Sweet Dreams, Printable Hand Lettered Artwork

New on my website - hand lettered printable wall art! 
Great for a kids room or nursery. Just print and frame, or color it first then frame! 

Click here for details.

Paper Coasters: Kokeshi, Hand Lettered, Doodle Art

Zazzle had a 30% offer on paper coasters that I just couldn't pass up, especially since I recently created a few using some of my latest designs. So I used the coupon code to place an order and check out the quality, and you know what? Zazzle never disappoints! I absolutely love the way they printed! The colors are very rich, and though I've seen thicker coasters, these are still pretty sturdy and slightly larger than others carried at popular dining establishments and bars.

I especially like how the ink sparkles a bit when the sun hits it a certain way. You can kinda get a glimpse of it when looking at the blue coaster in the picture above. I'm so happy with them, that from now on, I"m going to make sure I include coasters on all my special events stationery collections.

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"Cafecito Con Leche" Printable Kitchen Decor

Yay - It's Freebie Friday!

Yes my friends, "Freebie Friday" is back on the blog! I decided to revive the posts, but rather than doing it randomly as I had in the past, I am aiming to post a new printable the first Friday of every month. All freebies will be accessed through my website, and you will be notified via Instagram and Facebook when a new printable is available so make sure you're following Paisley In Paris™ on social media so you don't miss out!

What is "Cafecito con Leche y Canelita"?

Today's hand-lettered piece was inspired by my hubby and our love of coffee. The text reads "Cafecito con Leche y Canelita" which is Spanish for "Coffee with Milk and Cinnamon". This is a daily must in our household, mostly for my husband. I like a little variety, so I mix it up a bit and alternate between coffee, green shakes or tea throughout the week.

How to prepare Cafecito con Leche y Canelita

We drink mostly instant coffee since we're not home long enough in the mornings to drink a whole pot. To prepare it, we:

1. Add a small cinnamon stick (aka "canela" or "canelita") into a small pot full of water and let it boil. Once it's boiling, we cover it with a lid so the water has time to absorb the flavor of the cinnamon. (We use the cinnamon stick several times before throwing it out. And yes, the pot has a permanent place on our stove. We just add more water to it the next day.)
2. Pour the cinnamon water into a cup, fill it about 2/3 of the way and add the desired amount of instant coffee ("café" or "cafecito").
3.  Fill the rest of the cup with milk ("leche") instead of creamer. 
4. Sweeten with a teaspoon of honey or brown sugar if desired.
5. Enjoy!

And that my friends, is a great way to start the day. We also have an electric percolator. When we use it, we simply include a small cinnamon stick with the coffee and let it brew. Once the coffee has brewed, follow steps 2-5. 

To download a copy of this 8.5"x11" printable, click here.

~ Dio

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Easter Menu Planner, Printable Download

Hi there! I's Freebie Friday here at the Paisley In Paris™ blog! I'm very excited about today's printable download. I know that most wonderful and organized hosts have already decorated their homes and planed out every detail. But for all you busy bees that haven't quite had a chance to get to it, I have a little gift that might come in handy...my new Easter Menu and Event Planner!

The planner provides space for you to jot down your entrees, side dishes, desserts, snacks, condiments, beverages, and even includes a quick check-off list for your setup, and an area for you to enter notes and kids activities. One of my favorite features, is the shopping list at the bottom. Just cut on the dotted line and take only the shopping list with you, so your planner stays safe at home, where you need it.  So head on over to my website and get your complimentary copy today. Happy planning my friends! 

~ Dio

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Puppy Love

Aren't puppies the cutest? I love dogs, they're so lovable and full of personality. They are often a source of inspiration for me, as well as a subject matter when drawing on my sketchbook.

I drew this little guy sometime in the summer of 2014 during my lunch break. Since then, he lived on a small piece of scrap paper, smiling at me daily from my bulletin board. Last week however, I brought my little pup home with me and I gave him new life. I transformed him from a cute simple doodle into a digital illustration.
Today, my little "Bandana Doggy" adorns the cover of this lovely thank you card and is also featured on stickers, bookplates and address labels over at my shop at PaisleyInParis.com.

He's the perfect stationery icon for any pet birthday parties, or doggy themed baby showers and birthday parties. Yes he is!

~ Dio

New Glasses - Yay!

I wore contact lenses for many years, but about 4 years ago I started wearing them less and less, until eventually, I just didn't wear them anymore. I am nearsighted, and since I work on the computer 8 hrs a day, I had to wear reader glasses to cancel the prescription on my contacts, otherwise I'd end up with a headache at the end of the day. Now that was just silly, so instead, I started not wearing my contacts, and putting on my glasses for distance once I stepped away from the computer. I liked this system much more, especially when I noticed the savings in time and money. I didn't have to spend those extra minutes putting them on and taking them off in the mornings and at night, cleaning them, and I didn't have to spend as much money on contact solution and eye drops anymore - sweet! 

