June 10, 2010
Here’s a little something you might be interested in. I’m doing a bunch of new Easter/spring cards for Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, which will be available this coming spring. I had the idea for one of them during one of our staff meetings in which we were discussing how many cards we needed to provide QUICKLY to PRG– the operative word here being QUICKLY. Here’s the doodle I did on our agenda:
I thought at first I would do it in flat colors with just markers on colored paper…
But I decided it looked too washed out (although it might be good for a fabric design). So I redid it one more time in the old-fashioned way— pen and ink, markers, and colored pencils. I like this one the best…
What do you think?
~Mary
I agree-third time’s the charm! Keep makiang new things and I love the idea for fabric. I can never have enough of that as a quilter!
Third time’s the charm definitely. Love it!
The markers give it an old-fashioned look-not unlike many of your designs. Reminds me of the old 1930 magazine covers my mother-in-law kept. Personally I perfer tht look. It is unique like you!
The 2nd one is just sooooooooooo Mary and I love it for that reason!!!!!!! Keep up your great sparkling talents!!!!!!!!!!
Love it!! Lovw it!! Lovw it!!
Oh to be so talented? I like the 3rd sketch.
I love seeing your creative process. I hope you’ll share more of that in the future. I also love the owl and the bluebird since I have a thing for those two birdies!
OK….now I REALLY can’t wait for all the new cards! And, by the way, I like all three versions….for different reasons. The doodle I love because it is fresh from your brain and so “colorable” (plus the bunny in that version is soooo good)…the second because sometimes I really like simple, and the third, of course, is just so Mary. Thanks for the taste of what’s coming!
You are so creative! I loved seeing the thought process. Love your art! It’s all over my house and office. Thanks for remaining true.
Hi Mary Im one of the finalist in the recipe contest for the Christmas book. Im so excited! What I like about the final drawing is the vibrant colors we all are used to with your drawings, it just pops more. Everything comes to life, its more cheerful, its amazing how diffrent characters look with just a diffrent style. Keep up the good work, and Please come to Orlando again, I missed you when you were here last time.
The 3rd time’s the charm!
The last one is by far the best. The bunnies, and owl and squirrel are so “Mary.”
I just want to poke that little squirrel’s tummy! He’s so cute!
The second one is ok BUT the last one justs pops MARY, the Mary we all immediately recognize and love. I especially love the ‘spring’ in twigs, and it is those special touches that make us your fans… sweet, innocent, fun! The second one is ok but too blah to be you.
They are both precious! Can’t wait to get them!
Thanks Mary – I love softer colors so I like the second one. But I have to admit it wouldn’t matter which one you print in the end. I would purchase either of them. They are both beautiful.
Thanks for showing us your creative process and also for the humorous posts on your blog. I enjoy it!
I love the last one. Thanks so much for taking us through your artistic process.
The last one is the best indeed! Pure Mary! Amy
Love the third of course. May I make a suggestion for the second? It would be fabulous as a crewel work kit for a pillow or even a wall hanging. I’m partial to pillow but to each her own.
The colors and texture just scream out wool thread.
Oh, I love it! It’s so Mary! Please make it into a print.
Definitely the last one! It is joyous! The blue would be lovely for quilt fabric.
I love the last one! It is fun seeing your process. Have you ever done a book (or whatever) showing how to draw some of your flowers? I would love to learn how to draw the little round flowers and any others you would be willing teach.
Love the last one the best! I love the wonderful depth in the color and the little details in the second!
Melissa w/ Fischtale Designs
You’re always a wonderful reminder to express the art inside.
Bless you today!
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
– Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
I love the third drawing!!! I’d also like to see it on fabric. I really like the bright colors that you use. Your page-a-day daily calendar has been bringing a smile to my face for years.
Love seeing the process. From doodle to refined.. most assuredly the last one scream Mary!
LOVE the surprise look on the owl’s face as it greets the blue bird! Just wonderful expression of spring time and greeting the new season.
Marilee.
You are amazing!! I like them all but the last one is so “breit”!! I, along with many others, can’t wait for your magazine to come out again. How much longer do we have to wait – it’s killing me!!! Thanks for keeping everyone up-to-date with your newsletters – I love them.
So totally creative! thank you so very much for sharing how your creative and colorful mind works!
