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Hello, friends. I'm sorry for the lack of posting. A few of you have been asking where I am and if I'm okay. I am. Summer has just taken over and I feel like I'm trying to play catch up more than anything. =o) When the kids are back in school, I should hopefully be a better blogger. (I do post weekly at the PBJ blog and try to follow friends at facebook and twitter so if you are there, please look me up).
Here is a "Friday Five" to catch up a little:
1. One main reason I haven't been blogging as much is that I've been making my health goals a priority. Guess what? I have lost 20 pounds so far. If people tell you that losing the weight will not make you happy, they are wrong. I am ecstatic! I am feeling more and more like my authentic self with every passing day.
2. Speaking of health and wellness, I am so excited about a project that I was just offered. Dover Publishing asked if I would be interested in doing another book like my "Science Around the House" (coming out in Sept.) . This one will focus on making healthy eating fun for kids. How serendipitous is that? Deadline is December so I have my hands full. 80 pages.
Portion of one of the samples for proposal.
3. This summer, gratefully, I did have work come my way. It was mostly educational so a lot of b&w. I did a book for Flying Frog Press which was also in b&w but will be colored digitally in-house. I am anxious to see how it turned out. =o)
4. Because of that, I have really let my color work go this summer. I haven't done anything new since the Santa pieces I did in the Spring. Here are some sketches I have on my table waiting to be colored. I did these for a friends son who loves all things military. I don't have much geared to boys in my portfolio so I'm anxious to get these in there.
click to enlarge
5. Summer movies... I haven't been as often as I would have liked. I missed out on Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After. I did catch Eclipse and Inception, though, and enjoyed both!
Speaking of the Twilight series, the sound track to Eclipse is awesome
Hi Friends,
Sorry to be so absent. May has just whizzed by in a flash. Here's a Friday Five to see if I can get back into the swing of things.
1. May was full of birthdays including my first born Jesse who not only turned 18 but also graduated from high school this week. Talk about time going by. Sigh. Yes, I'm sad but I also know the turd has no intention of leaving the nest any time soon so it's all good. =O)
2. Oh man, so sad for this to be over. I was late to the party and watched all the seasons back to back via hulu this past month and I'm just not ready to leave the island. I am in the camp of viewers that really liked the ending. Very satisfying.
3 main reasons I will miss Lost:
Just kidding! Sort of. ;o)
3. This week was my birthday too and my mum got me these:
I love, love, love them. I wasn't really skeptical but I didn't particularly think they would make all that much of a difference to my walking but wow. I can go for miles now and I'm so surprised at the change in my posture. I can definitely feel different muscles being worked (glutes and front top thigh) so I'm sold. Would highly recommend them. They feel kind of weird at first , like you are going to topple over, but after a while it feels "normal".
4. YAY LEE! He had my vote.
Okay, is it just me or do you think these two hooked up? They were just so "close" during the season. Then her boyfriend dumps her the night of the finale. Coincidence? I'd love to see them record a duet. They're both awesome.
Hi All,
Haven't done this in a while and it's a fun way to catch up. So here goes:
1. Just finished up a second batch of educational work. I really love working in black line. Can't show you much so here is a snippet:
If you have the niggle to try a new program, do it. I'm so thankful that I pushed myself to learn Adobe Illustrator because this last assignment hinged on it being a requirement.
2. Technology is great. I am so thankful for SKYPE. Hubby is in Afghanistan and being able to see him is wonderful beyond words. Thank you skype, it's such a gift.
3. Created a new blog banner. Decided that it would work well as a portfolio piece so I replaced "rozzieland" with "home sweet home".
4. Have you visited the
Picture Book Junkies blog yet? If you're interested in the picturebook market, I think you'll like it. I post there every Tuesday.
5. Favorite movie of the week? Food Inc. Please see it and pass it on. It's eye opening and makes me want to do better with the choices I make. It is our way of "voting". We do count.
Have a great weekend!
Hi everyone.
Long time no blog. Fall already, where did the summer go?
1. Thanks again for the wonderful suggestions for my shoulder pain. I managed to finish the last leg of the board book work using Alleve. I'm wondering if a cintiq may be in my future. I find I wear my shoulders like earrings when I'm at the monitor too long. Maybe that wouldn't happen as much with a cintiq? I don't know. Something to think about.
Speaking of the board books, here is a sneak peek at one of the finishes.
These will be touch and feel books published by Lobster Press but I'm not sure when they come out. I had a very positive experience working with them and can't wait to see them published.
