I do declare!

I woke up this morning wanting to declare all my feelings!

My love for ice cream, that is. 

yeah, this post is real deep.

My mom has been bringing home little quarts of Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream, 

and we get the luxury of *TWO* max scoops a day. 

Of course, I've been indulging in this..a scoop a day cures all stress, heartache, and worries. They should write country songs about this. 

So here it is, 

The Ice Cream Declaration!

"man oh MAN, I love love love this ice cream stuff.

The kind that comes in a sweet, crispy cone

and drips and dribbles all over your face."

Made to Order prints are available in the shop!

Colors are customizable.

You order, I make it.

Write on.

I think I've always had a weird obsession with handwriting.

All throughout elementary school, 

my writing would change according to the "best friend" I had at the time. 

I would be obsessed with holding my pencil like they did and writing exactly how they wrote. 

Yes, so strange. 

But I was usually pretty good at this mimicking act.

- - -

Recently I've been inspired by several amazing calligraphers,

both by their fascination with words

and the beauty and freedom in their lettering.

Here are some:

oh my deer handmades

Sarah Carter Studio

Anne Robin Calligraphy

- - -

I've been playing with lettering and calligraphy a little bit these days.

I definitely don't have the amazing technical skill as a true calligrapher.

I'm honestly..a wannabe. haha

It's really fun, though.

mulling over letters and words within a phrase,

outputting lyrics you heard or words you read into flat art

It really makes you just sit and think and let the meaning sink in a little bit more.

available in the etsy shop

- - -

Anyway, I'll be offering custom calligraphy services next week at Art Walk.

Basically you bring in a favorite quote, 

and I'll have paper & pencil ready to create something for you to take home.

Prices will be ranging between $20-25, 

depending on the size and wordage

40% of proceeds will be going towards ZOE International, 

an organization aiding the rescue and protection of children involved in human trafficking.

Come by that night! Let's be friends! 

Caterpillars.

It's been a week of really fun, challenging projects

that has had me "arting,"

dabbling in different areas that I love-

illustration, design, calligraphy, photography. 

Yes, it feels like many days of pretending. 

I know I'm not alone when I say that I find myself in waves of insecurity and constant comparing.

These lulls come suddenly through the most random things: insta, blogs, a stranger..

or even slowly and quietly while I'm working on something and lost in thought. 

It's distracting and can be crippling. 

My goal, post graduation and for this forever summer, has been to keep on creating.

So yes, I know, these moments of self doubt are expected and necessary. 

I've been praying for a heart that is teachable--

for God to teach me to continue taking those faithful leaps, in spite of;
to have joy in creating to serve Him, 

not to serve a secure future full of steady paychecks.

remember these furry guys? 
saw them all the time lining up in 2nd grade.

- - - - -

So I'll continue to hope in my God 

who has dreams for me that are greater than I'll ever have---

like big, beautiful butterfly dreams for a tiny, self-doubting caterpillar.