Question...

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

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

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!

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...

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...

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!!

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.