The Happiest of Holidays to you!

December is here!  Let the holidays begin!  I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season!  I am grateful for all the wonderful support I receive for my art.  It truly inspires me and always so very appreciated!  So as a special holiday thank you, I am having a holiday giveaway for 2017!   I will be giving away a fun holiday doormat and coordinating house flag from Briarwood Lane featuring my artwork!  

Just leave a comment on this post and a winner will be selected using random.org.  The giveaway will close on December 15th!  Good luck!

And for more holiday fun - Your invited!!  Henry Glass and Co. is hosting an online Progressive Dinner starting today!  Henry Glass & Co. is hosting an online Progressive Dinner Party for the holidays! Each day brings new recipes and meet the designers and giveaways!! 
http://henryglassfabrics.blogspot.com/

Good luck and enjoy the season!!

"Sew Bee It" Giveaway!!

I was recently interviewed by the folks at Henry Glass Fabrics for their Artist Spotlight.  We chatted a bit on the start of my designing and how it all began in polymer clay.  So having some fun with the launch of Henry Glass fabrics newest collections, I thought I would host my own giveaway.. and what better way than with a custom polymer clay character.

 In keeping with the theme of my new fabric release, 'Sew Bee' It,  we have here a happy little sewing bee sitting on the top of a wooden spool and holding a thimble full of flowers.  Made of polymer clay and sitting, spool and all,  3 1/2" high - not including the little antennas.

  There are three ways to enter!  Comment here on the blog, the Henry Glass Blog, and my Simply Shelly Designs Facebook page!  Please do all three to increase your chances to win!  Everyone is welcome to enter and the winner will be chosen on Friday, April 11, at 12:00 pm. EST.

In addition, BEEcause I am so thankful to all for the amazing support and encouragement, I am tossing in an added bonus!  It is my new house flag from Lowes which also goes right along with our "Bee" theme!  

Thanks again and good luck to all who enter!  :)

 BEE sure to follow along with my blog for future updates and more giveaways!  

Have a BEE-utiful day!

A Shelly Comiskey ORIGINAL - Sew Bee It figurine!

Back to Blogging!

Well I am heading back into the world of blogging.    It has been quite a while since I have last posted and I am really looking forward to connecting once again to this amazing network!   I will be posting new art projects, announcements, fun giveaways, and on Monday, March 21st,  I will kick off my newest fabric collection release with a very special giveaway!

And for some flannel fun, here is Arctic Antics.  Personally, these characters have been some of my most favorite through the years, and I am  thrilled to have them in a beautiful flannel fabric collection!  This collection will be available in June!  Thank you once again Henry Glass!  

You can see more of the collection here on the Henry Glass Website

Stay tuned for more!

Holiday Giveaway!

   To get the holiday spirit rolling around here, I am going to host a giveaway for a fun 12 piece bundle of my gift bags.  There are two sizes, 13"x13" and larger bags are 13"x17",  and all with holiday themes.  These are bags that can be found now in your local Dollar Tree stores as well as bags from the past that are no longer available to purchase.  Just leave a comment below or on my Simply Shelly Designs Facebook page and you are automatically entered!  Anyone who shares my FB post on their Facebook page will be entered three additional times for the random drawing so you can triple your chances!  Be sure to let me know in the comments if you do share.  Once in a while Facebook privacy settings don't allow me to see if you do!
   I will draw the winner on Sunday December 8th and get them mailed out right away!  Good Luck!!
(LaLa the kitty not included :)

Fabric Bundle Giveaway!

Well Mr. UPS man delivered a fun package the other day.  It is my You Whoo fabric samples from Henry Glass!  I am so thrilled with how it turned out and the exceptional quality! Thank you HG!!

So, in celebration of the Summer Fabric Party, I will be hosting a giveaway bundle including each of the fabrics in the collection!  Just leave a comment here on the blog or on the Simply Shelly Facebook page and you will automatically be entered!  I will Draw names early next week and announce the winner!  

Good Luck!!

FINALLY SUMMER!

For the Henry Glass Summer Fabric Party, I wanted to share my love of summer!  Stop by their blog and enter to win all week!

Well it is pretty common knowledge to most that know me that I am much more of a summer, sunshine, beach loving person, and winter… well…. not so much.  I don't dislike the winter.  After all it has the holidays, and yes.. that I am a huge fan of the holidays.  But living in Chicago, the winters can seem to take some time to get through.   That is why spring is always welcome because it it the next step to SUMMER!!!  But this year,  summer just seemed like it was never coming.  We opened our pool right on schedule Labor day weekend and waited…. and waited… and waited for the hot summer sunshine to start enjoying it!  We have had a few days of heat tossed in here and there.. but not the "usual" summer we are used to.     

  But summer is finally here and this afternoon I was able to enjoy the pool.  Soaking up some sun with my sketchpad in hand which is a wonderful perk to my job. I am not always able to enjoy this benefit, but when I can,  sitting poolside with sketchbook and feet dangling in the water is a sure favorite of mine.  Now sometimes it is a bit of a struggle to sketch out snowmen and halloween characters while I smell the suntan lotion… but I manage :)  In the business of art licensing, the schedule for artwork themes are usually opposite of the season we are in.  During the summer, I am usually working on snowmen and Santas, and throughout the winter I am working on the sunshine and summer themes.  

So here's to summer!!  As fast as it goes, as busy as we get.. lets enjoy and soak it up!!!

enjoying a beautiful summer evening.

And my buddy Moose hanging out with me.  He is a Newfoundland, which were bred for water rescue..but he is terrified of water!  

We have the winners of the clay ornament giveaways!

Well the winners have been picked!  For the bonus round reindeer ornament - the winner is Pat Beaubien Fromm!  Congratulations Pat and thank you so much for entering!

For the snowman ornament - the winner is Sally Stebbins!!

I will contact you both to get your address's and get your little winnings out to you right away.
THANK YOU to everyone that entered.  I truly enjoyed this!  A Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

CLAY ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY!

 Well down to the basement I went.  Pulling out boxes and blowing off dust clouds and diving in.   Boxes and boxes of lots of fun stuff.  Glitters, garlands, tools, and some of my favorite little crafty things.   It has been at least five years since I have worked on clay for myself.  I have done a few kids projects here and there, but those have to be very very basic and simple.  This was different.  I could just play and create whatever my heart desired.  Each box was like its own treasure chest.  As I explored each one, the ideas started flowing.  I couldn't get started fast enough.  So off to claying I went.   I have to say, I truly enjoyed it and cannot believe how much I have missed it.   And yes, I was a bit obsessed.  I clayed for three days straight, barely sleeping and even forgot to eat breakfast and lunch a couple times!  That never happens!   So here he is... my new little snowman ornament.  

                                                                       

Everyone is invited to enter!  All you need to do is leave a festive holiday greeting on my blog.     Another way to enter is  "like" and leave a comment on my Facebook page here.   Each comment will be printed out and placed in a box.   I will  then draw the winner on Tuesday to be sure of a Christmas delivery.  

As I said in my previous post, I have a little bonus giveaway too.   

To enter for the "bonus" round, all you need to do is go to my Facebook page again here, and share my page on your page.  I will get a listing of everyone who has taken the time to do this, and these will go into a separate giveaway box for this little reindeer ornament.  This drawing will also be on Tuesday.

I do want to thank everyone who has sent me emails requesting clay pieces, but unfortunately my time just does not allow.   So I do apologize .. but  you never know, I just may drop in another giveaway from time to time just for the fun of playing with clay!

GOOD LUCK!

And the winner is.......

I start using a little slip of paper with each and every name from participants until the last minute, folded them in half, and put them it in this great box I came across the other day at my local Jewel store.  Well guess what..I immediately recognized the artwork.. this adorable box was designed by my good friend Beth Logan!   Now how cute is this???   Be sure to check out Beths blog as she is also in on the Henry Glass blog hop fun.   Always with the brightest posts that always put a smile on my face and not to mention her wonderful artwork!  Okay... Well after shaking and mixing up all the the little tickets, the winning name is picked... with a little help from LaLa.

And the winner is……. Ruth Viens!!!  Ruth I will be contacting you for your address!!

