Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays friends! 

I hope no matter what you are doing today, or who you are with, your day is filled with love and light!

XO, 

A Year of Magic

Hello friends!

How is your week going? Can you believe how close Christmas is? 

This of course also means it is almost time for a new year. And along with that come a new "one little word." 

I wanted to jump on today to talk about my one little word for 2017, which was MAGIC, and share some big, VERY magical, news!

When I chose magic, or rather when it chose me, I really didn't know exactly how true it would become as 2017 unfolded.

It truly has been a magical year for me, especially with this art business of mine. Before I share my big news, first let me recap some of the bits of magic that have led me up to it.

The first wonderfully magical surprise of 2017 was being invited to contribute monthly printable sets to the Illustrated Faith shop.

I began with my first set in April, and my most recent December set will be my last. Although I'm hoping they'll invite me back for another special project at some point!

Man, what a fantastic experience. I learned and grew so much as an artist and found myself included in such a supportive community of women. A blessing in so many ways.

The second magical opportunity that came my way this year was teaching for Big Picture Classes.

Having their videographer come to my house to film me and the entire process of creating the classes was such a learning experience, and again, gave me the chance to become a part of another wonderfully supportive community of creative folks.

In the midst of this, I bought my iPad, which was a major game-changer. (BIG thanks to my hubby for practically forcing me to buy it after drooling over it and talking about it for weeks!) 

I was seeing so many other artists raving about theirs, but let's face it, I'm SO frugal, and it was a BIG investment.

The biggest financial investment I've made in my art career so far.

And it has by far been the best decision. I had no idea I could create practically all of my artwork on it. Such a magical piece of equipment!

I also had the opportunity to create some really wonderful local projects, including a wall mural and coloring pages for our local schools. I live in such a fantastic, supportive community.

OK, so now that all of that magic is out of the way, here's the big one. The grand finale of my magical year, but hopefully only the beginning.

In October, I signed with Pink Light Studio.

I have an art agent. 

Say what? Who's life is this?

Apparently it is mine, and goodness I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. This kind of magic happens to other people, you know? But apparently it can happen to anyone, including this small town Indiana girl with an over abundance of hope.

If you aren't sure what signing with an art agent means, I will be creating collections of art for them, and they will share the collections with companies who buy the art to put on all sorts of products like wall art and gift wrap and fabric and journals and basically anything you find art on in a store.

Pretty fantastic right? Pinching myself daily.

I've been working toward this for what seems like forever, but it has really only been like four years. Crazy.

So I'm still in the beginning stages, learning how all of it works, and cranking out all sorts of artwork. 

This is a fun collage of my first collection I created for Pink Light, Cozy Christmas...

I am so in love with it and proud of how far I've come. 

And I'm learning that it is OK to say you are proud of yourself. 

That is a hard one for me.

The process of creating this first collection was equal parts exciting and anxiety-inducing, so in some ways it felt like growing and giving birth to another child. And I'm one proud momma!

I can't wait to see what 2018 brings as I dive further into this art licensing journey. Hoping to keep carrying on that 2017 magic for sure!

I shared this quote in last year's one little word post, and man did it ever come true for this past year...

Thanks SO MUCH for being along for this ride with me. I have the BEST cheerleaders.

And now I need a word for 2018. Tough shoes to fill for sure.

Any suggestions?

XO,

Cyber Monday Sale!

Are you ready for Cyber Monday shopping? 

Society6 has already pulled the trigger on their sale and it is a GOOD one friends! 

Everything is on sale up to 40% off + FREE shipping! 

That means mugs start at $11.99 shipped, tote bags start at $14.69, and a throw pillow WITH insert is $20.99! 

The sale will go through the day tomorrow! 


XO,

Black Friday Sale!

Hello friends!

How was your Thanksgiving? (If you are one of my US friends, that is.)

Are you doing Black Friday shopping today? If so, I have a fun sale to share with you!

I created a set of printable Christmas gift tags and other happies for the Illustrated Faith shop, and today you can get 50% off everything using code WONDER_50! 

Goodness that's an awesome deal!

Here is a peek at my set...

And a few of the others (SO GORGEOUS!)...

You can shop them all HERE!

XO,

Gratitude - New Illustrated Faith Printables

Hello friends and happy weekend!

