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Growing up as a little girl I always loved the Care Bears. So cute and cuddly with those cool symbols on their chests to represent each character’s unique traits and personalities.
I bring these bears up because my daughter age 3 is OBSESSED with the Care Bears right now! Can’t get enough.
Her favourite is Cheer Bear whom she lovingly refers to as….Cookie!
I guess now that I look back on it, I might have had the same obsession. I used to watch the show like my life depended on it. I collected as many plush characters as I could possibly convince my parents to buy for me, ran around the house pretending to be Grumpy Bear whenever I was in a bad mood. So I guess my little Princess takes after me a little more than I realized.
In all fairness her new and updated version of the Care Bears is very similar in values and storylines, but the big difference is in the updated CGI animation and the readily available episodes and stories featuring Care Bear Cousins and such which are available on Netflix for her to enjoy at her leisure.
It is such a wonderful feeling to see your kids growing up and enjoying things that remind you of your childhood and days gone by. It gives us something in common from her perspective and allows us to bond over a common theme.
One major difference is that my very favourite Bear of all time is Grumpy, well because i’ve always found him to be really funny for someone who is perennially in a foul mood.
My Daughter thinks Grumpy is the worst of the bunch because he is always “mean” as she says. Very true young lady but also a normal feeling that everyone goes thru, which is the parenting lesson i turned it into!!….Score one for the Momma Bear!!
Now if only I could get this kid to get outside and play in the sprinkler system or something fun outside of the house!
As always, thanks for checking out my spot and please feel free to leave a comment or contact me here.
The Mystery Machine, 4 people and 1…well sometimes 2 dogs. My inner child has always wanted to be a detective. I’m almost positive it has a lot to do with watching Scooby-Doo, Shaggy and the gang solve mysteries as I was growing up.
So involved with this silly cartoon as kids that one of my best friends growing up was a cool kid named Brian. Who also grew up into one of the best roofers I know. If you’d like to see his skills, click here for the company he works with.
The reason I bring up Brian is because he is now a grown adult in his 30’s. He is also a grown adult with a absolutely awful tattoo of one of my least favourite cartoon characters of all time. Scooby-Doo’s annoying little cousin Scrappy.
I’m not sure what it was about him that irritated me as a child. Most likely it was just that I always enjoy status quo and every time that little bugger was on an episode it disrupted my Mystery Machine Gang mojo.
He just didn’t bring anything to the show in my opinion. It’s great how much Scooby cares about his little cousin but we don’t need reminders about how awesome Scooby is. The show carries his namesake for crying out loud, he’s beloved without having a whiny twirp to take care of!
No matter what, I always knew that an episode with Scrappy would always turn up crappy! (see what I did there!?)
Brian on the other hand, looked forward to those few episodes with Scrappy-Doo with such fanfare you would think he was the one who invented the character. I’m not kidding I remember him jumping up and down, fist pumping like the his favourite team just won the Super Bowl.
When Brian turned 18 he asked me to head to the tattoo place with him and he sure enough brought out a photo of scrappy doo holding a hockey stick. Writing this now reminds me how funny I thought it was at the time. How persistent he was that it was a great idea and he will love it FOREVER!!!!
15 years later. Scrappy is officially about to be covered up with a dragon. RIP to a shitty tattoo my friend.
Now if only I could erase this shitty character from my mind so easily!
Til next time guys, once again if you have any comments or questions please contact me here.
This is a cartoon from the 80s that has definitely stood the test of time. Alvin and the Chipmunks was such a fun show to watch as a child. The antics of Alvin, Simon and Theodore as they lived with their “father” Dave who also doubled as their music manager.
The Chipmunks was a blast for me mostly because of the music. Every episode had the chipmunks singing and dancing around It still makes me happy to this day, especially at Christmas time where the Chipmunks Christmas song is my all time holiday favourite.
Over the years the little rodents have gone from Saturday morning cartoon to a Multi sequel Hollywood franchise. Granted these movies aren’t well reviewed and will never be considered Oscar contenders. What they are is what they should be. FUN! Watch the Chipmunks with a child and I guarantee they will be laughing their little hearts out. There is something about the characters that you just relate with. All three are so different. Alvin is brash and arrogant. Simon is smart and book wormish and Theodore is the sweet innocent chubby brother.
