Gone so long.

Yes, yes, I know. We have to stop meeting this way, right? 

One of these days I will finally learn how to blog whist maintaining a busy schedule.... or will I? That's for me and you BOTH to find out.

Anyway, here we are. 2012. Yes, it's a new year. In the past I have made big announcements around this time, shouting from the rooftops that "THIS IS MY YEAR!!". Well, not this year. You may have noticed from my numerous rashes, near fatal infection, loss of two Grandparents, not to mention the serious lack of published illustration work, that 2011 was not the most amazing of years for me. It actually made past years that I have whined about look like parades. Nope, no big declarations for 2012. I will work hard and expect results, but I'm not going to define anything. I'll be like a slightly oriented feather on a breeze. 

As hard as 2012 was on me, I managed to leave the year behind on a fairly good note. I am happy to say that I am actually in a day job that I enjoy and can be creative in. For the first time in a while I am proud of of what I do from nine until five. You'd think that if you were truly creative all day that you would just want to flop on the couch when you get home and rest, but I've found that it actually juices me up to keep going and work on my own stuff. This led me to produce my first four greeting card designs that are not Christmas related and two tea towel designs. Thanks to the classes I took in October, though I worked hard on production, I actually feel like I MADE something. And to top it all off, I actually SOLD stuff! Yeah, I'm not talking like in the past where I when I said selling stuff I actually meant selling a few to my friends and family. I mean a good 20 or more strangers walked home from a craft sale with a piece of my work. Yes, not enough to make a living just yet, but a really fabulous boost to keep making and designing. I was happy, and I was thrilled to make others happy. Since I'm decidedly not sharing any new plans, I will share photos of the past month and where I've been. 

This is a shot of my card production line. Literally, fishing line. Strung across my studio room. Ronaldo was less than thrilled at the clutter, but praised my problem solving anyhow.

 This is my little gocco that could. HUNDREDS of cards have been printed with it. Alas, this may be my final print run with it. I am leaning towards going traditional screen print for my next cards.

 This is a finished embroidered pillow. I really wanted to make tonnes and sell them with my cards and tea towels. Unfortunately, it ends up that I'm human and can't embroider at the speed of light. I finished two. Oh well.

 This is my table at the first of three craft shows I did before the holidays. This is the Hippo craft show. Of the three, this was my most successful. These are the towels!

 I loved making these so much that I'm planning on two more to round off the food groups, plus a set aimed at bridal shower season.

 This is an assortment of the cards I sold. Some you may recognize from Christmases passed.

 TOWELS!

 

Then, it was Christmas. I celebrated it.

 Here's a shot of Ramona getting some cheek lovin'. Just 'cause. Happy New Year!

Rear end of the year.

I hope that you all had a merry holiday, whatever you celebrate! It's hard to believe that the year is nearly over. 2010 started off so promising and ended, well, like a rear end. I let my world slip out of my control, and I promise to get it not only back on track, but hopefully get myself ahead of the game. This goes way past resolution, my friend.

My holiday when by in a flash. In fact, I'm already back to the carpool and the full timeness of scheduled life. I had said that I would post my holiday card on Friday. I wish I had time, but Christmas shopping needed to be done and then I was off to Ronaldo's parent's house and from there I was in full celebration mode, and heck, I just got caught up in the fun of it. And it was indeed a very fun past days, with lots of family. Here it is, albeit a little late.


I really wanted to do an ocean theme this year, and settled on a happy mermaid and her star fish. Hope you like it!

I have some exciting posts planned for the next week, including a glimpse into my process from concept to final, plus some very exciting news. I'll also share the illustrations I worked so hard on last week that hits the newsstand on Saturday. Until then, enjoy the tail end of your year!

Just when I thought I was in the clear.

So, usually at Christmas time I will get at leastone illustration project, whether it be something Christmas related or a rush job to complete before the office clears out for the holidays. This year, I didn't think that was going to happen. I actually thought I would have ample time to complete my ambitious Christmas crafting list AND bake a few batches of cookies to boot!

