Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my father's Birthday. We have a tradition in our family of using the same single red candle on everyone's cake. It has been going strong for 34 years, but is getting down to the nub, and has to be replaced soon. It'll work for a couple more Birthdays though, and we'll be lighting it this weekend. Here's to your wonderful new year filled with great new beginnings.

Open Beach Season

The beaches in NY officially opened this weekend. We headed out to our favorite beach at Robert Moses State Park. Once you get out on to the Robert Moses Causeway there are no stores, no buildings, no houses, just soft sand dunes and wide open skies as far as you can see. There is no other feeling like what this beach does to me. I completely unwind, and leave without a care in the world, and a spring in my step.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Surtex show. It was great to see old and new friends alike. It's always fun to get everyones reactions to the new work. We left the show energized with new ideas. A special thank you to Susan, whose quote made me smile "Your artwork makes me so happy." Thank you!

Happy 125th

Last night the Brooklyn Bridge turned 125. We celebrated with our fellow Brooklynites, and joined in singing Happy Birthday to the bridge, and even shared a piece of the Brooklyn Bridge shaped cake. The night ended with an amazing fireworks show under the stars.

Before & After

Set up day at Surtex is always a flurry of boxes and bubble wrap. We have our booth system down, so the actual set up was really easy. It still took hours because we stopped to chat and catch up with all of our artist friends. After a little brake we put the finishing touches on the booth, star stickers meticulously cut by hand (thank you John) then we stepped back, gave a sigh of relief, and smiled.

From To-Do's to Done

Taking on a large project can feel daunting. The best thing I've learned is to mind map the project; basically brake it down into the smallest, actionable steps. You can accomplish anything if you use this process. A hike up Mt. Everest probably starts with a phone call, or a trip to the bookstore. My other favorite tool is the to-do list. Oh how I love crossing things off (with my red Bic pen). So if you take one step at a time, you eventually get from to-do's to done. Surtex here we come.

I heart Epson

Our new printer is making me very happy. There really is nothing else like the bright, vibrant, almost velvet like colors that come out of an Epson. I'm sitting in a pile of ruby red, lime green, tangerine orange and vibrant pink.

Mantra

Only 5 days to go until Surtex. This simple message is keeping me going.

Up and at 'em...

I've been trying something new, exercising in the morning instead of the evening. It's really nice to get up and at 'em first thing in the morning, the light is so pretty, and everything is quiet. The added bonus is getting all of that oxygen and blood circulating really helps with ideas. I've always known I'm not a night owl, but now I'm starting to think I might actually be a morning bird.

Dance of the Inner Child

I discovered this on Boho Girl's Blog today. The woman in this video knows a very important secret about life. A secret I never want to forget.

Sweet

Sweet Pea © Little Star Soup/Glitterwrap Inc.

Our latest Baby Shower set to go out into the world is our version of the Sweet Pea. In the language of flowers sweet peas mean delicate or blissful pleasure. There's a version for a sweet baby girl, and a darling baby boy. Both are available here and here.

Go with the flow

You can't force creative ideas. Ideas come from a calm mind. My favorite way to calm my mind is exercise, and my favorite new form of exercise is Nia. Nia is a "body-mind-spirit fitness and lifestyle practice." I started taking Nia classes 6 months ago. The first class was definitely a little intimidating (free form dancing brings up all kinds of feelings). "Am I doing it right? Do I look silly?" But if you just let go, if you just go with the flow, you leave class calm, energized, and brimming with ideas.

Sugarplum Dreams

I would love to take a nap right now, but there is still so much to do. Posters to order and portfolios to put together, not to mention finishing up some of our latest Holiday designs. It'll be a weekend of Santa, snowmen, polar bear, and penguins. And then hopefully at the end of the day, Sugarplum Dreams.

Baby Glow

Baby Glow © Little Star Soup/Design Design Inc.

Do you know a hip pregnant mama with that certain glow about her? This baby shower set might be perfect for her. It's called 'Baby Glow.' Women are beautiful always, and we wanted to capture that feeling in this design. Available here and here.