Behind the Art: Bear Wears a Tiny Sweater

December 30, 2018


Bear Wears a Tiny Sweater came to me a few years ago when I imagined how funny (and cute) it would be to see a bear that shoved his body into a Nordic sweater that he found laying around in the forest after a skier lost it. It ended up being too small (of course), and he is not too impressed with how it feels (not only is it the wrong size, but it's also quite itchy). I wouldn't want to get too close to him while he's struggling to get out of it.

My artwork often comes from a place of silly imagination and "what if" situations. More can be found here and here in the shop. You'll see what I mean...

If you have any questions, or would like to know the story behind any of the other art prints (or cards), don't hesitate to send me and email or a message through my shop.



0

What We Love: Christmas Edition 2018

December 24, 2018


This "ugly" (because it's really not that ugly) Christmas sweater, that I made myself at the Void Gallery Ugly Christmas Sweater Party using their screen-printing equipment after a quick tutorial, has been a cozy staple for staying warm while watching Christmas movies. It was so much fun and made me interested in exploring the medium more.



Christmas Makes Me Cry from Kacey Musgraves is such a wonderfully simple song, and her voice is absolutely beautiful. I know that a lot of us have moments during the holiday season when we think about the people we love that are no longer with us. This song is one where I'm always able to reflect on the years past, and I love songs like that.



This Christmas Cardi from Heather Buchanan is absolutely amazing, and one of the cards that I snapped up from her earlier in the season. Her artwork and puns are on point and make me laugh so hard!


0

Etsy Sk Holiday Market 2018

December 14, 2018


Tomorrow is the big day! Etsy Sk's Holiday Market is happening at Station 20 West in Saskatoon, and I would love to see your smiling face there. Explore the work of 26 makers (plus myself) with everything from art, jewellery, woodwork, pottery, knitting and so much more! If you haven't purchased everything on your gift list, or need a little something for yourself (because you deserve it), this is the day to get it.

This post sounds like such a cliche local radio advertisement...

But seriously! Come on down and check out what these amazing people have to offer.



0

ElleSee Paints: Self-Portraits for a Year

November 29, 2018


One day this Summer I had a rather strange opportunity to see inside the house of one of the board members for my work. She went to art school and even worked at one of our art galleries. The walls of her house are covered in various types of art, and she told me the stories about a few of that I had interest in and where they came from. 

One of the paintings she told me about was part of a project that she had done in art school. The instructor had them do a self-portrait and each week they had to paint over their portrait from the week before with a new self-portrait. This was to teach the students not to become attached to their artwork. She and a friend of hers exchanged portraits at the end of the term, and that was one of the paintings that I was looking at.

I thought it was a fascinating idea, and decided to do a painting of myself every month for my 35th year, starting in October. While I'm sure a lot of the portraits that were being done in that class were in the styles of the painters that they were learning about, I decided to tackle the concept myself (without all of the education). I am an amateur painter, at best, but I'm curious to see how the portraits differ from month to month, and what might influence my work. 

The image you see here is my October painting. I just completed my November painting today. You can find it here on Instagram.




0

Behind the Art: I Mustache You...

November 25, 2018


This card was inspired by a friend who used this phrase as the beginning of a sentence for all of her Grade One students to come up with an ending for, and then she created a bulletin board out of all of them. I can't tell you now what it was for as I don't remember that far back sometimes, but I do remember thinking it was a cute idea (and a great pun) and would make an excellent card. 

Since I made it into a card several years ago, I have had some people order them to use them as a way to ask friends to be groomsmen in their wedding parties. I love the ideas that you come up with for taking my work to the next level!

0

What We Love: Fall 2018

November 06, 2018


I purchased these adorable mittens that were a collaboration between Something from Nothing and Boolah Baguette. Something from Nothing makes mittens using old sweaters and fabrics, and Boolah Baguette makes the most adorable dolls and stuffed toys -- I've talked about her before here and here -- and together they made these darling mitts that have been keeping my hands warm during the last couple of months.



My son and I are obsessed with this song. The chill beat just gets in your body and you either feel like moving along, or sit there feeling the vibes. I love it! And I love the message too.



