Still Life: Summer

Pulling Weeds

The gardens are in full bloom. Lilies, coreopsis, bee balm and the like. And then, there are the weeds.

That said, there are weeds that I love too much to pull. I let them do their thing as part of my gardens. Milkweed, poke weed, Queen Anne's Lace (more of a wildflower I guess, but some people consider it a weed).  Of course, there's also the unidentifiable.  As long as they're pretty and they don't choke everything else out, they're keepers in my book. There is something inspiring about the strength of a weed.

 

What's not to love?

Hotter than Hades again today, though I'm cool in the AC. Gotta run it for the old hound dog.  He doesn't even want to venture out in this humidity and I don't blame him.

Pool time later, no doubt. I am so thankful for our pool.

Lots of design work on the plate today. Saving final logo files for my client Jessica from Dalton Lane Portrait Co. who's a peach and one talented portrait photographer. I'll be blogging about her logo project soon and she'll be launching her rebranding asap too.  This is the message I received from her last night:  "I LOVE IT. LOVE LOVE LOVE it." That sure makes me happy, especially coming from someone with such a great eye. If you're in her area, honestly, her pictures of kids are amazing. Book a session.


I'll also be working on logo design for my newest client, an event planner from TN; an email design for my long time client Top Drawer; as well as logo adjustments for a couple of other customers.

Dang if I don't love being busy, especially with design work. I get lost in the day.  Isn't that the best?

Make it a great one in your corner of the world and I'll do the same.

Ciao for now,

Work In Progress

 

At My Desk

It's a blustery Fall day, but the sun is shining after more rain overnight. So hoping the wind dries up some of the wetness. It is really blowing.

I'm at my desk today. One of the things I'm working on is my 2013 Desk Calendar Design. I have  ways to go, but I am making progress.

As you can see, it has a flower theme. 

They will be interspersed with quotes.

Hoping to make even more headway by the end of the day.

Did I tell you Gar and I did a test set up of our craft fair booth the other night? Well, we did. Verdict? It was looking pretty good. I think we'll be able to pull it together really nicely on Saturday. Now all we need is people to attend.

What are you working on today?

Anniversary of Sorts

Today marks 28 years since my husband landed in this country. By all accounts, it was a beautiful Fall day, much warmer than this (in the 80s as he touched down at JFK).

Sure glad you were able to tear yourself away from Dublin and make the big leap to live in the good old US of A.  Though we probably would have found each other some way, regardless.

Happy Anniversary Gar!

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,

Inspired: Design

via skonahem

Geometrics

Hi guys. Have I told you before that I've had geometric inspiration on my board for ages? I think I was ahead of the trend curve. Maybe it's because I have a soft spot for geometry. You see, I wasn't so good at Algebra. I mean, I am talking downright awful. I stayed after school for extra help, had my Dad who was a missile engineer help me with my homework which would bring me to tears, but it was all for naught. I just didn't get it. 'But WHY does x + y = z' and 'why the hell is pi a mathematical constant'? However, in his ultimate wisdom, my Algebra teacher Mr. Bennett allowed me to take Geometry even though my Algebra grades weren't good enough to send me on to Geometry. Well, he made and exception and go figure, I rocked geometry. Seriously. Hello As.  It was all so logical. I think geometry was the only math class I ever liked. 

Ode to my favorite math class.......let's get back to inspired: design. Geometry is all over the place and in our face everyday, so to see it as a major design trend (again) makes me smile.  

rectangular crate bed tray via monchihic;

square vintage vera scarf via fox and fawns; chevron shirt via zzouzi;

triangle and sqaure bracelets via laurenmanoogian; argyle purse via toriska;
triangle bowl via skonahem; circle necklace via  justlena;
multicolored-leather rug via scad; triangular bowls with squares and rectangles

I've am inspired by geometry and you'll see that I often incorporate it into my illustrations.  I'm currently working on another, but it's not quite done. Here's a sneak peak of a small portion of 'In Flux'.  

via batesmercantileco

Are you on the geometric bandwagon or do you like things a little more soft around the edges? Personally, I have wicked varied tastes ranging from shabby chic to ultra clean and modern. Hey, variety is the spice of life, right?

Shoutout

I am taking part in a giveaway over on simplesurber. Lacy is celebrating her year of blogging and put a notice out that she was looking for giveaway participants via etsy forums. I happened upon it and the rest is history. So, if you want a chance to win the Grow Love print from Bates Mercantile Co., pop on over simplesurber and find out what you've got to do!

Say hi to Lacy while you're there and let her know I sent you.

Are You a Facebook Friend?

I'm beginning to realize I'm connected to a lot of people on the internet, but sometimes in different ways. Some I'm connected to via etsy, some via Mercantile Muse, and some via Facebook.  I'd love to connect with you all via Facebook, as I post even more bits and pieces there that I think you'd like. So if you don't already 'like' Bates Mercantile Co. on facebook swing on by and hook up.

If you're on pinterest and not a follower of my boards yet, you'll find me here. I'd love to see what you're pinning too!

Have a fabulous Monday. Mine is chock-full, but I'm checking things off the list as I go, so that's a plus.

Thanks, as always, for being here.

Over and out,