LullaLoo

We've MOVED!!

2011-04-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Wonder where I've been ? Come on over and take a peek at the new blog:
http://www.trafalgarssquare.typepad.com/

p.s. I think I feel another giveaway coming... :)

We have a Winner!

2011-03-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's right. Finally.
You have all been just charming with your responses, and I do apologize for not declaring the giveaway winner sooner. Tenets here at Summer House habe been sniffley and snuffly and things have been crazy. Two little kiddos indoors for a couple of weeks in a lovely, but very tiny house do not make for a most productive me.

But, enough with the excuses, here is our winner!
Mrs. B!

Email me with your shipping information Mrs. B and we'll send Trot on his way home!
I want to thank you every one of your for your feedback about Trafalgar's Square. Your comments have helped immensely, and I'm excited to show you the results. Some fantastic changes and additions are coming in the very near future, I'll keep you posted!

Identity Crisis and a Giveaway

2011-02-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

Things are really getting busy on Trafalgar's Square, we've finally made over 5,000 sales (thanks to you, you wonderful people!), and I think it might be time to expand a bit. We're going to be setting up a .com and we've been beating our heads over what to call it. I originally started Trafalgar's Square with a different art style in mind, but the paintings had a mind of their own and went off in a different direction. While I like the name, I'm thinking it just doesn't match the artwork.

So, my question for you, my lovely readers, is this:

Do we keep the name Trafalgar's Square, or call it LullaLoo instead? Or, do we come up with a completely new name? What's your honest opinion?

As a way to say thank you for helping my shop out of its identity crisis, here's another giveaway.

Trot, the Star Flyer

8x10 Archival Print

Enter to win by doing these three things:

1. follow the blog

2. blog, twitter, facebook, or tell your friends about the giveaway

3. post a comment below telling us what name you like better, Trafalgar's Square or LullaLoo, or if we should come up with a new name.

The giveaway winner will be announced this Saturday, the 26th of February.

I can't wait to see your answers!

Another Holiday!

2011-02-19T15:31:00.000-08:00

Yippee! I love these three day weekends!

So, in honor of all of our presidents (and to wish Honest Abe and General George very happy birthdays), I'm having another print sale. All of our prints are now 20% off, just enter the coupon code JOLLY20 at checkout to receive your discount.

Have a happy Presidents' Day!

The LOVE-ly Winner is...

2011-02-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Carrie from the GrowingBaby blog!!

Yippee!

Carrie, email me your address and which print you'd like and I'll get them sent out right away! :)

I'm sending a virtual, hugenormous See's box of chocolates to all of you. Thank you for participating in the giveaway, and for all of your sweet comments. Me thinks I will be starting another giveaway this weekend so be sure to come by again.

♥♥♥♥

Little Lovelies and a Giveaway!

2011-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've lately been on a balloon craze (as if you couldn't tell), and after seeing the armies of crimson heart balloons at the grocery store-accompanied by Pearly's continual request for "just one"-I bring you my new set of Valentine beauties, all of which are now in the shop:

Cutie-Pie Prints

a "loverly" stationary set of 10 notecards

And, sweetest of all the sweets, my SweetHeart Badge set featuring the Circus Troupe:

I'm particularly fond of the packaging. It doubles as a valentine, ready for gifting!

And now, my favorite part of today's post...

a SweetHeart Giveaway!

it includes the following:

*one print of your choice from the three 8x10 Cutie-Pie prints

*a set of 10 Loverly notecards and envelopes

*set of 3 SweetHeart badges

Here's how to enter:

you only have to do three things...

1. follow this blog,

2. blog, twitter, or facebook about this giveaway (or even just tell your friends),

and

3. post ONE comment below saying which print you'd choose if you won.

That's all there is to it.

I'll announce the winner on Valentine's Day!

Here's to chocolate and flowers!

Welcome the newbies...

2011-02-04T09:23:00.000-08:00

There's a boatload of new folk at Trafalgar's Square, so let's begin the introductions!

This first group is from the CIRCUS TROUPE, a band of performing cuddle bugs.
Here's Wellington...you can tell he's well loved.

And this is Oliver, he's a winner.

And Esmerelda, the beauty.

And, my favorite of all (don't tell the others), Trot. He can tie a beautiful bow tie.

Let's give them a hand, they live for applause. :)

In keeping with the circus theme, I've created this happy trio:

I wish I could find a green umbrella...

