Happy 2012

Bye Dear 2011. I cant wait to see what 2012 is going to bring!
Here I have a little present for you. Click here to download your 2012 Calendar here and keep track of this awesome new year.

Happy New Year dear friends!

Christmas presents

This year we gave some special Christmas presents. I took pictures of some of the presents before packing and shipping and now I can share some of those gifts with you!

This is the pet portrait I made for my brother in law and family :)
Canvas 10x10 - Acrylic and ink.

I'll show you other presents tomorrow ;)

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas! See you next week :)

Printables PDF calendars!

The printable PDF calendar are ready! And you can buy yours here :)

This year, I have again the little cute owls and the birds in the tree, and also the new one random flowers (so far, my favorite!)

Your Digital Calendar 2012 comes in 8.5 x 11 sheets in a high resolution PDF file (each page have 2 month)
Each calendar page measures 4-7/8" x 5-1/2 (aprox) when cut out. PERFECT to fix your jewel case stand (calendar desk box)

You can save this file in your computer and then print the onto your own papers for your personal use. Perfect to create Holiday Gifts :)

After your payment is completed, I will email the link to download the files.
Note: Your link will be e-mailed to you within 12/24 hours of a payment received, and probably much sooner.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND:
These files are for personal use only. You can print as many as you want to use in your personal projects. You cannot resell the files.
(Design All right reserved)

You are awesome!

Let's the Holidays cleaning continue ;)
I found some sets of these cards between some original art.



These are awesome for gifts and/or to start the year totally inspired!
• 3 oversize inspirational flat cards
• Each card measure 5.47" x 8.50" (half of a letter size) and there are printed on Premium, 80 lb. (215 gsm) glossy card stock.
• The set have one “You are awesome" print, one "You Rock", and one "Everything is going to be ok" print.

$5 + $1.50 shipping

Ohhh Christmas...

I wish I can show you all the things I'm working right now, but I'll have to wait to after Christmas because the elf here and working non stop in a bunch of Christmas presents... and you never know who is going to read this little blog, right?
Oooohhh Christmas is lovely, but it's a lot of work... and don't get me wrong, I'm seriously grateful for all the work I have. I feel totally bless. But, sometimes it's a little stressful to try to manage everything. Maybe for that reason my favorite holiday-time is Fall, because you have the time and the intentions to enjoy with family and friends, and football, and a lot of food, just chill without being worry about presents.

OK, I have to go back to "production" mood. But before leaving, I want let you know about my dear calendars. Next Monday (hoefully) I will have some cool printable PDF 2012 Calendar to sell here in my blog. Those are going to be PERFECT for all the last minutes gift you will have in your list next week ;) Sooo... stay tune to get yours, ok?

And if you want to get a hard copy calendar with something cute like Owls, well, now is the perfect moment! I only have 5 calendars left!
Soooo hurry up!



Hello 2012 wall calendar:

Full bleed colorful printing

Each page measures approx 11" x 8.5"

Measures approx 11" x 17" when hung on wall

Wire-o bound

250 gsm heavy weight premium thick Paper

$22 + $3 shipping

Gift Tags - Freebie!

Do you need some cute original gift tags for your Holidays presents?
Well, you can download these ones here and print as many as you want at home!
(click here to download the PDF file)
EnJOY it :)

Papers scrap bags

I'm having a lot of fun cleaning my studio.
Lat night I prepare some "papers scrap bags". These little bags have a some papers, tags, birds, a flat magnet and a couple of 'She Believed" photo prints! and one or two little postcard surprise ;)



You can use all these things for scrapbook, cards, mini albums, mixed media art, collage, gift tags, decoupage, and more.

I only have 10 bags. Get yours now!
$7 + $1.50 shipping

~SOLD~

Thank you so much :)
Come back tomorrow to check what else I'll have here for you :)
Happy Thursday!

Fabric Scrap Bags!

Well, this is the first thing I did after digging a little bit on my supplies. I found a lot of fabrics! And because I have no clue how to sew, I was thinking maybe you will love to grab on of these little bags and make some crafts ;)




I made a total of 10 bags with scraps. Each bag have some pieces of fabrics with my original designs. Each bag is totally different, and the smallest pieces of fabrics there measure around 5x8 (inches). These fabrics are super perfect to make:
- coin bags
- pin cushions
- fabric buttons
- little bags
- patchwork
- quilts
- doll clothing
- mixed media art
... whatever you want ;)

You can buy your bag here!
Only $10 (plus $1.50 shipping)
Have a fun!

SOLD ~ Thank you so much!

Come back tomorrow and see what goodies I will have to share with you ;)

studio sneak peek

Are you thinking I'm going to show you here a picture of what I'm working on my studio right now?
Well... NO. Indeed, I'm going to show the STATE of my studio right now. I have NO SHAME.



It's really bad... I mean it... REALLY BAD. The worst part in my closet supplies. It's a jungle!
Why I'm showing you these pictures? Well, again, because I don't have shame... kidding (well, a little). I decided it;s time to put things in order here. I know it's the worst time to tackle this kind of project, but honestly, maybe it's the best time to do it. We are in the middle of the Chritsmas season, and this girl here have to start working (fast, really fast) on some presents. I'm pretty sure, in some little corner in the closet I can find some missing treasures, or some cool supplies I totally forgot I have, or some half done artwork. All those things will make AWESOME Christmas presents! Right?
And stay tune, because I bet you I will find some cool things like decal skins, fabrics, papers, and other treasures to share with you.
I can see a lot of crafting projects in my near future...
Happy Tuesday!

Let it snow!

I can smell Christmas in the air :)
Download your "Let it Snow" coloring page here in this link and play with your kids!

and the winners are

Well, THANK YOU so much for all the comments!
We decide to pick 2 winners... And the winners are:



Are you one of the winners? Send me an email with your mailing address and I will send you your iPhone3 cases!

Have a awesome week!

Cyber Monday BOGO Sale!

CyberMonday Sale :) Only for today
Buy one print, get one FREE
Go and check my Etsy shop and start the Holiday Shopping
http://www.etsy.com/shop/valentinadesign

After your order your print(s), during the checkout, let me know which print you want FREE. You don't have to add the free print to your shopping cart ;)

P.S: THANK YOU so much for all your comments in the iPhone 3 case giveaway. I will pick the winners tonight ;) STAY TUNE!!

iPhone 3 cases - Giveaway!

Well, I finally decided to upgrade my dear iPhone and I'm just waiting for Fedex to deliver my new shinny iPhone 4S. Soooo fancy ;)
And now the cases I used with my iPhone3 are sad :( Poor cute little things!

Do you want these cases? Remember, these are gently used cases, but their are in really good shape, maybe just a few scratches in the corners.

Well, leave a comment in this post and I will randomly pick somebody on Monday.

BTW, talking about Monday, how about having a fancy CYBERMONDAY sale? Do you like the idea?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I love love love this Holiday :)

Pillow covers!

I have some pillow covers ready to sale here in my blog!

Only for 3 days (until this Wednesday Nov 23) you can buy one or two or more pillow covers here in my blog FREE SHIPPING and for only $25 (each cover) ;)

Each pillow cover is made with Upholstery Weight Cotton Twill with one of my original designs and printed on Spoonflower. The back of the pillow have a complementary fabric, closes with a zipper and they do not come with inserts.
The size of each cover is 16x16 (aprox). If you want more pictures or details of the covers, send me an email (click here) or go to my contact page. and I'll be happy to respond all your question!

Under each picture you will find the Buy Now button, and there in PayPal you can pick which of the covers you want.

Pillow Covers

Victor Spring Paisley Owls Family Bird in Orange Orange and Purple Octopus Bloom Mr. Pavo Real Kai In the Garden

Pillow Covers

Little Owls Beta Fish (b&W) Feather heaven Dahlias Orange and Grey Aaron Orange Doodles Bird in Red Ava

Pillow Covers

3 Kings Beta Fish (color) Dina Bird in Pardise

Happy Monday!

