Happy Site Friday.

I may have mentioned this blog before. In fact I am sure I have. It is also on the left hand side under "My Daily Reads."

I don't read many blogs...i browse through my friends and my favorites every once in a while...but ZEN HABITS has me hooked.

I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a cook. I am a housekeeper. I am an artist. I am a business owner. I am an assistant dance teacher (ok...I keep Addie's 3 year old dance class under control). I am a voice teacher. Bus driver (to Addie and Ian). I am a bill payer. I am a woman who loves time to myself. (when?)

Do you relate? Sure. Every woman I know has to be a master juggler. And ZEN HABITS (though written by a man) is starting to help me get the picture. Each day of the week is designated to a different topic (finance, organization, family, simplicity, health) and he writes about it.

He has 7 children, is a writer (meaning...there is right brain in him like me) and he believes in living minimalistically. It is beyond me, but I DESIRE to believe I can do the same (not the 7 kids part!!)

But keeping two kids, a studio, a happy husband and laundry all from flying out the window in complete chaos is a real art! I go through phases. Right now, I am needing to get back into the phase.

I need to have a picture in each of my posts ( I am a visual person...no. Really?) And so I leave you with a picture of me and my kids 2 days after Ian came home from the hospital. Remember now, that Addie and Ian are 12 months apart...so Addie, bless her, was still just a baby!

If any of you have any inspirations you find to keeping the balance, please share. It is always good to get good simple ideas!

But for right now, this site is making for a Happy Friday.

P&P

I am so excited! Bowie over at Print and Pattern posted my stationary today on her site! If any of you haven't seen her blog/website yet, you really need too. She posts products and photos of products that she finds all over London...all with some element of vintage/modern pattern and color. GREAT site for the design minded. I just wish I had more design experience! My dream is to figure out how to make more pattern elements in my artwork...but maybe I just need to take classes...or just read enough of Bowie's Blog??

Well, I am just really flattered. Bowie is a dear person with a great eye. Thanks!

I can't send you to the post exactly...only her site, so scroll down a bit...it's there:)

A little of this and that.

Is it actually happening? Look close. Really close. Wait! I think I see it!!! I think it might actually be the start of spring!

This winter has been the snowiest ever (thank goodness...I can't handle brown winters) but it has meant a lot of COLD.

So, here is to new spring. New life. New mud (for the boys of course) andwind and rain blowing away any chill that has the guts to stick around any longer.

Addie has loved the March wind. On saturday while we were out running errands, she said "Oh Daddy! Hold me tight! If I blow away you will miss me!"
I about died of a love attack in my heart. I love these children.

And speaking of love.

My mother got to wake up to this the ONE day she was here visiting last week. 7 am never felt so good.

Speaking of good things...I am finished with my batch of new designs for the next couple weeks. Here is what is NEW in the shop.

I am pretty tickled at how incredibly cute these invitations are. I just love them! I don't always LOVE the stuff I post...I am my worst critic. But these just make me so happy.

And these new prints are slight variations from the ones featured in SMALL MAGAZINE. These look better in print than the ones that I posted in the online magazine. Amazing the difference between what is on your screen and what is in your hand.

But between you and me...I am ready to go play some more in the mud with my kids. Ian counted to 3 today, Addie wanted to go to a breakfast ball this morning (she wanted a Ball, I wanted her to eat breakfast, so we compromised by eating scrambled eggs with paper crowns) and they both are just so snuggly! Happy days.

A small...

Wow. This is just really cool for me to announce that I have my very first magazine publication! I have been itching to show you these new drawings for a while now! But I swore to secrecy until the Spring edition of SMALL MAGAZINE came out. And, well....it just came out!

I was asked to do some drawings based on clothing and teasets that editor Olivia gave me, and oh I just felt like a kid again! You know...setting up the clothes for your dolls, finding the "right" location for your picnic and getting the favorite tea set out.

Thanks Olivia for letting me take a stroll down memory lane. I hope you like them! And the best part of all, is I get to share these prints with you and keep them in my ETSY shop!
These prints will be available Monday morning.

Each one is great individually, but you will notice that some of them are good as a set, or match very well other prints that are in my shop right now. You might even recognize the bunny that keeps reappearing!

So, thank you Olivia for being so great to work with! I can't wait to go play tea now with my kids. Ian actually likes to play as well. (He got a play sushi kit for Christmas and likes to have pertend miso soup and herb tea:) Oh how I love children!

We interupt this regular news program....

...to announce the beginning of March!

