Berlin

Darrrrling, I am off to Berlin for a few days. See you when I get back!

Illustration Friday-Trick or Treat

I did this piece recently for the Illustration for kids promotion mailer and it is a perfect fit for this week's illustration friday! Happy Halloween!

Meet Up

Its Christmas in October! I got a chance to finally meet someone in person from the blogging world! Fellow Illustration for kids member Susan Mitchell (aka Sweet Pea) was in NYC and we got a chance to meet. Since we already "know" each other, it was very easy and a wonderful time. She gave me all these wonderful goodies, a print and bookmarks (be sure to check out her etsy shop) and her latest book, Comet can't wait for Christmas (and with stickers!):
Thank you so much, Susan! It was so nice to meet you. I had a lovely time!

ATCs- 2nd attempt

My second attempt at artist trading cards, some nice revisions from the first ones I made. They are digital prints with bits of fabric collage. I am happy with these, except with the print quality on them, my printer is acting up- and its not happy printing from Illustrator. So they are slightly pixelated/fuzzy and washed out in color than I would like. (Probably can't tell with the photo.) I like the idea of naming the characters, since they are on a trading card after all. Alright, I hope the folks I traded with like these and want to adopt one of them!

Above is an ATC I got from Eslina called "Duck tape?" Thank, Eslina! I think this is hilarious! Plus, look at the pretty envelope it came in. So very thoughtful. I finally decided to buy some cello sleeves for my cards when I saw that.

Chosen!

I was thrilled when I found out that I was chosen as one of the 25 artists that will be in the first Illustration Friday show at Open in California. Here is my entry. Razorbite, Can O' Peas and I thank you very much for voting for us. Who knew people liked a good pantry fight as much as us?!? Please check out the other chosen artists, they are a talented bunch!

A special thank you to Brianna and Penelope, whose hardwork is amazing to build and support the Illustration Friday community, and organize shows like this. Personally, many great things came to me from this site. You ladies rock.

Goodies in the mail

I've been receiving some wonderful artist trading cards over at Monday Artday ATC. This post is way overdue, I need to mention these great artists. Its too much fun getting stuff in the mail! Some even made a chicken just for me.

Top L to R: Chickengirl for Chickengirl by Tracy Cundiff, Flying Bird by Zime, Chickengirl by Bearuh
Bottom L to R: Burgertime by Jeff Brame, Suzy Sushi by Mike R. Baker, Uh-Oh by Bearuh

Most of them sent me their cards when I haven't even made any yet to trade in return (and still haven't!). I am very guilty and probably the worst trader ever. My only excuse is that I have been very busy, and want to take time to make nice ones to send in return. Anyways, just wanted to let you guys know I haven't forgotten!! Thank you for your patience.

Illustration Friday-Open

Super busy this week but since this week's Illustration Friday topic is a special one, I really wanted to participate. The Topic is "Open" and all I can think of were can openers (I am not that deep, am I?!) This was alot of fun to do and a good break from my crazy schedule.

Thank you for all the lovely comments for my last post, it means alot to me. Its so easy to just think about deadlines and craziness and forget about the little achievements along the way. Anyways, I hope to make the rounds and check up on what everyone's been up to soon.

*edited* Wow, thank you so much for the great honor to be chosen for the show. I'm thrilled!

A milestone

I use to work as a designer at Scholastic book clubs years ago. As I worked on these book club catalogs, I had a dream that one day, one of my books would be in them. My name would be in the illustrator by-line.

That dream finally came true.
Here is the October Firefly book club catalog, where The Mixed-Up Alphabet, a book I illustrated, is on page 4. It means alot to me because I know I am moving ahead towards all the goals and dreams I've set for myself. I better take a moment and acknowledge it.

A special thanks to Kritty who told me she saw my book in the catalog and ordered it! I can't begin to express how much it means to me.

And Tracy, who is a teacher, recommended it as a book pick in a newsletter she sends home to the kids. Holy smokes! WOW!

Thank you so much.

New Shop Update

Too many birthdays to remember this month, so that is where this card came to be:


And a cheese shop card, just because!
Both now available at my shop!

Contest!

You can win all this stuff! I am one of the many contributors for this giveaway over at Maustudio, who is celebrating their 2 year anniversary. I know you want to enter because you can get one of my vroom notepads, right? Go here to enter your name and address for the drawing. Good luck!

Highlights for Children Illustrators' Party part 1

Its been a while since I've posted anything, but I have a good excuse since I just came back from the Highlights for Children Illustrators' party. Every year the generous folks over at Highlights throw a huge party for their illustrators in Honesdale, Pa, for an entire weekend, filled with food, music, seminars, and even square dancing. This year was my second year attending, I saw alot of familar faces and met new people. Everyone was super friendly, I was very comfortable, even for an introvert like me, so thank you.

They have a theme every year and this year was "The Happy H Ranch." A few pics from the party:

Outside their main office building in Honesdale, Pa.


The first issue of Higlights for Children, June 1946

The first issue of High Five (why, that looks like my blogger friend Roz's art!) Woohoo!


At the firehouse. The band for square dancing!

More pics soon. We had a wonderful time!