via Little Bits of Lovely.

On the Lake.

2010-07-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

We pulled the little camper west and spent 4 days on Lake Michigan. The weather was beautiful and the water was warm. We're going to be home long enough to wash all the laundry, mow the lawn, and tend to the garden...then we're headed to the other side of the lake to visit my husband's family in Winthrop Harbor. My plans include digging for worms and trying to catch teeny fish with the girls kiddie reels. Hope your week is wonderful too.

A Cute Couple.

2010-07-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

I found these guys side by side in the garden. Aren't they a cute couple? Too sweet to eat...almost.

Hello There.

2010-07-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing over here! Sorry for the absence and lack of posting, but truthfully, when the air is hot and the sun is shining, the last place I want to be is on my laptop.

We spent 2 weeks in Tennessee and enjoyed every second of it. Lots of wading the creek, bonfires, and fishing. I came home to a veggie garden in full bloom and in desperate need of weeding. We've harvested cucumbers, carrots, strawberries, beans, zucchini, and tons of peas. Summertime makes dinner oh so delicious. We're planning out the rest of our summer and it's looking packed. I'll probably be rather light on posting, save for rainy days when I'm stuck inside or times when I have something I can't wait to share. Thanks for stopping by and rest assured when it turns cooler I'll be back to daily blogging. :)

Adventure Time.

2010-06-14T05:18:00.000-07:00

3 days until we take off for Tennessee. My girls are beyond excited. The pictures are from last year's June visit. Can you believe the giant magnolia tree? It's in my Grandparent's front yard. We played in it when we were little, and now our kids are doing the same. Can you find four little people in there?

Mom's Bath.

2010-06-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Just a few more images for Mom's inspiration files. Things she wants: pedestal sink, open storage, beadboard, and perhaps a small window. I'm loving the style she's going for. Anyone know a good source for farmhouse sinks for the kitchen? I'm not sure of a salvage place nearby, but I think this style would look great accompanied by some older reclaimed materials.

All images via MyHomeIdeas.

Mom's Kitchen.

2010-06-03T05:58:00.000-07:00

I'm going to Tennessee towards the end of June to visit my family. While I'm there my mom wants my sister and I to help design the kitchen and bath in the cottage she's building. I've been collecting pictures of rooms I think might fit her style. I'm hoping she'll stumble across something she loves, and we'll go from there. She wants some sort of darker wood, either in the flooring or cabinets...wants to keep it light and airy...and wants open shelving instead of upper cabinets...and would like to use beadboard somehow. Any ideas?

Images via Habitually Chic & Decorati.

Garden Update.

2010-05-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

What's new in the garden? Lots of little green unripe strawberries, green beans (staked and ready to climb), lush salad bed (I'm eating salad every meal), and sugar snap peas, (the girls' favorite). Pretty much everything is planted, now comes the waiting. We have seedlings poked everywhere! Here's a peak at the garden in April.

*And yes, my littlest one regularly wears two different colored crocs + they're on the wrong feet. That's how she likes it. :)

Berry Inspired.

2010-05-23T06:12:00.003-07:00

This year we want to plan a camping trip near a u-pick farm. I think it would be fun for the girls. I could nag them not to eat their weight in berries while we're picking and they could ignore me. Besides I want to make jam, lots of it.

Hindsvik, Raceytay, Bakesalery, TheLightFantastic.

Oh So Good.

2010-05-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

I'm addicted to this Thai Peanut Sauce. Yesternight (as my daughter says) I slapped it on a homemade pizza crust topped with chicken, cheese, green onions, carrots, and broccoli. So yummy! Pizza night is becoming a warm weather favorite around here. :) What are your favorite summertime foods?

* There's a couple prints in the treasury sale section over in the left column! Thanks to everyone putting me in their treasuries!

Quickie.

2010-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

My last 3 shop cards. The new ones came out pea green instead of yellow. Darn. Oh well, I still like them. :) I've been a bad blogger lately, I know. Nice weather=Me outside, exhausted.
It's raining today, perhaps I will get something done indoors. Don't hold me to it though.

Gone Weekending.

