We need a tree!

Things are running slow here in southern CA - we need to be like The Mousekins and get our tree! Next I'll post the new ornaments I'm working on...

Lamby Love

I've been away a long time but here's a sneak peak of my next book - just working up the dummy now but it's all written - a very simple concept story. I'm having a lot of fun with the sketches and can't wait to paint! xo

Paisley love

Yesterday I received the sweetest email from the mom of this adorable munchkin named Paisley, who loves my book of the same name:

I wanted to drop you and a note and let you know what one of your books means to my little girl. My three year old, Paisley, wants to read your book "Paisley" every night before bed. I even hear her in her room during the day reading it to her stuffed animals. Her favorite line is "the Earth shook."
She loves the book and also that the main character has the same name is her. It is really sweet to see her love for the book! She can "read" it verbatim because we have read it to her so much. I got her the book before she was born and it was always a sweet sentiment and so special to me, it's so nice to see that it is for her as well.:-)Hope this note gives you some encouragement. 
Thank you for writing this special book!

Yes, it certainly does give me encouragement - more than she can know.
One can feel small and insignificant in the book world, so a note like this means so much.  
Her mom really made my week!

Happy Earth Day!

What an incredible world we live in - aren't we lucky!

Bits and Pieces

Today I was attempting to fight the clutter in my studio and came across a little basket of notes & scribbles I made while working on my book Christmas With the Mousekins - A Story with Crafts, Recipes, Poems and More!. Especially on a book that has so many details, I accumulate a lot of ideas on random pieces of paper - things that occur to me while I'm in bed or watching tv, etc. If I were super organized, all my notes would be made into one sketch book, but that doesn't happen! So I scanned them and assembled them into groups.
So here you can see me working out the details of the book, from the Mousekins' house and decorations inside,

to their outfits,

their holiday decorations and Momo's Christmas Tree Hat,

as well as a letter to Santa Mouse and the presents, wrapped and unwrapped.

Some of these ideas didn't make it into the final art, but most of them did.
What a completely fun and joyful experience it was to make this book! xo

Mouse Love

I enjoyed making this Valentine card with my scanned & tweaked pencil line, then coloring with flat color digitally - all muted except for the red.
Hope you had a heart-filled day! xo

2 bunnies and 1 elephant need new homes!

The giveaway tied in to the release of my new book is finally live.
Enter for your chance to win one of the adorable bunnies or the big yellow elephant!
Tell your friends!
Enter on Facebook
Enter on HMH blog
Good luck and let me know if you're a winner! xo

Amazing mandalas by Judy Moffatt!

My friend Judy Moffatt has magical powers. Recently she has turned her considerable talent for design & whimsy to creating totally unique mandalas. Look at those little birds!! I can't get enough of the chickadees & nuthatches. And the tinier little fox, deer, and bear! I keep mine next to my bed, because it makes me seriously happy. Check out this & her other amazing designs in her etsy shop!

a little more sparkle...

one last christmas pic before january is over - this the the main tree that i never posted about, because the small fat table-top tree sort of took over. but this tree was plenty pretty too!

On their way...

 

2 bunnies & 1 elephant en route to boston!
to be raffled off in houghton mifflin's social media campaign for my new book 

My Blue Bunny Bubbit. stay tuned for a chance to win one of these cuties!

A conversation...

Bunny: "This is my new favorite book."
Elephant: "That's because you're on the cover."
B: "You're in it too."
E: "Really? Then it must be good."
B: "I'll read it to you."
E: "You can read?"
B: "I can. I have magical powers."
E: "Wow. It must be fun to be you."
B: "It is. Now listen up:
'I have a bunny--he's made of soft wool fabric. He has silky ears, a fluffy tail, and a special row of X's on his foot - '"
E: "Hey, I have that too!"
B: "Shh, I'm reading:
'My bunny's name is Bubbit, and he's almost just my age. That's because my grandma Nonni made him for me way back when I was teeny-tiny..."

Mini website for Bubbit!

The fab folks at Houghton Mifflin publishers have put up this adorable mini-site for Bubbit - check it out at http://hmhbooks.com/bubbit/
There you can download the patterns to make these easy felt hand-sewn versions of the book's stars - a felt bunny and elephant. I hope you will!

Farewell Christmas!

So long ornaments - can't wait to see you again next Christmas!

Happy Birthday Bubbit!

Bubbit is "born" today - happy birthday little bunny!

Bunny!

I'm sewing up 2 Bubbit bunnies to be raffled on Clarion's social media for My Blue Bunny Bubbit's book release.
I had the perfect blue nubby wool fabric in my stash, and altered my usual bunny pattern to get it looking just like my illustrations in the book.
The book comes out this Tuesday Jan 7, so I'll post back with raffle details when I get them. xo

My new book

My Blue Bunny Bubbit will be in stores Jan 7th!

The story was inspired by a stuffed bunny I designed and sold in my Etsy shop from 2005 - 07. I sold many of these bunnies and customers really loved them.

 I felt it was one of my best pattern designs ever.

 While I was making bunnies, this story came to me about a girl and her grandmother sewing together. Nonni made Bubbit for her when she was born, and now they are making something for the new baby! For the fabric, they cut up the girl's "old favorite jacket that Nonni made me" that is now way too small.

I hope readers will enjoy this story about grandma/granddaughter togetherness, re-purposing materials, and creating wonderful things together!