I can’t believe how just having the tulips bend in different directions, and the owl leaning out from his hole could make such a difference! The 3rd photo is so vibrant–not only with color, but with “action”. And your thought process and progression–you’re incredible!!
It is fun to see your doodle process up to the final piece! I work the same way, so it is fun for me to see your thought process too
I love the pen & Ink, markers and colored pencil card as well! It is my favorite out of the two! Thank you for your fun blog Mary!
Karabeth
Love seeing your creative process!!! I like the last one best—so cute—so Mary!!
I think all 3 are very different in their own way – the first is cool because it looked like the flowers were going to be cupcakes and ice cream cones; the 2nd looks somewhat Americana and the 3rd is typical ME. All great!
Love them all, esp. the last one. Adore the little critters.
OH Yes! The second ‘Spring’ really pops and grabs me with the vibrancy I’ve come to know as ME. Thanks for sharing with us and for continuing to follow your heart.
Long time fan collector and admirer,
Jan
I love seeing the process, but the last one is definitely the winner. Gorgeous!
I loved all the illustrations and will be looking forward to seeing the new card. Your blue doodles are so lively and, as someone mentioned, they would be lovely on a set of dishes. Love the cupcakes on stems. I currently have all the summer issues of Home Companion on my porch table and am enjoying them (again) so much. Thanks for all the times you’ve enhanced my day!
Yep! The second one all around. You’re right about the first one — it would make a great fabric.
A follower of many years,
Pat
I have to share something wonderful. When I left CA to move to CT I had to give away my entire Mary Engelbreit collection because I could not afford to ship all my books and magazine collections. The Marina del Rey library accepted everything I did not give to friends. I knew the books were in good hands. On Friday a friend of mine here in CT gave me her entire ME magazine collection because she was not making use of them and knew I would make use of the magazines. I am thrilled. It has been wonderful rereading some of the old treasures. Your magazine is timeless. All the best! Can’t wait until you find a new publisher so I can start collecting again. Interesting that at least two magazines have been developed around your ‘visit the artists’ articles you had in your publication. (Oh, and I liked the third one best also.)
Pamela
Mary–It was so neat to see your original ideas/sketches and how it turned into the adorable final product! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful, as always!!!! The second is my favorite. I’m visiting family in St. L next week and reading your blog gets me excited all over again. Great things come out of St. Louis:)
#3!!!! By all means! I wish I could doodle and create something like that! My doodles turn out to be…well, doodle! Thanks for sharing the process!
Love them both, Mary! But, yes the second one will warm us instantly after a long, cold winter.
Thank you for sharing your art with the world. Your art is encouraging on tough days at work in my elementary classroom. My students enjoy your work and check out each page of my daily calendar. Your positive message is a great service to us all.
I LOVE your new design. I am drawn to the second one because it is more subtle. Your art is consistently entertaining and enchanting.
Can Spring hurry up and get here, I can’t wait to mail these out to people! Who wouldn’t smile if this was waiting for them in their mailbox?
Looking forward to seeing more of your cards in stores. Thank you for showing us your sketches.
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Support for Technology
I love the last one! Your art is so inspiring! I dabbled in art when I was in school. It was always my favorite subject! My dad oil paints when he has time off from work mainly landscapes but they are just beautiful! My second job out of high-school in 1998 I worked in a drug store with a gift shop in Conway, Arkansas where I first seen some of your gift items. I just love your art, books and gift items. It seems like every time I read the little quotes and see such colorful pictures it lifts me up and really sets my imagination off with pleasant thoughts! My little girl is 3 now and we have been reading your Mother Goose book which we both really enjoy! Good luck with your work you have wonderful talent! : )
How to keep our art fresh and maintain the loyal fans who have loved “our look” –that is an interesting problem, both for art and marketing.
I personally like the dark outline and definition of your original style more than the pale & subtle, but I think with your talent, when its done to suit your standards, it will sell. Have fun!
I like them both but, like others, the second one does say “Mary did this”!
By the way, Vicki of Cherry Chick Jewelry (cherrychickjewelry.blogspot.com)has started, today, a weekly “ME Monday” blog party where anyone can show their favorite ME items!
Thats why your the artist and I am not.
Beautiful.
Love the 3rd one, too!!!! I love all the little critters!