Pillsbury Grands! Ole Opry or Country Music (Carla) Hall of Fame?

After I found out I was one of the 100 finalists in the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off® contest, I got to work. Not practicing making my recipe for the competition, but creating art. I started with a technique I learned in Lilla Rogers online classes. First you do a little research and get warmed up drawing all things related to your topic. First NASHVILLE:

Then Pillsbury. I watched YouTube videos of the contest. 

What would the doughboy do in Nashville? 

Get a new country suit fitted by Manuel? 

Sing at the Ryman? At the contest party, I fed the band these song titles and they had a little fun with them.

My first draft was inspired by Minnie Pearl + Macy's Thanksgiving parade + Nashville.

My friends thought the balloon should be more doughboy-like. Respectful of trademarks and licensed characters, I decided the balloon would be me and my Pretzel Bites with my handlers. That made sense for a team shirt.

On the plane ride home I got another idea I wanted to explore. Top Chef finalist and The CHEW anchor Carla Hall was this year's host of the Bake-Off®. She added so much fun and excitement to the contest. Turns out, she's from Nashville so I began my artwork swap.

My plan was to make a normal thank you note. After hearing Carla and THE CHEW co-hosts discussing special greeting cards and creating a pop-up card on the show I got a BIG idea.

A thousand thanks to TEAM PILLSBURY and CARLA for a Bake-Off® well done!

I Wannabee a Screen Printer

I've always wanted to learn screen printing so I can make cool t-shirts. Usually that need happens the day before a gift giving occasion. Should I spend three hours at a mall or just whip up a shirt? I had designed some cool aprons last spring when Pillsbury asked for apron ideas online. I revised the artwork to reflect the Pillsbury Bake-Off® Wannabee Facebook group and Cooking Contest Central.

This art is so clean and neat. Would paint work?

I practiced on a scrap of fabric

Not perfect, but just pretend it is supposed to look that way. I used a lightbox so I could see the image underneath.

I made a few in a variety of colors.

Wait. This one says "Winner Bee". Whos' that?

I packaged them up and sent them off to Vegas for a few of my friends. 

PS The fabric paint bottle says they are machine washable. And to the ladies, I apologize for the horrible fit. Just roll up the sleeves and belt it for a cuter look!

PPS UPDATE November 12, 2013: Here's a photo of Christina with my shirt in Las Vegas. Photo by Cooking Contest Central. 

And thanks for the compliments Pillsbury! Looking forward to seeing you in Nashville next year (hopefully)!

Feelin' Maple Groovy

When you get out on foot in your own backyard, there are many things to discover. Who knew we had this cool bandshell overlooking a pond?

Complete with trendy patterns.

Complete with Minnesota made LOLL furniture.

Our library is home to several public art installations.

Watch out for dragons!

We have giant power lines running through the city that are now my best friends.

Maple Grove was settled by Pierre Bottineau in the 1850s.

He had a cute house that is preserved at the park:

We also have a lot of BORING houses here.

No, I don't live in the cute house below, but i know who does.

Maple Grove is also home to gravel pits, a giant windmill that powers the entire town (jk!) and Jessie Ventura (he moved away). It's also home to every chain restaurant on earth. Armed with that info and 75 hours of vacation time, here is the result:

For a Good TIme, Follow Along

Every year our department spruces up the Star Tribune booth at the Minnesota State Fair with new signage.

We hand out free lip balm. This year's flavor is BRAT BALM.

That font is Hucklebuck, in case you were wondering.

We also create and sell shirts there. Some of the old favorites are back.

My stuff on a stick illustration sells well every year.

2013 Pulitzer prize winner Steve Sack created this all new design. Fab!

Attention state of Texas, I had nothing to do with this. Repeat nothing.

I hired the talented Faye Passow to illustrate a new shirt. She's designed wonderful products seen in gift shops all over the country under her KeeptheFaye brand. Recognize this?

Her stuff is wonderfully drawn and witty.

And greeting cards. Wonderful.

She's also a fine artist. You can buy her prints here. And she loves the State Fair. Her work is in the juried show at the fair every year. 

Our wonderful booth manager Martha (here's my daughter's portrait of her, but she didn't like the mouth she drew),

 wanted to sell a shirt with a state fair map on it. She loves all things Disney so I got to thinking about this Valleyfair poster I had in my room when I was a kid.

I loved looking at all of the of the detail in the map.

Which led to this.

Faye delivered with fabulous detail and humor.

You'll be happy to know the shirts are printed right here in MINNESOTA.

Here's the four color press in operation.

And the best part? It's ONLY TEN BUCKS!