Botanica! (and other joyful things)

Suddenly it's November. A week gone by.

studio, calendar, desk calendar, watercolor art print, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

How did that happen?

Here it's been feeling like winter and although I still have a vase of frost-saved zinnias lingering on my dining room table,

zinnias, garden, flower gardening, garden flowers, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

my focus has moved on from my summer garden.

flowers, flowering houseplants, thanksgiving cactus, zygocactus, schlumbergia, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

It helps to have my indoor garden spread throughout my house. Greenery and flowers in every room. And inspiration everywhere I turn.

watercolors, watercolor, botanical watercolor, painting process, snake plant, sansevieria, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

An even more exciting antidote to dreary November (and the constant heartbreak in the news) is the arrival of Botanica.

Botanica, UPPERCASE Publishing, UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

Botanica is the third volume in the UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration, created by Janine Vangool of UPPERCASE Publishing. It's an absolutely gorgeous book, filled with inspiration and all sorts of botanical goodness. From tiny crocheted plants to vintage seed packets to paper flowers to floral design to painting...

Botanica, UPPERCASE Publishing, UPPERCASE Encyclopedia of Inspiration, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry

The most exciting part, for me, is the fact that my art and I are in these pages. Certainly a dream come true.

I'm rationing this book. Reading it in little sips because I don't want to get through it too fast.

In other botanical news... I just put the finishing touches on my new fabric collection and am eagerly awaiting the test swatches. I've shared a few peeks of it (this post shows the main design and here are a couple on Instagram) and I can't wait to show you the whole thing. Too bad it won't be available to order during Spoonflower's buy one get one free fat quarter sale (which is going on through Thursday). If you've been thinking about purchasing a Tea Towel Calendar (or two) to sew, now would be a great time.

tea towel calendar, nasturtiums, watercolors, botanical watercolors, Anne Butera, My Giant Strawberry, Spoonflower

My sweet blogging friend Karen who lives in Vermont recently stitched one and it turned out beautifully.

Not a sewist? You can order a finished tea towel from Roostery, now 15% off.

Finally, I've been playing around in my studio and created a little video to give you a hint of the start to finish process of my art print desk calendars. It includes a flip through showing each month, too.


This is my 5th year creating a calendar (you can look back at the others here). It's such a joy to know that my art is brightening the days of so many people, imagining you turning the page each month and finding the delights of one little bit of watercolor-captured magic waiting for you.

I hope you are discovering little glimmers of joy this week.

Comments

  1. I'm so excited for you, Anne!! Being included in such a beautiful publication must be thrilling, and it is exactly where you and your art belong!
    The little video is delightful and your new calendar looks lovely! I can't believe you do all the painting and production yourself. You are one talented, savvy lady!! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Judy! So happy that you've been along for much of my journey. You know where I started out and how far I've come. It means a lot to me.

      As for painting and production... by hook or by crook! Haha! Guess that's what happens when you're hard-headed and stubborn. :)

      xo

      Delete
  2. Congratulations! The book sounds delightful. Always lovely to see your pretty little botanical paintings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Tammy!! I hope you'll get a chance to look at the book. It's really gorgeous and full of so much inspiration!

      Delete
  3. Congratulations Anne!! So happy for you. Sweet video. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Carla! (I know you would LOVE the book!!). It means a lot to have you cheering for me!

      Delete
  4. I'm so glad to see so much going on over here, Anne! I think I may have to put Botanica on my wish list for Santa!
    The tea towel went together like a dream, just a bit of trimming and pressing and pinning before the stitching. Great weight on the fabric. They will be flying to several households this holiday season. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Botanica would be a wonderful thing to find beneath the Christmas tree. :)

      I finally feel like I'm getting back in the groove, creatively. I'd been in such a slump.

      I'm so glad you enjoyed hemming the tea towels. I hope they bring the recipients much joy this coming year!

      xo

      Delete

Post a Comment