Embroidery

Ashlea at Bunnycup is so clever! She took 12 of my flower fairy-esque illustrations and stitched them out into these amazing little designs. They're pretty cute! Each character is associated with a flower or plant. They're called Blossom Babes

Winning Elephant!

Last week I found out that the elephant I entered in the softie awards won! How fab do I feel? it was decided by a public vote too! I can't wait for my prize! I should be receiving a rather smart softie book. it looks amazing!
I've been pretty slack with the old crafting and blogging... now that the sun has come out early for May I've been going to a lot of barbecues. Better watch that stomach of mine if I'm intending to go swimming this summer. Speaking of which I did find time to make a new mazestock eflyer. It's our own little private summer music festival that we have each year for our nearest and dearest.

Softie Awards

I've a new job that's keeping me on my toes and Jack bought Mario Kart for the Wii, so instead of being busy with crafty antics and drawing in my evenings I've been driving a pixelated car around Marioland. Naughty, but fun!

A while back I entered the sofie awards, not really thinking that I'd get anywhere, but it turns out that from the 1000+ entrees for these awards, my hand-stitched elephant toy is in the final! Thank you judges! The final decision is down to public opinion, so have at look at the softie awards and get voting for your favourite, they're all really good!

My "competitors" have been busy with a campaign for their stuffies, so I decided to try the sympathy vote, ha ha! Silly huh?

Pink Marmalade Girl

One of my little projects this week was to design a character and etsy banner for a lovely lady called Michele at Daydreams & Dandelions over on Etsy. She really liked my ACEO paintings and wanted something in a similar style. I guess she may be opening a new Etsy store called Pink Marmalade Girl as she wanted a pink illustration for it. My first thought was a sort of traditional milk maid character holding jars of pink marmalade, but Michele knew what she wanted and after a few tweaks she decided on a more contemporary-dressed girl in a funky top hat. More of a sort of honorable and modestly attired Lady Marmalade perhaps?

Checkered Elephant

I had loads of checkered fabric left over from when I made the bunny, so I've used some to make another elephant. He's looking a lot like Elmer the patchwork elephant! I was too lazy to change the trunk, but he does have a nice green hat.

Innocent Charms

Kara at Innocent Charms got in contact with me to redesign her Etsy logos and banners for her website, blog etc. Her handmade jewelry is unique and the title of her shop is very ethereal. She wanted an angel character in specific colours, greys and pinks. I'm so pleased because she likes the design and she was such a nice person to work for. I'm also pretty chuffed that she decided to contact me to do this for her!

Bunny In Vintage Fabric

Another rabbit! This one is in the same fabric as the elephant in the previous post. I made another elephant too, but I haven't photographed him yet.

Elephant Toy

This elephant toy is a new pattern I am playing around with. I like his hat. When I was little I always had to share a bedroom with my sister. We get on, but we are like chalk and cheese. When my family extended the house, I finally got a bedroom to myself and the material I've used to make the elephant used to be the curtains in my first very own bedroom when I was a teenager! When I moved out, my mum made some of it into cushions for me, so the fabric feels like a part of me. Sadly, some of these cushions are getting pretty battered beyond repair and are full of holes, but I can't just throw them away, so I am using some of it for crafting now!

This elephant is called Paulie. Jack is on tour, so I've the flat to myself for a while. I thought I'd like the peace and quiet, but I'm actually getting a bit bored now. Paulie is going to sit with me and watch the Sopranos this evening.

New Website

For almost a year now I've had a url and website space and I've done nothing with it! Well now I've got my act together and made a proper website! It's very simple with no animation or flashy graphics on it, but I'm feeling very pleased that I managed to work out how to put it together all by myself. I did get quite vexed though at some points!
Anyway, my website is like a "best of blog". I hope it's working ok. If anyone spots any disasters with it like missing links or out of sync tables then let me know and I'll try to fix it.
One thing I should do is put a little description on each of the images. If you have anymore suggestions then let me know! Nothing too complicated though, I'm not some sort of web wizard, just a mere apprentice.

Russian Doll ACEO

I'm painting these ACEOs based on the russian doll designs for Bunnycup. They are looking rather sweet and colourful. I like adding all the swirly details.

Three Russian dolls

These three Russian doll images are part of a set of twelve for a digital embroidery design range for Ashlea over at Bunnycup. The whole set is shaping up and looking great and I hope she's going to love them! I spent the day doing this because it's been snowing and I have a bit of a cold. It's a public holiday today too, but I really just needed to stay in, but I had to be productive. I can't ever just sit and do nothing. Jack is at the pub now, but I didn't want to go with him and venture into the arctic conditions for a cold beer.

