Focus

On February 23, 2008, Nate walked me to my car ...as he typically did when I left his house. We sat in the car for a little while, saying our good-byes and out of no where, Nate pulls out a ring and asks me to marry him! Yes, I totally got engaged in my little 2001 Red Ford Focus!

Two years later, we bought our first car together and decided that it's about time to get rid of the Focus. But before we do, I thought it would be fun to have Nate's brother and his wife (who are amazing photographers) do an anniversary shoot with us and the car.

Check out our shoot at Lauren Armstrong Photography.

We totally recommend them if you are looking for someone to shoot your next special occasion or even if you just want some photos for fun....I promise, they won't disappoint!

Holiday Baking - Sticky Business

This year I started all of my baking pretty early and I'm actually already done.

I feel very accomplished (pat on the back)!

This year the cookie line up is: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Peppermint Meltaways, Oreo Truffles, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (the best cookies in the entire world....I am sure of it), and Peppermint Marshmallows!

Yes...I said Marshmallows!!

I found a recipe for them and thought I'd give it a shot!

They weren't too difficult but it was a sticky sticky mess...

...but I think they turned out pretty good.

They will make really cute gifts + I think they will be

amazing in hot chocolate!

Try the recipe for yourself!

Be warned....it's like working with glue!

...I really need to get a (cute) apron!

On the Ball

With the holidays rapidly approaching I've been thinking about my Christmas cards for this year. What kind of paper am I going to use? What color envelopes? You know, the usual.

I usually send out quite a few cards and writing them all out takes a good chunk of time. I thought this year, I'd invest in a return address stamp to help me out a little!

On Monday night, my search began for my custom address stamp.

Paper Source was one of my first stops (of course) but to my surprise they didn't have any.

I woke up this morning to this little treat in my inbox....

Paper Source does it again ladies and gentlemen! (Applause)

How is it that they continually make my dreams come true...it's kind of creepy.

Check out their new self-inking address stamps here!

Finger Lickin' Good!

My friend Ashley wanted to send recipe cards out with her bridal shower invites so that she could start a collection of finger lickin' good recipes for her and her new hubby!

Her kitchen is black + white + red, so I designed the cards to match!

I bought a Martha Stewart recipe tin to house all of the cute little cards,

in candy apple red....of course!

So Much To Share!

Now that summer is coming to a close,

things are finally starting to slow down a little.

I have had a very busy year so far!

Three weddings, three bridal showers, three bachelorette parties and

not to mention all of the design work I had the opportunity to do this summer!

I am really excited about all of the business I have been getting lately.

I had the privilege to go on a mission trip

this summer to the Los Angeles Dream Center.

To show people some Jesus love!

I thought I'd share some pictures with you!

Check back soon, I have TONS of new stuff to post!

Persimmon, Peacock and Sunshine........Oh My!

I am so excited for Paper Source's three new color additions!

Can't wait to try them out!

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"

We just threw my sister-in-law her bridal shower last weekend.

The theme was "April Showers Bring May Flowers."

Everything came together even better than I had envisioned!

little tip: to achieve a super cute look for a super affordable price,

use scrap book paper for place mats....it gives you opportunity to add more color and pattern!

The centerpieces were my favorite! Little watering cans with bouquets

of cake pops which doubled as the favor, each adorned with leaf shaped tags.

Rachel struck gold with two designers in her bridal party.

The design work was a collaborative effort between myself and

my soon to be sister-in-law Lauren.

I made a Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade! It was delish!

I definitely recommend this recipe for your next summer-time get together!

We gave away super cute umbrellas for prizes and one lucky lady took home a

big watering can filled with gardening goodies!

We had each guest bring something to help stock the new couples pantry.

That basket was over flowing, I'd say that they are stocked for a while!

Each guest was also asked to fill out a little marriage advice card for the

bride-to-be....always a fun idea for a shower.

The happy couple!

