Details.

"By wisdom a house is built;
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures."
Proverbs 24:3-4

This design is actually a custom order request. Sometimes those are my favorites... my customers have had a lot of really great ideas! This project has been particularly fun so far.



I am enjoying all the little details and just seeing where this one takes me.

Mother's Day Mailings

I love pretty mail.



Kraft paper and calligraphy and washi tape. L O V E.

I wish I had more time to make cards, write little notes, prettily address them, and send them off to sweet friends. It's one of the things that I want to try to do more regularly this summer.

I did manage to seize the opportunity with Mother's Day.



When I actually take the time to do it, it's so refreshing. An escape from this busy, modern life to a simpler, more graceful time. Yes, please. More of that.

What do you like to do to escape from busyness?

Enjoying the Process

It's been a while since I've done much with this blog. I don't even know who is reading this at this point (but hiiiii and thank you, whoever you are!). Once upon a time, I used this blog regularly to post tutorials and stuff. Then the babies came along, and blogging just took too much time away from them.

Well, I've been thinking about blogging a lot lately. And I decided to try to use the blog regularly again. I am by no means promising daily posts or regular tutorials. And I will probably rarely be sharing a finished project. But I've been learning to be less concerned with getting to the end result and to take the time to enjoy the process.



So you will see more of that here. What I'm working on... not completed or perfect. But lovely in its own way and full of possibilities.

Free Printable: May 2013 Calendar

Happy May, everyone! I hope that wherever you are, Spring has finally found you!



I have been playing around with watercolors lately, so this month I am offering one version of the print in watercolor:



And the other in my normal chalkboard design:



Please feel free to download these calendar pages to print or use as a computer background this month. Happy Spring!

Art for the Soul

I became an artist by accident.

There was nearly no thought put into it. I just always found myself browsing through prints on Etsy, and one day I started doodling my own.



So it caught me by surprise this week when, in the midst of lots of frustrating circumstances, I found comfort for my soul and communion with God through art. With a pen or paintbrush in my hand, it is so much easier to let life's complications slip away, quiet my thoughts, and just beathe, "I trust you, Lord."



So thankful for art and for the gift of creativity today.

Free Printable: April 2013 Calendar

Happy {almost} April! Can you believe that a quarter of 2013 has already past? Craziness.

This month's calendar quote is one that has been very inspirational to me this past month... "First say to yourself what you would be. Then do what you have to do." - Epictetus

I hope you find it inspiring too!

Mandipidy April Calendar 2013

Mandipidy April Calendar 2013 Chalkboard

I'm linking to these parties.

Free Printable: March 2013 Calendar

Not gonna lie, March totally snuck up on me. Darn you, February. You got me again with your sneaky shorter-than-average month thing.

I didn't forget about the March calendar though...
Here it is!


I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson... three things I treasure: silliness, honesty, and kindness.

Again, I have it posted below for you to download in regular black and white and chalkboard.
Enjoy!

Mandipidy March Calendar 2013 by amanda_england_2

Mandipidy March Calendar 2013 Chalkboard by amanda_england_2