Hello 2012 ~ Tea Towel Calendar!

My design is in the Top Ten (in the Spoonflower Tea Towel 2102 calender contest)
I'm sooo happy!

You can get your fabric here in this link.
The calendar fit in a Fat Quarter.

Happy Thursday!

My art on TV

You know the TV show "Kitchen Nightmares"? Well, my artwork was use in the renovation fo a restaurant in last Friday episode. I have been see the episode yet, did you see it?

Here you can see "Moo" in the left size and my "Something good is going to happen" birds in the right side.

Happy Tuesday!

Awesome inspiration source

A couple of weeks ago I bought this awesome Kal Barteski's mini bus roll. If you come to visit me one day, this is the first thing you are going to see

Cool, right?

Every single morning I read her blog with my cup of coffee. I think she is awesome. Her work and attitude is super inspiring. Sometimes I feel like a totally groupie (in a good normal way!) when I talk about her work :P
I guess you know her already, but in case you haven't see her work, check her blog for a serious doses of awesomeness and inspiration.

Happy Monday!

Coloring page

Note to myself: Remember to fill up your heart and mind with positives thoughts and wishes.

I think we all have to remember this. Wish good things. Keep your heart full of good feelings.
Download your coloring page here ;)
Have an awesome weekend!

Spoonflower annual tea towel calendar contest

The 2012 tea towel calendar contest in up at Spoonflower!
This is my submission.

If you liked, you can give me your vote, just click here to go to the contest page.

THANKS!!

My pens

A lot of people always ask about which pens I use. I have been using rapidograph pens for YEARS. These are the ones I use almost everyday.



One of those pens is almost 20 years old!

Prodcutive weekend

What a wonderful weekend I had...
We had tons of rain and grey clouds around here, and that means a lot of time to stay inside drawing.



Yes... it's was a really productive weekend!
Cheers for a wonderful new week!

Playing with paint

...And after the background on my canvases is dry and ready, I take my pencil and draw something... like birds ;)



Now it's time to put some colors on inside those lines



and now my favorite part... hours of quality time with my pen



and the little bird is ready ;)



Happy Thursday!

How I prepare my canvases - Step 2

I got a couple of questions regarding what I do after I prepared my canvases (with the newspaper and "engrudo" mix). Well here what I do... it's pretty simple ;)
After my little canvases are totally dry, I paint the background. I don't use gesso because (to me) after covering the canvas with the paper and the paste, the surface is ready to paint. Of course, this is the way I do it, and not sure if it's a right or wrong way to prepare your own canvas ;)
Usually I paint the canvas white before adding colors. Sometimes I go ahead and skip the white and I use the color I want to use for the background, but that happen when I already know what I'm going to do in that canvas. Because the way I cover my canvases is a little bit time consuming and REALLY messy, I prefer to do a lot of canvases at the same time, and paint all the backgrounds at the same time too.
For this part of the process I use whatever paints I have around ;) I really never use white white background on my art, it's more like a mix of white with sand color.



See? they don't look white-white

For those canvases I used a mix of all these paints.



Stay tuned for the next step!
Happy awesome Wednesday!

Implementing changes... UPDATE

Thank you so much for all the comments and "time management" tips :)
My plan was working GREAT, until Mr. Harper and I decided to just forget about being productive and take a super mini vacation!



We spent the last 4 days in California visiting my family in law. Fun times with family :)
And honestly, I think that was a great plan because the next 2 months are going to be craaaaazy with all the preparation for the holidays and 4 craft holiday shows ;)

Soooo... I'm getting ready to start working like a manic here ;) Tons cool things coming up!
Happy Tuesday :)

Implementing changes

I always have good ideas on how to organize my time but I have a serious trouble in the implementing process. I think my problem is the desire to make the prefect schedule and making all the changes at the same time. Let's get serious here, of course I cannot change and improve everything in just a day.. not even in a week (or month!). So... how about baby steps?

