I'm very excited to announce something new this week that doesn't involve my artwork...well, not totally. For the last few weeks, I've been working on a big new project with my sisters. We've been brain storming, laughing, photographing, and cooking getting ready and it's finally here! I'm so pleased to announce the launch of our cooking website, A Song of Spice and Fire.  

Does the title sound familiar? Maybe that's because it is. The structure for our cooking blog is a bit different than most: we're not just inspired by fantasy literature, we're parodying it. Our primary source is the wildly popular 'Game of Thrones' HBO series, also known as the book series A Song of Ice and Fire.  

   Our photo shoots have involved swords, battles with flour, attacks from scones and so much more fun. We've all really enjoyed working on it! The best part is that it bring us all together despite age difference and despite the distances between us--which have been as far as between India and the US and will soon include Germany. 

    Soon, we'll be selling kitchen accessories like recipe cards, posters, magnets, place mats and more! 

   I'm so excited have a chance to work with them all. They are a gorgeous bunch who are as clever as they are cute. 

   We hope you'll follow along too! 

   @HouseCook

   facebook.com/ASongOfSpiceAndFire

   www.SongofSpiceandFire.com 

As I look ahead to the summer and my big move to Germany, I can't help but think of traveling... and all of the things on my to-do list between now and then. Ah! So many things to remember! 

I've had a lot going on and a new project I'm working on along side my sisters which we will be debuting on Monday (woohoo!).

In the meantime, here are this week's new things! Click the images to go through to the listings.

Inspired by traveling to Europe, this sweet pendant features a series of European traveler inspired book titles: World Atlas, 1001 Places to See: Europe, Phrase Book, Castles of Europe

What will you be packing for your adventure? "

"Watching a Storm Roll In" original watercolor miniature 

 This week has been a little crazy for me with April Fools Day turning me into a massive klutz and causing me to drop my memory card right into some coffee [I'll blame it on the date, anyhow ;) ] which delayed getting my new things post up all the way until today. Since I also have an important announcement for today, I'm splitting this week's new things post into two parts. Today is the literary half and tomorrow is nature and art inspired! 

First of all, my announcement: On Saturday, I am flying out to visit my family, most of whom I haven't seen in almost a year--some of them longer than that! I'll be away from my puppy, husband, and inventory for a little over a week, but I'll still be posting here, on facebook and twitter, and will still have a New Things post for you on Monday April 15th. My shipping dates, however, are what is really important to know. All items ordered today, tomorrow, and Friday will be shipped on Saturday morning.

 Everything purchased between April 6th - April 17th will be shipped on April 18th. 

 

One of my most recent--and favorite--Pinterest boards is filled with behind the scenes looks at what I'm working on. I'm just getting started filling this up, but I enjoy being able to show you works that are in the process, clips of pieces getting ready to head out the door, a look at how a collaboration came together. What's so nice about this is that you can just go absorb it all in a few glances! There's no long blog post with details to read, but you can find those if you click through. It's just a glance. A look. A moment's peek into what I'm doing here--and it's fun! 

Want to know moe about how something was inspired? What went into it? Maybe how long it took? Just ask me in the pin comments and I'll be sure to see and answer! 

 
Two pieces getting ready to head to their owners

Le Lone Wolf from the "Flora & Fauna" collaboration collection before being added to the pendant

The Killer Rabbit painting before being cut out and set into the pill case

Follow along with the behind the scenes board on Pinterest here! 

 This week's New Things doesn't include a great number of pieces, but they are three of my favorites I have done in a long time. To purchase any of these, simply click the image and it will take you on through to the item listing.

To start off are two pill cases. 

The first is one of my favorite themes: the Killer Rabbit from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail.' I've painted killer bunnies before--in fact, you can find one in my Etsy shop now-- but this is the first I've put a lot of detail into, and definitely the first as a pill case! Although this is a one-of-a-kind pill case, expect to see more of this little bunny in the future. 

The second features the joy of of exploration through the drifting eyes of a hot air balloon. The big balloon is surrounded by late afternoon blue skies and clouds as the sun illuminates it from the side. 

The final piece is a new necklace in a setting I haven't made a new painting for in a while. This Gouldian Finch is so bright and colorful! I just love how finches look and will definitely be painting more of them in the future (in fact, I'm working on another now). I really love the rainbow colors of this beautiful little bird and am very pleased with the pendant.