2010-05-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Our peonies are blooming! And it's raining. I hate to see their big heads fill with water and lean towards the ground, so it's the perfect excuse to cut a few and bring them inside. This weekend I'll transplant many of our little seedlings into the garden & get potatoes in the ground. I'll post a garden update on Monday! Have a good weekend.

xo,

Lindsay

Pretty Things.

2010-05-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

Just a pretty photo. I especially love the paintings and the little clamp on light. Via nestdecorating.

Designer Series for pingg.

2010-05-07T06:37:00.000-07:00

My Collection for Pingg

Last month the kind team over at pingg contacted me to be a part of their Designer Series. My collection is now live, alongside other designer collections, such as Martha Stewart's and Jessica Gonacha Swift's. Pingg's ecards and evites can be a free, easy, eco-friendly (paperless) way to announce your event or send a hello to a friend. (It's also built in as an application if you use Yahoo email, look in the left side bar!) I mocked up a few possibilities, just for fun. :) Totally customizable and pingg Plus can even print and mail your invites if you wish. I posted a button under my blog profile, simply click to access my collection!

* btw- I totally see the typo in that last one, but hey, I did this before my coffee kicked in, so it's allowed!

Suit Up.

2010-05-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

As I was eating a thick slab of pound cake yesterday I started thinking of bikini season...see how those two things go together? I'm off to a bad start already. {hehe} Anyway- I'm on the hunt for a new suit. All the ones above are from Anthropologie, and more than I really want to spend I might add. I've never considered a one-piece, but I think the retro-ish cuts are kinda cute. Anyone else want to share their anxiety of swimsuit shopping? You know...for moral support? :)

Photography via Alicia Bock.

Vintage Portrait Wall.

2010-05-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Loving vintage portrait walls as seen on sfgirlbybay and figandplum. What do you think? Is it a bit creepy to have strangers hanging about your walls? I like to make up stories about people anyhow, so I think it would be pretty entertaining. I included a few from Etsy's vintage category. What's up with the ghost hands on guitar lady? :) I like her already.

Portraits, clockwise: Lilmissthrifty, Absenceofdarkness, Shopnancy, MichelleBass.

New prints.

2010-05-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Feathers (here) & My Bicycle (here).

New prints I worked on over the weekend. Originals are also now in shop!

Good Night!

Gone Weekending

2010-04-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Eating PopRocks...guilty as charged.

Not in trouble...SO happy!

The pup ate a bag of PopRocks yesterday. It was a hilarious sight! Wishing I had the video camera at the time.

So what's on the weekend agenda? Garage sales, warm weather + some storms, something sweet, bike rides, and hopefully some painting. What are you up to?

See ya Monday,

xo,

Lindsay

Chrome Lamps.

2010-04-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Pulling photos of chrome floor lamps from my inspiration files. Remember the lamp I won from The Sunday Times Market? I still haven't received it, but I'm considering what to pair it with nonetheless. Keep my current table lamps or perhaps something wall mounted? Mother's Day is just around the corner...I'm sure I could get my husband to wire it in for me, right, honey?

Gardens: April Snapshots

2010-04-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

Top: Iris, Bleeding Hearts, No Clue, and Phlox.

Bottom: Greek Oregano, Chard- Lettuce-Leeks, Snap Peas, Strawberries Patch.

April's almost over, so it was time for backyard snapshots. That way I can compare next year. It seems we're a bit ahead this year weather wise, but I'll be waiting mid-May to June before setting out most of the heat loving seedlings. For now they enjoy their days in the cold frame and their nights indoors, where it's still nice and toasty!

Daydreaming.

2010-04-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

I found this house for rent in the countryside closer to my husband's sales territory. Is it wrong to own a home and wish to rent? If/when we move from our current home, we will probably rent for a while. Whether we move to the countryside or out-of-state, we want to give ourselves a bit of "trial period" before we dive into anything too permanent. We're sort of hoping to find a landlord who will allow us to update/renovate a house for reduced rent. My husband is super handy and we enjoy that kind of thing. Ah, daydreaming.

Handmade.

2010-04-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Look what my 6 yr. old made me! She drew the figure, colored her, stitched on her button eyes, stuffed her, and sewed the bottom up. (I machine stitched the backing on, shhh, don't tell.) Isn't she the sweetest?

