Merry Christmas!

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Wishing you all a safe and very merry Christmas!

Illustration Friday - SNOW

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You know what they say about yellow snow.....DON'T EAT IT!!!!!

Each week when I do the Illustration Friday challenge, I try to accomplish 2 things: #1, make you smile, and #2, come up with a unique idea. After all, there are usually several hundred artists submitting an illustration of the same theme. I don't know if I achieved goal #1 this week, but I *think* I came up with something somewhat original....there can't be THAT many people as twisted as me! You decide!

I don't know if I'll post again before Christmas, so I'll take the time now to sincerely thank you all who visit this silly blog again and again, as well as those who may have just stumbled upon it. Have a wonderful and safe holiday, and be sure to hold those you care about close - in your heart, if you're not able to physically. Because this blog is dedicated to art designed to specifically make you smile, I'll just leave it at that, as I'm sure many of us have had our thoughts & hearts in the same place this past week......

Illustration Friday - EXPLORE

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Instead of jumping over it, like she usually did, Abigail decided to 

land and do a little exploring....

A little bit of quick experimentation with Photoshop this week. These challenges are getting harder & harder to squeeze in at this time of year, but I got it done! And not at 5 til midnight on Thursday, either! Ha ha! Its been a good week, art-wise. Was happy to learn my children's book is selling well on the Frecklebox website! And my studio Facebook page reached over 600 likes yesterday! (links to both can be found on the right side of this page) It may sound silly, but one of the art things I was most excited about this week was I finally tried a new drawing pen that I bought a few weeks ago while "exploring" at Dick Blick & completely fell in love with it! Trying new art supplies is always fun, but finding a new tool that you immediately feel comfortable with is the best! The girl at Dick Blick had to talk me into the Pilot Precise V5 Extra fine pen, but I'm glad she did!!! :) 

Illustration Friday - STRETCH

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Whether they're racing down the home stretch, or #3 is stretching to get his nose in front, this seemed to be an appropriate setting for this week's challenge! Another crazy-rush job, but I wanted to participate this week, & keep the streak alive!!

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And with the word being "stretch," I couldn't help but include this photo of my studio mascot, Miss Miga demonstrating what we call a "wheel stretch." (Nope, no stretching cats here!)

Now that both my Christmas trees are decorated, I *should* have more time to dedicate to the Illustration Friday challenge next week.....although I guess the real challenge will be to fit it in between all the holiday shopping & gift wrapping.......sigh. I guess we'll see!   Thanks for stopping by! Until next week......

Illustration Friday - WHISKERS

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Talk about a quick sketch! They don't get much quicker than this! But, I just had to keep my streak alive! (I believe this is my 43rd straight week!) It's getting more & more difficult with the holiday season in full swing! Anyway, meet Wesley. He's a little fresh & likes to give raspberries. When I saw this week's prompt was 'whiskers' I immediately knew what I wanted to draw. I mean, really, few animals have more prominent whiskers than a walrus! (Though I know a few people that have him beat....thankfully men; not women!) As always, I appreciate your comments & visit!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Illustration Friday - ZOOM

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First of all BIG THANK YOU to all who left comments on my last post about my new book! Its an exciting time, & your well wishes really mean a lot to me!!

Now....on to this week's challenge! This one is a crazy & really old doodle that I resurrected earlier this year. When I saw the word was "zoom" it was the first thing to come to mind, & I honestly was so hung up on it, I couldn't think of anything new that would be better! And with it being a short week with the holiday and the kitchen beckoning, I didn't think I'd get a chance to convince myself to abandon this idea & work on something else that I actually liked. So..........I colored it!! Ta da! (Not REALLY cheating....only SORT OF cheating!!!)

 Speaking of the holiday....I've really got lots to be thankful for this year. It seems like everything is finally coming together!

And I'll be breaking from tradition, & instead of the usual chaos associated with spending it with my family, I'll be heading to CT with my *fabulous* new boyfriend to enjoy it with his NORMAL family! Of course, I may find out that is not really the case! But at least I know they like football as much as I do, & the Patriots are playing, so it's all good!!!!  :) Whatever it is YOU are doing, I'm wishing all of you in the U.S. a safe and happy Thanksgiving!! And to everyone else, have a wonderful week!!

Finally.....a BOOK!!!!!

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                      I'm am pleased to announce the book I illustrated is *finally* available to order!

This has been a LONG time coming, & has been a project filled with excitement, hard work, frustration, disappointment, (I'd even go so far as heartbreak!!) and now, finally, pride! The original contract was signed way back in 1996, and subsequently broken in 1997 by the publisher after the art was completed and delivered. Without a doubt, one of the biggest disappointments in my life. So imagine my surprise when the author contacted me 15 years later & said she'd found another publisher interested in our book! Of course, nothing can be easy, and lots of changes were requested, resulting in lots more work, but finally, it is DONE!!!

I invite you to please check it out at:
http://www.frecklebox.com/the-quilt-personalized-book-1902p.aspx
You can flip through the entire book. It is personalized, and available in either a boy or girl version.

  Honestly, as much as I'd love this book to be a big seller, this is not about sales for me. This is about achieving a life-long goal that I set for myself as a little kid! I'm told the book has gotten a lot of interest, and I noticed it has the most Facebook "likes" of all the books on the site! (Yup, I admit, I checked!) Hey, that's got to count for something, right?! ;)

Illustration Friday - TREE

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So here's a first -  I'm posting a black & white line drawing. I really liked my idea this week, but just didn't have the time to finish it. Still pretty cool, though.... Maybe I'll get it done for next week.....

Also, was planning on having this week's post cover TWO topics, but am just too tired for any big announcements now, so this one will be dedicated to Ill Friday, & stay tuned for my next post..............

Illustration Friday - SHY

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 Percy was always a bit shy around strangers.....

Percy the pony is the result of a doodle during another less than stimulating meeting at work. I think he looks rather shy.....or maybe that's actually contrition.....

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Jerry found under the bed to be the safest place in his new home for the first day or so....

Jerry (aka Jer-Bear) was inspired by my friend Jen's new adoptee. Used to being one of 8 or so cats in his foster home, he didn't quite know what to make of Jen & her husband, or the fact that he was flying solo, so under the bed seemed like a good idea. But fortunately for everybody, he got over his shyness after a day or 2. Jen might actually regret that if he decides he likes sleeping in her bed....

Not quite sure if I got his markings totally right, but I think she'll recognize him!

Am a little later than I'd like this week - Thursday nights aren't a good time to get feedback! But I kept the streak alive! As always, I appreciate your visit!!!