{Valentine's Day coloring book!}

Happy Monday friends!

Whew...did you make it into work OK this morning? We're finally experiencing winter weather hear in Indiana...about 10-ish degrees this morning and my boys had a 2-hour delay so I'm just now getting settled in at work.

I wanted to share a few new coloring pages I'm working on for a Valentine's Day mini coloring book. I think it will be similar to my Christmas coloring book...5 or so pages and it will be a printable for sale in my Etsy shop. 

Here are the first two pages I've completed...

All of those hearts were fun but left my hand a bit crampy!

This one was fun to sketch...

And here it is inked in...the heart keys are my favorite...

Excited to see what else makes it's way onto the page. Any suggestions or requests?

XO,

{in my sketchbook}

If you haven't noticed, I'm in a bit of a roll with blog posting lately. Woohoo! It feels good to be sharing in this space again.

Here are a few recent additions to my sketchbook. 

This one was inspired by my new thrifted lamp. You can watch part of the process here. 

A new quote I'm playing with...

Participating in a Creativebug sketch challenge where the prompt was teacups...

And this tree which has sparked ideas for a new product. More to come as things start to take shape...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

XO,

{Goodwill > Target}

If you know me at all, you are aware of the fact that I'm a bit obsessed with Target and midcentury design.

So when I saw this lamp on our last Target trip I fell in love.

But not with the $65.99 price tag. I refuse to pay that for a Target lamp, or a Target anything for that matter. Target is for clearance deals, the dollar spot, and cheap popcorn.

So the lamp stayed on the shelf.

Fast forward a week, perusing the aisles at my local Goodwill, I spotted this!

Sure it was more than a bit dingy and the shade wasn't the right scale, but otherwise it was perfection. 

And $6.99. 

So I brought it home, spiffed it up with a fresh coat of white paint, added a shade I already had hanging out in our laundry room, and voila!

I wish the details are more visible in this photo, but you can see them in the before. I'm in love with the texture and pattern on the base, and that wood makes me drool. So good. 

Is there anything better than a fantastic thrifted find? I think not.

Have you scored any awesome thrifted deals lately? Show me! Oh, and if you want more tips on Goodwill shopping, check out my 5 Rules for Scoring Big at Goodwill!

XO,

{happy books}

I've been a bit obsessed since, oh, last week, at organizing every single thing in our house.

I guess it is all a part of my one little word for 2016.

One thing that has been driving me crazy lately is my book collection, which has been overflowing my bedside table and a too small basket for over a year now. So, I was looking for some sort of bookshelf that would fit in the little nook inside our bedroom door.

And then yesterday someone at work was selling wooden crates for cheap....and...voila!

Instant bookshelf!

I love how I'm greeted by all of my favorites when I walk into our bedroom now. 

I can see every title and choose whatever inspiration I need that day, from Shauna Niequist to Lisa Congdon, Austin Kleon to Bob Goff. 

And on top I gathered a few happies that help to center me and remind me to breath and relax...

I'll probably dress up the top a bit more, but this was a happy start.

My favorite thing about this little book nook is the feeling of calm and happiness it brings me whenever I walk into our bedroom. I think there is some good feng shui here, and I'm a total believer that a visually appealing space can positively impact your attitude. 

Are you tackling any home organization projects so far this year? Tell me about them!

XO,

{where are you growing?}

I'm working on new illustration ideas for 2016 and this is the first handlettered quote I've started. 

You are going where you are growing.

If you aren't growing in a part of your life, there isn't going to be much, if any, momentum. 

Growing can take on many forms from simple to complex. It can look like being more intentional and positive with how you interact with family and friends. It can mean learning a new skill through a class or practice. Growing can look like reading that book you've been meaning to start, getting your body moving more, drinking more water, taking time for self-care. 

Wherever you want 2016 to take you, be sure you are growing in that direction!

XO,

{one little word 2016}

Have you ever had a year start with so much anticipation and thankfulness that it seemed too good to be true? 

I'm finding myself in that place with 2016. It is going to be a year of renewal for me, in so many forms and all at the same time.

I'm saying thank you under my breath, and out loud for that matter, quite often these days. 

While life has been good and blessed for us the past few years, it has also been tough mentally. Money has been tight, my anxiety has felt like an uphill battle more often than I would like to admit, and issues of the heart have left me with a crack that I'm still working on filling. (Although I've heard, and believe, that the cracks are where the light comes in, so I guess I'll let them stay.) 