All of the beautiful photos were taken by Lauren Burns Photography.

As Sweet As Cake!

Here is the latest and greatest. I designed this card for my soon-to-be sister-in-law for her bridal shower. It's not the typical Penelope Poppy style, I did something a little different this time.

I think it's really cute, I decided to dress it up a little with some Swarovski® crystals.

This card is currently for sale in the Penelope Poppy Etsy Shop!

Happy Birthday To Me!

So today is the BIG day, I turned 26 today! What a beautiful day for a birthday! Got some super cool gifts from my family, I am totally set for gardening and throwing some outdoor parties this summer! I got a super cool watering can + gardening gadgets + planter and a sweet lantern!

Thanks everyone!

1 More Day

2 More Days!

Speaking of cupcakes, my friend Jill brought in cupcakes for my birthday today! Thanks Jill, can't wait to taste one! This is also happens to be my cupcake illustration that made it onto a purse!

Jill's cupcakes!

3 More Days!

This is one of my favorites!

Birthday Countdown!

4 more days!

Saturday is my 26th birthday! Is that considered my "late" 20's? Oh man. I am going to post a cupcake illustration everyday until my big day! I've been devoted to eating healthier for the past 6 weeks so I may not be able to enjoy a real cupcake on my birthday but I can enjoy these super cute illustrations and boy do they look delish!

Love In Paradise

This past weekend was my soon-to-be sister-in-law's {wow, that's a lot of hyphens} bridal shower. I designed "everything print" for the shower. My s-t-b {let's abbreviate} s-i-l, Lauren is also a designer. Designing for another designer can be really tough. I really wanted her to like them and thankfully she was very pleased with them!

The project included: invitations, recipe cards, marriage advice cards, a game sheet + bingo card, water bottle labels and signage for the doors! I really like how it all came out.

My sister-in-law Rachel's shower is next month {yep, you read it right....2 showers/2 weddings same family within 2 months of each other....it's been wedding mania} and I am designing her invitations {and some other goodies} too so stay posted!

Spread Your Wings

I was cleaning up my files and found this butterfly illustration that I did a while ago and never really did anything with. I totally forgot all about it. Just thought I'd share it today....a little wishful thinking that warm weather is on the horizon!

A walk in my shoes...

So, a couple of weeks ago my friend from high school sent me a message asking if I considered my self an artist. I answered "Yes, I would." So he then asked if he could interview me for his art writing class, I was honored, I said sure! I warned him that I may not be the BEST interviewee but I'd do it. I am just about finished answering the 22 questions that he sent me and I must say, it was nice to sit back and actually think about what inspires me and why I do what I do.

I would encourage any artist to ask their self some of these questions. It is a good way to look into your heart and see what drives you, what motivates you. Here are a few:

+ What first sparked your interest in art?

+ How would you explain your style?

+ Where do you see yourself in 5 years as an artist? 10 years?

+ What influences you?

+ What is your favorite aspect of being an artist?

+ What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist?

+ If you were to give advice to an aspiring artist, what would you say?

Share your answers if you would like!

Treat of the Day!

Hello Cupcake!

It is always fun to see your artwork on a finished product!

This is an illustration that I did for the company I work for, Littlearth.

We make handbags and accessories made from recycled license plates.

I have three different designs in our Pop Tank line, "If the Shoe Fits" and "Girl's Night Out."

Check them out! I have the Cupcake in a FenderFlairette, it's so cute!

My Prayers Have Been Answered!

Paper Source just launched their "Paper Bag" line!

Paper Source is my favorite paper + envelope supplier. A lot of my card line comes with 100% recycled kraft envelopes which I have been buying from another supplier but now that Paper Source has them, I will def be checking them out!!

Ice Cream!!

This is a new idea I have been playing with!

Don't you just love the sound of the Ice Cream Man on a humid summer night?

Late to the Party

Okay, I am a little late to the blogging party! But Here I am!