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

Artistic Endeavors

Art

“better to create crap than to not create at all”

For a long time, I’ve had a hang-up with sketchbooks, notebooks & journals. Don’t misunderstand me.  I love them.  I walk through the notebook/journal section almost every time I’m at a store that carries them.  I look for ones with beautiful bindings, filled with inviting papers.  And I’ve certainly bought enough of them. But, what I’ve accumulated is a collection of journals and sketchbooks that have two or three pages filled, a few pages torn out, and then the balance of the pages are blank.  So I’ll stroll through the notebook section, get wooed into buying another one, and do the very same thing to that one. I finally had to draw a line.  Stop buying notebooks until you fill the ones you have.  Don’t fill them in a spirit of angst and criticism, but with joy and passion. Why does that seem so hard? It’s hard because I approach

Read More
Art

new paintings for sale & quiet in a busy season

I usually don’t post on the weekends, but I wanted to pop in to let you know I’ve listed my latest round of paintings for sale.  These are the ones that are up for auction in this group… You can check them out HERE. With the nicer weather, a push to complete projects, and all of the activities that come with the end of the school year, I haven’t had as much time to paint, but I am still working through the #100oilstills series.  I hope to do a lot more painting this summer, though. I have been working on some sketching in addition to painting through an online class I’m taking.  I was initially planning on taking some art classes at the local community college, but then I saw a three year online course offered by Renaissance Academy of Fine Arts – Online Classical Impressionist Art Lessons.  It was

Read More
Artistic Endeavors

the stool covers are back

Remember these cuties?  They were ticking stool covers made as reproductions of one I made out of antique ticking for an industrial stool and sold by Decor Steals a couple of years ago… Those simple ticking stool covers were a big deal for me, because it was the first product I designed that was reproduced.  Well, they’re ba-ack! We changed up the fabric to a different style of ticking and they are available in red & blue… They have fit well on just about every stool I’ve tried it on, but check your measurements to make sure. I love how they soften up a hard piece of furniture and add a custom farmhouse finishing touch. And the fabric has a great woven texture… They are on sale now HERE at Decor Steals, if you want to get your hands one (or more).  If you want to make some yourself, you can

Read More
Artistic Endeavors

rugs & quilts & other things dreams are made of

As my business has grown and hit milestones over the years, I’ve learned that things seem to come in waves.  There will be a lull just before another swell.  Right now is a swell.   My first fabric line officially launched just a few weeks ago and in April we launched a new MMS Milk Paint color and I just got through the final approval stages of the two rugs I designed for Dash & Albert.  Never thought I would string a sentence together like that. So, let’s start with the rugs.  Here is the one I received a couple of weeks ago… It is still surreal seeing it in person.  Even when I look at the picture, I have to remind myself that it isn’t a mock-up!  This rug is beautiful.  It has a thick, soft pile that feels so comfy underfoot.  I think it works well with the pattern and

Read More
Art

finding the perfect paint for art journaling

As I shared a few weeks ago, I have a fun trip coming up this fall!  I’m going to France and Italy with my mom for a part person, part business trip.  I am so excited about just being there and taking in all of the beauty.  I am also looking forward to painting and sketching in parts of the world that are so rich in art history.  I just want to soak it all up. So, I’m already trying to get my art supplies selected, so I can practice with them and have my creative routines down before I get there.  When I went to Florida earlier this month, I was planning on doing a lot of watercolors, but I found I was just not enjoying them as much as oils.  I am going to practice with them some more, though, because watercolors travel so well.  I’ll probably use

Read More
Artistic Endeavors

no-sew custom dinner napkins & fabric launch

After years of design work, coordinating, learning, waiting, and creating, my fabric line is finally going to be available for sale (find a store HERE), so this week kicks off the official launch of Bunnies, Birds & Blooms by Free Spirit Fabrics. I have partnered with some talented creators and Instagrammers to show off the fabrics.  They are amazing quilters.  I am not.  They will be showing the super-fancy sewing projects.  I’m going to show the super simple, no-sew project for my non-sewing, non-quilting readers. As I was thinking about a good, no-sew project, I was also working on a table setting for a photo shoot and I realized I had sold the majority of my colorful cloth napkins when we moved. I had a moment of inspiration.  My fabrics would be perfect with my table setting and cloth napkins would be ridiculously simple to make.  That’s the project I

Read More
a slice of life

Tuscany, Paris, & Junk Bonanza

I have a couple of very exciting trips and events coming up this year that I wanted to share, in case you’re able to join me.  The first one is a biggie. A few months ago, I received an e-mail from one of my MMS Milk Paint retailers, Dana, of Le Beau Chateau.  She is a seasoned world traveler and has taken and led many trips to Europe.  She pitched the idea of a creative retreat in one of her favorite places – Tuscany. I’ve had a few invitations like these over the years.  I would always get a quick rush as I allowed the idea to become a reality in my mind.  But the real world…small kids, a husband in school, etc. would pull me out of the daydream.  It just wasn’t the right time.  Maybe one day, it’ll be the right time. When this opportunity came, it was

Read More
Artistic Endeavors

the process of designing textiles

In case you missed the happy news, Free Spirit Fabrics, the maker of my fabric line, was bought out by Jaftex and saved! That means Bunnies, Birds & Blooms will be available for sale and I’m finishing up my second collection! Since I’m in the throes of color ways, I thought it would be a good time to share my design process and how much it’s grown from where I started. When I was first approached to design a fabric line, I was thrilled about even the thought of it.  I’ve loved textiles for a long time and this was a dream come true.  When I actually sat down to put design ideas on paper, I realized I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.  No clue.  The designs were there.  They were in my brain.  How do I put them in a format that can be shared with

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