Illustration friday, "frozen" {birdsicles}

The Illustration Friday topic this week is "frozen" so I drew some frosty, frozen birdsicles. Here in Minnesota, we would call them "birds on a stick".

If you don't get that joke, consider yourself lucky. Check out other entries here.

Illustration friday, "flying"

The topic this week is "flying". I actually painted this last week, but think that it fits- I am dreaming of flying south for the winter...it already snowed here! Actually- just looked out the window and it is snowing RIGHT NOW! Its only October!

In my painting, the birds are tethered here too. I guess that's kinda mean, huh! Other {nicer?} entries here.

more custom wedding jewelry

Finished these necklaces today for an upcoming wedding, and took a quick photo for the ladies to peek at...still have 5 sets of bridesmaid jewelry to make as well.

These necklaces are freshwater pearls along with several shades of swarovski crystal to match the champagne accents on the dresses.

studies+mood board

stitched studies

My sister and I are working together on a jewelry collection. These are a few stitched studies that I made and an inspiration board with swatches that we both collected.

More to come.

illustration friday, "pattern"

This one's easy. My entire life revolves around patterns.....check out others here.

{oops- realized that I had categorized it as 'silkscreen', which it is most definitely not! It is watercolor and ink}

custom recipe illustration etsy shop

I did it! I have started a new etsy shop that specializes in custom recipe illustrations...everyone has a treasured family recipe~ holiday cookies, tomato sauce, soup, macaroni and cheese, thanksgiving turkey?! Meet "cook❤love❤draw". I love to cook and I absolutely love to draw...please let me create a family heirloom-worthy piece of artwork for your kitchen! Only 35$ for a custom made, ready to be framed, original illustration for you or your family.

I am also thinking that it would be a great wedding favor~ a mini print of a recipe illustration for cookies or candy, tied in a cute package with a few cookies/candies?! I am working on pricing for that... check it all out here.

new shiny jewelry for the shop...

I have been experimenting with a few new fabric based necklaces lately. The first pictured is a bit more bridal inspired, as I have been thinking about brides who wants something more original for her big day than typical pearls...the piece is layered with white on white stitching to create a textured background, then layered with a vintage grey and crystal rhinestone necklace and silver seed beads. It lays right at the collarbone, and is kinda fabulous, if I do say so myself.

The second piece is definitely a statement necklace. I created the base out of heavily embroidered white on sheer white silk, then layered citron embroidery and grey/neutral seed beads and pearls in organic circular motifs. It has a natural frayed edge.

I had fun with both pieces- more experimentation than anything... I will probably list them on etsy soon....

IF- "infinite"

She knew that outside of her cage were infinite possiblities...
Late for this week's illustration friday, but better than not at all.
For Ellie.

cherry heirloom tomatoes

The farmer's market was overflowing with beautiful heirloom tomatoes this past weekend, and I was taken with the cherry tomatoes in shades of purple, red, yellow, and green. I roasted them and made some amazing pasta salad {see illustrated recipe above}. The next morning, I used the rest of the roasted tomatoes in a quiche with feta and basil. ..quiche for one?

{haha...nope.}

Getting the plans together for the custom illustrated recipe etsy shop....

beautiful bridesmaid colors

I sent these color swatches along with inspiration boards to my bridesmaids last week! Happy shopping ladies, and I hope that each of you find a dress that you love...

{and I hope that you find it on sale...}

zucchini enchiladas

You must try these delicious vegetarian enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce {best part}. This amazing recipe was found on fresh365, a great vegetarian cooking blog that uses seasonal ingredients written by a talented lady named Erin! See her original post here, and for the love of all that's holy, please make these for dinner tonight! Then, check her blog to see what to make for dinner tomorrow! 

PS: thinking about a new etsy shop illustrating people's family recipes as a gift- I have gotten some positive responses to the above and the pickled bean recipe that I illustrated before...could be fun and everyone has favorite family recipes! {would be cute framed, hanging in a kitchen}

{note} tragically, I dropped my computer and killed it- hence the long hiatus. I am trying to get back on schedule!

Illustration Friday- "impatient"

...impatiently, she waited to fly.   

Definitely inspired by this vintage photo , seen at the constant gatherer.

happy and excited...

It has been a great couple days! Not only did I find an amazing and perfect wedding dress last weekend, as well as had a ball shopping with my mom....but I found out this morning that I was chosen to be the winner of this contest by Katee Grace Photography! She is going to travel to Savannah and take delightful photos of us and all of the excitement on our special day!!! Check out her post on us here! 

I thought this little drawing in my sketchbook would be a nice way to thank Katee Grace and get her ready for a good time at our wedding!!!

farmer's market pickled green beans!

I am on a pickling spree! The last few weeks, I made spicy pickled sugar snap peas- SO GOOD! Now that they are out of season, I have moved on to green beans...made these last night after searching the farmer's market for the most beautiful beans available. I am trying to start writing my favorite recipes down in my sketchbooks, so that when I am an old lady, I can pass down my cute, illustrated recipes to my grandchildren. {hopefully, I will have at least one who is interested!}  The recipe is pretty easy- click the image for a larger view. I adapted it from here. 

earrings fit for a bride...

