New Website and Tour!!

Guess what?  I have moved!!!... check out the new website and tour over here!

Love,
Me!

I'm being featured here...

Are you curious about how I got started as an artist, my family life, and where the name PeachHoneyLove came from?  Well, you're in luck because the wonderful Suzanne Redmond is interviewing me today over here!  Please check it out and show her some love!

Week 16: A Recent Success

Photo Credit

There are many points along my journey I would consider successes.  By the way, it's ok to be happy for ourselves.  We celebrate each other, so let's give ourselves some props.  We deserve it!  I talked about enjoying the little things in this post, but let me reiterate we have to celebrate the small steps we reach along our road to greatness.  Every little step counts… EVERY ONE.

Our life is made up of many successes, so why focus on one.  Here are a few of the things I'm proud of…

1. I'm figuring out how to build and maintain my own website.  This is HUGE!!  I'm not a technical person, and often have to turn to Brandi and Laura for help.  I'm putting on my big girl britches, and taking it on myself.

2. I haven't had another breakdown, since this one.  I set a schedule for myself, and I'm making it work.  The schedule isn't set in stone.. it's adaptable to the craziness that is my life.  We have to be willing to bend to life's will because there will be days when we can't stand to do anything, but sleep.  So sleep, tomorrow is another day.

3. I'm making tremendous headway with the Preemie clothing line.  There are times we get excited about little opportunities that cross our paths, and when the high starts to fade, so does the project.  The preemie line is NOT the case.  My heart and soul is in this project, and it's going to be incredible!!

4. My backyard is finally getting a facelift.  The weeds are being pulled as I type, we planted 11 plants this weekend, and have plans next weekend to start laying down bark.  Now I need a chaise lounge to enjoy my hard work.

What are you proud of?

Making it mine, not hers...

I'm deep in the thick of Scoutie Girl's Website Kickstart eCourse.  I'm making the switch to WordPress, which is exciting, but I'm definitely lamenting over learning a new skill.  Coding, IP addresses, and plugins are definitely not my thing.

Have you ever struggled to learn a new skill?  What did you do to cope?

I'm building my website, and including only the bits and pieces I want.  It's so hard making it mine, not hers.  I'm scanning through my favorite websites, and looking at what keeps me there (I'm greedy, so it's usually eBooks).  I don't want to imitate anyone, but it's extremely difficult to make that final decision and answer the question, "What do you want?"  

Then, Tara asks us the question... "What is the ONE thing you want your visitors to DO?"  I never thought of asking myself that before.  I just put content in the sidebar that I thought should be there, in no particular order.  I didn't make things mine, just picked what was offered.  I didn't change the colors, or the shape, or open photoshop to try to create something new.  Why not?  It's mine, and it's a reflection of me and my business.  So, I'm finally looking within to figure out what I want.  

Shouldn't we all know what we want, and do our best to obtain it?  What do you want?

My dreams were in San Francisco...

Photo by me

They were doing a whole lot of construction in San Francisco this week... PANIC!  Thankfully, my husband drove, and I could sit in the passenger seat, sweating and clutching the door handle.  The navigation on my phone kept having to "reroute" due to the endless "no turning" signs, and if it told me to make a u-turn one more time, I swear I would have thrown it out of the window.  I'm always amazed how different the drivers and pedestrians act in the city.  Cab drivers squeezing in between a car and the curb 3 feet away, cutting you off just to make a light... aggressive much?  Thankfully, I don't live in this madness, I would not be as pleasant :)

So I met with Monica this weekend, a pattern/sample maker and owner of Tag Studio.  She has been assigned the huge task of making my dreams come true.  As instructed I bought a preemie onesie (to serve as the middle-of-the-range size... there will, eventually, be a size bigger and a size smaller), and a doll that fits that onesie.  I have a total of 5 designs, but she thought it was best if we stick to the two easiest for the time being because I'm so new to this process.  Poor Monica... I had NO CLUE what this process would entail.  Thankfully, she talked it through with me, step by step, as if I was a third grader.  I could feel my heart violently beating as she handed me my new "honey-do" list.

My lovely husband was so gracious, and sat quietly in the corner with a smile on his face, taking pictures. 

...pinning the preemie pants...



...more pinning...



...schedule check...

Monica called me yesterday to inform me the samples were complete, and that she would mail them this week.  SCREAM!!  My next huge step is to pick my fabric, a MUY IMPORTANTE step according to Monica.  I ordered a Fashiondex book a couple days ago, and will soon start the daunting task of finding the right fabric to use in the line.  This means sending samples to companies, waiting for them to respond, calling, calling, calling.  Not looking forward to this step... 

But everything is happening!!! So excited I could just pee!!

A question for you...

Ok, so I wanted to talk about something else, and I am in desperate need of some advice.  As you know, I have two blogs... this one, and PeachHoneyPreemie.  Man, it is very difficult to balance my time between the two.  I'm torn because I want to offer consistency to both blogs, but it's impossible to keep up with that kind of posting schedule, while starting my business.  I'm adding to my to do lists faster than I can cross things off, and I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed.  Something has to give, so here's my proposal... I want to combine the two blogs under the name PeachHoneyLove.  I want to share my PHP news with my PHL peeps, so I find myself double posting.  It seems a little absurd to me.  What do you think?  Any suggestions?

0.05% done! & a new banner!!

We've got a long way to go, people, but we're beginning to making a dent.

10. Take Golden's free class.
I talked a little bit about this awesome class in this video, but let me just say that if you're ever curious about what Golden has to offer, this is the class for you!!  The FREE Golden Lecture Demo was taught by Tesia Blackburn, a Golden working artist, who is energetic and so, so helpful!!  I brought a friend, who has no art experience whatsoever, and she was instantly inspired to start creating.  This two hour demo class covers all of the different gels, pastes, grounds, paints and mediums Golden has to offer.  Did I mention it was FREE!!! Visit the Golden website to find a working artist in your area.

55. Sell questroom furniture.  
Well, we ended up giving it away to a struggling family, which felt a lot better than selling it.  Now we are a that much closer to turning the room into a workout room, another "to do" on my 101 things list.

94. Watch every episode of Xena: The Warrior Princess.
I know what you're thinking... seriously?  Yes, I'm dead serious.  This was my favorite show growing up, and revisiting these action-packed episodes got me through a lot of late nights working and writing.

100. Floss every day for one month. 
Another random thing, but my dental hygienist will be so proud.

Time to focus on the big stuff now...

Some other things happening...
Did you notice anything different in the right hand sidebar?  There's a newsletter subscriber sign-up!!!  That's right!!  I'm working on an eBook to offer to my email and newsletter subscribers, and if you sign up now, you will receive it as soon as it's done.  Check out my last post, and tell me what you guys would like to see in the eBook.

I've been neglecting the PeachHoneyPreemie blog, due to the busy posting schedule of this one, but it's time to give it some attention.  It's forcing me to realize I may have to limit the PHL posting to 2 times a week, until everything is up and running.  It's a hard decision I may have to make because the preemies need a voice.

The PeachHoneyPreemie ETSY shop is still scheduled to debut this summer, and I've been hard at work making blankets, fitted sheets, and prototypes.  My dog and I have a routine on sunny days.  We leave the sliding glass door opened... while he lays in the sun, on a pile of dirt, I enjoy the light breeze blowing through the family room while I sew my little heart out.  It's blissful.

I'm finally beautifying the blog.  Making it mine.  After fussing around in Photoshop, I was frustrated, so turned to my texture/vintage/color loving friend, Brandi.  God Bless her!!! She made everything better.  She turned one of my favorite pictures into a banner to swoon over.

BEFORE

AFTER

THE BANNER!!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I have the greatest friends!!!  Thank you, Brandi, for helping me!!! You're always so generous with your time and wisdom.

I started the re-design of the blog... what do you think? I have to set aside a chunk of a day to finish the redo, but like I said before, I have to keep my priorities in order.  Let's focus on opening the shop...

Week 1... Big Announcement!!

MISSION STATEMENT
My love for creating art was a welcomed accident. I was a scrapbooker turned artist by an art journaling class. I am inspired by everything around me, and my support group of artist chickies fuels my everyday. I create mixed media artwork using acrylic paint, watercolor, wax, stamps, paper elements and much more. PeachHoneyLove provides original artwork to the masses, and offers a home for artisic people to play, grow and share their passions.

LINKS
My community:
Laura Catherine with Strategic Marketing Online
Brandi Hussey with Catie's Blue
Maggie with Maggie's Angels

Vloggers I follow:
Donna Downey
Suzi Blu
Tiffany D

Other links:
52 Weeks of Blogging
52 More Weeks of Blogging
Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons
Interview with Brandi Hussey

ps... I don't know why my forehead looks so big... I think I need to play around with the angle of the camera. Oh, and excuse my frequent use of the work "Umm," I was a little nervous :)

Big news is on the horizon!!

Ok guys, so I have a pretty big announcement coming up in the next week, or so, depending on when I get a special little computer program delivered. I'm restructuring PHL, and I hope it will give all of you a better insight into me, my life, and what I'm doing to create a brighter PHL. Please check back in soon!!!

Love and success to all of you!!!

The logo...

I'm nesting... organizing closets and the kitchen pantry, making placements to coordinate with the drapes. I haven't tackled the studio yet... that's a big job... one that takes concentration and more than the 30 minutes I have before work.



Even though I haven't started on the studio, I did clear the drafting table to start my logo. I felt an extreme desire to paint and I needed to address it before I went completely insane. I can't tell u how great it felt to pick up a paint brush... the inspiration came flooding back to me. Simply exhilarating.
I remember painting penguins in preschool and showing it off to my mom because, in my head, it looked exactly like a penguin. I felt the same way when I started painting my logo... proud of my gift and excited about what I could turn it into to. It feels good to be proud of something. Here's the beginning of the logo... I still have to add a little spice and sassiness, but it's definitely a strong start.



I'm still working on my color combos... I want the "brand" to be perfect, and I want it to be me, so I'm on the hunt for the perfect coordinating combo. Any suggestions?

Hi paintbrush, do you remember me?

It's been awhile since I picked up my paintbrush... that beautiful Sable number 8 brush I got on sale at a local art store (can't remember which store, I visit so many). My studio is a complete disaster, and my supplies aren't organized... it's enough to make a Type A crazy woman have a meltdown. My paints are calling me and those blank canvases and birch plywood pieces are taunting me... "Paint on me, paint on me!!"
I've been so busy with PeachHoneyPreemie tasks... getting a business license and seller's permit, making patterns, testing fabrics, etc... that I've been ignoring my other love. PeachHoneyPreemie has become my mistress and my paints are drying up just to teach me a lesson.
I'm mulling over a possible mixed media collection, but I need to tweak my girls faces a little... make them a little more me... a little sassier!! I also need to beautify my ETSY shop, so it's time to create a logo. I never thought I would ever say those words... I'm creating a logo!! It's crazy how your life can take a complete turn if your willing to let go of the wheel.



My studio is full of remnants from the wedding, unsorted ribbon and paper, and a whole lot of anxiety,,, well, I guess that's me... very anxious!!! Time to get to work!!

PeachHoneyPreemie

If I didn't mention already, I'm starting a new venture.... the production of a NICU-friendly preemie clothing line. I know... it's a big task, but dang it I can't help myself. I started another blog... come check it out! Follow me... I'm always happy to share my journey with people willing to join the ride.

I'm gearing up for the official launch of PeachPoneyPreemie... no, there's no big party... I'm just referring to the party in my head :). I'm just so stinkin' excited!! Don't mind me... just some dorky behavior happening. My kitchen table has become "seamstress central" and it's full of partially done projects all for PHP. I could just scream... from excitement.

I never realized how hard it was to transform a drawing of, say, "The Snappy Dresser" (an actual dress in the PHP line... cute, don'tcha think) into an actual article of clothing. Thankfully, I have my mother-in-law (seamstress guru to the stars) to help... she's been wonderful. From giving me a sewing basics refresher course, to physically walking me through my first shirt construction (start to finish), she has made the process seem a lot less terrifying. It feels wonderful to be surrounded by people who love and support your dreams.... and that means you, all my "Flying Lessons" classmates... you have been awesome!!! Thanks guys, it means the world!!

Fan Page Update...

Lots of new pics on the PeachHoneyLove Facebook Fan Page... hope you "like" them!!! Thanks for all the support... I have the greatest friends!!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peach-Honey-Love/139201776096324?v=photos&ref=mf