2. This summer, I had my first experience working with an advertising agency. Oh, boy, totally different animal from children's publishing. After all was said and done, it was a great experience but I had a hard time not getting stressed out. I'm learning I need to chill out because ultimately the work always gets done somehow, some way. I should hopefully be getting my copies soon. It is a brochure/booklet for Elecare infant formula and was done in my traditional felt style.
3. And now I'm back to work on a project I started before the summer that's due in December. It is a science craft book . I am having such a blast working on this. I am responsible for the writing and illustration for this project book so a lot of research has been involved.
(a little peek)
You just never know what will come as a result of your portfolio. I had a b&w illustration that I did years ago depicting kids blowing bubbles with directions on how to make them at home. This caught the eye of an AD and I was asked to submit ideas for a science based project book. Never in a million years would I have ever imagined sitting here creating such a book but I am and it is F U N.
BTW If you know of any fun science projects (or crafts that have a scientific bent) that you'd like to suggest, I'm all "ears". I'm looking for ones that can be done at home with every day things.
4. I have been such a lame blogger so I don't feel like I deserve these but I must give a big hug to Sherry and Nikki for sending me these awards over the summer. Please check out their blogs, they are both so talented. xo
5. I am so bummed. I've been meaning to take myself to see "Time Traveler's Wife" but I waited too long. When I went to check movie times I found that our theater stopped showing it ..yesterday. BAH HUMBUG.
So I guess I'll have to console myself by watching Wolverine....again. Can't get enough of my boyfriend, Hugh. =o)
Have a great weekend everyone. Happy illustrating.
Hello all! I haven't been keeping up with the blog very well, so I thought I would quickly post a friday five.
1. YAY! Finished first round of sketches for the board books I'm working on this summer. I shouldn't hear anything until the middle of next week so I'm going to savor the mental vacation. =o)
I love when I can enjoy the down time instead of worrying over where the next assignment is. Oh wait, I'm not supposed to be
doing that anymore. =o)
2. I have an assignment where I'll be doing a lot of b&w line art (more about that later) so I decided it was time to invest in a good wacom tablet. I want to do these digitally. Can't wait to get my new toy!
3. My girls are doing great. Lily is in heat. I need to get her fixed. Just keep putting it off. We've had thunderstorms all week so weeing in the house has resumed. =o/
(1990 Edinburgh, Scotland )
4. Kevin and I celebrated our 19th anniversary this month. I am even more in love with this man now than I was the day we wed. Never imagined it possilbe and thrilled that it's the case. I'm sincerely blessed and I know it.
5.And the biggest news of all (for me at least) is that I had a birthday and turned the big 4 0. I have been dreading this number for years and didn't even want to celebrate but now that I'm here I have to say that I feel pretty darn good about it. I have a life that I can be very proud of. I have my health, a beautiful family that loves me and I'm getting paid to do something I love. Can't get much better than that!
xo to all.
Yoohoo...hello....
Do you all remember me? I took an unplanned blog break, although I have been posting weekly at the PBJ's blog. The summer is flying by like crazy. The kids start back to school on the 25th! Unreal.
If you're still visiting and reading, I'm afraid I don't have too much exciting to share. I have had plenty of time between revisions to create new pieces but I just haven't "felt" like it. Isn't that horrible? I just don't feel all that inspired. "Chilling out" has been more fun.
1. 
Here is a partial sketch from a poster I am doing for an educational publisher. I may ask if they'll let me finish it digitally. We'll see.
2.
I am so loving this show. Because of it I discovered Victoria Stilwell who is one of the judges.
If you like the "Dog Whisperer", you'll really like her own show.
Thanks to her, I'm now using the "gentle leader" and it has improved my walking experience with Valentine 100%.
You'd never guess here but she is a puller and a lunger and I had to stop taking her because it stressed me out so much. Not anymore. If you have the same problem, give it a try. They sell at your local pet store. We enjoy a walk every night now.
3. 
Speaking of doggies, Lily had her first visit to the groomer this week for a "bath and tidy". =O)
4. 
Illustrators, check this out. This might appeal to you.
5. Yesterday, we finally found out where we are being assigned and it wasn't where we had hoped. (Tampa Bay for those of you that were trying to guess.)
We are heading to ...
Well, actually about 20 miles from St.Louis, in Illinois. Anyone from that area? I need to start scoping out the scbwi. It looks like we'll be located on the border of Missouri and Illinois so I'll probably join both. We'll be heading that direction in October so there's a lot to get done...fast!
Have a great weekend all. I'll try not to take a month to post again!
Hi everyone, hope you all had a productive week. I'm a bit under the weather so it has been a slow one here.
1. Did you catch the ALA book awards this week?
I read Caldecott winner " The Invention of Hugo Cabret" on the plane ride home after seeing Brian Selznick's presentation in New York. Great guy and a terrific book.