*Psst. There's two new prints added to the treasury sale section in the left column!

Bathroom Inspiration.

2010-04-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

More inspiration for Mom's house. Requested: No sink cabinet.

Images via Domino (two upper) and Big Blue Photography (bottom).

Gone Weekending.

2010-04-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine dying your own yarn? Image via Chatiry on Flickr.

I'm taking a knitting class tonight with Miss Sloe Gin Fizz. I haven't a clue what I'm doing, so it'll be interesting. The rest of the weekend will be spent carting stuff over to the garage sale and hopefully a bit of chill time while it rains. Hope you all have a very lovely weekend as well!

xo,

Lindsay

Busy Bee.

2010-04-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the silence around here. I've been a busy little bee. I have a couple of commissions I'm working on and gardening to tend to...keeping the puppy from trampling new seedlings is a full time job! Also, my mother-in-law is having a garage sale in a couple weeks, so I'm running around purging unused goods like a madman. What have you been up to?

Image via Cybergirl5710 on Etsy.

Kitchen Inspiration.

2010-04-18T04:39:00.000-07:00

Open kitchen, no upper cabinets. Filed under house inspiration for my mom.

All images via Desire to Inspire.

Best Ice Cream Ever.

2010-04-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

We've been on a bit of an ice cream binge here lately. We made Chocolate Velvet, Mint Chocolate Chip, and our latest...I'm not sure what to call it...maybe you'll have an idea. Last October our neighbor knocked on our door, said he had to leave town unexpectedly, and asked us to hand out his Halloween candy. His bag of goodies contained a package of Take 5's(chocolate, pretzels, caramel, peanuts, & peanut butter). I don't frequent the candy aisle, so I had never heard of them. Agh! They were so good. And hence, the inspiration behind the ice cream. I prefer a rich custard style ice cream, so I used egg yolks, but if that weirds you out, just skip that part. Just expect a change in texture.

First, make a hot fudge sauce. I used this recipe. You only need about 1/3 of it, but I made the full batch and saved the rest for later. After you make the sauce, put it in the freezer to cool it quickly, so that it doesn't melt the ice cream when you add it later.

For the ice cream you'll need:

2 c. heavy cream

1 1/2 c. milk

2/3 c. sugar

2 egg yolks

2/3 c. melted peanut butter

2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 c. chopped pretzels

2 Take 5 candy bars

1/2 c. hot fudge sauce

First, melt your peanut butter. 20 seconds in the microwave makes it pourable. Mix peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add egg yolks and vanilla, blend with an electric mixer. Slowly add cream and milk, beating constantly with mixer until nice and frothy. Refrigerate mix. Toss pretzels and candy bars into a food processor, pulse a few times so that it's broken into 1/2 inch pieces, set aside. (You could just chop these with a knife, but 3 yr. olds really enjoy "pushing the button" so we went that route.) Add the cream mixture to your ice cream maker and let it freeze for about then minutes before adding candy bars/pretzels. Otherwise they'll all sink to the bottom. Finally, in the last few minutes of freezing, drizzle in your fudge sauce. If it's cooled it'll be nice and thick, and adding it in the final stages will ensure it stays in a ribbon throughout the ice cream, rather than being totally blended in. Remove contents and freeze in well sealed container until desired consistency. I usually leave ours in the ice cream maker for about 30 minutes, then it spends several hours in the freezer before it's nice and firm.

I've read you can make ice cream without an ice cream maker, by just putting all the ingredients in a bowl, freezing, and stirring periodically. I've never tried it, but it would probably work, perhaps the texture would be different? Our maker cost about $30 though, and it's seen a ton of use, so well worth the purchase. This is seriously the best ice cream I've ever eaten. All the sweetness combined with the little salt chunks on the pretzels...so good!

This and That.

2010-04-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

{The girls on the beach at Lake Michigan last summer.}

I'm thinking about where we'll take our little camper this year. Before we bought one last summer I had no idea you had to make a reservation to go camping! Silly me, I suppose. Anyone in Michigan have suggestions? Off the beaten path beaches? Quaint little towns we should visit?