I have recently been falling in love with a lot of art that has simply clean lines with pops of colour, and the work of Lela Harris as Doodle Love fits in nicely with my obsession. I love how a few lines can convey a story so easily.



0

The Shop: Empathy Cards

November 03, 2018


Earlier this year, I made a birthday card for a friend that is not a fan of physical contact. We had a good laugh over it, but it wasn't until a conversation that I had with a visitor at my table during a spring market that I realised it could be a legitimate thing that some people might appreciate. 

I had just made some new sympathy cards (that haven't been released into the shop yet) and the visitor mentioned that she did not like the way sympathy cards are worded. She said that when her dad died, people would say things like "It's going to be okay" or "Feel better, soon" and all she felt was anger and sadness. She got tired of people giving her these cards that didn't acknowledge those feelings -- just a little band-aid on her emotions. It got me thinking, and I decided that I really wanted to recognise those emotions.

I started with the "it's okay to feel..." card. It is a phrase that I use with the children that I work with, because it really is okay to feel sad or angry...it's what you do with those emotions (ie. hitting people vs. finding a space for yourself). It initially ended with something like "just know that I'm here for you", but I decided that the card isn't about the person sending it. It's about the person receiving it, and it wasn't fair to add that little bit at the end. I mean, if the person sending it wants to add that little bit inside the card, they can. You know your friends and family better than I do.

I created the Christmas card about a month ago while a friend has been going through a rough patch after the loss of someone very close to her. The first anniversary is around the holidays, and I wanted to support the fact that -- although I love the season very much myself -- there are a lot of people out there that don't feel the same way as me because of loss, bad memories, etc. I had also intended to add something else at the bottom, but it felt too peppy, and like "yeah, it sucks, but cheer up, yo!" Again, that's not my place, and every card is blank to add an extra bit of sentiment if you wish.

Do you remember that scene in Inside Out when Bing Bong was sad and Joy was just trying to pump him up, but he continued crying until Sadness sat down and recognised his feelings and made him feel it was okay to be sad? Not everyone needs a little pep-talk after going through the emotionally draining things that life throws our way. Sometimes people just need someone to recognise how they might be feeling and feel their presence while they're sad. It's my hope that these cards will do a little bit of that.




0

ElleSee Paints: Purple Birches

October 27, 2018


Earlier this year I started getting back into painting (after I did some work on this painting that's been bothering me for a while -- update to come). I started small with a 10"x10" piece, but had so much fun that I quickly moved up in size when I purchase this 30"x40" canvas. 

It took me quite a while to figure out what I wanted to do with it. But I was inspired by some artwork I saw in a home decor store, and soon started painting these purple hued birches (birch trees are my favourite tree). Since I completed this painting, I have bought another canvas and have already started another project that I'll share more about next month.

You can see some of the other stages that the painting went through in the photos below. I shared a lot of the progress on Instagram if you're interested in seeing more.

I really enjoyed experimenting with the paint and mixing the different colours for the leaves. It's fascinating how art starts in one direction, but can end up somewhere else that you never intended.





0

Behind the Art: Hair Raising

October 22, 2018


This little guy is one of the first drawings that I made for the shop before I started adding more details into the animals that I was drawing. 

It came from the idea of a little porcupine finding a balloon and wanting to keep it, but that is something quite difficult given the nature of what is all over a porcupine. It seems to have worked out in the end because there was some static electricity involved and the balloon just sort of attached itself to the porcupine.

0

Shop Update: The Curled-Up Pup Enamel Pin

October 13, 2018


At the beginning of October, this little guy made the jump from the page to your lapel, tote bag, etc. when we released a soft enamel pin of our little logo, the Curled-Up Pup. You can find it here in the shop. 

Just as with our art print, $1 from your purchase of this little fellow goes to our local SPCA where our real-life curled-up pup was adopted into our family over 12 years ago.

This brooch was made by a company in Toronto named Artik. It is a soft enamel pin, with white and black paint and bright brass metal, that has a brass clutch back clasp to help keep it in place.



0

Waskesiu 2018: At the Beach

September 23, 2018

Being at the beach (any beach) is really a dream vacation for me. I could sit there all day listening to the water, paddle boarding, looking for little fish to put in my son's bucket, dipping my toes in the water to cool off. There really is nothing that I love more than water and other natural elements working together to make something so peaceful and inviting.

This was the year that my son peace-d out and decided he wanted to make friends with other children at the lake. It was a bit hard for me as I wasn't prepared for it, but I did enjoy my time to myself out on the water on the paddle board that I rented (I took my son out for the first little trip across the swimming area). I liked sitting on the board and dragging my feet beside it to keep me cool. It was a time for reflection, and the feeling of the board floating on the water reminded me a lot of when I tried surfing.

Even though there were moments of independence this summer, I know that my son enjoys his time at the lake (as do I) and I can't wait for more adventures next summer!



0

Behind the Art: Stud Muffin

September 17, 2018


I created this delightful little card after being inspired by a t-shirt that I saw at Sask Expo in 2016 (that was a really good year for the expo). A lot of my inspiration for cards and artwork comes from t-shirts that I see, especially the ones I see on the children at work. They have such amazing puns.

This is one of my favourite cards to have at a market to be able to watch the different reactions of the people that see it. Sometimes people don't notice the little muffin at the end (or realise that's what it is) and just stop at the word "STUD", which works too!



0

DIY: Responsibility Chart

September 10, 2018

Our son is entering the age where it's time to step-up the responsibilities. To help him to remember what he needs to do, I decided to make a Responsibility Chart to give him (and us) a visual of what needs to be done, and what tasks have already been completed. It also helps that we have it hanging in our kitchen area so that we can see how his progress is going.

It seems to be the best approach for his personality (he's going to be a list maker), and has really helped us out so that we don't have to remember everything that we have asked him to do, and then struggle to get him to finish it all.

Instead he gets a little hit of dopamine as he moves a magnet over to the "DONE" side of the magnet board (kind of like when you finally get to cross off one of those things on your to-do list), and gets incentive to complete the rest of the tasks for that day. 

Not all of them need to be done in a single day (and we'll add more as we think of them, or he gets older and takes on more responsibilities), but when almost all of them are on the "TO DO" side, he will do everything in his power to add on the ones that don't even need to be done.

What you will need:
Black Fine-Tip Sharpie
White Paint Pen (or white acrylic paint and thin paint brush)
A Ruler
Small Round Magnets
1" Round Wooden Disks
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Metal Sign

Measure the middle of your sign and draw a line down the middle of the sign with your paint pen, using a ruler to keep it straight. On one side of the line, paint the words "TO DO" and on the other side, paint the word "DONE". Your sign is done!

To create the tasks and expectations, write on the wooden disks with a black fine-tip sharpie. If you mess up on one side, flip it over to the other side and try again. Use hot glue from a glue gun to attach the magnets to the wooden disks and...voila! You've got yourself a responsibility chart!




0

World Alzheimer's Month 2018

September 01, 2018


It is September 1st, and that marks the beginning of World Alzheimer's Month, and the fifth time that you will be supporting the Alzheimer's Society of Canada when you make a purchase in the shop. It is unbelievable that it has been that long since we started donating to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, and, to date, you have helped to raise over $120.

The Forget-Me-Not flower (which I have drawn this year) is a powerful symbol for people with Alzheimer's and their families. It is often used to symbolise the loss of memory, but is also a reminder to remember the people that we have lost to Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. 

As you may know, the disease has touched my family as my Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when I was a teenager, and, over the years I have shared pieces of our story with you. It means so much to me that you continue to help support the cause and give a voice to those affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. 


0

Behind the Art: Happy Day Penguins

August 30, 2018


This delightful little card was designed for my brother-in-law and his wife when they got married four years ago (see the DIY I did for the wedding, plus my camera drama on the big day). 

If you've been a fan of the shop for a while, you know that I am a sucker for penguins and enjoy making cards and art prints with penguins on them, so it was only natural that I make a wedding card with penguins on it (LGBTQ+ penguin wedding cards are available). 

They have since become a popular little couple, taking trips all over the world; just recently leaving on a trip to London (England).



0

Read It: Glow Kids

August 27, 2018


I learned about Glow Kids by Nicholas Kardaras, Ph.D. during a conference about childhood anxiety from the Institute of Child Psychology. It provided a lot of invaluable information for my day job, but also made me realise that there were some things going on at home that needed to be attended to. One of the things that was mentioned a bit was screen time, and Glow Kids was a book that was recommended on the subject. I went to the bookstore as soon as the conference was done.

The book starts off with some interesting information about addiction and the way that our brains work (some of which I had also learned at the childhood anxiety conference), and a little bit of Kardaras' own history with video games and tech addiction. Then it moves into some serious information about video games and aggression (I had always been one of those people that doesn't like to put the blame on television or other forms of media for a child's behaviour), to how having tech in classrooms isn't really as educational as we thought, and, by the end of the book, into what we can do about it all.

Keeping in mind that Kardaras is sharing the worst of the worst when it comes to screen addiction, I was able to quickly see that a screen/tech detox was something my husband and I needed to do for our son. His behaviours were nowhere near the children that were being described in the book, but there was potential in the future and it scared me.

I was never one to want my child to need a screen in his face all the time. I have never given him my phone in the car, or on shopping trips, etc., but that doesn't mean that other people didn't do that for him when I wasn't around, or that I didn't let him have the tablet to watch a movie or play game while on a longer road trip (at the age of 3), or at the end of the day while my husband and I were making supper. I admit that my child had more screen time than I ever wanted to let him have.

We went through a detox like the book talked about during a particularly difficult time for him in school and at home, and, as hard as it was to go screen free, we found that it really helped him to take that break. But it's something that you can't relax on or you'll get back into it, and it takes some looking at what you do as well as an example for your child. I am far from perfect myself, and will say that I am addicted to my phone.

We have entered our second detox as we prepare to go back to school, and this time we are really stressing that he find things to exercise his imagination. It's okay to be bored. It's through the boredom that you are able to figure out something to do to pass the time, and next time you won't be as bored because you'll know what to do. 

I myself am trying to put my phone down a lot more and read, paint, or watch a show or movie without being distracted by Twitter or Instagram. It's hard and takes a lot of focus. So, as an adult, if I find it difficult to focus on not focusing on a screen, I can only begin to imagine what it's like for my son. This book brought about a pivotal moment of parental learning that I wish I had had sooner, but I'm glad I didn't have it too late. It was the push I needed to move beyond the screen.



*Believe me, I get the irony of you reading this on your phone or computer right now.



0

Waskesiu 2018: Treebeard Trail

August 19, 2018


We took our annual trip to Waskesiu at the end of July this year, and, while we were there, we did things a little differently than we had in the past. One of the differences was a hike on a trail that we had never been on before, and I'm pretty sure that it is now our favourite. Well off the beaten path (you have to take a dirt road around the lake), it doesn't seem like it is a trail that is walked on very often, which makes it all the more amazing. 

We grabbed a pamphlet at the beginning of the walk, and I read as we reached each marker along the hike. We learned about the importance of forest fires and how it gives birth to a new part of the forest. The decomposition, the flowering, the seeds released during the fire, everything has a purpose. The pamphlet was quite fascinating, really, as it talked a lot about trees; the animals that live in them or near them and how they (trees and animals) help each other; the purpose of underground springs; how each bird has a specific, unspoken contract, for a niche in a tree. I could go on, it really was very informative.

While we didn't spot any large wildlife (thankfully) on the trek, we did see a lot of different kinds of mushrooms and mosses, as well as trees and plants in different states of growth and decomposition (queue the pamphlet learning), and developed even more of an appreciation for the world that we live in, and the efforts to keep it safe and healthy.



0

Our 3 Favourite Stationers

August 10, 2018
As someone that creates stationery, I am drawn to other people that also work with paper...fellow stationers (I Googled that, it is a real word). I seem to enjoy work that is similar (punny), but also quite different from my own. Some of the artists have a more realistic style to their artwork, while others take on more words with simple images. I hope you will enjoy their work as much as I do!



