flow book for paper lovers . . .

A lovely envelop containing 'Flow Book for Paper Lovers' arrived in the mail. Exiting! As a stationery and pattern lover I think that it's a treasure trove. Cards, wrapping paper, stickers and envelopes... Oh my! Plus, my 'Wild Horses' pattern is featured in a few places. Pleased as punch:)...

top of the Monday:)

I'm trying to start this week with a healthy doze of bright shiny optimism and a pinch of denial about the mountain of work that awaits me. Here's to a productive week! Hope to see you on the other side of the mountain:)

78 & 56...

Thank you all so very much for participating in my little giveaway! It was great fun reading all of your comments and finding out all sorts of new silly ways to have a hot beverage:)

Once again - there were more comments than my little bingo machine can handle.... and so I had to use an online random number generator....

Oh... and since there were so many comments I decided to give away 2 mugs!

and the lucky winning numbers are:

#78 - Melissa Saylor & #56 Moira Millman

S0... Dear Melissa and Moira - please e-mail me your addresses so I can sand you your insulated BlueQ coffee mug!

(dardik at sympatico dot ca)

wake up!

It's been a while since I've done a giveaway... and I feel it is time:)

Time to give away an insulated BlueQ coffee mug (design by yours truly) - to a deserving coffee or tea lover! Just leave me a note:) Maybe... about your favourite type of coffee or tea:) and I'll pick a winner on Monday morning... with the help of an old school bingo ball:)

rain...

So far this fall has been the rainiest one I can remember. Feels like this endless waterwall has washed all of the sumer away and is now scabbing off all the warm feelings I have for the walks outside. I'm trying to find a good side of the rain. Making a virtual rainbow in my mind:)

*Margo posing under the umbrella.

earl grey in plum...

For the past few days I've been dressing up my morning Earl Grey tea in this awesome plum cup. It makes my mornings this much more posh... and gives me a plum head:)

Prunus cup by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg

lil' discovery...

Sunday market discovery - fresh hazelnuts! I had no idea they they came wearing these little green skirts and were so delicious without being roasted or salted.

part two... Muir Woods...

I visited Muir Woods (while in San Fran) and the old redwoods have left a deep impression on me. It's difficult to convey the feeling you get while there through photographs. You should go see it for yourself. You'd like it:)

printable fun...

September is on the doorstep. My girls are starting school in a week. The school supplies are purchased and awaiting to be used. All is ready for another year of yellow buses, backpacks, holes in the jeans and homework. So... before I left on my little vacation I wanted to share these printables with you.

These would look good on folders, books and duo-tangs. Feel free to use these for your little students:)

To copy: click on the image - it will open up in its own window at a high resolution (300dpi-true size). Copy that to your desktop and feel free to use:) You could make them smaller if you'd like.

old friend...

Fell off the 'no coffee' wagon a while ago... February, you know... it's not easy to stay awake during this 'exiting' month:)

very bossy...

A bit of  a 'hit & run' of a post today. Just dropping in to show you the newest member of my toy collection (yes, I'm refusing to give this up).... Bossy Bear! Ta Da!

12" vinyl figure by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim... that has traveled to my office all the way from GIANT ROBOT store.

Oh... and I'll have a brand new pattern to show you sometime tomorrow... so, see you then.

ATL...

Are you wondering were have I been? Well, let me tell you:

I've been attending the Art Forum at SCAD-Atlanta (the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design)... and having the bestest time while at it... sharing my illustration world with some fabulously talented students.

Despite the snow and the fact that Jon Foster's (the other artist speaker) flight got cancelled, everything went fantastically.

Well... I didn't get to review the portfolios on the third day (thank you Mr. Snow)... but I did get to spend some time with one of my favorite illustrators - Mike Lowery, hear  Bill Mayer talk about his experiences as an illustrator and share my working process with a gifted group.

Many thanks go to Rick Lovell (Illustration Program Coordinator), Renee Rivas and Pat Bolling for taking such fabulous care of me:)

random facts...

I've been too extremely busy to do anything aside from what is due... but... time stretched a bit today, so I can play around with some photographs. I turned them into mini stories:)

back from Toronto...

Hey!...  I've missed you!

I've been in Toronto. Just needed to get out. Needed to see where I am from a different perspective.... and needed to see old friends again. 

Above: 

• The wonderful Carolyn Gavin of the Ecojot - with whom I had the pleasure of having tea and conversation at her bright and fun spirited house (last Sunday).

• Madonna pillow by Alexander Girard from Urban Outfitters (best purchase ever).

monkey business...

One day the time would come when I feel too old for toys. It isn't here yet... and I hope that day is held up at the customs (somewhere on the border of childhood and absurdity) because it doesn't have the 'helen passport' ready.

In the mean time, meet my new friends ... Mr. & Mrs. Monkey Business...:)

happy new year!!!

Wow... did this year ever fly by. Am I getting older, or is time speeding up? Maybe a bit of both...

It was a tough year, but a good year. I've done a lot and learned a lot. Some dreams came true and some I'm carrying into the shiny new 2010:) One always needs something to look forward to.

To all of you, my kind and wonderful friends, I wish a HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

I thank you  for all the positive energy and support in 2009:)!

I'm going to be a fox...

Wanted to show you the face that cracks me up every day:)

holiday labels...

I know... it's crazy to think about wrapping this early in the game... but I'm crazy like that:) My office  has got a second job - as a temporary wrapping and labeling factory.

I'm sharing these with you! Feel free to use them for your holiday labeling:)

To copy: click on the image - it will open up in its own window at a high resolution (300dpi-true size). Copy that to your desktop and feel free to use:) You could make them smaller if you'd like. I find at this size you could fit 6 on a page.

see you soon:)

What an inconsistent blogger I've been lately. How can I be leaving you hanging like that? Well... I'm sorry... I admit, I've been prioritizing against you. I'm cleaning up the shop, finishing up some loose ends and getting my health and my life back on the right track... So - don't hold it against me. I'll be back soon - new and improved:)

green summer...

I'm back:) The break just 'swooshed' by me. We finally got hot summer weather over here. Hot and muggy. A few days in the sun at Prince Edward county. A few days of summer magic with the kids... and here I am again... listening to an air conditioner and swimming through a sea of deadlines. 

This green post is dedicated to the ever so short and fleeting summer. I would give up all Christmases and birthdays... just to keep the summer for a few more months:)