A 'Sew Cool' Afternoon

Cherry the Doll

My mom has been wanting to teach me to sew for a long time now... and this past week while visiting her, she devoted an afternoon to the basics of doll making. I think our collaborative effort 'Cherry' came out really cute and I can't wait to put her in my studio!

Mom at the sewing machine...

The adorable Zoe watching us, but not quite impressed.

My first ever thing to sew... a doll's leg! ;)

Cherry ;)

For some super cute ideas of things you can sew at home, visit http://www.revoluzza.com/. 

New Coloring Book!

I'm happy to announce my newest coloring book 'Cute Characters Coloring Book'. It is exclusively offered in my Etsy store as a download. The cost is $3.50 and it may be printed as many times for personal use as you wish! Great as a quick birthday gift, as party favors, or even great for restaurants that like to keep the little ones busy. Here are some sample pages below:

Bespeckled Pear

Jellyfish

Sweet Apple

Bumble Bee

Popsicle Pets

Create some of these adorable little pets this summer for hours of fun! The possibilities are endless!

What you need to make these:

• large popsicle sticks
• acrylic paints
• permanent markers
• paint brushes
• glue & scissors
• felt in brown and white or wooden coffee sticks

Step One 

Paint your large popsicle sticks in various colors using acrylic paints. The rounded portion of the top should be the color of your animal. For instance, brown for a little bear. Use the top color to make dots which will later be the hands and feet.

Step Two

Paint the tips of wooden coffee stirrers if you wish to add ears. If you don't happen to have any, cut pieces of felt works too! After they dry, trim off the ends and glue to the top of the larger popsicle stick.

Step Three

Add details to your animals with thin tipped permanent markers. I happened to have some white puff paint, so I added some pearls and buttons to my bear as well ;)

Add your Popsicle Pets to flower arrangements, potted plants, party platters, or stick in a small jar for display! 

Did you enjoy this idea? Kindly leave a comment below!

Marvelous May Discount!

Just a little reminder... all custom artwork is 15% off this May! 

Take advantage of this super offer this week ;)

xo Ashley

Miami!

I visited Miami for the first time ever this week... and I loved it. Here are some of my personal pics from the trip. Loved the colors of the city, the art all over the place, and the strong coffee available on every corner ;)

Ron English on the wall ;)

My first Cafe Con Leche of the trip!

Adorable turtle...

Street art I dig!

A favorite Sanrio Character turned sculpture

More pics will be posted on my Facebook Page ;)

Feeling a Little Nautical

This week, during my private art classes, I'll be telling the kids all about nautical life. After we complete our art project... I'll pass out this 'how to draw' nautical things sheet. I hope they like it! 

I'm posting it above for you to enjoy too. Right click to save on your desktop or click to enlarge and drag to your desktop if you're on a Mac... Ahoy!!

A Cute Orange Cat

My parents' store Strawberry & Co. is having an exhibit this summer featuring 'The Cats & Dogs of Lancaster', so I've been busy trying to put together some pieces to feature. I stitched this little guy yesterday and wanted to share him with you. This original framed piece will be available in their store for purchase as of next week.

If you are an artist that would like to submit a piece for consideration in the show, let me know so I can put you in touch with my mother who is curating the exhibit!!