Owl Gift Set

Hooo, Hooo! New in my shop- Owl pocket mirror and pinback button gift set. This gift set is a Hoot! Cute and Spooky. :>

A SUNNY Gift Set!

I'm so excited and happy about a New Gift Set now available in my shop! My cheery Sunny Russian Doll pocket mirror and pinback button gift set! A pairing sure to brighten one's day!

I'm so pleased with how these turned out!!! I hope they bring a smile to your face too!

Russian Doll and Snowman in Love Pinback Button and Gift Tag

I am so happy to announce a New listing in my shop — "Russian Doll and Snowman in Love" Pinback Button and Gift Tag! I'm soooo pleased with how these turned out. I wanted to do a pinback button of this lovely couple up close and personal. I also wanted to come up with a way of presenting it that was fun and pretty. So I came up with this pretty button & gift tag combination. So many fun possibilities- accessorize with the pretty pin, hang the pin attached to the tag as a beautiful decoration or adorn a gift and add a sweet message to the back!

"Lazy Lion" Print Made Etsy Front Page!

I am so excited that my Lazy Lion print made the front page! I love this treasury with all it's Leo items! Thank you to Etsy for including my Lazy Lion!

Green Days Treasury

Nuishu made this serene Green Days Treasury. Thank you Nuishu for including my Lazy Lion print. Leo for an August treasury- very fitting! Also, I am a Leo, and light green is the color of the August birthstone (peridot). So it is perfect really! :)

Happy "Red and White" Treasury!

So far today isn't going as I planned except for making this cheerful "Red and White" treasury featuring some of my favorite items, Artists and friends! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. :) I think this treasury has cheered me up and will help get me back on track.

"Max" Treasury

Yayahandicraft was very clever in concocting this colorful medley of items for this beautiful treasury. Thank you Yayahandicraft for including my Mushroom Russian Doll ACEO! :)

Pink Delights

This treasury is entitled "Pink Delights". Okay, so allot of my posts have been about treasuries lately. This is only the second one I have created though and I feel that I should pay it forward and give other people some exposure. Other artists have been so kind to include my work in their treasuries. I adore all the items in this treasury for various reasons. Some are beautiful and some are so cute I want to eat them. :)

I have had a very busy week. Preparing for this coming homeschooling year. I miss you all and will be visiting and commenting more soon.

Little Red Riding Hood Treasury

Alpine Blue made this darling Little Red Riding Hood treasury and included my Little Red Riding Hood series prints! Thank you Alpine Blue! :D

Kooky Bird

So my monstrous little birdie has evolved further. Purples, reds and hot pinks are doozies to print. Still working on that. So currently just a screen image. But since this bird is an imaginary "Monster" bird maybe the virtual world should be it's home. . . will be for now anyway. :>

Some of my Favorites

Well, I finally created a treasury. I guess I was intimidated by the process but it was really pretty easy and allot of fun. It is entitled "Light Blue Kisses. . . on red cheeked babes". Enjoy!

Surprise Treasury

Yayahandicraft very sweetly included my Sunny Russian Doll print in this "Surprise" Treasury. It was a very joyful surprise on an otherwise not so joyful day. We had a very bad storm. It hailed and we had very strong winds and rain. Our old oak tree came down. It landed on our neighbors fence. We feel badly about our neighbors fence and badly about the old oak that was home to so much wild life. But, the sun shines on a new day. A new fence will be built, new trees will sprout up where the oak once stood and we are thankful that we and our houses still stand.

Donation to Raffle

Michele at Extremely Crafty asked if I would donate a print to the Extremely Crafty's- Craft Against Cancer for the Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign she is hosting. I am donating a Sunny Russian Doll print for the raffle. She did a really nice blog about my work here. Thank you Michele and good luck with the raffle and good luck to all the participants.

Wolf Party Treasury

Thank you Sammakes for including my Little Red Riding Hood Gingerbread print in your howlingly FUN treasury! I hope Little Red brought enough gingerbread men to share with all these wolves! ;)

Sneak Peek Kooky Bird

I'm working on this illustration of a "Kooky" bird. I want it to be a cross between a chubby little baby bird and a monster. :> Tweet, Tweet, Chomp! he he he

Owl Felted Illustration

A few months back I made a sketch of an owl on a tree limb in front of the harvest moon. I decided I wanted to illustrate it using something different than I had tried before. I have been wanting to try felting so I thought that might be perfect for this illustration. My friend Nadine was kind enough to show me how and this weekend I bought some felting supplies and went to work. The outcome is the top picture you see here.

