Design Healing

Button Up

This new pattern reminds me of my doll making days. I bought a lot of antique buttons! I decided to make this into a baby invitation for BPP.

Button Up

(design ©Blue Pumpkin Press)

So Loving: Marimekko Fabrics

I love Marimekko! Here are some new fabrics at the Always Mod store.

 

(images from Always Mod)

Sneak Peek: Coming Soon to a Blog Near You

Here is a sneak peek of my new blog banner. I am starting a new blog!!!! It will be called Print. Pattern. Repeat. The new blog will be my place to play and experiment with patterns and prints. I am going to use it as a way to improve my skills, so I will be trying different technique's, paints, and mediums. I am going to try to show the process as well. It should be a lot of fun. I am still working on it, I hope to have it up in the next couple of weeks. I hope you like it and come to visit.

What do you think of the banner?

(design ©Stephanie Ryan)

Happy Friday My Dear Ones.

I was visiting Creative Thursday today and Marisa had some lyrics by Coldplay on her post. I had to share them. Here is wishing you a great weekend. Remember to take a chance, follow your heart, and do one thing everyday that scares you.

 
(image ©Blue Pumpkin Press)

Emotional Response

I was playing around with this new design. I love the way you can change the color of a design and get a totally different feeling from it. It is amazing how important color is.

(Design © Stephanie Ryan)

Oh My Little Babushka!

I absolutely love these little Babushka's by Beata of Rose Hip. So cute!

(images from Rose Hip)

I hope this doesn't sound horrible....

I want this to be me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, awful I know. I don't think I have ever wanted something so badly. So, I had to put that out there along with this affirmation.

This, or something better, now exists for me, for the highest good of all concerned....and so it is : )

Check out the work of Jenean Morrison of Posh Pattern. Her designs are delightful! She has a great blog too. Congratulations on signing with Free Spirit Jenean!!!!!!!!

Here is some of Jenean's work. I love it!

(images from Posh Pattern © Jenean Morrison)

 

So Loving: The Art of Carol Maguire

My friend Carol Maguire had a show at the Granary Gallery up in Martha's Vineyard last weekend. I wasn't able to go but was so excited when I saw the picture she sent me. I think her wall of paintings looks stunning! Congratulations Carol!!!!!

( images © Carol Maguire )

So Loving: Studio Mela

Happy Monday!  I love the work by Shelli at Studio Mela. Here are some of her newer prints.

 

I totally believe this! That is why I am working so hard on my self-esteem and self-worth issues.

(images from Studio Mela)

So Loving: Pensées by Bernardaud

I love this dinnerware design by Marie Levéque for Bernardaud. Lovely!

(images from Artedona)

Meet Stella Spool

This is Stella O' Toole, but the kids at school call her little Stella Spool. I made her last night. It is my first attempt at painting a character. Am I going to rush out and set up an Etsy site and try to sell her? No. I would love to create a world around some little characters though, it would be so much fun. I do have some issues with drawing bodies though. The front view is easier that any 3/4 view. So, I think it's an ok first try. Is this what Stella really looks like? Don't know, but I will have fun developing her as I learn the best way to paint these little guys. My first lessons came fast and furious last night. Here they are in no particular order.

• Have some sort of idea of what you are going to paint before you put out all of your acrylic paint colors on the palette. Mine were dry by the time I picked up the brush...oops.
• A big brush would come in handy to paint the background! Which leads me to.
• Patience and some energy are key. Don't start painting at 8:30pm on a work night.
• When painting little characters, Stella is around 4" and my man Fred (bun, bun) is 1 1/2", canvas is not your friend! I have to get some wood panels to paint on. The smoother the better.

Well, that's it. I debated on whether or not I would show her because I don't feel like she is right, but that excuse has gotten me nowhere...fast! I am trying to change my bad behaviors and have decided to put it all out there. Hope you like her.

(image © Stephanie Ryan)

On My Lunch Break

I decided to play a little bit at lunch today. Here is a fun bird pattern that popped up after my curry chicken.

( Designs © Stephanie Ryan )

Pattern Play

I have been playing with patterns a lot. These prints are based on BPP designs. I have another group that I am working on to send out to some fabric companies. Scared? Yup! I will keep you updated on that one.

(images © Blue Pumpkin Press)

To be Proud of Someone

I hope that you all have a great Independence Day weekend. Tomorrow, we will be celebrating the 4th by attending a going away party for our nephew Fran Misantone. Our brave 19 year old has enlisted in the Army and will be leaving for boot camp on the 9th. We are so proud of him, and wish him nothing but the best. It takes quite a man to make such an important decision like this, especially with the world the way it is. So please, remember all of our soldiers out there making sacrifices for our Liberties. We love you Frannie!

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.

-George Washington

Fun Find: Michelle Brusegaard

I love these prints I found on Etsy by Michelle Brusegaard. I have a thing for all things miniature. Michelle also has a virtual booth over at Poppytalk Handmade.

(images ©Michelle Brusegaard)

Pattern Play

Here are some patterns I have been playing with. They are all inspired by existing Blue Pumpkin Press designs.

(images ©BluePumpkinPress)

Have You Ever Been....

Have you ever been to Kris's Color Stripes? I highly recommend it. I am a color junkie and am inspired there daily.

(images from Kris's Color Stripes)

Back in the Saddle.....again.

I am back from my great weekend! We had such a good time, the wedding was so much fun. Congratulations Rod and Katrina, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.
I drank too much, danced too much, and yapped too much. Is there such a thing as too much? Naaahhhhh. It was a damn good time. So, I have a renewed spirit and am ready to jump in with both feet. If there are any other workaholics out there, I highly suggest taking a break. Here are two great print's from Groundwork.

(image from Groundwork)

Taking a Long Needed Break.

I am leaving for a nice long weekend. My husband and I are going to a weekend wedding on a lake up in the mountains of Pennsylvania. It should be a lot of fun, I can't wait to drink a nice cold beer and look up at the stars over the lake. I need a break. I promise to make a wish to the stars and the Universe that we all are able to express our creative hearts and live our true destiny. I also promise to drink some beer for all of you as well... or maybe some wine, I can't decide. I am leaving you with a picture of some of my crystals, a quote, and a picture of my dog Maisy...just because she is so cute. Have a great weekend, see you on Tuesday.

Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.
-Walt Whitman





Have a happy weekend! 

Random

I was looking through my pictures in iPhoto and came across this cool photograph taken at the  State Capital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

(images © Stephanie Ryan)

Blue Pumpkin Press: Festival Collection

I am so happy to debut the new Festival Collection by Blue Pumpkin Press. Invitations for fall, Halloween, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years. I hope that you enjoy them! To see our entire line, please visit our website.

 

(images © Blue Pumpkin Press)