Fresh off the press!

Introducing...  

The 2015 Orthodox Christian Calendar 

with illustrations by yours truly!   

 

 

 Photo credits Tori Ava Photography

Just in time for Christmas!  Now available in my Etsy store-- order one now for yourself!  Or, grab one for a friend, god-child or family member!  

Each calendar is $17

You might recognize many of these X.K. "classic" illustrations, and notice a few new ones.  This calendar is a fabulous to way add a little art to your world, while serving as a functional monthly calendar.  Faith + function + art-- we all win! 

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Each new year, I look forward to putting a fresh new calendar in my kitchen. I absolutely love how much a beautiful calendar can brighten up a room, while serving a purpose in the home.

This year, I wanted to make a calendar that reflects the way Orthodox Christians live out the Faith. I gravitate towards colorful illustrations, so I gathered 13 of my own pieces to display in this calendar.  As an artist, I am inspired by my family, and the ways we work out our salvation on a daily basis. 

I hope that you can find a spot for one of these calendars in your kitchen, your office, your dorm room-- wherever! May it brighten your day, and encourage in your day-to-day Faith.

The calendar features 13 copyrighted watercolor and/or pen and ink illustrations, running from January 2015 through January 2016. Included are the twelve major feast days, Great Lent and other important dates in the ecclesiastical year, according to the New Calendar (Gregorian). It is printed on medium weight cardstock, and is ready to hang on your wall.

Proceeds from calendar sales will go to the Buiding Fund of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Oregon. Your purchase benefits my parish, and the spreading of the Orthodox Faith in west Portland.

This wall calendar measurements: 7.5”(h) x 10” (w) folded.
Unfolded, as presented on your wall, it will measure 15”(h) x 10” (w) 

 Thank you so much for your support of this blog, and of my artwork over the years! 

I truly hope and pray that your 2015 is blessed! 

Exciting Preview...

I'm SO THRILLED to announce a new project I've recently been working on.  It will be available for sale in my Etsy shop this weekend, so please check back soon for the official release!  Hint: It is pretty, it is useful, and it makes a great Christmas gift!  Or, you know, you could look at the above photo and take a guess.  :D

I'll be back soon!  More to come, so stay tuned! 

Hand-made "Church Bags"-- available now!

Hi Everyone!

I'm so excited to share with you some recent makes that are now available in my Etsy store!
Introducing my very own "Church Bags"!
Perfect for packing your kiddo's favorite parent-approved goodies to take Sunday morning.  Most children's sized "Bible books" can fit inside.  Add a notebook and crayons and any other books just for church, and you're kids will be ready to go with a satchel just for them!   Your little one might even want to bring their coin purse/ wallet for offering! 

Four years ago, I made a bag for V. that was specifically for bringing to church services.  That little bag is still being used to this day, and it makes Sunday mornings a little easier.  I don't know about you, but my kids are SQUIRRELLY during services, and having something to keep them quietly occupied has been a huge help for my husband and I. 

Of course, these are not JUST "for kids"!  I sold some at our church's Greek festival a few weeks ago, and two of my customers were adults who do intend on using them for themselves!   A charming little bag like this would make a great gift for anyone!

I'm offering them on Etsy for $25 each.  Each bag features an original design, hand-painted by me using good quality acrylic fabric paints.  The bags were then sewn together.  Let me tell you-- I LOVED making these!  Combining illustration with sewing is really "Where it's AT!" (2 turn tables and a microphone) for me.

Please visit my shop for more details.  Feel free to convo me via Etsy, or leave a comment here if you have any questions!  Interested in a custom commissions?  Let's talk!

Thanks so much! 

 Happy Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos today!  Happy Names' Day to my sweet little Masha Mou! 

