Thursday, September 28, 2017

Cutie Patooties Mini Zine Printable

Cutie Patooties Mini Zine Printable
Hello! I've always wanted to make a mini zine, a little book. I have in the past made small coloring books, but I wanted to make a little artwork book in full color. I've been searching for inspiration for a while. Finally, I had an idea!! My family and I enjoy going to antique and thrift stores, and shopping for vintage items online too. The idea– I would take photographs of dolls and figures from my personal collection, and combine them with my drawings to create scenes that would evoke individual stories for each artwork.

The process, my preliminary sketches.
It was a month's worth of glorious fun (aka work)! First, I decided which vintage items to include and photographed them. Then, I took inspiration from the vintage items to create settings for each of them. I sketched out the settings in pencil and scanned them into the computer. Next, I made some minor changes to the vintage item photos, placed the photos in my drawing program along with the pencil sketches, and drew the scenes. And finally, I created a one page layout for the book that could be printed and easily folded and cut into a little paper book. After printing many proofs, and making adjustments, it was complete. I've titled the mini zine “Cutie Patooties” because it is a phrase from the 1920’s and 30’s and I thought it described and went well with the vintage items. The book features seven artworks and a table of contents listing the titles of each piece.

Doll head that inspired "Tasha Dreams".
The doll head I used in the artwork “Tasha Dreams” I’ve had since I was little. The body disappeared years ago, in fact I can’t even remember what it looked like or why it’s gone (a mishap probably when we moved from SC to NC). All that remains is this cute little head. I could never part with it. It was just too adorable! And now, at last, I understand why. It was meant to be included in this little book! It reminds me of my daughter with her jet black hair so I named the artwork it inspired “Tasha Dreams” after her. Tasha can always tell when a drawing is based on her because I always include a swirl of hair at the hairline like the one at the top of her forehead.

So I hope you will hop on over to my shop and check it out. I've listed the mini zine printable in both my dot com and my Etsy shop as a file to download and print yourself. I even have a step by step video of how to fold and cut it into a book (please see below).


Thank you for your interest and support.

Peace,
Amy

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Moldovan and Romanian Matryoshkas

Moldovan Matryoshka
Romanian Matryoshka
Hello! Today I bring you my two latest folk dress drawings from the cultures of Moldova and Romania. Prints and coloring sheets are now available at my dot com and as always in my Etsy shop. Merchandise featuring both are available in my Zazzle shop.

Speaking of which, I was so excited to see that guitar cases are now available on Zazzle!! Matryoshka and guitars do share a shape! And these remarkable guitar case/bags have interchangeable "faces". So the entire front face can be removed and another applied. You can purchase one case with one of my cultural matryoshkas, and then other cultures to swap out. Bags are available in acoustic and electric versions. I'm in the process of offering these for all my cultures. I have drawn over one hundred cultures so it will take me some time. If you are waiting for a particular culture to be available please contact me and let me know so I can go ahead and make it available.


Romanian Guitar Case
Romanian Guitar Case
by AmyPerrotti

Here is a link to a video showing how to swap out the faces (jump ahead to 2:15):


My husband is a guitarist, so no wonder this has me so excited! :)

Peace,
Amy

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Nicaraguan Matryoshka

Nicaraguan Matryoshka
Hello! Since my last post, I have completed a Nicaraguan Matryoshka. Prints and a coloring sheet are now available (and other products as well). This is the fourth Central American culture I've drawn. I pinned a board of Nicaraguan images I found around the web here.

Russian Doll & Snowman, A Snow Globe Love Story, Coloring & Activity Book Printable

I also have a new coloring and activity book printable PDF,  "Russian Doll & Snowman, A Snow Globe Love Story"! I have offered this coloring/activity book in the past but now I'm making the file itself available. So you can print as many as you'd like for a one time price. It includes 4 coloring pages, a maze, a "draw your own snow globe scene", and 2 tent card dolls to make. Also a full color cover and a table of contents.

