Creative Thursday

ric rac rabbits

Back from Seattle and now I have 2 posts to share on recent travels, but before I do my studio is small and overflowing with the new fabric that has arrived - so! Ric Rac Rabbit bundles are officially listed in the shop! 

I have to say I really, really love how the colors turned out in this collection, so much so I was inspired to put together my first improvised mini quilt, even pieced a heart with the help of Lizzy in her mini quilts class here in LA a few weeks ago. It's like these are colors you can eat. Do you know what I mean? They remind me of sorbet or ice cream? I combined the Ric Rac Rabbits with some Robert Kaufman Quilter's Linen {seriously gorgeous, rich colors in this collection - also the kind you want to take a bite of} and Kaffe Fassett solids. I almost sound like I know what I'm doing, comparing fabric to food, sharing fancy fabric suggestions?! what? what am I saying...dinner is in the oven and I think I'm just really hungry right now. #firsttimequilter

Have I told you already? {probably more than once} how much I am enjoying designing fabric. I don't know - something about going this new direction with my creating and my business makes me so happy. If you know me, then you know how much weight I put on following what makes you happy = a clue that you are headed in the right direction.

If you love these designs even have as much as I do, will be a thrill.

Numbers Print

Does the world need another Numbers print? Yes it does! Especially one finally designed to go with my Alphabet prints! You can now find these over at the shop. Featuring a cast of characters in order of their appearance, All of the characters in order of their appearance, lion, teddy bear, puppy dog, oscar the owl, fish, cat, ladybug, bunny rabbit, olive the bird {and tiny bird}

 

The In's and Out's of Textile Design - by Creative House

A chance meeting while both teaching at the Squam Art Workshops, plus 2 separate moments, 1 year apart when Lizzy told Marisa "YOU need to be designing fabric" has become a friendship and now a collaboration called Creative House.

Super excited about and really proud of this newest collaboration with my friend Lizzy. We love what we do. We want to help people find their way on their path to happiness and we believe that a large part of that has to do with finding fulfilling work that you love. We are creating products that we wish we had when we were trying to find our way. If you remember Lizzy wrote this e-book and {lucky for me when I tried to get into the industry I had Lizzy's book and her guidance} Now we've added on to that knowledge and experience with this podcast. So if you're interested in getting into the world of textile design as well as learning from two creative entrepreneurs who are always cheering you on, this new podcast might be for you. You can learn more about it, and watch us chat in a little video at our new site! The first of more collaborations to come for Creative House, so stay tuned.

{thank you again to Jo for the beautiful site design} 

we're live! I finally have a new website!!

 

Creative Thursday has had the same website since 2005.  

A template site, I put together myself. It served it's purpose and did a great job of getting me started.

And then I outgrew it, at least five years ago now.  It was high time for a new one. 

You know how it goes. There's always something more pressing than getting your own site done. So then, you finally get some help! You hire someone who's a great web designer, gets your aesthetic, is easy to work with and is super patient while you squeeze in your updates in between projects over a period of two years.

And then there's today and you have a beautiful new site and you could not be more EXCITED!! {thank you Jo!}

magic wand

4 x 4 in.

Some days don't you wish you had one of these? Along with the crown? - already got the socks.

 

{click here to buy original} {also available as print in the shop}

5 years :: An Anniversary {sale}

it's a celebration - 6 x 6 in.

Today is my 5 year Anniversary on Etsy. Can you believe it? I'd say where did the time go but I know where it went. Hundreds of creations + 1 awesome trip to Paris + a growing business later, I still remember the very first customer who bought one of my prints. That day changed my life in the best possible way. 

In celebration! I am having a 2 day sale {ends tomorrow @ 11:59 pm PST} over at the shop. Just enter the code '5years' at checkout.  The painting above is a special 'anniversary' piece I made in honor of the occassion.

To all of my customers who have supported Creative Thursday, and especially my Etsy customers. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!

To be able to create art that I love, that makes me happy ~ that also makes you happy! There is nothing better.

 

{original is sold} {also available as a print}

dear blog ~ have I left you for Instagram?

I miss you! Every time I think I have a moment to post from the growing list of ideas I keep meaning to share here, or plan a re-design of you that I've had on my to do list forever, another deadline approaches. Seems like this is becoming business as usual over here {actually a very good thing} also an important reminder of my next step that I have been putting off for far too long...

In the meantime I  think I have temporarily replaced you with Instagram. Honestly some days I think... if Instagram was my blog?! That might just be perfect?! After the two hours plus {versus two minutes} it has taken me to create this one post, because I keep coming back to edit it - maybe I need to become a faster blogger? the sound of an 'Instagram in place of a blog' is sounding really appealing right now. So fun {and so easy} to shoot a pretty photo on my Iphone {the new 4S camera pretty incredible btw} and post it. Very few words, if any to describe the shot {forcing me into brevity and less constant editing} A snapshot of my life shared in a second mixed in with so many gorgeous photos. In mere moments I'm in touch with everyone, traveling with them, enjoying the beauty of every day details, and leaving inspired and then some. Are you sure we can't all just live in Instagram land?

But then I think about how I love sharing here in this space, my long, sometimes very long thoughts on things ~ the chance to archive my creative journey - sharing it with, and hearing from those of you who are interested in following along ~ and I know the blog, my first online home, will always be. I love this blog. And I also love Instagram. I know I don't have to choose. Do I? I can do both ~ something I'm working out, as I'm sure we all are, in today's technical world {in between deadlines}

Remember the days when we just had blogs? One day will I be saying, remember when we just had blogs and Instagram? But for now, I say again, are you sure we can't all live in Instagram land?

photos:

• pretty petals
• morning latte - had to have {just} one in my new Paris cafe cup that was calling out for a coffee
• color on a cloudy day - can you spot Garbo in the photo?
• tiny houses by thelittlereddoor.etsy.com - growing my collection
• the beginnings of my book cover {!!}
• new LOVE stamp that I LOVE
• painting ceramics {just a few that will be available in the shop soon!}
• farmer's market flowers for you
• morning light
• gardening
• drawing in the garden 
• so sometimes I dress like my characters -what can I say- it comes with the job

Creative Thursday Care Packages

As you know I'm getting serious about this self-care business :) particularly the getting more sleep part. 

I have also let go of caffeine for now as an experiment. I want to see how my body really feels without using caffeine to wake it up. Turns out, it was tired. After the first 10 days {exhaustion kicks in first}, it's working! I feel happier! I feel better.

So this got me thinking...If I'm needing this right now, maybe you are too? As I said in my email that I sent out last night, I can't give you all more sleep but I can create a Care Package to brighten your day and inspire you to care more for you.

There are only 24 of these packages and they were announced to my email mailing last night.  Each one has the same collection of Creative Thursday products, a print, a postcard pack, a small bundle of 3 fabrics, and a Valentine {plus one other tiny surprise!} The print and the fabric designs/colors will be different in each one. As I post this there are only 2 left. So you really do need inspiration and permission for self care {I know I did} or this is such a good deal, you can't pass it up! 

*Edit* later today - All the packages sold out super fast, much quicker than I had anticipated. I've had some requests from those of you who missed them, so I'm looking into pulling together 10 more - if you had your heart set on one? If so, let me know!

*Edit* Friday morning - ok! wishes granted. I've just listed 10 more over at the shop - All the packages sold out and are on their way to you! If you missed out on them this time, I may be creating some more packages at some point again. 

a bear and a loon

4 x 4 in.

The fifth in a series of 10 paintings

{click here to buy original}

Today @ 10 am PST

30 new handmade creations all being released at the same time over at the shop this morning. See you there!