Isn't Friday night the best? Around here we always have an easy dinner (tonight it was homemade pizza) and put on a movie. Tonight it was Transformers. I wonder who picked that one? ;)

So much to be grateful for.

And speaking of gratitude, I have two new printable sets for Illustrated Faith this month, and the theme is all about it. 

The first set is something you can use at your Thanksgiving table. It includes a set of place cards, and some lovely big feathers you can use in so many ways.

The feathers are great for handing out to your family and asking them to write on the back what they are grateful for. You can collect them in a bowl or platter, or hang them with yarn on a pretty branch or tree. 

The second set is full of images, patterned paper, and journaling cards to use in your bible, planner, or scrapbooking!

I hope you enjoy these sets and I would love to see how you use them!

XO,

Etsy Sale!

OK friends...so everyone in the house but me is still asleep! So I'm working! 

I updated my Etsy shop and got the crazy idea to reduce the price of all of my prints by $5. 

Yep! 

So all 5x7's are $10 and 8x10's are only $13! 

Grab a few prints for Christmas gifts, or for your house, or your office, or a friend, or...well you get the idea. 😁 

***And if you are local, use the code "SHIPSONME" for free shipping if you want to pick up your order!

I also reduced the price on my super cute fall printable set to $8 because I love you. Yeah that's right. I LOVE YOU!

Happy Shopping!

Autumn Lessons

Happy weekend friends!

I saw this quote yesterday while scrolling through Instagram and had to letter it.

Another reason to love autumn!

I'm getting ready to head to our local orchard and treat myself to a cider slushy. Yum! Hope you're having a fantastic day!

New Fall Printable

Happy Monday friends!

How was your weekend? Mine was filled with board meetings for work, BUT I'm off today and enjoying a quiet morning at home so that certainly helps. 

You know what else helps? A cute new fall inspired printable set in my Etsy shop!

I created this set with scrapbooking in mind, but it would be lovely for using in your planner, art journal, or journaling bible!

The set includes over 30 stickers/die cuts and four patterned papers. 

I like to print the image sheets on either white or clear full sheet label paper to create stickers. And I used white cardstock for the papers, although you could certainly use sticker paper if you wanted to!

Last night I pulled out a mini album to start working on a fall instagram photo book (even though I haven't printed any photos yet - those will come!)

If you want to see a bit of my process with this, you can check out my Instagram stories, but hurry because they will only be available through today!

This set also coordinates well with my latest Illustrated Faith set. A girl can never have too many fall leaves or coffee cups in her sticker collection, am I right? 

Sending lots of happy fall vibes your way,

Lots of News!

Hello friends! Happy Tuesday!

How is your week going so far? The past few weeks have been so crazy with the hurricanes and wild fires. If you've been in the path of any of them I certainly hope you and your families are doing OK.  

I wanted to share a big update on what's been happening in the world of Mandy Ford Art & Illustration!

Things have been busy and so good. Feeling really thankful. 

First up is my September printable set with Illustrated Faith!

I have more and more fun each month creating this kits, and when I realized I could draw all things autumn for September I was over the moon happy!

It is chock full of fall goodness and I hope you love it! I printed these out on white sticker paper and plan to use them in some fall scrapbooking projects.

Next up is a new product for me - CANDLES!

Yes, candles! 

I am super excited about this collaboration with The Candle Creative.

I have three different designs available with them, and you can choose from lots of really yummy scents. I am partial to the lemon poppyseed and the pumpkin roll. Mmmmmm!

Grab them today through 9/17 and get 15% off with code "MANDY" & enter a super fun giveaway over on their Instagram account for $100 shop credit, an 8x10 "sweater weather" print from me, and lots of other goodies!

And finally, a reminder to check out my first class with Big Picture Classes, Doodling Nature!

Did you know BPC is a subscription site, and you can do a free one month trial? So there is absolutely NOTHING to lose. And there are so many super fun and inspiring classes on there. Soon to be added in October - a lettering class from me!

(Sneak peek up there)

Ooh and ONE more thing! If you are a local friend, save the date for October 20th! I'm going to have a booth at this fun event again this year!

Working on some brand new goodies for it including TEA TOWELS! Eeeeek! (<---kinda sorta excited about that one.)

Sending the happiest of Tuesday vibes to you!

XO,