Illustrated Christmas Gift Tags

It's hard to believe that it's that time again!  Holiday season is in full force, and it's time to get ready for Christmas!  I have begun to muse over how I will coordinate my gift wrapping this year, and these new gift tags have already made a big impact on the color schemes that are dancing around in my head (soon to be joined by sugar plums, no doubt).
What do you think? Red ribbon, or gold?

Available in the shop for instant download, ready for print and instant use!

Christmas Gift Ideas & Giveaway

I'm already ready for the holidays!  We've had Christmas music playing off and on, we went to our school's Christmas play "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" this weekend (now I can't stop singing "Where are you Christmaaaaaaas?"), and I'm dreaming of Christmas gift ideas!

It helps that I get to play a fun role in creating unique gifts for others.  My custom illustrations are available all year round, but have a special demand during this time of year.  Want a one of a kind, completely unique gift that brings highlights love and family?  Look no further than these custom portraits or calligraphy heart prints.

Stuck on a budget?  Well you're in luck!
I don't do a lot of giveaways, but there is one going on at The Lauren Elizabeth right now for a free custom illustration or two calligraphy heart prints!  Be sure to head on over to her blog to enter—giveaway will be open until the end of the week.

Illustrated Christmas Cards, 2015

I know, I know: It's too early for Christmas!
"It's not even Halloween!"

Yes! And I love and enjoy fall and everything that comes with it—the changing colors, the apple cider, the sweaters, the booties, cross country season and school sports—but it's never too early to have a plan, right?
With all of the plans that I have had over the past few years, would you like to guess how many Christmas cards I have sent out since we've been married and I officially started my freelance business?

Not.One.

I've made them for other people, but never have time to finish one for our little duo to send and share—so this year I am getting a head start, and I suggest that you do the same!  That way, we might actually make it this year ;)

If nothing else, now might be a good time to schedule that family photo that you've been planning for YOUR Christmas cards... or for me to illustrate!  Head on over to visit this listing if you are interested in hearing more about getting your own custom illustrated Christmas cards.

The Most Wonderful Time... Is on it's way!

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's already that time of year.
You know, the time when the air is brisk, hot chocolate is decorated with marshmallows and that little feeling of excitement inside your chest is starting to flutter?

Yep, holiday season has begun again—don't worry, you still have plenty of time :)  But why not get a head start on your Christmas decor / shopping?  I know that I'm ready to cross a few names off my list!  (like my "wonderful-but-hard-to-shop-for-Hubbard")

My Etsy shop is already bustling with fall and Christmas activity, some of which are shown above!  A few favorites from last year, as well as some new pieces for you to consider this year.  I'll be posting new items over the next few weeks—so stay tuned!  There will even be a holiday card with the option of a custom portrait soon!


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

Christmas Decor—Last Minute Additions

 

Yikes! Christmas is only a week away from YESTERDAY!  I don't know about you, but I have a lot to do in a very little short amount of time.  The hubs and I are blessed with a large family, but that means a lot of traveling next week, and a lot of gifts to find.

I also did not finish decorating our little home for Christmas—so I made this printable to finish off a bare wall—time to put this one up!

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

See Ya' There

Another week without much painting, though I am hoping to get back into it next week.  Until then, here is a small piece that I made on Wednesday and casually dropped on my husband's desk with a sticky note that said "see ya there..."

In case you're wondering, yes, he took the hint ;)

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

December Calendar

Since the November desktop calendar went over so well, I decided to create another one for December!  You can find both this download and the iPhone background in the "free downloads" tab above :)

This is not my favorite painting, though I did enjoy painting the christmas bulbs... I might have to do a collection of those in the future :)  But I was surprised to find that I really had much less time to paint this month, despite our lighter schedule in general.  I am glad that I planned ahead and painted most of my Christmas card designs earlier this year.

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

Merry Christmas, Deer

This piece was both inspired by and originally created for my father-in-law.  I firmly believe (and I don't think that I'm alone) that there is nothing that he loves more than to go hunting, so obviously I had to incorporate something of the sport he loves into his Christmas gift.

The expression is also inspired by him.  This is about how it happens: he sits quietly while we run around decorating for Christmas and fussing about everything, while he just looks blankly at the extra "nonsense" until he can't help but laugh at us.

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

My First Noel: A Christmas Wreath

Christmas is in the air!   **deep breath**  

Uhh... well, it's coming, trust me.  And it's time for another Christmas illustration reveal!

Available on Etsy or Society6

I love the classic qualities of this—embracing old memories with new ideas and coming out with something harmonious.  I love decorating for Christmas, and I am especially excited to hang this original when the time comes (I am normally a strict "after Thanksgiving" Christmas decorator, though this year I might have to make an exception!).

Anywho, I love the typography mixed in with the classic winter wreath, and the red bow gives it a little bit of a vintage vibe, which is also something that I love!

You can find this piece in flat note card form at my etsy shop or as a print, pillow cover (I LOVE the idea of the pillow cover and may order one myself! haha) or folded note cards on Society6

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

Holidays-a-comin'

The problem with illustrating is that the holidays come early and FAST!  Christmas requests begin before Thanksgiving and looking around I can already see wreaths and large red Christmas ornaments hanging in all the store windows (though, they are still behind the smiling pumpkins at the moment)

But my mind moves slowly through holidays—I want to savor each one, to delight in the crisp air and bright colors of autumn before the trees are bare for the long winter.  That being said, I finished painting one of my Christmas cards today and after a moment away from it, I noticed that it was decidedly LESS Christmas-y than I had intended!  Ah well, here it is anyhow!

 

  Keep posted—available for sale soon in both postcard and print style       All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission