Momathon Blog

Artists: Wall Art Design Challenge at UncommonGoods.com

 

Do you dream of selling your artwork at UncommonGoods? Now is the perfect time to enter your original artwork in a contest sponsored by UncommonGoods for a chance to produce a limited edition run of prints to be sold by UncommonGoods this summer.

GRAND PRIZE: $500 + 5% royalties on a limited edition of 100 prints

DEADLINE: April 26, 2012 at 11:59 PM

HOW IT WORKS: According to UncommonGoods: 

We'll pick our favorite entries to share with customers on our Community Voting App. Our guest judges will choose a winning design from among the top vote-getting entries. We'll announce the winner in May. Your art should tell a story, be intelligent, and show your creative individuality. Take a look at some of our other art for inspiration. We don't have a set aesthetic - we want to see yours.

QUESTIONS? UncommonGoods is an online retailer that specializes in handmade, eco-friendly and uniquely designed gifts and accessories. You can find out more about the mission of UncommonGoods.com here. Find the contest rules on this pdf. You can send an email to: art-contest@uncommongoods.com

(Diptic image above features the following artwork as seen on UncommonGoods: PLACES IN AMERICA WALL ART, SONGBIRD BOX PRINT, DO WHAT YOU WANT WALL ART, YOU SIMPLY GLOW WALL ART)

Free Printable: Easter Bunny Gift Box

 

Hello, friends. Today I'm offering a free printable Easter gift box file for you to download. The digital PDF file includes one Easter pillow box designed by me and featuring a vintage card. Great for filling with candy or other surprises for an Easter basket. 

Printables are easy to use. All you need for this craft is the free downloadable PDF file, 8.5"x11" card stock paper, glue or double-sided tap, and scissors. You can also embellish the box with glitter. After I printed copies of the boxes at home, I added a hint of white glitter to the bunny ears. 

 Link to the downloadable PDF and directions for printing and assembling the box in the steps below.

A wonderful whimsical birthday card by my big brother

 
My brother Eric has been creating amazing illustrations since he was in kindergarten. My mom says one of his elementary school teachers loved his work so much she let him draw all day instead of doing his schoolwork. Not sure if this was the best teaching method, but fortunately he managed to pass that grade and go on to excel in almost anything he tried. Fast forward a couple of decades and he makes his living creating amazing things in his art studio. And one recently landed in my mailbox—a wonderful whimsical birthday card featured in the photo above. Since he knows I am a slave to several adorable dogs—even providing special doggy car seats for my canine crew—the card he created makes me smile.

Eric's illustrations have been featured in so many places I've lost count—from designer clothing sold at Target to fine china at Pottery Barn to book covers like A Book of Ages and Role Models. His illustrations have appeared in the New Yorker, McSweeney's, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Spy, Oprah, the Atlantic, Harper’s, the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Gourmet, Wig Wag, the Believer and other publications. You can check out his work on his blog er-h and his illustration website.

Move over Instagram, make room for the Camera Awesome app

I've experimented with loads of photo apps to turn your iPhone or smartphone a better camera. The new Camera Awesome free app from SmugMug joins my list of personal faves for camera versatility and high performance, a list that includes the Instagram, Adobe Photoshop Express, and Camera+ apps. All of the apps listed here are free except the Camera+ app that costs $1.99. However, I will warn you the app is so much fun it is very tempting buy extra bonus features for the Camera Awesome— each set of nine additional (totally awesome) effects is 99 cents. The Hancock effect adds a layer of script and you can see it above.

The photo included in the post today was taken and/or processed with Camera Awesome. I tried to pick a very ordinary subject—a string of lights—and see if the app could "Awesomize" it. And, yes, that is the term the app makers use. Since I am a Photoshop geek, I wasn't sure if this iPhone app would be as versatile and tweakable as a I wanted. Turns out it was a great deal of fun to use. The so-called boring string of lights (I stood on a chair to take this shot) turned out kind of magical with the Hancock filter. I have to add one thing that I really love about this app, you can upload any photo in the app to post process. Here are my thoughts on the new app:

Camera Awesome 

• Camera app works with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S (an Android app is in development)
• Full-featured and full-powered camera app
• Free app comes with 36 free effects: presets, filters, textures, and frames
• Option to upgrade and buy more presets, a total of 297 presets available
• Image stabilization, burst mode, camera timer, and more
• Fast burst option for active shotss—camera can capture photos in quick sequences
• Works in video mode 
• All your photos can be shared on social media through the easy built-in sharing feature
• Option to use SmugMug photo archiving at full resolution 

DIY: 50 "Weekend Knitting" Projects

Melanie Falick's lovely knitting book will keep you busy and inspired for many weekends.

Knitting is therapeutic in so many ways. I love to keep busy with my hands doing a handmade project while watching TV or sitting outside watching my kids and dogs play. Picking out new yarn colors and textures that will go together for a specific knitting a pattern is a fun twist on picking out a paint colors for my illustration and design work.

Quick knitting projects always appeal to me and author Melanie Falick and photographer Ericka McConnell have assembled beautiful book with both easy-to-do as well as some more challenging projects in Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas. The book also includes a sweet selection of favorite weekend recipes and even movies that feature knitting.

(Photo credits: Weekend Knitting images assembled in a collage by me to give you a glimpse of the wonderful projects in this book.)

Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake (and Hug a Puppy)

Hello Friends! Hope you are having a lovely weekend. Remember to keep a happy thought in your heart.

Photos/Images by me, Chris Olson.

Photos: On My Desk Today

Thinking about the 5" inches of snow that came as a fluffy surprise yesterday. Plus Mardi Gras and those amazing masks. The book on my desk is a childhood favorite: Snow by Roy McKee and P.D. Eastman. Here is what’s on my art studio desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection. 

DIY: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps

If you're like me, then you probably have a box or two (or three!) of fabric scraps you wish you could use in handmade projects because you love them so! PortabelloPixie blogger and fabric designer Sandi Henderson comes to the rescue with her book Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps. The book includes chapters with projects for the kitchen, bed and bath, children, party, crafts, and adults. My favorite projects are the party lights using fabric scraps with lantern lights, the Mary Jane slippers, and the tattered rose headband.

Images: Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps.

Happy Thoughts from Winnie the Pooh

Hello, Friends! Seems like only yesterday I started blogging, but this is my 1,000th Momathon Blog post. Wow! I decided to post a happy thought to remember this week. Enjoy your day. And remember to take a friend to lunch too!

Wisdom by Winnie the Pooh. Art by me, Chris Olson. The role of Pooh played by the handmade and much-loved Honey Bear.

More reasons to love books:

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

The 25 Most Beautiful College Libraries in the World

On My Desk Today: Castles, Crowns, and Frilly Things

Thinking about castles, crowns, and frilly things. Here is what’s on my art studio desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection. 

And, yes, I really do wear that tiarra! It's very effective in getting the attention of my kids.

It's almost the weekend. Looking for some DIY inspiration? Check out my book reviews--loads of photos--featuring a selection of decorating books here. 

Valentine Doodle: All You Need Is Love

 

Hello, friends. Hope your Valentine's Day is filled with sweet surprises because you're simply the best!

(Valentine doodle art by me, Chris Olson.)

Free Printable Gift Tags: English and French Sayings

Hello, friends. Handmade tags are wonderful to have on hand to attach to a gift so today I'm offering a free printable gift tag file for you to download. The digital PDF file includes 9 designs I created. Great for packaged gifts--and several tags with a L-O-V-E theme are perfect for Valentines. The 3" x 2" tags include the following sayings in a versatile graphite hue font: happy birthday, cheers, to, and I love you. Plus these sayings in French:  bonjour, je t'aime, and l'amour. The Valentine-y tags also have light pink hearts. The back side of the tags is left blank for you to write on.

All you need is the PDF file, 8.5"x11" card stock paper, a printer, hole punch. To attach the tags to a gift use ribbon, yarn, or twine. You can also embellish the cards with glitter. I added a hint of pink glitter to the hearts after I printed them.

Here is a link to the PDF file that you may download and print. Please use these for personal use only. Thanks!

Polka dots, flowers, and best friends

 

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. I'm thinking about sweet things as I plan some projects for the next week. Happy things like polka dots, a dog sitting at my feet and a pink bouquet always get my artistic juices flowing. What about you. What is your muse?

(Art by me, Chris Olson)

Purrrfect design starts with a sketch (video)

The smartest--and smallest--details start with a sketch. Watch the design for a new fashion line come to life with a whimsical cat in the Jason Wu promo. Purrrfect!

 The sketch of Milu the cat comes to life on the desk of fashion designer Jason Wu. 

Equal parts mischief and cute, Milu the cat is the muse for this new line at Target. Perhaps his feline inspiration comes from the two cats Wu adores at home named Jinxy and Peaches.

The new Target collection by Jason Wu will be available from February 5 to March 6. His stylish and affordable items range in price from $19.99 to $59.99 for clothes and $19.99 to $49.99 for accessories.

(Photos from the Jason Wu for Target promotions.)

Thinking about my garden

 

 

Today is cloudy with temps hovering around freezing. I am wishing for spring with cheery flowers in pots on my deck and a row of daffodils in my garden. One of my favorite parts of gardening is planning. I have always had a fondness for dark flowers. That's why I started playing with my paints and sketching a black flower. Who knows... Maybe it will end up in my garden too.

Flower art by me, Chris Olson.

Instagram Crush

 

 
 

Is it possible to take too many pictures? I don't think so. My iPhone and a few dozen photo apps is a "good thing" as I think Martha would say. A favorite of mine is the free photo app Instagram that includes custom designed filters and borders such as XPro-II, Earlybird, Rise, Amaro, Hudson, Lomo-fi, Sutro, Toaster, Brannan, Inkwell, Walden, Hefe, Nashville, 1977, and more. Social media folks like the fact the app includes an option for instant sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Posterous.

Photos above taken by me. Post processing via Instagram app. The dog featured is a shelter dog and I used Instagram to help him find a forever home. 

On my desk today

 

Here is what’s on my desk today—I am assembling photo cards for holiday gifts. Check back next Friday for another collection.

Photo by me, Chris Olson. 

On my desk today

 

I'm thinking about the holidays and oranges in the Christmas stockings... Here is what’s on my desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

Photo by me, Chris Olson.

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On my desk today

Here is what’s “on my desk” today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

Photo by me, Chris Olson.

If you like this, PIN it:  

Custom banners and more at my new Etsy shop

 

     

Hi friends! I opened a new Etsy shop with my friend Carolyn. The new shop is Salt and Paper Designs by on Etsy. We create personalized stationery, business cards, blog banners, Etsy shop banners, avatars, online ad graphics, and more.

My newest item in the shop is Penguin Etsy Shop Banner & Avatar Set featured in the photos. I would love to have you check out our store, and drop a note and tell me what you think.

Want to know what new items we are adding? You can follow our shop on Twitter: @saltnpaperetsy.

 

On my desk today

 

Here is what's "on my desk" today--a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

Photo by me, Chris Olson.

On my desk

Have a wonderful Veteran's Day!

Here is what’s on my desk today--a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

Go ahead, doodle on the walls

 

The Frames wallpaper in the The Land of Nod collection is perfect for every kid who loves to draw--on the walls or on paper. Made for doodlers and young Picassos, hundreds of blank picture frames in a myriad of shapes and sizes cover the wallpaper. All you need to do is hand your kids (or the grownups) a box of markers. (Frames Wallpaper, $45.00)

Have fun!

(Photo: The Land of Nod)

Back for seconds: A version of this post was published earlier by me.

 

My daily doodle: Four cats

 

Cats are kindly masters,
just so long as you remember your place.

~ Paul Gray

(Cat illustrations by me, Chris Olson)

It's the little things...

 

 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

And remember to enjoy the little things!

Mixed media art by me, Chris Olson.

Watercolor Wednesday: Doxie Moxie

 

Happy Wednesday!

Watercolor art by me, Chris Olson.

Daily doodle: Wordless Wednesdays

 

Daily doodle by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Draw a monster today

 

It's hot! It's stormy! Perfect time to draw a monster.  

I call it monster therapy. Gather a bunch of markers or crayons and some paper--any size. Even Post-It Notes work.

Now here is the fun part. Pretty much anything goes. Expert doodlers and newbies will enjoy this project. All you need to do is scribble, doodle or draw the craziest monster you can think of. If you want, add some glitter, feathers, and stickers too.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out the monsters on the blog by my friend–and bestselling children's author/illustrator–Nancy Carlson.

* Monster doodle above by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

 

Daily doodle: fashion matters

 

 

Fashion matters, even during stressful times. In the morning I sometimes just throw stuff together and walk out the door "ready" for the day. Wrong.

I've noticed that taking some time for myself to think about what to wear that day--no matter how busy I feel--really does end up making me feel better. 

Bill Cunningham, New York Times On the Street fashion photographer, says it best in the movie Bill Cunningham New York:

Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.

* Doodle above by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Sand between my toes

The summer heat wave is here. Time hit the beach, sit back, and relax.  

Doodle above by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Your vacation begins now

 

Sigh... My collage art class with Claudine Hellmuth is almost over. What am I going to do for fun now? Perhaps a vacation?

Looking for something artsy to do this summer? Check out the classes at Big Picture Classes. Or follow artist and workshop instructor Claudine Hellmuth on Twitter–@collageartist. Her tweets include loads of clever craft ideas and great links to DIY projects and tutorials.

Collage by me, Chris Olson

Summer vacation doodle

 

Taking an online art course is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Here is the collage I completed yesterday for a collage class taught by the fun and super creative Claudine Hellmuth at Big Picture Classes. You can follow Claudine on Twitter at @collageartist.

(Art by me, Chris Olson)

 

Summer collage

 

 

Summer is the perfect time to try something new and get creative. So this month I am testing out collages in an online class taught by the fabulous instructor Claudine Hellmuth at Big Picture Classes. The boating collage above is my first attempt. Lotsa fun!

Art: by me, Chris Olson

Hello, June!

 

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Daily Doodle: Don't forget to be awesome

 

 

Happiness is a direction, not a place.

~Syndey J. Harris 

 

 

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Daily Doodle: Pug and spider

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.

Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.

Up came the sun, and dried up all the rain,

and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.

 

Illustration of the pug and spider by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Qualities of a Successful Freelancer

Watch the clever stop-motion video by Creative, Inc. co-authors Joy Deangdeelert Cho and Meg Mateo Ilas here. You can read more about the movie in Joy's blog Oh Joy!

According to Joy and Meg, the 9 qualities of a successful freelancer are: 

1. Strong business sense
2. A love of your art
3. Curiosity
4. Confidence and a strong vision
5. Good listening and observation skills
6. Good communication skills
7. Ability to handle criticism and rejection
8. A positive attitude and professional demeanor
9. Good work habits

According to their website at Chronicle Books:

"Freelancing pros Meg Mateo Ilasco and Joy Deangdeelert Cho explain everything from creating a standout portfolio to navigating the legal issues of starting a business. Accessible, spunky, and packed with practical advice, Creative, Inc. is an essential for anyone ready to strike out on their own."

Their book, Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful Freelance Business is available at Chronicle Books.

More best advice from mom: Take turns

I grew up with two older brothers and as kids we were constantly arguing about who got to sit in the front seat of the car, or who got to take the newest (and coolest) sled down the hill first, or who got to pick the TV show next. In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I needed to take a step back and think about what my siblings or my friends would want: "Take turns." This advice never grows old–even at work or with my grown-up friends and family–life is sweeter when we take turns.

Thanks Mom!

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

 

Best Advice from Mom: Stand Up Tall

In my countdown to Mother's Day, today I'm remembering the best advice from my mom whenever I was feeling down: "Stand up tall."

In honor of Mother's Day, this week my "Mom Says" doodle art features my favorite sayings from my mom. You can find all of my "mom says" art here. You can see even more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. 

Illustration above by me, Chris Olson.

 

Daily doodle: Easter bunny slippers

I love this drawing by my daughter. She makes gel pen drawings look amazing!

Doodle by K.C.

Daily doodle: baby bird

A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.  

~Chinese Proverb

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. Illustration by me, Chris Olson.

Daily doodle: The original JUST DO IT!

Now is a good time to be your own Yoda according to Elizabeth Pongo's posting in the Own Your Own Beauty series on BlogHer. Because, I guess, when you take charge of your own well being, life becomes so much sweeter.

The doodle above is by me, Chris Olson. You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

 

Daily doodle: Pugs do not like windy days

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. (You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.)

Daily doodle: for Kira

 

 

 

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. (You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.)

Daily Doodle: Happy Birthday, Dad!

My doodle today is dedicated to my dad on his birthday. A bit of nostalgia, this doodle features my brothers and me at a local ski area back when tow ropes and lace-up ski boots were the thing.

One of my fondest memories from my childhood in Minnesota was going skiing almost daily from December through March at the ski hill conveniently located about 2 blocks from my house. As soon as I jumped off the school bus after school, I would grab my ski boots and skis and head to the slopes. I think a season pass at the ski hill back then only cost about $25. When my family moved from Indiana to Minnesota I was nearly five. The only thing that made the move tolerable was the promise of lots of snow. I admit I was a bit disappointed the first year because as a kindergartner I imagined the Minnesota snowdrifts would be higher than my house and instead the drifts were only hip high. The snowfall the first year was below average. However, each year that followed we had more than enough of the white stuff to ski–and shovel!

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. (You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.)

Daily doodle: A silky terrier and his favorite bone

The dog in the art above is my little silky terrier. He loves to carry around bones--the bigger the better. He is so small that when you look down on him most of his body disappears beneath his head :)

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. (You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.)

 

 

Daily doodle: you are beauty full

 

 

You are so beautiful ... to me, 

You are so beautiful ... to me, ... can't you see?

 

You're everything I hope for

Everything I need...

 

~ Billy Preston & Joe Cocker

 

 

Doodle by me, Chris Olson. (You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.)

 

Daily doodle: singing in the rain

 
You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

Daily doodle: She believed she could

 

 

 

"Always act like you're wearing an invisible crown."

~author unknown

 

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

Photo doodle: There is no medicine like hope...

 

If only we could fly a plane and catch a glimpse of tomorrow. 

 

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles. Photo doodle: Chris Olson © 2011.