I'm expecting blades for our doggie clippers today. The time has come to give our pup her first trim. I'm sort of terrified I'll turn her into a clown, but figured I should learn. I really don't want to drop her off at a puppy salon. Besides, it'll grow back, right?

Also, the 3 yr. old and I have invented the best homemade ice cream flavor ever. Hint: it involves peanut butter. Stay tuned...

Covered Patio. { Imaginary }

2010-04-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mid Century Patio Chairs

Geometric Pillow, Wood Table, Red Latern, Modernist Candleholder

Patterned Rug

Plant Pod, Paper Pinwheel, Bowling Set, Concrete Planter

Hello Monday! How are you?

It's been a while since I've shared some of my Etsy faves, so today I'm window shopping for my imaginary covered patio. We have a deck, which is uncovered, so we have to be a little picky about what we leave out there. All our cushions and pillows are stored away in Ikea zippered bags, throughout the winter and when there's rain. But, IF I had a covered patio, I'd go to town decorating it as another room. It would be the perfect spot for alfresco dinners, reading my favorite magazine, or sipping on lemonade. Do you have a covered porch? How do you use it? If someone says theirs doubles as a studio, I will die from jealousy, so be careful.

p.s. Love this DIY patio project via The Brick House.

All images sourced from the links above.

Gone Weekending.

2010-04-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Sunshine { Print & Original now in shop.}

Hello gals! The weekend is almost here and I'm looking forward to it. We've had our share of rain and thunderstorms this week and I'm ready for sunshine. :) The good news is our lawn has greened up, our daffodils are blooming, and I have little seedlings popping up everywhere! It's time to bring in our first backyard bouquet of the season and officially welcome spring. What are you up to this weekend?

*Update: I now have an official Facebook Fan Page if you wish to keep up with me there. If you have sent a friend request to my personal account in the past, and I haven't replied, it's because I had this page in the works! Thanks for your patience. :)

xo,

Lindsay

Memories.

2010-04-06T05:18:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get extremely nostalgic about your childhood? It happens to me ever so often, especially on days when I really grasp how quickly my own kids are growing up. What are your favorite memories? Mine are picking wildflower bouquets in the field behind our house, and bringing them in to our mom, still covered in ants or bees. We had a huge tree in front of our house with an old tire swing that we loved. Also we had firewood delivered every fall and our cousins would come in from the city and we would build forts and log cabins from it. Another favorite was the path that once existed from our house to my Grandparents. Now there is a driveway in its' place...but I remember my Grandad cutting away brush and keeping it mowed, so we'd have a direct path to their house. "Watch for snakes" my mom would always say and we headed towards their house. It's funny how we spend much of our childhood wishing to be older, only to grow up, and long for those days again. On that note, the blog posts may be sparse this week. My girl is on spring break and we're busy making memories...

Fine Art Print by Wifeoftherockstar.

Chocolate Velvet.

2010-04-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

I used this recipe to make homemade Chocolate Velvet ice cream yesterday. I increased the cocoa to 1/2 cup, and added 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans. It was super yummy! We have another beautiful day ahead of us. We plan to plant sunflower seeds, sow more snap peas, and go crazy with sidewalk chalk! I hope the sun is shining where you are. (2 days left to sign up for the Art Swap!)

Also, thanks to Going Home To Roost for featuring my Peace, Love, Hope Print in celebration of Earth Day!

Springish.

2010-03-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Spring break starts tomorrow. The weather is going to be lovely. 70's and sunny, bliss. I'm looking forward to homemade ice cream, pizza on the grill, trips to park, and long bike rides. I also have a few more paintings in the works and a pretty exciting collaboration to share. Also, I updated my frequently asked questions post. You can find the link under my profile or here. Registration for the kid's art swap ends Saturday April 3rd, so shoot me an email if you're interested in participating!

Image via Limbics.

Art Swap & New Crafty Girl Print.

2010-03-28T20:34:00.001-07:00

New Crafty Girl Print now in shop!

Spring break starts this week for my kindergartner and she really wants to participate in an Art Swap. She did this last year and enjoyed it so much. I looked around, but can't find one going on, so I'm going to try and round one up for her.

