Where in the World Have I Been?

Here's what I've been up to, a little earlier than expected... Okay a lot earlier. I just went in for a regular checkup and was suddenly diagnosed with a severe case of pre-eclampsia (despite any real signs or symptoms). More details later.

See how red I am? It's from the medication I was on. It makes you hot and tired and exhausted and icky. But here's little baby Ava! She was born Thursday, August 13, 3lbs 6 oz. and 18 inches long. 6 weeks and one day early.

More pictures coming soon. She already looks different. And she has a little bow in her hair now. Pin It

Family Photos

My friend Merrilee has an amazing sense of style. If you haven't checked out her blog, go now, because there is always much to enjoy (and be sure to check out her illustration work as well). I'm amazed by these family photos that her talented sister, Lorajean, took of her family. And by the way, she sewed her own dress the day before the photo shoot. I'm telling you, this girl is overflowing with talent.
Speaking of talent, let me get on my soap box for a moment. One thing I've observed is that talent is certainly not enough. Hard work and drive will take you so much further than talent. I've seen some of the most "talented" people fail repeatedly because they just couldn't stick to it. I've also seen less "talented" people achieve great success because of hard work and perseverance and drive. I hate to hear people say things like, "I have no talents" or "I wish I was that talented." But guess what! Talent isn't even half the equation. You can do just as much if you work hard at it and stay focused (of course proper training helps too). It's like when people say, "I'd give anything to be able to play the piano like that," as if the pianist just sat down one day and was able to play amazing music. If you would give anything, then give the thousands of hours of practice that pianist did and you will be able to play like him. I had a professor who once said that for every 100 sketches/paintings you do, you will have maybe 10 good ones if you are lucky. I've often heard people say "I wish I could draw," but the reason they can't is because they quit trying in 5th grade. If you want to be good at something, you have to do it again and again and again until you get it. And of course I know this applies to myself as much as anyone. So let's go out there and work hard, practice much, and cultivate new (or existing) talents! Pin It

I'm loving these little dresses from Pajama Squid! They have many delightful things.

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Recipe: Pie Suckers

Here's another clever take on suckers--Pie Pops! Follow the link here to learn how to make them. Yum! Pin It

The Best Co-workers

I have the best co-workers. Instead of decorating my birthday cubicle with the usual paper cut-out stuff, they used fabric fat-quarters to make a banner so I can take it home and make cute stuff with it! Aren't they so thoughtful and clever? I'm so lucky.
And check out the cool card Lori made for me. She's a fellow illustrator and she's so very talented! Pin It

Prego Photo Update

Time for some more pregnancy photos! So although some of these look like I'm shrinking and growing, they are in order by date, really. Sometimes it's just what I'm wearing and sometimes, well I don't know. Thanks again to the amazing Casey for taking my photos! His baby is due tomorrow.

Week 20:
Week 21:Week 22:Week 23:Week 24:Week 25:

Week 26:

Week 27:(skipped a couple weeks)

Week 30:

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Striped Ruffle Skirt

Here's a little stripey skirt I finished last weekend. I may have gone a little too wide with the ruffles, but I was making it up as I went. I got this fabric on sale a while ago and finally decided what to do with it. I'm guessing this is a size 9-12 month. Pin It