Dear Readers,

Happy New Year.

Before I share some snaps of my holiday I want to do (my first) giveaway. This set (of three!) macrame ornaments, handmade by me is going to one of my snail mail subscribers. They work on a Christmas tree all done up but I’ve also used these in my windows and outdoor trees in the summer.

If you are one of my snail mail subscribers you don’t have to do a thing, you are already entered to win. Let’s be honest, The Living Canvas is new and I think have about 12 snail mail subscribers …so the chance of getting one of these dreamy ornaments is pretty good!!! If you are not a subscriber, sign up on the “blog home” by the end of the week and you will be entered!

Now I’d like to share some pictures from our holiday at home staycation. It can be summed up with three words - quiet, snuggly and creative! Here’s the two of us squished into an oversized chair (that is not oversized enough.) And Maisey really needs a haircut.

There wasn’t any shopping under sparkly lights, restaurants or holiday parties…. but we are learning there’s no place like home.

Get it???

I sewed a BUNCH of dolls too, exploring some painted shoes. I also sewed some shoes but it turned out RIDICULOUS... I’ll keep trying. These dolls below are for a really special project that deserves it’s own post to share the story behind making these girl.

Anyways, lots of music being made and played. My WIP manuscript resting comfortably under Evan’s table there (crafted by Evan, clutter by me.)

Over holidays, I explored cutting some vintage quilts. I learned so much carefully clipping stitches and pulling the layers of the quilt apart. I found potato sacks and shirts used as batting… A beautiful reminder that there are no rules in art… tools and supplies are all around us. My, was it painful to make the first snip but after that, it quickly became recycled ART. I’ll be coming back to this in the evenings this winter! I imagine it could be a lovely pin cushion or a sweet dainty thing to hang from a door knob.

Lastly, I wanted to share a blurry (the energy is strong with this one) but adored picture of my niece at Grandma’s wearing one of my prototypes on NYE, I’m calling this wrap THE LIZZY (more on that another day!)

I’ve been a bit insecure, hiding away from the camera after a hard year of a lot of physical changes and limitations. But my hair has been growing back! It’s so trivial in the grand scheme but… Ah! It really helps me feel…. More like myself. Here we are with our darling nieces, sending you all smiles. — Kirbi

Dear Readers,

2022 lays out in front of us and like me, you may be thinking about resolutions. The hard lines, going cold turkey on xyz, big aspirations, we all know how that goes. Here are FOUR ideas I have for a successful January and with some (very) tiny drawings to inspire you.

ONE

Drink a whole glass of water - make it a big one, when you wake up News Years Day! What could be better than starting of the year well hydrated? Sass it up with some fruit. Who knows, one good choice may lead to others.

TWO

Forgive someone. The fall outs and tensions of the past few years have been uncomfortable and heartbreaking. Find it in your heart to forgive the mistakes of others. Do it in your heart, believe it in your soul and move forward. Am I the only one with Lorde’s lyrics “No, I don’t keep a list can’t hold a grudge” stuck in their head? The song is called “Hold No Grudge” if you want to check it out.

THREE

Finish something! Why start something in January? What about finishing a project you abandoned? Take inventory, maybe its a book you really liked but didn’t finish… What about framing that family photo you’ve been meaning to do! Maybe it’s home improvement project, donations you never dropped off, or a craft you forgot about. Whatever it is, you’ll be so glad when you are done. These dolls below need some finishing don’t you think?

FOUR

Write a letter to a friend. Times are tough, reach out just to say hello. All it takes is picking up a pencil - you may be surprised what the words “I’m thinking of you” can do to lift up someone’s day.

Whatever you do in the fresh new year, be good to yourself and others.

Sending smiles and well wishes,

Kirbi

P.S. I hope my snail mail subscribers enjoyed the affirmation card I send out. To be included in future mailings go to the Blog “home” and subscribe — I don’t sell things, I don’t email, I only send snail mail surprises. Your information is safe with me. As the “metaverse” takes over the world this may be the only place I continue to update. I hope we can stay connected. <3

Hello Readers,

I KNOW we are approaching the holidays but I’m going share a slice from one of our summer projects — my first Evan and Kirbi build I’ve shared on my blog!

Our home and yard we treat as our canvas — square footage to express ourselves. This became even more important to us when the coronavirus hit and we sought out a space that could make us feel like we were sitting in a romantic restaurant. It would take both of our minds to come together and of course, we needed to do it as inexpensive as possible.

When I decorate, I try to build upon one piece we really like. We searched online for a piece to inspire us but we came up discouraged. Too expensive. Not our style. On trash night, I like to take a peek around the subdivision. I’m an imaginative dumpster diver. Evan usually brings me down to reality, for good reason — we’d probably live in a junkyard of my “treasures” otherwise!

Weeks went by but one day on Evan’s car ride home from work, he sent a picture of this broken down futon on the side of the road. Look at the bones! To me, it had a mid century feel - a style Evan and I love. The perfect inspiration piece for our backyard oasis. I called him immediately, “who can be borrow a truck from?”

When Evan loaded it up in our friends truck, (thanks neighbor John!) a woman came out of the house warning us, it was totally broken “you’ll fall right through it!” ….We weren’t afraid.