One of his quotes that I still remember is "Struggling and fear are part of the process."
I'm anxious to read,"Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village,” which won this years Newberry Award.
2. Speaking of awards, I was thrilled to see my favorite movie win best picture at the Golden Globes. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how many times I went to see this at Christmas with my mum. =O) They won best musical score too and so well deserving.
I'm reading the book right now because I've heard your privy to the love letters they send to each other in the movie. Hot dog!
3. I received a rejection this week that stung. Dangit...so close, but no cigar. sigh.
4. Over at the PBJ's we talked about looking back/forward. Here is the collage of my favorite assignments from last year.
5. I also shared that I plan to do a new illustration every month for my portfolio. Here is the sketch I'm working on for January.
Have a great weekend everyone! Enjoy the football playoffs!
1. This week has been all about doing stuff like this...
The Quality Street tin holds only floss now. My thighs are holding what was in it.
2. Speaking of which, here is my new best friend, Buddy, who is going to help me shed 20 pounds this year.
There, I've said it. Now lets see next year if blogging about it helped me stay accountable enough!
Actually, it has been amazing how much longer I can run and walk listening to music now. I'm addicted to Itunes and buying songs. Especially songs I heard over the holidays in commercials and just had to find. For example:
Feist - 1234 (ipod commercial)
Ben's Brother- Stuttering (Dentyne Ice commercial)
Ingrid Michaelson- The Way I Am (Old Navy Sweater commercial)
3. Speaking of losing weight, does anyone else enjoy ,"Biggest Loser"?.
Did you all see Ali's (host) crocheted scarf she was wearing this week? I have to make one! It reminded me of licorice allsorts.
I got so excited, I took a picture of the tv screen so that I wouldn't forget it.
If anyone knows of a pattern for this type of scarf, please let me know. Otherwise I guess I'll start by searching granny squares.
4. Lily is 6 1/2 months! Time flies. Let me just say that training a puppy to jingle a bell when they want to go outside really works! I'm so glad we persisted with that because we can be anywhere in the house and know when she wants to go out. 
These were taken this week and yes...the tree is still up. I have a hard time letting go of the lovely glow of the lights. I'll give in over the weekend.
5. One thing I love so much about blogging is connecting with others and sharing in their good news. Being able to read behind the scene's of other authors and illustrators makes my dreams feel more attainable.
I have been a fan of Lisa Schroeder's blog ever since I found her bedtime picture book, Baby Can't Sleep.
This week her first YA novel in verse, I Heart You, You Haunt Me, hit stores 
and I can't wait to read it. Congrats, Lisa!
Be sure and check out the new blog she's involved with, author2author, a collaborative blog of YA writers in different stages of their careers. Fun read!
P.S If you haven't entered for Kathy's giveaway of her new book, " The Months", there is still time. She'll be drawing the winning name around 7pm Eastern Time tonight.
The kids keep saying how they can't wait for Christmas and wish it was "today". Well, poor things, if it were, there would be nothing to open. That's right...I haven't even started shopping! Time is just blurring past at record speed. How can it nearly be Christmas?
Needless to say, I'm tad bit stressed. But it will get done, it always does and it always turns out great. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.
So, what's been going on here?
1. Thanksgiving was wonderful. My parents came to visit and stayed for a week. While they were here, we got the tree up, decorated and started our annual puzzling! I love having a puzzle going during the winter.
Here's Val keeping guard.
2. I collect coffee & tea beakers so I was thrilled when I found this at Michaels last week. They have several designs, it was hard to choose just one.
3. Last year I made "Arther's" for the family as my winter 'crochet' fix. This year I think I'm going to try to make this.
Actually, I'll be using a pattern my mum made that is similar but prettier IMHO. If I manage to get it done, I'll post it.
4. Work wise, it has been steady but not overwhelming so that is good and I'm thankful for the work that has come in. Here is a little snippet from an educational piece I'm working on. This will be in felt when finished.
5. Lily is doing great. She has gained weight at record speed. She is a whopping 7.5 pounds now and is 5 1/2 months old. Here she is taking a snooze in her favorite place with her favorite toy.
Happy Friday to all!
1. Today is my husband's Thanksgiving work luncheon. This morning I am in the process of baking 150 sausage rolls (pigs in blankets).
2. Here is a puzzle page that will be in the Dec. issue of High 5 magazine. This is a most /least puzzle. I'm anxious to see how it published with the text. My complementary copy hasn't arrived yet.
3. 
