Beautiful Blessings

Good morning. Today I'm sharing a card I designed as a Make N Take at Creations Galore. The stamp set from Market Street Stamps contains these stamps, in addition to a pumpkin and a thankful sentiment. Therefore, I had always looked at it with a fall perspective. Staring at it this past week, I challenged myself to try something new. And here it is:

I created it for my dear friend, Amber, who married her best friend this weekend. I'm so happy for her and wish the two of them the best. I joined a few of my blessings at the reception for some tasty food and close dancing.

Gushing...

PJM is back in town for a whole month, which means this girl is a bit distracted. 

But just a bit... He's in town doing pre-production work and fundraising for his film, The Rover. Go ahead and click the link to read about his film and to even donate a dollar or two or seven hundred if you feel led. I'm so proud of all the work he's done thus far and can't wait to see the finished product. I'm also quite proud of how easily he carries boxes up stairs and takes out my trash. ha! I'm such a girl... 

A little taste of Wisconsin

It's been a while since I've shared an illustration in a post. So I sifted through my sketchbook and found one that was dear to my heart. But first, a little story... 

How I Met Your Mother is a favorite TV show of PJM and I. In the series, a wonderful tradition was started with arguably the cutest TV couple in history. The tradition? 

Marshall picks up Lily wearing a chauffeur hat and a handmade sign,

Lily brings Marshall a six pack of beer from wherever she traveled,

and they live happily ever after.

On my way to visit PJM in New York, I thought up a cutsie little plan. TSA doesn't allow more than 3oz. of liquid on the plane, and alcohol is completely out of the question. I had to improvise. While in the Milwaukee airport I sketched out the six pack instead. A nice picture of Wisconsin's best:

We're still creating that happily ever after.

A Look At A Bridge

A few days ago I met with a dear friend to share photos I had taken while visiting PJM in New York. I just can't get over all the opportunities that the city offers for sketching and photography through its abundance of people, buildings, and scenery. One of my favorite sites was taking in the Brooklyn Bridge... the height, the view, the sounds... I'm positive that not a single picture I took on that Sunday afternoon gives any justice to the brilliance that is this bridge. Who knew one could fall in love with a bridge?! Here's a minor look at our walk from home in Brooklyn into Manhattan. 

I sure stuck out like a crazy tourist this day, snapping away at a bridge people use daily. Luckily, PJM was happy and willing to show me around and wait as I took it all in. 

Hope you've enjoyed this mini tour today.  

Money, Music, & Food

Last night I met up with P.J.M. in Union Square 

where his school is located. It looks like this:

New York Film Academy

We walked around a few shops full of gorgeous home decor 

that I could never afford. Here's a few of our finds:

$865 plastic, unsteady table

$200 flimsy, everyday whisk

After gauking at pretty things and overcoming the fear of possibly breaking something worth more than my house, we headed on to things a little more our style. We wandered through four floors of Barnes & Noble and attended a concert/interview/book reading.  

Here's Joseph Arthur, a truly talent singer, songwriter, and artist (he has done most of the cover art for his CDs). We were so excited to chat with him after the show! Make sure you check out his music... you can even download one of his albums, Redemption City, for free here. We also got to hear from British novelist, Edward St. Aubyn... After hearing a few excerpts of the Melrose series, I must pick up the first novel. 

On our way home, we came across Goodburger. Growing up in the 90's we couldn't help but quote a little Kenan & Kel and head in for a tasty burger.

"Welcome to Good Burger. Home of the Good Burger. Can I take your order?"

My time in New York has been fun, but I can't wait to get back to WI and enjoy a nice Krolls burger... and a walk down the street without stepping on a dog, running into hoards of people, and almost being hit by taxi cabs. Happy Thursday, friends.

A little sample of my view...

I've been visiting P.J.M. in New York this week. He lives in a quiet, gorgeous neighborhood called Brooklyn Heights. Walk just a few blocks, and you'll come to this spot. While he attends class a few hours every day, I explore the city... taking in all of the great visuals. I've been sketching and snapping pictures like crazy. Can't wait to share them all with you-so here's just one more today...

My first night in New York P.J.M. took me to this Chinese Restaurant for a delicious dinner, the movie Descendants at the theatre next door, and then had me close my eyes as we walked a few blocks, to open them to the view above, only at night, the buildings lit up in the most breathtaking display. 

Enjoying every minute of this trip. Hope you're all having a great week too!

Available seat please.

My brother helped me pick out my airplane seating arrangements. I officially booked a flight to NYC to see Mr. PJM on Valentine's Day. February can't come soon enough.

Dreading goodbyes...

p.j.m. leaves in a few days... flying back to nyc, pursuing his dreams, and becoming a fancy film maker. It's a little difficult to not think of saying goodbye. Oh how I'm dreading it. But until that moment when I'll actually have to say that horrendous word, I'm celebrating the little moments I have with that adorable man. Such as this one... enjoying some coffee and his crazy hat hair. 

Home

Yesterday was p.j.m.'s birthday. I was practical and got him a set of Moleskine journals... but couldn't help but add a little sentimental gift too. He's currently attending the New York Film Academy and working hard following his dreams. After NYC he'll be off to California for awhile. Needless to say, it may be a bit before p.j.m. will indefinitely plant his feet in the dairy state. The project started out with just a 5 x7 frame and a map of Wisconsin, and turned into this: 

I drew the state of Wisconsin, colored it in with Copics, and stamped it with a Market Street background stamp and distress ink. I couldn't help but add the heart and star brad... what girl doesn't have an urge to add bling. The lyrics are from a John Legend song and seem rather fitting... 

"It may be long to get me there

It feels like I've been everywhere

But someday I'll be coming home

Round and round the world will spin

Oh, the circle never ends

So you know that I'll be coming home"

I hope it will be a perfect little reminder of what's back "home" - all us crazy cheeseheads rooting him on.

I may have also made him some cookies... I hear the way to the heart of any man is through food. I know they sure turned my heart light on... cookies were darn good!

A little rant about weather...

PJM

 aka this guy: 

The cutie, not the mountain lion of a cat, who, by the way, likes absolutely NO ONE on this entire planet but PJM. grrrrr.

Let's start over, shall we? 

PJM and I had quite an interesting convo about Florida the other day, which lead to this drawing:

It's a rather strange winter here in Wisconsin. Less than a week until Christmas and there's no snow! It's crazy. It's a little bit depressing. I find myself complaining quite often about it and having random fits where I decide to boycott Christmas if there's not glorious, heaping piles of that fluffy white stuff. But let's face it... If all that wet, sloppy, cold snow were really here, I would be telling you how much I want to be sipping a fruity drink near that palm tree I just drew. Ah... life. Someone slap me. Hope you're enjoying the weather wherever you are!