Monthly Archives: April 2015

Working on Magic

Something clicked for me after MATS A, and that's the concept of joy in one's work.  I connected it finally with the idea of creating magic in an illustration. It's something I have struggled with for a long time, and am always working on.  So, this past week, I made it a point to focus on this element and re-work some past illustrations.

I started with my sketches from the Global Talent Search back in 2013.  I loved my sketches for this project, but ended up submitting something completely different and kicked myself afterward.

Anyway, I worked with this palette which I used for the competition and that I love, and it helped me focus on just having fun and making a sweet little repeat.

revamped repeat

original illustration from 2013

Next, I thought of a different concept with the playground scenario.  What if the playground animals came alive at night and had fun jumpin' around in a magical firefly forest after dark?  So, I re-inked the original sketches, illustrated all-new spring animals, and created a night-time palette to help me focus on illustrating.  Here is what I came up with:

alternate night time theme, 2015


Wouldn't it be so cool if it came in actual glow-in-the-dark fabric?  I keep thinking of a pajama set for my little guy that glows in the dark!  That would be neat!

Review: Wanderlust

Review: Wanderlust post image

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First, the facts:

Title: Wanderlust: 46 Modern Knits for Bohemian Style

Author: Tanis Gray

Published by: Interweave Press, 2015

Pages: 183

Type: Patterns, men and women

Chapters:

1. Scarves & Wraps
2. Cowls & Shawls
3. Hats
4. Mittens & Wristers
5. Matching Sets
6. Sweaters

KS: Wanderlust

The In-Depth Look:

Let’s explore this one with bullet points, shall we?

  • First–the size of this collection is amazing. Forty-six patterns in one book? When you consider that most books seem to range between 12-20 patterns, the fact that this book has nearly 50 is astounding.
  • All the patterns were designed for one specific yarn: Cascade’s Longwood, a superwash, medium-weight yarn which makes everything in here machine washable. (Though, of course, you can always substitute another yarn if you like.)
  • The patterns are all for men or women (or both)–so everything, including the sweaters, are for adults.
  • Shawls, scarfs, hats, gloves, sweaters–all the things you’d expect. Great patterns. Lots of variety.
  • On a purely personal level, I’m finding it impossible to read or write about this book without humming the Paul McCartney song.

Seriously, Tanis Gray pretty much never disappoints, and she knocked it out of the park with this one.

This book can be found at Amazon.com or at one of your local shops.

Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.

This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!

My Gush: Great book, amazing value.

Other posts for this author:

Coffee And Shopping Day …

Every Saturday my daughter Deb and I go out for coffee and sometimes shopping as well.  Her best friend Dawn often joins us and we always have a good time… lots of laughing is involved.

This past Saturday we went to the pretty and charming small town of Lafayette, New Jersey which is set in the rolling hills of Sussex County.   There are a lot of antique stores and although antiques are not quite my thing it’s fun to poke around in the shops and discover that some of the antiques are things that my parents actually had when I was a child.

Our first stop was a Cloveberry, a charming coffee/food/bakery cafe.  We will definitely be going back.  The coffee was superb and the mixed berry scone I had was not only massive but de-lic-ious.

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100_8060After our caffeine fix and calorie overload off we went to explore.

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It was in the last shop, Sweet P.E.A.’s that we spent the most time… and yes, it was sweet.  Somehow I got into one of the pictures !

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From the window you can see and hear water rushing past…

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When we went outside we saw this building…

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… nice view from inside.

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It was a lovely day and I’m sure we’ll go back.

These aren’t signs of spring but signs that made me smile..

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Flowers On Cash Register …

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Evening In Pictures

Every day seems to be gaining ever more momentum toward summer. I took extra time this evening to appreciate the new flowers, the new bits of green popping up everywhere, and the wooly creatures who will be freed of their heavy winter fleeces in the next week or so.

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The apple trees are starting to leaf out.

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This broody hen is very unhappy that I keep taking the eggs from under her.

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Tagged: Farm

Evening In Pictures

Every day seems to be gaining ever more momentum toward summer. I took extra time this evening to appreciate the new flowers, the new bits of green popping up everywhere, and the wooly creatures who will be freed of their heavy winter fleeces in the next week or so.

04.11.15a

04.11.15b

The apple trees are starting to leaf out.

04.11.15c

04.11.15d

04.11.15e

04.11.15f

04.11.15g

04.11.15h

04.11.15i

This broody hen is very unhappy that I keep taking the eggs from under her.

04.11.15j

04.11.15k

04.11.15l

04.11.15m

Weekly Photo Challenge: Afloat …

The challenge this week is to interpret the word afloat.

The dictionary definitions of afloat are:  1-floating or borne on the water; in a floating condition… and 2-moving without being guided or controlled; drifting.

1-is of a the ferry the On Time III which sails between the island of Martha’s Vineyard and the smaller island of Chappaquiddick.

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   2-is this kite being flown at the beach.

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https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/afloat/


Three Bears …

…and an afghan

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Recommended

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Do you read books recommended by friends? Or do you prefer to find your own books to read.

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!


Doesn’t Belong …

What sign doesn’t belong with the others !

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Extra points if you can guess what store this is and in what town ? :)