Sunday, December 30, 2012

SWAK

[Sealed With A Kiss]
Sometimes when I have no idea what to draw, I dig down into my inner emo and take refuge within a song. I say it semi-mockingly, but it truly is a great place to start when you're stuck. If you're a visual person, the inspiration basically sets up your art.

 This song led to some multi-textured-smoochers

 Yes it's supposed to be upside down. 

Have you ever noticed you can see mistakes (faces, type kerning) so much easier upside down? An art director told me that once and my mind has been blown ever since.





Sunday, December 23, 2012

moley moley mole


I'm a big believer in homemade christmas presents. They're thrifty thoughtful and totally original. Wouldn't you love to get a pile of cookies with a Melissa Wilson original recipe card? I sure would.


Did I mention I love type? 



Here's a zoomed-in version of my bow tie/astronaut textile design. After drawing half a dozen astronauts they become easier and easier. Really, they're essentially a robot with a jet pack and a fish bowl head.



These are fairly random in content, my moleskin is a magical and confusing place.

This water lilly is actually from a high school project using National Geographic magazines; I cut it out and kept it. Hoarder, no. Forward-thinking, yes.

Spongebob knock-off? Nah....

I snagged a beautiful flower reference book from my local gallery's book sale a few weeks ago. Best 25 cents I've ever spent.


Friday, December 21, 2012

long time no see

I have returned. I FINALLY decided to update my design work, realizing that if I'm going to be pointing people to my blog (Hello people!) I should update it. It has been 7 months. In my defence I got double pneumonia and a new kidney, so I think my timing is just right. I have new sketchbook entries, a few design pieces and some cards. Sadly I gave away all my beautiful christmas cards before thinking of taking  picture of them....trust me though, they were nice. 


I'm currently not working and my time is almost soly consumed with Christmas baking, but I will be more diligent, and hopefully it won't be seven months the next time you hear from me!



Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tuesday in a Peony (versus a clichéd nutshell)



One good thing about not having a real job or any real commitment, is you can pretty much spend your warm, sunny, summery days as you please!


Soundtrack for the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-gMeYU7IMk&feature=related
*I know it's called June Hymn but it's close enough, right?


Photos for the day: [to be inspired into painting of the day]





Friday, May 11, 2012

Wildwood Chronicles

I have to say I LOVE Carson Ellis, Colin Meloy and their gorgeous Wildwood Chronicles. Here is an honorary ode:

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Spring Inspiration [con'td]


My peppy spring feelings continue. I feel it's my moral obligation to create Mother's Day cards, however I think it's just another excuse to draw flowers. 

Speaking of flowers, I received a GORGEOUS bouquet that I had to macro the crap out of. 

I have to say getting flowers may seem cheesy but who can say they actually don't like getting them? It IS Mother's Day this weekend...Get your mom some flowers; even better PICK them yourself and put them in a simple recycled glass jar. (You've still got a few days left before Sunday)

Happy it-finally-feels-like-spring!




Triptych Pen + Ink bouquets

Full bouquet






Thursday, April 26, 2012

Kidneys + Chocolate

I have been consumed with Kidneys and Chocolate; not that this is a bad thing. I've so thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of purpose and the NEED to do things. You wouldn't believe how generous people are! 
I've finally gotten all my print work done (handbills, stickers, tickets and posters.) Here's a little sneak-peak at the lovely branding:

Classy hand bills
STICKERS! * for sale*

Official Invites


As an additional little nudge-in, I finally buckled down and painted; I absolutely fell in love with this mis-mash of spring flowers. You can't tell it's 3 pictures squeezed into one can you.....?


Friday, April 6, 2012

Dream Come True

Hold the phones kids, I made macaroons and they worked! They tasted delicious and they worked!!

My three little babies (toasted almond perfection no less)

Chocolate ganache + vanilla bean butter cream

Chocolate ganache, raspberry jam + vanilla bean butter cream

Salted home made dulce de leche + vanilla bean butter cream

You may wonder why there are only three. I actually made three giant meringues and these were the little orbs of sticky marshmallow that I decided to save. 

To emphasize how happy I am that these macaroons were a success, I also have to note that two of the three (uncooked) meringue plummeted to the floor and down the heating vent-literally beside the oven. I wish I had pictures to share with you lovelies, but I can't say I was in the mood for documenting at that moment. 

Toils aside, macaroons!! Happy Easter!
Ps they'e kosher too bitches!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Wicked Shoes

The fact that I did absolutely nothing this weekend was made up by the fact that I scored these unreal leather mary janes at The Vintage Ramble for $5.






Also, DESTROYED this book, highly recommend.

SURPRISE! Mom got this kitschy necklace too

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Remember Me??

Today I've grabbed Facebook and Twitter by the balls, I may as well keep my blog up to speed too. Not that I'm up to much, but I do stumble upon things daily and get into little adventures worth snooping into (I know my photos/cooking escapades are definitely worth a gander)


It hasn't been an ENTIRE year, but close....I've started volunteering at RMG; giving purpose to my day, thus inspiring me to obnoxiously update my activities ; since I actually have to wake up at a certain time now.

SPRING TIME INSPIRATION: It also doesn't hurt that the temperature is close to that of Summer...




My obsession of poppies continues                                                         

"What's that weird smell? Oh yeah, FRESH FLOWERS!"


 So these are my attempt of artfully making the little corners of my room photogenic á la Design Sponge... complete with the wisdomosity of where I acquired my one of a kind and oh-so-cool pieces of junk
Pretty vanity articles: The apple jewellery bowl sans and serif the lid were found in a Salvation Army in Bomanville. The jewellery is an accumulation of H+M trinkets.
 I'm proud that these seemingly random items fit so snugly together: The plaque was a Christmas present, the M was bought at an Umbra-esque strore 10 years ago, the driftwood was found on the beach in Whitby and the snail shell made the journey from a hike in the Swiss Alps. 

Valentines corner: This is a vintage vintage Valentines Day card; aka my Mom gave it to me when I was probably 3, making it doubly old. The heart rock also made its way across the ocean from Switzerland on the same (apparently magical) hike. 



On a side note: It snowed 16 ft in Nelson this year