Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

a slice of life

a slice of life

39

Today starts the beginning of the last year in my 30’s. I had a busy work day, but came home to my boys waiting for me on the driveway, fists full of “wild flowers” that they tossed on the sidewalk to mark my entrance. (Jeff pointed out that they were weeds, but let’s called them wild flowers.) And I walked in the house to the Happy Birthday chorus, cards, presents, and lemon cream cake. And I got what every woman who turns 39 wants… a sweet, tweed-covered Fender tube amp for my electric guitar. That’s right. Rock on. Oh, and I have gotten some furniture done this week!  Frenchie number one is done and I’ll be working on its partner in the next day or two.  I also have a few other pieces in the works. And PS, this fabulous blue linen dress is from .  When I posted a

Read More
a slice of life

onward

    There is a season for everything. And we’ve been through a lot of seasons together over the eight years I’ve written this blog.  When I first hit the publish button, my kids were in diapers, my husband was a full-time youth pastor, and I was a stay-at-home mom, taking a stab at starting a business to help buy groceries. God blessed this business beyond anything we could’ve imagined.  It enabled Jeff to transition into a part-time associate pastor position a couple of years ago, allowing him time to work towards his Masters degree as a full-time student.  And now, that season is coming to an end. Jeff only has a few more classes to finish in order to complete his degree, so he has started applying for full-time pastor positions.  We don’t know exactly where or when, but we will be moving to whatever church we feel God is calling him to.  We hope

Read More
a slice of life

caring for my longer hair

When I posted my updated profile picture a few weeks ago, I received many comments that were along the lines of, “Oh my gosh!  Your hair!!” I’ve had my hair mostly short for the past few years.  Every couple of years, I would get it into my head that I would grow it out, but then I would get impatient.  I would also realize that I really didn’t know what to do with long hair!  My hair tends to grow like a lamp shade and styling it would take forever.  So I would retreat to my familiar short, choppy haircut. I think it’s trolling through hairstyles on Pinterest that finally convinced me to grow my hair out and stick with it.  I’ve been growing it out since last October and just at the beginning of 2017, it seemed to go from a shoulder-skimming bob to mid-length overnight and I’m now enjoying

Read More
a slice of life

beijing | day one

Whew!  Well, I’m back in the US and it’s so nice to be back with home with Jeff and the boys, to sleep in my own bed, and to eat familiar foods again.  What an amazing trip, though.  Truly a memorable life experience in so many ways. It was so much that I’m still processing it and I’m sure I will be for a long time, but I did want to share some pictures and stories from my trip, even though there is no way that they can do the experience justice.  I will try, though! So, my mom, Debby (my licensing agent), and I first flew to Beijing to do some sight-seeing before taking the high speed train south to Minqing (pronounced Min-ching), in the province of Fujian, where I would be working for a week. Oh, I need to insert that our entire trip was planned with the assistance of

Read More
a slice of life

I’ve created a monster

My boys were really little when I started my business, both in diapers, in fact.  As a stay-at-home mom and new entrepreneur, one of the things I enjoyed most was getting out of the house and going to Hobby Lobby.  I would just meander, usually pushing one cart and pulling another (one kid in each cart or two kids in one cart and the other cart for purchases.)  I know it was a spectacle, but I had to find a way to make it all work. It was that point when my boys began disliking Hobby Lobby.  Even before they could read, they could recognize those capital orange letters. So, we’ve made a joke out of it.  Every time we drive by, I’ll ask if I can stop in there for about an hour to look around and they’ll throw their heads back and sigh out a big, “Nooooooo!” Well,

Read More
a slice of life

February Favorites

We’re almost halfway through March and I haven’t shared my February favorites!  I have some good ones, though, so I wanted to make sure I got this post finished and live.  If you want to check out my favorite products in January, you can see them HERE. These are the things I was really digging in February… To watch… Season two of Mercy Street on PBS (and streaming on Amazon Prime).  I absolutely love period dramas, so when Mercy Street premiered last year, I was all over it.  I couldn’t wait for season two and I finally got to watch and finish it in February.  It really is a well-done show.  My dad, who has a degree in history, doesn’t find it 100% accurate, but I love the characters and the backdrop. I also loved the movie Hacksaw Ridge and I highly suggest seeing it, if you haven’t.  Now, I

Read More
a slice of life

spring cleaning

It’s that time of year!  Well…almost.  Our February has been so warm and mild that it has felt like spring.  We’ve even thrown the windows wide open a few days and I’ve gotten the itch to start some cleaning, home maintenance, and organization…all of which, I suppose, can be classified as spring cleaning. I have started on a few things, like cleaning out the hanging space in my closet, washing all of the quilts in the house, and reworking the open shelves in the bathroom… But cleaning and organizing can be like dominos and I’m realizing that some nooks and crannies need a good scrubbing. It was about this time that I received an e-mail, asking if I would be interested in partnering with eBay on spring cleaning.  My first thought was, perfect timing!  Then I realized that I had never thought of checking out eBay for tools and supplies for spring cleaning

Read More
a slice of life

Peony & Lilac | Free Mrs. Meyers Products

I learned a few years ago that I love the smell of lavender.  I don’t ever get tired of it and anytime lavender is a scent option in a product, that’s the one I’m going to pick. That is what first enticed me to purchase a bottle of Mrs. Meyers cleaning products.  Well, after over two years of using the multi-surface lavender cleaner, I’m sold.  And that led me to other lavender-scented Mrs. Meyer products, like the laundry soap, fabric softener, surface scrub and glass cleaner.  My love of lavender also led me to start using Jāsön lavender body wash and liquid hand soap. The issue for me with buying some of these products is that I live in a small town and the full range of Mrs. Meyers products isn’t always available and I have to drive about 30 minutes to get it.  Now, I get them sent to my

Read More

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest