Sewing Project Finished: Flower Girl Doll

{Flower Girl Doll, 2009}

{Flower Girl Details, 2009}

I created this flower girl doll over the past few weeks. I designed the pattern and all the details as I went. I tend to put a lot of planning into my illustrations, but when I sew I use a more intuitive creative flow. If something doesn't work out, I just grab my seam ripper and redo it! I hand painted her face and made each little flower lovingly. Her bouquet is attached to her hands with eyelets. That way, it can be removed and she becomes huggable!

I'm an Urban Naturalist

{Bumble Bee on the Morning Glories, 2009}

{Fawns with their Mother, 2009}

I promise to have some art to post later this week. I wanted to share a few images of the things that are right in my own backyard. Literally! Nature is so inspiring, and I am always delighted to see God's creatures roaming about! The top picture is of  bumble bee that was flying from flower to flower, crawling all the way in each Morning Glory. The second photo is of a local deer and her cute fawns. While the deer limit certain plants that I can put in my garden, they sure are sweet looking little things! Hope these pictures are inspiring to you, and spark a little creativity too!

Sewing Project

{Felt Details, 2009}

{Sewing Project in Progress, 2009}

I've been working on a sewing project for the past few days. I am making a doll, and I can't wait to show it when I have it all finished. For now, though, I thought the little flowers looked darling all lined up. Like a felt flower patch!

First Lomography Photos

{Diana F+ Camera, 2009}
Click to see much larger!

L: My garden gate. R: Virgin Mary statue at a local greenhouse.

{Diana F+ Camera, 2009}
Click to see much larger!
L: Intentional double exposure with our old windows and Oliver in the lawn. R: Baseball in a mud puddle at the park across the street.

{Diana F+ Camera, 2009}
Click to see much larger!
L: Antique Ford Truck. R: American Flag.

{Diana F+ Camera, 2009}
Click to see much larger!
L: Sailboats on the beach. R: Lily pads in the marina.

These are photos from the first two rolls of film I shot using my Diana F+ Lomography camera. (Click on the word "Lomography" to learn more about it!) The first roll of film, which was black and white, was shot around my yard in Des Moines, Iowa. The second roll, which had color film was shot while I was in East Tawas, Michigan during the 4th of July holiday. I really like the double exposure picture that I did of Oliver. It happened because I was on my last picture of the roll and the light was so wonderful that I figured it couldn't hurt to try! Now I want to try some more double exposure pictures (maybe with the color film too!) I'll keep posting my efforts with my lomo camera as I learn more about it and get better at using it as a tool!

Illustration Friday - Hollow (Colored Version)

{Watercolor, 2009}

I finished up the drawing that I posted yesterday. I tried to keep a Halloween color palette, so I can use this little drawing to decorate when October rolls around! Its only about 4"x5" in size, and I used Prismacolor pencils, watercolor and Arches 140#HP paper to complete it. I plan to use the rest of today working on some sewing projects that I need to get done. I will share them later.

Illustration Friday - Hollow

{Colored Pencil on Watercolor Paper, 2009}

I have time to do Illustration Friday this week! I will post the finished colored version tomorrow. I know its a little early for Halloween, but while I was home in Michigan, we drove past a pumpkin patch that had some burgeoning vines!

Summer Sketchbookin'

{Pencil in Sketchbook, 2009}

{Pencil and Pen in Sketchbook, 2009}

A few pages from my sketchbook. There were lots of kids running around, and they are always fun to try to sketch. (they move so darn fast!) Some of my other favorite things to draw when I'm in northern Michigan are sailboats and beaches. I did a lot of photography with traditional film while I was back home, so as soon as I get the film developed I will share some highlights (assuming any were properly exposed) I hope all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Vacation Time!

{Tawas Bay, Michigan, 2005}

I'll be M.I.A. for about 9 days as I head out on vacation. Hope to have some sketches to show when I get back though! I hope everyone has a fantastic and safe Independence Day!