The only downfall, I live in the southern California desert and I don't have prescription sunglasses. Well, I didn't until now that I picked up my new pair of transition glasses - and I'm loving them! Nice and clear indoors and they transition to a darker shade when I step outside into the sunlight. Yayeah! Summer fun, I'm ready for you now!

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Last Monday of 2014

Today's the last Monday of 2014. How will you be spending your day? Working, vacationing or monkeying around?

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New: Japanese Kokeshi Doll Note Cards

Hi there! Santa was very kind to me this year and brought me the one thing that has been on my list for several years now - an Intuos Pro Wacom tablet!

This is my first illustration created using the tablet. It was inspired by little niece, Asami. Her daddy is Japanese, mommy (my sister) is Mexican-American, and little Asamichan is just gorgeous!

My new Japanese Kokeshi Doll design is now available in my Zazzle shop, where you'll find it on note cards, blank greeting cards, compact mirrors (great flower girl gift), iPad mini protective cases, stickers and magnets!

So happy I'll be off work for the next few days, which will give me a chance to stay home, play a bit more with my tablet and add a few more designs to my shop.

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Merry Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas, my friends! Hope your holiday season has been joyful and full of blessings. May that joy continue through the end of the year and all the way through the next.

~ Dio

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Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a very happy Halloween! Have fun, stay safe and save some candy for tomorrow. ~ Xo, Ms. Dio

My favorite time of the year

Yay - my favorite time of the year has just begun! I'm so ready for boots, scarves and sweaters, accompanied by my favorite drinks of the season: pumpkin spice latte, chocolate abuelita, and pumpkin cheesecake. Yum!

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Creative Process - From Doodles to Illustration

For many years I have admired gorgeous patterns printed on home goods and textiles and wondered how in the world do people do that? Is it really PEOPLE who do that, or machines? But machines aren't creative! I had no clue. I've been a graphic artist for 18 years now, living on deadlines, producing one marketing piece after another, relying on stock photography and clipart to obtain those images/illustrations that I don't have time to make from scratch. I do the corporate thing because I'm good at it, it pays the bills and I like my employer and coworkers (BIG plus). My passion however, is in all things CUTE! Oh, what I wouldn't give to land a job creating graphics for children's apparel! 

As I follow the beat of my heart, I realize it's time to work in that direction, so I spend every chance I get researching designers and online courses. That is how I came across Lilla Rogers' Make Art That Sells online course which I took last fall, and the Make It In Design Free Summer School Course which I'm currently taking.

When it comes to graphic design, I am pretty quick at visualizing a concept in my head, and I rarely sketch anything before I begin working on a layout. I can't say the same about illustration, though. Illustration and pattern design takes me HOURS to complete, mostly because I'm still pretty new at it. The more I do it the faster I'll get, I'm sure. Every artist has their own way of working, but here is my individual process broken down in three easy steps.

1 - RESEARCH & DOODLE

The topic for my Summer School (Beginner Track) assignment was Tropical Paradise. I spent some time online looking for pictures and illustrations of tropical plants and birds. I studied the features  and details of of toucans, flamingos, surfboards, plants, etc. Then I shut my browser, took out a few pieces of plain white card stock, my favorite black pen and began to doodle over and over again all things that felt tropical and beachy to me. It is important NOT to copy anything you have seen. Just absorb, be inspired, and draw while the images are fresh in your mind. Let your individual style shine through.

2 - DIGITIZE DOODLES

I'm not too confident in my hand drawing and painting abilities, so after filling a few pages with doodles, I recreate them (from scratch) in Illustrator. I don't have a Wacom tablet, but sometimes I will use Adobe Ideas on my iPad to recreate my doodles digitally, then I download them to Illustrator where they can be fine-tuned. I don't worry too much about staying true to my original sketches and changing up the characters. The way I see it, if I find a way to improve as I move along in the process, I will.

3 - FOCUS ON THE DETAILS

Once in Illustrator, I focus on the details and complete my illustration. I'm not very experienced in creating  patterns. I've used Illustrator to create a simple repeat a few times, but I haven't mastered it yet. The image below was created simply by copying and pasting my birds and florals, changing up the size and colors, flipping them vertically or horizontally, placing them manually throughout the designated space and adding a background.

And that's how this piece was born. I'm sure in a few years I'll look back and cringe, but for now, I am embracing the moment. It's the beginning of a new path in my career as an artist, and as with anything, only time and practice make perfect.

Then there was this guy with a golden tooth...

