Hello!

It’s officially Summer! Yay! 🙂

There is so much I love about this season, but honestly it seems like if I don’t make an effort to pay attention I can wind up in September wondering where the last three months have gone…

It’s usually such a busy time of year– taking full advantage of the longer days. I mean, what’s not to like about being able to buy groceries after work and still have a bit of daylight left to enjoy?! It seems like there is now finally time to do all the errands and chores that have been long neglected over the Winter hibernation. I guess some people believe in Spring cleaning, but I stick with “do everything in the Summer — or bust” plan.

It’s not just work stuffs, it’s fun stuffs too! As if I were still in school (I’m not), the excitement of Summer is palpable. There is so much I want to do this time of year, before the arrival of Fall. It’s outdoor stuff like concerts, sporting events, and sitting by the pool reading a good book (or mediocre book that I’m desperately trying to finish so I can read a good book next!).

It’s also camping, BBQ-ing, and maybe a road-trip somewhere only a few hours away. Basically, the goal is to be outside or near enough to a window to enjoy the warmth of the sun, as much as possible.

But it’s also little stuff, like a vivid sunset after a long day. Fresh fruit. Refreshing cocktails. Ice cream for days. Farmers markets. Iced Coffee. And even the inevitable video game binges (often World of Warcraft or Civilization)… Our office is upstairs and is already on fire all summer. But goodness if I don’t make it worse by sitting up there for hours with the PC churning out it’s own flames. Why I don’t hang out there in the winter and use the computers for heat, rather than a source of misery I’ll never know… Wait. The Steam Summer Sale. Duh. 😉

Anyway. In honor of this season of awesomeness – I created “The Beach.” I’m trying my hand at comic-style illustration, which is one of my favorites. This piece is kind of a story about a trip to the beach, and those smaller details that make up the memories of a fantastic place. It’s a reminder that even if I’m not going on an official vacation this Summer, I’m still in a good position to make these kinds of memories and to be grateful for the moments — big and small — that make up this season, which I love.

-Belinda

Hello!

So, I think my quest to become more organized was a result of the realization that I am in fact an adult with sh*t to do. For what it’s worth, I started the bullet journal and it’s been super helpful. It doesn’t actually get anything done, that still is all internally motivated; but at least I can clearly see what items on my to-do list are being ignored and what goals I’m tracking that are being woefully neglected. (But in all seriousness, I highly recommend it).

And after way too much introspection, I’ve realized that I am in fact a “grown-up” technically. I mean, I’m a twenty-something business-owner. It’s not that I’m afraid of thirty (it’s still too far away for that), but I’m definitely more aware of it (it’s not that far off either). But I also feel emboldened. I’m a twenty-something business-owner. Sure, it’s more accurate to say I’m a paperwork-plagued artist, but still. It counts. And if I can do that, which I never would have thought possible even this time last year, then what’s to say what is or isn’t possible this time next year?

I guess in a way I don’t want to be an adult by technicality alone. I want to own it. More than that, I want to mold it and define how I choose to experience it. I think we all do that, certainly, but right now I’m acutely aware it’s an option. This is too positive to be mistaken for an identity crisis. It’s more like a set of resolutions that resulted from the hibernation of winter to be revealed with the fresh air of spring! Why should the Gregorian calendar have all the fun, anyway?

I want more gratitude, more joy, and laughter. I want to be a good hostess, and a great friend. I want to be more organized, less afraid, and a better listener. I want to live each day aware of grace, beauty and sunshine, even if I can’t always see it. I don’t want to worry about perfection, or perfection…or perfection…

It’s definitely a work in progress.

-Belinda

Hello!

I’ve been lacking inspiration lately. It’s hard to find something new to inspire you when you sit at work or in your home office day after day after day…as I have been known to do. I’d been reading Steal Like an Artist and it suggested to shake things up and get outside. So naturally, I assumed it meant go get coffee.

I had a plan. I packed my sketchbook and planner in my purse, scouted the busy times on Google maps for a couple places, and was determined to pick one and spend an afternoon listening to singer-songwriter mixes, enjoying some fresh air, and feeling inspired (and let’s be honest, very cool). Naturally, I would be so overwhelmed by the new perspective and caffeine-boost that I was sure I’d be unstoppable!

(I mean, why else do I see people working in Starbucks all the time?? It must be the place to get stuff done.)

Yeah, so it turns out I’m not that person.

I should say, I have anxiety that is usually pretty manageable (it’s kind of my “normal,” I’m like the Hulk of anxiousness). But working in public, or just being in public for too long is not my cup of tea… or coffee. Honestly, I didn’t even try this time. I walked in, got my beverage, and returned to the safety of my home. It wasn’t even that busy inside, it just mostly wasn’t for me.

Which makes for a striking contradiction to my latest project in progress: Go & See.

It’s a play on the more common phrase “wait and see.” If you don’t know how something might turn out, just be passive and wait. (Not to say that there is anything wrong for patience, in it’s time.) But sometimes, it’s better to get sh*t done, and experience stuff…

…but in the meantime, I’ll be drinking coffee on my couch.

-Belinda

Hello!

When I decided to create the website for Summer Child Designs I used my fairly serious customer service business voice. I thought that was what I needed, since I was trying to start a business after all. So I wanted to keep it sleek and professional, albeit still kind of “business casual.” And I was really proud of it. Look at me, doing stuff for real and serious! But every time I was ready to sit and write and update the blog, I struggled to think of anything worthwhile to say, especially lately. Everything seemed counter to the look and feel of this site I had worked so hard to create (well, only kind of hard, but still).

As it turns out, I’m not an abstract business entity. I’m not perfect. It’s just me. And I’m a messy, goofy artist. It’s time to start acting like one!

I mean, what was I thinking — business casual?? I know some people love the idea of wearing a suit everyday, but not me. I love my baggy, hole-y jeans that should probably have been thrown away ages ago. That and my flannel. Oh man, flannel is the best…I’m lucky it’s “on-trend” or whatever. I’d wear it anyway, but now it looks like I tried. 😉

So, anyway, if you haven’t already noticed the site has a new look!

I’m much happier with this one. It’s kind of “crafty” which is almost too far the other direction, but I think this lands a lot closer to “if I was a website what would I be” than it was before. I think it’s comfy, like workin’ in pajamas. Plus, you can now easily access the latest posts, sign up for email notifications (if you haven’t already), and it includes convenient links to the Facebook page and Society6 shop… all from the home page! (I do like being somewhat organized, after all).

I hope you like it!

-Belinda

P.S. – If you are using a mobile device to view this, admittedly it may not look much different at all. Sorry, I’m an illustrator not a web-wizard!

Hello!

Today is New Year’s Eve…Eve!
I’m pretty excited, as this is one of my favorite holidays. I’m generally fearful of the “unknown” (which is like, everything), but not on New Year’s Eve/Day. I love the promise of hope that it brings and the possibilities.

Plus, resolutions are the best! I know I can’t control the coming year and all that it will bring. But I can set intentions and focus on certain priorities (and turn it into a list! Yay!). This year may have been… tumultuous… but personally, I had a great year as far as resolutions go. I started doing yoga…again and again and again. But I keep at it. That’s something… I also joined a gym (and occasionally go when my friend makes me!). And I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself and the world from reading more, studying languages, and through meditation.

Last but certainly not least, I had intended to open an Etsy shop before the end of the year. I wish I could say I had achieved this one, I really do. However, I am still mighty pleased with how this goal has turned out, even if it didn’t happen the way that I expected. Okay, so I didn’t get my store up and running yet. But I did start a business! (I did NOT see that coming!) And the Etsy shop will happen soon! I’ve come a long way from just doodling Disney characters after work, if I do say so myself. So, these are all mini-victories that I will be able to celebrate with a glass of bubbly champagne tomorrow night.

Resolutions are great, because they aren’t promises that we can try anything and will succeed. But they are the hope that we can try anything.

And that is worth celebrating.

-Belinda