The past few weeks have flown by! Due, in large part to my collaborations with Ashley at Li’l Blue Boo. The woman is amazing. i’ve been lucky enough to contribute some artwork to her for her amazing kids clothes and her fan base has welcomed me with open arms. i am so humbled by that. Some folks might think that “web only” friends aren’t real friends, and that operating my business primarily online might be isolating. But i have found those things to be entirely untrue.

i have met people who are suddenly part of my support structure. They encourage me with words and action! They order art from me! They collaborate with me! We trade products and messages and laughs. The constant influx of positive reinforcement has kept me going this past month. And believe me, i’ve needed that mojo! Oh boy have i needed it.

i haven’t yet made a formal announcement in a public way. A past experience left me a bit nervous to say anything early-on ever again…but i’ll spill the beans here first. i’m expecting! i’m in the throes of all the lovely first trimester gunk that slows you down but also makes you feel somewhat reassured that everything is progressing as it should. But as much as my normal pace has been compromised by the little peanut who’s fighting me for my energy, i feel as though i’ve received an infusion of positive thoughts from all over the country and a few outside of it!

i feel grateful.

Grateful that i’ve spent 90% of my work life the past few weeks making art.

Grateful for the wonderful new people i’ve met.

Grateful for support and generosity of “strangers” who are tickled to see me succeed.

So, here’s me, back to blogging and wanting to show you some of the pieces i’ve been working on recently. Mostly i’ve been sketching some spunky little girls with stellar fashion sensibilities. i introduced these “Li’l Fashionista” sketches in my etsy shop following a project i did for Ashley at LBB. SHe asked if i could do a fashion illustration to embody the amazing, upcycled dresses she makes. That meant all focus was on the dress and the figure was left as a sketchy, B&W drawing. This first illustration below is what resulted. Then the brainstorm hit that i could offer drawings a bit like these to moms of other Lil Fashionistas! Awesome.

Ashley posted a pic of her illustration on one of her signature dresses, and the rest was history. i’ve been capturing little independent spirits ever since and i couldn’t be happier. More examples are below.

I shouldn’t forget! i also recently helped my good friend, Dawn of The HodgePodgery in Harrisburg, PA develop a whimsical logo for an outdoor market they’ve begun called the HoPo Road Show. Isn’t she cute? The idea was all Dawn’s. She is a business whiz and i am ever so grateful to her for selling my work in her shop and for being yet one more source of constant support.

And last but not least, a possible teaser….i’ve been approached to do an amazing (and large) project that i really hope i can make happen. Just one more thing to turn my life upside down (in a good way) this past month. It’s crazy! If it happens, you all will be the first to know!

So, that’s what i’ve been up to. Stay tuned for postings of other completed projects that are still top secret and can’t yet be shared. They’re a-comin’!

Repeated thanks to all of you who are reading this. You are making my dreams come true.