Competition: Ford Mustang

I can't believe how crazy this week has been, but I don't want to leave you hanging this weekend, so here's my Friday update!
A few weeks ago I entered a T-shirt competition in all of my classy, last minute style (I re-discovered it the day before the deadline).  The designs are for the 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang and the winner gets a free shirt with their design.  Not exactly big money like some other competitions, but I thought the exercise would be good nevertheless.  They needed shirts for men and women, adults, staff and children, so I was able to play with a variety of designs.

No news about the winners yet, but I thought you might like to see them anyway:

 

   

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

#OOTDsketches (16)

 On and off for the past few years I have drawn a quick sketch of what I was wearing on a particular day, usually just throwing the little sketch away shortly after I finished.  However, after I posted one on my instagram in January, I began to post a series of these sketches each Wednesday—both as continued exercise for me, and to share a little of what I love to do with you!

Here are my #OOTDsketches from this past week.  Enjoy!

   

Lots of purple this week—here are two, and I'm wearing a purple top as I write this! I guess that radiant orchid trend has my number!  All 3 purple items in my entire wardrobe are out for some "play"

Left: It was an extra bright day in the art room, and it wasn't just because of my outfit!  Actually... it was, I don't have windows in my classroom (sigh)
Right: This is my "interview" / "gallery" outfit.  It was weird to wear the combo to teach instead, but I missed it (it's been 2 years since I've shown at a gallery!)

    Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!     

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission This week I teamed up with The Pleated Poppy and her "What I Wore Wednesday" link-up!

Blog Stalking: Passion, Pink, Pearls

This piece is FAR from "done", but time just isn't on my side lately and I figured I should just post what I have, since it covers the most important aspect (and the subject of this post!).

 

Time for some more "Blog Stalking"!  Introducing Passion, Pink and Pearls, a lifestyle and devotional blog by Veronica.  I have been fortunate enough to get to know Veronica a little better though our blogs (find her button on the sidebar!) and social media.
She has a great heart and throws herself into each task, be it a bridal shower, designing or organizing baseball caps!

I snagged one of her wedding photos AGES ago and just haven't gotten around to drawing it, until I eventually decided to attempt a digital painting.  Time decided to leave me again, so here is the painting, blocked out rather awkwardly.  I am ashamed (though clearly not enough to drop the post!).

Well, now that I've rambled on until you're just about sick, go check out Passion, Pink and Pearls!

   

  All artwork is (c) Katrina Crouch, and all opinions are my own.  Veronica doesn't even know that I am doing this!

High Five for Friday (3)

Every Friday, some of my favorite bloggers participate in a link-up called "High Five for Friday".
I've decided to join them again this week!  It's just a great way to look back and remember what a good week it has been!  (Find the original "link-er" here)

 

1) The hubs and I broke into the 5lb bar of chocolate that has been taunting me for the past few months!  I got it during the Christmas holidays, but with the other holidays along the way, we just had too much chocolate already in the house to justify opening more!  However, the beast is now open, and I am quite excited!!

2) I had a lovely lunch date with one of my old school-fellows! It was so great to catch up on our recent adventures and talk over the future.  She recently graduated from the same program I went through—I am so excited for her!

3) Todd and I went to visit my family this week!  Our schedule has been so busy that our families have been pushed a little to the side since track started.  And my sister is home from college, so that was an extra bonus (bros were there too, but they normally are!)

Photo credit: Aldred Williams

4) Todd is taking 16 track stars to States this year! That is more than 3 times the number of students he took last year—I'm so proud of him!

5) I confess, I am really excited about the fact that Summer is sooo CLOSE!  I love my students, but they are ready for a break (and are making sure that I will be very thankful to have one too! haha).

     

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

#OOTDsketches (15)

On and off for the past few years I have drawn a quick sketch of what I was wearing on a particular day, usually just throwing the little sketch away shortly after I finished.  However, after I posted one on my instagram in January, I began to post a series of these sketches each Wednesday—both as continued exercise for me, and to share a little of what I love to do with you!

Here are my #OOTDsketches from this past week.  Enjoy!

Left: Wearing my FAVORITE COLOR (coral) means it's going to be a good day, right?  A perky-pony-tail never hurt either ;)

Right: Flow-y top and an analogous partner because the 2nd graders are learning about color relationships!

Left: More of my favorite color and some hair piled high because we were working with clay!

Right: Loving the dress that I picked up while in Italy.  Paired with a polka-dot blouse and it was perfect for meeting with clients on my Friday afternoon

      Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!      

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission This week I teamed up with The Pleated Poppy and her "What I Wore Wednesday" link-up!

Oldie: Disney Tangled Inspired Mug

I had this blog post over on my old blog, but since it still seems to be so very popular, I thought I would share it here too—just in case we have some Disney DIY fans out there! (I'm not the only one, right??)

 

My best girls and I got together for a girl's weekend, and had some Pinterest fun!  We tried out the sharpie mug craze (and found out the hard way that it doesn't really work unless the markers are specifically for ceramic pieces) and had a lot of fun with it overall.

Unfortunately, when you're an illustrator by trade, people expect more from you, so I typically don't enjoy group crafts very much—so much pressure it feels like work.  I was able to have a lot of fun with this, however!

 

Here's my final (Tangle inspired) creation:

I apologize for the poor quality, I will have to take and upload photos (not from my iPod!) of better quality.  I found out about the faulty sharpie-bake method through a different piece (thankfully), so this one is just sitting "pretty" in my cupboard until I re-make it with the real thing tools.

   

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

#OOTDsketches (14)

On and off for the past few years I have drawn a quick sketch of what I was wearing on a particular day, usually just throwing the little sketch away shortly after I finished.  However, after I posted one on my instagram in January, I began to post a series of these sketches each Wednesday—both as continued exercise for me, and to share a little of what I love to do with you!

Here are my #OOTDsketches from this past week.  Enjoy!

 

Right: Ran some arrands in one of my favorite Liz Claiborne wrap dresses.  So simple, but I feel ready to take on the world while I am wearing it!
Left:  The warm weather finally came and I was able to begin my running routine again (I am a very fair weather athlete now that I am not competing!  Click here to see how I felt after my first run ;)

Right:  It was 82* here on Thursday!!  Absolutely lovely!  Unfortunately, my classroom constantly has the air blowing, so I was FREEZING all day.

Left: Busy day working from home.  Enjoying the warmth (w/out the air conditioning) while I was out running errands and getting some work done.

      Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!       

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission This week I teamed up with The Pleated Poppy and her "What I Wore Wednesday" link-up!

Sketchbook: Welcome Home (in color!)

 

Remember this sketch?  Well, now it is in color!

Still playing around with the digital painting.  It takes (way) too long for me to be able to experiment with it very often at this point.  Hopefully, as I grow more skilled in this area, I will be able to create more pieces :)

Until then, I'll just advertise my love for my favorite husband!

   

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

Honoring an Anniversary

How adorable is this couple?

Seriously, this piece was a ton of fun to make.  They are so.stinkin.cute.

This piece was created as an anniversary gift, ordered by a girlfriend of the bride—how sweet is that?

 

Like what you see? Order your own here!

 

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

#OOTDsketches (13)

On and off for the past few years I have drawn a quick sketch of what I was wearing on a particular day, usually just throwing the little sketch away shortly after I finished.  However, after I posted one on my instagram in January, I began to post a series of these sketches each Wednesday—both as continued exercise for me, and to share a little of what I love to do with you!

Here are my #OOTDsketches from this past week.  Enjoy!

   

Left: Church on Sunday—determined to start this week off without any blue on, haha

Right: Resolution broken in sight of a "spirit-wear" jeans day (school colors are blue and white)

Left: Okay, blue again—but I feel like chambray is basically a neutral.  And I wore my light peach skirt, which insures a good day
Right: All neutrals with my favorite lace sweater and a pop of coral in my statement necklace.

     Like what you see? Get your own custom, illustrative portrait for your home or blog here!  

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission This week I teamed up with The Pleated Poppy and her "What I Wore Wednesday" link-up!

Sketchbook: Digital Painting

Ta-da!  My first attempt at digital painting!  While I am not altogether satisfied with this piece, I am not entirely discouraged either (or else you would never see it).  It was fun, but honestly took more time then I would like to admit and I am not sure when I will be at leisure to attempt again.

The digital illustration was based off of this sketch (below), originally thought of while in the car (a bumpy sketch was quickly adventured), and finally drawn that evening while visiting my parents.

 

This piece (in color) is available in my etsy shop as a set of note cards! (also available with a blue dress)

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

Sketchbook: Welcome Home

 

My husband has been extra busy the last few weeks (and will be for the next month or so) because he is a high school track coach!  I love it, I support him, I encourage him, but I hate nights when he has a meet—because he often isn't home until almost 10 o'clock at night! Yikes
Leaving this newly wed with a case of the blues.

Thankful for friends, family and phones, but nothing beats hearing his footsteps right outside our door!

 

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

Calendar: May 2014

The atmosphere surrounding a freelance designer tends to either be high on the tension scale, or low.  It always seems that my orders and responsibilities all come at once.  And then, it's suddenly calm and I am left a little bewildered.

In a sick and slightly twisted way, I love this type of schedule.  I thrive on deadlines and "to-do" lists, but I also like to have some time where I can work on my own (or tackle Mt. Laundry) and refresh myself a little.  Days when my OOTDsketches are not just something I threw together;  Days when I can make cookies or "get ahead" on some of my regular tasks (like this calendar design!).

Despite how much I love to rest when the business is "slow", I love returning back to the schedule.  And nothing quite beats the thrill of sending off a final design, or a note from a happy client after a full day!

Desktop mock available here

Well, what are you waiting for?!? Head on over to the "Free Downloads" page and pick out a background!

   

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