I've Been Booted... 09/29/2010
I am a fashion fanatic...I could spend an entire day just browsing through fashion mags and looking at new clothing in my favorite online stores. I can’t get enough of itJ. My favorite show right now is Rachael Zoe’s on Bravo (oh, to have her style me just for a dayJ !! I integrate a lot of my love for fashion into my drawings and illustrations. From ruffles to scrunchy socks, one of my favorite parts of drawing out a character is adding their sense of style. I’ve always been the girl who isn’t afraid of looking ridiculous to try out a particular outfit (and believe me, I’ve seen my share of ridiculous outfitsJ) ...there are pieces and trends that, no matter how many years go by, I am still going to lean towards...and my characters tend to reflect my tastes, however great or ridiculous they may be! One thing I can’t seem to get away from are my characters’ boots...and people have called them everything from legwarmers to boots—which is fine by me...(I have a particular affinity to legwarmers myself...and if my husband would not die of embarrassment, I’d wear them out of the house much more often:D)...But, to set the record straight, they are bootsJ...I am adddddiiiiccctttedddd to boots; and once fall rolls around, I find every excuse to add a new pair (or two, or three...ssshhh!! don’t tell philJ) to my collection. So, my character boots are sort of, I guess, different...Kind of chunky and slouchy...and sometimes, admittedly, overdoneJ...But they are my idea of the perfect boot. It started with my dad’s old hunting boots...They folded over (when they weren’t pulled all the way up to protect the whole leg from mud and water) and came to about my knee. I’d put them on when it was snowy to feed the dog...and I just loved them (HA, it sounds so funny, but it’s true)...Their proportions were great...made my legs look a bit more skinny...could accommodate tucking jeans into—they were just perfect, except for the fact that they were way too big and were, well, hunting bootsJ... About two years ago, I stumbled upon (this was truly my most glorious boot moment ever! J) a pair of boots that reminded me of those old hunting boots. Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B. boots. I waited months before buying them (they weren’t cheap!)...and-- oh ... my ... gosh!!...BA-NANAS!! (as Rachel Zoe would put it;)...They were everything I’d ever hoped for in a pair of bootsJ...I bought them in black...Then tan...Then tan again (those ones are still in the box. Saving them till I’m like 60, so I can always have a pairJ!!) They are my favorites forever...Thank you Gwen!:) So, now readers will know what those big slouchy concoctions are on the feet of my girlsJ...And please let me know (at any time of the day or night!) if you ever stumble upon a pair of fabulous boots...I will forever thank you!!:) Here’s some of my personal favorites from my closetJ...  These are a boot-clog combination from Free People. They are the hardest boot to get on, but amazing once you can actually say your foot is in themJ...  These little booties reminded me of victorian times...and also of a boot that maybe the Wicked Witch of the West would wearJ...and, since she’s my girl crush, I bought them (on sale) from AnthroJ!!  My latest boot purchase...got these in the mail the other day from AlloyJ...I’m really into that burnt orange color for fall, and thought these were pretty and edgy.  Drum roll, pleaseJ...My LAMB boots...best ever...Love, Love, LOVE!  And, the boots I’m wearing nowJ...My trusty old sweater boots. I only wear them in the house. Think I have found a way to wear boots 24/7J.  <3, Krista 2 Comments Hangin Out With My Boys:)... 09/22/2010
Right now, Philly is totally into anything and everything military. He sets up his little army guys a few times a day, plays his army video game, and even watches the documentary shows about training the different branches. Phil and I decided to surprise him with a fun trip to the Battleship New Jersey while Niamhy was in school last week. HE LOVED IT!!!...I think he told us it was "awesome" at least 40 times on the boat:)...We played like we were a squad of soldiers moving through the ship shooting enemy invaders;)..It was a blast (except for the guided tour we kept accidently running by:) shooting our pretend guns...Yeah, we might have been a tad annoying to them;)  AHHH...Such a nice pic of my guys:)!!    Steering the ship:)  Philly with the city named after him;) in the background! I finished up a military illustration after our trip...It's in my ETSY shop now and 10% goes to a great charity for military children, Dog Tags for Kids. I used brighter colors than I normally do (I like my neutrals:)...and I think it is sweet and meaningful:)...Check it out!  I also found some time to add a pumpkin print to my shop (which I had wanted to do for quite sometime:)...And a fairy that I started on became, well...a lovely wishing girl:)...   I am so excited by the slow and teasing reveal of my rubber stamps by Karen on the Sugar Nellie blog...I just love them all and think her design team is AAA-mazing!!...I'm so excited to look each morning at the new cards they have made...Really beautiful!! Well, here's my favorite pic of our battleship trip...I can't stop looking at it:)...He is just so cute. I know I am going to have to cut that beautiful hair sometime, but I haven't been able to do it-- and this picture isn't helping:)...We've shaved it, mohawked it, and now let it grow out-- this is my fave...He is so kissable:):) Night, Krista  New Colors... 09/14/2010
