More Books!

...THREE!! 

We are so excited to announce that Lola Dutch will be coming to you not just once, but three times over the next two years! We are so thrilled to be part of this amazing team at Bloomsbury Publishing, and the excitement they have for Lola Dutch and her stories. 

This is from PMP this week: 

The LOLA DUTCH husband-and-wife team of Kenneth Wright and Sarah Jane Wright's LOLA DUTCH, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, the third in the Lola Dutch series and just in time for Valentine's Day, to Sarah Shumway at Bloomsbury Children's, in a good deal, for publication in Fall 2019, by Emily van Beek at Folio Literary Management (World).

I know you don't even have the first book in hand yet, but when you do, you can know that more are coming! Lola has a lot of stories to tell:) 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT LOLADUTCH.COM

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER

Order Lola as a Gift!

If you're like me, you are checking your lists...checking them twice... and running around trying to find that last gift before Christmas. Did you know you can GIFT a pre-order? Lola Dutch is only a few weeks away from launching, and this book would make a lovely Christmas gift...the kind that will last past boxing day! Give that special someone something to look forward to in the mailbox, and gift them a pre-order. Not to mention, all pre-orders that are submitted through the Lola Dutch website, will receive a jam-packed Creativity Kit on Launch day! 

Click here to Pre-order! 

And Happy Holidays!! 

BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Story of the Snow Children

The Story of the Snow Children This book is little and adorable and sweet, and will make you feel all the winter feels. The illustrations are going to take you back to another time, and it's amazing how much magic this book has packed in it's small size. Originally published in 1905 by German illustrator and author Sibylle von Olfers, it's a wonderful short and sweet and book that you will love being part of your Christmas Collection. 

I hope you enjoy this one like we have! 

Click here to purchase.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Night Before Christmas

This version of The Night Before Christmas has been out of print for 50 years and has finally come back to life! Illustrated by Caldecott winner Rover Duvoisin who illustrated some amazing classics in the 40's and 50's, this book is an instant Christmas treasure!  I came across this book this year, and it is such a fun and festive addition to our stash. The illustrations are brilliant, and the colors just POP out and make for such a fun read. 

But I think what I love about this book is it's shape! This book is long and narrow, which makes such a statement just from the cover...but inside, it gets really fun because Santa gets to go down long chimneys!! 

With so many Christmas books out there to choose from, it's nice to have books that stand out a bit from the crowd, and this is one of them. And especially because this book has been forgotten for a couple of generations, and is just now available again, it brings something even more special. 

ENJOY! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

BOOK OF THE WEEK: NUTCRACKER byMaurice Sendak

There are few stories as traditionally Christmas as the Nutcracker, and with Maurice Sendak being on the top of my all time favorite illustrators, this book is a must in our house. The Nutcracker by ETA Hoffmann and Maurice Sendak is at the top of my list! 

It's a classic...the kind of book that is looking so festive on my coffee table right now. It's long...not something you'll finish in one bedtime (unless you want to take some extra time, which I don't object to!) It's the kind of story that makes for a great read aloud, or even to keep out and have the children read bits at time. 

But for me, it's the illustrations that suck you into the story, and keep your eyes happy for hours. SO much to think about and look at. Because Sendak takes some artistic liberties with the traditional style and characters you are use to seeing, this book is a feast for the eyes! 

Was this a Christmas favorite for you? And did you know that there is a movie of the ballet based off of these illustrations? It's all so lovely. 

Click Here to Purchase

BOOK OF THE WEEK: The Animals' Merry Christmas

I'm dedicating the next few weeks to Christmas books! Hopefully ones that maybe you've forgotten about, or have yet to discover. 

For this week, I've chosen Richard Scarry's THE ANIMAL'S MERRY CHRISTMAS

This book is so delightful. Richard Scarry, famous for his Busy Town books, is the king at happy little animals, with adorable little houses and clothes, and this Christmas book is so cozy. Every page my kids would let out an audible, "Awwwww!!!" as they watched deer in the snow, mice all cozied up and bunnies in their beds. It's a collection of a few different short stories and poems, which is something I love about Christmas books. It keeps the energy up! 

One of our favorite stories is the bunny family who can't get to grandma's house because it snowed so much on Christmas and the drifts were too high. Or the story about the little deer who sees a real christmas tree through a window, and wants a real lit up tree for Christmas, so his mother finds a way for nature to make their very own. 

Did you grow up with this book? I have to admit that somehow I never saw this book until I was choosing books for my own children. And it's a favorite! Add a cozy fireplace and blankets, and your set:) 

Enjoy! 

