Calendar: July 2014

I love June.  Being a teacher's wife as well as someone who always seems to be chilled, the official arrival of summer is just about the best feeling in the world.

However, the arrival of another month is always fun for the sake of changing the calendar.  This month I wanted something a little quieter (especially after the visual business of last month's calendar!), and to help balance out the vacation/work bustle that always seems to take place in July.

 

To download your own desktop / iPhone background, click on the "Free Downloads" tab above!

 

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

My New Website

Hey, guess what?!  My new website is LIVE!  And you should check it out!

The slide-show on the homepage is currently under construction, so feel free to generally ignore that, but just about everything else is up and running (woo-hoo!).  You'll find examples of my work (many that haven't been shown on this blog), along with stories about my work process and philosophy.

 

 

 Check it out: http://KatrinaCrouch.com
   

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

#OOTDsketches (20)

Each Wednesday I post some sketches I did the week before of what I was wearing on that particular day.  I've been doing this on and off for the past few years and only recently mustered enough courage to share them with the world!  Here's what I wore last week:

 

Left: This past week I was on VACATION! Which means that my illustrations are limited... sorry.  The first sketch is from the in-between day while I did laundry and rested before heading off to our early anniversary.
Right: Off to the amusement / water park with my fab husband! It was a bit chilly, but we had so much fun!

Our anniversary trip ended with the celebration of another marriage! One of our dear friends got married and we were honored to be there with them.  It was so great to spend time relaxing and enjoying my family—I love them!

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

Linked up with:

 

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

Stationery: Kara's Wreath

 

One of my favorite recent commission pieces was this set of stationery for a student at the school where my husband teaches.  While I don't know the student herself very well, her sister is a real treasure and that fact alone made this project a real treat.
 It was also fun to get back into painting—this was the first of a string of custom watercolors this past month and after the long haul of graphic design work, the change was refreshing!  

 

 

 

As with my other custom stationery, I have put this piece up on my Etsy shop and it is very customizable—the colors of the flowers range from yellow, to pink, to blue, to the purple you see above (and the name color is editable as well)

   

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

Custom Portrait: Mr. & Mrs. Polumbo

 

Don't you just love this couple? I was asked to paint this for their first anniversary last weekend, working from two photos showing off their signature dance moves!  I just thought that was the best idea, and it was so much fun to create for them.

Like what you see? Order your own custom portrait here!

   

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

She Gone

 

That's right! THIS girl is OUT of the office this week, and totally loving it.
 

First stop, annual girl's trip with my mom's side of the family and then a quick stop at home before we're off again for some anniversary celebrating time with my Hubbard!

 

No, my desk does not look this cute—not even after I clean it.  But I'm going to pretend this week.

 

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

Sketchbook: Congrats Grad(s)

 

So many grad parties, so little time!  Today I am excited to go visit my dear cousin at her graduation party.  She is headed to my own Alma mater and I couldn't be more excited for her! (note, this is not a painting of my cousin... the more fitting concept did not occur to me until just now and I am simply out of time... maybe later)

  Congratulations to my favorite Andrea Jane!    

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

#OOTDsketches (18)

 Each Wednesday I post some sketches I did the week before of what I was wearing on that particular day.  I've been doing this on and off for the past few years and only recently mustered enough courage to share them with the world!  Here's what I wore last week:

 

Left: I finally got the chance to wear this dress!!!  I purchased it back in February or March and it has been TOO STINKIN' COLD to wear it until now—when it's in the 80s and I'm the only one happy about it, haha
Right: Last official day of teaching for the year—while I was allowed to wear jeans on that day, I have found that it is best to carry more authority rather than less on days full of sugar, excitement and no desire to follow directions.  While I'll miss those kids, we are both ready for a break!

 Left: First day without students, but still without my hubby.  It was a little chilly, so I threw on a light sweater and CLEANED my house!  Specifically the kitchen—I love getting everything deep cleaned and organized.
Right: Hubbard and I went garage sale shopping with my sister-in-law!  It was great to spend some time all together without having to work (we all work at the same school/coach the same teams)

 

The real last day with students was our Field Day!  So much fun, I had not done it before and this time I was able to lead a "team" of students around and even participate in the hula-hoop contest!  Our team finished in 2nd overall so that was extra fun!

  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 post is linked up with Mix&Match, The Pleated Poppy, Simply Just Lovely, Stylin in St. Louis and V. Infused Lemonade

Sketchbook: The Great Gatsby (Party)

This past weekend, my husband and I were fortunate enough to help a good friend of ours with their granddaughter's 16th birthday party!  It was a grand affair, and not just because it was a Gatsby theme!

All of the girls (and guys) were dressed up and the entire house/deck was decorated beautifully.  We served as photographers, running the photo-booth and walking around to capture the festive moments.  And as soon as it was over, you know I went back into our room and drew up some lovely young ladies in full 20's attire!

   

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

Mono Print Hedgehogs

 

Closing out the year with my 5th graders this year was extra fun!  We took on the mono print challenge!
I had my students make animal stamps out of egg carton lids (pressing down with a pencil) and then we printed on long strips of black paper.  They all turned out really well and I was pleasantly surprised (and maybe a little relieved.  You just never know!).

I also had a lot of fun with my example—the parade of hedgehogs above was made as the demonstration for my classes on proper printing technique (using rollers to apply paint evenly, ect)

While completely different than my normal style of post, I thought it was fun and cute—I don't normally show the students examples of my own work, but something simple like this was too fun to resist!

   

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

#OOTDsketches (17)

Each Wednesday I post some sketches I did the week before of what I was wearing on that particular day.  I've been doing this on and off for the past few years and only recently mustered enough courage to share them with the world!  Here's what I wore last week:

Left:  Happy Memorial Day!  Wore this breezy skirt and simple Tshirt to keep cool at parades and the beach.  Lovely day with the family!

Right: Breezy top (can you sense a theme?), jeans and some booties for a busy day at work

 Left: I have got to wear this skirt more often.  I've had it since I was in middle school, and I wear it about once a year.  I wore it about 3 times this year and get so many compliments that I am growing excited to wear it yet again!

Right: Crazy.Busy.Day.  Lots of clay and paint, I am relieved that I didn't come home a different color than when I set out that morning

I got my HAAAAAIR CUT!

I was long over due.  Seriously, I had "Eve" hair and it was just heavy.

My head feels so light and I am a little nervous about styling it the way I want it—when you loose 4 inches, it makes a difference!

    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!

Calendar: June 2014

Ta-da! New desktop calendar for the month of June.
My mom has always worked very hard on the garden(s) around the house where we grew up, and I always connected getting-out-of-school-time (or as most people call it, "the month of June") with the appearance of our Black Eyed Susans.

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