As I was working on the felting at my parents house my Mom remarked that it reminded her of a toy owl my brother had when he was little. I hadn't thought of it but she was right. That probably was where my mind was drawing inspiration from because I had always loved his windup toy owl. My Dad still has some of my brother's toys so I asked him if I could see it (Dad always knows right were everything is). Dad got it out and to our amazement it still works! I took a movie of it. It chirps too! It was magical to me as a child. I still love it. (Notice what funny feet it has. Looks like they may have used these feet on this toy and a Godzilla toy too! lol)

Owl Treasury

Thank you Snugnluv for including my Owl print in this wonderful "Wise Old Owls" treasury!! It is a Hoot! Snugnluv you are a Peach! What a nice way to start the week. Funny thing is I am currently working on another owl project. So, be on the lookout for more owly posts later this week!

Sunny Treasury

Christineterrell was so kind to include my Sunny Russian Doll print in her Let the Sun Shine In treasury. What wonderful canary yellows! Be sure to check our Christine's Pickle Picnic. One of my favorites! Cute as a button!

Past 2 Weeks

For the past 2 weeks my husband Eric has been working his regular job of teaching guitar plus teaching a music camp at Jackson's Music. He has had allot of fun and it has gone really well. He comes home with stories about the kids every night. The students form a band during the week long camp and then record a song and have a performance.

With Eric gone so much, the last 2 weeks, my daughter and I have been playing frisbee (which I've got to tell you is the most fun and Best exercise I've ever had!), baking muffins, and making apple dolls. As you can see the apple dolls are (from left to right) "a sailor with a telescope, and the other is a bagpipe player" so says the artist. I know, I know no real need for an explanation. Since it is so obvious with the wonderful job she did.

The muffins however do need some explaining. Pictured here our second batch this week. I thought this would be the best batch because these were made from scratch and the first were from a box. But. . . well, not so much. I did alter the recipe by adding vanilla. Don't you have to use vanilla when you bake??? I mean, come on. So, after eating 3 of these pointy muffins I can honestly say the store bought box type were superior. But these were very fun to make and this one pictured did resemble a little house or hut with a blueberry door, so it wasn't a total loss. Enjoying the process and the visual aspects of the result made it worthwhile.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I haven't been drawing, posting new drawings, and I thought I should explain. My daughter informs me we are going to make robots today. She is fun. :)

Featured in a Treasury!

RozzyToz creates some really fabulous and fun jewelry and appetizer picks! She also made this fab treasury full of warmth and mood entitled "Warm Summer Nights". And, very sweetly, she included my little owl print. I love all the dark blues and warm glows in this treasury. My favorite items on her sight are her ladybug appetizer picks! I LOVE Ladybugs!!!

Toadstools and Tea Parties

I really enjoyed visiting all the blogs that participated in the Mad Hatter Tea Parties in June. I think we will do a Mad Hatter Tea party theme for my daughters birthday this year.

I love a theme!!! I've been drawing pictures in my journal of all the fun, games and goodies for the party. One of my favorite things to do!

I'm terribly fond of toadstools. I think it has something to do with a book from my childhood, I am a Bunny by Richard Scarry. Marmeecraft (I LOVE this blog!) shared a toadstool she made inspired by another blog madewithlovebyhannah. So here is a picture of the toadstool I made inspired by them both! I, like marmeecraft, used an oatmeal container for the stem.

Next I want to make a caterpillar to sit on top so I can use it as a prop or centerpiece for the birthday party! Thank you to both the blogs for sharing such a fun project!

Waiting

Hello! I have continued to work on my baby babushka. I'm not sure if she is finished yet or not. I will step away from it for a day or two and see. :)

One Lovely Blog Award Recipients

There are so many lovely blogs/lovely people out there. It was difficult to choose only 15. Here are 15 I think are lovely. If they accept the nomination for the One Lovely Blog Award they can each then choose 15 blogs to give the award to and share the love further. Congratulations to all the recipients! Happy Blogging, and thank You for reading my blog!

1. Anita C. McCants
2. Bitacora Imaginaria
3. Dolls and Collectibles
4. Heavenleigh Art
5. Hollyrocks
6. It's Been Stitched
7. Karin Grow
8. Moor
9. Mundomundaca
10. Myarte
11. Pink Days Studio-Shabby Chic
12. Sin zapatos
13. The Art of Kerry Beary
14. The Present Moment is Inevitable
15. The Silver Dog

One Lovely Blog Award

I am very delighted and honored to receive this award from Giovanna of Boho Market! Giovanna's blog is super stylish and fabulous! Thank you Giovanna.

Now, I get to nominate 15 lovely blogs to receive this award and hopefully pass it on. There are so many great blogs! I must start making my list! :D

Sneak Peek "Waiting"

Here is a Sneak Peek at an illustration I am working on today. I drew a sketch of this tot in my journal months ago and fell in love with her. She is a baby babushka- sweet, patient, and curious.

Chosen "Indie Retailer of the Day" by Moue Magazine

Google Alerts emailed me another surprise this morning- I have been chosen Indie Retailer of the Day by Moue Magazine. :D Very nice of them.

