Rozzie Land

studio friday- What was I thinking?!

This weeks Studio friday theme is , "what was I thinking??" and that's exactly how I was feeling when the moving company started bringing box upon box of the children's books into the house that I've been collecting. And believe it or not, I had donated several books before I left San Antonio, I thought I'd done well!

The boxes feel like they are filled with rocks and now they are hibernating in my closet until I find a home for them. ACK!   I was really berating myself about this obsession.  That was ...until...I opened up the box and saw what was inside.

Look at the colors! Aren't they delightful? I knew right then and there, they were worth bringing and I imagine my stash will continue to grow. 

I truly am a picture book junkie...and proud of it!

Studio Friday- Sweetness

It's been a long while since I participated in Studio Friday but the theme ties in perfectly with some of the sweetness I have been wanting to share with you.
Here are a few new things I acquired during our trek from Texas to Nevada.

The timer collection continues!
While visiting my parents in new Mexico I found this lovely lamb "time out" timer. (yes, he's as soft as he looks!) and then this yummy sundae timer while we stopped in Phoenix, Arizona. SWEETNESS!

Right before we left Texas I found this japanese craft book on EBAY. I bought it because I loved the little animal characters and would like to incorporate this look in my illustrations. Also, I'd love to make a few of these...maybe as studio mascots? SWEETNESS!

Poor mum, she made the mistake of digging out this craft book she bought when we lived in Japan. I drooled over it the entire weekend we visited (en route to Nevada) and now I'm ..."borrowing it". Mum, I see you weeping over there. Not to worry, I'll return it. I know...famous last words. SWEETNESS!

And finally, here is a magazine I discovered when we arrived in Vegas. Maybe it's been around a while but it was new to me and I'm in love. If you enjoy cottage style decorating, this mag is a must have! All together now... SWEETNESS!

Studio Friday- Creative napping

This weeks studio friday is "creative napping". Valentines crate lives underneath my work table so I thought it was appropriate eventhough she doesn't seem to really be in the mood for a nap right here!

While we're on the subject of Valentine, here are a few more pictures taken of her this week.

As you know, we're moving so Emily was packing her stuffed animals into a box. Valentine decided it was the perfect spot for her to rest while Emily read her a book....

  And here you see Val "staring down" Emily sure that it will convince her that she should be given one of the peanuts she is eating. teehee

Here she is being her sweet self giving my eldest son, Jesse, a kiss. Yes, she really is a valentine through and through.

I wonder how she'll enjoy living in Vegas?

Somehow, I think she'll do just fine.

Studio Friday- Tools

This weeks studio friday theme is , "favorite tool".

Here are mine because I couldn't decide on just one.
Of all of these, I think my most favorite is the pencil looking thing made of rubber. I use this often for glueing pieces to eachother. After the glue builds up on the tip I can easily remove it when it's dry. I think it's real purpose is to make shapes in clay but it sure has been handy with the felt!

Studio Friday- favorite book

Finally managing to participate in Studio Friday again.  Getting things ready for our upcoming move has been all encompassing!

This weeks theme is "favorite book". To be honest , I was really stumped because I have so many. Then I realized that my favorite is actually my Sketchbook.

Over the past few years , my sketch book has been used for more than just drawing. It serves as a phone book, "to do" list, journal and oh yeah...sketches are sandwiched in too.

I try to date everything and stay in page order so I can see how my ideas/thoughts evolve.  It's fun to sift through the pages later and see where I've been and who I've become.

So what's the latest entry in my sketch/diary?  With the move, summer vacation and trying to get some illustration work done, this is what I doodled last week. I'm feeling a bit better now, though. Things are starting to fall into place. =O)

Studio Friday- Playtime

This weeks Studio Friday theme is "playtime" but with a  twist.  The instructions were to close your eyes, pick out a book , turn to a page and point! Then show what you came up with.

This is what showed up for me and I'm a little freaked by it. You see, my mum has been visiting for the past two weeks and just left on Tuesday. She has been very ill and spent some time in hospital.  Fortunately, they've been able to rule out leukemia and bone cancer.  But the bad news is that doctors still don't know what is going on so she is getting prepared for further testing. Needless to stay, I've been very worried over her so when this popped up, well you get the drift.

This is SO her. I think you can read the words if you click on the larger version. The only difference is, I'd replace the apron and spoon for paint stained sweats with her wielding a paintbrush or pinking shears!

*Book: Mary Engelbreit,"the art and the artist".*

Studio Friday- Mix Match

This weeks studio friday theme is mix and match, orange and yellow. This has been sitting next to my art table ever since Easter when the bunny came for a visit and left us some goodies.

It holds all the scraps when I'm sitting on the floor cutting out felt. Have any of you watched Rachael Ray, the 30 minute meal maven? Well it's the same concept she uses for saving time. This is my "garbage bowl".

Studio Friday- Aqua

Happy friday to all. Life is continuing to buzz by 100 miles per hour.

This weeks Studio Friday theme is "aqua". This is how my art table is looking and will look for another week or so. (IPB course)   I had to laugh when I saw the theme because I'm desperately trying to get better with drinking water. Tine, I know you love "signs" so I'll say your theme was another reminder that I need to keep at it with treating my body better with water instead of coffee all day long!

OH! If you are interested in writing for children, here's a blog link that I am really loving right now.  It came from the "write4kids" newsletter.

Notes From The Slush Pile

Studio Friday- Crimson

Happy Studio Friday to all! Where are the weeks going?

This weeks theme is "crimson" and I immediately thought of this luscious crimson colored cover. I am a big fan of Belinda Downe's embroidery work. I thumb through the pages in awe. Click on the image to your left for a closer look.    =o)

Studio Friday- Playtime

Drat, I didn't make the time to participate in "Illustration Friday" this week but "studio Friday", yes. This weeks theme is "playtime". I thought I'd show you my stash of felt that is sitting there yelling impatiently, "PLAY WITH US!" . I haven't done any artwork this week. Naughty , naughty. But in my defense I began my picture book writing course and it has been all encompassing.
Have a great weekend everyone.

studio friday- Chair

What a sweet Valentine to let me put her through this. She was rewarded with a piece of cheese so she was very happy afterwards.

This weeks "studio friday" is CHAIR. You can see my chair a little. It's just an office chair that can be raised high or low and I just love it.

I love it because my husband surprised me with it when I got back from a family reunion. It was so very thoughtful because I had been struggling with a diningroom chair that was way too low and killed my shoulders.

If you're interested in participating in Studio Friday just drop off your picture at tine sparkles. I love seeing others' workspace.

Studio Friday~ Glass

Friday sneaked up on me this week. Where did the time go? The theme for Studio Friday this week is "glass". Here is a picture of the glass on my drafting table. It may be a little hard to see but the glass container holding all the buttons has handpainted dragonflies on it. I LOVE dragonflies and "stole" this from my son ,Jesse. It was a gift from one of his asst. teachers one year and I fell in love with it. I don't know if I'll ever use all these buttons it contains, but I'll give it my best shot!

studio friday- Flora

  It' studio friday again and the theme is "flora".

For illustration friday (bloom), a couple of weeks, ago,I showed you all the sketch for this lastest felt piece.  I finished it this week so I thought it tied in well with Tines studio theme.

This is for my postcard that I'm sending out to publishers that have me on file.

Studio Friday- Green

I have been wanting to participate in Tine's "studio friday" for ages. This week's theme is "green". I've been working on the new felt illustration (felt-like spring) so this is what is in my studio right now. Where's the green? The leaves & caterpillar of course! =o)  And hopefully I'll see some green coming in from this promotional.

Continuing on with the theme , I'll also add that I'm learning dream weaver mx. (green with experience) hahha.