I went out this morning and bought some new markers...Which, to me, is almost as exciting as buying new shoes!...I waited these babies out forEVVVVERRR!!!...They went on sale for half price (then I tried to use a half price coupon on top of that--- but the sales lady was not buying it;)...24 new PRISMACOLOR markers...Makes me feel fresh and wanting to add some new art to the ETSY shop;):)...   Took the kids after school to check out the new Halloween decorations at Target...That was not a good shopping trip for the bank account-- but I DO LOVE HALLOWEEN...plus, I had these two chirpping birds in my ear convincing me we needed these things!... Check out the *PINK* glitter skull we picked out:)...Thats' a shot of color...and probably not quite appropriate for my mostly country decor...but, who can resist a pink glitter skull???...Not me:). Also picked up some totally sweet wall decals and now i have bats, pumpkins, and spiders all over our living room:)...I just know I'm going to forget about those spiders and freak out tomorrow morning when I turn on the lights:)...They are super creepy!!...   While browsing around the fall decorations at the mall last week, Niamh and Philly found these jewel colored potion bottles...and simply had to bring them home and have a swig:)...I absolutely love holiday traditions-- and saw some potential here. Now they have a sip every night, right before bed...(Just water inside:)...And it magically turns them into a monster of their choice while they sleep...AAAHHHH!!!-- I love their ages!! They will believe anything 100%, and it makes for some great fun!...Philly will be a skeleton tonight and Niamh is turning into "the prettiest ghost in the world", as she put it. The only problem is that Philly calls the drink his "poison"...That makes for some interesting looks when he decides to beg me for it while we stand in line at the grocery checkout:)..."Mom, can I PA-lease have my poison when we get home?"...Oh well, it's worth it:)...   'Cheribaby and Tonza' Here is my take on the winning artwork character(s)...I have to say, I really love both of them:)...I better, cuz it took me a few tries to get it just right:)...And since I don't do boys as often as girls, I always get a bit nervous when I start to draw one out...Tonza came out (on maybe the third try:) just as I imagined...a super cute Italian kid...totally into football...probably not scared of anything...except this super pretty redhead who plays football almost;) as good as him!...And she is actually talking to him...Let's just say, he is a little nervous...:) I am putting it in my ETSY shop later today...Check it out if you'd like:D I have a few new illustrations I'd like to do this week...Need to finish up a soldier one...(this piece is another boy and girl-- sister/brother pair), would like to do a small set of twilight-inspired characters (but I may wait to show them for a while), and would like to do a fairy and 40's pinup style girl (I use to draw them all the time)...Hopefully I can get to them all:) I had a really nice, way to fast weekend...Went to the church crab dinner...Philly tried eating crabs for first time (thumbs up!!)...Niamh wouldn't even consider it (she is way to picky an eater)...I don't even know how many I ate. They just don't seem to EVER fill me up:)...It was soooo delicious! And football season officially kicked off, too......I'd just like to ask the NY Giants to please win every game this season so I have a happy hubby for the next few months:)...So far, so good:)...I'm still stuck in baseball mode. I hate when baseball season gets close to the end. There is still plenty of ball left to play, but I'm already dreading no Yanks on at night:(...Love listening to them in the background while I work...Hopefully they make it a very LONG post season!!...Okay, enough sports talk;)... Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend as well!!...XOXO Krista And the Winner Is... 09/10/2010
