A MUSIC FESTIVAL WEDDING IN THE REDWOODS

How fun is the inspiration behind this wedding suite?  I had a good time working with this music loving couple to incorporate some unique elements that would reflect their wedding weekend.  I loved the brides idea to make the envelope liner redwood trees! The floral colors on the suite were chosen to reflect gem stones, the colors the bridesmaids were wearing.  So much fun to create. 

XO

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!

Hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend! 

XOXO 

NEW GREETING CARDS IN THE SHOP!

I've listed a few new single cards.  When I take photos like this, it makes me so happy to see how my line is coming together. Crunch time to NSS (less than two months away) and I'm still over here painting my buns off. Lots more to share soon. 

Shop them right here

XOXO

HELLO MARCH : MONTHLY DESKTOP DOWNLOAD

Happy March (a few days late as usual) and ALMOST Spring! 

I hope you enjoy this download for the month. I used some favorite flowers from my wall calendar that sold out in my shop last month...

Click to download: 

DESKTOP // PHONE 

XOXO 

The not so fun stuff: These designs are copyright of Shannon Kirsten Studio and are for personal use ONLY.  Not for re-sale. Please be respectful when downloading and sharing.

BLUSH & MUSTARD FLORAL BABY SHOWER

This isn't just any baby shower. This baby shower was for one of my best childhood friends (hosted with our other best, long time gfs).  This last photo above, that's us and sums us up perfectly. Always laughing about something, being silly, and cherishing our 19+ years of friendship. Friends turned sisters. It's unbelievably exciting to celebrate such sweet occasions for the people you love.  I was happy to lend my talents in making this day beautiful and memorable for Heather. That Sarah Tucker,   she made everything happen and opened up her beautiful home for the day.  I painted the flamingo crest and printed it on canvas to welcome all the guests to the party,  a just for fun 'photo booth' that I hand painted on Sarah's dining room floor one evening while planning last minute details.  We did a cheese table with calligraphy painted directly on it, some sweet treats and little sandwiches, infused water, pink champagne (of course). Sarah also secretly got baby photos that were placed about the house on white balloons.  We all laughed at the cute pictures and wondered who Ava will look like.  We are desperate to meet this little girl and it could be any time now with a due date of February 1st! 

featured on Little Peanut Magazine

Their maternity shoot on my photography blog today

XO

MID-WEEK RAMBLINGS // LATELY IN THE STUDIO

Hello! Just popping in to share a few favorite snaps of some work in progress from this past week.  The above photo seemed to be a hit on instagram. I loved all the nice comments about me switching it up a bit (with my color palette). YES, I will offer this as a print as soon as I have a free moment to clean it up and get a test print made to make sure it looks great before I offer to y'all. I never, ever use orange and yellow. Not because I hate them, I'm just not drawn them I guess. I don't wear these hues much / don't like how they look on me so maybe that's why? Anyways, I am challenging myself to introduce some new color combos into my life (all aspects of it) this year...

 I've also been really into old folk art lately and have been researching various European styles.  I'm not really trying to create an accurate depiction of it, but I like to feel inspired by different types of art and then just make it my own. Hence, the above and below photos. This stool has been around for years and I just randomly did this to it last week, ha.  I'm liking it so much that I am painting part of my spring collection in this style.  I can't wait to share what I'm working as spring and the National Stationery Show get closer! 

A few snippets from my desk and deciding what to turn these guys into...

Finally, my painting area after a long week.  It's not cute but it's necessary to my productivity. I like being able to leave everything out as sometimes I need to go back and forth from here to my computer. Coffee, a million paints, tiny brushes... ya know, all the essentials for surviving around here. haha. 

Hope you all are having a lovely week. It's raining today but Florida is finally experiencing our tiny spurt of winter. Not complaining about putting my favorite sweaters and boots to use that I never get to wear! 

XOXO

A YEAR IN REVIEW : 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

This year has been freaking incredible.  When I began thinking about 2015 and what it meant to me I was overwhelmed (also a little sad about how fast it seemed to have flown by).  Although when I really analyzed each month and everything I've done this year, I had a hard time processing how it all fit into 12 months. It flies by but it doesn't. Time is weird. I am incredibly thankful for business growth and the continued support from this wonderful online / social community (and of course from my family and friends!).  Using social media and this little blog to share my work is an amazing thing, I'm constantly in awe that I have 'fans' and forever grateful for the encouraging comments! 

I hope you don't mind taking a little walk down memory lane with me today.  These are my most prized professional and personal moments from 2015...

1. Collaboration with Hallmark
Back in May I was approached by Hallmark to collaborate...ecstatic to say the least. I created a four piece Valentine's greeting card collection.  I got to post a little sneak peek on instagram last week. I will be sharing more on this including where to buy and all four designs from the collection next month!

2. Travels; Antarctica, Argentina, and Iceland
I feel so incredibly blessed to see the world. Traveling has become a top priority.  It is truly priceless as experiences like these mean everything to me. I am so lucky to have my sister who shares a love for adventure, culture, nature, and making spontaneous travel plans.  This year we conquered two new continents with a trip to Antarctica...we had to fly through Argentina to board the ship to Antarctica so we decided to extend our stay on the way back so we could explore Buenos Aires. We've both had been wanting to visit Iceland after seeing magical photos of it over the past couple years.  This was totally unplanned and we threw it together in less than two months.  It's quite easy to get around Iceland and it far exceeded my expectations so I am beyond happy we made this happen! We just have two continents left and with a trip to Japan in the works for next year, we will just need to get to Australia. So exciting to be achieving this goal with my big sis.  You can read about my trips in more detail as I blogged them by day earlier this year; Antarctica, Argentina, and Iceland

3. Urban Outfitters artist series
This year Urban Outfitters launched an online artist series print shop.  I was asked to contribute my ferns print. It is such an honor to work with a company I love so much and have admired for a long time. Every once in awhile a styled shot pops up on my instagram feed and I'm like hey there I am...so cool.  You can check that out here, the print is offered in more sizes than I have on Easy and also with multiple framing options.

4. West Elm Local
I was asked to become a part of West Elm Local, an initiative recently started by West Elm to support local artist communities and encourage store managers to carefully curate their individual stores. I just love this.  So far I am in Estero, Orlando, and two Miami locations (Florida Only). We even got to go up to Orlando for an in store event this summer!

5. Stationery Product Line Expanding
This year I began to expand my stationery / product line by adding greeting cards, notepads, gift wrap, and more.  I signed on to Etsy Wholesale so retailers can now place wholesale orders directly on there. I have always wanted to have a super fun flowery product line and after gaining confidence from the past few years of illustrating for wedding clients and other companies I am finally ready for this next step, which leads me to my next highlight of 2015...

6. Signed on for National Stationery Show
A long time dream becoming a reality in 2016.  I am terrified and more excited about this than anything in business so far.  I CANNOT WAIT! The money for my booth space has been paid, I completed the Trade Show Boot Camp e-course...it is official!  I will be painting my buns off in the new year. I can't wait for you all to see what I have up my sleeve!

7. Photoshoots 

Every year I am absolutely floored at the talent that asks me to be involved in photoshoots.  A few highlights were sending photos off to The Mrs. Box launch, The Four Seasons Haulalai that was shot and styled by some of the best wedding vendors out there; Jose Villa, Summer from Grey Likes Weddings, and The Venue Report.  And a French Blue & Lavendar inspired shoot by Best Photography that got featured on Green Wedding Shoes.

8. Plum Pretty Sugar x BHLDN
The lovely ladies at Plum Pretty used one of my floral prints for their beautiful robes. It is currently being sold at BHLDN.  So exciting to see my artwork on fabric! I mean... ekkk!

9. Baby Friends
My friends have been such a huge part of helping to grow my business; their advice, willingness to listen me whine / analyze / talk my ideas out, and their encouragement are the biggest blessings.  We use the term 'baby friends' because that's literally how long we've known each other, since childhood. Several of my close friends welcomed little ones into their lives this year and it's so fun to be apart of their joy by sharing my talents (and playing auntie).  Can't wait to share the rest of the stationery items we came up with for Heather's shower...

10. Playing Painter & Photographer

When my worlds collide and I get to photograph a wedding that I've also designed stationery for it's just the best! This happened a few times this year with Ashley & Josh, Odette & Mark, and Caleb & Liz (going to share their full wedding after the new year!)... 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for following along on my creative journey. 

Wishing you the happiest of new years!  See you back here in 2016! 

XOXO 

CHRISTMAS THINGS

 A few snaps of Christmas around the house.  Our tree started out as a boho woodland theme but now I just keep collecting cute animals for it.  The ceramic paint tube and paint brush from Anthropologie last year are my favorite though. I picked up a few more from there this year (like the deer below).  Less is more for me with Christmas decor, or maybe it's because I have expensive taste in ornaments. haha. More importantly, Urban Outfitters instagrammed the above photo of my tree yesterday and I was pretty stoked about it to say the least! 

 Cable knit stockings from Target, a fresh wreath, and greenery I clipped from the back of the tree for the mantle.

 A dream catcher I found at a thrift store

 The kitty girls being cozy together (only when it gets chilly in the house)

Hope you are enjoying the holidays and finding some time to relax.  Today is my last 'real' day for the week and I'm looking forward to sleeping in, gift exchanging, and cooking with my family. 

XO