Rozzie Land

Happy New Year

I can't believe another year is drawing to a close. Time to erase the slate and get ready for new opportunities,very exciting!

Here is how 2005 looked for me as far as work.

* Maintained a blog for one year where I have opened up and shared my journey. This in turn has resulted in an article for, "Children's Writers & Illustrators Market Book 2007" about blogging.

* Illustrated a book dear to my heart that is distributed in hospitals. "Not Afraid of Needles!"

* Found an interested NY literary agent for a board book that I have written and illustrated (Emma Felt). Fingers crossed that she finds a home this year!

* Spent 2005 with an educational rep that resulted in some near misses. Unfortunately, near misses aren't good enough so we have parted ways amicably. It was a great experience and it has resulted in contacts that I can continue to pursue on my own.

*Took Anastasia's writing course to learn more about writing for children.

* Got an assignment right before Christmas for a 4 page b&w take home book due in the New Year.

* Got an assignment from a publisher that was on my dream list...Ladybug Magazine!!!

* Most importantly the year has ended with me feeling very comfortable in my own skin and I'm not questioning my work or where I fit. This is a major achievement for myself and I can't even tell you when it happened. Ha! Yes I can if I'm honest. When I got the call from Ladybug. It was a major validation for me and what I do.

But really it wasn't just that. The last image I did of the cows for my upcoming promotion was probably the first time I actually enjoyed myself as I worked. I have reached a benchmark. I remember reading an article by cyd moore that speaks about it. In it she says,

"Begin to let go. Live and LOVE what you do. Period. Stay with it. One day, you will find your inspiration. You will give in to that perfect moment, and you will see that you are no longer trying to do it, but that you are doing it...effortlessly. When that happens, embrace it...you are an artist at that moment."

Every year I feel like there is a theme for the year that lies ahead. For 2005 the theme was "No Limits!". I wanted to be open to opportunities and soar. I never would have dreamed that a move to another state was coming to pass. Talk about being open to new opportunities!

My theme for 2006 is, "Be still, be quiet. Listen."

For the first time in 6 years of pursuing children's illustration, I have a confidence that I've never experienced and a knowing that I'm on the right track. But I need to relax, savor the journey and enjoy it. I need to take the time to listen to what my instincts are telling me and most importantly trust and not second guess every move I make. I waste so much energy this way. Not this year.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful 2006. I look forward to sharing the highs and lows with you again this year. I hope your dreams come true, and that you accomplish you goals with great success. Most importantly, when the obstacles come ...and they will, I wish you the strength to keep going and make the most of every situation.

Happy New Year!

Valcome Home!

"Val-come Home!" (emily came up with that clever play on words)

Welcome home Valentine, we missed you, sweet girl!

hmph, if you really missed me that much you would have given me steak. You really expect me to it this?

A Vegas Christmas

Hi everyone! Sneaking in real quick to catch up a little.

I hope you had a great Christmas.  It was wonderful in our little neck of the woods. My parents came to stay with us for a week and it went way too fast. I loved having them here and we had such a good time.

On "boxing day" (day after Christmas), we all went to the Bellagio Hotel downtown and I took some pics with my Christmas present, a digital camera that I can fit in my purse! Thank you Santa Baby!

In the main pavilion they decorate this area differently for every season. It's just glorious up close and personal.

(click on images for a larger view)

This is the Christmas tree with gigantic ornaments hanging from the glass ceiling.  Below where you see red is a huge area covered completely with cranberries and bordered by poinsettias in various shades of reds and mauves. In the center are ornaments made with burgandy roses...oh the perfume! (Unfortunately my pics came out way too blurry to salvage.)

Here is a scene of mechanical penguins, so cute.

Here was my favorite area. Look at these adorable snow bears! They are covered with white carnations and the scent from them was so intense and lovely.  Snow was usually blowing down and it took a while to figure out how they made it. I grabbed a couple and they were BUBBLES! Unfortunately it wasn't "snowing" when I took this pic but you can see some of it laying on the bears.

There was a fantastic water feature that "danced" to the Christmas music playing but again...awful photographer that doesn't know what she's doing was in charge.

I want everything from this store. Look at the adorable tuffet!

The Bellagiois next to Caesar's Palace. Outside in the front is where the official tree lighting with Wayne Newton takes place. I took this picture in the van as we were driving by. I'm still surprised it actually took. The tree is really pretty. It changes colors every few seconds.

I have to admit, Vegas is a very fun place to be at Christmas. All the 'busy-ness' and lights everywhere were infectious.

I can't believe tomorrow is New Years Eve!!  Will write more soon....

Happy Holidays Bloggers!

Yep, as other bloggers are posting their lovely christmas crafts and decorations, I'm posting the roses that are in bloom. But aren't they just glorious? About 8 rosesbushes line the sidewalk to the front door and although it has been bitterly cold here in Nevada, they are doing their best to keep budding.

It has been like pulling teeth to get myself into christmas mode. I guess because we are still surrounded by boxes and all the "to do's" with getting settled in the house.  But we have done a modified decorating with tree and stockings so we're not totally bah hum bug!