And, the much requested "Trot, the Star Flyer" print is now available in the shop!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so tomorrow I'll be showcasing some new lovelies, as well as a SweetHeart giveaway.

Hugs and Kisses!

XOXOXOX

Well, it's about time...

2011-01-31T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

I am sooo sorry about this hugemoungous lapse on the blog, but we've been up to our ear lobes in all sorts of exciting stuff...

First off, I have to show you our new home!

That's right, we finally moved out of our teeny, tiny, grubby, grimy apartment into a real house. No more midnight treks across bleak parking lots (and no moochy neighbors stealing our parking space), no drafty stairwells with flights and flights of stairs to climb in the pouring rain, no doors slamming below us, or cigarette smoke drifting down on us from upper balconies. No kitchen in the front room, no neighbor's dog's messes on our welcome mat, no drama from the same-landing neighbor's knife fights, nope, nope, nope.

And what's even better, this home comes with a yard, lots and lots of yard!

Even Pearly's sidewalk people like it here:

We are so in love with the yard (and most especially, the porch), it doesn't matter that there's only one bathroom and bedroom for the four of us, that the kitchen cupboards smell like an antique store, or that the laundry room is out in the garage...

So, that being said, what with Gwynnie's birthday, our car completely breaking down, Christmas, New Year's, the move, and our newly arrived flu bugs, things have been a leeetle bit crazy this past month.
Thanks so much for being patient and hanging with the slow posts. Part of my New Year's resolution is to keep this baby updated at least twice a week. :)

(as a side note, I've got lots of Valentine's goodies to post over the next few days, and another giveaway, as well as armfuls of new prints, so stay tuned)

Cheers!

The Winner...

2010-12-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

And the winner is....

Rachel from "Tiny Pink"

Yippee!!

(please contact me via email with your address and I'll have the prints sent to you right away) :)

Thank you so much to all of you for your lovely comments and kind words. I'm having a lot of fun with these giveaways, so I think I will be holding at least a couple each month from here on out.

Happy Cocoa Days!

7 Originals and a New Print

2010-12-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to say there are more original paintings available in the shop, and while in the process of making these, I've fallen in love with a few more characters.

This little lady, for example, was based off my little girl, Gwynnie. I love the blissfully happy expression, and the way the woodland colored balloons set off her pretty grey frock.

After three years of illustrating, I'm finally expanding my animal collection to include giraffes. These little fellows are inspired by the very lovely Sophie.

Another Gwynnie-Girl, this time dressed up in sugar and spice (and everything nice).

Love these colors!

Star Balloons anyone?

And last but not least, BabyMine is now available in the shop as an 8x10 and 5x7 print!

Originals and Another Giveaway

2010-12-09T07:09:00.000-08:00

Well, it took a little longer than I thought (thanks to a barage of sniffles and coughles that kept circulating through the clan), but the first handful of paintings from my 100 original blitz is finally available in the shop.

I have a tendency to get really attached to my originals, even if most of the time they end up stashed in watercolor paper pads in the closet, so this 100 painting blitz thing is part of my heroic attempt to overcome my hoarder urges.

And now for the giveaway.

Just in time for Christmas, these two 8x10 prints of wintry little gatherings are ready to bring some jolly-cheer to your pad. The giveaway closes Friday, December 17th, and the winner will be selected through random.org. Oh, and just to verify, anyone in the whole, wide world can enter (international shipping is no problem). :)

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow the blog
2. Blog, twitter, or sky write about this giveaway.
3. Leave a comment below (one comment per follower)
4. Drink hot cocoa.

Ok, so you don't have to drink hot cocoa to win the prints, but you need to at least think about drinking hot cocoa. With lots of marshmallows. And dollops of whipped cream.

Pretty Little Ladies

2010-12-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a great idea for a Christmas art project? I love everything about them, their cardboard wings, the ribbon dress, and the tiny painted shoes. I can't wait to make some with my girls.

images via here

A Wintry BookFest

2010-12-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

One can never have too many books.

Grab your cocoa, a fuzzy blanket, a thick book, and this print, now in the shop, to complete your cozy, wintertime library.

Christmas is Coming!