I'll start making changes and improving things on my schedule and I'll tell you the basic things I'm going to do. Maybe some of these steps are good for you too!

Right now is:



What I'm going to do?
1.- Make a To Do list first thing in the morning.
I need a to do list ALL THE TIME but I guess I'll be more efficient if I write my list first thing in the morning... before checking my email.

2.- Set the 3 more important things I have to do today.

Many times my lists can be super overwhelming, for that reason I will make the list but I will mark which 3 things are the more important. I will work on those task, and if I have time, I'll tackle more things.

3.- Disconnect from internet while I'm working on NO internet related tasks.
Internet is taking away half of my productive time! I don't know why I have to check weather.com 20 times a day.

4.- Set "email check" times.
I suffer of a compulsive disorder. I have to check my email every 2 minutes. It's ridiculous. Why I have to do that? Well, NO MAS. Now I'll set times to check the email AND I will do thing like: I cannot check my email until I finish one or two of my to do list tasks.

5.- Use a timer.
If I really want to be productive, I need to organize my time, right? Well, I need to set times per task. Sometimes I'm preparing some files, or doing a new design, or working in a new canvas and I can spent hours doing one of those things AND looking at the window, you know what I mean? Now I have to FOCUS on what I'm doing and stop looking how the grass is growing outside. I'll set a timer.

Those are the basic steps/changes I'll incorporate in my basic routine. In a few days I'll see if those changes work or if I need to do some adjustment.
And little by little I'll start adding more changes... Stay tune ;)

What do you if you need to focus in some specific tasks?
I would love to know what else I should be doing!

Confession

I really like the TV show The Good Wife (CBS). I Reaaaaally like it the whole show, but definetely my favorite part was seeing my poster in last night episode ;)

 

Can you see the posters in the back? Those are my "Dream Big" and "You Deserve" prints.

Yeahhh... I'm really happy!

Black and White and Colors

Meet Bo The Elephant.

I really like him just in black and white

 

 but I think he looks good in colors too

 

What do you think?

Happy Weekend!

October Calendar wallpaper

October is here! This is one of my favorites moths. I think fall is the best season. I like it more than Christmas. Fall Rocks ;)
I live in Miami and we really don't have this awesome season :( bummer. But still I can feel (a little bit) the change of the season in the air and the sky look more blue. And I'm SUPER HAPPY :)
Here a little present to celebrate the season!
Click here (or click the image) to download you October Calendar Wallpaper. You can also print it and keep in your bulletin board ;)



Happy Tuesday!

How I prepare my canvases

You want to know how to prepare your canvases "Valentina's style"? Here my simple tutorial ;)
I love to do this to my canvases because, ONE, I need a really smooth surface to apply the ink to my drawings and TWO, because I love the texture of the canvas after doing this!.

The Ingredients:



- Plain canvases. Also, if you have a old painting you don't liked more, or you are not so happy with what you did, you can reuse that canvas. I do that ALL THE TIME :)
- You will need flour and water
- Pieces of paper. I use whatever I have around. Recycling papers. brown craft paper and mostly all the beautiful unsolicited mail I get EVERY DAY.
- Football game (optional) Well, you can switch this ingredient for whatever you want to watch in the TV or music if you want. I made these canvases yesterday... and that means Football Day in this house.

1.- Cook the "glue". I'm not so sure how you call this, I call it "engrudo". You need one part of flour and 5 or 6 parts of water. I'm not the "engrudo" master, but my cooking system is: Mix the cold water with the flour, put in the stove medium, heat, and stir frequently until you reach a tick consistence. Let the mix cold down.



2.- Setup all the ingredients to start the party. As you can see, I covered the floor with some paper because it's a dirty party.



3.- Dip a piece of paper in the flour+water mix.



4.- Cover your canvas.



5.- Let the canvas dry.



6.- And next day... Voila! Ready to paint!



Easy, right?

Let me know if you have any question.

Happy Monday!