Anyone have kidlings that would like to swap art with my daughter and other munchkins? Do your kids love getting their own mail? Here's how it works. If you'd like to participate, send me an email (linzbrackeen@yahoo.com) with your child's name, age, and address. Depending on how many participants we have, I will divide the names into groups of 6 or so (this means your child will be making & recieving 6 pieces of art). I will provide you with the info you need to swap and mail your art. The art should be standard ACEO size, which is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. This makes them easy to slip into a note card, and they can be mailed with a single stamp, to keep postage down. Anything goes, paint, crayons, coloring pencils, collage, stickers, whatever your kiddo can dream up! This swap will be open to kids ages 4 -7. If you have questions, leave them in the comments, and I'll answer them there to clarify.

Feel free to link to this post if you know someone who would like to join the fun! The last day to sign up is Saturday April 3rd!

Little Red Fox.

2010-03-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

I finished a new painting this weekend. Little Red Fox is now available here. Hope you are having a lovely Sunday!

Alice Series Now Available.

2010-03-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

The Alice Series is finished and in the shop! Alice, The Mad Hatter, The White Rabbit, and The Queen of Hearts are now available as prints. The originals will also be listed. I really enjoyed working with softer colors in this set. I think they turned out so springy and sweet! I have another print I'll be posting shortly...stay tuned.

Frequently Asked Questions + Answers!

2010-03-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

When did I start painting?
I started painting after my first daughter was born in Nov. 2003. I went back to work when she was 6 weeks old and quickly decided I'd rather be home with her and my husband. I started painting as a hobby and upon the suggestion of my husband put the first one I did on Ebay. It sold and things evolved from there.

Why did I start a blog?
I created my blog to catalog my art projects and to have a place to collect things that inspire me.

Did I format my own blog?
Yes. In the beginning I found it challenging to make changes to my blog, but figured it would be best to learn how to do it myself, rather than rely on someone else everytime I wanted to make a change. I simply googled html code when I couldn't figure something out. I found Quackit.com helpful.

What do I use for picture layouts/editing?
I use Photoshop Elements. It's the most basic photoshop you can own. It was free with my scanner when I purchased it.

What kind of scanner/printer do I use to make prints?
I use an Epson 4490 Scanner and a Epson R1900 for making prints. I also use archival Epson paper and inks.

Where do I buy packaging supplies?
Mostly from packagingsupplies.com and uline.com. USPS provides free boxes if you're shipping Priority. They can be ordered online from the USPS website. I print labels through Paypal.

Where do I buy art supplies?
All over the place:) Michaels, JoAnns, Etsy, Utrecht, JerrysArtarama (online), & some vintage things my mother-in-law finds for me.

How long have I been on Etsy?
I believe since the end of 2007. Before that I sold on Ebay for about 3 years. I sold originals there (no prints) and sold about 400 paintings during that time!

Where do I create?
At home! Usually at the kitchen table. My supplies are housed in a cabinet my Grandad made for me & on Ikea shelves in the laundry room! Inspiring huh? :) Because of the lack of space here, I briefly had a studio. It was large, and swallowed me whole. I had floor to ceiling windows and tons of space, but my view consists of other brick buildings and the freeway. Not for me. I decided to bring my things back home with a new appreciation of what I already had.

How do I balance creating art and family life?
It's a challenge. I limit what I take on to preserve my sanity. :) My girls are 3 & 6. The latter is currently in 1/2 day kindergarten. Otherwise, they've never been in daycare, etc. When they're both in school I hope to pursue art full-time and take on projects I've turned down in the past because of time constraints. For now though, I'll enjoy spending all the time I can with my babies!

Do I do freelance work/commissions?
Yes, as my schedule allows. Email me at linzbrackeen@yahoo.com for rates. For private commissions I generally charge by the square inch. Most of the prints in my shop are based on originals that were 8x8, 8x10, or 9x12. I prefer to work with these sizes or larger. I retain the copyrights to all privately commissioned work.

Do I allow others to use my images as their online avatars/icons?
No. My images are copywritten and are not available for your personal use.