I ordered some Christmas cards from Heather Buchanan a couple of years ago. They were fantastically written puns related to rappers (I gave one to each of my girl friends and they loved them!), and the artwork was incredibly realistic. I have enjoyed watching her work through her Instagram account. Her most recent paintings of people eating food is amazing!






Julie Ann is constantly coming up with new, socially relevant ideas for her cards that often have a hilarious little kick in the nuts at the end (raise your hand if this birthday card would be relatable for you or someone you know), and knows how to write it perfectly and succinctly with images that tie it all together.




I picked this card up from an Urban Outfitters for a friend a few years ago for her birthday, and shortly afterwards discovered Seas and Peas online to order some Christmas cards (my father-in-law is a big fan of Christmas Vacation). 

Seas and Peas is puns done right (which, as I'm sure you have figured out at this point, always make me laugh) and, like all the others that have been mentioned, definitely have their finger on the pulse of society and what is popular at the moment.



0

ElleSee's Favourite Everyday Makeup Products

July 23, 2018


This summer I have only been putting on my mascara, but, I know how much fun makeup can be to wear, and how it makes me feel in the winter when I add a little bit of colour to my face. So, I really wanted to share with you what my favourite everyday makeup products are:

I'm a huge fan of the Fenty PRO FILT'R Soft Matte Long Wear Foundation. What I like best about it is, if you get the proper shade (I went into my local Sephora to get matched up), you have no idea that it's worn off because it matches your skin tone so well, and I like how smooth my skin looks when I wear it.

I also like using the Fenty MATCH STICK Matte Skinstick as an under-eye highlighter and a concealer. It blends in perfectly with the foundation, and can even be used when I don't have any foundation on (today I used it to cover a small pimple).

Tarte's Lights Camera Splashes Waterproof Mascara became my go-to mascara a few years ago when I tried to find a mascara that didn't have as many ingredients that irritate your eyes. It took a little bit of time to get used to as it's not hard and crusty like other mascaras because of the beeswax. It also doesn't come off easily (which is a testament to the waterproof aspect), but cleans up nicely with  a proper waterproof eye makeup remover.

I adore the Sephora Collection of eye shadows. They have been my go-to for selecting eye shadow colours since Sephora first opened where I live. There are so many colours to choose from that I was even able to match two colours from an old Cover Girl compact that I just couldn't get rid of because I loved the combination too much. I also use the black as my eyeliner every day. It's adds a nice dimension to my eyelashes, but it's also a soft line.

Not pictured: The Fenty GLOSS BOMB Universal Lip Luminizer is mind blowing. I have never been one to wear lip gloss because I cannot find a shade that works for me, or doesn't feel as sticky as a humid summer's day, but I absolutely love the Fenty lip luminizer that a friend gave to me as a gift. It really does look fantastic on everyone.


 
0

Behind the Art: In The Mountains

July 15, 2018


It is no secret that I am in love with the mountains. If you take a look through some of my vacation photos on Instagram, you'll see that we visit them quite a bit -- though probably not as much as people that live closer than we do. 

Regardless, after my first camping trip to the mountains in high school, I developed a certain affinity for the mountains, and look forward to any subsequent vacations in that direction of the country.

This art print comes from my love of the mountains -- which I know I share with many other people around the world -- and waking up to the splendor and calm that arises from emerging from your tent in the morning and being in their presence.



0

5 Instagram Accounts I'm Currently Connecting With

July 08, 2018

Instagram is a lot of things to a lot of people. I find it to be a source of inspiration, a place of connection, and a way to waste some time. Instagram is constantly changing, and I find as I evolve in how I present myself and the shop on the platform, that the people that inspire me and that I connect with are changing as well. 

As I enter different phases of my life, I connect with people that I never thought I would before. Here are 5 Instagram accounts that are currently inspiring me, or connecting with my life:



I honestly would not be able to tell you when I started following Ana of Bluebirdkisses, but she only had one child then (around the same age as my son) and she and her husband have since added two more. I remember being drawn to her because our children were close in age, but it wasn't until recently that I really started to feel like I have connected with her. 

She has been quite candid lately about her life and behind the scenes of social media, but what I feel connected me the most is her journey in fitness and a healthy body. There are so many elements that are similar to mine, and I find myself silently (sometimes I make a comment) cheering her on.