Tools of the Trade

I get asked a lot about the tools I used for design and illustration, so I thought I'd dedicate a post just to the tools I use the most. It's taken me years to really try everything and settle on what I love and use most, so I hope this list helps!

PENCILS

1)Staedtler Mars 780 Techinical Mechanical Pencil, 2mm. 78 OBK

This is the pencil I use when I'm drafting ideas and don't want to leave a heavy mark. This pencil is by far my favorite drafting pencil...it's perfectly weighted and because it's a hard pencil, it doesn't use a lot of lead and so it lasts a long time! 

2) Staedtler 2b Pencils

These are my favorite pencils by far! Staedtler is a wonderful brand, and the 2b is what I use for drawing my final art work...it's soft but can still sharpen up really well. I have the most control with these! 

3) Colerase Pencils

I use these pencils also for sketching, if I plan on using a darker line overtop as I work out a piece. I only use the Indigo and the Terra Cotts colors, as they offer a cool or warm tone to a drawing that for whatever reason is really easy on my eye and helps me to work things out as I'm sketching. They have an eraser on the end, which is nice, although do note they don't erase as easily as a soft graphite pencil, as they are harder and waxier. But the eraser is nice. 

4) Pentel Mechanical Pencil

My drawing is mostly very loose, but when I need a more fine edge or smaller detail, I will use this pencil. The .3 is a good contrast to my use of 2b pencils. 

COLORED PENCILS

1) Caran D'ache 120 piece Colored Pencil Set

I've watched the USA get more and more access to this amazing brand of pencils. My father worked in Switzerland for several years, and his first year there, he picked me up some of these colored pencils...from the grocery store of all places, and mailed them to me a s gift. I was IN LOVE! Best colored pencils I've ever used, hands down. I love soft colored pencils, and these ones are water soluble, so if you paint as well, they can be washed like a watercolor if you wish. The vibrancy and saturation of color is unparalleled in my book. Worth every penny. They are getting easier to find, and now you can get them on Amazon! 

2) Caran D'ache 30 Peice Pencil Set

If you aren't ready to try the full set (watch for amazing sales on amazon however...you can get a steal!) this small set is a really great place to start and try them out! Caran D'ache makes other really lovely colored pencils...the supracolor just fits my style and work the best. 

INKING

1) Walnut Ink

Is it bad to say I almost didn't share this product with you? It's one of my secret weapons in inking/drawing. This is a sepia ink, but it's watered down a bit...I don't even know how what the formula is but I don't care because it's so lovely. This offers much more breathe in the line work than a regular sepia ink. It is not water proof, so any watercolor work will get a bleed. But it's the most delicate and refined ink that I use, and it's a signature of my work. 

2) Black India Ink

This is a gold standard of drawing inks, you can't go wrong! I've used these for the longest time. Tried and true.

3) Japanese Pentel Fude Brush Pen

I use these pens for calligraphy, or gesture drawing, and they are lovely. This one is my favorite, and I've tried a lot! It is more like a brush, so the tip is going to give variation unlike a manufactured tip. Do look at the instructions for how to open/use it at first. It's in Japanese, so make sure to take a look before trying to use it. 

4) Copic Multiliner Pen, .5

These pens I use for more technical work, as they have a very nice predictable and trustworthy edge. These are easy to find and easy to refill. 

PAINT

When it comes to paint, I use different brands based on the color I like better. The Dr. Ph Martins I use as a stain, the M. Graham tends to be a bit more saturated for me, and the Holbein is dense. I use Gouache like a watercolor, but layer it up when I need it thicker. 

2) Holbein Gouache Paint

3) Dr. Ph Martin Fine Art Watercolor

1) M. Graham Gouache Paints

BRUSHES

1) Connoisseur Round Brushes

I have a lot of different watercolor brushes, but these are my go-to for most of my work. This brand in general is one I can always trust. The hairs never seem to separate and keep a really good point.

I use sizes 4, 5, 6 and an 8 the most. 

2) Connoisseur Kolinsky Brushes

I love the Connoisseur Sable brushes. They hold paint really well, and have the sable texture that I love. The handle is plastic and so it holds up to wear and tear so nicely! 

PAPER

1) Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor paper

As a professional artist, finding the right paper is a long process. I've landed on this one as the one that I use for all my final art work, and it's just beautiful. I save my sketching for the less expensive paper. 

When I'm working on Children's books or larger pieces, I will use this 22x30 paper and cut it down to size asa need. 

