Bon Voyage, Always Adorable

Ah, how I have missed this part of my life!  But as times have changed so have my directions, in a goody way.

New day...
New Shop and Blog!

Please go visit me at Wonder Lane Art, the blog to see what I have been up to and the new direction I am headed.  It has been awhile and I am excited to get back into the swing of things, again.

Also after a bit of OCD impatience I couldn't leave my shop empty any more and listed 22 new prints.

Welcome to Wonder Lane Art at Etsy!  And thank you for making my day fabulous with your visit!

Love,

Always Adorable now known as

Missy Anne @ Wonder Lane Art

Bon Voyage

My New Adventure

I must make this quick but I have a new adventure in mind.

I have always wanted to be a children's book illustrator, like Beatrix Potter. I love that style but something a bit modernized. Therefore each month I will attempt a true ink and watercolor illustration, most likely of my children on our mini farm, seeing as that is what I have the most emotional attraction to at this moment. Hopefully that will draw some life and whimsy into my attempts. Wish me luck.

Now how to figure out how to keep my camera handy without getting it dirty...maybe Ree has some suggestions.

Update

Life is crazy sometimes and many things happen at once. Life is good, just beyond crazy busy. I am still here are will hopefully be posting more soon. I have discovered some wonderful techniques and new things that I want to try. I will most definitely be taking pictures of and tutorials for once I have them mastered or at least given them a good try. Hang in there my fellow followers!

Scheduled Programming

We interrupt the scheduled program for graduation. Woo Hoo! Friday is the day my husband graduates from college. Thrilled does not cover it. :D Also my baby is turning 2. *sigh* I will probably have to stop caller her that now. I am looking forward to her party though. Things are going to be crazy here.

photo courtesy of TulipPhotographicArt Shop

That said I am a little short on time for blogging. Don't worry, I will be back shortly! I will have tons of pictures and a few surprises when I get back next week! See you soon!

Obsession...for paper?

Who knew that it was possible to fall in love with a paper? But it is true.

I did a custom print for a client and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge that came with trying something new, albeit a bit scary at first, the exileration at the end was totally worth it. I found out about Somerset Velvet paper from www.iprintfromhome.com. Just saying those words has me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Now I am obsessed trying to find the best supplier so that I can start my own velvet watercolor paper colony. Well, all right, I wouldn't leave my life behind for a paper, but it is close.

The print I had placed on it looks gorgeous and creamy, but still translucent like a watercolor dream. I truly had a hard time parting with it. I am sure my client will find a bit of shock over the super careful packaging. Damage just was not an option!

Take a gander!

go ahead click it for a closer inspection...I know I did. :D

Mix-it-up Monday Recipe Reviews

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I am not sure when the aversion to Mondays started or came from but it probably has to do with not being able to sleep-in or goof-off. :D Nothing better than a new recipe to spice up a Monday, wouldn't you say?

This last week has been crazy busy with my husband less than two weeks away from graduation (insert squealing here). It has been a long road but you can see why during crunch time our dinner fare may be more pizza and sandwiches than new and exciting culinary adventures. So I am pulling out one of my oldies but goodies that never fails in wow-ing a crowd!

White Sauce Chicken Enchiladas
1 package tortillas (corn or flour)
2 cup cooked chicken, shredded (can used 2 cans of chicken as a timesaver)
1 small can of green chilies-diced
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 small green onion sliced
1/2 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped

*put all of the above ingredients into bowl 1 of 2. Except the tortillas. In the next bowl place:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can evaporated milk (never, never condensed milk...made that mistake one, never again!)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp. cumin

* this makes up the white sauce.

Now with your two bowls side by side there, get your tortilla stack ready for assemblage. Place about 1/3 of a cup of chicken filling down into the top third of the tortilla topped with 2 TBS of the white sauce. Roll up the bad boy and place in a greased 9x12 baking pan. Repeat till all of the tortillas and filling are up. I always place my tortillas in the microwave first for about 30 seconds to make rolling much easier.

