You might recall the previous wedding invitations that I've painted.  

They are always well received, so I Trent's cousin, Lyndsey got one this past weekend...

(her flowers were casa blanca lilies & chocolate roses)

I don't like showers at all, but I love invitations.  

I'm working on a fall batch...

This one is actually being used (different font & font sizes).  

Christmas cards are now available at my etsy shop!

Eweletide Greetings...

Don't forget.... tomorrow is the Eweletide event in Madison.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful and, as always, Madison is beautiful.  Eweletide is a small holiday show hosted by a dear friend of mine in her charming farm house.  Whether you're on your way to the GA/Auburn game or looking for a Saturday activity, put this one on your schedule.  There will be lots of goodies....  

Petit Art via Air Mail

I have resigned from mass quantity stationary production, due to production costs, but I still have stock available on etsy.  Though not lucrative, I so love making those little cards.  My mother subjected me to hours of torture in Hallmark growing up (used to be the only place you could get good cards), so I guess it rubbed off on me along the way.  There is something so exciting about getting a beautiful card in the mail.  I prefer a colored envelop, all the better if it's lined, a pretty stamp, and some charming image or text on the card.  The content is an added bonus, but the card itself is a gift.  

I don't give unsolicited art as a gift, much to Julie's dismay.  It's just too risky.... what if it weren't well received and immediately discarded?  I can't stand the thought.  Unsolicited cards are a different story.  I have no problem sending petit-art for some reason.... so you should feel really special if you receive one of my originals :)

I've been a bit off schedule this week. Yes, I do keep a schedule. Many people seem surprised when they find out that I actually set an alarm clock & get up before 7 a.m. That I actually have a to-do list. That I put deadlines on things. If you can't tell, I'm hyper-sensitive about all of this & am liable to bite your head off if you insinuate that I'm on holiday or retired. This week, I have had no issue with being unproductive & can totally justify why..... look at this face:

This is my my 18 month old nephew, Eli. He moved 5 houses down the road from me (along with his parents, Chase & Hope) a week ago today. I've gone from seeing him 5 times since he was born to seeing him daily. He's not too crazy about me (YET), but I'm crazy about him. I've been trying to play it cool & let him get used to me, but I'm on the verge of forcing him to love me. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Between my multiple visits with my D.C. area family transplants, I've managed to get a bit of work done. This was ordered for a baby gift:

It's an 8x10 that goes for $25......loosely based on Hendley's painting.


I've also started painting the illustrations for Lindsay's book. I've had this project in the to-do pile for a good while, but have had a bit of painter's block. Things started flowing this week. I'd image this project will take all summer, working on and off.



Lastly, I've added the crab notecards to my etsy shop. I've had these reserved for the shows, but since it's going to be 90 degrees outside today the coast is on my mind. Happy Weekend!

'The Spring Collection'

I thought it was about time I update my esty shop.  It's been too long & I've made a lot of new stuff.  You can find all of these little spring goodies online now!  (not the flowers, but I'm sure Mot would be happy to put a bouquet together for you)

Let's talk about Valentines (again)

I don't know how it's possible not to adore these, but I'm being shown no love in the North Georgia Etsy team's Valentine's day contest (found here). I would be honored if you would vote for me AND you could win a prize :)

The handmade Valentine.....

.....seems to be a lost art. I hear a lot of talk about "commercialized holidays" every year.... I don't buy it. It only becomes commercialized if you let it. I, personally, would much rather have a handmade card, some grocery store flowers, and a great meal at home. My motto is celebrate every opportunity you get to make an ordinary day special. If you're not crafty, I can help you out (etsy).

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

(until February 19th anyway)
http://www.blogger.com/www.paintedbylauren.etsy.com