2010-11-23T19:20:00.000-08:00

I know this should be a Thanksgiving post, but I've been so excited to share these wonderful Christmas projects with you, I couldn't wait any longer. Of all the holidays, Christmas is my very favoritist to decorate for.
Don't you love this gingerbread mobile? Just an embroidery hoop painted cherry red, some red ribbon, pretty cotton twine, and a handful of whimsical woodland dwellers. What could be more deliciously delightful?

via here

Pom-poms on a stick? Perfect!

via here

This garland's good enough to eat...I'm still trying to figure out a way to make one...I'm thinking those tube shaped sweeties look like they could be sponge curlers in hiding, but I'm still scratching my head about the circular goodies.


via here

<>Littlepaper pennants give a party feeling to everyday life. I want scads of them draped on the back of my doors, walls, windows, babies...

via here

How about this for adorable? A little twinkle garland made from sparkly pipe cleaners and strung along a lovely bit of string.

via here

And last, but not least, a star advent calendar made from tinfoil stars, tiny boxes, and big wishes for a merry Christmas.

via here

Happy Wedding Day!!

2010-11-18T02:41:00.000-08:00

Wow, has it been four years already? How can so much life be packed into so little time? I can't believe how both "just yesterday" and a "long time ago" it all feels. It's definitely been an adventure, and quite a roller coaster of experience, and I couldn't ask for a better buddy to share it all with.

To Infinity and Beyond!!!

Sneak Peek

2010-11-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

Again, it's been a while (this is developing into a very bad habit), and I do apologize. I think I know what one of my (very many) New Year's resolutions will be.

Question: So, where have I been?

Answer: Sketching up 100 5x7 ORIGINAL paintings, to be released in a massive shop update sometime next week. woohoo!

And we're finally expanding the shop a bit to welcome a group of new comers. Here's a sneak peek of our new friend.

I'll be putting up more announcements about the shop update throughout this week, so be sure to come by!

Cheers!

Kit

AND THE WINNER IS....

2010-10-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm terribly sorry about the delay in closing off the giveaway. Pearly's been a sickie for over a week now, and what with doctor appointments, tissues for runny noses, daily dosings, and trying to keep to squirrely girls entertained in a 700 sf apartment, things have been a little hectic.

So, without further ado, I'd like to proclaim the winner:

drumroll please....

Claylady!!!

Hurray!!

Please contact me with your address and we'll get it sent out Pumpkin Post!

SPOOKTACULAR GIVEAWAY

2010-10-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Thanks so much for your lovely comments and compliments about the book deal. As a special thank you, I'm excited to announce my first giveaway here on LullaLoo. Created just in time for Halloween, and inspired by Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and this halloween treat, I think this painting may be my favorite yet.

Winner will be picked Wednesday 20 by random.org!

                                                                          To Enter:

                                               1) Blog, Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway
                                               2) Become a blog follower of LullaLoo
    3) Visit Trafalgar's Square and leave a comment below to let us know which product is your favorite

YIPPEEE!!!!

2010-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have the most exciting news to share and am dying to shout it from the rooftops. I know it's been forever since my last post, and I'm awfully sorry about that. A whole truckload of life has been happening the past few months, but the most exciting thing by far just occured over the past 48 hours...
Ready?
Drumroll....
I am going to have a ...
   BOOK!!!
            wait, amend that.

                                            THREE BOOKS!!!

My wonderful agent, Teresa of Prospect Agency, and I just finalized a contract with Shauna Fay at Putnam Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Books, for a series of three books about these little characters....

My brain's been having nothing but synaptic misfiring the past two days, I simply can't believe it. It's like my birthday, Halloween, and Christmas all rolled into one, big, wonderful pumpkin coach. Wishes really do come true!
I am so grateful to everyone who's made this possible, my Mummy and Pop (thank you so much for everything!), my husband, my little girls, Pearly and Gwyneth, Teresa, Shauna, and YOU!!!
Thank you!!

Thank you!!!

Elephants on Parade

2010-07-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

As if there weren't enough pachyderms in my shop, I've gone and added five more to the collection.

One of them is an alphabet print, which was a lot of fun to make. So much so, that I'll be creating a whole series of alphabet prints with a huge menagerie of wildlife, and I can't wait to get started.

Well, Look Who's Back...

2010-07-28T03:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Believe it or not, I'm still alive and painting. I've had a ridiculously busy handful of months since my last post, and finally have a spare moment to update my poor, neglected blog.

I'm happy to introduce a new handful of paintings for the shop. "Lion Boy" will be available in this shop in a variety of hair colors, and "Bubbles" is available as a set of prints. Note: there are many, many more paintings I will be adding to the shop over this week and the next.

Friday and Saturday Sale!