A friend of mine commissioned earring from me for her upcoming wedding...which was exciting and a bit nerve-wracking, since she didn't know exactly what she wanted.  I definitely understand the pressure of looking for something perfect for the big day. She sent me a couple of pictures of her dress and some earrings that she kinda liked and let me run with it. Her dress is dark ivory and vintage inspired, so I used a few shades of ivory pearls and Swarovski crystals along with some amazing filagree and rhinestone beads that I salvaged from a flea market necklace. I shipped them off to the lovely bride to be a few days ago- I hope that you have an amazingly perfect day, Lauren!

fat bird, six ways...

I found an adorable image of a puffy fat bird and drew a six versions of him...

bud vase drawing

Today was a day that I needed to draw something happy...I saw this beautiful image on a flickr pool called "pastel and dreamy" and loved this image by Shana Rae {florabella} , which inspired my doodle :)

Please go check out the glorious images in this pool if you ever need a trip to your happy place.

watercolor wedding birdies+ gone so long

I haven't posted in forever, I know!!! But I have been busy....I painted these birds as an element of the cards that I made for my bridesmaids. The "cards" turned into small books really, and taught me to keep my invitations simple! I didn't photograph a finished one...but I hope that all of my girls were happy to receive them in the mail!

That's not all that I have been working on...

*I created a shirt design for the girls on team, "high heels for hope" . Each of the teammates are raising $2300 for breast cancer research at the three days for the cure walk. I will post the design soon :) I hope the best for the team and their fundraising!!!

*I donated a necklace/earring set to my mother-in-law-to-be's charity silent auction for the Children's Miracle Network

*I attended a really beautiful wedding and made my friend Christina, the beautiful bride, a super sparkly jewelry set {alright, they didn't register for it...I probably won't get a single thing that I registered for in return! top photo} 

* I am working on some equally sparkly commissioned earrings for my friend Lauren to wear in her wedding- lots of pressure to create something that someone will wear on her most special day! I will share them when they are finished and have the bride's approval!

*jeez....I went to work too.

xoxoxo

Wedding dreams {table decor}

I saw this great DIY idea on a few blogs recently and thought that it would be fantastic as center pieces for my wedding reception! I love milk glass {which is conveniently EVERYwhere at garage sales} as well as pretty feminine plates~ my plan is to search garage sales/flea markets/goodwills for both items, then assemble them into cake stands in Savannah before the big day! {epoxy glue apparently does the trick}  I am planning on sticking to my color palette as well as delicately patterned plates to create cohesive arrangements...  

I think that 3 to 5 per table, topped with candles and smaller vases of flowers will be a beautiful centerpiece arrangement! So far, all plates, vases, and candlesticks have been under 3$ and most have been a dollar or less! This also gives me a glorious excuse to go to antique shopping-yay! 

Friends and family~ now you know what to look for!

Illustration Friday- Adapt

My Illustration Friday submit for this week's topic, "adapt" It's hard to be a girl in love with a bird...she chose to "adapt" by eating birdseed and wearing a yellow beak {the rest came later}
:)

Engagement photos...

My extremely talented friend and co-worker, Amber took Zach and my engagement photos last weekend and has posted a little sneak peek on her site! I am so happy that we did the photo shoot! It was a beautiful day and Zach was such a good sport...I can't wait to see the rest!!!!

Amber posted a few more shots on her website- check them out here.

Eeeeeeeeeeeek! so exciting!

If you live in the Minneapolis area, please consider having photos taken by Amber- seriously she is AMAZING! 

 

engagement photo prep!

Zach and I are getting engagement photos taken on Monday {if the rainstorms hold out}  My friend and talented photographer, Amber Engfer is working our little photoshoot at a secluded outdoor location {the QUAKING BOG at Theodore Wirth Park- sounds pretty, huh! If the bog doesn't thrill us, the Wildflower garden is on the other side of the park...} So of course, outfits must be planned. 

I found the beaded blue dress {for 1$} in LA, and hacked off the bottom of the dress so it would fit in my carry-on bag. I thought that I only wanted the beaded trim...but, I really liked it as a dress once I tried in on. Sadly, it is inappropriately short- so my plan is to stitch the lace + pleated trim from a vintage slip to the bottom of the dress. Keep your fingers crossed! I haven't sewn in awhile....

I made the flower for my hair with layers of white silks and linen + pleated velvet ribbon and a vintage brooch {inspired by my friend Sara} And I have extra long curls at the moment, thanks to my talented fiance, who gave me extensions last night! {Fun}

IF- contagious (not finished)

Illustration Friday- Contagious! My happiness is contagious...
Not finished- planning to watercolor- will share once finished:)
xoxo

Illustration Friday- "parade"

Let's get dressed up and put on a parade! Check out other entries here!

vintage lampshades....

I snapped these {tiny} vintage lampshades at an antique store the other day and these beautiful begonias at the farmers market today

{just a little more color inspiration}