I was wrong.

Thursday I had a phone call from the fine folks at the Toronto Star. I don't want to ruin any surprises, but know two things. First, pick up a copy of the Toronto Star on New Years Day, and second, I will be working every moment of the day until Christmas eve. This project is HUGE in multiple ways.

Anyhow, this was where I left off my crafty pursuits, and how I used my Gocco supplies:



Here are some pre- drawings.


Here is my messy creation centre, and Gocco machine.



End result- and ornament.


Here is my holiday card in progress.


You'll get a closer look on Friday when I can unglue my hand from paintbrush.

Have a good Monday peeps!

Go go Gocco!

I'm sorry for my short absence. I've been feeling a bit under the weather, but I'm back in almost full force and have been able to catch up on my Christmas presents. I have loads to share with you! I will start where I left off on Friday, with my mystery package from Japan. What was in this package, you ask?


It was some much needed screens, light bulbs, and ink for my Print Gocco print machine. Exciting!


I hear you- what the bleep is Print Gocco? Well, it's a portable screen printing machine from Japan invented in the 90's. The machine has not evolved much since its inception, and have stopped production on it's supplies. Up until this year I was able to find what I need to run it here in Toronto, but now I must etsy it up and have them send from a Gocco hoarder in Japan. It prints 4"x6" screens so it's great for cards. It's a little wasteful in supply consumption and can be pricy, but it's very convenient and easy for home use and the end result looks great!


I'm using mine to make my annual Christmas card and a few extra goodies. Consider the following posts a Gocco 101. I'll post links of where to find machines and such in these posts. For now, check out the save Gocco web link above for more info.

Only 9 more sleeps until Christmas, so back to work for me!

Are you pumped for the holiday too?

My Chemistry Experiment: Halt in Phase two and "Panique Au Village"

I'm looking out my window this morning and I feel like Marty McFly- have I gone back to the summer? I'm going to try to make this blog entry short so I can get out and enjoy the pseudo summer day! This week is one of those weeks where balance between day work, social, and night work was off. Instead of working on my blog (sorry!) and business, I ate a lot of birthday cake. A lot. Three, in fact. Anyone who eats three birthday cakes in one week naturally moves a bit slower and therefore gets less done. All were delicious, and worth it. I was also furiously trying to finish my book club book, The girl with the dragon tattoo, for my meeting. I was a little bummed that I didn't spend as much time on my big project, but I'll make up for it next week. I did make a little progress- I signed up for the craft sale that I intend to debut my tea towels. This means that now I can't turn back. No worries- I don't want to anyhow! Also, I've sent out the surveys to my testers, and have already received feedback from one! I'm looking forward to assessing and comparing them once they're all in!



One hang up continues to plague me is the fabric ink for my Print Gocco that I intend to use to screen print two of the three tea towels in each set. I ordered it on etsy at the beginning of September from a lady in Australia and I'm not even sure she has sent it to me yet. Anyhow, I'm now referring to it as "the case of the missing gocco ink" and am hoping to solve the mystery sooner than later. In the mean time, I'm working on some extra special tester towels for some extra special testers. Stay tuned.

This week in Toronto the Toronto International Film Festival has been taking place. As I live in the heart of the city, I like to try to see at least one movie every year. This year, as I was browsing the listings, I found a film called A Town Called Panic, or Panique Au Village. I knew immediately that this was the film for me. The image accompanying the synopsis was a plastic horse, cowboy, and indian reading the newspaper and drinking coffee in a living room. Holy moly! Last night was the screening...


Oh. My. Gosh.

It was absolutely charming, cute and hilarious!! I LOVED it! It ends up that the movie is based on a TV series from Belgium that, if the you tube information is right, has been around since 2002. I am so happy that I know about it now! Please, go have a peek at the greatness here. The producer and writer, who spoke after the screening last night, said that although the TV series has been translated into English, the French voices are more hilarious. If it comes into wide release I highly recommend it.

Now, go outside and enjoy your weekend!