Sail Away.

This picture was taken when Zack was just 11 days old but I haven't had the time to do these little doodles until now. It's amazing how big he is getting so quickly. With how much he eats though I'm not surprised. My sweet little chubby boy =)

Though I am sad that he is getting older each day I am enjoying that with each day he interacts a little more. We can now play and he will smile and coo and kick his little legs with excitement. His favorite toy is a wooden spoon that I tied ribbons from, a game I found from a Gymboree book. We do a lot of the same things everyday around the same time. We swing on the porch swing, go on walks, take a bath, play with toys, and then at the end of the night I sing to him while we slow dance for a good 30 minutes as he dozes off. It's pretty sweet. 

I try to sing to him a lot as I did when he was in the womb. It seems to calm him and make him happy. What I didn't realize until the other day is that I am now starting to sing everything instead of saying it. Little bit embarrassing but also a fulfillment of one of my greatest wishes: to live in a musical. I'm just glad no one is around to witness it and thankful he is unable to tell. 

My brother is here for the next week and I couldn't be happier. Zachary and I are really enjoying the time with his Drunkle!

Sister-in-Law Love.

I have the most wonderful sisters-in-law. I mean seriously. I am such a lucky girl. All three of them are the sweetest, most crafty, artistic, talented and fun women. Not only am I lucky to have them but so is Baby Bear. All three of them have used their incredible talents to make him the most beautiful gifts!

Leah made him the above pirate sock friend. I absolutely adore sock animals and I just love him so much! He has a giant "S" because his last name begins with an S in case you were wondering. I can't wait to put this little guy in the nursery when we move. Baby Bear is just going to love him!

She also made him this beautiful embroidered hanging:

Isn't that just too cute for words? It says "Ahoy Baby". Oh my, he is going to have the cutest nursery.

She also made me this awesome sign for my studio:

"Lady Hole" is the loving name that my other sister-in-law Kristin came up with for my studio and I love it. I mean they call the garage their "Man Cave". I should get a equally silly, fun, albeit slightly inappropriate, name for my space. She embroidered all of those swirls by hand. Can you believe it? Love it!

Veronica made the most beautiful piece of art for his nursery as well (commissioned by my lovely mom). It's so incredibly beautiful!

Gorgeous right? She's so talented it's ridiculous.

She also made this breathtaking drawing for my father for his birthday (also commissioned by my mom).

That's me and my dad. My dad never takes pictures and somehow my mom talked him into taking this one with me at Veronica and Richie's wedding. It's such a special picture to me and to see it made into such stunning art is wonderful! It really does look exactly like the picture.

Kristin, my newest sister-in-law, has been so sweet to take on the big task of throwing me and Baby Bear a baby shower. She has already put so much work and such wonderful details into the day. I'm so incredibly thankful to have her! She made these awesome baby shower invitations:

Sorry, I had to blur out the details. No shower crashers please =)  They are handmade with different elements. The cutest invitations I've ever seen! I absolutely love them! This one is going in Baby Bear's baby book to treasure forever. I know I will.

I can't wait for the shower. I will have to share lots of photos after it happens at the end of the month. I already put my sweet mom on camera duty.

Have any of you had someone make you something very special recently? I'd love to hear about and link to pictures if you have any.

Artist Spotlight: Veronica Aguilar

As a gigantic art lover I want to share some of my favorite artists with you occasionally on here. Hopefully you'll find them all as inspiring as I do. There is no other person I would kick this off with than Veronica Aguilar.

Let me just start by saying I am an incredibly blessed little lady to have three amazing sister-in-laws. And I mean AMAZING! My brothers mean the world to me and to see them all with equally wonderful women just fills my heart with so much joy. Veronica Aguilar is one of those three women. When I say this girl is incredibly talented that doesn't do her justice. She's got talent like Mike Tyson's got knock-outs. I am constantly in awe of what the she is capable of.

Seeing her work in person is a magical experience. I'm completely in love with the fantastical world she creates. I want to hang every piece in my house. Or better yet, I'd love to live inside her majestic works.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite of her pieces:

And how perfect would this one be for baby bear's pirate/Peter Pan themed nursery?:

Here are two drawings she did of my family. The first is my niece and nephew and the second is my brother and sister-in-law Kristin from a picture I took at their wedding.

If you'd like to see more of her amazing work:
Website
Blog

Are there any artists you find really inspiring? Please share in the comments. I always love finding new artists to admire.

XOXO,

Tenley