the pemberley collection

I guess it's no secret that I've sorta kinda given up blogging. For now. Maybe forever. Maybe not.

I don't know yet.

But I haven't given up all my busy little projects I do to keep my life happy and healthy. No, not at all.

In fact, I have been quite busy.

This new collection of digital patterns, brushes and elements came from my deep love for Jane Austen and the literary worlds she created.  I think they would be great for making cards or party printables. I envision book club invites and art journaling pages.

All of the collection is orginal hand drawn sketches. There are 20 digital brushes (or stamps- whatever you like to call them) available. I created 6 patterns that mix and match. The elements file contains 11 separate watercolor images and 2 watercolor banners.

These graphics make great blog bling!

The entire collection can be purchased as a package or each file separately under the "Shop Digital Art" button at the top of the blog. Please make sure you read through the terms and conditions before buying the art to make sure that it is suitable for use regarding your particular project.

tangerine tango

1. Delicious, 2. orange and aqua, 3. pixie tangerine and fennel pots de creme, 4. Dana Knit Fingerless Gloves - Pure Cashmere, 5. Bird pouch closeup, 6. a tank full of gold 

Do you follow color trends? 

I do.

I eagerly await the announcement from Pantone to see what the color of the year will be.  Experts in all fields of design report on what the hot colors are for the coming year and Pantone makes the official announcement.

This year it is Tangerine Tango. A delightful reddish orange. 

Which makes me happy. Because, you know, it's a happy color. And I think the world could use a little more happiness these days.

And free stuff. More free stuff would be nice.

Here's a free wallpaper for you to download if Tangerine Tango makes you happy like it does me.

Download this free wallpaper here.

I had to get a little Bellflower dot in there. It's one of my favorite color combos.

Tangerine Tango Pantone color 17-1463
Bellflower Pantone color 18-3628

beginning

download here

Time to change the old wall paper again. I get bored. Ya know?  Gotta mix it up a bit.

And I've so much to get done these days. Really. Too much stuff.

I feel overwhelmed. Excited. But overwhelmed.

Paper Coterie is forging a new campaign called "Begin Anywhere".  They want to remind people to start where you are. Take the first step.

That's really the hardest part to anything. The first step.

All these projects I have to work on, they seem huge. But once I start I know I will enjoy the work.

I thought I'd remind myself to get off my butt and just begin.  And I'm hoping its going to be awfully hard to ignore a bright chartreuse wall paper.

It's free to download, of course. Maybe it will help you too.

hope

Download this free wall paper here.

Sometimes I like people more than they like me.  I'm pretty sure it has to do with the paint ball splat to the face approach I have when I first meet people.

I'm working on that by the way. The mystic space between Ice Queen and long lost friend alludes me.

And I gotta tell ya, it really doesn't feel very good to like someone more than they like you.  It hurts my spirit and it makes me want to stay in the safe cushy place called home where my children and husband love me like crazy cakes.

But a girl like me needs to stretch her wings every so often and fly away from the nest with other like minded girls for a nice lunch or something of that nature.

These other girls, well, they don't exactly come knocking on my door and I must seek them out.

So when I splat them in the face and scare them away it hurts my spirit.  My mother likes to remind me that as a child I couldn't care less of what others thought. I'd shrug my shoulders, say "their loss" and run off to the next exciting thing.

I'm thinking she has to still be in me somewhere, this little girl.  I'm looking for her. I'm digging up old photos and laughing at her antics.  I'm hoping she will teach me how to love myself enough to say, "their loss."

"To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing." - source unknown

Please enjoy my May wall paper. It's free to download here.

dream big

click here to download this wall paper

Okay so the April wall paper I made doesn't even have "April" anywhere on it.  Whatever. Enjoy.

I turn 37 tomorrow. I don't like the number 37. Not one bit.  I don't mind getting older, it's just that 37 is such an ugly number.  Not that I feel that strongly about numbers, but thrity-seven? Blah.

But I'm declaring April the month of April, as in me.  I'm gunna lose a few pounds, I just know it.  My head if filled to the brim with creative ideas.  April is the month to execute them.  I'm going to try to tell my children yes more often.  I'm going to stay on top of the laundry.  

I'm dreamin' big girls.

Maybe you are too?

less schmaltz

I'm off to what I hope will be a very inspiring and creative weekend.  I love to meet and talk with other designer type people.  It makes me feel just a little less crazy.

Here's the computer wallpaper I made for February. Much better than January if you ask me. I'm done with calendars on my wall paper.  Too cluttered. Too schmaltzy. Predictable.  Now wouldn't you agree?

Feel free to download and use it.  Think of me every time you turn on your computer. It's my Valentine to you. I love you, my readers. Truly. You feed my ego.

All three of you.