Happy Heart Day, Y'all

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope you get to spend some time today with people that you love, regardless of whether or not one of them is a significant other or not.

Todd is pretty good at being "romantic", though he's  better at doing small things throughout the year than a big thing for a Hallmark holiday.  And I prefer it that way (plus, it makes up for the fact that I'm generally the same way and totally blanked on all things hearts and pink until this morning... oops)!  And because of that, the hubbs and I don't make much fuss about Valentine's Day, though I suppose when we have kids that any excuse to go out without them will be a much bigger deal.

But until then, I'm going to eat what's left of my Christmas candy :)  Have a wonderful weekend

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

Five Favorites

1. One of my students gave me a Ninja Turtle mask valentine! I wore it all over the school!
I felt so cool.

2. Hubbard was out for the weekend so I spent time with my parents, cleaning out the treasures junk I had piled up in the basement.  Two trash bags and two "give away" piles later, I'm down to just frames and a small box of misc treasures (these are for real treasures, not junk. For real).  I feel so accomplished!

3.  While I don't like to teach "holiday" art projects (typically corny, "crafty" and repetitive), I loved seeing my students just about burst with excitement at the idea of doing a small Valentine's Day project.

4. I illustrated a book cover!  Have you seen it?

5. I'm finally to the point where I don't feel like death after every work out!  SO GLAD.  Thinking about setting this up as my next reward if I press on through the next 2 months (or this if I start feeling really confident).

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

OOTDsketches (52)

Throughout the week make a quick sketch of what I am wearing on that particular day, either as a warm-up or just to keep me loose if I don't have a lot of time to draw.  These drawings are then scanned and posted on my blog every Wednesday.  Again, nothing finished or professional, but something that I have fun with.  Hope you enjoy! 

Left:: Shall we chat about my new dress? My new dress with LONG SLEEVES and wonderful flow-y skater skirt???  Because I love it.  Oh man, it's just about taken all that I have not to wear it every other day.
Right:: Mostly relaxing last Friday.  I'm loving this oversized scarf that my sister-in-law gave me.  It's lightweight, but there is so much of it that it's easy to bundle in.  I'm hoping that this scarf will prove to be "breezy" enough to make an appearance after the snow melts.  We'll see.

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   Linked up with...
fashionista momma, mix&match fashion, Watch What I'm Wearing, Style Elixir, What Wives Wear,  PMT style challenge

Book Cover Illustration: Garlands of Grace

I finally get to start sharing some of the projects that I've been busy with over the past few months!
 

Back in November, I was contacted by Dawn Escoto and asked to illustrate the cover design for her book of poems and songs.  How could I say no?

Dawn is a very sweet woman, and we enjoyed working together.  She asked for an representation (abstract over a more literal representation) of a garland of generic leaves (no specific leaf type) in a soft watercolor.  Simple enough! After looking over a few sketches that I drew up, she settled on the above design and I set to work.

After another month of work by Dawn and the publishers, getting background and type figured out, along with other details about the book itself, the collection is finally printed and up for sale! Be sure to check it out here or here (especially if you are fond of poetry!).

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

Five Favorites

1) My new February calendar is up and running and I love it.  I don't always love the calendars that I make up, but sometimes I really hit something that I like and this month's design has covered all of my devices—iPad, phone and even social media!

2) Thumb holes!
Honestly, how did we get along before there were thumb holes? I remember clinging to the edge of my sweaters when running/practicing in an attempt to keep my hands warm.  Now, sweaters and jackets keep up with you on their own

3) Snowdays
My husband is a teacher, so there will probably never be a day when I regret a good snowday!  Despite my dislike for the cold, I do like snow.  And the soft blanket that it drapes over the chaos of everyday life? Yes please

4) Snail Mail from friends.  Other mail items aren't usually as exciting (unless it's pay day ;) )
I've been making stationery for myself for a few years now (above is one of my favorite designs) and enjoyed making a few designs to share.  If you're interested, feel free to contact me about custom stationery orders!

5) TJMaxx.com—I've been hunting for the perfect purse for a while, and I think I might have found it!!  TJMaxx now has a small selection of their merchandise online and I was able to score free shipping (sign up for newsletter)!

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

OOTDsketches (51)

Throughout the week make a quick sketch of what I am wearing on that particular day, either as a warm-up or just to keep me loose if I don't have a lot of time to draw.  These drawings are then scanned and posted on my blog every Wednesday.  Again, nothing finished or professional, but something that I have fun with.  Hope you enjoy!

 Left:: Feeling girly (and a little juvenile?) in my gray dress.  Someone even called it a jumper, which made me feel like I was about 12 years old... oh well, I like it anyway
Right:: DATE NIGHT!  We had a crazy weekend, so we enjoyed our "date night" on Wednesday this week and had even more fun than usual!

Todd and I have been running with his high school track team (gotta get the team in shape!) and it has been difficult for me.  Now that I'm not competing on a team, it's really hard to motivate myself to "get fit" in the snow.  However! I am very open to bribery, and finally earned my thermal track jacket as a reward for reaching the first 20 miles. Woo-hoo!

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  

Linked up with...
fashionista momma, mix&match fashion, Watch What I'm Wearing, Style Elixir, What Wives Wear,  PMT style challenge

February Desktop Calendar (2015)

Very excited to welcome February back this year!  Mostly because the Hubbard and I will be escaping the cold and ice for a week away in Florida—AND I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!

While I normally dislike January more than any other month of the year (with March's tease of "look, warm weather—just kidding, it's still freezing" coming in a close second), this year was a little different.  While I didn't make any resolutions, I'm continuing to work on the goals that I set during our family's "new year" in at the start of the school year and I am seeing some really good progress in myself and our life!

And I am overall very excited in the direction that God has been leading our little family:

• We're on the house hunt.
• We've taken a minor leadership position in a ministry that we love
• We've started working with our "team" again as they prepare for the upcoming Track and Field season
• We have been placed in a position where we can bless others and not fear for ourselves
• Friendships are growing.  Inward, outward and upward.

Anyway—I hope you enjoy this month's calendar!  I love the contrast of the messy watercolor and detailed contour and was excited to have a chance to incorporate it this month.  Get a desktop and/or iPhone 6 wallpaper in the "downloads tab" here.

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