New Items for Sale!

In addition to my temporary love tattoos & multi-purpose stationery packs,

I have added four new items to my Etsy shop, From the Hart!

two kinds of stamps...

^^^ a thank you stamp!

 ^^^ comes in a little canvas bag.

^^^ & a to: / from: stamp!

and...tote bags!

^^^ Hello, sunshine beach bag! (I've had so much fun carrying this!)

^^^ & the perfect tote for brides!

As you can see, I'm trying some new things out. Everything is limited edition! If interested in any of the items, you can view the listings here.

until next time,

g

New Dog Illustration!

I'd like to introduce you to Dixie.

Beagles have such pretty coloring, but this one in particular was amazing to illustrate. She belongs to a couple I've known since boarding school/college who just recently got engaged! I can't wait for them to see how it looks framed. She's one of my favorites, and I hope it can be a fun new addition to their home.

Many people ask about my process for these. It all starts with a pencil & a pen as I study a photograph.

...then I scan it and add multiple layers of color & texture using my Wacom pad.

Interested in a dog illustration? 

I am booking custom work for September - please email me at littleladyinthebigapple{at}gmail.com for details.

until next time,

g

New Fave App!

Do you ever wana add some pizzazz to your photos on your phone?

I bring you the newest photo-editing app from the talented & creative minds

of Elsie + Emma at A Beautiful Mess!

-- so many fun phrases & doodles & borders with which to play --

Pssst, see more on their website here & keep scrolling to see some of my examples!

some thank-you notes from my shop for a girlfriend I get to see tonight!

oh, how I wish I could take a nap right now :)

 new business cards!!!

After much thought, I decided to make them clean & crisp without any color

with hopes that the design would be sufficient on its own.

(And I'm so happy I did.)

 eeeeee!

 The new website isn't live yet so that links to my old one, but please stay tuned! ;) 

 Also, a friend (thanks, Liza!) gave me the awesome idea of just adding color as I see fit. I could color in the heart with whatever color I choose or even add glitter or washi tape. Magic! Plus! ...the card itself is so thick that nothing bleeds through. Pretty darn pumped about them!

Another thing I'm pumped about? This new fabulous app, of course. Isn't it fun?!

OMG is right.

 

Download it here :)

 

until next time,

 

g



An Illustration of My Weekend

I spent the majority of my weekend collecting old projects, starting new projects, and planning out some goals of mine. I was recently given the genius advice of, "Make time for meetings with yourself." It sounds sorta crazy, but it makes complete sense when you feel like you're juggling an assortment of projects and you're the person to whom you're reporting. You have to hold yourself accountable - otherwise, you'll never get anything done. It helps to set aside real time for things like responding to emails and organizing computer image files and planning out the months ahead. If you don't block out an hour to do the annoying maintenance tasks, you will inevitably avoid them for too long.

This mindset can help in other areas of your life, too. Make time for the silly little tasks you know you have to get done. Or! Squeeze them between other things throughout your day. I had an extra 20 minutes before I needed to head out the door on Saturday and instead of scanning through my social media sites on my phone (what a time suck, yes?), I pushed open my closet doors and grabbed everything I never wear and put it in a shopping bag. I know there's more in there that I need to get rid of, but I can only process purging little by little. Then I cleaned my makeup brushes with this special shampoo and I quickly Windex'ed the bathroom mirror and faucets. 20 minutes later? 3 not-very-fun tasks completed. Boom.

Patrick was out of town Saturday night and I stayed up suuuper late (too embarrassed to admit how late) and had one of those nights that reminded me of the main character in P.S. I Love You when she discovers she wants to design shoes and she can't sleep until she gets it all out of her system and her entire bedroom is covered in sketch-filled papers. (Anyone know what I'm talkin' about?)

I woke up yesterday and started working again and was so inspired by my surroundings that I wanted to snap a pic. Instead! I decided to illustrate it...which is what you see above. It wasn't planned, it wasn't necessarily productive, but it sure was fun! And that's okay, too :)

until next time,

g

Woof!

a new little illustration!

don't you want to be on the beach, too?