WOW!!...I have so many great characters ready to put on paper after all your comments!!...It was really hard to pick just one winner!......After reading one comment in particular, I just knew immediately that I HAD to have this illustration in my portfolio!!.... Congradulations CHERI HIGDON!!!!.... Her comment was...I think images with curly hair are the very best to color because they add dimension-I mean lots of wild curly hair-and probably red. Of course to go with that you need green eyes with little flecks of gold in them and freckles across the bridge of the nose. I'm thinking maybe a tomboy that is trying to push her wild hair up in a cap to play football with the boys. She's trying to be one of them with her baggy, loose, ratty clothes but her pure female essence just can't help but shine through as she is bent to either catch or toss a football. You could easily then add a boy to this scene that is trying to act cool and not notice she is actually a girl...like she's just one of the guys but he's not quite pulling it off. Don't know if I put this in words very well but I can see it in my mind very well... I thought she put it into words perfectly!! I am so excited to draw this fun scene out...and I even get to throw a little guy in there...I will be working on it this weekend and post a pic on Monday!:)...Cheri, I will contact you for shipping info:) Thanks eveyone for participating!!...I have some fabulous new ideas and don't be surprised if some of my future characters look familiar to you;)... Well, I have two little people home with me today, as returning to school has put Niamh under the weather. She woke up today with a crackly voice and sore throat. I have sort of come to expect it...Seems that being 'round all the kids (and their germs;) always gets to her that first month of school...Guess she just needs to build up that immune system for the year:) Have a busy weekend ahead, with *new artwork* to do;), a church dinner (CRAB dinner...It's my favorite church related activity of the year!...Crabs are my #1 meal!)...and a birthday party for a cousin:)...Will be fun!...Hope all your weekends are great as well!! XOXO, Krista  funny pic of Niamh on a family trip:) The House of Sugar Is Filled With Sweeties!! 09/09/2010
 Wow...I think my cheeks are sore today from having smiled all day yesterday!!...Everyone connected with Sugar Nellie has been so welcoming and encouraging!! I am so happy to be doing artwork for a company and their customers who are truly one super sweet bunch!! Thanks for all the comments-- even my mom and dad called up last night excited for me!! You all are wonderful and have left INSANELY good ideas for new artwork!!...I am going to have a super tough time picking only one winner...Rest assured, even if you don't win the free print, many of your ideas will sporadically appear in my shop over the next weeks!!...Everyone has a beautiful girl or boy in their life who inspires them-- and now me, too!!:) Comments are open till Friday...I think I will announce the winner around 10am Eastern time....So, keep 'em coming ladies!!:D On a final note, it's been such a thrill to meet women from across the globe this week-- Seriously, I get such a kick out of receiving notes and comments from so many of you in the UK...Even Australia!!...I am mostly Scottish, German, and English myself...So, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic over meeting so many girls from Scotland!!...And having packages now being mailed with UK addresses-- So FUN:)...My post office man is staying busy!:D Well...have a great day everyone...I'm going to spend the morning doing something fun with my little guy...Niamh will be off to school-- so it's our special time-- I only have him home for one more year, so I want to make the best of it!!:)...And tonight I will be sending the rest of a batch of artwork to HOS:)...What an exciting time!! XOXO, Krista  Isn't he cute!!...I kiss his chubby cheeks a hundred times a day!!:D Artwork Giveaway..."ME" Character 09/07/2010
 Over the past couple of months, my younger brother has gotten the hubby into four wheeling...So much so, that we had our own quad within a few weeks:)...Being a sporty girl myself, I wanted to see what all the hype was about, so I went out riding with Phil, my brother, and his girlfriend...Oh my gosh-- I looooved it!! I could ride every day...It's such a blast!...I've managed to get out a few more times without intruding on the "guy time"...and so far (fingers crossed:) haven't hit anything, flipped off, or wheelied (sp?)...(Though I've probably just jinxed myself)... I started thinking that I'd like to do a tomboy character for my ETSY shop, as there has to be girls out there like myself who'd rather get dirty than get their nails done...I began with my hair/eye color...an outfit I'd love to wear, and then....BAM-- she just seemed to scream skater girl-- so I threw a skateboard in the background and that was that. Sometimes the artwork decides for you what direction to go in:)...Oh well...I'll have to do another for myself.:) I'd love to do a character after a reader or ETSY store browser...Leave a comment and describe WELL what your girl would look like (doesn't have to be you-- she can be any girl in your life!)...leave hair/eye color...hair length...and a style (i.e., tomboy, punk, goth, girly, hippie, country, rocker....whatever!)...I'll pick one that sounds terribly fun to draw and will title it after whatever name you'd like:). Winner gets a free 11 x 14 size print....as a thanks for some fun inspiration! OPEN till FRIDAY AFTERNOON:) So, be sure to leave a comment-- it's always fun to design something personal-- and to receive it for free:D XOXO, Krista  Philly gets a ride with dad before we put it away:) Inspiration for Artwork... 09/04/2010
