Free art downloads

Q.A. Designs is offering free downloads of her state/country prints and I couldn't be happier. They are so colorful and I love the striped background. I downloaded Maine, Nebraska, Utah, Italy and France. Can't wait to print them and put them up in Aspen's room.

They are for personal use only, so please be respectful of Jenna's designs. Which will you choose?

Visit Q.A. Designs here.

Monhegan Island artwork

The last time I visited Maine was in August 2009. It was a beautiful week; the first of the summer that was without torrential downpours every day.

My parents and I ferried out to Monhegan Island where it did, in fact, rain buckets on us. About 12 people live on the island year round (okay, maybe more like 60) and it's such a charming little island with local artisans flourishing.

I was so happy to come upon this Etsy shop that features lots of land and sea scapes- many including the Maine coast. It makes me wish I hadn't given up so quickly on painting when I was a teenager.

Carved Crayons

I found Pete Goldlust's work via Beyond Black & White, which is a blog I visited in the BlogHer network.

Goldlust's carved crayons are true-to-size, meaning, they aren't enlarged. I'm amazed, and I can only imagine how good his sculptures must smell. Don't you love the smell of a box of fresh crayons? I think it'd smell even better if the crayons looked like Goldlust's sculptures.

He has a unique approach to art and why he does it, which can be read on his site, here.

I love Canadians!

Gilbert Blythe

Anne Girl

I am freakin' in love with these two prints from mintparcel's Etsy shop. Yes, I am literally in love with ink on paper. I am going to marry them.

Amy also has a print of my cute little Pink House in her shop.

Like I have any empty surface space available...

There isn't a lot of open space in the Pink House right now. Not with our shelves full of books and movies and CDs and half of the garage piled in the living room and hallway (Kev is building storage!).

Still, I love this bowl and wish I could make it mine. It would bring such freshness to a room- like a bouquet of flowers that will never wilt.

Unfortunately though, I'm not organized enough to have a space dedicated to simply displaying pretty things. This would most-likely get put in my "design Rubbermaid" that houses things I no longer have places on which to display them. And then it would get deformed and go unappreciated.

So, I'll leave it to the people who have less junk than I.

Dang those Boston Terriers.

Always getting the best of me for being the cutest, snortiest, weirdest dogs out there. Don't tell Kev that this print is going in the baby's room. I'm hoping he just won't notice all the art on her walls.

Or maybe I can convince him that I made it myself.

Words of wisdom

Sometimes you really need a reminder of what's important.

Yes, I am obsessed with Canada.

Perhaps being born and mostly-raised in Maine is what instilled within me a great love for our neighbors to the north. Perhaps it's my life-long exposure to Anne of Green Gables that prompted me to become enamored with the luscious, cold, green land that is also known as America's Hat.

It's difficult to pinpoint the source of my adoration. But I just know that I love Canada.

This print can be found in English Muffin's Etsy shop (naturally, my go-to for art these days).

I love me all things handmade

I just discovered this Etsy shop, Studio Lyon. I love how earthy a lot of the prints are. I was surprised the owner is from Florida and not the North East.

We Have Roots Here $18.00

Puppy $2.50

Western Screech Owl $5.50

Yellow Bartlett $18.00

Black Capped Chickadee $18.00

Hope For Growth $8.00



I enjoy the simplicity of a lot of the prints contrasted with the intricate designs of others. It's a wonderful selection and I suggest you stop by Studio Lyon to see what she has to offer!