Peace,
Amy

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Fun Activities and Projects

Indian Mother and Baby, Purple and Pink, Doll Pillow
Hello! I've been busy creating all kinds of stuff! First off, are Cut and Sew fabric projects in my Spoonflower shop— Doll Pillows!!! Two Indian Mother and Baby, doll pillow, cut and sew fabrics! Above is the doll pillow I made for my daughter, the purple and pink, and below is the red and blue. They are from my Indian Mothers and Daughters drawing that I sell as prints.
Indian Mother and Baby, Red and blue, Doll Pillow



Little Red Riding Hood Coloring Book Printable File
Also new, is my Little Red Riding Hood Coloring Book Printable file. It comes with twelve coloring pages, and a full color front and back cover. Keep the sheets loose, or staple them together with the covers to make a coloring book. There are scenes of Little Red Riding Hood and her forest friends throughout the year, the wolf dressed as Grandma, a skunk, valentines, an Easter egg, autumn leaves, gingerbread men, and snowflakes. The great thing about purchasing a printable file is you can print as many as you want, as often as you want, for just one price. They are fun and convenient for party favors or group activities. If you are, or know an adult who is, fond of coloring it's fun for adults too! If you don't already know, or haven't guessed, the Little Red Riding Hood is inspired by my daughter Tasha.
Top half of my Marshallese Matryoshka coloring sheet.
I've also improved my coloring sheet files with thinner black lines to allow for maximum coloring and greater detail. When I first designed my coloring sheets I was thinking in terms of kids coloring with crayons, and classic thick black lined coloring sheets. More and more adults are purchasing my coloring sheets for themselves and coloring with colored pencils. So I've gone through all my cultural coloring sheets and made the improvements. You can see an example above.

In other news: 
I am now on Instagram! So hopefully (along with my other many locations) wherever you are on the web you can conveniently find me, follow me, and keep up with my work.

Lastly, I've updated all the cultures in my zazzle shop to now offer phone cases. 
See! I told you I've been busy. :)

Peace,
Amy

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Three Colombian Matryoshka

Colombian Folk Dancer Matryoshka

Colombian Misak or Guambiana


Colombian Palenquera of Cartagena


The only way to describe my experience researching Colombia is— So many cultures! So little time! There are so many beautiful cultures, I was absolutely overwhelmed with possibilities. I decided to narrow it down to three to start with, because I could not choose just one!

The "folk dancer" inspired Colombian is wearing the national colors of the flag: yellow, blue, and red. With a ruffled full skirt, perfect for twirling, and pretty flowers in her hair.

The Misak or Guambiana Colombian is a little girl from one of the many indigenous peoples of Colombia. I am fascinated by the different mountain people of the world and feel the kinship in their cultural ways of life.

The Palenquera of Cartagena Colombia represents the women who sell fruit and are known for their multicolored clothing, and posing with bowls of fruit carried on their heads. They are an African Diaspora culture of Colombia.

So you see why I could not draw just one. And with that, I salute the rich cultural diversity of Colombia!  

Peace,
Amy


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Saudi Matryoshka and New Favor Boxes

Saudi Arabian Matryoshka
Aah, March! Daffodil, camellia, and forsythia are blooming in our yard. Very inspiring, so I've been drawing and today I bring you my latest creation, a Saudi Arabian Matryoshka! She is now available in my Etsy shop, my new dot com AmyPerrotti.com and soon in my Zazzle shop (it takes a couple of days for new items to show up there).
Flowerpot Favor Box
I've also designed some new favor boxes. An anthropomorphic flower in a flowerpot DIY printable that comes in five happy colors.
Basketball Favor Box
A basketball hoop favor box, fun for a basketball or sports themed party or as a gift box for your favorite basketball fan.
Strawberry Favor Boxes
And last but not least, sweet strawberry favor boxes to fill with candies or other treats for a birthday party, shower or wedding.

So, I hope you are feeling inspired to create a themed party! Please send me photos from your event!! I also love to receive photos of my Matryoshka prints, framed and in arrangements. Please let me know if I have your permission to share any photos you send me. Thank you! :)

Peace,
Amy

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Matryoshka Makeovers

Pakistani Matryoshka

Spring is coming! Time to spruce up! It's time for Matryoshka makeovers. First off, my Pakistani Matryoshka has had a bit of a wardrobe change and is feeling beautiful!

Some of my other Matryoshka felt like it was time for a change too. My Irish Dancer now comes with black or light brown hair. My Serbian and Latvian now have brown or blond hair to choose from. My Scotswoman has had a day at the spa and her complexion is just glowing. My Portuguese has gone back to her darker natural hair color and brightened up her wardrobe with a new blue apron. My Laotian now has red and pink themed clothing to choose from. And last but not least, my Taiwanese Bride decided she is really a Chinese Bride at heart.

I would like to thank my cousin Robin and her daughter Meredith, my friend Tracy and all my art collectors for your suggestions, help and input.

Peace,
Amy
AmyPerrotti.etsy.com