I especially like to draw character art that is decidedly cheeky, creepy, or sweet...Pretty much everything I do falls into one of these categories. I get ideas for artwork just by moving throught the day...Like not too long ago, we were driving through town (not the super nicest part) and this sweet little girl in a white dress was standing in a doorway, leaning up against the side, looking down at her crossed barefeet...Oh my goodness...I wanted to jump out of the car and take a picture!...I have some artwork ideas stored away in this cluttered brain of mine from that day for sure:)... I'm also a huge witch fan (if you haven't been able to tell from my artwork yet;)...And as Halloween is just around the corner-- I seem to get new witch characters popping in my head everyday:D... And a new project I'm realy excited about...I'd like to do some military art, things for the soldiers kids to put on their bedroom walls and think of dad or mom...I have the first piece drawn out and just need to add color!:)...I think it's really special. My husband Phil was a marine when I married him and my brother-in-law is in the Navy training for deployment on submarines...So, I have a special spot in my heart for soldiers and their families. I'm going to donate part of every sale to a military-related charity...Just need to pick one--- there are so many great ones out there!!!! My Etsy store is sometimes populated by artwork inspired by some of my customers...They'll shoot me a note and I do try my best to accomodate everyone at some point (sometimes it takes a little while just because I get busy with orders and other projects)...I am adding a new iguana piece soon (for all the reptile people out there...of which I'm not one-- but I am excited about drawing one out...Never done that before!)...And I added a Halloween special to my shop...an 11 x 14 size print of a Witch named Kat for 7.00...She was a character described by one of my best and nicest customers!...Feel free to leave some ideas for art to be done-- Who kows, it may just appear in my shop someday!!:) Speaking of a sweet little girl in a white dress, here are some pretty images I'm thinking about using today for some inspiration...They are from last summer...Isn't Niamh (my angel;) pretty!! Have a lovely Saturday! XO, Krista    Back to School it is... 09/02/2010
I know it's just September...and the New Year is still months away-- but this is always when I feel like the year is starting fresh:)... My daughter started 2nd grade yesterday...I almost cried, but am proud to say I held it in:)...She is my little girlfriend...so fun to be around, I'm sad to have to give her up each day...She was pretty okay with going back, though...She gave me "the EYES" in the hallway when I took my 1,556th picture...Like, 'Mommmm!!...Get outta here:)' I'm glad she is so independent and such a friendly, outgoing girl, or else I probably have grabbed her and ran back to the truck!!  She's too cute in her frilly socks and chucks:) I have lately become obsessed with all things NERDY...I ordered a faaaaAAAAbulous pair of nerdy looking glasses from UO and can't stop wearing them...They are the perfect dose of geekiness...And they make me feel all down to business while I sit and check my Etsy store/ emails in the morning;)  Speaking of which...I have a few nerds/geeks in my store...and this particular one is being made into something cute and wearable by little girls....Yes, collaborating with another ETSY artist to put my girls (and boys) onto clothing!!....Will keep you updated-- I can't wait to see the finished product!!...  So, here goes another school year...:)...Good luck to all the geeks out there!:) haha XO, Krista Halloween on My Mind... 09/01/2010
I love the fall... Although I'd like to keep the summer weather year-round (I think I may be the only person who loves 99 degree heat:), fall is just so exciting each time it rolls around. I love my house decorated with the little things I've collected over the years...witches, pumpkins, skulls-- and especially things that light up at night. ( I am OBSESSED with such decorations!...I find ways to leave up Christmas light strands all year long...Maybe it's just the redneck:) in me...but I love it!) So, I am finding myself constantly thinking of new Halloween inspired artwork to create...I've done two series this summer, a "Creepies" collection and a "Sisterhood of Witches" series. The Creepies are a bit more childish and sweet...The witches are inspired by my two sisters and soon to be sister-in-law (made one for myself, too...the messy witch;). They are currently for sale in my ETSY shop...Take a look...   These are just two of the characters...I'd still like to add a frankenstein girl to the Creepies... Now to get ready for decorations...Promised the kids we'd put it all up this weekend:)...They can't wait-- neither can I!...I'll post pics of the transformed abode:D.... Night!!:)... Krista |  My name is Krista. I am an artist and this is my blog about lovely things in life that inspire me, make me laugh, and keep me a kid at heart. Enjoy!
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