Illustration Friday - Highlight

{Graphite in Sketchbook, 2012}

"They were each the highlight of the other's day."

The love of my sweet kitties is one of the biggest highlights of my life. I adore their little furry bodies and their soft purrs. I even delight in their naughty behavior. (Shhh! don't tell them that!) I think a lot of people count on the unconditional love of their pets in such a conditional world! I am planning on trying to do illustration Friday a little more frequently this year. I would like to try and do it every week with a few exceptions of holiday times and vacations. ( I believe rest is important too!) Last year it didn't work out very well, as I was working on two children's books simultaneously! I would love to have to juggle such a workload again, but for now I don't have any long-term contracts. In the meantime, and in this wonderful new year I have made a short list of things that I would like to try to accomplish:

• Create my own dummy book for the Iowa SCBWI April conference
• Re-design my business cards
• Do at least 3 promotional mailers (4 would be ideal)
• Go on at least one sketch "field-trip" per month
• Participate in Illustration Friday more frequently
• Craft, Sew and Experiment More!

What are you planning for 2012? What are your goals? Dream big!

My First Picture Book Has Arrived!

{Title Spread, 2011}

{My First Copies, 2011}

{Books by Me on My Shelf, 2011}

My first picture book, "The Twelve Days of Christmas, In Texas-- That Is" has arrived! Its so shiny and smells so new! Its sort of surreal to see my own books on a shelf next to some of my other Christmas favorites! The funny thing is, I am already starving to do another picture book. It is so satisfying to see the finished product and see the smiles on faces when people see my work! Happy dance time!

2011: The Year of the Rabbit

{Sketchbook with Digital Color, 2010}

Happy New Year from me to you! I hope 2011 is everything you could ever wish for and more. I am excited that this is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese Zodiac because I always find myself being attracted to rabbits as a major motif for decorating my home. I also draw a lot of them, and started to draw this New Year's rabbit before I even knew it was the animal of the year! Anyways, its also time to get in gear and try to keep all those resolutions that were easy to make, but will be much harder to keep! I have several resolutions floating in my head; both personal and professional and I am going to try my hardest to be a good girl!

A New Year

{Sketchbook, 2010}

I love a fresh start. So full of possibilities and hope! Here's to a fabulous 2010!

Updated Etsy Shop: Buttons!

{pin back button set, 2009}

{pin back button set, 2009}

{new etsy banner, 2009}

My Etsy shop has been updated! I plan to have a few more goodies later this week, so please check back! There are a variety of new pin back buttons and a new banner for the fall. If you have a little one that has headed back to school, many of the buttons would look adorable on a backpack, lunchbox or lunch note!