Hug print

I just added a new print to the shop. It's the piece I did for the art show at our home last week. The show was such a hit! Our little house was busting at the seams with friends,family, and people we've never met who came to listen to the music and check out the artwork that the 8 of us created. We'll definitely do this again soon as there are lots more musicians we'd love to feature and lots more local artists we'd love to host!

Good music, good food, good art, good people, and good weather made for such a great night!

Arian : )

Beautiful.

 What an amaaaazing weekend. A.MA.ZING.

 (Hudson and Heron listening to the sound check)

(My sound genius brother-in-law getting things set up)

As we were cooking dinner in the GIANT, GORGEOUS home of my childhood friends who graciously agreed to host the house concert, Josh Garrels, one of our very favorite musicians, was warming up in the background. Daniel and I just kept exchanging joyful "I can't believe this is actually happening!" glances.

 We set up for the show, got to know the Garrels a bit over dinner, then the guests started pouring in.

 It was a full house! And it's a giant, giant house! At least 1/2 of the people I had never met before which is awesome. The word spread! Everybody was totally captivated by Josh's music. It was beautiful.

 Then the Garrels family stayed the night at our house (sweet!) We were up til 2am talking and learning more about each other's lives. Josh and Michelle are such good people.

 The next morning we woke up and enjoyed a long, leisurely brunch with my sister and the friends who first introduced us to Josh's music. Lots of conversations about music and collaboration, art, family, hopes for the future, etc.

 (the youngest Garrels....how cute is he?!)

It was perfect. I'm sooo grateful for this weekend and hope that our friendship and creative partnership with the Garrels family has only just begun : )

If you haven't downloaded Josh's new, free album please do yourself a favor and do so. Then tell a friend : )

Arian

The Garrels Are Coming!

SO! PUMPED! Today we get to meet the Garrels, swim in Josh's music live with 100+ friends and family, then hang out with the Garrels family over bagels, coffee, (and whatever else I can cook up) on our back porch in the morning. How cool is that!? It's been a frenzy of house cleaning and concert prepping and there is still lots to do!

If you're local to Cincinnati, come by tonight!! You won't regret it!

Yay!
Arian : )

I'm still here : )

 Hey! How's it goin? It's been a little while!  We've been unpacking and getting settled as quickly as possible. Nothing like hosting a party/house concert to motivate us to get things in order!

 We're loving our new home. I love the way the sun pours in at different parts of the day. The sun rises in the dining room and sets in our bedroom...lovely.

 And there are plenty of pretty details, like the vintage door knobs and the dark, refinished wood floors.

 We're enjoying the spring weather.  Our outdoor spaces are in need of some TLC. I see lots of trips to the hardware store and garden center in our future.  I picked up this patio table set for free on Craigslist and am excited to transform it!

Loving the spring flowers!

 I've got a growing collection of inspiring home images over on pinterest. Is anyone else as addicted to pinterest as I am? It's like my crack.  Must... Pin... Pretty....Pictures.

So many ideas and color schemes swimming in my head. Gotta get crackin!

Arian : )

Just Around the Corner

Sometimes making art is more restful than sleep for me. So I traded in a couple hours or so of sleep and ignored the packing boxes tonight for the chance to do a little "just for fun" sketching. It's just a little scene from our busy day.... a moment when we stopped to smell the newly blossomed flowers.

I came across this video about a month ago (I'm probably the LAST person to see it, it's been around for awhile!)  But it reminded me to take heart! I love winter but this one has been a particularly hard one. My heart is ready for a new season, new growth, fresh air!

Well I guess it's finally time to crawl in bed with sleeping beauty back there ; ) Shhhh...

Good night!

Arian : )

Coping

Thanks for all the love, hugs, prayers, etc. And thanks for sharing about your losses too. I wish there weren't so many women who can relate! It's quite a bummer to go through.

 I have some moments when I feel like super woman--like it's no big deal and I'm totally fine. And then there are other moments, like when I go to reach for my maternity jeans, that I feel a bit lost. It's an odd transition to go from pregnant to not pregnant without a little baby involved.

 But we're coping. There are a few songs I've been listening to on repeat, like "Season of Rain" and
"After the Storm".  I'm diving into some creative projects and keep yarn and a crochet hook with me most of the time to fill quiet moments.

And we're making good use of all the Starbucks gift cards I got for Christmas (thank you!!). Coffee shops are good because you can be surrounded by people but you don't actually have to talk to them : )

 We sketch, and listen to music, and craft, and sip our drinks and let time pass.

It's good.

Thanks again for the love : )
Arian

ps-- I'm probably gonna keep wearing the maternity pants anyways. Skinny jeans with elastic waist bands are a blessing that need not be reserved only for pregnant women ; )

"Awaited" Shirts

My rockstar sister is one of the masterminds behind Crossroad's annual Christmas show, "Awaited". It's the most artistic and creative representation of the Christmas story I've ever seen. And for the past couple years I've had the pleasure of creating the 200+ cast and crew members' special thank you gift! Two years ago they got my Christmas cards. Last year I got to create a custom art print for them. And this year I got to do t-shirts! (Hopefully they are not getting tired of me ; )

The text is a collage of phrases from the show.

Here are a few pics of "Awaited" last year....its pretty wonderful. Can't wait to see the new and improved version again this year!

(photos courtesy of Crossroads)

Off to do some Christmas shopping!! (This is the time of year each year when we realize that our hopes of making all our gifts this is again unrealistic.) ; )

Arian

Busy Little Elves

It was a busy, festive weekend. My lovely assistant, Laura, and I, fueled by coffee and Christmas music, printed and packaged and sealed and labeled all day to catch up on sales. If you won a painting in the art auction, it's on its way!

A beautiful mess : )

The weekend was also spent making snow angels (the first of the season),

celebrating Christmas at the Seabird Christmas show,

 (grabbed a few of my shirts! they are super soft and comfy)

getting our first LIVE Armstrong family Christmas tree,

and celebrating Hudson's 6th birthday at his snow-themed, DIY pizza party (his request). I got tons of photos on my real camera that need to be unloaded.

All this busyness and freezing temperatures has got me feeling pretty under the weather. Any favorite home remedies for a cold that just won't go away? I'll try 'em! I'd love to just close the bedroom door, curl up in bed, drink hot lemonade, and watch about eight hours of Christmas romantic comedies. That would cure me for sure : )

Arian

T-shirt/cd Give-Away!

I just finished another t-shirt for one of my fav bands, Seabird (sweet music video here). And I'd love to give one away along with their new Christmas EP.  With Thanksgiving over, I think it's officially okay to listen to Christmas music...very loudly.

So leave a comment here and let me know your favorite Christmas song/album (besides this one of course ; ) I'll randomly pick a winner on Thursday so check back! I'll be grabbing the shirt on Sunday evening so, if you're the winner, make sure to email me with your shirt size before then.