I want to truly thank everyone for their support, kind words, and for joining in on the fun.  I have enjoyed this so much that I have decided to do another giveaway (as well as a bonus giveaway) starting the first week of December!  This time I will make a handmade snowman ornament from polymer clay.  It has been quite a while since I have worked with the clay so I am really excited get my hands on some!!  I will post as soon as the giveaway gets underway!

Happy Holidays to all and a special thanks to Henry Glass for including me on this very special blog hop!  You can enter into their awesome giveaway on their blog until November 25th - they are giving away a huge bundle of fabric as well as a small gift from each of the designers who participated in the blog hop!  Good Luck and congratulations Ruth!!

Day Three of the Henry Glass Very Merry Holiday Party!

Hello and welcome to my blog!

For this holiday blog hop, the theme is favorites, so I am going to share some of my own holiday favorites!  

Lets start with my favorite holiday decoration - Well it probably is no surprise that it is a big adorable plush snowman.    He is always the first of all my decorations to come out.   Each year he sits on my  window ledge looking out the window with his candle glowing.  Its just a sweet little greeting as you walk up to our house.  Yep, he's my favorite.

My favorite holiday recipe - hmmm, I have many.  But this is definitely one at the top of my list.  It is a very simple jello recipe, but it brings me back to many holiday get togethers when my mom would make this for the Christmas Eve parties.    Always a huge hit - and it is delicious!

       One Large Strawberry Jello

        Two 10 oz. frozen strawberries

        Two pints of vanilla ice cream
 Thaw strawberries and drain juice.   Add water to juice to make 2 1/2 cups combined:  Bring liquid    to boil in saucepan.   

  Pour in Jello and dissolve

  Add ice cream to thicken and then add the strawberries.  Pour mixture into 13x 9 clear baking dish.  Refrigerate to set - This takes a bit longer than regular jello because of the ice cream.. I usually make it the night before to be sure its set, but usually takes a few hours.    Delicious! 

As for my favorite holiday tradition.. this one goes back as long as I can remember.  Each Christmas Eve, we get together with my entire family.  Aunts, Uncles, cousins included.   Memories, laughter, food and a great family.  This extravaganza has grown to be quite a celebration as our families grow.  And on this night, we have a special visit from Santa himself.  Each child (Oh and Aunt Judy too) then sits on Santas lap and receives a special Christmas Eve gift.  The excitement and anticipation for the arrival of Santa is in the air as the kids anxiously wait and listen to for the familiar Ho Ho Ho and jingle of his bells.  Christmas Eve always brings the warmest memories of holiday spirit.  We continue to create new memories as we keep this tradition going!

Here is a link to a free pdf download of some fun gift tags using the snowmen from my Snow Much Fun collection with Henry Glass. Just print and clip!  I hope you can use and enjoy these tags for your gifts this year and for many years to come.  

Be sure to visit the beautiful blog of Wilma Sanches, as day three is our day to post for the party!   You can then follow along each day through the rest of the hop.  A schedule of the hop as well as links are posted on my blog's previous post.

And don't forget to stop by the Henry Glass blog  each day for fun contest including a chance to be entered for the Grand prize which will also include a little prize from each of the designers.  I will be giving away a coffee mug featuring a design used from the I Love Snow Collection.   I am also hosting my own giveaway.. all you need to do is leave a comment here on the blog and hit the like button on my Simply Shelly Designs Facebook page, you will then automatically be entered into my holiday giveaway for my Santa design canvas wall hanging!   I will be drawing a name on November 23rd, 2012!  Thank you so much for stopping by and I wish you all the happiest of holidays this season!

Lets Get this Party Started!

I'm thrilled to be included in this years fun  - The Henry Glass Very Merry Holiday Party!  An exciting blog hop featuring Henry Glass fabric designers!!  Stop by 

the blogs on the day of their post for some fun, exciting giveaways, projects, and even favorite holiday recipes.   Visit the Henry Glass blog each day -

for a festive contest and the chance to win the grand prize - a huge bundle of fabric as well as a small gift from each of the designers!  

Let the fun begin!!

  Here is the list of participating designers, their blog dates and links!!