...

here's how every illustration begins.

with my handy-dandy mechanical pencil :)

...off to daydream about playing fetch in the sand.

until next time,

g

New Illustration!

meet claire, 

a pretty golden i recently illustrated for a surprise wedding gift!

btw, that fur? so much fun to draw.

and! 

cheers to claire's parents who are getting married on new year's eve!!

how fun is that? i can't wait.

p.s. i love when dogs smile :)

...

until next time,

g

New Illustration!

meet Tux.

Goodness, I had such a blast drawing this adorable little nugget. There's something about signing my name on a final print and handing it over to the dog's parent that brings me so much joy.

Maybe I've found my fix until I can have my very own pup? :)

 If you are interested in a custom illustration, please email me at littleladyinthebigapple@gmail.com.

until next time,

g

Long Weekend

...

a recent commissioned illustration.

 I call it, "Feeding the Ducks." 

:)

I won't be sharing my next big project in the queue as it's for another fabulous bride-to-be's wedding ;), but I sure am tickled about it. I wish I could express just how rewarding these little creative ventures are. I watched P.S. I Love You recently (a total sobfest! Why didn't I learn my lesson the first ten viewings?!), and Hilary Swank's character quotes William Blake with "...my business is to create." People often ask me to describe what kind of "artist" I am and I typically begin to stutter trying to sum up my various projects, techniques, mediums, and interests. But thanks to Blake and Hilary, I think I've found my answer! :)

I'm signing off early this week for a 5-day weekend. Time for a little fun and then time for that whole moving-the-boyfriend-to-Manhattan thing. And ya know, purchasing-and-assembling-furniture-that-comes-in-2000-pieces thing. I have a teeny tiny eensy weensy inkling that I'm going to need some extra patience this weekend. (shhhh! pray we don't kill each other!) But as they say, "it's not the destination, it's the journey." And boy, do I sense a big adventure in our journey...

P.S. Check out my "summertime favorites" guest post over here!

Have a wonderful & safe 4th of July.

I'll be back soon.

-xx-

until next time,

g

Recent Inspiration

i practiced using a new calligraphy nib the other day...

(the inverted colors / bokeh effect are done on my iPhone.)

...and i can't stop writing everything i can think of.

I always start with a sketch for my little lady desktop wallpapers.

{here is april's!}

this month, i was inspired by Lauren Conrad here in this picture.

do you like her Rebecca Minkoff clutch? you can purchase one here.

naturally, i decided to give a copy of the pic to Lauren in person.

idunno, maybe she needs to keep track of her busy calendar 

and could benefit from a quick reference?

...or maybe i'm a giant nerd?

this is my friend, Kate, who went with me to meet L.C. 

she's the best. :)

here she comes!

um, love the shoes.

she talked about her new book, The Fame Game,

(purchase here) and answered various questions from the audience.

beautiful, bright, lovely, & down-to-earth.

in addition to her other series (L.A. Candy), 

she has a book on style (add it to my wishlist.)

& a fun-filled blog. (get your Pinterest boards ready.)

i've also recently enjoyed following her

 Instagrammed African adventure.

Trey Phillips (from Laguna Beach) showed up halfway through &

ran up on the stage to give L.C. a hug. it was pretty darn cute. 

he was very friendly...

even after Kate proceeded to tell him how she cried 

during the episode he leaves Laguna, ha!

(this should explain why we're friends.)

...

p.s. i gave in and am doing another month of photo-a-day via @fatmumslim.

whatcanisay? it inspires me.

1. #myreflection

2. #colour

3. the best #mail to come home to. :)

4. #someonewhomakesmehappy

(and someone i get to see tomorrow!)

p.p.s. an inspiring quote for your Wednesday.

until next time,

g

New Drawings

my current art queue is filled with drawings of children and pets

- plus some exciting wedding projects, too -

and I just couldn't be more excited!

