Boho Inspired Wedding Invitation Suite

Molly's Boho Invitation Suite

Creating wedding invitations are some of my favorite projects. A couple months ago I created this suite for my brother and sister-in- law's wedding and I loved every bit of it. They're outdoor wedding had a laid back feeling with boho elements which made this really fun to dream up and create. Something I love to do when coming up with a fully custom suite is putting in simple details that are personal to the bride and groom. On the back of the invitation I added the illustration of a little picnic seating with their initials etched into the vases. Since they're wedding was outside and had picnic seating during the reception, the illustration gave a sense of what to expect from the wedding and tied in with the whole theme. Almost every part of this suite was hand painted and lettered, giving it a unique and organic look. We printed it on a creamy card stock and added the mossy green envelope to it to tie everything together. I loved designing every part of this from start to finish and loved even more that I got to create it for some of the people I love most! 

I listed this suite in my Etsy shop, making it available for any of you planning a wedding in the near future. You can click here to take a look, along with other pieces I have added to the shop for your sweet day. 

Logo for Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market

This project was an exciting one for me! Last fall I was asked by the team at Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market to create their new logo for them as they were starting to rebrand their business. I was so honored and excited that they would choose me of all people! It was so fun to work with them and come up with something they loved and were excited about just as much as I was. Something fresh and light, simple, with my own hand lettering and watercolor style is what we were going for. 

My process began with the sketchbook, as always, drawing out anything that came to mind and trying all kinds of different styles and lettering. Once we narrowed it down to a few they loved, I kept tweaking and working on those, pulled out the watercolors and worked on it some more.The final logo is what you see below and I love how it turned out. Not only is the logo spread across their new website and fliers and clothing and all kinds of stuff, but I also got to paint it on a giant mural you can see as the entrance piece to all of their markets. 

It's a pretty cool thing seeing my work all over a brand that is so well known and loved. And its even more fun to me that I get to be a part of the JITT "family" too. If you haven't checked out their markets yet, I highly recommend it. They bring in the best of the best with thousands of things to choose from that is sure to make you want to come back for more. I'm heading to LA next weekend to be a part of their first market at the Fairplex, so all you California friends please come say hi! 

Here is a little map I created for them too to let you know where and when all their markets will be this year! Hope to see you at one of them. 

Ephesians One Mural

I had so much fun creating this mural for our church a couple weeks back. This verse is at the center of everything that will be talked about in the next series we're going through and is being encouraged to memorize throughout the next couple months. When I was approached about the project, originally the idea was to have something painted directly onto the wall, but after I started sketching it out and knowing the amount of time it would take I wanted to make something that could be reused instead of getting painted over. So I came up with the idea of mounting something on the wall that could be hung in other places throughout the church once the series was over. Once I had the measurements figured out and the pieces were built, I realized I did some math wrong and didn't factor in what the size of the whole piece would be once they were all put next to each other. After trying not to freak out too long, I thought to overlap them and have the two smaller pieces pop off the wall--which in the end turned out even better as it saved space and created a dimensional look that would make the over all piece a lot more intriguing.

I spent the course of three full days working on this thing not including the sketching and digital processing time. (Shout out to my amazing husband who took on parenting duties--needless to say he's the BEST!) It was a hefty deal, making it the largest lettering project I've worked on to date! Sixteen feet high by 16 feet wide (each piece measured 8x8, 8x6, and 6x6). I started out sketching it onto graph paper and used my pen to make it look exactly how I saw it in my head. I then scanned it onto the computer to make final tweaks to the size and proportion it would be on each board. From there, I projected the digital file onto the board from my computer and made it fill the whole board. Then I got to sketching again, tracing out the digital picture in chalk on the the piece and eventually painting over the chalk to created the final look. Its a time consuming process, but I really do love every minute of it!

I loved getting to read through each paragraph as I sketched and created what I wanted the final to be, pulling out words that I wanted to have a focus on and creating lettering that would appeal to the overall feel of the piece. I felt like I put a lot of my own heart and self in this as I thought about the verse in my own life over and over. 

