Spring Time Doodles

Merry Christmas everyone!! I haven't been posting, or shopping or sleeping much these past few weeks. I have been so busy drawing family portraits for Christmas, and eating chocolate! I'll share the portraits I drew come January. It's been so fun staying up late drawing your sweet families . . . and eating chocolate! I finished this Nativity version of Don't Eat Pete a few weeks ago but I haven't gotten around to sharing it yet. My sweet aunt asked if I could make this last year . . .  and I'm finally getting it to her.  To print: Click on image, save to computer & print.  Or Click on this link to download JPEG or PDF   Click on this link to download the instructions JPEG or PDF Click here for my link to print last year's North Pole Don't Eat Pete Last Christmas I shared these little Nativity puppets. They are still my favorite. Click here to for the link to print the Nativity puppets . A black & white version

Happy Thanksgiving!! This is my favorite holiday because it's just food. No stress about presents or costumes to make or even parties to plan, just eating a lot of food with family. Of course I'm not making the dinner. Hum . . . maybe that would increase my stress level if I was cooking the food. :) This little clothespin Turkey that I drew a couple years ago has become very popular, especially on pinterest. I have received quite a few e-mails from people having trouble downloading it. So I thought I would included some links to help download.  Link for original Clothespin Turkey JPEG Link for original Clothespin Turkey PDF I also made a new version with no lines on the feathers so you can write what you are thankful for on each feather, turning it into a Thankful Clothespin Turkey. Oh ya! Link for Thankful Clothespin Turkey JPEG Link for Thankful Clothespin Turkey PDF Here is the tutorial of how to make a clothespin giraffe . Same concept as clothes

I have a confession. I'm seriously  really nervous to share it . . okay here goes  . .  it was me! I was the one who brought the whistles to last year's (2014) neighborhood/church Halloween Trunk of Treat party.  Whew! I feel a little better. But before you storm my house with pitchforks and torches let me explain.  I have lots of beautiful nieces and handsome nephews. I love being Aunt Spring Bean. I also have quite a few nieces and nephews with food allergies or other diseases that limit their diet. Some mild, some quite severe - very life threatening. Halloween is rough when they can't participate because of all the candy that is yummy to me but dangerous to them.  Last year I thought I would purchase toys instead of candy to give out to my neighborhood kids as a way to help out those few children who can't eat the candy. I thought it was a great idea. Seriously. I was patting myself on the back for being awesome and planning ahead of time to purchase the

It's back to school season, and with the best intentions I haven't done anything new for you. Sorry. I know you feel hurt. I feel the hurt too.  However, I wanted to share these oldies but goodies with you.  Lunch box notes! These cheesy jokes go great in your child's school lunch box, or left on their pillow.  I'm all about being cheesy.  Here is the original link with pictures that show the jokes better. (I'll just tell you now, they are really good).  But these next ones are my favorite.  Chuck Norris Facts! These are lunch box notes for teenagers, spouses or my 7 year old son who informed me is too old for little kid jokes.  Check out the original link for other awesome ideas on how to use these. Seriously, I really love the idea "Random acts of Chuck Norris" or where you attack someone's door with these jokes and post  "You've been Chuck Norrised" You know what? Forget the kids, just p

I have a 9 year old daughter * gasp * can that be? She is the sweetest thing around. I adore her. She starts 4th grade this year. She'll learn about Idaho history - the Oregon trail, Lewis & Clark and awesome Sacajawea who saved their tails a few times. And of course our famous potatoes, can't forget those Idaho potatoes. But I digress. 4th grade is awesome. But it's also where she will slowly start to leave her childhood. I hope she always knows she is hilarious, talented and beautiful. How do I teach her this as she grows? How do I teach her to always see the beauty in herself and others? I found this quote from one of Roald Dahl's books, I especially love the drawings. I'm going to hang this in the bathroom, so when my 9 year old gets ready for the day she remembers to also prepare her mind for the day. I need a copy in my bathroom too.  This is hands down my favorite picture of my daughter- around the age of 5. Look at that beautiful confidenc

These are some of the recent family portraits I have drawn. I have started to take pictures during the process. Sometimes I send the customer a quick picture of the portrait after I sketch it to get their approval before I add pen and finish editing on my computer. Lots easier to change anything (hair style, etc) when it's still just pencil.) To see the full process from beginning to end check out this post .   But mostly I love to take pictures during the process to see the before and after. Sometimes I love the pencil drawing even more than the "after" picture. :) This simple family picture is one of my favorites.  Another one of my favorites ever (yes, I have lots of favorites) I took this picture after I added pen to the sketch.  I LOVE when a client sends me a picture of their finished portrait in a frame. This sweet family was celebrating the dad's graduation from pharmacy school. They had a big party with this picture as

One of my first posts ever I shared some Pirate, Cowboy & Fairy paper puppets. It has become my most popular post with over 16,000 views. Wow. Thanks mom for viewing all those times. :). I have since slightly edited the puppets, and made them a little better quality to download. Click on picture to download to your computer or click on links to download JPEG or PDF. **Note: I sometimes do craft fairs (if you see me - wave, I'm super nervous at them) and I sell these paper puppets. You might be thinking, "What? They are free on her website!" I don't charge much, just enough cover the price to print in color and laminate. There are some people who want to save time and ink and pay a little for the kit. Just wanted to clarify. :)   Thanks for your support of this silly hobby of mine. To say thanks, I added some Space Robots. Whoot - Whoot! Click here to download Space Robots in color JPEG or PDF Click here to download Space Robots coloring pa

It's here, it's here! The solution to all your problems. Drum roll please . . .   Don't Eat Pete: Mullet Edition Last year I proudly shared this hilarious and hideous game board my husband drew for my etsy shop. It only cost a couple dollars on my etsy shop, and after talking to my husband, we decided to share this as a FREE printable for all to enjoy. It wasn't that long of a talk, "Hey, what do you think if we gave that Mullet Don't Eat Pete print away for FREE on my blog" . . . "What Mullet picture? Oh ya, that one. sure"  Father's Day is in less than a week. Print on card stock and if you feel so inclined you can also laminate. Add with his favorite small candy and ta - da!! You nailed Father's Day.  I hope you enjoy! Click on picture and save to computer or click on links to download JPEG & PDF Click on picture and save to computer or click on links to download JPEG & PDF Don't know how

Father's Day is less than 2 weeks away. I was looking through my cards and realized some of my cards would work for Father's Day!  Well . . . not to give to YOUR father, but more for a wife to give her husband. Because even though it's called "Father's" Day, we all know it's more like "Husband' s" Day. :) I LOVE YOU and your beard ( etsy link) I LOVE YOU more than ESPN ( etsy link ) You're my favorite husband ( etsy link ) I'd follow you anywhere . . . the view from behind is great ( etsy link ) These next few really have nothing to do with fatherhood or being a husband, but they still crack me up. Man with bike ( etsy link ) Man with dog ( etsy link ) And um . . . maybe you had a rough couple days and this might work better than a mushy card.  No judgment here. :) Sorry I bit your head off ( etsy link ) And in a couple days I have something REALLY awesome I'm exci