hand drawn note cards

there is something that makes me very happy when I get an actual handwritten note - and nothing more gratifying when I get the chance to write out a few of my own to send to friends. These are simple little paneled note cards with little hand drawn sprouts along the bottom edge, with matching envelopes that I've sprouted along the flap edge.

take out a black pen or marker and make your own note cards from blank paper and envelopes - they make a perfect last minute gift.

an old watercolor

Lately, I have been digging through my older artwork- finding mostly paintings and drawings from high school, and scanning them in, to preserve them all digitally, just in case. Today, I came across this watercolor landscape I did in Mr Hammond's class- one of only two watercolors I've ever done- and kept. I'm thinking it was the third independent study class I had with him...poor guy tried to teach me all his amazing skills in watercolor every class, but I was already tainted with the texture and boldness of oil painting - all I cared about was expression, and used half tubes of watercolor paint to achieve my aims.

Mr Hammond, I've nominated you for sainthood of teenage artists, and I promise, I listen & paint better now, too, thanks to you.

Illustration Friday - Renewal

what better to start the year out with than a renewal of love!

I'm very lucky to be able to say I'm Matron of Honor for my sister's upcoming nuptials this summer! This excitement of sharing in my sister's wedding planning combined with a few bridal shower invites to do.... has me making bridal shower illustrations galore. i love sharing the love!

this piece is ink and marker- affectionately titled, "the love jungle"

Wishing you all good things this New Year!

hope, wish, dream greeting card

an oversized custom greeting card and print - he is such a sweetie pie.



combining photography and illustration always makes me smile!

new card designs

strawberry heaven & farm baby......two new over-sized custom greeting card designs from a photo shoot i did a few weeks ago...

poppy garden

flowering...

My walk went well, I found the small grove of native White Wild Bleeding Heart- also found the painted trillium growing like mad as well. the wild strawberries are flowering too - how i love spring.

also I found this sweet red spotted newt. three newts came round in one day!

shadowbox spring day

the work days always seem most fulfilling to me - waiting for the weather to warm sufficiently, patience i have not.

the manure is raked thoroughly through the garden, waiting for the veggies to be transplanted...the beds are watered...the lavender is coming back of its own accord. the native strawberries are flowering - so much life and growing going on everywhere.


you know it is spring in vermont when the violets and trilliums have popped.


i love making violet sugar and sugared violets this time of year. we have many violet species, purple, white, yellow, and combinations thereof. the baby violet leaves are great salad greens.



Trillium erectum are pictured here, a native VT purple varietal. sad to not see any of the white Trillium grandiflorum, or the painted trilliums on the land so far, but i'll be happy with what i have. it is so exciting to see everything coming to life once again.

i'll be taking a walk to a favorite hiding spot of native white bleeding hearts and jack in the pulpits today or tomorrow....pictures to come if they are around!