Linda Lum DeBono www.lindalumdebono.blogspot.com

Little Quilts http://www.littlequilts.blogspot.com/

November 12:

Dawn Heese http://www.dawnheesequilts.blogspot.com/

Jill Finley http://jillilystudio.blogspot.com/

November 13:

Shelly Comisky http://shellycomiskeydesigns.blogspot.com/

Wilma Sanchez http://racoonillustration.wordpress.com/

November 14:

Leanne Anderson http://thewholecountrycaboodle.blogspot.com/

Beth Logan http://artstuff.typepad.com/

November 15:

Kari Ramsey http://www.freshcutquilts.com/

Heather Mulder Peterson http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/

November 16:

Brenda Pinnick  http://brendapinnick.com/topics/brenda-pinnick-blog/

Jana Nielson, http://www.izzyandivydesigns.com/?page_id=154

November 17:

Kim Diehl http://www.kimdiehl.com/

Lizzie B Cre8ive http://dreamlaughcreate.blogspot.com/

Happy Holidays!

Finally Fall!

The cool weather is here and I have to say, I am quite ready for it.  I am a huge fan of summer and sunshine of course, but this summer was a hot one!  Pumpkin lattes, hoodies, comfy Ugg boots, and the beautiful fall colors are now what I am looking forward to!    There is something to be said about the change of seasons bringing out new inspiration and with this.. new opportunities!

  Happy Halloween Everyone!

Welcome to the studio of Shelly Comiskey - Simply Shelly Designs

Enjoy yourself as you follow this Hi Resolution for a look into the creative spaces of twelve different artists, their studios, and their styles!

Hop over and visit my talented friends as they welcome in
the New Year with a Studio Tour-

Aaron
Christensen
Barbara
Johansen-Newman
Beth
Logan
Brenda Pinnick
J. Wecker-Frisch
Karen
Embry
Paula Joerling
Phyllis Dobbs
Samantha
Walker
Sharon
Himes
Shelly
Comiskey
Sue
Zipkin

My cozy studio..

One small room, filled from corner to corner with things I love. Not
everything in my studio is art related but just bits and pieces of me. Some of
my favorite books, the little nik naks from when my kids were small,
pictures, and wall to wall fur balls curled up napping on the many pillows and
dog beds I have spread out on the floor for them. My fuzzy co-workers, my
inspiration.. all in all, my company all day.
For many years back in our old house I had the tiny room in the basement
and the space heater at my feet to keep them warm. Now I feel so blessed to
have a beautiful room in my house.. my studio. With a great view looking out
to the trees and skylights bringing me the sunshine, I cannot think of a better
place to start my day and to end each night. In my old studio, I surrounded
myself with everything an artist needs at arms reach... paints, brushes of all
kinds, paper, glues, clay, ribbons, glitter, boxes of this and that.. oh I could
go on. But I realized when designing my studio 9 years ago that this time I
needed comfort. I wanted the feeling to be more relaxed and not so cluttered.
This definitely helps my creativity. And "comfy" it is!! From my cushy chair,
a warm wooden desk, to the colors and things that surround me..it's just perfect for
me. Don't get me wrong.. I still surround myself with my artsy things.. lots
and lots of them.. but keeping a bit more cohesive to the surroundings in lots
of wicker baskets and a great closet! And come deadline time.. which sometimes
seems to be daily.... there are truly the days when I cannot find my desk.. let
alone my cat or little Chihuahua Tequila...after all.. I am still the right brainer!

Sketchbooks and sketchbooks, some watercolor paints, markers, and colored
pencils, and books. That's what I now keep near.. but a couple of my favorites are the Cintiq
monitors. I have the 21" and now the lap size 12". These are digital monitors that I can work with my art
programs directly on the screen. Definitely ranking as favorites in the
studio.. well that and my coffee maker.

Loving my 12" Cintiq

I love the warm sunshine that comes through as well as the natural sunlight...

hmm...to pounce or not to pounce.....

Inside the closet doors is a treasure trove of goodies!!