Once you have a nicely lined pan of enchiladas take remaining white sauce and pour over your tortilla bundles.

For a bit of kick and color mix, 1 small can of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of salsa, (change this amount to your spice tolerance). Pour this down the center of the pan on top of the covered enchiladas.

Bake this uncovered for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees farenhuit. If you start to see to much browning on the edges feel free to cover with foil towards the end.

To serve, top with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes with a dollop of your favorite sour cream or guacamole. This makes about 8-10 adult servings depending on how hungry everyone is by dinner time. :D

Now if you have a recipe you would like to share on your blog let Mr. Linky know or give us a run down in the comments section!





**assorted herb recipe cards by kissandtellcards on Etsy.

And the Winner IS?????

Thanks to all who played in the $50 Gift Certificate Mother's Day Giveaway and gave me such great feedback about my work and Etsy shop! It is truly appreciated! Now on to the juicy part...the winner!

The random generator picked number 63. That comment is lovely little dear! Congratulations!

I will send your electronic code through your email provided.

Thanks again for playing everyone, and keep coming back. This was so much fun I will be doing it monthly, different prizes, different sizes, and sneak peaks!

Growing Flower Garden

I love receiving a Growing Flower Garden Kit back from my customers. The ity bity hands and feet just make my day. Plus then it means I can make another keepsake.

I am working on a tutorial for these, hopefully one day soon, to post! But for now here is the progression from the cut out hands and feet to the finished original watercolor painting.



This order was for a hot pink and orange flower. To find these kits click here.
And the $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway is still going on for only a few more days! Click here to see the details.

Mix-It-Up Monday Recipe Review

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First off can I have three cheers for the first edition of Mix-It-Up Mondays! Hip-hip-hurray! Okay, calm yourselves...back to our scheduled programming.

I have to give the credit to my sister-in-law and my sister for finally convincing me grape jelly belongs with beef. I know! When I heard the words grape jelly I automatically thought, peanut butter sandwhich or toast or sticky kid faces at lunchtime recess, but not meatballs. Oh how glad I am to be wrong. So without further ado here it is, under 5 ingredients and faster than a rolling meatball:

Secret Sauce Sweet 'n Sour Meatballs.

4 heaping tablespoons of grape jelly, (please fight the urge to be stingy!)

1 8oz bottle of cocktail sauce (hang in there...this is as weird as it gets)

1 24oz can of crushed pineapple, juice in all...go ahead toss in...

54 meatballs (half of a large bag of frozen meatballs)

Pick your most non-staining pot, and have a cooking party. All the above ingredients are invited. Crockpot would be a killer time saver! Stew for 25 minutes for the pot, 2-3 hours in a high cooking crockpot, 4-5 on the low setting. Laddle over some lovely fluffy rice some freshly steamed greenbeans and ta-da, dinner is served.

All my kids loved it and asked for seconds. In fact it was gone before I could even think about taking a picture.

I loved how fast and easy it was to make, with the added bonus of getting some counting practice in with my 4 year old. She wanted to know why her older brother and sister got 5 meatballs and she only had 3. Her counting and comparison seems to work just fine.

So what did you venture to make this week? Share your recipe and review with all of us!

Please remember to link directly to your post and not just to the home page of your site. So let's see 'em, people!

**P.S. My cutest ever thumbs up model decided today was not a good day. We were just doing our best to turn her frowny face upside down and didn't want to push our luck. Toddlers can be spunky! Instead I featured another great Etsy Artisan's craft and love of cooking, nelladesigns' Print Your Own Retro Recipe Cards-Perfect for Mother's Day.

Like a Suspenseful Movie

As usual I stayed up way to late because I have the hardest time stopping once I start an art project. It would be like stopping at the climax of a superbly suspenseful movie to go to bed. I just have to see how it turns out. But it was worth it. Here they are the three custom Tulip name and monograms.

Now on to another custom of the cutest baby hands and feet flower painting! I am already in love and I only have the watercolor done so far. More on that on Tuesday!

