I made this citrusy grapefruit cake to celebrate our 8 years of marriage and 11 years of togetherness this month. The cake was yummy and quick to make. The recipe comes from a book called Little Cakes by Susan Waggoner with illustrations by SuJean. It's such a handy recipe book to have on hand if you need to make a small cake for just the two of you, or you only have one stick of butter! Luckily this recipe uses oil. :)

Grapefruit Cake

1 cup sifted cake flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, separated

2 tablespoons of water

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons oil

Pan: 8 inch round pan, greased and floured.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Mix together and set aside. Whisk egg yolks, water, grapefruit juice and oil in a small bowl, set aside. In another bowl beat the egg whites until stiff. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the flour mixture, beat until just combined. Fold the stiff egg whites into the batter mixture and pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Grapefruit Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese

1 tablespoon minced fresh grapefruit

2 teaspoons grapefruit juice

1/2 cup powdered sugar, or to taste

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature and beat until smooth and light. Mix in minced grapefruit and juice. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until combined.

This month's calendar is an homage to stripes. This watercolor sketch makes me think of end of summer days on the beach.  Hope you enjoy!

Desktop version: (To change out your desktop wallpaper, click to open original image. Right-click to save the image to your computer, then switch out your wallpaper.)

IPad version: (To change out your wallpaper on devices, click and hold on image from your phone/ipad. Save the image to your camera roll, then switch out your wallpaper in Settings.)

iPhone version: 

The garden is teeming with activity this month. I've seen so many hummingbirds foraging the salvias and red cardinal climbers that I decided to pay tribute to them in this month's print.

The solar eclipse is Monday, August 21st. We are so close to the path, I can't wait!

My plan for rearing butterflies in our garden is also coming to fruition. Here are some swallowtail caterpillars munching away on parsley that has gone to seed.

We've had yellow tiger and black swallowtails in abundance this year. They absolutely love parsley and dill, so plant lots of those by seed in your garden and you'll be amazed at the activity. Parsley and dill are great to plant as a winter herb. Parsley has a long tap root and will last all winter long in your garden. It particularly loves our southern winters.

 If you'd like to purchase the August Print of the Month, it's available over here.

Thanks and happy gardening!

The July Print of the Month is here! It's a three-color, limited edition screen print. This colorful little print will pop into a standard 8x10 frame and would look so cute in a kid's room, or your room!

Head over the shop to get yours!

Enjoy!

New month, new wallpaper. This one is based off sketches for a new textile pattern. Enjoy!

Desktop version: (To change out your desktop wallpaper, click to open original image. Right-click to save the image to your computer, then switch out your wallpaper.)

IPad version: (To change out your wallpaper on devices, click and hold on image from your phone/ipad. Save the image to your camera roll, then switch out your wallpaper in Settings.)

iPhone version: 

Hi! Simon and I just got back from a two week stay in England. We were visiting with family in the Peak District and took a three day adventure to North Wales. Here are some of my watercolor sketches from the trip and a little note about the tools I brought.

Here's a look at my travel kit! This 12 color Windsor & Newton palette was just the right size for walking and painting, and the brush pen made painting super easy. I also brought along a pencil, pigment liner, and an assortment of watercolor pencils. I used a 9x9 watercolor sketchbook.

Simon took some pics of me in action ;) It was so beautiful in England, it was hard to put my sketchbook down!

 I pressed a few flowers in my book, as one does while exploring!There were wild buttercups, ferns, native wild geraniums and grasses, and foxgloves almost everywhere you looked.

I'm working on some larger paintings based on the sketches in my book. Here's one in progress:

 Thanks for reading! I hope you'll feel inspired to carry around a sketchbook. Check out my Instagram feed for more pics from England. :) Cheerio!Simon on top of the Manifold Valley near Wetton Village :)

I'm excited about the June Print of the Month. I love how painterly it turned out! Our tomatoes are still green in the garden, but the marigolds, zinnias, and summer poppies are starting to bloom.

The paper color here is a chipboard grey. I like how the four colors complement each other. Now I'm dreaming up a new textile pattern that could use some burgundy, wine red...

Go to the shop to buy your copy. Limited edition of 50.

New month, new wallpaper. Enjoy!

Desktop version: (To change out your desktop wallpaper, click to open original image. Right-click to save the image to your computer, then switch out your wallpaper.)

IPad version: (To change out your wallpaper on devices, click and hold on image from your phone/ipad. Save the image to your camera roll, then switch out your wallpaper in Settings.)

Iphone version:

I love letterpress printing. Working at a small letterpress shop was my first job out of college. I like the crisp lines, the smell of the ink, and operating an old press from the 1800's.

I love designing for letterpress, too, and at the greeting card scale. It's fun to alternate between screen printing and letterpress printing. Although they're both printmaking methods that employ flat colors and bold lines, I like the intimate feel of a finished letterpress design.

That's why I'm so thrilled to introduce a line of letterpress cards to the shop! Now you can add a pretty card to your order, or purchase a set of six to keep you covered.

We use 100% cotton paper that's thick and dreamy for writing your special note, and all cards are blank inside.

I hope you enjoy! Head over to the shop and use code LETTERPRESS to receive free shipping at checkout. Code ends Sunday, June 4th at 11:59 pm EST.

SHOP NOW

p.s. We'll be introducing new cards throughout the seasons. Sign up for our newsletter at the top right so you won't miss out!

This weekend is the Wolf Creek Pottery Sale!

Twice a year, my dear friend Nancy Green opens her ceramic studio to five potters (and me) for a two day sale at her enchanting studio in the forest, in Oconee County, Georgia.

If you're nearby, you really don't want to miss the opportunity to see Nancy's work in its intended setting; around delicious food in her woodland studio.

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th, 9am to 5pm both days

Where: 1500 Tappan Spur Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677.

If you can't make it to the sale, follow Nancy on Instagram where she posts regularly and fall in love with her beautiful work. *photos taken from Nancy's Instagram feed

Here's a glimpse at the work of the other five potters that will be in the sale. (And we'll have textiles and prints there, too! ;)

Jenn Graff makes beautifully crafted functional pottery with a wonderful sense of movement in the glaze. Click here to see more of her work. *photos from Mudfire

Minsoo Yuh makes beautiful pottery that is simple and elegant in form and surface design. I love her quiet scenes. Follow her work on Instagram. *photos taken from Minsoo's Instagram feed

Adrina Richard makes highly detailed, decorative functional pottery. Her baskets are extremely intricate and a delight to see up close in person. You can see more of her work in her online shop. *photos from Mudfire

Juana Gnecco is an Athens potter, well known for her illustrative style and animal motifs. Her mugs are a delight to own and use everyday. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her whereabouts around town. *photos taken from Juana's Instagram feed

Jorie Berman makes ceramic sculpture and functional ware. Her sculptural work is often fired in an anagama kiln where atmospheric and temperature fluctuations control the outcome of the piece. Follow her adventures in wood firing on Instagram and see more of her work there. *photos taken from Jorie's website.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the work of these wonderful potters! If you're nearby, we'd love to see you this weekend.