june at noon

This is my last week of the program I’ve been doing to get back in shape for running a 5k distance, and I’m finishing just in time for my first race on Saturday. The huz and I will be running it together, and the kids will be joining us for a “fun run” afterward. I’m really looking forward to it.

Since the race is taking place on St. Patrick’s Day and thus St. Patty-themed, I went in search of blank green T-shirts for all of us to wear. I wanted something that would suit the occasion (green) but still be useable any day of the year (minus the shamrocks or requests to kiss me because I’m Irish).

The kids decorated theirs with fabric markers and awesome kid drawings. For the grown-ups’ shirts, I used stencils to write on them with a white paint pen. I had intended to fill the letters in but decided I really liked the subtle look of the outline and the slight blur at the edges of the paint, so I left them as they were. I like that they reflect something we enjoy without screaming it.

So, we’re all set. I’ve got a couple more running-related things to share in the next post, and then it’s off to the races for me!

In the midst of all the recent sketchbooking, I also went on a little paper cutting kick. I took a handful of my drawings and simplified them into the likes of what you see here.

I’ve decided to share the templates for anyone who might like to make their own. For “The Violin” click on the template or here to download.

For “Bear Boy Balloon” click on the template or here.

Attach the template to the back of your paper and cut away! (Keep in mind that the templates are in reverse.) Or, if you’d prefer to just hold the finished product in your hands, my sample paper cuts are in the shop and priced to sell.

I’ll share a couple more next week. Have a good weekend!

For Christmas I got a Sketchbook Project Limited Edition sketchbook. This particular edition is due at the end of April. I’ve just realized I need to maybe get started. (What’s one more sketchbook?)

The last Sketchbook Project I did was sort of vague for me. I was trying to find myself artistically, feeling sort of uninspired with the theme, rather intimidated by all the amazing sketchbooks done by others. It came together eventually, but this time around it’s going to be different. I have a solid vision, a real plan. My theme is “the secret and how to tell it.”

I’m not going to share much about my ideas in advance, but it will be drawn entirely in black ink, and I plan to rebind the book. I will share more photos as I go along. In the meantime, would you like to be a part of my Project? What are some creative ways you could tell a secret? If I like it, it might show up on my pages!