Don't forget Monday will be the first Edition of Mix-It-Up Monday Recipe Reviews. I am reviewing Secret Sauce Sweet and Sour Meatballs. You won't want to miss it...I have the best thumbs up picture to show or thumbs down if the recipe stinks. :D Plus all of you can join in...click HERE to read the post.

And my $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway in honor of Mother's Day is still going strong. I have to thank all those so far for such great feedback and participation. What would you do with $50 at my Etsy shop? Read HERE for more details. Contest ends next week so don't delay!!!

AH-HA! Moment

You know the moment that your brain clicks with an idea that has just been surfacing enough to tickle your imagination but not showing enough to be an actual tangible idea? This has been me for weeks with my Flower Letters. They are so versatile but I just couldn't quite put my finger on what I had planned next. And as luck would have it, a custom order came along that was just different enough to push me outside of my usual.

Here is the picture show of my progress...

My first sketch did not go over to well. It was way over done and simply to busy.

So I gave it another shot with the words 'organic' and 'understated' rolling around my mind.

This went over much better, so much so she had me proceed and here was my 'ah-ha' moment. I need to make sure I am still open to all the styles that are mine, not just the current style my mood might be in. This work is still very imprinted with my artwork stamp, but it is given a chance to not be my normal thing either.

The first complete of the set of three color pencil Tulip Name Drawings:

Looking for the $50 Giveaway to my shop? Click here.
Want to exchange and review your new recipe of the week...read here.

Mix-it-up Monday Recipe Reviews

Update: First Edition posts 5AM Pacific Standard Time, Are you ready?

*

Tired of my same old routine of staple dinners, I want to branch out! I decided the best way to mix-it up and benefit all of mankind, would be to share my culinary experiences along with my children's reactions to the new food journey my family is going to embark on. Come join me. Won't it be fun?

Every Monday we can list our experiment here and give it the good ol' thumbs up or thumb down, Ebert and Roeper style. Tell us what you liked, disliked and could do differently the next week in your own blogs along with the recipe for any other adventurous types. I will have a Mr. Linky available for link-love.

So get busy this week and try something new! Next week the Mix-it-Up Monday Reviews begin.

As for my house, let us see what the kids do with Secret Sauce Meatballs. Doesn't sound to scary, till you hear grape jelly.

*featured Letterpress Recipe Cards and Recipe Box by 1canoe2.etsy.com

Looking for the $50 Mother's Day Gift Certificate Giveaway Contest? click here.

$50 Mother's Day Gift Certificate Giveaway and Saturday Sales

Saturday All Day Sale!
FREE shipping on all orders over $14!

BOGO - Buy one flower letter 5X7 ABC print, and receive one free! Can be Requested as postcards with envelopes included! No limit to this kind of order, 1 purchase = 1 free, 2 purchases = 2, 10 purchase = 10. I think you have the idea. :)**

All 8 1/2 X 11 prints are now printed on the finest canvas paper that produces a print so close to the original you will have a hard time telling the difference, it is also similar to museum archival papers.

Plus, and here is the cream of the sale crop, every item purchased starting today till the end of April is an entry into my super fabulous $50 Mother's Day gift certificate giveaway! This certificate is good toward any item in my shop, as a combination of items or one large purchase*! The winner will be chosen and announced Saturday, May 2, 2009.

There is no limit to entries but you have to follow these guidelines:

1. To gain unlimited entries you can purchase items from my shop. Each item purchases is worth two entries.

2. You can twitter, blog, facebook, myspace, or announce the giveaway in your own shops making sure there is a link back to my etsy shop, http://alwaysadorable.etsy.com for one entry each link. Send me the links to each of your efforts as separate comments for this blog entry. These must stay up till the month is out.

3. Follow my blog and/or twitter for additional entries each. alwaysadorable twitter

4. Earn another entry by heading over to my shop and voting your favorite item by leaving a comment here at my blog in this article!

5. Put another entry into the mix, by also leaving me a separate comment regarding your least favorite item in the shop and why.

6.One entry for a suggestion on shop improvement put as a comment in this article.

7. One entry for something you would like to see that I do not have in my shop but that you think would go with my current items.

So many chances to win this generous gift certificate for you or someone you love! Tell everyone and spread the word. This is going to be a fun giveaway party!

*Excludes monies for shipping.
**Free items do not earn entries as they are not actually purchased and are already a promotional gift.

Tips and Tricks to Tags of Etsy

Update: QuirkyDolls so kindly added a great link in the comments, but I wanted this front and center. The information is invaluable! Click HERE to read the article on tags.

A big thanks to those who put on the Virtual Labs in the classrooms on Etsy. I always come away with such good information, that really helps my shop improve. Now I want to share my notes with all of you!

A week ago in the Tags Critique I gained a few tips and tricks to help your buyer really find you and want what you are selling. So crucial. Your tags might be pulling traffic, but if it all fluff traffic you aren't going to make a sale. You need those truly interested in what you have to sell to make the sale.

*hops off soap box*

Okay now to the tips:

• -Having trouble finding enough to fill all 14 slots??? Never fear, you probably already have a passe in your description. Take a peek and see what you can't borrow from there as a new word. Say you have a listing with forest hills and cute bunnies. Try to sum them up into another word, like woodland. Ta-da, another tag.
• -Here are a fews tags that might not get enough use: "sale" if you are having one, handcrafted, your location, "free shipping" when applicable, "world wide", "international", and your user name in a few of your shops listings.
• -Always use your main color as a tag. This is how most treasury hunters find their items! Plus in another workshop where I played 'search guinea pig', the more specific, e.i. color I could get with my adjectives the better my results were. So get those color tags in there!
• -and last but not least, try to go all the way to a sub-sub category in your tags. The farther you get within a category the better your chances are to be pulled by the relevance search engine.

Now, for the cream...the tricks:

• The best way to test out your new tags are to search like a buyer. Imagine you knew nothing about your listing, but wanted to find it. What is the basic search word(s) would you use? See what page your item ends up on.
• Then add the color you want, and a specific characterisitc of your item, that makes your item stand out...did you come up?
• Finally, think about where you would use the item, and who would be using it. This will help you brainstorm your target market.

After reading this I hope you feel ready to tackle those tags and see if you can't improve their usefulness.

If you are doing great already, feel free to add your trick and tips in the comments!

Excited Like Christmas

After many suggestions and bunch of research, I have decided to start printing on Canvas Digital Rag Fine Art Mould Made Paper . It is what museums use, but besides that, it has an amazing feel and look. I ordered mine early this morning and cannot wait for it to show up. I feel like a kid again, anticipating Christmas day. I just want it to hurry up and come!

I do have to admit, shopping for paper was way to much fun. I seriously had to empty my cart five times to not buy things I want right now, but don't necessarily need. The iron on transfer paper was almost left in though. Oh the fun I could have with that!

Series Smorgasborg

Spicing up my series with flower letters with some more custom goodness. So many choices so little time. :)

Silhouettes are so elegant and Victorian that I couldn't resist.

Then I gave Spring Butterflies and Cherry Blossoms another whirl. More margin for framing, a better crop, and a few more depth techniques really helps this piece out.

With another reading with Hans Christian Andersen I was spurred on to recreate a rendition in more muted tones than usual for me, but thought it a worthy subject.

Thumbelina found in her Tulip. One of my favorite things about her is the flowy red tulip dress with those deep green eyes.

Two More with Great Hair...Really It Is Quite Unfair

I have to admit, I am having way more fun than I thought I would reliving my childhood through fairy tale illustrations. Each night I have found myself snuggled up with the kids reading fairy tale bedtime stories only to find myself anxious to draw my findings as soon as I know they are tucked in as snug as a bug in a rug.

So last week, after coming to terms with my jealousy over the luxurious hair bestowed upon such creatures in these stories, I read Hans Christian Andersen's tale, A Little Mermaid.

Definitely not the glamorized Disney version with Ariel, which I have to say is what I love about the classics! Such a torn, and thoughtful being the mermaid was! My favorite part of the story is her courage to choose good no matter the cost and do it with great hair.





We also read Rapunzel, by the Brothers Grimm. I just can't imagine what hair washing day must have been like! But I could see a day spent air drying her golden locks while singing with Mr. Blue Jay for voice lessons. I mean she had to do something to pass the time away!



And here is a tidbit I found out in my research of these wondrous stories, Hans-yes we are a first name basis now, actually found the story of the princess and the pea silly! To quote his word towards the ending of the story,

" ...though for the life of me I can't understand why the silly Prince wanted a wife with such tender feelings."

Yes, yes...to be so tender as to be battered and bruised by a sweet pea. Can you image?

Once Upon a Time

My four year old is into fairy tales as of late.
R.e.a.l.l.y into fairy tales.
She wants to hear them over and over, with enthusiasm each time. This got me thinking, a dangerously crafty pastime of mine I know.

I should put down in illustration what my favorite tales mean to me. I always envisioned each fairy tale, whether it be Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, or Lewis Caroll in my own vibrant way. These are the beginning of my fairy land excursions.

*Careful, you just might become attached that you won't be able to part with them. In that case, just click on the picture to make all your dreams come true.*

Alice in Wonderland:

Alice in the Flower Garden

In all her adventures, I like to think Alice spent the longest in the flower garden amongst her favorite pink and purple tulips.



Little Red Riding Hood:

Little Red Riding Hood Pauses to Chat with Mr. Robin

On her way to Grandma's cottage in the woods, Little Red Riding Hood finds time to pause in her walk, to chat to Mr. Robin. His news is not good!



The Princess and The Pea

The Princess Tries to Sleep A Loft the Mattresses In Spite of the Dreaded Pea

Mattress galore and down comforter tucked, the lovely princess desperate for a wink of sleep, nestles in, trying to resume her beauty rest. The Pea will have none of it!



And if you so choose they are available at my Etsy and Artfire shops.

Thursday Sweet Treat : Rainbow Chaos

Wow! Every week I anticipate the grown up version of show and tell over at Natasha's blog, Thursday Sweet Treat . Each previous week seems to out do itself and I wonder if it could happen again. Let me repeat myself...

WOW!

I can't post my favorites this time because well there were to many, it would just be easier for you to click THIS link, and see for yourselves! You won't be disappointed and you will surely leave with a smile on your face and joy in your hearts!

I will post mine here as it gives a good indication of the brightness of the vivid entries:

This is a preliminary digital painting and hand drawn butterfly collage, that I will eventually make into an acrylic painting and collage.

"Partly Cloudy with a Chance For Rainbows"

Enjoy the rainbow spectacle you are going to see!

Snarky Sells

I have noticed a trend in online venues. The value of snarky.

Here is one definition of snarky: Adjective - Any language that contains quips or comments containing sarcastic or satirical witticisms intended as blunt irony. Usually delivered in a manner that is somewhat abrupt and out of context and intended to stun and amuse.

Take WryandGinger , staceyrebbecca and mincingmockingbird for examples.

Here is a prime example, of using your actual product with the snarky factor by WryandGinger:

And here we have a witty title by mincingmockingbird

It Is Folly To Assume My Awesome Lies Dormant - A Book Of Mincing Mockingbird Paintings

and last but not least a snarky listing description by staceyrebbecca from her "Bees are the new Owl Finger Puppet" listing:

That's right! Bees are the IT! They say spring, they say fashion, they say "I make your honey and keep your earth entirely sustainable and without me, you best consider figuring out how to pollinate thems crops all up with your bad selves--and ya know what? We're goin all KINDS of extinct on your face, so you best watch yourself the next time you complain that 'earmarks' went to fund our species alive..oh, and the rest of the ecosystem as well, which, last I checked included humans? Yeah, that's why we get less than the cost of just one Senator McCain's houses to fund the repopulation of YOUR survival. mmmk?thxbye!"

wow, bees can be snotty.

That's right, friends, 1.7 million dollars was awarded to fight the unsettling continued disappearance of honeybees in the world.

why are bees so necessary?

Because they're ADORABLE, of course!

man, you people are dense sometimes.

/!\ CAUTION: small parts. Bees kill babies and irresponsible people who decide to swallow things they shouldn't. This is not a cat toy. seriously. It is also not a bedpan or a mop.

Honestly the list can go on and on! Now granted, they have a price range that the average buyer could purchase an item, and the item is specialized, saying they make one particular thing with variation and make it well and the photos are smashing good! But the addition of their wit and ability to entertain sets their shops apart. Much can be learned by combing their shops!

So my tip of the day, if your shops warrants a bit of snarkiness, give it a go!** Let it shine in your listings for a better chance to sell. Not only does a buyer get a great item, but entertainment as well.

**by no means I am I endorsing or condoning the use of your snarkiness towards others...just for the things in your shop. :)

Because Two Heads Are Better Than One

Yesterday after posting my Giraffe Portrait,

I just felt that she seemed a bit lonely. SO I drew her a buddy. A playful little guy full of spunk and spontaneity....just don't let that monkey baby face fool you or become entranced with those glistening eyes.

He is sure to keep her on her toes!

Peek-a-Boo Monkey Portriat and Safari Spice Giraffe Portriat Prints available in my Etsy and Artfire shops.

Thrusday Sweet Treat...Be Inspired

Such wonderful artists and creative minds participated this week over at Thursday Sweet Treat. I loved the theme, "African Safari" and joined in the fun! I haven't been able to for a couple of weeks now and was having serious withdrawls. ;-) So last night, at about 12:30 I was able to send my entry, in the nick of time. I am always so thankful to Natasha for including my work...I am usually one of the last to get it in.

Here are a few of my favorites that joined in today:

Allover Art's Pendant is simplistic, but stunning! I think that is what I love about it. The imagination roams so freely with the image she created, "Safari Sunset"(available in her etsy shop, http://AlloverArt.etsy.com)

Another of my favorites has to be Theresa from http://www.woodngoods.blogspot.com who created this awesome zebra puzzle :

For more pictures head over to her etsy shop: http://www.woodngoods.etsy.com.

And finally what I created. For now I am calling it "Giraffe Portrait" which will most likely change when the inspiration hits me for a better name! Hopefully later this morning I will be able to list it over at my etsy shop, http://alwaysadorable.etsy.com.

I have always had a fascination with giraffes and couldn’t help myself with the African safari theme. The giraffe is hand drawn in pencil and highlighted with color pencil with a digitally colored background.

I love her eyes, they say everything.

These are only a handful of the amazing and creative ideas that sprang from those two little words, "African Safari", so head on over to Natasha's blog, for your Sweet Treat this Thursday.

Tid bits.

In my efforts to be positive in this economy with the added bonus of starting up a new business, (not sure what was I thinking two years ago when I procrastinated!) I decided to list some tidbits of good news.

• being featured in my third treasury, feel free to take a peek, make a comment, make my day...;-)
• having an etsy mini window placed on an admirers blog, thanks so much gracies-eggies!
• getting 2 more positive feedbacks racking my total up to a whopping 9...:-)
  
• finally getting around to replacing some awful washed out photos of my plush dolls with these photos that hopefully do the trick.

What do you think? Do they 'pop'? I would love to know what you all think!

Growth.

Change is in the air for me. How little did I know, this adventure would cause me to take a deeper look at myself. Many questions fill my head these days:

Who am I?
What do I represent?
Do others see the real me?
Am I allowing myself to shine through my desire to be known?
Am I staying true to myself?

Some days, the glimpses I catch of the artisan within me, are comforting and expected. Other times though, I am caught unaware, maybe being a bit shocked at first to see what surfaces in good and bad ways, allowing me to reach outside of my comfort zone, albeit slowly at first, to delve deeper into the artisan and person I crave to be.

I have come to one conclusion though...finding oneself can often feel like scraping years of habit and routine off with coarse sandpaper but what I find underneath is so shiny and new.