Despite all of that I have been tremendously happy, learning bit by bit that the rough moments make the smooth ones that much easier to appreciate. But at the same time, an unwelcome scarcity mentality has creeped in, and I have accustomed myself to expecting things to not go well. Honestly I've convinced myself that the good stuff is for other people, and surely not me.

But then the past year happened. My coloring book happened. Things with my career started getting easier. An extra work project came along that is going to give us a bit of unexpected money, so we're, fingers crossed, planning a waaaay overdue kitchen renovation. And as if that isn't enough, my boss has approved a six-month sabbatical for me this year! (Never, in my life, did I think I'd be using the word sabbatical in a sentence about my own job.)

Six months of doing research and working from home or the coffee shop or anywhere I want to, thank you very much. 

Who gets to live this life?! This girl? 

I'm seriously expecting Ashton Kutcher to jump out from behind my couch right now as I type this and yell "You've been punked!" But then that would mean Ashton Kutcher was in my living room, which really wouldn't be a horrible thing. 

Everything is coming together this year in a way that, quite honestly, freaks me out and elates me at the same time.

With all that in mind, I've chosen "renew" for my one little word this year.

1. to begin or take up again
2. to restore or replenish
3. to revive, reestablish
4. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again

This is going to be a year of beginning, of replenishing, of reviving, and of restoring. 

I don't think I have ever been this excited about a new year.

I'm ditching that scarcity mentality, saying thank you to God for this year of renewal, and finding every way possible to enjoy this ride. 

I'm gonna have renewal happening all over the darn place.

Starting with six months of not punching a clock. Whoa. For a girl who has worked an 8-5 office job for 17-ish years, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that one. The first block of time starts in March and while not on paper yet, I already have a list started in my head of projects I want to work on. I got a jump start today by cleaning out my sock drawer. Talk about renewal...how the heck can so many unworn socks fit into one 6x12 inch space?

I've been pinning kitchen ideas like CRAZY. I calculated that between our two houses, we've lived with horribly yucky kitchens for a total of 10 years. Get ready for some major renewal, nasty 60's speckled-counter kitchen. I also have lots of other house projects in mind, like cleaning out closets, painting, and refreshing my "art studio" in the corner of our rec room. 

And then there is the mental renewal I'm already feeling...space to dream and think and plan. Knowing I'll be able to start my mornings the way I want to (after we get the boys to school, that is) with a slow breakfast, exercise, scheduled time for my art, and fitting in my work research whenever and wherever I want. 

Goodness my mind is spinning in every wonderful way thinking about the freedom this will open up. 

And lastly I'm SUPER excited to keep the momentum going with This Girl's Doodles. I have no idea what this year has in store. I have no other plan but to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to what is sent my way. The coloring book has truly been a gift, and if that can come my way who knows what is next. 

I know that this gift of time will open me up even more to inspiration, and I'm jazzed and anxious to see how that translates onto paper. 

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading and sharing in my excitement. I truly believe it has taken a community to get me to this point, and you are a part of that! 

Have you chosen a word for 2016? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Now let's go live the heck out of 2016!

XO,

{new coloring book!}

Oh friends I have the most exciting news to share today!

For a few months now I've been working with a publisher on a new adult coloring book, and today it is available on Amazon!

To say this is exciting is a bit of an understatement. In fact, I cried like a baby when I first saw it. Even though I've known this was going to happen since August, seeing it finally finished and available, with my name as the illustrator, blew me away. I have a legit Amazon "author" page! Holy moly! :)

If you have purchased my original coloring book, this one has all of the pages from that version, with eight new fabulous pages for a total of 25. This one below is a personal favorite...

And the book is only $7.99 right now! You really can't go wrong. 

From the bottom of my doodling heart I want to thank you for supporting this journey. 2016 isn't even here yet and it is already going to start out with a bang. I'm so darn grateful.

XO,

{free Christmas printable}

Hello and happy weekend!

I have a fun free Christmas printable for you tonight...

You may recognize this doodle from the December calendar. I did a little tweaking and turned it into a chalkboard print in two different colors. Perfect little addition to your holiday mantle, entryway, cubicle or frame it as a quick neighbor gift!

Get the green version HERE

Get the black version HERE

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

XO,

{holiday happies}

I am having SO much fun shopping for happies (aka gifts) for all of my family and friends this year. 

Here are a few of my most favorite recent finds!

This pen...

I picked one of these up at TJ Maxx and it is super fun. I mean, come on. Like a magic 8 ball but so much better.

These freaking adorable bookmarks...

I have this coffee set and they are super sturdy and make reading even more fun.

These banners from Paper Source...

I really want to get the potty mouth one, but will probably settle for good vibes, because, 7-year-olds. 

This book...

Because Glennon is the best. 

This Christmas album...

Mindy's voice is so angelic and beautifully happy. I promise you'll love it. 

You can't go wrong with a good Christmas pillow...

And hello free shipping!

And cozy slippers are just a necessity if you live anywhere with an actual winter...

These are only $14.99. And again with the free shipping!

And finally how about one of my coloring books with a fun set of markers...

That's a whole lotta happy! 

Have you started Christmas shopping? Post links to your favorite finds in the comments!

XO,

{Because life.}

I haven't been blogging much these days, but this morning I have the itch. 

Thinking about decorating for the holidays, and thankfulness, and anxiety.

I pulled out my box of Christmas decorations over the weekend. It is an old plastic tote that was probably passed down to me from my Mom when Dan and I got our own place. And after years of adding to our stash of tinsel and cardboard sparkly houses and garlands it was overflowing when I put it away last year. But I pushed the lid on as well as I could until I heard the sides pop, and put it away in the downstairs closet to wait another year for attention. 

When I opened it Saturday, and started to pull out our "Santa stops here" sign and my hand knitted garland, I saw it.  Mold. Apparently leaving everything in a musty basement closet in a box with a not so tight lid wasn't the best idea I've had in my lifetime. 

I cleaned what I could, threw away what I couldn't, and without a tear went to TJ Maxx to replenish what had to go in the trash. 

A few years ago I would have cried over that mold. I would have let it ruin my day and been sour grapes for at least 2-3 hours. I've never been so good with change...with molding. 

The past few years have molded me into an entirely new person. That molding was painful, and still is some days. Becoming a mother...every day becoming a mother. Struggling with a painful split in my family that seems like it will never heal, but has taught me so much about myself. Learning how to be a better wife to Dan through lots of mistakes and, thankfully, forgiveness. 

Holidays give us the time to look at what we've molded ourselves and our life into...and reflecting on what we've created.

The Christmas decorations are just icing on the cake, really. They don't define the holiday. They are the backdrop for the really good stuff we are placed on this earth to enjoy. 

The conversations with my boys about what they want Santa to bring them, and what they want to
buy for each other. Sitting in a comfy chair next to the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, enjoying a mug of coffee with whipped cream. A shopping trip to Wal-mart with my Mom to pick out Legos for the boys and happily peruse the Christmas decorations. Picking out happies for my Grandmother so I can send her a Christmas care package full of things to make her smile. Shopping for two teenage girls who's mother needs a bit of extra help this year... lip gloss and journals and candy. Watching my husband, who is not a fan of photos, snap picture after picture of the boys decorating the tree. Remembering to take a selfie with both of my parents after a day spent with them and the boys, making Christmas cookies, decorating their tree and enjoying pizza.

All of that up there has me feeling SO blessed this year.

But can I be honest? At the same time I am sad. And scared. And anxious. 

Because life. 

I used to beat myself up over feeling those above things...because life is good and I have everything I need and blah, blah, blah. But not anymore. Because life is complex and hard and the biggest contradiction we'll ever face. To quote one of my favorites, Momastery, life is "brutiful". 

I don't know if this post has made any sense at all, but I just want you to know that if you feel happy, blessed, scared, sad, anxious, overjoyed...all at the same time...you're not alone. I truly think, at our most true selves, that's the way God intended us to feel. A big old ball of emotions. Thankful and anxious. Noticing the blessings and the hardships. 

Because life. 


XO,

{holiday coloring book!}

Hello friends!

With the holidays in full swing, {raise your hand with me if you already started Christmas decorating/shopping!} I thought a holiday coloring book would be a fun way to help you de-stress and relax.

So I put together a five-page printable holiday coloring book with lots of festive images from a cozy fireplace to lots of holly to happy ornaments. 

You can grab it today in my Etsy shop! And remember to tag your photos with #coloringwithTGD! 

XO,