   Oh!  Also, thank you for your prayers regarding my platelet count.  As of last Friday, my platelet count was up to 99,000!!  Praise God!!!  Let's hope they stay up from now on!  :D 

More Novemberness

If you are Orthodox, you probably have about 17 people in your parish who celebrate their feast day on Dec. 6th. Nicholas, Nicole, Niko, Nicolina, Nick, Nikki... to name just a few. :) I'm looking forward to celebrating Saint Nicholas' feast on the 6th with the various festivities taking place at school and Church. If you are in the market for some unique St. Nicholas cards, or would like to send some "Santa alternative" greetings this year, take a look at the latest addition to the ol' Etsy store! You'll find some other Christmas goodies there, too! :)

I did finish the trousers, by the way. See? Yes, I am doing the potty dance here. And that is dirty sock on the floor. Story of my life. I didn't end up lining them. The flannel was just too pretty to be hidden as a lining. Plus, I realized the fabric was a cool, linen-like weight, and would feel nice to wear in warmer weather. The trousers are nice, but I haven't had the guts to actually wear them out yet. I only really wear skirts to Church, and these feel too nice to wear out during errands. The pant legs are very, very WIIIIIDE... and when you are short and have to lop off a good 5 + inches off the pattern, you sort of end up looking stumpy. Ahh yes... wide-leg trousers are supposed to be worn with heels... too bad I am completely unable to function on any shoe with a heel over an inch.

I decided against the "bib" in the front. I initially liked it, because I like buttons. But then I realized i didn't like the shape, nor did I want any attention geared towards that area of my body! *blush*. So I just added a faux-band with buttons at the waist.

I have a couple more projects I'd like to complete before December comes... then I will focus on Christmas gifts... yeah, I originally said I'd start making gifts once the Nativity fast started... Looks like I am a LOT more selfish than I realized. Merry Christmas, Me.

Lord have mercy!

I'd better get to bed-- tomorrow is Liturgy, then General Assembly (bi-annual parish-wide meeting), and keeping lotsa crazy kids in line during it all ;) Glory to God for all things!

Busy little scrawlers

The "art bug" has officially infected Vasi. She is constantly coloring! And when she isn't coloring, she's asking me to print off "princess" coloring sheets for her. Susy, who I didn't really think liked to color, does have an attention span for it. It seems that 3 is the age where kids get bored and frustrated with drawing, because they can't get it "perfect." Vasi, at least, grew out of it, and I think Susy will too. Her Sunday school teacher commented that she does, indeed, love to color and always insists on finishing her coloring sheet. And look! It's my boy, who just scribbles, but looks awfully convincing as a hard-at-work budding artist. He clenches the marker (egads, I know... what kind of mom am I?) in his fist just so, and he hunches so very industriously over his "art". Or, even better, he'll sprawl out and draw, looking like a big boy working on his homework. He may grow up to be a great artist... or a great pantomime, since he seems to pick up on and imitate many of his sister's antics. "One" is such a fun age (and interestingly, lately he's preferred drawing with his left hand).




And then there's me. Drawing, making messes, scanning, squinting at the computer screen and editing... having fun. The woman who heads up our parish book store asked me if I had any Nativity cards to offer this year. So I've spent my spare time working on making cards, and today I had a chance to add some 6-packs to my Etsy shop! I know it seems way too soon to think about Christmas, but with the Nativity Fast beginning in just over two weeks, it's sort of nice to shop early and get preparations out of the way. Plus, if I can earn some extra money, I can replace our old camera with a new one, and stop taking cruddy pictures on my phone! :D So really, it's for a good cause. *wink*

Visit my art blog and leave a comment! I'm doing a drawing on November 4th, and the winner gets to choose a pack of greetings cards from the shop!

Reminder

This was an apple from our fruit bowl. I picked it up to slice for the kiddos, and I was startled to see this cross imprinted into it! Strangely, I didn't notice any damaged spots or creases on it when I had purchased it just a few days earlier. Regardless of what "caused" it, it's a reminder of God's love, even in the small things. How often I forget!

Lent has been a doozy, not so much because of fasting or services, but because of that ever-persistent, nagging thing that some refer to as growth. I'm a creature of habit, and I like my sins the way they are-- I don't need to be aware of any more of mine, thankyouverymuch. Lord have mercy! I have to stop beating myself up, and I think He keeps trying to remind me, too. All pain and suffering (or simply just striving and enduring) is temporal, and invites us to draw closer to the One who loves us.

And next week is Holy Week! May it be blessed, for you and yours. If you're needing any Pascha cards, I have replenished the Etsy stock.