Oh! And my sister had a baby boy today! He doesn't have a name yet, and I haven't been to visit because of my sniffles, but I can't wait to meet him. I hope he grows up like a music and computer games geek like me, rather than a sporty type! Ha ha!

Girl & Fox Friend

I've been waiting for the phone to ring all morning and I've been doodling all that time. I might have to eat some cake to calm my nerves now before I start something new.

Oh, and of course, Happy Easter to everyone too! I hope you all enjoy your nice long weekend.

Rabbit Likes Cookies

I spent the day doodling again on the computer. The painting style is different to the one I did yesterday. The girl got through about twenty different hairstyles, I was pretty indecisive as to what her hair should be like. It's weird because the rabbit took no time at all.
Jack bought me some chocolate eggs to cheer me up. I was pretty zombified this morning and really grumpy. It's all this anxiety. The chocolate is definitely working it's magic at the moment though!

Red Hood

Now that I've been out of work, I'm spending my days sorting out my CV and portfolio. Not sure what to do with my long term future, still, but on Thursday I'm expecting to hear some news about a job, so I've all my digits crossed.

I did this painting today in photoshop and corel painter as I need to take my mind off things. I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out, but my original file has more contrast. I think the "save for web" function has washed it out a tad.

Now I'm going to go to the shop to buy some nice bread as I fancy making some soup for supper and that will cheer me up. Especially if i have a glass of rioja with it ;)

Black Cat Toy

A black cat for good luck. I need some! I'm waiting on news about the possibility of a job at the end of this week. I sure hope I get it. That'll be a perfect start to the weekend!

Spotty Lion

This spotty lion is made from an upcycled sock (washed!). He's got a green mane.
I'm feeling really tired right now... Since the redundancy I've been making lists of things to do, my mind feels tired. I've been busy for twelve and half hours today I haven't got all the things I wanted done completed yet. I'll have to get up extra early tomorrow to do these nagging bits and pieces, but I don't enjoy being at my desk before Jack has left home for work.

Checkered Rabbit

This is a rabbit made from the same pattern that I created from before, but I have changed it's ears. I think I prefer them this way.

On Friday I was told the greetings card company that I work full time for has ceased trading. This means I'm now officially redundant along with everyone else at the company with immediate effect. Not great news and I'm feeling really down, a bit lost and very worried about my finances and about the direction my career is suppose to be heading in. Not sure what to do with myself really.

Another Lion!

Still scruffy. I ran out of fluffy purple trim before I got a chance to make a tail, so I'll have to plan that better next time. Also tried to improve the ears, better than sticking two pieces of triangular felt to the mane I think. Oh, and he has little freckles too.

Other Blogs

Stitchify, a great new craft blog have just done a bloomin' excellent article about my crafty work. I am so chuffed that Julie and Amy took the time to write such a flattering feature on little old me!

Goiuri, a Spainish and English language craft-spotting blog have also featured some of the creatures I've created. They've made a really nice collage of my photos.

Lynsay from Cuteable has posted about the Scruffy Lion. Ah, how brilliant!


Recently I recieved "youmakemyday" award, and received it from the lovely Toby & Penny at Naturalattrill

I've got to choose 5 other nominations, but there are so many blogs I like reading! Eek!
Gorjuss, is Scottish artist, Suzanne Woolcott. She's a superstar on Etsy because her girly illustration and paintings are unbelievably cute, bold and individual.
Lady Desidia Her favorite subjects are kids in a black and white, cute and quirky style. I think she's from Spain.
Lost Causes is a blog written by one of my best friends, Elaine Hutton. She writes articles about food, faith and fun! Good recipes to be found there!
ladysnail has already been nominated by Penny & Toby, but I
love her work so much she deserves to be mentioned again!

And Finally....

Emma McCann is a children's illustrator and I love her characters, they're so bright and they make me smile. She sells crafty bits and pieces on Etsy too.

**To pass it on, here are the details:
1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day.

2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.

3. Display the “You Make my Day Award” logo

4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.**

Scruffy Lion

Oh I'm so naughty! I should be at the launderette now, but it's Friday night and I'm too excited about the weekend to go right now! Ha! And I want to show off my new scruffy lion. I made a polar bear a while back and I've lost the pattern, Argh! I wanted to use it to help me make the lion but I had to start again from scratch. Thankfully all my patterns are now organised and filed away properly. Phew!