Over the years I've made a stocking for all the family except for my own which was made by my mum when I was very little. I cherish it.The running joke in the house is that mine is the largest. Well duh, Of course it is!

I want to say a very big thank you to snowbear for these special additions to my christmas tree. You are just too sweet! I love them.

My parents are driving all the way from New Mexico to spend christmas with us so I'll be busy cleaning and trying to do some last minute shopping before they arrive.

They are bringing us a very special pressie. Our Valentine!!

Mum and dad have been babysitting her for us while we get settled and boy have we missed her. My Emily spent the evening yesterday making "VALCOME HOME" signs for her. I'm sure valentine will appreciate it. =O)

Anyway, that's the update for now. I just wanted to wish you all a splendid holiday in case I don't post again until after christmas. Here's wishing you all a very merry and safe holiday!

xoxo!

Update- I'm not afraid of needles

I just wanted to share with you an update on "I'm Not Afraid Of Needles", a book I had the pleasure of illustrating last year.

This book was written by Kelly Tucker who has a child with a rare blood disorder and it is distributed in hospitals to help other children with their fear of needles. (Go here to read more about them on my blog)

Skyler, I am so proud of you! You are making such a big difference in this world and you are such a neat girl. YAY SKYLER!

Here is a link to the tv broadcast that Skyler and her mom did just recently.

For more info on the book, please visit www.kidstalkmag.com

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!

Mooving right along...

Finished!

Now the next step is to have this turned into a postcard with my new contact info on the back. I think I'm going to give vista print a try.  You don't have to order a large bulk to get an affordable rate.  I've had a couple of friends use them with positive results so fingers crossed. 

* If anyone reading this has tried them and had bad results please let me know. Thanks!*

Women who create

Oh my gosh, I just discovered this book and I really, really want it!

And look at this one coming out in March 2006! Another one I'm adding to my list.

Mooving slowly

ACHOO!  Sleepless nights and felt flying out of place every time I sneeze has slowed me down a wee bit! Oh man, Emily's nasty cold has spread like wildfire in our household so not much to report this week. I am still hopeful that I will have this illustration done by the weekend. I am loving this holland wool felt. Thinner than other felts and not so messy. Wish it wasn't so pricey. But it's worth it.

Actually, I've made major headway on the ol' blog article I'm writing. I think it's pretty much done so I'm going to hide it away for a week and read it with fresh eyes to continue tweaking and editing. I'm a bit scared what I might find when I get back to it,though. I've been writing under the influence of powerful sinus meds so it may read more like a story with elves and faeries than about the blogging experience!

new promo sketch

Rough sketch for my next promotional postcard. Very cliche with the "moooved" but I love cows.

Tea Time

My Poor Emily has been home for the past two days with a cold. Lot's of sneezing and coughing going on. When she is under the weather, her favorite drink is hot tea with honey. I love tea and drink it every day but Emily (my 9 yr old) only wants it when she's sick. So actually when she's sick this is a bonding time that we enjoy...drinking hot tea together. We're getting ready to cuddle and watch Little House on the Prairie.  I think she'd rather be watching something starring Drake Bell (Drake & Josh, Nickelodeon) but she's indulging me. =O)

Speaking of tea...here is a collection of my "beakers".

Mum and I get several every time we go home to England for a visit.
I'm so bummed because I broke one of my favorites this week. I was unpacking my cups and this one (the lid) hit the counter top and broke in two. My nan had bought this for me one year at the airport .

She passed away last year so I was pretty mad at myself. But I had to laugh because she was always breaking things when she was alive.  =O)
Fortunately, I think it's salvageable..

Anyway, our tea is getting cold so I better skidaddle.

Agent Obscura

This is an excellent post by "agent Obscura".

Procrastination & Goals

(sung to the tune, "Anticipation".)
Procrastinaaation,
Procrastinaaaation
It's making me late........ 

It's official, I am the worlds biggest procrastinator, the truth is out.

I bet you didn't know this but it's entirely impossible to work on art if your living room furniture isn't in just the right spot. And I bet you also didn't know that one can't work if there are dust bunnies on the floor and dishes in the sink.

Naw. Truth is, instead of just sitting down for a few minutes and working on art, I'm filling my time with things I feel "have" to be done before I can start. Granted, life is still chaotic and time is limited but my career is just as important to me and I've learned how to juggle both over the years. I just need to sit down and get to it, darn it!  No more excuses. I have a place to work, supplies are at hand and two of my three kiddos have started school (kevvy's school has already started their holiday!). I have the time if I'd just rein myself in.

So here are a list of my goals for this month to keep myself accountable.

*Create Promotional Postcard
Sketch- this week
Final- 2nd week of dec
Order Postcards-2nd week of dec
Mail them Out - no later than January 1

*Finish Blog Article -deadline January .Just finish it already,Roz, you've had plenty of time!

*Create Sketch for Ladybug Assignment -deadline January but would be great to get it done sooner.

*New banner for Blog- by january 1

*Revamp website- new opening page