When It Rains It Pours

When It Rains It Pours, always a statement that draws up bad omens. Most people think of bad things coming at them in droves, floods and being so overwhelmed that they can't come up for air, to me at this very time, the rain represents a good thing, the kind of rain that makes things green and flowers grow. The kind of rain that washed all bad away and gives you a new chance.

I have been a bit absent here on this blog as well as in my Zazzle store but for very good reason. I have been approached by a company for a very special project, one so special I can't really tell you what it is yet but i can tell you I am enjoying it immensely. I get to do what I do best and that is use my imagination to create some fantastical things. This special project is taking up quite a bit of my time but in the end it will be worth it. I am very excited about it.

Add to that bit of good news is that I am helping a friend on another ambitious project and that takes up all my free time for the next week or so. I will be able to tell you a bit about that probably by the end of the week.

Another thing is that I finally took the plunge into fabric design and opened a store on Spoonflower. Well the store has been there for a while but now there are things to purchase. Fabric design is a slow process so there isn't much there yet because of approval times. I even entered the watercolor design contest they recently had and came in 42nd! Ok, go ahead and laugh but I can say that I am quite happy about it. Why? Well, I am brand new there, no one there knows me, other than a small post on facebook I did no advertising yet I managed to come in smack dab in the middle. I think that isn't to bad really.

Last but not least I will be working with Lora Shelley on her new website. Lora is an amazing artist and we are going to make her website show you how good. Right now it has been sitting there and it is going to get it a little love and attention. This too is a very big project and one I am excited to embark on. (It is also nice to not be staring at my work all the time too)

So if I am missing in action, it is for a good reason, some of you might enjoy the fact I am not blabbering on, some of you might miss me, either way it is all good...let the rain come down


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A Quick Little Doodle

Lazy Daisy Ladybugs

These fun little ladybugs are adorned with daisies instead of spots and come in every color of the rainbow.

This design came to me one day at work when it was slow. Not having any paper on me I doodled a little ladybug on my hand so I wouldn't forget what I wanted to work on when I got home. I originally was going to do them in pastels but the weather here has been nothing but rain so I decided on some more bright and cheery colors instead. (although I just may do them in pastels down the road) I decided to draw them in illustrator instead of painting them in watercolor (and that may happen too) So far they have been well received and they come scattered or lined up in a row and are available on everything from skateboards to ties. Hope you enjoy them!

Click Here to see the full line of Lazy Daisy Ladybugs

and Here to see the Keds shoes when they are approved

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Say It With Color

Say It With Color

I am taking a small break from 13 Black Cats Designs to start a light hearted, colorful side project. The premise behind Say It With Color is taking hand painted watercolor paintings and cutting them digitally to make words, sayings and designs.

These artworks will be more graphic in design and you will have the ability to add your own touches. I will be adding names and sayings both as they are requested and added on my own. There are simple instructions posted in the store to request a name and product. There are some great happy birthday items for party favors, gifts and final touches on presents. Sayings of Love and I Love You, with more to come very soon. All of the designs can be altered or added to and the background colors changed.

Looking for a personal or business card?

You can find them in my store in a variety of colors and styles. All you need to do is type in your information and you can purchase them right away. You even have the ability to add and delete any information you do not need on your card. Of course if you like my style and want something unique please feel free to contact me at Nikki@13BlackCatsDesigns.com and I will be happy to work with you on anything you like.

So take a moment and wander through my new gallery, it is a lighthearted side of my work and a lot of fun to create and please drop me a line or leave a comment if you like.

to be continued...

New Watercolor Series

New Watercolor Series just uploaded to Greeting Card Universe. Today I thought I would play with some color and see what came of it. I began with a sheet of watercolor paper and dunked it in water to get it nice and wet. When it was semi dry I picked a handful of colors and directly from the tube I began to put little plops of paint all over the paper. I let the paint sit for a little while to get a bit of a crust on it then with a fine spray bottle I misted the paper and paint and watched the colors run together. Not wanting to have any white of the paper showing through I took a flat 1" paintbrush and helped the colors along, misting with water where needed until I was satisfied. From there, and after it had dried, I scanned the painting in and began to design some cards. For the cards on white backgrounds I simply typed in the sayings and shapes I wanted, selected the type and cut it out of the colored background, added a bit here and there and that was it, a very simple thing. I will probably be adding these designs to Zazzle and CafePress when I get a few more going.


Until then...


to be continued...