Blog Stalking: The Lauren Elizabeth

This episode of "Blog Stalking" features another fashion blog that I frequent—The Lauren Elizabeth blog.

 

Left: Pencil sketch by Katrina Crouch

Right: Photo from The Lauren Elizabeth blog

 

While her style is not always right in line with my own (I tend to be more girly and classic, while she dives into more trendy styles), her general creativity, interest in interior design and sense of humor keep me coming back for more!

Also, she shops both at high end stores and "normal" stores (target, h&m, ect), making my regular stalking habits more excusable ;)

Interested in getting your own portrait drawn/painted by yours truly?  YOU CAN!  Right here!

    All opinions, along with the sketch, are my own.  The Lauren Elizabeth does not even know that I am doing this!

Insta-Lately (2)

 Beginning to decorate for Valentine's Day! Get your own print here

I was making a hat, but when I put it on to show my husband the progress, he laughed so hard that I have not yet finished it.  What do you think? Leave it as a "pony-hat" or finish the traditional shape?

 New necklace!  Hard not to love the beautiful jade color, though I have not had many opportunities to wear it since I have been sick the past few days

 For a few years I have done little sketches of my "OOTD" (outfit of the day) a couple times a month.  I rarely take these sketches to final pieces, though I do enjoy them.  I think I shall begin posting some of these on instagram since the response of this post was much more than I expected.


 Keep up with more of these updates on my instagram
    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Warming Up the Tail Feathers

This weekend I suffered from a case of the sickies—a small cold, but annoying just the same! 
 It began at work on Thursday and grew worse on Friday, but was TONS better on Saturday!  I really didn't feel sick at all and even managed to run to the store and visit my parents.  Then on Sunday I started to feel fatigued again and the sniffles returned... but I felt good enough to complete a lot o cooking and enjoy my evening.
 

And Monday? Sick.
Again.

 

ugh.

 

But at least from my little perch on the couch, buried under a feather comforter, accompanied by tissue box, warm tea and sketchbook, I had a great view of my favorite animal friends, enjoying the bird feeder.  You can get a print of either of these bundled little sparrows from my etsy shop!

Hoping for a healthier, back to normal, no tissues, lots of chocolate Tuesday!!

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Blog Stalking: The Quiet Place

I have a confession.

(( I spend way too much time reading blogs! ))

Seriously, it can get bad.

But I don't watch TV, or have a lot of free time, so the random moments where I get a chance to skip on over to visit my favorite bloggers is like a mini vacation.  I look forward to these little escapes, so it is no surprise that the bloggers that float in and out of my days appear in my warm-ups, and sometimes even make it to the scanner!  So, here's another one for you:

These are two precious girls blog over at "The Quiet Place Blog", and I have the privilege to call both of them my friends. About a year ago they began writing a blog together to encourage other women—and, let me tell you, they have done a great job!

Other "blog stalking" examples here.
    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketchbook: Saved For A Rainy Day

I am swimming in a pool of unfinished projects.
Sometimes, these incomplete pieces dishearten me, as I long for a spare moment to dedicate to the canvas (though, I often give the time I can get away with to my husband and family, so I can't really complain!).  On the other hand, I can't help but grow excited as I see the raw ideas still in their most exciting stages—that point where the final product can either be a huge success, or... a flop, haha

Anyway, since I have had an extra busy week, here's one of my unfinished pieces for you to muse over.

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Love Language

There are so many different ways to say "I love you".  Not only lingual, but through an unexpected note, a gift, or just help with the dishes (thanks hubbs!).  So I painted the little signs below to hang around our home (or to give out) as this Hallmark season reminds us to show love to those who don't always get our best, but definitely deserve it.

 

Prints for the French version (Je T'aime) are available on Society6!

 
 
  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Insta-Lately: A New Year

We spent a few days snowed in (to celebrate the new year, of course) and work was called off, so we worked from home!  It was so peaceful and productive, working in the warm house, surrounded by a soft blanket.  I can't tell you how comfy it was, and so rejuvenating.

One of the many products of working from home—an extra corner of my canvas bloomed while I put off going outside for yet another day!  

 I finally have the coral statement necklace of my dreams.  I kinda wear this too much—even when I know I won't see anyone, it's on.


Find these and (way) more photos like them on my instagram—follow along to get updates and sneak peaks before the blog ;)

 
All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

A Botanical Snow Day

Last week, I really, REALLY enjoyed some time being "snowed in" with my husband.  Our Christmas was hectic and the week after was dedicated to working on getting ready for the next semester... oh, and laundry and cleaning and all of the things that need to happen when you haven't been home and you have accumulated new "stuff".

All that being said, the unexpected time to just relax a little was glorious—I feel so refreshed and so ready to tackle this new year!

Get your own HERE

During our snow day adventure, I spent some time working on a piece that has been playing around my little brain over the past 3 years or so.  Above is the finished piece—a simplified version of what I have long envisioned.  I still think I will try another version of it or two at some point in the future, but until then, at least it has begun.

Text from Matthew 6.

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Merry Chri-Valentine?!?

Valentine's Day is right around the corner already?!?!  I'm still on my Christmas high (seriously, there's a reindeer towel still hanging in my bathroom...).

I'm not quite ready for this, but the pink hearts that are popping up in every store window tell me that I don't have much time left.  Like, one month.
At least I have some cute stationery already prepared to send around to those I love most :)  This is just one of my designs for flat valentine's stationery this year.  It gave me an excuse to practice my penmanship with the brush while getting some work done on great designs for you!

Enjoy! (Find this design and others HERE)
    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Blog Stalking: Putting Me Together (Illustrative Portraits)

Getting back into illustrative portraits.

   Not "looks like a photograph" portraits... those get old after you've done them for a few years.  The drawing/painting above was taken from Audrey's fashion blog: "Putting Me Together".  Hopefully she won't mind the fact that I stole her photo for my warm-up :/  And I had so much fun with it that I ended up painting a watercolor version!

Want your own?

Order one from my etsy shop!  There is an ink contour option and a watercolor option.
  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Tea Inspired Motif

 This note card collection was inspired by tea.

"Hibiscus Tea" (or various fruity tea flavors)

"Green Tea"

"Earl Gray" (or "black" tea)

The favorite tea (represents all in one, in my opinion)

Ah... tea :}  I'm an avid tea drinker (usually prefer "black" blends), and it always seems to make an appearance in my art at some point.
Get your own tea craving satisfied with a set of note cards (below)!  There's an option to personalized these as well!

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Analogous Color Motif

 

Some new personalized stationery has been added to the etsy shop for the new year! An original motif painted by yours truly on the corner of my real project... hehe, I ended up loving it and making the warm version (cool colored is original).

Well, what do you think?
Love it? Know somebody who will?
Get your own set of 5 HERE!

    All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Snowy Valentine

 

 A wintery valentine for those of us in the northern cold!  Had a lot of fun making this with some extra paint that I mixed for another project (seems like most of my stationery designs come about when I'm supposed to be doing something else!).

This note card is available in my etsy shop—perfect for your anti-pink Valentine, or just to remind someone of how much you love them during this winter season.

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Welcome 2014

Welcoming a new year with a new desktop / iPhone freebe! (available under the "Free Downloads" tab above)    

 

This year came in very quietly around here. After a week of constant travel and parties, the hubs and I weren't exactly interested in another big celebration this week!  Our plans for a quiet evening were finalized when Todd decided to play host to a cold.

And today, January 1st, finds us hard at work.  Despite our lengthy To Do lists, the chaos is muffled by the large flakes of snow that we can see from every window.  Designing under a blanket with some hot chocolate in hand and fuzzy socks below just seems to be the perfect way to welcome a new year in.

Happy New Year, friends
  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission