for the red, white and blue days

For the RED, WHITE and BLUE 

I've been working on a few little character sketches this week - and I am using only red, white and blue! Just in time for the 4th of July Holiday weekend approaching! One of  my favorite pens that I use in almost all of my drawings, is  little red sharpie in the middle...don't you just love Sharpies?  

So my friends, what are your Fourth of July Plans?

Sunday Sketches - A page from the Sketchbook

When we think happy & positive thoughts...good things will come....

When we are content with our lives....we feel fulfilled.

Have you ever noticed when you think positive thoughts, good things happen?

It's all part of the positive "visualization" I like to have in my life.

Yes, it really works!

And, it's Sunday and it's sketch time with Sophia and the gang over at The Blue Chair Diary.

So, today  I am sharing a page right out of the old sketchbook. For me, it's really a writing/journaling/sketch book type of place to jot down thoughts and ideas.

Do you keep a journal or book for thoughts and ideas?

See you over at The Blue Chair Diary!

Have a great day!

Paint Party Friday - In the Studio

It's Friday and it's been quite a busy week here.

The last week of school is always JAM packed full of events for our family....

Wow, we haven't stopped!

So, today, we are home...doing

NOTHING...

YAY, and the best part?

It's Friday,

time for Paint Party Friday and Sneak Peek Friday.

Here is a little something I am working on...

you may recognize Wilbur and Charlotte from one of my favorite book's,

Charlotte's Web.

I am hoping to finish this today!

I can't wait to see what you are all up to!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Illustration Friday - Launch

It was graduation day for Saylor.  

She was ready to launch herself right into first grade, after a little bit of summer fun, of course!

* Lots of good things are happening around my home this week,

one of them being my little girl graduating from Kindergarten!

YIPPPPEEEE Saylor,

 You did it!

This week's prompt over at Illustration Friday is Launch -

See you there!

Sunday Sketches - Thanks Dad

Happy Father's Day

I found this poem and I thought it was perfect for this sketch I did for Sunday Sketches -

"Walking down the winding path

I hold tight to Daddy's hand

His firm but gentle grip makes me

Feel safe like nothing else can

I don't know where we are going

But my Daddy knows the way

He leads us down the path that's right

And will not let us stray

I hold on to his hand tightly

I know he won't let me fall

For my Daddy is the biggest and the strongest of them all

I don't ever have to worry

When I hold his hand in mine

Because I know he will protect

And love me for all time"

author - Sharon Froese

"My Girl"

is dedicated to ALL of the dads out there, today!

(click to listen)

Thanks Dad!

I Love You!

Happy Father's Day

 to all of the Dad's today!

This is a quick sketch I did for Sunday Sketches, over at The Blue Chair Diary. 

See you there!

Enjoy the day

Happy Weekend

Boxwood Love

Boxwood Love

I am so loving boxwood right now. I have them all over my back patio.

I have planted them in big black shiny urns, and pots.

My kids say they remind them of one of our favorite movies,

Edward Scissorhands,

 Remember when he turns the little neighborhood into a land of fantastic topiaries...

hmmm?

now there's an idea!

Sunday Sketches - Smile

Smile...!

 It's Sunday and it's time for Sunday Sketches - over at The Blue Chair Diary.

 I am sharing a just a small sketch of a project I am working on for a client.

How fun!

Don't forget to brush your teeth!

See you at Sunday Sketches!

Madeline's Picnic

I can't wait to hear about your new school!

Tell me everything, my friend...

Even though Molly went to a different school, Madeline would always be her best friend.

AND, this illustration is also a game ( perfect for printing)

Can you find all of the little things hidden inside this picture?

1  butterfly

1 paintbrush

4 hearts

2 cups

1 pencil

4 plates

2 friends

Have a Sweet Saturday, my friends!

Do pop over to Sweet Saturdays, here...and share some sweetness

Paint Party Friday - Paint Pins

So, I had an idea to take air modeling clay and shape into some of my little character's faces.

I attached a small pin to the back of them while they were drying.

It took about 4 days for the clay to dry.

I painted the faces of Madeline and Miss Kitty with

acrylics...

 then attached it to my daughter's back pack....

She loved it!

 They were fun to make, but I definitely need to work on creating these clay pins. The clay didn't dry as smooth as I thought....

 They were fun though. So this morning my kids and I molded some more shapes, we will post those in the future.

For more Paint Party Fun pop on over here, to Kristin and Eva's blog! There is so much great art to see.

See you there

Beat the Heat -

It's so hot here, that Public Schools are closing early today!

No, not due to snow...due to excessive HEAT

We have heat advisories in effect for our area now with forecasters calling for

99 degrees.

I am thinking lots of ice cream....and the pool!

How about you?

How do you beat the heat?

Cat and Mouse Games

Just a peek at my work desk this week.

We have been busy making moveable paper dolls here in the studio,

thanks Brian,

and what do you know?...

It's true...cats really do love chasing mice!

Look what I found on my studio desk this morning....YES, that's my cat, Olive saying HI to Madeline.

Moveable paper dolls, available here, in my Etsy shop,

Olive the Cat...not available for sale...YET!

What are you up to today, my friends?

Ahoy! Creative Tuesdays - Storefront

Ahoy there! One of my favorite things about summer, is eating fresh seafood.  - I think I will pop in to visit this little seafood dive, for some good clam chowda and lobsta! Care to join me?

For more fun storefronts, just pop on over to Mr. Toast's blog and link up with Creative Tuesdays. The theme this week is storefront...I can't wait to visit with you!  - See you there!

and you can

print

and color this lobsta shack, all on your own-

I left it blank for you!

Enjoy!

Sunday Sketches - ...It's Time for a Picnic

It's a beautiful June day here, and we've got plans to sit

outside under our willow tree and have a picnic

...just like Madeline the Mouse...

What are you up to on this gorgeous June day?

It's also time for Sunday Sketches! This is a sketch of something I am working on...

I plan on adding a friend for Madeline and some more goodies....

Come join the fun over at The Blue Chair Diary with Sophia and the gang, grab a pencil and a sketchbook and I will meet you there!

Paint Party Friday - Little Miss Kitty

Miss Kitty

2.5" x 3.5"

ACEO

Watercolor

She's available, here, in my Etsy shop

It's Friday once again, boy this a busy time of year -

It's time for another Paint Party Friday....

Let the painting fun begin, see you there!

I found these really cute miniature easels at my local art store aren't they the cutest?

Perfect for your desk top!

And, they are the perfect size to hold a tiny painting like this one of Miss Kitty

Have a great day!

Illustration Friday - Asleep

"Asleep"

Watercolor Illustration

for Illustration Friday

I did a similar illustration a few weeks back for

Paint Party Friday, but this time I wanted to change the color of her hair....

and little kitty's dress color.