Rozzie Land

Make Time To Smile

Look at what my dear friend is sending me!

It's a smiley face to add to my timer collection. Her directions are to take 15 minute "time outs" to relax and enjoy the moment.

For any of you out there that may be stressed out or overwhelmed with tasks at hand I recommend you do the same! We fill our lives with so many "have to do's" and we forget that  living in the moment is just as important.
Take 15 minutes and smile.   

Thank you Sheri for my clever gifty and reminder that life is to be savored. I'm really going to use this.   =O)

Illo Friday- Fresh

"Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility." ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin

I found another quote, "don't step in a fresh turd on a hot day."

Lucky for you , I didn't have an illustration to go along with it!

"Imaginary friends"- NOT!

Well, the countdown continues. One week before the movers come to pack our stuff. This week has been a toughy emotionally for me ,I have to admit.  It's really hitting me that we are indeed moving away.
But one thing that keeps me going is that my closest friends are coming with me. Often you hear them described as "imaginary friends"...people you meet through the internet.  For me, they aren't imaginary at all. They may have started out online without a face but over time they have become much more than that. Many, I have even met face to face or have become phone buddies. 

Thank you Heather for my beautiful necklace that you made. We started as internet friends when I still lived in DC and then we were  fortunate to be neighbors for these past few years.  I won't accept this as a 'good bye' gift... just a 'see you later' gift!

Janee, thank you so much for this treasure. Janee attended a conference at the Mazza Institute in Ohio recently. Claire Beaton, one of my favorite illustrators, was one of the speakers and as you can see Janee brought me back an autographed book. teehee !

Theresa Smythe sent me a box full of goodies but I'm going to show you this fabulous greeting card created with felt that she found. Snow, I'm so in love with it, thank you. Plus a pb illustrated by Sally Mavor!  I really believe we'll have a lunch date when I move to Vegas. California is only a hop skip and a jump away. =O)

I don't have a picture of it here, but I wanted to thank Laura Hamor for a package she sent me recently. SHe is an illustrator that works with clay and she has found a clever way to do school visits incorporating her craft and representing crayola products. Thank you for your generosity of sharing how to develop a program using felt. Laura sent me a box full of crayola art supplies (yes, I promise, I'm sharing with my kiddos!) and examples of her school presentations. I look forward to exploring this more when we get settled in Vegas. I can't wait for you to start your blog about your program and school visits, Laura!

Anyway, I am so excited that my relationships don't have to end when we move. All my lovely internet buddies will be on the road with me and that brings me great comfort.

Imaginary friends? NOT!

Exchange with an Agent Link

http://devast.blogspot.com/2005/09/exchange-with-agent.html#comments

Check out Don Tates post "exchange with an agent". Really interesting. Thanks Don for sharing this Q & A.

Illo Friday- Escape

This weeks Illo Friday theme is "escape".  Here is a  pet show gone awry. I did this illustration a while back for a promotional postcard mailing.

Happy 9th

Happy 9th Birthday Emily!
Tonight Emily has her two girlfriends staying the night to celebrate. HELP!!!  hehe

No, they've been great. We just got home from watching a great movie, "Valiant". Highly recommend it. If you enjoy the British "Office" you'll enjoy this flick because Ricky Gervais plays one of the leading voices.

So, we're home now, the girls have taken over the "fireplace room" and doing typical girly stuff.

Here's Jesse trying to impress with his smooth moves but it doesn't seem to be working.

Kevvy's the smart one. He's gone to bed and staying away from the craziness. I think I'll join you matey.

Anyway, the girls are having a great time and it's been fun to eaves drop on the conversations. Sorry, it's a secret, I can't tell.  =O)

Say cheese girls!

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.

Valentine

Here is a character study for a little board book idea I have. Her name is Valentine and the story is about her experience with moving to her new home. Go figure!

Time is marching on and we will soon be moving to Las Vegas. The next couple of weeks will be continuing to get the house organized and ready for the movers to pick up our stuff.  Trying not to get too overwhelmed! I'm finding that I have to be careful and not think about it all too much. If I focus on TODAY instead of yesterday and tomorrow it's much easier. 

As far as my illustration work , promoting has been put on hold. Usually around this time I would be sending out fall postcards but I won't have reliable contact info for several weeks so that's out.  For now I will focus on personal pieces for the ol' portfolio.

We've Got Your Back!

A friend of mine sent this to me today and I thought it would be of interest to all of you too. Please pass it on!

###

Kids of the Hurricane- WE GOT YOUR BACK!

The kids hit by the hurricane need to feel some sense  of hope and a way to
succeed.

The goal: Operation-   WE GOT YOUR BACK! Let the kids know someone does
care.

My suggestion:  Fill ONE backpack with the following-
                       pencils #2, markers, crayons, glue sticks,
                       notebooks, lined paper, tissues, pocket folders,
                       &nbs! p;             kid safe scissors, a paperback picture book,
                       floss, a toothbrush and a small toy or stickers. No Food please.
                         

Mail to: Harris County Department of Education
            6300 Irvington
            Houston ,Texas 77022

            Marked - Education Relief

They are in charge of coordinating the educational needs of the kids stuck
in shelters including the Superdome. And they will distribute educational
supplies to the evacuees as well as signing kids up for school. Even if you
cannot fill a backpack, please send supplies. The teachers will thank you.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON!

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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!

Illo Friday- Roots

"Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. It is at the root of all and everything we, as humans, do. Without love, what do we have to live for?" ~ Anonymous

With everything that has been going  on with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I was so happy to find this quote.

We all want to make a difference and help during this time of tragedy. Through our monetary donations or gifts of our time, we can.