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:)

age is an illusion...

I've illustrated a few quotes for Papyrus cards this year. Here's one that should be on stands right now:) The yellow part is gold foil (and it has made it virtually impossible for me to photograph it - thus I've used my vector file).

poppies...

Everything is coming up poppies:)

sweet birthday plans...

Time has come again to invite Margo's little friends to her birthday party... only this time - ta da! - it's going to be a tea party:) We've got an Alice outfit and I'm planning on some serious baking:) It's going to be a sweet party!

the warm side of October...

Here's something to keep your mind warm this October:)

keeping it warm...

Ta Da! Just in time for the cold weather my insulated Wake Up mugs are available at BlueQ!

sweet and wild...

Just had to drop by this weekend and show you my new sweet and wild animal pattern. I think it has future in someones childhood... sleepware? baby gear?... can't wait to see:)

This Monday is Canadian ThanksGiving... Happy and delicious time to all my Canadian friends!

And to all of you: I'm thankful for your visits and unbelievable support!

THANK YOU!

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.

grow little print... grow...

I've been working away... away from my beloved blog... But now I've got something bright to show you... a new print!

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

pink dreams...

When I was a kid, in one of the apartments we lived in all the walls were covered in grey wallpaper. It was simple and symmetrical design... grey background, white stripes of ornamental pattern. I thought it was boring and fantasized about improving it with the help of markers:)

And... here it is... my wallpaper childhood redesign. I think I would have liked looking at this while trying to fall asleep...some 27 years ago:)

editorial fun...

FamilyFun magazine Halloween issue is out... and if you skip to page 43 you will find my editorial illustration for the 'Royal Road to Manners' article. Look at these two, being all sweet and polite to each other... of course... it's only an illustration:)

pattern theft!

Yesterday, while visiting a lovely french blog I've noticed that one of the fabrics newly in stock in their store is very familiar. In fact, so familiar that I couldn't believe that I didn't do it. 'That's my dog' - I thought... 'and this is my bird and my elephant... and my shapes... and...' Anais was standing beside me and asked 'Mommy, is that your fabric?' ... and she's 4!

It feels awful. I've been trying to get a fabric like this out there for years... so unfair!

The blog owner informed me that she bought this fabric at KOKKA - a japanese company with a large choice of fabrics.

I'm still waiting to hear their explanation. Stealing is never OK!

I encourage everyone who feels that this is wrong to write an e-mail to KOKKA and let them know: info-os@kokka.co.jp

*In answer to some of your questions dear friends:

Yes, I'm aware that the problem might not lie with Kokka, but with the outside designer, and I fully understand that they might have purchased this design unaware. I haven't got an answer yet, but as soon as I do - I'll let you know:)

Sept 24th update:

Good news!

The fabric was purchased from a contracted outside designer and KOKKA was unaware of its origin.

KOKKA has decided to destroy any of the remaining stock and discontinue this fabric all together.

Thank You!!!

join my circus...

I've got a new print to show you!

meeting Kristen...

While in SF, for the first time, I got to meet Kristen Tracy - the author of one of the books I've done the cover art for. I never get to meet the author... so this was a treat! Turns out, she's just like her character Camille - only a little older:)

By the way - the book is great and I really enjoyed reading it. Can't wait to see what my girls would think of it (since Kristen presented me with a copy of the book... a copy that will be well loved and treasured).

Fairytale Circus...

Once upon a time... there was a girl who liked making patterns so much, she didn't need a reason to do it... Every chance she got she'd put aside her real work and give virtual life to characters and objects that would have otherwise stayed inside her mind with little chance for escape.

Help me write the rest of this story:)

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:)

deco vs folk...

Cute is not one of the words I'd use when describing Art Deco style... but trying to incorporate 'cute' into Art Deco was fun. I think I've come up with the Folk Deco...