Sarah of Sarahgoldenart has been an inspiration to me (if you can't tell by the painting in the photo above and the recent artwork I've been sharing on Instagram) and I am awestruck by the work that she does. Each piece is incredibly unique, and tells it's own little story. I love abstract art for that exact reason: that every piece can be interpreted differently and each person that sets their eyes on it has their own experience with it.



I don't remember exactly when I started following Kelle of Etst, but I do know that I started following her after I spotted a beautiful black and white photo she had taken of her daughter Nella. When I am drawn to a photo on Instagram, I usually head to the account to see if I would like the other photos and stories that are shared before I hit the follow button. 

It didn't take me too long to realise that I wanted to hop in the car and head out on the drive that Kelle was taking, and what a drive it has been. Kelle shares the most amazing photographs, and the stories that go with them are uplifting, inspiring, and sometimes make me cry. This lady has a wonderful gift for using words.



I have been following along with Erin of Boolahbaguette ever since I got Instagram. We met years ago at a Flock & Gather handmade market, and I instantly fell in love with all of the things that she creates, as well as her passion for her work. I really look forward to seeing her posts in my feed. They are a little light during my day.

Seriously, your heart will melt while you look through her Instagram photos. The time and energy that she puts into her dolls and other items really shines through in her photographs. Plus, she has the warmest, most welcoming personality (which I've talked about before) that makes seeing her in your Instagram feed all the more enjoyable.



I first found Elsie Larson and her sister Emma through their blog A Beautiful Mess while I was on maternity leave -- we won't talk about how long ago -- and really enjoyed their work. So I naturally added her to my Instagram followers when I finally got an iPhone, but it wasn't until recently that I really started to connect with her on a different level.

Late last year, Elsie and her husband welcomed their little girl Nova into their life, and, as Elsie put it so well when she shared her first photo with her little girl "We were together. I forget the rest", I really don't remember what Elsie's Instagram account was like before this little ray of sunshine.

I love the photos and the snippets of life in the videos that she shares, especially the songs. Nova has such a beautiful singing voice, and she is so much fun to watch ("painting" is my personal favourite). It really is a treat that Elsie shares so much. Nova is such a precious gift to their family, and it's been wonderful watching the changes that she has caused. It takes me back to when my son was a little guy.


0

What We Love: Summer 2018

June 27, 2018

Floral Shorts from H&M

I have been struggling recently with finding shorts that fit my body properly. There are pairs of shorts that I currently own, and have owned for many years now, that are starting to fit poorly because of the changes in my body from working out a little more -- boo hoo, I know. I'm constantly pulling at them and they ride up all the time, so I have found myself being drawn to shorts that have a much looser and more relaxed fit, like this lovely floral pair from H&M that are the exact same style as a pair that I own in an orange-y red colour. I love them!



I know that this song from Young Summer is a few years old, but, in my defense, I just recently heard it for the first time, and I think it has the perfect chill vibe for summer. I mean, her name even has the word "summer" in it. How could it not be meant for the season?! It's perfect for lounging on the deck while sharing a drink with friends, or even reading a book.


Travel Pouch from True Leaf

I am in love with this travel pouch from the shop True Leaf. Not only does that beautiful floral pattern make me think of a tropical vacation (say Hawaii or Cuba), but it would be perfect for holding any odds and ends that are needed on said getaway. Plus, it can double as a fold-able clutch to be used at any time...not just on a holiday.




0

DIY: Little Dragon Wings

June 22, 2018


What you will need:

18 gauge wire
Electrical tape
Ankle or toe pantyhose
Spray on Colour hairspray

I have made these wings several times in the past few years. Two were for Halloween costumes -- a butterfly and Tinkerbell -- and one set was for this little dragon that I created for my first cosplay for the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo a couple of years ago.


I used the following video from the Martha Stuart show (we won't even talk about how long ago that was on air) and adapted it for a smaller version, including using ankle length pantyhose instead of wasting the ones for the whole leg. I then attached them to a little dinosaur stuffie that belongs to my son from the shop The Wooden Quail.




0
Powered by Blogger.