I’ve been missing in action for the past few days! Honestly, I have been feeling quite inspired creatively and have been spending all of my free time making things! Yet on Tuesday, I had to take a break from all of the creativity because Violet had a request… or rather a demand: cake. Literally, she woke up and started screaming “Cake! Cake! Cake!”

So, I found a lovely dairy free apple cake recipe. I did not take pictures, but that’s okay! It was actually quite tasty! It did taste healthy, but healthy is good!

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Good evening. I would like to introduce you to Madame Monkey Pants… also known as my daughter, Violet. Yes, Monkey Pants is our affectionate nickname for our little girl. I know it sounds silly, but she does not refer to herself as “Violet”, but rather “Monkey”. It is actually quite cute! We ask her where the monkey is, and she points to herself. Violet is giving her best monkey face in these pictures.

Life has been incredibly busy the past few days. I am printing like a madwoman, and trying to stay focused, as I have little time every night to work after Madame Monkey Pants hits the hay.

Oh, and thanks so much for the advice yesterday on the dress! I went with the yellow dress. Ordered it today and am hoping it actually fits! I am always nervous if I should order a Medium or a Large. However, the size chart implied to order the Medium! Isn’t it amazing how a wearing a size Medium instead of Large can make you feel soo much better about yourself?

Uh Oh… Monkey Pants is stirring in her sleep….. gotta go!

-Stacie

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I am selling some of my Gingiber Products at a craft show. It is my first show and I am a bit nervous, but firmly believe that a new dress will ease my nerves.

Now, I am a curvy lady, so inexpensive options from ModCloth or LuLu’s are out of the question (whimper…. so much cuteness in such small sizes..)

But, I am hopeful that I can find something gorgeous at the Shabby Apple. I recently heard of this shop. Here are my 3 favorites:

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Hello and happy Monday to you all! Now with a striking creepy portrait like this, you must keep reading, no?

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to say? Nothing worth sharing? I don’t want to live my life simply so that I can have something to document on my blog. I want to be creative. I want to have time to cook. To be with my family. I want it all to be genuine. No agenda.

I have seen quite a bit of conversation recently in the blog world about the appropriate way to blog. What topics are taboo and how to be original and such. There are great organizations like BlogHer and articles about engaging an audience. Simply, there is no right way or wrong way to blog… to each their own, right?

I am not sure where I want to take this blog, if anywhere. I love having a place to write. To document memories. To chart my growth as a mother and artist. Sure, I have dreams of outgrowing my little Arkansas life. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be an “it” blog that people want to read and talk about…. Then I realize that the larger the audience, the more criticism is bound to surface.

I do not know if I can take that criticism right now. It has been a huge challenge for me to even put my artwork out for the world to see. There was a point in my life when I would not even talk about drawing to friends or family. Having a blog and an etsy shop has built my confidence tremendously. And for that, I am thankful for this little online world. Recently a very popular Brazilian Blog did a great feature story on me. I was completely surprised and flattered! However, when I clicked my google translator to read all of the comments, I had my first dose of harsh reality: not everyone likes my work. Some people are outright rude about it. But, the sooner I can learn to handle such criticisms, the more fearless I can become.

So, what am I trying to relay to you, my dear friends? First, I love my blog. I anxiously await new comments and love encouraging feedback. Second, in the past year I have evolved tremendously in my interests and motivations. I no longer live to watch television or take naps…. I want to find a way to tap into my creativity and express myself in the most beautiful way possible. Third, I am continually evaluating my next move. How do I find a way to make a living doing what I love? Is blogging the answer? I hear often of bloggers who can actually make their living writing and sharing lovely things with the world. Is that who I will be in 2 years? 5 years? Perhaps never. But, believe me, most bloggers think about this at some point.

Thank you for listening to me, helping me sort out my thoughts.

Oh, and I now have 100 followers…… I am seriously doing a happy dance right now!

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Recently I was on the LivingEtc website when I noticed a little news blurb about a store called LifestyleBazaar. The name was quite intriguing, so I immediately began browsing their selection of unique housewares.

1. Desk Tidy by Black + Blume

2. Mr. Impossible Chair

3. Pantone A6 Notebook

4. Labware Table/Floor Lamp by Benjamin Hubert for Authentics

5. Inside Out Bathroom Cabinet by Marcus Beck

6. Blaue Blume Large Cake Plate

I always enjoy discovering new and fun places to window shop. I think my hubby would love the Labware lighting fixtures….. alas, my taste always exceeds my checkbook!

-Stacie

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Guess who just signed up for her first Home EC Class? Me! My sweet husband knew that I wanted to take the class and gave me his blessing today!

I am so excited. Most of you who read this blog have probably heard of the class already, but just in case you don’t know about it:

“If you’ve always wanted to learn how to use that sewing machine you found at a garage sale or could use a few tips on how to get your button holes to turn out like they should, you should join us for Home Ec, an online class designed to teach you how to enter the land of back stitching and squaring up with confidence. You’ll get the skills you’ve always wanted and resources to become quite the innovative crafter/homemaker/business person/best Christmas present maker ever.” – Rachel from Smile and Wave

I cannot wait to brush up on my skills. I have always sewn curtains, reupholstered furniture, made stuffed toys, etc. But I have always been self taught and would really like to add some craftsmanship to my work. Plus, I really am pumped about meeting so many awesome people who are taking this class. I cannot imagine a more friendly, energetic, and positive place to learn and get to know people better!

Huzaah!

-Stacie

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Greetings!

I am way excited to share with you that I had the opportunity to create several illustrations that will be featured in La Petite Magazine‘s 2nd Issue! It comes out August 30th.

In case you don’t know about La Petite, it is an online children magazine. The lovely ladies behind Kenziepoo created this magazine. I fell in love with their 1st issue. You should definitely check it out!

Thanks,

Stacie

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Favorite Songs: A lot of their albums were recorded in basements and the raw quality definitely makes every song that much better. i love the new album (Brothers) for its’ perfection; i love the old albums for the pure grit.

 

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I wanted to drop by and say hi!

Miss Violet has been a bit sick with a virus, so I haven’t had much time to be super duper creative! I was fortunate enough to stay home from work yesterday with Violet, which meant that we watched TONS and TONS of They Might Be Giants Music Videos.

Did you know that they made music for kids? I had always been familiar with their song “Istanbul (Not Constantinople) as my college printmaking instructor loved to play They Might Be Giants during our 3 hour long blocks of class. However, I am quite impressed with the intelligent and educational songs for children.

Take a look at this video called “Roy G Biv”. It is quite catchy!

Another favorite is called “The Mesopotamians” but it does say a little curse word, which is surprising for a children’s song. Regardless, I would much rather watch these videos with Violet than Spongebob.

Stacie

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So, for now, this is Pablo. He might sit in my sketchbook for a while….

Thanks for listening to me ramble, friends!

-Stacie

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