{all done with pencil}

if interested in a project, please email me at littleladyinthebigapple at gmail dot com!

until next time,

g

Friday Links

{i have way too much fun on my iPhone.}

links for your Friday:

1. avocado is in its own food group according to my personal food chart. thus, I need this.

2. I love this Valentine card. oh and this one, too.

and for all my fellow nerdy friends, this one. :)

3. neons versus pastels. doesn't this make you excited for spring?

4. the blonder hair around the face? love!

{after 2 years as a brunette, I'm finding inspiration for my next color. ;) }

5. I hear you. I'm craving some beach-time, too.

6. have you seen this Fotoshop by Adobe video? sadly true...

7. In honor of MLK, Jr. Day on Monday.

8. loved the article about Jessie Randall (Loeffler Randall) in this month's Matchbook Mag.

{aren't these Loeffler Randall flats adorable? I keep seeing them everywhere. other colors available!}

9. one of my favorite bloggers (and supplier of my business cards), MadebyGirl, is moving to NYC!

{live near Las Vegas? she's selling some really cute furniture.}

10. I leave you with this. My brother shared this video with me over the holidays. {they can hear the others' parts of the song in the headphones..."cool" doesn't even begin to describe it.}

May you all enjoy your weekend!

I have a special guest arriving tonight! Can't wait...

until next time,

g

New Drawings!

I recently completed these 11" x 14" pencil drawings

of Lincoln and Grant for a client...

...and had so much fun doing them!

{If you're interested in pricing for custom drawings,

please shoot me an email.}

until next time,

g

Happy Halloween!

you know a witch is a good witch if she's wearing hot pink shoes. ;)

until next time,

g

Happy Friday!

a finger doodle I made this morning using the Brushes & InstantCam iPhone apps

...

~a little fun for you~

Another use for nail polish? key coders.

23 inspiring hairdos from New York Fashion Week via Refinery 29.

Throwing a little kid's party? I can't imagine a cuter party favor.

Need something for your fella? Here are 25 DIY gift ideas for men.

Wait, did this cat follow us back from Colorado on our trip? Crazy! I just wish we had seen this.

Want to get into the seasonal spirit? Here are 101 festive fall tutorials!

Have you checked out the Sept/Oct issue of Lonny Mag? Do.

A recipe for homemade dog biscuits for your pup.

In a long distance relationship? Send some love. I've sent this card before - I think it's adorable.

Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a 2-year-old? This is so funny.

Too expensive for me, but how awesome is this NYC scarf?

I leave you with this.

happy weekend!

until next time,

g

What Happens When I Deliriously Draw

My plans to watch a movie on the Hudson last night were unfortunately ruined by the rain. (I was finally going to see The Fighter - shucks!)

I ended up crawling into bed much earlier than I normally do and proceeded to fall in and out of consciousness. I later woke up with a burst of energy, quickly discovering that tossing/turning/kicking like an indignant toddler wasn't going to do the trick.

So then I turned into my mother scrubbed the kitchen counter and plopped down on a stool and doodled, which eventually lulled me back to sleepyland. Tra-la-la.

It wasn't until this morning that I really looked at my doodles.

What an ever-so-cheerful trio...

Well hello, figments of my imagination. You are mighty strange.

I suppose this is what happens when I deliriously draw!

until next time,

g

First Day of Summer!

I decided to ring in the new season with a change...

so what did I do?

I chopped off some hair.

dundundun

It seriously looked as if a small animal had died on the salon floor,

but boy, does it feel good!

before:

after:

My inspiration?

She's one of those people you sort of want to hate, but can't.

I look nothing like her, but I still genuinely adore her sense of  personal style.

Olivia Palermo

image via

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It's not just the first day of summer today, but also a good friend's birthday!

Remember my Christmas little lady?

Meet her birthday twin.

Birthday cheers & squeals, Mrs. A! (:>*

until next time,

g