Featured on Blogs

In the last few days a couple of bloggers have featured my artwork on their blogs and another has asked me if she can in the future. Naughtysecretaryclub, in a blog about family portraits, featured my little Astronaut custom portrait and fortheloveofcute featured my Snowy Penguin print. Thank you to all for the good exposure!

CD cover Portrait Preview

Hi! This week I've been working on the cover for my husband Eric's new CD. He is a wonderful (well, he IS a wonderful husband but is also) musician/composer. :) I find drawing him rather intimidating. Not because of his attitude about it. He is always supportive of my work. I just really want to do him and his music justice. So, this is a sneak peek at the work in progress. The pants are giving me a hard time. I think I'm going to have him pose wearing a different pair. These were too baggy. Not coming across as crossed legs. Anyway, hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Made it to the Front Page on Etsy today!!!

My Little Red Riding Hood, Set of 3, 5"x7" prints made the front page on Etsy this morning! It's the first time I've made the front page. I'm very happy! :)

Russian Doll and Snowman in Love Pocket Mirror

I'm so happy with the way these turned out!!! Doing a happy dance! I've just placed these pretty pocket mirrors in my shop. This is from my "Russian Doll and Snowman in Love, a Snow Globe Love Story series". The round shape of the mirror is perfect for this snow globe illustration! And the sweet couple looks so elegant through the black organza bag. I knew the white of the snow would gleam through the bag and the black top hat, bow tie and details of the Russian Doll's dress would look stunning through the black organza. Love it when something turns out as good as I had hoped! The photo really doesn't do it justice.

Oh, and a note about yesterdays entry- The Little Red Riding Hood, Gingerbread Man Pocket Mirror. I keep thinking it looks so yummy I want to eat it. With it's sugary snow and sweet gingerbread man! Looks like a cookie! he he he

Little Red Riding Hood Pocket Mirror

I just listed pocket mirrors in my shop this morning. I'm soooo Happy and Excited about the way they turned out!!! WistfulSupplies did a great job of producing these for me. I knew they would look great in the black organza bags! I just can't get over how pretty they are. Even more beautiful than in the photograph. I really need to purchase a tripod to keep the camera from shaking. Anyway, I LOVE these! lol Can you tell? 

Birdie Note Cards! Tweet!

Hi everybody! I just posted these tweety pies in my shop. A set of birdie note cards.

Yart Sale Days!!!

It's Yart Sale time! Big Sales are going on in my Shop! Yart Sale items are marked down starting today June 10th - Sunday June 14th. For more information about Yart Sale see The Stork article. 

My Collection of Inspiring Piggies!

Top picture is a piggy bank I keep in my kitchen! Kind of a joke, having a foot tall piggy standing on my kitchen island. He, he, he. I ADORE it! My husband and daughter got it for me from an antique store for my birthday.

Bottom picture are mostly items I treasure from my childhood. A Three Little Pigs book, night light, motif dolls dress and the sweetest pink piggy stuffed animal. I always thought its feet looked like pink marshmallows and wanted to eat them up I loved it so much! The night light still works! The piggy key chain is from my sweet husband.

If you are wondering, Yes, I kept just about everything from my childhood. Now I get to play with them all over again with my daughter! :)

Sweet Cuties In My Kitchen

Sale on Card Sets!

I'm offering a Sale price on my new Russian Doll and Snowman card sets. There are 4 different sets of these cards in my shop. Properly pricing new items can be difficult. A real head scratcher. These are the first cards I've offered. If I get a good response with this sales price I will make it permanent (material prices permitting). :)

Cards Now Available In My Shop!!

My first cards!!! I'm so excited. I've just listed this set of assorted cards featuring my "Russian Doll and Snowman, a Snow Globe Love Story" illustrations, in my shop.  

Featured in a Treasury!

Being featured in treasuries is a Happy thing!! amyquerin was so kind to include my Dutch Babushka Tent Card Doll with all these other beautifully colorful pieces. I too love red with turquoise blue. Check out the Treasury.

New Prints are Now in my Shop!

These are details of my latest Little Red Riding Hood illustrations. I have just listed the prints in my shop. :)

Sneak Peek Holiday!

This is the latest illustration for my Little Red Riding Hood series, "A Winter Holiday" or "Sugar and Spice". . . I can't decide! Yummy though. I think I need a cookie!

Boo! Halloween Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek at my latest Little Red Riding Hood illustration. I'm finding the color combination to be very inspiring. . . the deep blue night sky. . . the autumn leaves.  I think I need to draw some more Autumn/Halloween illustrations. Maybe an Owl!!! :)

Pear Dolls

Here is my latest- Face Stickers for making Pear Dolls. I will have these face stickers available in my shop soon. Yes I'm encouraging you to play with your food! :D