Just a sample.. have a couple more closets in the basement :D

Tiki aka "Queeny"... we have to move the kitty bed to follow the sun spot across my desk through the day. So glad she lets me share her studio..

my studio buddies <3

Joey, Moose, Tequila, and of course Queeny

Oh... and one more thing to add - a special thanks to Aaron Christensen.. the task master, for hosting this blog hop.. which I may add.. was quite the task!

A Happy Happy New Year to all!

Thanks for visiting and be sure to click the forward and back buttons below to see some of my artist friends and their incredible talent and amazing studios!

Tis the season - Already??

I can't believe it is that time of year already for the shopping, decorating, Christmas music, and not to mention a new year already!! Wheeew!

This past year, I am grateful for the blessings large and small. From my incredible family, awesome friends, and a job I so love to mention a few. My wish to all is that everyone takes the time to appreciate everything! So the warmest holiday wishes to all!

Cheers Friends! xo

Gone to the Dogs!

I am happy to have FINALLY been able to make the time to work up a new design for the blog!! It has been quite busy around here the last couple months... but for an artist.. that is a good thing - no complaining here! With some of my biggest client deadlines, new hopeful opportunities, new collections, and of course the dreaded tax season.. it has been a full packed first quarter to 2010. Looking forward to getting back on track as I am getting closer to checking off the remianing items on my list... then... on to a new list!!

As for the theme, it is again another one of my favorite things.. DOGS! Seeing as I am surrounded by them daily..
they are my buddies, my co-workers lol, my companions, and lots of inspiration. They truly have the gift to bring comfort and to just make me happy and smile! Thanks to you my furry friends Moose, joey, and little tequila!

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Resolutions

It is that time of year again when we start to plan our resolutions for the upcoming new Year. Honestly, I have never been so ready to say good bye to the past year as I am to 2009. Like so many families.. we struggle with the battered economy and job lay offs... but the heaviest to bear is the loss of my father..I miss him more than words can say.
So I say - Bring on the new year! I am ready. My new year resolutions are going to be a great focus for me. They are commitments that are completely in my control. When followed through..they will bring happiness, better health, and the sense of accomplishment.
Resolution #1 - Better health and exercise..(I make this one every year lol) When I work out and exercise I always feel better.. That truly makes me happy... So back to that!
Resolution #2 - Go out with friends more- Because I love my job .. it is very very easy for me to get quite wrapped up in projects and dead lines. Now some things will never change - lol, but I will definitely make more time for my friends and to laugh alot! This includes my best friend - my hubby Mike. He is awesome and we always have so much fun together.
Resolution #3 - Okay.. this is my least favorite.. but I vow I am going to clean my house on a much more regular basis. It makes me happy when all is clean, but I often face the challenge... hmmm... should I tackle the pile of laundry in the corner or paint some snowmen..hmmm.. Well we shall see how this one goes :)
I am looking forward to being back to a bit of my own routine now. These past few months have not been about me or my work. It was all about my dad..I was able to spend what is now some of the most treasured times of my life with him. He is with me in my heart and always.

I hope everyone enjoys this holiday season with friends and family. Hold them all tight!

Winters blessings

Here is the first of a new collection ..... I am working with my all time favorite theme...... yep its SNOWMEN!! I just love snowmen! They are just so fun to paint.. with their hats, sweaters, mittens, all the way down to their buttons! Its funny with snowmen.. even though they are made of the cold freezing snow... they can convey such warm hearted expressions. Winter will certainly be here soon enough if not already for some...and much more to do... I better get busy on creating some new friends for this guy and hmmm, I am thinking a nice cup of hot chocolate as well - now that is a winter blessing :)

Brand new to blogging!

Hello,
Well at the gentle "ahem" nudging of some wonderful friends.. I now have started a blog. My name is Shelly Comiskey and I am an artist and mom. I work from my home and feel blessed everyday that I do what I do. Whether I start with a blank piece of paper and pencil, paint and paintbrush, digital illustrating, or even starting with just a ball of clay - I just love the feeling of creating something from nothing. Through art, I have met some of my dearest and closest friends.
I look forward to this new venture and my hope for this blog is to keep in touch with friends and meet lots of new people as well! I will be posting new art, new happenings, fun thoughts, and who knows what else LOL.. Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly :)