Mad Dash to the Finish Line

Since mid June I've been working on designing the set for Marblehead Little Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz. You can see renderings here and here and here and here .



The local theatre department that built and painted my set delivered the whole thing to our stage this past weekend. Because of scheduling and other reasons, they just weren't able to finish the set in time so now we're left with a huge stage full of partially finished set pieces and about a week to find the time and people and materials to finish it. It's not true theatre without a few nervous break downs and panic attacks involved : )



So this week is going to be CRAZY! I see quite a few late nights, headaches, trips to buy paint and hardware, and cups of coffee (decaf of course, because of this little guy, but for some reason it still helps) in my near future. But who am I kidding, I thrive on this stuff--in small doses that is.

Thanks for the Support--All 5 of you : )

I have to say I'm encouraged by the small but slowly growing number of comments, blog features, Etsy hearts, etc. I've been receiving lately. Honestly, starting a new creative venture often puts a strain on the ole' pocketbook when you're first getting started. It's nice to know people see and like my work and I'm not just sittin' around drawing pretty pictures for the heck of it : )

On that note, I got to be the DIYer of the day on this cool blog yesterday. Check out the blog, there's some fun stuff on there.

Hope you're all soaking in every ounce of fall that you can. From the moment I wake up to these colors right above my head


to the creative decorative projects I work on with Hudson during the day

(it's gonna be a jack-o-lantern, we just haven't gotten to the facial features yet)



to the cup of hot apple cider at night, I'm trying to soak in the season like this crawly guy I found inhabiting the mums by our window


Happy Fall!

Christmas Cards in the Shop!

My Christmas cards are in the shop! Hop on over and order some today if you'd like!

Ol' McDonald Had a...

During Saturday morning wrestle time with Daddy:
Daddy: Hudson, what's your favorite...dessert?
Hudson: chocolate!
Daddy: What's your favorite...food?
Hudson: chocolate!
Daddy: Ok...what's your favorite...song?
Hudson: Chocolate!!
Mommy: Chocolate? How does it go??
Hudson: (singing) Ol' McDonald had a chocolate, eieio...

That's my boy!



On that note, here's a fun recipe (by fun, I'm refering to my interest in exploring the wonderful world of tofu) we've made several times. Trust me, it tastes nothing like tofu.

2 cups dark chocolate chips

1 pkg silken tofu (blended to a cream)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 cup almonds (whole or pieces)

Put the maple syrup in a pan and bring to a boil. When boiling add the nuts and stir constantly until it is almost dry ( ie the nuts are all sticking together and the syrup is not runny) spread the mixture on waxed paper and allow to cool and harden. Then break it into pieces and process in a food processor til it resembles a course flour.

Melt the chocolate in a double broiler (or something similar) Remove from heat and stir in the almond/maple syrup mixture. Then fold in the blended tofu. Cover and place in the fridge until well chilled.

Once cool and firm, work quickly and form into small balls using a tablespoon or melon baller (this is the fun messy part). Roll in cocoa powder,grated chocolate, leftover almond/maple syrup mixture or dip in melted chocolate and allow to set.


Enjoy!! And drop me a line if you decide to try it out!

PRE-ORDER TODAY!

I just finished designing the Christmas cards soon to be for sale in my shop. And if I order them from the printer BEFORE 10/12, I get 40% off my order. Which means if you ORDER BY MIDNIGHT ON 10/10 I can give you a really good deal. Pre-order today and the cost is:
$2.00 each (for 1-19 cards) + shipping
or $1.50 each (20+ cards) + shipping

The cards are 5x7, glossy, come with a white envelope, and are blank inside except for a small "www.ArianArmstrong.com" on the bottom of the left panel.

You just need to tell me HOW MANY of EACH CARD you'd like. Later, I will explain how to "pick up" your order in my shop and how to pay.

I know this is last minute so don't feel pressured. If you decide to order later the cost will be:
1 card- $4
5 cards- $17.50
10 cards- $30
20+ cards- $50
Here are the cards and their titles so you can let me know what you'd like (click on the images for a bigger view):

#1 BUBBLE LIGHT CHRISTMAS card


#2 HARK THE HERALD card


#3 SNOWFLAKE card


#4 JOY TO THE WORLD card


#5 NOEL card


Alrighty! So email me TODAY 10/10 if you want to preorder and just let me know how many and which cards you'd like.

Merry (early) Christmas!!

Noel Card

Here's another card that will be available when my Christmas card line hits the shop in the next week or two.

Hope you all are having a great weekend. My mom's flying in for a visit late tomorrow night to spend time with her first/only (well, not really) grandson and celebrate my birthday : ) Man, do I miss living near family!

Friday Feature-- Tootsie & Grace

One of the great things about having an Etsy shop is being introduced to talented artists and crafters (many of them stay-at-home moms like myself) all over the world. And since I am a mom (in fact I'm trying to tune out a 2-year-old nap protest tantrum as we speak) and am expecting another boy in February, I was drawn to Tootsie and Grace as my first Friday Feature. I love the variety and quality of Marisa's work--she sews, she paints, she crafts!







Here is my interview with Tootsie and Grace:

What's your name and where are you from?
My name is Marisa and I am from the Bay Area, CA (but temporarily
living in Austin, TX). In about 3 and a half months, we will be moving
to England! We hate moving, but it seems like we do it all the time!


Where does a lot of the inspiration for your work come from?
The inspiration for my work comes from my two daughters, Gracie
and Annelie ages two and eight months. I just adore them and love making
them wonderful things. I only began sewing in May of this year, and
quickly began making baby bibs. I decided to open Tootsie and Grace
because I loved making baby items so much.

Who encourages you most to do what you do?
My husband stands behind me and cheers me on in everything I do.
He is always the first person to say, "I love that. That is my
favorite painting/bib/toy you have ever made." And funny enough, he says that
about everything I make. He genuinely loves my stuff, and doesn't
mind that my fabric, thread, sewing machine, you name it, has completely
taken over our house. He even takes the girls out of the house on a
regular basis, so I can get some uninterrupted sewing done.


What goals/hopes/dreams do you have for your shop/craft over the next
five years?
Tootsie and Grace is a way for me to release my creativity and get
my itchy fingers on crafting material. I would go crazy if I didn't
have a creative outlet. As for my dreams, I am so busy as an at home
mom to my girls, that I just look at Tootsie and Grace as a way to bring
in some extra spending money (well, eventually. I need to make up my
materials cost first!!) while doing something I love. My main creative
goal in life is to become a published author/illustrator. I also think
designing a line of fabric and baby toy and clothing patterns would be
so much fun. I guess I will just have to see where life takes me,
once the girls are in school.

What are some of the challenges you face in running your own Etsy
business?
I am going to be a disaster when taxes are due, of course. I am
also a total mess and have covered my house (in a very disorganized
manner) with all things crafty. And as for time to work... I don't have a
lot of it. It is hard juggling two babies, free time to sew, and the
promoting of my shop so that I can actually get my name out there and
sell. I end up with a lot of very late nights.


What's one thing you'd want readers to know about you and your work?
I put my heart into every item I make. Sometimes it is very hard
parting with something I love, because the majority of my stuff I
probably wont make again. But I am so happy knowing that there is going to be
a child wearing or playing with something that I made. My items are
definitely handmade with love for little ones!

Thanks, Marisa! And have a great weekend everyone!