Dove

I finished this a while ago, and forgot to post it on here. I created this a wedding gift for my sister.

Rattenborough and friends

I recently did some illustrations for an educational reader about different animals and their habitats. I really like how they turned out. Here are a few of my favorites.

 

Shy Baby

Hello! I've been playing around with some different styles recently. This little baby is based off of a doodle from my sketchbook. I like his sweet little shy smile.

 I tried out a couple different color schemes, but I couldn't decide on a favorite. I like them all. Which one do you like best?

 

two tigers

Chinese New Year is just a few days away, and this past year was the year of the tiger. So, here are two tigers to say farewell to last year and hello to many happy new beginnings to come.

Merry, Merry!

Super Cute

Fact: raccoons are cute . . . and fun to draw.

I was sketching for fun, and I stumbled across this little guy. The sketch has a certain feeling to it that I really liked, but it gets lost in the cleaned up version. So, I'll post him too, since I like both of them for different reasons.

Happy + New

Here's to a bright and shiny new year. Lately, I've been feeling a bit uninspired, but on New Year's Day, I had a sudden burst of creative energy. Perhaps it's an indication of good things to come in 2010. Happy new beginnings wherever you may be.

Illustration Friday: Renewal

A much needed sleep

Renewing and rejuvenating

First Birthday

I designed this invite for my baby's 1st birthday.

Happy Birthday, Lincoln!

Owl Freebie

Today is my birthday! Woot! And to celebrate, I'm giving you each a gift. This set includes a fun argyle paper and two matching images to make something sweet for any day of the year.

Click here to Download

Shop coordinating "What a Hoot" clipart

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1. This product is for personal use only.
2. Do not claim as your own.
3. Do not resell.
4. Do not share with friends.
5. Do not redistribute.
6. Not for commercial use.

Colonial Days

This Fourth of July weekend, I got to participate in Colonial Days at the Crandall Historical Printing Museum, part of Provo's Freedom Festival. All the volunteers dressed up in traditional colonial costume and demonstrated some aspect of colonial life. There were blacksmiths, sidewalk chalkers, spinners carting wool, etc. I painted "Patriot Medalions" for the kids to wear and take home. I loved working with the kids. It was so rewarding to see how excited they were to choose their own colors and watch their picture take shape.

During Colonial times, a Patriot might wear a tree round painted with a liberty tree, acorn, or oak leaf to show he was a member of the Sons of Liberty.

Here I am with one of my angel helpers. Each day I was there, someone came to help me and save me from the long line. Can't thank them enough. One person can only paint so fast. :)

Illustration Friday: Hierarchy

When I saw this week's IF topic, my mind kept going back to those scientific classification charts from biology class. Must've been when I really started to grasp the concept. Owls are known scientifically as Strigiformes, in case you wanted to know. ;) These strigiformes are for a project I'm just finishing up.

The Shop is now open. . .

Some of you have asked about any artwork or prints of my work available for sale. I have now opened a CafePress Shop with prints and other items featuring my illustrations. You can find the link in the new "Shop" section of the sidebar.

Freebie: Retro Frames

Three free 1950's-themed frames: perfect for vintage photographs, party photos, or pretty much anything you'd like!

Click here to Download

Shop coordinating "Nifty Fifties" clipart

Terms of Use
1. This product is for personal use only.
2. Do not claim as your own.
3. Do not resell.
4. Do not share with friends.
5. Do not redistribute.
6. Not for commercial use.

Magic Bunny

www.funproperlydone.com

Train

little announcement

This Christmas Season brought with it a beautiful baby boy, healthy and strong. Couldn't ask for a better gift.

Nifty Fifties

These are a few of my favorite images from the last clipart set I made for PcCrafter. You can see the complete set here!

Pumpkin Faces

This year's collaborative jack o' lantern effort by my husband and me. Personally, I think his turned out the best. Any guesses as to whoo's is whoo's and witch is witch*? Happy Halloween!

*Nothing wrong with a little creative spelling for festive purposes now and then.

Change-of-address postcard

A few things have been keeping me pretty busy around here, including moving to a new home! Amidst the packing and cleaning, I got a chance to make this change-of-address postcard. Good thing, too. I can only go so long before experiencing serious drawing/creating withdrawals. It was so refreshing to get to do something just for fun.

Freebie: Music Papers

Here are three free music-themed papers for you to enjoy! They coordinate with my Music Lovers set available at PcCrafter. Each paper is 12"x 12" at 300 dpi.

Please review my Terms of Use below. Then click here to download. Have fun!

Terms of Use

1. This product is for personal use only.
2. Do not claim as your own.
3. Do not resell.
4. Do not share with friends.
5. Do not redistribute.
6. Not for commercial use.

