Pinterest Pros: Set No.7

Hi friends! I can't believe we are already at the end of the first week of October! Wow!

I'm sorry I missed out on posting a new set of Pinterest Pros last week. I got to Friday and just didn't have even one more post in me. Anyhow, I'm back today (a little bit late because I'm sick, boo) with a quick dose of Pinterest Pro goodness. These picks are three of my personal faves...next week I'll be sure to include a few of your nominations as well. Thanks for keeping all the good recommendations coming. I love it! I hope you'll enjoy these inspiring Pinterest mavens and have a lovely weekend too! xo Ez

Carolina: pin | pin | pin / Recommended board to follow: Taste (I honestly think I could repin everything in this board...scrumptious)

Follow Studio: pin | pin | pin / Recommended board to follow: Shop Things (also be sure to check out their shop right here)

Natty: pin | pin | pin / Recommended board to follow: Creative Spaces

P.S. If you haven't already done so, hop on over and enter for a chance to win one of two $75 shopping credits being offered by Cutting Edge Stencils. The giveaway closes on Monday, so you have just a couple more days to enter!

Color Inspiration Daily: 10. 05. 12

Illustration by Katrin Coetzer (via) | Portfolio + Blog

My Fall Favorites

Oh Fall...I love you so! If only you could stay a while longer and not turn all cold and indifferent just when I become attached. Le sigh!

This season (brief as it might be) has me loving anything with a contrast of both hard and soft, metallic and muted. How about you? What's topping your Fall must-haves list (or Spring favorites if you're in the Southern Hemisphere)? xo Ez

My Fall Favorites:

• Chic Civilities // Sugar Paper
• Ladylike Tops // Madewell and J.Crew
• Boots, Boots, Boots // Madewell
• Perfectly Polished // Target (Good as Gold and Licorice)
• Jewelry with an Edge // Stella & Dot
• A Favorite Crafting Tool // Blick

Color Inspiration Daily: 10. 04. 12

Hungarian Dancers Archival Art Print by Julie Morstad (one of my most favorite artists)

Illustrated Prints Available Now

Hi friends! I'm sorry for my late posting today. After sharing the snapshot of my little elephant sketch yesterday I became completely distracted by the process of editing him in Photoshop, and put all other work aside (bad)...but the great news is that I've now made two finished versions available for sale in my Society6 shop! Meet William and Margaux! They are available as art prints, framed prints and stretched canvases. I hope you'll like them. I'm planing to add more prints soon, so I hope you'll bookmark my wee shop and check back in for updates from time to time.

Also, before I go and attempt to get caught up on all of my neglected work, I just wanted to say thank you to each one of you who has been so kind and encouraging (both here and on Instagram) of my new adventures in art. I've always been so shy about sharing anything art related of mine, but you've made me feel braver...and because of your support I am too inspired and motivated to feel afraid any more. Thank you!!!

Lastly, I promised to share a few process shots yesterday...so here those are. xo Ez

Deciding on a color palette is one of the most fun parts of the design process...and also one of the trickiest! There are just so many amazing colors to choose from! As you can see, my final palette ended up looking a bit different than the one I first chose to work with.

Next I paint in all the layers. If you're curious about the technique I use, I can't recommend the book Heather Ross Prints enough.

The technique I follow (from Heather's book) allows you to quickly and easily change any color in your piece. Phew!

After all the layers are set where they need to be it's fairly easy to create additional versions using different color palettes. After several test prints I finally uploaded both completed designs to my shop! Hooray!