The attribute I like best about these characters is that they never use their characteristics on each other. They are brothers and always find a way to get along and help each other. Siblings today should be lucky to have brothers or sisters who will be there when needed and always have each others backs.
I think that is the foundation for it all at the end of the day, it resonates with kids because it is funny and heart warming…and thoughtful all at once. The formula must be working because i’ve sat through Chipmunks, a squeakuel, Chipwrecked, Road Trip and who knows how many more. But I know i’ll be there watching and enjoying with my kids and the way these characters resonate thru generations, perhaps one day i’ll tell my grandkids all about the Chipmunks when I was a little boy too!!…. Here’s hoping!
I was hanging out at my sister Janet’s place this weekend, during dinner her husband Rick went on quite the rant about the poor quality of his son’s cartoons.
Rick who was obviously doing a little early St. Patrick’s day celebrating was very upset that his son was watching Pokemon, Digimon, Johnny Test and Adventure Time. Upset in his mind for a legit reason. His son was being robbed of the childhood that Rick had in the (80s) – YUP it sounds as crazy written down as it did coming out of his mouth. While this generation of children may not have The action of the Transformers, Silverhawks and Super Mario Brothers. Nor do they have the funny and imagination inspiring Muppet Babies or Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, but is this really a problem?
In my humble opinion, i think absolutely not. Of course my brother-in-law feels his kid is missing out. Only problem is, in reality Rick is the one missing out. He’s nostalgic for the old times and trying to live vicariously through his young son. I’d be willing to bet almost every parent thinks the things they had as a kid was 10x better than what their kids are watching or playing with now. I’d also be willing to bet that every single kid thinks that their parents are NUTS!!
Kids now are fast paced, CGI effects and whatever will hold their attention span or make them want the next toy available that the shows are promoting. To adults it’s visual nonsense, to the children who enjoy them it’s the same feeling that Rick had about his G.I. Joe’s. When these kids grow up and have families of their own they will be the ones complaining about future kids entertainment just as we the children of the 80’s and 90’s are complaining about now.
I know this is a bit different than my initial entry but i’m still trying to find my groove and hammer down exactly how this blog will operate. I think as long as i’m on the topic of cartoons and illustrations then i’m living up to my end of the bargain here and I hope my readers enjoy and get a sense of my passion!!!
When thinking about a heroic character, I think of a few attributes that point to a character being a hero. Are they likeable? Brave? up for adventure? a great leader? Lion-o checks of all those questions with a resounding YES and then some. I remember thinking how incredible this half cat – half human character was. How he was meant to lead this team of warriors, the Thundercats. His weapons were also amazing the Sword of Omens which fit snugly into his clawed glove until the moment Lion-O would shout the words Thunder, thunder, thunder, thundercats hoooooooooooooo! The sword would grow and project the Thundercats logo into the sky, summoning the other Thundercats to the battle.
With his sidekick Snarf by his side, Lion-O and the Thundercats had to battle the evil Mumm-Ra. A mummy whose magic transforms him into Mumm-Ra the Everliving!!
Along with Cheetara, Panthro, Tigra, Wily Kit and Wily Kat the Thundercats will always have a special place in my heart as one of the greatest cartoon shows of all time!
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Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by my new spot. My name is Peg, this corner of the web is all about one of my favourite things in the world. Cartoons!!! I’m calling it Peggy Collins Illustrations (after my favourite artist) and all things related. I’m a big fan of retro cartoons as well as the incredible CGI movies and shows which monopolize the industry now. Check back soon as i’ll be updating regularly.
Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by my new spot. My name is Peg, this corner of the web is all about one of my favourite things in the world. Cartoons!!! Illustrations and all things related. I’m a big fan of retro cartoons as well as the incredible CGI movies and shows which monopolize the industry now. Check back soon as i’ll be updating regularly.
Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by my new spot. My name is Peg, this corner of the web is all about one of my favourite things in the world. Cartoons!!! I’m calling it Peggy Collins Illustrations (after my favourite artist) and all things related. I’m a big fan of retro cartoons as well as the incredible CGI movies and shows which monopolize the industry now. Check back soon as i’ll be updating regularly.
but it is summer. And with summer comes busy days, where I am exhausted and busy doing other things... so my poor blog falls by the wayside. We've been weeding and planting, picking berries and peas and swimming, playing with friends, visiting family and driving a LOT. I've been rewriting books and doing sketches for others. I've been mulling over September and what kind of changes our family is in for, and wondering how I can make this easier for all of us - while keeping my income substantial. I've been teary at weddings and at kindergarten graduation... and getting very excited about my sister's visit home from Kenya.
I have also been LUCKY! I won a pile of stuff at my son's school fun fair and today won an OWL retro t-shirt. This summer is starting out very well.
and so is gardening, the beach and BERRIES. There is nothing I enjoy more than warm berries right off the plant, and since the deer successfully ate all of ours, we went picking today. I am now sitting with a belly full of strawberry shake. A family favourite, and anticipating a lovely trip to the beach tomorrow.
But during all of this - there is work to do - lots of it, and I have been procrastinating (terribly) and so, I need a swift kick in the behind. I have a re-write to do of a story - requested by an editor that I LOVE and I so hope to work with, illustrations for an awesome book I have some sketches done for, but need to do the rest (and yes, I will have to soon David) and five book covers that are almost done... and my studio is still in limbo. Because, my dear husband has been working on other people's houses once again. It is ALMOST done. Trim is just about there and needs some paint (my job) and the floor needs to be sealed, but in the frenzy of the last bout of work, DH decided to work on the doorway and steps instead... with good reason. I am really hoping to get moved in very, very soon.
Well, today I had the great fortune to launch our new book -
Tooter's Stinky Wish, written by Brian Cretney and published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Not only did Brian pull together the whole team for this, but put on a great show to a packed house. Our Editor,
Christie Harkin was there, and our Fab designer Kerry Plumley, AND our publicist - Cheryl Chen. We had a packed house - opening with the
Smudge Fundaes and wrapping up with "Scooter" the stinkless skunk. The kids loved it. The adults did too. The admiration and love this community (Ste Catharine's) has for teacher/writer/illustrator Brian Cretney was palpable and amazing. This guy has obviously touched a lot of people in his not-too-long, but not-too-short career as a teacher. I can see why - he has a lovely wife and 4 beautiful kids, great parents - and is a very, very nice guy.
It is funny the way the world works. I met Brian at a conference two years ago - and now we have a book together - but those two bits are completely unrelated... We had a blast, and my wrist got VERY sore signing I am sure at least 100 books. Every book launch after this one is going to pale in comparison.
I also got to see two long-ago friends from planting - before we ever had kids/careers, or generally any idea where or who we were in life. I ran into a pal at the Butterfly Conservatory who came with her kids, our best buds made the journey with us for the weekend - puddles and all - and my mom and aunt made the journey from Lindsay....
Pictures to follow, but now I must finish my wine and enjoy the quiet now that the KOA Kareoke has ceased... tomorrow we hop on the maid of the mist then sail home.
On Saturday, our friend Trina asked if we would come and cheer her on for her 5km run. Of course we would (with signs too - that's me on the right with two heads). I have been on the cusp of a lifestyle change for awhile now, but let me tell you... watching Trina, who I know has worked so hard over this last year run the 5 km was inspiring (and so were the other women I know from all sorts of other places) - so, tonight I joined her at
Boot Camp where I worked harder than I have in a long time. I have always considered myself a fit person - always being the me before children. I, like many other moms just forgot about me, and what I need to feel good. No more. I pledge, to take the time I need to be ME. I am sore all over, but I feel wonderful. I feel like I am on the way to myself again. So, I thank you Trina, and my sister... for inspiring me to feel good again.
I know nobody is perfect, but we all do our best don't we? Sometimes our best is extraordinary and noteworthy, and sometimes our best is managing to get everyone fed and that is it. Our Mothers, I think, are not truly appreciated until we ourselves have children. Kids don't notice that you give them the best berries from the basket, or the last bit of milk, or that the last sip from the water bottle when you are out. They don't know how sometimes it is hard to pay for a great daycare, though you manage - somehow. It is just not in them. They are, for the most part - ungrateful - and that is ok, cause if they were cognizant of all that mom does on a minute to minute basis they would all need therapy by age 5. So, I guess you just don't know till you are a mom yourself.
So on Mother's day I have a lot of mother's to think about.
My mom: is awesome. At 18 she decided that she could do it. That she could be a mother - and a great one. She made a home for us, that was filled with love, adventure and fun. We were always making things, playing outside, dreaming. She inspires me daily, and I strive to be like her - with my own kids.
She always made us the best halloween costumes, and encouraged us to build gnome homes in the snow. She also indulged our fashion sense and made us the formal dresses and fancy attire we desired. She also made us cabbage patch dolls, because the real ones were too expensive. We were ungrateful wretches! I look at that now and see all the time she put into those and it makes me weep.
My mom has taught me a lot of things, like drawing the sparkle in an eye, how to make french toast, the basics of sewing. She also taught me how to look at people, and that everyone is equal. She is a light, and everyone she knows sees it. When I visit her at work - I know. She is an easy person to love.
She made my world (with my dad of course) and it seemed easy - though I am sure it wasn't always.
My Auntie Cie. I remember snuggling with, and swinging in her colourful skirts. She always has a whimsy about her. She collect(ed) music boxes and trinkets, and always had candy on the table in a pot. I never felt unwelcome in her home. She was my go to - when I needed another place to go. She has always been there for me, and I have been happy to stand in as an honorary kid.
Oma, the grand Matriarch of our family - the glue - the amazing glue. I hope to have 1/2 the strength this woman possesses. She is full of stories, and love and yummy, yummy baking. A sounding board for all the grandkids, another place to be when others may be too prickly. Another door always open with a cup of tea.
All the women in my family (there a lot of us). You are beautiful and strong. And I like that I like you not just cause we are family. This journey of motherhood has been shared by several of us now, and I am amazed at how easily it comes to you all, and glad.
My mother-in-law, who is lovable, quirky and funny, and did her very best with almost nothing with two very busy boys. By herself. That is admirable, and I can't even imagine. I often think about her on the nights when Shawn is out and I am putting both the kids to bed. Single parents - my hats off to you!
My friends. Those whom I was really young with and still hold dear, some mothers, some aunties. You know who you are. You make me laugh. You know that even if we don't talk for months that I still love you and I know it is true of you also. You have been there through heartbreak and joy, through tragedy and
I have had a rip roaring good time illustrating this book - Don't Invite Dinosaurs to Dinner - it is the most art in the shortest amount of time I have ever done (my own fault) I promised I could. This one is written by Neil Griffiths and will be published by Red Robin Books this fall. Here are some images!
Today, mucking about in the garden we had the loveliest surprise... Lavender - the smell wafting around our feet. After a very long winter, we've FINALLY been out weeding, planning and preparing for this year's growing season. This year is so much different with Baby Z loving being outside and mucking around with her big bro.
Here is some new art for the book - Don't invite Dinosaurs to dinner (coming this fall) and my new venture - making tutu's (did you know I moonlight as a Fairy Godmother?).
I can't wait to post pictures of the new ones I have just made, all golds and red - and I've put a few surprises into the other ones... so if you know of any twirling kiddies, I may have just the thing for them!
I hope you are enjoying this first taste of spring (at least here) as well.
More art for new Dino Book... Red Robin Books - coming this fall.
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Cover for my new book by Neil Griffiths - coming later this year. |
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Tooter, from Tooter's Stinky Wish, by Brian Cretney, published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside, now available for pre-order! |
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Sacré-Coeur Basilica by my 5-year old son who is obsessed with Parisian architecture, but not the modern stuff - the old stuff. We are working on a book together called The Platypus in Paris. I get to draw the platypus. |
This time last year I was pacing. In Labour. We had come home after spending the afternoon with our midwife, with instructions to have a glass of wine, some gravol and to get some sleep (my choice, in order to avoid the hospital and morphine). In hopes that our little girl would decide to flip in the night. A week long back labour - wrapping up. I was ready. Mo was dropped off at a friends house. The closing ceremonies for the Olympics on the TV. Me in the tub, trying desperately to find some measure of comfort in the 3 minutes I had between each contraction.
Then the voice from downstairs. Shawn. "Peg, We should go. They are really, really close together." Bags packed - again - we headed to the car. What ensued was a car ride I will never, ever forget. 170 kms an hour, I almost ripped off the fabric on the top of my car. The baby had seemingly flipped, and was trying to get out. We were 57 kms from the nearest hospital. My car has never gone that fast, nor had we ever run so many red lights. Thankfully, it was 3 am. I remember Shawn asking me if we should stop at the rest stop on the 401 to call an ambulance. I remember thinking, ' holy crap, we are going to have this baby in the car.' but not telling him.
The rest was right out of a movie. We pull up, crooked, in front of the hospital (the car stayed there till 7 am with no ticket). A wheelchair shoved at us as we came in and a dude who looked a little tipsy - saying - 'Hey, you are the 5th one tonight!'. And so I was. We are flying down the hallway to the elevator, the wheelchair is collapsing, shawn is running and my feet are dragging underneath. I can feel the giant bag of 'birthing stuff' I thought I'd need, massage oils, snacks - etc - bouncing behind Shawn. I am laughing hysterically and puffing at the same time. As the elevator door closes, I see our midwife running down the hall shouting - "I am here!".
We get to Connell 5 and a nurse asks me how dilated I am. Now that is a heck of a question. Most women I know do not know that info at the time, unless you have just been checked. Then I hear her tell the midwife there are no more rooms. So, into an assessment room we go - where we stayed till 9 the next morning.
I was pretty dedicated to a drug-free birth this time after what happened the first time, and thankfully there was no time for all of that anyway. It was go time. With no drip bag holder available, by hubby held the antibiotics up in one arm, while mopping my brow and feeding me ice. I am pretty sure he had eight arms that night. I loved him before then, but after that - he rocks my world.
Our little girl was ushered into the world that morning, 10lbs, 1 oz. With a broken collarbone and a need to be in ICU for almost a week. Time for us both to repair. I felt good. I felt strong. I felt lucky.
ICU is a hopeful, miraculous and very sad place.
Since then, she has not stopped moving. She is so tough. She rolled at 3.5 months and got around that way - until she started to crawl at 5.5 months - walking at 9.5 months and now she is unstoppable.
Tonight she tried to climb up her high chair for dinner, and then tried to climb in the tub for her bath.
Something tells me I will be chasing this little monkey around for the rest of my life.
Happy Birthday dear daughter. I love you.
I am please to announce my upcoming book - Tooter's Stinky Wish, by
Brian Cretney, published by
Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Coming this spring to a bookstore near you! Loved working on this book - fantastic art direction and great story - look for it soon!
It used to be that bedtime was a family ritual, that is, before there were four of us. We would take turns reading, all snuggled into our sons double bed. We'd tell stories in the dark and it was our time together, to end the day. When our daughter was born, I had to leave this cosy time - and join another one. Now, at bedtime, I listen to my husband and son reading together as I quietly nursnuggle (thanks Elaine) my little one... and I am amazed. The power a dad has when he reads with a child, esp a boy - is tremendous. He waits patiently for him to sound out the words. He reads the books that our son chooses and he never gets sucked into 'just one more book'. It is three Picture books, or chapters from a 'big kid book'. As I lie there, I think - he is teaching him - and doing it so well.
I miss it, and part of me looks forward to the time we can go back and forth, getting each child's special time - but for now, I will listen. It brings tears to my eyes I love it so much.
Then there is Valentine's day - and I wonder - when did loot bags start getting handed out? Seriously people! Kids don't need that junk, you know. However, I did bake cookies - lol. So I guess I am just as bad. Mo and I worked on valentines on monday (not a school day). I did give him the option of going in to 'buy' some, and he said NO. "Homemade one's are better, and we don't need to go shopping every day!" Amen to that little wise man. I will keep that one close.
Layers and layers of old wallpaper and boards, only to find a sketchy structure underneath... and a century worth of squirrel nests, and one not so lucky, kind of petrified, squirrel. That is what you get for chewing on wires. I can say we have truly evicted them from our house, for awhile there I was afraid they might never leave.
I am so excited I can barely stand it. The above pictures are what the room looked like before (was supposed to be an easy reno -
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Way to go Peggy :) As mom's we do forget about ourselves, we put the kids first, and soon we are too tired to take care of ourselves. Soon your going to have this wonderful gift of extra energy....I think that's one of the best parts about getting fit...the energy...to not feel so dang tired all the time.
GO PEGGY GO :) :) :)