Take a Trip to Newfoundland

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What a treat it was to work on this illustration. It’s the “Take a Trip” spread in Chirp magazine. This month they go to Newfoundland and I got to draw it!

When I was a little girl we would go on summer trips to visit my grandparents in Newfoundland. I have such happy magical memories of those times. Their house was on a hill overlooking the ocean. Their shore was not as busy as this though!

The best part for me was sneaking in some personal touches.  I added my sweet nanny putting up laundry and (a little girl) me and my dad sitting on a bench on the hill.

It’s in the May 2015 issue of Chirp.

Me, Too! Book Launch

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I’ll be having a book launch for Me, Too!  (Saturday May 2nd, 11:00 a.m.) at the Children’s Library at the Confederation Centre here in Charlottetown. I’ll be reading the book and handing out colouring books I’ve made especially for the event. There might even be some cupcakes. I’m really excited and hope to see you there!

Me, too! is out today!

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Me, too! is out today! Here in Charlottetown you can find it at the Bookmark downtown. It is an exciting day indeed!

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New Poster sized PEI maps.

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I’ve made a poster sized version of my PEI map! It’ s 13″x19″ and I’m selling them for $39. Each one is printed on glossy paper and signed.

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They are available in my Etsy shop right now and will be in some stores around Charlottetown in the coming months.

Me, too!

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I’m so excited to share my next book with you. It’s called Me, too and was written by the lovely and funny Annika Dunklee!

 

 

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It is about two best friends who face a challenge. I loved it the first time I read it and drew one of the characters just like my own best friend, Magda.

 

 

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Madga is super cute and silly and always brings a big smile to my face… just like cute little Annie in the book.

 

 

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The book comes out in April. You can preorder it here on Amazon, or you can order a signed copy from me. I only have a few, so don’t wait too long. Just send me an email. I’m selling them for $15, plus $5 shipping for Canada, $10 shipping for the US.

 

 

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In my opinion this is the surest sign of success with a book, lots of giggles!

G! magazine interview

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I was interviewed by the PEIWBA in this month’s G! magazine. You can read it online here.

 

Stay True

Posted on Posted in Art, happiness, homeschool, Kids, Life5 Comments

 

This keychain arrived in my mailbox last September. A thoughtful and timely gift from my dear friend Mia.

There have been some big changes around here. Changes I would never would have expected. I’m not someone who is particularly good with changes… but these 2 words have kept me going. Stay True.

This gift arrived just as we were taking Ila out of school. We couldn’t ignore anymore that it was not a place for her. She was anxious, angry, and just an all around mess. The whole family was a mess. It felt like we were falling apart trying to keep her together.

My head wanted her to stay in school. What would people think? How would I get my work done? Why is my child so different than all the rest? My heart told me something all together different. It told me to go get her and take her home… and keep her home. It told me to believe in her. I chose to listen to my heart.

Nearly 6 months later she has blossomed like I would have never imagined. Her little true happy self is shining through. A day does not pass that I don’t believe 100% that we did the right thing.

The thing that has surprised me the most is that I’m happier too. Happier than I’ve ever been. Yes, it’s a crazy amount of work.  I’m exhausted, but my heart sings every day.  I go to my studio to work every night, and I also work on weekends. I feel like I’m getting even more work done now. This may be because when I do have time to work, I can focus clearly. I’m not always torn… worrying about her.

In January Sosi decided to start homeschooling too. I think she saw how happy Ila and I were and wanted to join in.  So, here we are homeschooling both kids. If you would have told me this last year I would have have thought you were crazy. It feels right though, like this is the life we were always meant to be living.

I feel incredibly lucky to have a flexible job that can work around this. Life and work feel like one thing now, not separate things pulling me in two different directions.

So, I guess we’re officially out of the homeschool closet.

Stay true (it feels great!).

 

 

Chispum Wall Decals and Interview

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I have some wall decals available at Chispum and they also posted a fun little interview with me today (scroll to the bottom for the English version).

Chris Moose!

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Sorry for the major radio silence over here on this blog. It was a very busy summer and the fall has been crazy… I will write more about that later. But I wanted to stop in and share this with you!

I was lucky to illustrate the new Christmas album for Bobs and Lolo. It was so much fun. I love workng with these ladies. They’ve even created a very cute video for the Chris Moose video. Watch at your own risk, it’s very catchy… you won’t be able to stop singing it afterwards!

 

 

 

Run Salmon Run

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The fruits of all of my labours are starting to show themselves, and this one is particularly sweet! Working with Bobs and Lolo was like some kind of amazing dream. They are just like you would expect them to be…  kind, sweet and very encouraging. This book is so beautifully written that illustrating it was almost effortless.

You can order it from the store on their website. It’s available now!

Goodnight Book

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The Goodnight Book is out!  Published by the fine Simply Read Books. I was so happy to see it in my favourite local bookstore last week.

I’m planning a fun book launch at the Confederation Center Library… we are thinking a PJ party reading would be most suitable. I will post more here when I know more.

 

 

summertime self portrait

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I just finished this self portrait for the upcoming “I, Defined” Peake St Group show. This is pretty much how I feel all summer. We are one little unit. If I did a self portrait any other time of the year, I probably wouldn’t have my children growing out of my neck.

“Untitled”

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Norma Jean Maclean, Catherine Miller and I have come together for a show called “Untitled”.

Norma Jean has created some new paintings of her old family homes.

Catherine is displaying her series of sand dollar inspired family portraits.

 

My work includes a series titled “flower faces” which are made up of collaged together bits of vintage embroidery, doilies and linens.

I also have two Mother/Daughter pieces in the show. The one below is my absolute favourite.

“Untitled” runs at The Guild until June 29. There will be an opening Wednesday June 18 night from 7:00-8:00. Sweets and treats will be provided.

All pieces are available for sale. Please send me an email if you are interested.

New Map!

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A couple of inquires was all the encouragement I needed… and bam, here it is!

It’s an 8″x10″ limited edition print of my Charlottetown map. Available to purchase in my etsy store, at Cottage Industry in Charlottetown and at the Girl from Away in North Milton and in her online shop.

*each print is signed and numbered and printed on 100% recycled paper.

 

new rooms

Posted on Posted in Kids, Life

 

Our girls have been sharing a room for quite a few years now.  It has been good. They love being together and find a lot of comfort in each other.

But recently I have also been noticing that it has been a little harder for Sosi than Ila… I could see in her face that she could use a little quiet oasis of her own at times.

So while we were away on a recent trip to Ottawa, Paul got busy. They each have their own little space now and the change has been seamless.

 

They have loved decorating their own spaces. My heart was bursting by Sosi’s choice of my art (exclusively) for her walls.

Ila was all about the displaying of her (disturbing large) collection of stuffies.

They still are close, and the first thing they do in the morning is go in to the other’s room… but now they just have a place to go when they need some space. I hope it helps to bring them even closer.

 

Charlottetown and PEI postcards

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The postcards are here! I’m so happy with they turned out. I can’t say enough good things about  Jukebox printing. They always do such a great job. The colours are just right. 🙂

If you are in Charlottetown you can find them at Cottage Industry and at   Showcase, the Confederation Centre Gift Shop.

There will be more locations soon, I’m working on it. 🙂

I have also added them to my Etsy shop if you aren’t on PEI and would like some. Yay!

*a super big thanks to Jen at Cottage Industry for all the support + inspiration.*