Like most projects, this one sat around in the garage where we had to step over it, constantly move it and we had a few injuries from it too (that woman was on to something about the “falling through.”

As we planned, we learned quickly cushions would be our biggest expense and we searched everywhere, even pricing out sewing our own. Spoiler alert, that was just as expensive.

We landed on these but noticed there would be a big gap between cushion and edge, it is a futon after all! It was nothing Evan couldn’t fix.

Evan took the whole piece apart and reworked it, striped and cut new supports using scrap wood we had.

My hands can’t stand sanding but dealing with dirt — that I can handle. While Evan sanded, I planted these bushes below — My parents were ripping these out of their yard and put them up for grabs. Some were in tough condition, as you can see here where Maisey is sunbathing.

Many days and careful watering and they came back!

We laid the rock on the edging. These rocks were also recycled from my parent’s neighbors who were redoing areas in their yard (thank-you Hart fam!) The hostas were clumped together on one of the sides of our house, we divided them into 4 plants. With careful watering, they thrived. Our lounge was coming together!

Spending more time out there with all the watering, we realized the back was HOT…. and this freckle face can’t take the heat.

Nobody was happy - except Maisey, who is perfectly content BAKING in the hot dirt.

We needed shade and….we needed it cheap. That’s when I got a brain blast — sun sails. Bonus, they were super affordable!

When the construction was complete, we ragged on a light colored stain we had from another project. This lighter color gave it that tropical rattan vibe - a completely different look than the dark stain we found it with.

Out outdoor lounge, not complete but a living canvas. The car is FINALLY back in the garage and this little oasis is a perfect place for lemonade or a foot massage. Now can you do THAT in a restaurant?

In my last post I wrote a little bit about our dream studio, the perfect place to make. But a studio is really wherever you create. So often we put off our dream projects — searching for the right space, the right desk, the right ergonomic chair, the right lighting… when really, we can start making anywhere.

Below, I’m sketching outside, with floral inspiration right outside my door!

As some of you may know, I struggle greatly with my health. The waiting room, the hospital and the infusion clinic transform into my studio whenever I’m there.

Nothing’s going to stop me from making!

During one of my stays, my Mom brought me hollow, lightweight bamboo stick that works great for my macrame when I’m at the hospital. It tapes up to just about anything!

These green pendants I made at another hospital stay and my Mom’s bamboo find continues to work! I didn’t know what I’d use these pendants for at the time but later I ended up turning them into some bunting for the backyard. In my illustration work, it’s all about planning so it’s refreshing to create with no end product in sight. If it turns out to be something, great, if not the hours it gave me peace are well worth it.

FaceTiming with Maisey who was not happy I was in the hospital again.

Maisey would much rather keep a close eye on me when I’m not feeling well. A lot can be created on the couch, especially with the ability to draw on my iPad. I created all the sketches for Summer of the Tree Army on my iPad — on an airplane and here on the couch.

Some of my infusions I’m able to get at home. In fact, insurance finds it cheaper to do this believe it or not. The IV poles are a honker to store but I’ve found other uses - the IV pole works GREAT for big macrame projects like this one.

At times, my arthritis can limit my movement so much I need to rest my hands and body. Knitting, drawing and other fine motor crafts aren’t an option. Here in a hallway bed in the ER, I used my camera to take interesting photo compositions. I especially had fun with the ceiling mirrors. Was I creating masterpieces? No — but it was a powerful distraction and far more positive than “scrolling.”

Snuggle up wherever you are comfortable and make something! <3

The studio, really is, wherever you can imagine.

Evan and I dream of big A frame studio with a recording studio and enough room for me to make an oil painting, sew a king sized quilt and illustrate a children’s book — all at the same time. We dream of our creative friends talking art in a 1960’s inspired conversation pit and late night impromptu jam session on the patio (even if it’s just us two.) There would be a quiet room for reading, or sleeping - an important part of the creative process. The lighting would be bright but never any glare on the computer screen. It’s a place where dogs like to do nothing but sleep.

Over the last few years I began learning about miniature gardening through Anne Ashberry’s books. What’s not to like about tiny foliage, careful watering schedules and handmade accessories?! Creating this miniature of our dream place is just my way of dreaming.

These baby tears (the green foliage) are a delight to have around... The leaves are talkative, a bit dramatic even, always letting me know when I’ve screwed up their water schedule. This purple foliage is lovely too. I “found” a tiny cutting on the bottom of my shopping basket. It rooted like it was meant to be…

Below is one of my favorite pictures of the studio this summer. My side of the studio transformed into a jungle every time storms rolled in when I brought in my more delicate outdoor plants. As the summer went on, they only got bigger, and heavier!! (Thanks Evan ;)

This amazing duo we found at an antique store in Ohio years ago waiting for a wedding reception for good friends to begin. We had to have them! The style of their face reminds me of Andrew Loomis and the terra cotta color is one of my favorite - they inspire me so much!

While we dream of more space, for now, we embrace HERE…

And the dog does occasionally sleep… Well, most of the time when she isn’t running the show.