Pillows and Pom Poms!

I've been busy adding new fall inventory and this unique tree log pillow just arrived! For details see HERE.

I've also added some new things to Anna See Supplies, like these large tissue paper honeycomb pom poms! Perfect for all your decorating and festive needs! See it HERE.

Once again, I truly thank you for all your support and I look forward to presenting with you all new, exciting offerings!

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

BEFORE:

There's that Kelly Clarkson song that was going on in my head and it's such an inspiring message so I had to capture it in writing :). It's the latest addition to the growing collection HERE.

AFTER:

Some Chalkboard Lettering

Hand drawn and hand written stuff has come back with a vengeance! We see it in the typefaces on modern packaging - echoing the vintage letterpress fonts of yesteryear. We see it in website design and we see it in modern wedding invitations and greeting cards.

There is definitely a nostalgia for the lost art of handwriting. The younger generation's penmanship has gone by way of the CRT TV - they don't need to write when they can type a mile a minute! As for me, I LOVE handwriting, and I couldn't be happier about this trend for calligraphy, and all things handwritten :). Hope this renewed interest continues!

Some hand drawn type and lettering that I turned into the chalkboard look :). I think I'll start a series - you can collect them HERE.

DIY Frosted Window Treatment

I haven't blogged in a while, but that's because I have been busy settling into my new (model!) home!

I usually keep this blog art-related, but I think this post relates to art :).

I recently was able to score the last home in this community and that home was the model house, which came with a lot of nice extras, such as built-ins, curtains, and all artwork and decor on the walls. Obviously, some isn't to my taste but it's nice to already have walls that aren't blank! Although the process, especially with this particular builder (wouldn't recommend them) and some family problems came into play, I hope to be able to enjoy a couple years out of this home, until I can move back to my beloved Summerlin proper, or elsewhere...to another country! This is a large house, and I am getting used to all the wonderful pros, and some of the cons of residing in one.

One of the first things I needed to tackle was this giant window overlooking the bathtub and shower. When I shower, especially at night, people from the outside street can see into the bathroom! A definite no no.

BEFORE:

BEFORE during NIGHT:

Notice how I tried to use the curtain to cover up the window? But alas, it is nail-gunned down to the wall, so I couldn't fully free it.

Then, I found THIS tutorial and THIS tutorial. I actually made my own template, because I wanted a wider gap in between the shapes, and I stretched it out proportionally to fit my window, so there wouldn't be any weird cut-up shapes on the edges of the window. This is an example of how skillful handling over design programs (thanks Art Center!) will help in random future life ways!!! :)

AFTER:

AFTER during NIGHT:

As you can see, this window is HUGE. It's the length of the bathtub, so even ordering shades/blinds would have to be custom fit because of the odd size. Needless to say, this took a VERY, very long time to complete. But, the best part is, it turned out really cheap - thanks to one jumbo roll of Contact Paper.

The best part is that when you see it, it really DOES look professional, and it really DOES offer privacy, while still letting the light in! Best of all, ANYONE can do it! Although it does help if you have a little art and design program know-how and good craftsmanship (again, Thank You Art Center!). It is also a lot easier, if you have some help, namely, someone who can peel apart the contact paper sticker shapes for you while you arrange and stick them on (thank you roomie!). :)

I have all these leftover shapes from this project, that I may just go ahead and frost some glass vases and my laundry window while I'm at it!

Hope you enjoy! Please DO try this at home. And please let me know how it works out!

Midsommar Feriae Package Design

My second Feriae package just got released in Japan. I struggled with the first one, Easter in Italy, but now I think I'm started to get the hang of it. This one's theme is Midsummer in Sweden. I did a lot of research for this festival and wanted to include many of the traditional elements:

I presented these choices and they went with Option #2 with a few edits - like more animals. I was very pleased to find out that a bride chose to purchase a large quantity of my package design to give as wedding gifts at her wedding! It's such an honor that she thought my design befitting as her wedding favor :). I'm working on the next package design now and look forward to sharing it once it's released!

Handmade Paper Succulents and Lotus/Lily Flower

New to my handmade offerings, are these beautiful, individually hand-folded origami paper succulents, or paper lotus/lily flowers! It makes for a perfect addition as a centerpiece on a table for a rustic wedding or outdoor wedding, a unique wedding favor, and can even hold a standard flameless tealight to illuminate a space with an elegant glow. It is sure to be a conversation piece as part of your home decor as every time I have visitors, they always ask about my handmade succulents scattered around my place. You can get your own HERE.

Serena and Lily Beach Market

image courtesy of Elle Decor

I am excited to celebrate Serena and Lily's first store in the lovely Hamptons! See all the pretty loveliness HERE.

image courtesy of Dicorcia Design

The amazing interior designer over at Dicorcia Design informed me that she had spotted my work at the Serena and Lily Beach Market shop and kindly wrote a very helpful post featuring my work and DIY framing HERE.

If you're near the area, hope you can stop by this amazingly curated, unique space:

image courtesy of Serena and Lily

SPRING CANVAS FLASH SALE!!!

Get your ready-to-hang canvas NOW at our lowest prices yet! +FREE U.S. SHIPPING! Shop NOW.

Easter in Italy Feriae Sweets Packaging

 I recently had the pleasure of working on packaging for one of my favorite foods - desserts and sweets! The amazingly talented people at the ad agency, who I had worked with before (VISA card) contacted me with a fun, yet challenging project! They requested the look of my hand-pulled linocut prints, to depict the theme "Easter in Italy." It was interesting researching and learning so much about this important Pasqua holiday in Italy.

Alongside (way outta my league!) talented illustrators, I was tasked with creating the main illustration, the lettering to go on the panels, as well as the buildings motif that sits on the other opposite side panels. I really tried to capture a sense of Italy through typeface choice, color palette, and imagery, while still conveying a sense of Easter. This was, admittedly, totally challenging for me and outside my comfort zone as I felt it was truly difficult for me to capture the hand done feel of my linocut prints. Usually, illustrators will make digital illustrations feel handmade, and can execute the original handmade illustration when asked to, but this was the other way around. The handmade look and the happy accidents of my hand-pulled linocut prints, proved very difficult to replicate digitally. Hopefully it works and will attract purveyors of sweets and unique packaging!

These limited edition packages can be purchased exclusively at Isetan and other major Japanese department stores under the brand Feriae by Ruysdael. This line follows the wildly popular Fika line featuring Scandinavian illustrators. Thank you to Yoko and Nari for being the BEST people to work with!!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 2014: Year of the Horse

I hope everyone is having a good year so far! I've been slowly adding to my Zodiac Animals series and I am a little late but have just added the Year of the Snake with 2014 Year of the Horse to follow soon:

I, personally, can't wait to finish the series so I can have a nice little collection to make a gallery wall! Fingers crossed :). I also added a new linocut of Polar Bears, which I thought befitting given the cold weather and winter season:

In other news, I recently launched my new Anna See Supplies where you can get unique, handwritten supplies like this:

As always, I truly appreciate all the kind words and continued support and thank you for checking it out! May you have a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year! xoxo