Freebie: Pet Notecards

My first set of digital clipart is available for purchase today at PcCrafter! It's called "Pets Make the Best Friends" and it's all about kids and their pets. In honor of the occasion, I am offering these coordinating notecard designs for free! Hope you enjoy!

Please read my Terms of Use below before clicking here to download.

Terms of Use

1. This product is for personal use only.
2. Do not claim as your own.
3. Do not resell.
4. Do not share with friends.
5. Do not redistribute.
6. Not for commercial use.

Primitive

I've been wanting to try something with a more primitive style, and this week's Illustration Friday topic gave me the perfect excuse. I think I'll call this one "Mondrian Circus."

Save

Ah, saving a little nest egg. There is such a nice sense of security just knowing you are there. But what about the day you grow big enough to turn in? I think I'll miss you.

Me at the Show

Here I am standing by my art at the BYU Illustration Alumni Show which was on display during the month of February. I had a fabulous time at the opening reception viewing all the great artwork, connecting with former classmates and professors, and meeting a few new faces as well. And thanks to all the family and friends who came! Here are some close-up shots of the "Little Monster" frame.

I was really happy with how this frame turned out. I found the frame for $5 at a thrift store less than a week before the show, and it just happened to be the perfect dimensions! Am I lucky, or what!? I added some dings, dents, and paint, and . . . Voila! The perfect, Halloweenish/monstery frame. Thank-you, thank-you to Nadine for all your help. I wouldn't have been able to finish everything in time without you.

You can read more about the show in this article by the Daily Herald. And here is a complete list of all the artists who participated.

You Make My Day

I received this lovely "You Make My Day" award from Sheree Boyd. I always love to visit Sheree's blog; lots of super cute illustrations there.

"You Make My Day" award works like this:
1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day.
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Display the "You Make my Day Award" logo with a link to the post that I wrote. (Optional)
4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.

Here are just a few of the blogs that always make me smile:
1. Shawna JC Tenney (her style: enchanting and whimsical)
2. Katie McDee (lots of delightful characters)
3. Eli Edmundson (Cute and clever comics. Great for a pick-me-up.)
4. Dani Jones (a very talented illustrator with lots of great art tips)
5. Alicia Traveria (darling designs and an entertaining read)

BYU Alumni Show

For anyone in the area, there is a Brigham Young University Illustration Alumni Show in downtown Provo at the Health and Justice Building (151 South University Avenue) from Jan 28 - Feb 23. I have a few pieces on display and will be selling prints (framed and non-framed.) A lot of great artwork is on display and for sale. Check it out! Opening reception is Friday, February 1st, 6-9 pm.

Nothings!

A few years ago, my mother-in-law decided she had acquired enough things in her life, and requested "no more gifts" for birthdays or holidays. Instead, she would prefer a written memory, so she could collect them in a book. I figured my husband's childhood memories were probably more valuable to her than my own, so for this past Christmas, I contributed by illustrating the memory he chose. Here is the memory that this picture illustrates:

"It was morning, and we were at the parking lot of the elementary school. [Brother] was in the very back seat of the van throwing a screaming tantrum. Mom was being a good mother and ignoring him to let it run it’s course (which always seemed to take a long time). Then Mom asked what kind of treat we would like, and [Brother] screamed, 'NOTHING,' over and over. Eventually, Mom cheerfully agreed to get us “nothings.” I'll never forget the confused look on [Brother's] face when Mom agreed with him. A short while later, we were munching on coffee cakes. The name stuck, and we have referred to coffee cakes as 'nothings' ever since."

Happy 2008!

This is a holiday card I designed this past year for a local computer security company. Happy new year, everyone!

Naughty or Nice

Thanks to all of you who stop by this blog. Here is my holiday card to you! Hope you have a wonderful and joyous season!

5 Things

Well, looks like I, too, have been tagged to share 5 random things about myself. I was tagged by Lesley Withrow; a very talented artist with some great designs. I can't promise interesting, but they will most definitely be random.

I originally had five wisdom teeth; four have been removed. Obviously, the fifth is there to hold all that extra wisdom I have. ;)









Growing up, I competed in Scottish Highland Dancing. I learned that kilts are actually quite comfortable. And dancing over swords? Less comfortable.









I have always liked Sanrio (aka Hello Kitty) stuff. My grandma used to take me and my sisters to the Hello Kitty store once a year. She would patiently wait while we circled around the store numerous times with our piggy banks carefully deciding what to buy. This would literally take HOURS.







When I have extra energy to burn, and it is too cold outside for a walk, I play Dance Dance Revolution for Xbox.










My first spoken word was "kitty." I suppose this explains a lot about #3 as well as half the stuff that shows up in my sketchbook. I wouldn't call myself a cat lover; I just happen to really enjoy drawing small mammals of the cute and furry variety.

The End