If you live in the Pittsburgh area, drop by the Barnes & Noble at South Hills Village Mall. Illustrator, Carol Baicker-Mckee and author Julie Stiegemeyer will be there signing their newest "cheep" book. Oh boy, I wish I lived there, I just love these books and Carol's adorable 3-D creations!
(Nov. 17th, 11 to noon)
4.Here's a teeny weeny sneak peek at a puzzle I'm doing for Highlights Magazine. It will be in their May issue.
5. And finally, Lily is coming up on her 5 month birthday. Here she is taking a little snooze with our sweet Valentine.
Here are my five things this week...
1. I want to send a thank you to Sheri for her feature of my Robert's Snow Snowflake on her blog this past Sunday. She went above and beyond the call of duty and also created a cool youtube video.
Speaking of youtube videos...check out the youtube she created that features all the snowflakes that are up for auction. (It's 8 minutes long so grab a nice cup of tea/coffee and enjoy!)
2. Textile artist, Pam of Pamdora tagged me with a meme this week to list 7 odd things about myself. I did a "weird" meme this year that is pretty much the same thing so here is the link. To make it 7 things I'll share my new 'odd' food concoction. Rice pudding and lowfat strawberry yogurt. I love the textures together! You wanted odd, Pam, well there you go!
3. 
I hope you made it over to the Cyber Launch Party we hosted at the PBJ's this week. It was a lot of fun and Janee will be announcing the winners of the autographed book drawing today!
We plan on doing this again soon so I'll keep you posted.
4. Work wise...I'm revisiting some story ideas and I'm determined to get BIC and follow through on a new dummybook. I have a couple circulating thanks to my rep but I need to heed the advice I'm always given and forget about them and work on another!
5. And you know I can't go a week without sharing a puppy picture. Lily finds some of the oddest places to nap!
Happy Friday to all!
Friday again...thank goodness. I'm ready to sleep in tomorrow.
1. Every Friday or Saturday night we have a family sleep over in the living room. We usually eat homemade popcorn and watch a movie. Tonight, it's TRANSFORMERS! Fun flick, I'm looking forward to it.
2.Haven't the Robert's Snow snowflake features been fabulous this week? Every morning it's the first place I go when I rev up the Internet. I could spend a small fortune, easily.
Wednesday, October 24th, I'll be featuring Elisa Kleven's snowflake so please come back then and learn all about this fabulous author/illustrator. I'm so excited!
3. Alicia Padron tagged me with a "desktop" meme where we have to share our workspace.Well here's mine. It lives between the kitchen and the living room. It's perfect for me because I'm in the thick of it all and can still be with family while I work. The only drawback is that I can't close a door and hide the mess! And as you've seen in past pictures, it gets pretty messy.
I'll tag the Illustrator's Group Soup and see if they have time to share their workspaces too.
4. Did you notice the books on my art table in the last photos? Those are what we received from the lovely Karma Wilson this week. Here is Emily with her gifties.
Flash on my camera just went kaput so we had to take it outside.
HELLO CALICO is actually mine.teehee! I was runner up in the grown up version of the contest. She sent lovely inscriptions on each and we are two very happy gals. THANK YOU, KARMA. We'll cherish them for years to come.
Be sure to visit Karma's blog and learn about her new up and coming contest!!
5. Lily is officially 4 months old tomorrow! She is growing so fast and is a 5 pounds!! Here she is after a digging spell in the back yard. It's hard to see in the picture but her paws and nose are covered in dirt.
As always, have a great weekend and see you next week! xo
Happy Friday to all! This week has flown by for me, has it you?
Five things...
1. Last week I posted about the wonderful new Karma Wilson blog. This week I'm ecstatic to share that Emily won a signed copy of Karma's new book "Whopper Cake" with this birthday card that she entered inthe contest. Way to go Emily!
2. Carol Baicker-McKee, the illustrator of the adorable "Cheep!Cheep!" books also has a blog.
I'm thrilled to see that she has a new post up sharing her process and updates on all the exciting books that she is working on. Go check it out. Obviously, I'm a big fan!
3. The busy-busy gals at "seven impossible things" have organized a great blog ring support for the upcoming Robert's Snow Auction.
Starting Monday, each snowflake will be highlighted on a blog to help promote interest in the auction. Please visit daily here at Rozzieland. I'll post the links to each snowflake that is being highlighted for that day. I can't wait to see all the different snowflakes and learn more about them! It's just such an excellent cause and I'm honored to be a part of it this year.
4.Lily is 16 weeks old and doing great accept that I think she has a cold. When she had her shots she didn't skip a beat but has the sneezes and coughs, poor thing. It has to be from the shots don't you think? She likes to nap in my lap while I'm on the computer now...