2) Canson Watercolor Cold Press watercolor Pad

This is the paper that I use when I'm sketching out my ideas, or if I don't need a heavier, more textured paper for what I'm working on. It's lighter weight, and the price makes for guilt free art making. 

2) Moleskin Sketchbooks

I've been using moleskin cahiers since they started their business 20 years ago, and if I remember correctly these were the first sketchbooks to come out. They come in packs of 3, are in my opinion the best price for the quality. They are easy to travel with, carry in your purse...the size is 7.5x10" which isn't too big or too small.  The lay-flat factor alone sells it. The paper is just the right thickness for me, and I love the little pocket in the back for keeping little bit of inspiration.

4) Vellum Paper

I use vellum paper like most people use sketch paper. I use vellum because my process of art keeps line work and paint separate and so I need to be able to keep the line work on a translucent layer. This vellum paper is the best I've found. 

ELECTRONIC TOOLS

1) Light box

I don't know what I would do without this. I use it so much it just stays on my art table 24/7. It's 12x17" in size, sturdy and not too thick so it's not a burden to just draw on top of even when the light's not on. Mine is covered in paint and ink and it's become part of my table:) 

2) Cintiq 22 HD

I used a wacom tablet for years, but once I used the wacom cintiq, I realized I could work so much faster and more precisely because it's just like drawing on a tablet. With a swivel and rotating base, you can really use it like an art board. This is the foundation to the digital work that I do. 

3)EPSON XL 10000 Scanner

Also a daily tool that I use. Because I enter all my artwork into the computer to create the final piece, this scanner is worth every penny. It's the only scanner I know of that is big enough without getting in the astronomical price range. It's exceptional, and EPSON brand is the best there is. 

3) Epson P800

I have used the Epson Large Format Printer for the past 10 years, and it's changed its name at least 3 times already. I'm currently using the Epson 3880 which is discontinued, but when I replace it, it will be with this printer, which is basically the updated version. I used this for printing fine art prints in my shop as well as printing out art work while I'm working on book art and textile work. From my 10 years of experience, this printer really has no competition. 

4) 27" I MAC

I have a 27" screen and at first it seemed crazy. But when you are working with artwork, it'a must! '

5) Photoshop

Photoshop is subscription based now, and that's been nice to not have to worry about updates, etc. 

I only use photoshop, and don't use illustrator unless I absolutely have to. 

6) Beats Wireless Headphones

It might seem silly to include these in my art tools, but my world changed when I chose to wear these while I work. As a busy mom of 4 kids, I found that to get into "art mode" I needed to zone out and music triggers me to get there.  And added benefit: even when no music is playing these partially block sound, and they are wireless so moving around the studio is effortless. And they are so comfy on my ears! Honestly, 90% of my focus comes from these babies. 

INTRODUCING: New Embroidery Patterns

I'm so very thrilled to be offering you these new embroidery patterns available now in the shop! There has been a 2 year gap between new patterns, and I think it's about time to bring you some new inspiring designs! 

This pattern, called Wild Horse, is inspired from my Wee Wander fabric line, and it's one I've had in my head for a long time. I wanted to give you the option of being able to stitch it either in an outline or filled...as I think both really offer a different feeling. There is something about the texture that I just love in the filled design, and I wanted to show you what it could look like as a split stitch, following the direction of the natural horse hair. 

But also, with the open version, it feels whimsical and light, and so you are welcome to try both! 

Firefly Garden, also inspired from the Wee Wander fabric line, is a chance to stitch both children and flowers, and I had so much fun with this one. It's a great sampler piece...you can use it just for the floral sampler. But I love this little scene of the children catching fireflies...something that is so fun and easy to stitch with a french knot and little glowing light stitches. It makes me so happy! 

Choose Happy is a motto I've always stood by, and one that we talk a lot about as a family. Happiness is a choice! Doesn't matter your circumstances, how people treat you or what's going on in your outside environment....Happiness is something you get to choose. And I wanted to create a stitching pattern around that...one that felt simple yet inspiring. I love the stitching on this, and it's a really fun pattern to make! 

Each one of these patterns are PDF Downloads only, which really allows me to get them into as many hands as possible! Each pattern comes with a color guide, a stitching guide, a tracing view as well as a transfer view and photographs to give you inspiration and guidance as you stitch! 

I hope you enjoy stitching these! With the holidays coming, I can see these as wonderful gifts to share with your loved ones. Happy Stitching! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE EMBROIDERY PATTERNS