2010-05-28T03:55:00.000-07:00

Back again! I love a good sale, and I think I'm not the only one. Here's this week's sale:

Cheers!

Note:
I went ahead and extended the sale til Monday in honor of Memorial Day...Have a safe and happy holiday!!

:)

Kit

And a Pink Princess Party...

2010-05-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

To add to the pink-happy craze, here is an absolutely, adorably, tooth-achy sweet birthday party that all little princesses (and mothers of princesses) would love to call their own. Images from the charming blog greylikesbaby

I think I'll be a princess too!

PINK!!!

2010-05-28T03:03:00.000-07:00

I may have been a tom-boy growing up, but under the influence of my pink-craving two year old, I am tickled to present some cotton candy prints, now available in the shop .

Happy Friday!

2010-05-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

Our Friday and Saturday sale is on again!!

Buy any 3 prints and get 2 free of your choosing...not bad eh?

Sure Sign of Summer...

2010-05-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

via chubbyscruisers

via beach bikes

Biking at the beach, what could be more summery than that? I love, love, love beach cruisers and these are some beauts!

Here's a little collection of accessories that let you keep your bicylce near when the real thing isn't available...

bag from Paisely Magic ; bronze bike necklace bybethtastic ; penny farthing necklace from Heartworks by Lori ; tandem by letter press ; bike button badges by angry robot

Fox Girls' Hair!!

2010-05-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

New hair colors for my lovely Fox Girls...

And, in keeping with my blue streak, sky blue cardigans and bows for my pretty girls:

All these lovely ladies are now available in the shop .

Tradition...

2010-05-14T00:56:00.001-07:00

I think I'll start a new tradition. Every Friday and Saturday, I'm going to have a sale, and no two sales will ever be the same...

This week's sale:

Buy any 2 prints, get 1 of your choice for free!

It's all about the hair!!

2010-05-11T04:37:00.001-07:00

Well, now there's finally some more hair color options for the little girls of the Little Fairy Land print. Oh, and I did change the dress color too, I've got a passion for blue this spring and it's starting to spill over into my work...

As a side note, I'm working on adding all sorts of hair color options to my other prints of children. I think FOX GIRL is next...

A Royal Fellow

2010-05-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

He looks like summer.
now availabe in my shop as an 8x10 or 5x7

Do You Have the Time?

2010-05-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

Looking for something a little different to give you the time of day? These clocks from Anthro give such an air of whimsical elegance, they make me want to have a tea with raspberry tarts and little cakes with pink sugar frosting.

Since Anthro decor is a bit out of my budget just now (I'm saving up for a two seater jogger for the little ladies), I found this wonderful tutorial on how to make your very own china wall clock here .

Now it's off to the thrift stores to find some English floral-type plates and saucers!

Swing on a Star and Little Dreamers

2010-05-05T03:05:00.000-07:00

Introducing my very favorite of all the "Wishing Star" series, it has a vintage, folk-art feel that gives it a bit of old-school whimsy.

This print has been very popular in the shop with just the blonde version available, but I'm happy to announce that Little Dreamer now comes in several hair colors, red, black, and brunette.

All these prints are now available in Trafalgar's Square .

♥♥♥NEW SHOP♥♥♥

2010-05-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce the opening of my new shop "It Had To Be You." A shop where you can put your name on all sorts of wonderful products. I just have a few items listed so far, but I'll be adding postcards, stationary, invitations, announcements, pinback buttons, party favors and more over the next month or two.

Here's what's in the shop so far:

If you have any more ideas for personalizable products you'd like to see in the shop, feel free to let me know if the "comments" section below!

Blondes

2010-04-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I just completed some custom paintings for a customer who had blond twins. This is what I came up with:

I really like the little girl's dress in the reading print-it looks Liberty of Londonish. :)

Question...

2010-04-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here's some new illustrations I've been working on; they've got a vintage look to them that I really like...What do you think of them as postcards?

Playmates

2010-04-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for handmade stuffed animals, they are just brimming over with personality and quirks that you rarely find in mass produced plushies. Here are some real handmade beauties!

Note: some of these images and links are for the actual toy, others are for patterns to make your own little menagerie.

Don't you want to take them all home with you?

dear doxie handsome hedgie beautiful blue bear philosophical fox darling doll
bonny bird rattle spunky squirrel playful penguin family elegant elephant

Spring Wardrobe

2010-04-07T23:38:00.000-07:00

I love the look of vintage children's clothes. Nothing is more magical than seeing you little one looking like they just stepped out of a story book. Here are some charming, spring-inspired collections with designs from a lovelier time.

