i make pretty: Hummingbird Inspired Artwork

// Happy Hummingbird 8x10 Print by imakepretty //

Inspired by the magical little hummingbirds that started coming around our home last summer, I painted these two colorful little birds. It all started with one very friendly, ruby-throated humminbird who would sit outside and sing the same song all day. We hung a hummingbird feeder for him, and before long, more hummingbirds showed up. 

// Happy Hummingbird Birthday Card by imakepretty //

 

After a couple of weeks, I could stand outside, and he would come right up to my face, hover, then go to his feeder, eat, and take off. He was so cute!

5 interesting hummingbird facts:

• Their wings flap in the shape of an infinity symbol when they hover
• Hummingbirds can fly backwards, left, right and forward
• They flap their wings about 80 times per second
• Their feet are for perching, not walking or hopping
• Hummingbirds symbolize joy, playfulness and adaptability

I haven't seen him in awhile, I'm hoping the spring brings him back!

Back to the art-- this was the first time that I painted in detail with watercolors. I usually use watercolors when I'm painting abstractly and acrylics when I want to paint details. I really liked the way the watercolors allowed me to add depth and layers of color so nicely on top of each other and I was still able to get the detail that I wanted.

I have added the 8x10 Happy Hummingbirds print and the Happy Hummingbird birthday card  above to my Etsy store, i make pretty, check out the new goods!

xo,

Maria

Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts

It's almost here folks...Valentine's Day.

Over the years I've had many a mixed feeling about this "holiday." When I was little, I loved Valentine's Day. It meant making all kinds of Valentine's related crafts at school, giving and receiving those Barbie and Super Hero themed Valentine's day cards (and looking to see if your crush wrote anything special on yours) and eating a ton of heart-shaped candy.

When I was single, Valentine's Day meant getting glam and going out (with a bang) with the girls...and then going home alone in anguish wondering, 'why in the hell haven't I met my soul mate yet!' Ah yes, I remember, Love definitely seemed somewhat elusive in those single days.

Now married, Valentine's Day has fondly become our excuse to stay in, be lazy, order pizza and watch cheesy movies on Netflix. Love it!

Regardless of my feelings over the years, Valentine's Day has always inspired me to create something special to give to those that I love. Here's a look at the Valentine's Day card that I made this year available for purchase on Etsy. Pair this card with one of the awesome Etsy finds below and you'll have yourself a pretty sweet Valentine's Day gift for you (and) or your love.

Personalized Handmade Valentine's Day Card by imakepretty

How adorbs are these Pug and Cat Heart Lockets by Biribis

Lavender Vanilla Natural Handmade Soy Candle by Milk + Honey Candles

How about this amazing Key Chain Bottle Opener by PopTag

Heart Shaped Ring Dish by The Brick Kiln

Mint + Pink Earrings by Lala Crystal

Personalized Cutting Board by Elysium Woodworks

Happy Valentine's Day!

xo

Maria

A Minute in the Life: 5 Fabulous Things from My (4th of July) Weekend

Hoping you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! Time spent with good friends, lots (too much) of good food, 10-15ish episodes of Arrested Development and countless hours of sleep is how I spent my extended weekend. It was beautiful. I also got around to creating my first new card this year-- I know that sounds rather lazy of me considering it's already July, but please know that I spent the first half of this year on my biggest, most ambitious art project yet...designing and making by hand the 150+ wedding invitations for our wedding later this year! More to come on that...for now, please enjoy...

1// Handmade, watercolor "Happy Heart" Birthday Card by Yours Truly

2// Life-sized Jenga on the beach!

3// Dirt & Worms and Nerds Cupcakes-- surprisingly delicious.

4// 'Merica

5// The Charleston Burger from one of my favorite spots in LA, The Charleston

Giving Thanks, Literally.

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I'm so happy (or should I say thankful) that I was able to 5-pack of handmade 'Thank You' cards. They're made from watercolor 

paintings of mine. 

With Thanksgiving coming up, the theme of 'Thankfulness' is all around us-- which is a good thing.

"If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system," said Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Doraiswamy also goes on to state that "Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, said Doraiswamy. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar." Full article here.

Pretty amazing, right? Take a peak at my cards below! If you're interested, you can purchase them from my Etsy store here: i make pretty. Thank you! :)

i make pretty: Magical Halloween Card

We're a little over two weeks away from Halloween and I've finally finished making my latest Halloween card! This one is called Magical Halloween. I was inspired by the beauty of Fall and the magic that exists in the history (and idea) of Halloween. All of the artwork was done by the same hands typing this very post, yours truly. Oh, and of course, the stars are dusted in glitter.

I've included the Halloween card that I made last year, too, Three Little Witches. Take a look and tell me what you think! 

 You can purchase Magical Halloween and Three Little Witches from my Etsy Shop.

 // Magical Halloween //

 // card & envelope //

 // close up detail //

 // Three Little Witches //

 // inside detail of Three Little Witches //