Sponsor Highlight with Aubrey Plays {discount code}

Its always fun to find new shops filled with whimsy. And Aubrey Plays is just one of those shops. I love Aubrey take on illustration and how she turns them into items out of the normal!

Aubrey took a few minutes to answer a few questions, lets get to know her a little bit better...

-Your fabric designs are amazing, what is your art background?

Wow. thanks. I say I was born with a paint brush in my hand. I always told anyone who asked that I was going to be an artist when I grew up. I was always drawing. I would paint these scenes for my brothers to stick their heads through for cool photos at all of the birthday parties. Yes, I took some art classes and actually won a couple of awards along the way, but it's just about getting your hands dirty and going for it. I've been a muralist for about 10 years, and now I am doing this.

The fabric side requires me to use Photoshop which is a little like crack to me. I love it, and it is hard to walk away.

So I guess I've figured out how to be an artist when I grow up ;)

-Do you have any advice for someone wanting to start their own shop?

I think the best advice might be hard for a newbie to understand at first but stay authentic to who you are and what you are trying to put out there. Try not to second guess yourself too much. Don't try to keep up with that other shop. Do your own thing. Trust your gut and be your best self. Even if you feel like you have no idea what you are doing, that’s okay. That does not mean you are doing it wrong.

-Do you dream in illustrations?

Is there some "special" drink for that!? How cool would that be!?

I do have dreams about projects I am working on and sometimes I have dreams that give me new ideas.

I think an illustrated dream would be amazing.

Thanks Aubrey for taking the time to answer and for also providing a generous 20% off coupon code for my peeps!! Enter MRSFRIDAY at checkout to receive it!

Sponsor Highlight with Jessica N Designs {discount code}

Jessica N Designs is a beautiful shop owned by guess who?! Jessica N! She is a super sweetie with a wonderful eye for design. Jessica was nice enough to indulge me and answer a few questions...

- Where do you draw inspiration from?

I find that most inspiration comes to me when I am least expecting it...when I am on a walk, watching a movie, in the shower...those types of things. I also am very inspired by weddings, I browse wedding blogs like style me pretty and 100 layer cake all the time! SO much inspiration there, from the colors, the decor, the romance...I am already married, but I guess I am a true romantic at heart!

- What's your art background?

I was TERRIBLE in art...I remember getting an F on a painting in Junior High! I was terrified to go to art class, I am not artistic, I can not draw or paint or anything like that! But I am a DIY kind of gal! I always look at things and think "I could do that!" That is really how my business got started! I got my first stamp set from my hubby for Christmas and taught myself how to hand stamp!

- What's your biggest dream for your shop?

I actually started as a hobby, so where I am now is such a surprise and blessing to me!! A little secret dream of mine is to have one of my pieces featured in a wedding magazine like Bride Magazine or Martha Stewart Weddings! (not so secret anymore!) But just to be able to continue doing what I love, creating things people treasure & providing some income for my family is my dream!

Thank you again Jessica for taking the time for us to get to know you a wee bit better.

And A SUPER big thanks for offering a 15% off discount for my readers!!!

Just enter BUGGIEANDBEAN at checkout!

So what are you waiting for go buy something!!

Guest Interview w/ Pencils and Daisies {plus a little discount code!}

As some of you might have figured out from reading my blog I am a little wishie washie about things. So when it came down to me picking a new look for my blog I was ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Then I had an idea, to see if Amanda from Pencils and Daisies could do portraits of the kiddies for my banner. You see Amanda draws, then watercolors portraits, and can digitally scan them for you to use online. AH-MAZING.

I just got the originals in the mail last week and they are hanging at my desk so I can stare at them...

So today we get to know Amanda a little more...

- Tell us a little bit about yourself and Pencils and Daisies:

Hello! I'm Amanda - owner and operator (that sounds so official!) of Pencils & Daisies. Growing up in small town Illinois, I migrated to Arizona when I was 14 and lovingly called it home for ten years. I suppose I've always been a Midwestern girl at heart, because I somehow made my way back here and currently reside in Chicago with my husband and our two animals.

My shop name comes from a Shel Silverstein poem "If the World Was Crazy" (Where the Sidewalk Ends); the whimsical nature of the poem matches my outlook on creating and the world in general. If you can't take things lightly and have a good laugh every day, then you're doing something wrong! Having my own shop has been something I've been dreaming up for awhile now...and when I was presented the opportunity to spend my days creating - I grabbed it! There you'll find custom illustrations and a few vintage items...but currently I'm working on a big plan to expand Pencils & Daisies, so look for changes at the beginning of the new year!

{Also, my photo is totally silly but I'm sort of obsessed with mustaches (I may even have a tattoo of one...shh!) and have way too many Polaroids. This combines both of those loves. <3}

Describe a typical day in Amandaland {ha that has a nice ring to it!}

My days are a strange mix of what we'll call day job, dream job, and real life (errands, etc). I wake up early to hang out with (other peoples!) kiddos before dropping them off at their classrooms and heading to part two of my day. Part two of my day is filled with dream job (illustrating! sewing! etsy! all around craftiness!) and real life (errands! dishes! swiffer-ing!). Once two o'clock rolls around, you'll find me back at Helen C. Peirce Elementary to hang out with the same little kiddos until their parents pick them up at six. Then I'm back home to eat, relax with the mister, and work a little more on dream job...or just watch a lot of tv. ;)

Are you always drawing or doodling?

YES. For as long as I can remember, that's all I've been doing. I've stopped carrying a sketchbook, because it doesn't get any use, but I doodle on everything else that's around. I tend to discard sketchbooks soon after I start them...I'm more of a "get an idea, get it going" type of person. I can't really have a sketchbook of ideas lying around, because they'll never get done! I love to find that great idea, and start on the actual piece right away...somehow it just works better for me that way - to get it all out when the inspiration hits instead of saving it for later between closed pages.

What drives your creativity?

Situations that are unexpected, whimsical, hilarious, or just plain ridiculous are the ones that drive my creativity the most. As I mentioned before, I think it's important to not take yourself, or situations, too seriously. When I was in school, my professors drove home the "art must have meaning" message...which personally, I never bought into. I can respect that, but I think you can also make something beautiful or appealing without having a deep meaning behind it. Being around those that are able to accept or mirror this lightheartedness are the most inspiring to me; sometimes the simplest (or silliest) of conversations with friends or family have sparked the creative flame most of all. Inspiration is usually out there and offered in ways you would least expect...and that surprise is what makes it amazingly fun.

What is your BIGGEST guilty pleasure?

Oh, definitely the amount of TV that I watch...I should probably work on getting Pencils & Daisies situated rather than watching twelve episodes of Daria every day. ;)

Where do you want to see your and your shop in a year?

In a year, I hope to see Pencils & Daisies become my only job (don't get me wrong...I love working with kiddos, but I love drawing more!). It's been a dream of mine for a long while to be able to work from home on what I love most. I'm in the process of really getting my long term business plan down, and hopefully I can keep the current momentum and inspiration going to make it a reality!

Amanda wants to offer Buggie and Jellybean readers a discount code, perfect for right before the holidays. I mean come on what Grandparent would not love a portrait of the grandbabies for the holidays?!

I'd like to offer a 15% off coupon code for Pencils & Daisies for the month of October to all Buggie & Jellybean readers! Just enter code "BUGGIEANDJELLYBEAN" at check out to receive 15% off your order (not including shipping, sorry!) for the whole month of October.

You can found me at:

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pencilsanddaisies

Blog: http://amandawoodford.blogspot.com/

Thanks Amanda for the interview, the discount code, and most of all making my dream come true with my blog!! YOU ROCK.

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Do not forget to enter for your chance to win a knit scarf of your choice in color, here.