Do I allow others to post my images on their blog?
Yes, given that you link back to my blog/etsy shop. If you don't know how to link back, then no, you may not use them.

Additional questions can be sent to linzbrackeen@yahoo.com.

Gone Weekending.

2010-03-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post pics of the pooch for a while now, but the truth is, she's so hard to photograph. For one, if she sees you with a camera she wants her nose right up at the lens, and two, she's so jet black and furry that you can hardly make out any of her features. Maybe after her summer cut huh? Anyway, take my word for it, she's so adorable, and soft, and such a BIG lapdog. When we brought her home at 10 weeks old and she weighed 11 lbs. She's now 18 weeks and weighs in at 45lbs! Of course she still expects you to pick her up and share a chair. Hilarious scene, let me tell you. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

xo,

Lindsay

Stir Crazy.

2010-03-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

Today is rainy and after enjoying the nice weather for so many days, I don't feel like staying indoors. So...the 3yr. old and I will go shopping for running shoes. Which is technically indoors, but it's different when you're not home, ya know? Mine have pounded the pavement one too many times and it's time to go see what the world has to offer in a size 11. That narrows my choices significantly, just so you know.

Image via Golberz @ Bluebird Vintage.

Riding Along.

2010-03-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

Ick. We are auto shopping. I wish I could say it's as much fun as hunting down the finds above.
It's not. The mom wagon is giving us grief and we need something a little meatier to pull our lil' camper this year. I've spent several nights scouring Craigslist for something suitable, but I'm at a loss. What I've learned while google-ing Expedition vs. Tahoe vs. Durango (over and over again) is that everyone hates the car they currently have. Just look how happy Kermit is with his wheels. What a lucky fella.

Images via SundayTimesMarket, ReUnited, MatteArt, & Hindsvik.

Grow Baby Grow. Part I.

2010-03-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I've already pitched my gardening fever here once, but I'm going to do it again! I'm a huge advocate of growing your own food. Why? It's relatively easy, it inexpensive, and it's good for you. There's a lot of satisfaction in knowing exactly where your food came from and how it was produced. Look at what this cool mama did in a rental! Have a look at what Nicole did on a balcony. Cute container gardens, very do-able. In other words, work with what you have, don't make excuses. As I walked the dog last week, I saw several houses starting seedlings in coldframes...some made from wood and glass, others from clear storage containers, and two made from aquariums. My neighbor gets a jump start on the season by putting her seeds in clear discarded milk jugs cut in half. Be creative and resourceful, it doesn't have to cost you much. My favorite seed source is Johnny's Selected Seeds, but you can pick up organic or heirloom seeds at your local nursery, Target, Etsy...the list goes on and on. Simply find your gardening zone and follow the directions on the back of the packet. If you 'd like to start them early, utilize a coldframe, growing lights, or a sunny window sill. I currently have a dozen types of lettuce, broccoli, swiss chard, garlic, spinach, snap peas, onion and leeks sprouting under ours. (I'm in Michigan) Google your gardening questions, ask me, read books, following local gardening blogs, etc. If you do decide to start a garden, on any scale, send me pics. I want to show them off here on the blog! I'd love to inspire a "if she can do it, so can I" attitude. Get on it ladies!

The Artists' Date.

2010-03-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

That's right. A date, with myself. I'm whipping up oatmeal brulee with berries and toasted pecans for dinner, (quick, easy, and tastes like dessert) then I'm heading out to look for new art supplies. I spent all of last week cleaning out flower and garden beds, now I'm ready to tackle a few canvases and wrap up those Alice paintings! New paper and a few tubes of paint are sure to spark inspiration. Hope you are having a swell Monday. :)

Smencils via Stubby Pencil Studio.

Gone Weekending.

2010-03-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

What are your plans this weekend? Good weather in your neck of the woods? I believe it's cooling off here and we have rain coming our way. That's fine with me, (as if I have a choice) my seedlings could use a little drink. There's a date night planned and we might even go see Alice. I've been dodging reviews as much as I can, but I'm getting the impression that it doesn't live up to all the hype?! Eeks. Have a lovely weekend.

xo,

Lindsay

p.s. Read a little interview with me here.

Image via Svengalis.