This week over at the PBJ's, we've been sharing out pet pics. Go take a looksee.
5. I am deadline free right now so you know what I'm going to do today? Take myself to a movie. I love going in the day when it's nice and quiet. I think I'll go see "Michael Clayton". Hope it is as good as they are making it sound in the reviews.
Have a great weekend everyone!
1. I have a stinkin' cold and I'm stinkin' miserable. Obviously I'm in the "feeling sorry for myself" stage.
2. Lily is 15 weeks old. Yesterday I took her to the vet to update her shots. The vet warned that she may be out of it for the next 48 hours. I don't guess Lily heard that because she's still as spunky as ever. Here she is helping with the laundry...
3. This week I learned how to do a "disjointed rollover" thanks to my pal Patty and this little tutorial.
You can see it here. I know I'm way behind the times but humour me, please. =O)
4.While my nan was alive she was an avid collector of owls. Whenever they pop up now, I'm automatically reminded of her. No surprise, then, that I am really loving Lauren Alane's work.
5.One of my fave rave pb authors has started a blog! WHOOHOO!
Check Out Karma Wilson's, "GOOD KARMA".
Happy Friday to you...ACHOO!
Happy Friday to all. Where did this week go??
1. Lily is 14 weeks and becoming such a cuddle bunny. She is shedding her puppy coat in chunks all over the house. Here she is after stealing Valentines "chewy".
2. I wish I could share what I've been working on this week.
One of the projects I just finished is like a 'pitch' where the client proposes a book idea along with a couple of finished illustrations. Please keep your fingers crossed that this project sells. I had so much fun and would love to do the entire thing!
3. I finished the artwork for the Highlights puzzler and I have to say, I am so proud of it. I really had to stretch and do new things to make it work. It will be in the March 08 edition and I'll post more about the process then.
4. One of my new favorite toys this week is this little gadget. This is perfect for working with little pieces. I have to say, though, I wish I had spent the extra $10 bucks to get the burn guard.
It's very easy to burn yourself on that long silver part that you don't use.
5. Another handy tool I discovered this week...
Usually, a print out of the sketch helps me gauge my felt and fabric pieces as I build an illustration. But I found that a transparency with the sketch printed on it works like a charm as well.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Thanks for stopping by.
On a couple of blogs I read, they do something each week called, "Five Things On Friday". I'm going to give it a go too.
Five Things On Friday:
1. Our Little Lily is 13 weeks and doing great. She is learning to bark at the door when she needs to go outside. YES! One of her favorite sleeping places is under my studio chair. She's sleeping just like this right now as I sit here and type. This picture was not staged. Emily took it to show how she collects her toys around herself before she takes a nap
2. We have a rainy day here in Vegas. This is definitely rare and I feel the urge to cook up some beef stew to celebrate. Scratch that. The urge to take a nap is greater.
3. I am working on the final art for the Highlights puzzle I mentioned recently. This is the most challenging piece I have ever done because of all the details. I'm having to really stretch myself and it's both exciting and nerve wracking.
4. All the kids are at school today, yay! All three have been home with a cold at some point this week. I will not get sick, I will not get sick!
5. The ABC competition is in full swing. I created some puzzles for Sheri to take on her school visits promoting the competition. Click to Enlarge and feel free to print them out for your kiddos.
Okay, back to work.
TGIF to all! Have a great weekend.
Thanks to Nancy Dowd for tagging me! I secretly (well, not-so-secretly, now) love memes.
- I speak Chinese. Very poorly, now, alas, as I haven't bothered to practice in years, but thanks to four years of Mandarin in college, I can generally follow along without too much need for subtitles when I watch Chinese movies.
- I was active in Girl Scouts until high school. I now think those positive experiences helped pave the way for me to attend a really fantastic women's college.
- You might know this if you follow my Flickr account, but I'll throw it out for the average reader, anyway: I am a serious baker. I collect books about baking, and, next to knitting and reading, it's my favorite hobby.
- Because I am ragingly anglophilic, have a really good memory, and apparently had lots of free time during my teen years, I can recite entire Monty Python sketches (my two favorites: Mrs. Essence and Mrs. Conclusion Visit Jean-Paul Sartre, and The All-England Summarize Proust Competition) and full scenes of Blackadder (particularly the Elizabethan Second Series, which is my favorite) from memory.
- For all my YA fantasy-loving ways, my favorite book of all time, the one I re-read nearly every year, is Persuasion, by Jane Austen.
I'm tagging the following four people: John Blyberg, Amanda Etches-Johnson, Rochelle Hartman, and Adrienne Furness. Tag, you're it!