As any artist knows, we are our own worst critics, so I've tried not to be over perfectionist about it, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out! And even happier knowing its being hung in a sacred, safe place that is becoming a blessing to so many.

JITT Fall Market

Last weekend was the fall market for Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. It's crazy for me to think that only a year ago I was hoping (and praying) to be a part of this market as an outlet share my art. After doing three markets with them this year I've only become more and more grateful for the amount of support and work and new relationships that have come through this. I loved getting to talk to people that came through my booth and share parts of my creativity with them. It was so encouraging hearing the compliments and seeing how much people loved or were inspired by what I do. This market was especially exciting for me as I was asked to paint the new logo I designed for Junk in the Trunk on the giant wall people saw and took pictures in front of as they walked in. 

The months leading up to this weekend were packed with every minute I had to myself creating new artwork. I spent many nights staying up late just to get one more thing done. I can't go without saying how deeply thankful I am for the amount of help and support I have from those closest to me that come alongside me and encourage me in this journey. I get asked how I do it, and the honest answer is that I don't do it alone. Friends, family, and our community are the ones that make it happen. But at the core of it all is the man that I love most in this world. He dreams with me, believes in me, tells me that I'm good enough when I don't believe it. He humbly teaches me and listens to me and creates outlets and time for me to be myself and grow into who God has made me. I don't think I could've believed a year ago that I would be getting to do as much as I get to do right now with my art, especially with our little ones, but I would never be able to do it with anyone other than Shane. 

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart to those of you that I met, that came to say hi, and that have supported this journey of mine. It means more than words can say. 

And just in case you're wondering and/or couldn't be at the market, some of my new cards and prints are up in my Etsy shop for you to get your hands on! Much love!

Ivory Garden Wedding Invitation

Earlier this spring one of my very best childhood friends got married. I had the honor of designing her wedding invitations and helping her dream up her perfect day for her. It was a childhood dream come true for us as we talked all things wedding for several months straight. Everything about the wedding was simple, elegant, and endearing, just as she is! I wanted the feel of their invitation to give the same warm and pretty feel you get anytime you're around this couple. It was a joy for me to create her special day for her and an even bigger blessing to witness their big day first hand.

Junk in the Trunk

The last couple months have been non stop with art projects and its been a roller coaster of emotions for me! I'm so excited to be a vendor at the upcoming Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market and I can't wait to see what the weekend will bring. While I've been working hard on making things for the market I've also had many custom projects on my plate too and I've been so so thankful for it all. But to be completely honest, with every exciting moment I've had recently, a handful of insecurities have come with it. I feel like every piece of my heart and emotions go into creating things that come into my head. I have huge dreams and visions, and often get scared of what the reality will be if I actually make them happen. The market in May will be the biggest one I've ever been a part of so its equally exciting and overwhelming for me. Many thoughts have entered in about if what I'm making is good enough, if it will sell, if people will like it or not. I hate that these thoughts come to me. I hate that they rob people of achieving dreams and being who they were created to be. 

A few years back I probably would've let those thoughts stop me from trying or putting myself out there. But I came to realize (through the never ending encouragement and support from my husband) that creating and making and drawing and painting is what I was created for. This is the very nature God instilled in me and to not be that, to not grow into that more, would be robbing myself and others from what he would want to do in me through this part of me. 

So I'm doing it, one step at a time, trying to knock down the insecurities that scream in my face along the way. And I'm more excited and confidant and nervous than ever. And I couldn't do it without you too. So thank you for following along the journey. Thank you for your comments. Thank you for dreaming and being excited with me in this. 

I decided to show you some sneak peeks of what will be for sale at my booth (#136) for Junk in the Trunk. Along with these original hand lettered chalkboards, I'll also have new art prints and greeting cards for you. If you've never been the this market before its a MUST and I'm not just saying that because I'm a vendor there. I guarantee you'll find something unique and beautiful just for you along with having a blast just walking around, eating good food, and listening to sweet music. The event is one you don't want to miss. Grab some early bird tickets now and I'll look forward to seeing you there!