Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Free Folk Art Coloring Page - No.1


Got the quarantine blues? Here's an illustration I made for any coloring enthusiasts out there who are bored at home. My sister has several coloring books and finds that coloring can be relaxing and takes her mind off anxious thoughts.

Fun fact for you: I used to love entering coloring contests when I was a kid. Won a few of them too!

I would love to see your finished piece. If you have an Instagram or Facebook account, please tag @monkeymindesign so I can see it. I'd love to share them with my social media fans.  Download here

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Printing Mania - Monkey Mind Style

I've got the printing bug and couldn't be happier!

I am really getting this whole printing thing down. So many ideas, just need more hours in the day. It's been a true family affair. My super fab mom trims and sews each towel. My sweet hubby is my right hand man when it comes to ink and squeegee. Some good tunes and a couple of beers and we become Monkey Mind's Dynamic-Duo. My daughter even gets in there to pull a print on an extra t-shirt or two.

Keep a look out for new stuff coming this summer.
New printed products on Etsy!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

2013 Modern Patterns Series II - Mini Calendar



























It's finally here! The next pattern series. Oh boy, designing these are fun. I might just make a new each year. They were a big hit last year. Excited to see how these do this holiday season. If only I had more hours in a day...I'd make tons more. So many ideas, so little time.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Colorful Colorado!


Just a quick post to share my new "I Heart Colorado" print. Seriously, I love living in Colorado. First of all, love Denver and within just one to three hours, you can be nestled away in the most majestic mountains. So to all my Colorado peeps... Go play! Your mountain is waiting.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I Did It! Added Screen Printing to my shop, sweet!

NEW Screen Prints - Tea Towels and Totes!

 

So excited to share my first round of screen printed products!

Many years back (college days), I had an awesome screen printing class and it was love at first pull. I was hooked! I spent many late nights printing and experimenting. So fun! Two colors, three colors, gloss, I was ready try it all. Funny, I still have some of those first prints. Love looking back at work from school. Tried to keep it up with a small printing kit at home but life moved too fast in the Ad Agency world. So my little kit was put away. Knowing I would use it again, I kept my little screen printing kit for about 15 years. Needless to say, when I pulled it out from under the bed and dusted it off, it did not survive the years. With a warped screen frame and dried up emulsion, it was time to come up with a plan.

1) Take a class to refresh and get back up to speed.
2) Set up home studio.
3) Screen print!

To my surprise, two screen printing classes were being offered right in my time frame. So, I was in! With a long list of questions...I was like a sponge, ready to take it all in. They did not disappoint. Fabulous classes with great instruction. Ok, check that off the list. Now, make it happen! Went to RockStar Screen Supplies and they hooked me up with everything I needed. Great shop with above and beyond customer service. Sweet, my corner in the basement was ready to go! Just need something to print on.

I thought why not handmade all around. My mom is a master behind a sewing machine so naturally the light bulb went on. Have her make my towels and totes. What a trooper, she cranked out tons of towels and eight totes in four days. Now it was all up to me. The pressure was all mine, not to mess up any of her perfectly hand-sewn pieces. Guess I work well under pressure or maybe it was beginner's luck. There I was, printing. Totally flying solo without instruction. Just me and my tunes. Such a happy girl! I did it! 

My take away... if you want something bad enough, make it happen!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Owl Mania Has Arrived!


Or maybe it never left...

And Etsy is full of them. Brooches, plushies, prints, pocket mirrors, you name it, they've got it. Even, macrame! It makes me think I should have more owl decor. However, my daughter already beat me to the punch with her owl themed bathroom. She'd say, I just stole her idea. But I love those little woodland creatures. They are just too cute. I need to get on it and try my hand at some more owl illustrations. Maybe even an owl calendar for 2013...fun! The possibilities are endless.

These are some of my Etsy favorites.
1. Owl Locket Necklace by Polarity
2. Creamy Owl on Moss Green Linen - Pillow Cover by Sweetnature Designs
3. Giant Plush Owl, Herman by Sleepy King
4. Retro Bike Poster Owl by Orange Optimist
5. Pygmy Cactus Print by Bee Things