Creamy wildflower

Blue skies
outfits from left to right

top:

a pretty picnic dress with a soft floral pattern; a milky-white dress and creamy cardigan ; a handsmocked little dress with a Liberty of London design; and a pale, cloud-like bubble romper

bottom:

birdy-blue dress and cardi; whimsical, plaid outfits in ocean colors; a stunning, lime-green sweater and pretty blouse, and last but not least, comfy, nautical playclothes

You're Invited!

2010-04-06T23:51:00.000-07:00

Well, with Spring finally here, what better way to celebrate winter's end than with a posy-colored tea party?

tea party napkins and party attire
whimsical mushroom tea set

party hat and flower fairy tea set

scrumptious felt cakes

tea party pinback button

cute cupcake topper

When I Grow Up...

2010-04-05T00:43:00.000-07:00

I'm going to have a swing set...this swing set.

Oh, and the yard wouldn't be a bad thing to have either. Dream on.

Check out their website and take a peek at their whimsical collections of swing sets. And if you don't see the exact set of your dreams, try the "design your own" option to create the swing set of your dreams.

http://www.cedarworks.com

Ok, I had to show you this bed set.

"Go to your room," would be a welcome punishment. Getting the little ones to go to bed would never be a challenge again-too bad I can't say the same for going to sleep...

On Your Mark...

2010-04-01T11:13:00.001-07:00

Only a few hours left to see the winners of the Bloesom Kids' banner design contest!

http://bkids.typepad.com/

I love designing logos and custom paintings, so I was super excited when Irene announced a contest to redesign her blog banner. Some of my best and most popular pieces come from custom work. There's been a few times where I'll have a complete picture in my head before I start a project, but more often than not, I don't know what's coming until my hand's drawn it.

I had a lot of fun designing my entry and I love the way the colors, the children, and the leaves turned out. I'll be releasing this painting as a print before the week's out, with lots of different hair color combinations to choose from.

Mine All Mine!!

2010-02-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

This little hedgie does NOT like sharing his books...and I know how he feels. I have a hard time deciding which color book I like better, the mustard or the avocado. I think it's the mustard.

I'M IN LOVE...

2010-02-19T21:02:00.001-08:00

with this!!

Afraid of the Dark?

2010-02-15T20:53:00.000-08:00

Well, Pearly's arriving at the lovely stage where everything in a dark room is filled with goblins and ghoulies-and it's a stage that may last quite a while. It wasn't until I was married with two little bundles that a dark room at night became desirable. This is the result of my search for cute nightlights. Now, all I have to do is pick one (I know I should let Pearly do the choosing, but these are so adorable, I want to be the immature adult and pick one out all by myself).

These are from the charming children's shop, pommenyc.com

Bambi's twin by Egmont, soon to be offered at littlefashiongallery.com

And a cozy collection of little mates found at babyroo.com.au

Lily-White and Creamo

2010-02-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

I love white blouses and shirts, but finding the perfect ones can be difficult. This year is showing off some great little white tops for little and big girls.

From BabyGap:

A gorgeous blouse from neigeclothing.com

And simple and sweet favorites from Papo D'Anjo:

Here are some exquisite blouses from Gorsuch. So they're a little out of my league right now (that's the understatement of the year), but I can dream can't I?

TIME TO READ

2010-02-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

We just made up a whole new set of pinback buttons for the shop! Introducing my BOOKISH set of buttons. I really like these as reading tools to get little ones excited about reading.

I'll definitely be using these with Pearly. When it's time to read, she can pick out one button to wear, and she can wear it as long as we're reading. Nothing like a little incentive to keep her attention. :)

FLYBOY

2010-02-05T19:38:00.001-08:00

Here's a little fellow and his friend on a quest for adventure. Quite the method of transportation!

A Little Girl's Fairyland

2010-02-04T22:36:00.000-08:00

I created this piece as a custom order for one of my customers and fell in love with. This is available as a customizable print in the shop!

Where are my Wellingtons?

2010-02-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

When I grow up, I'm investing in closets full of Wellies, dressers covered in hats (where are you supposed to keep your hats?).

A hat to end all hats (from Anthropologie):

Love the Wellies!

the two on top from pipduck.com/au, and the red lovelies are from funky-wellington-boots.co.uk