I have to say I really enjoyed making this quick digital doodle for #doodleadayjuly. I looked at the doodle calendar earlier in the day, saw the word "golden" next to July 28th. I thought about it off and on during the day, "hmmm...golden...what can draw that is golden?"

I thought of the sun or a sunflower, I thought of a shiny gold coin, but they seemed all too common. Finally, just a few hours before bedtime the "a-ha!" moment came.

Into my mind popped this cute little guy with a golden tooth and sideburns that would have made my 20 year old dad quite jealous.He's pretty cool lookin' don't ya think? The sideburns makes me think he's got some pretty funky dance moves, and he knows it, that's why he's smiling!

 
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Ballerina Invitations

Finally had a chance to make some stationery out of the ballerina illustration I created a few months ago! So far I've added stickers, note cards, greeting cards and this customizable ballet recital invitation that can be turned into a birthday party or baby shower invitation just by changing out the wording.

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"Palm and Florals" Framed Artwork

Remember that post a couple of weeks ago about me experimenting with Prismacolor markers? I received the markers for my birthday a little over a year ago as a gift from my hubby. I'm new to using markers and haven't been much of a painter throughout my career as an artist. I have strong graphic arts background, however in recent years I've been avoiding getting back behind the computer after a 40 hour work week. Last thing I want to do after putting in the hours at my 9-5 job is come home and sit behind a computer screen for several hours more. Instead, I've learned to unwind with my sketchbook, a Sharpie pen, and an occasional glass of wine.
So I got brave the other day and pulled out the Primacolors. I love them! It's like painting but without the messy setup and cleanup. All this time I've been afraid to use them for fear of ruining a perfectly good blank page, but if we don't overcome our fears, how else are we ever going to move forward, right?

Well, here it is - the final product! 

I added the piece to my Society6 shop as a framed print.  Phone cases, mugs, wall clocks, and totes are also available with the same pattern. Hope yo like it!

Experimenting with Prismacolor Markers

Hadn't had a chance to take out the Prismacolor markers in a while. Since I work full-time, I do most of my doodling during my breaks at work or late at night. Right before turning off the lights, I grab my sketchbook, black sharpie pen and I doodle away for about 15-20 minutes. It helps me clear my mind allowing me to fall asleep faster once the lights are out.
Well this past Sunday night, I decided to set the black marker aside and dust off the Prismacolors. An hour an a half later, I was having so much fun, it was quite a struggle to put them away. I had a bit of a hard time getting up for work this morning, but it's okay. A new piece of art was born, making it all worth while.

Here's a sneak peek of the piece I created. It's not quite done yet, but I'll make sure to share the final product once it's done.

Happy Easter

My heart rejoices on this day as I celebrate the real meaning of Easter Sunday. On that note, I really don't know what bunnies, chicks, eggs and chocolate have to do with Easter, but I'll take it. Bunnies are just too stinkin' adorable and fun to draw, and I happen to be chocolate's number one fan, so it's a win-win. 

Have a wonderful Easter my friends, make wonderful memories with your loved ones and indulge in anything chocolatey that crosses your path. 

Blessings,


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From Doodle to Digital Illustration

Earlier this week, I was buried in invoices and non-creative tasks that come with the "Graphic Designer / Marketing Assistant" position I hold with my current employer. I had to take a break, so I scooted my chair away from the computer, took out my favorite Sharpie pen, a few highlighters, and began to draw. Within 5 minutes my little clown doodle was born. I thought she was cute, so I spent an hour or so recreating it in digital format late last night. She looks much cleaner and so much more refined. I have a few other circus icons that I've been working on since the weekend. The challenge begins next week when I figure out how to place them all together to create a nursery circus scene. Wish me luck!

Happy 2014

In late December I was blessed with a few client requests (aside from a full-time job) that left me with no time to complete my New Year's illustration until now. But the year is still fairly new and my wishes remain the same...may you have a wonderfully joyous and healthy new year!

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Paisley In Paris™ on Society6

I'm happy to announce that I opened a Society6 store today! I'm still in the process of adding artwork and trying to get familiar with the back-end of the site, but so far so good. The site is easy to navigate, all the artist galleries are very clean-looking and there's a lot of quality content in this community. Makes me very excited to be a part of it.
While Zazzle allows me to create an array of gift items and stationery, Society6 is geared more towards prints and patterns, a path I've been exploring a little deeper in the last few months. Speaking of patterns, take a look at the tote bag I created with my "Land of Love and Color" illustration. Pretty cool, heh? I just might have to purchase one for myself!

Hope you have some time to click the link below to take a look around my shop. You will receive free shipping and $5 off on any purchases until December 8th at midnight, Pacific Time.
http://society6.com/product/land-of-love-and-color_bag?curator=paisleyinparis
Happy shopping!
*Excludes framed art prints, stretched canvases and throw pillows with insert.