to the birds

When I'm not making art, a part of me is missing. I think that's what I've been feeling lately. My artwork has gone by the wayside, a victim of other responsibilities and hectic schedules. And while this sweet little cardinal is not a brand new image, I decided to spend a little time with him today. I gave him a face-lift, added some texture, and set him on a course for greater things. He'll become one of the illustrations that I'll feature in print-form at an upcoming holiday fair.

I'm feeling a little more content now. I find that creating has a sneaky way of doing that.

grocery-toting gourd

How, really, does one celebrate Halloween more delightfully than with decorated pumpkins? I can think of no better way. So, fill your day with a pumpkin or two. And a little bit of candy as well, just for good measure.

vacation journals - day three

The vacation journaling continues, long after the vacation is over...

vacation journals - day two

vacation journals - day one

In an effort to preserve my vacation memories, I took to creating an illustrated journal of our marvelous little adventures. More to come in the days ahead...

a bit of cheer

A month is too long for me to be away from this blog. It starts seeming dreary, and I begin feeling more and more distant. All in all it just makes for a bad relationship. So, in an effort toward reconciliation, I made my blog some flowers. Nothing cheers up a good blog like a row of little flowers.

This particular bunch of cheer-me-up flowers ended up looking a bit fall-ish, even though I created them on one of the hotter days of this summer season. Perhaps I am looking forward to Autumn. I don't want it here right now, but when it does arrive, I'll be happy to welcome it back. My craving for apple cider and crunching leaves has started to make itself known.

bestowing names on robots

Upon the request of a friend, I finally got around to naming my robots. And, through the process, I decided that picking out names is serious work. There's a lot of thought, meaning, and consideration that goes into the delicate art of name selection. I can't imagine the pressure that must be felt when naming a child. Phew. I'm worn out just from naming three little robots. Of course, these creations do feel like my children at times. I grow so very attached.

In any case, meet Reggie, Sal, and Scoot...a somewhat motley (but nevertheless endearing) threesome.

assessing creativity

Well, here I sit, on the last day of June. My creative progress has been different than I imagined it would be when I started this month. Perhaps not in a bad way. Just in a way that I wasn't expecting. No masterpieces made. Only a few new illustrations to show for myself. But, goals were met nonetheless. And, when creativity is happening, no matter what the form, I think there's little to complain about.

creative check-list

There's something about setting creative goals and making a physical list of said goals that really does push me into action. And, since June has been deemed my month of creativity, I figure that I owe it to myself to check things off my "to do" list. I've been whittling away at this for the past several days and am happy to report the following: Robot prints have been added to Etsy. New greeting cards have been made. And, sketches are done for an invitation job that I'm working on. I am breathing a sigh of relief as I type this. It feels good to get things done...and then to consequently have room on my "to do" list for a whole new batch of projects!

in a fit to knit

A whole lot of knitting has been going on around here over the past 2 days. The striped hat, which has been sitting in my living room unfinished for too many weeks, is finally done. It feels a little Harry Potter-ish, which is just fine by me. No harm in getting one's baby off to a magical start, I'd say. The brown one is for a dear friend's new baby. I can't wait to deliver it to its rightful little owner this weekend!

Whenever I get on these knitting spurts, I just want to keep going and going. It's almost midnight, and yet, I've considered pulling out all my yarn to decide which color will be the inspiration for my next itty bitty hat. They are just so darling that I can't stop making them. So, be prepared. If you're having a baby, you're most likely going to be the proud recipient of a Heather-made baby hat. Like it or not. But, really, how could you not?