Horray for March. I love green. I love wind. I love the clearing away of winter (or at least the start). Three cheers to St. Patricks, Easter, Spring, my brother's birthday, My cousin's birthday (tomorrow), my uncle's birthday, and to all the wonderful jitters I get from getting to be outside again.

Go fly a kite!

(a green one:)

Happy site friday.

Room Seven. I have yet to own anything from them, but I am secretly hoping to redo Addie's room in these colors and with this bedding. And OH! The colors! So much of my inspiration in my art comes from these colors. (Not all...I am still trying to incorporate these colors more, although it poses a challenge when putting these brighter colors on paper).

Room Seven is founded by Brechtje Olsthoorn, a dutch woman whose parents were the minds behind the dutch clothing brand OILILY. Her colors are crisp yet soft, and remind me of my own childhood.

I just love the ocean blue mixed with the pink and the red. My FAVORITE! Here is a taste of what inspires me, and what hopefully will inspire your friday!

Support in the Studio.

There are so many components to running a small business from home, and I am the first to say that I have not done this alone. I need to pay tribute to so many of you who have helped me and supported me this far!

My husband for believing in me and being patient with me when I choose to say up all night on a project. And for just being the most incredible husband on the planet.

My parents for supporting my ideas and always paying special interest. (sorry Dad, Carol and John...I coulnd't find a quick picture of you!!!)

My wonderful cousin Liz who has been my new "hired help" the past two months and can do just about anything!

My sisters in law Robyn and Megan for being my on-the-spot babysitter when I find my self in a mini-crisis and Ann for being an AMAZING financial advisor!

My dear new-found-friend Kelly for all her incredible advice and wisdom

My online friend Jaime for her support and advice about the details of running an art business

And to all of you who have offered up words of encouragement and support along the way!

This list could go on and on. I am just so grateful for all the help I have received! I could definately not do this on my own!

And that brings me to my next item of discussion:

PRICING MY ART

I am raising my prices starting in March. This has been a really hard decision for me, since I aime at making my art work affordable for all. I really "poo-poo" all the children's art work that is incredibly overpriced and seems to sell to the "elite" few who can afford hundreds of dollars in art for their children. But I also feel, that under priced art work isn't in any one's interest either. With needing more hired help these past couple months, and with the value of the materials that I use in the art making process, I am raising my prices just a bit to compensate. The challenge comes with placing a value on my work, and I have struggled over this one. But I feel that now is the time and I hope that you can support me on this one.

I mention this to you, because I want to give you a chance to buy before the weekend is out and my prices go up $5 per print. My prices will remain the same until Sunday March 2nd.

Once again, thank you to all of you who continue to offer so much support and encouragement! I just am a very lucky gal!

Save the Date.

In my previous life (BC: Before Children) I was an actress/singer/dancer. I know, it is sometimes hard for me to believe that I spent my evenings doing shows and rehearsals! I guess a lot of you don't know that I graduated with a BFA in musical theater. I taught voice lessons at BYU for 2 years, and still teach at home. I don't really miss it...other than my experience I had playing the lead role in this musical for three years. I actually haven't really done much on the stage since Addie was born...although we do have rounds of broadways performances every night on our couch with favorites such as "SHY" and "TOMORROW" and "STRONGEST SUIT".

The reason for bringing this up on my very mommy/artist blog is to mention to all you UTAH citizens out there that my husband and I will be performing in a benefit concert this Friday night at Lone peak High school.

Here is the excerpt from the the newspaper:

The Shari Warner Benefit Concert: A Lullaby of Broadway
Description: Friday, February 29th, 7:30-9:00 PM, Lone Peak High School, Highland, Utah. Shari Warner is a compassionate, kind, generous mother of eight children who is losing the battle with pancreatic cancer. Steve Wallace, Soni and Jodie Barrus, and 16 of Utah's top performers have put together a broadway revue-style benefit concert in her honor. The show includes songs from "Wicked," "42nd Street," "I Do, I Do," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Les Miserables," and other favorite musicals. There is no charge for admission, and the night is sure to be an up-beat, unforgettable one full of family-friendly fun!
Time:		07:30 PM
Date:		Feb 29
Location:		Lone Peak High School auditorium
Category:		Family Entertainment
Address:		10189 N 4800 W 84003 Highland

I tell you this, because I have seen what good it can do to bring the community together and support a family such as this. I don't know them personally, but I have met her children, and they are remarkable. Her youngest child is 12.

If you have any inclination to see an AMAZING review of all your favorite broadway songs, please come. It will be a wonderful night.

Other performers include Natalie and Jared Haddock, Skye and Ben Cummings, Jillette Dayton, Jennifer Latimer, Gerry Graves, Michelle and Ross Boothe, to name a few.

See you there!