Since Our Last Transmission

 

 

 

Happy Passover and Easter greetings, hope you all had swell weekends. I had a first rate brunch out with friends on Saturday and Easter dinner with family was terrific. Also, hello sun and temperatures above 30 degrees. It's really Spring -- Huzzah!

On the illustration front, things have been humming along here. I can't believe it's a little over a month before the release of Bella's Rules and The Glitter Trap. More on both of these in the next few weeks, scout's honor.

Things I have liked lately:

* Swiss Chard: The Winter Farmer's markets had me trying some new (to me) vegetables and Swiss Chard was a pleasant surprise. Also, those colors are neat. In case you're curious, this is what I made with them.

* Murdoch Mysteries: Victorian era crime fighting in turn-of-the-century Toronto is my newest Netflix discovery. Delightful and not too devious, it's really entertaining. Also, there's an episode where Annie Oakley makes an appearance. This would have made my five-year-old self's head explode because I had a doll of self-same sharpshooter. Fact.

* I sewed this pattern for Easter and am hooked on sewing more vintage pieces. I did have to make some heavy modifications to the bodice which almost derailed things. But, the dress got finished and I didn't even have to use scotch tape on the hem (just kidding, sort of). Random observation: slouching in dresses from this era is completely impossible. Score one for posture improvement!

* And more drawing/stitching is of course happening.

Nota Bene

 
The internets have informed me that today is Flannery O'Connor's birthday. That being the fact, I pretty much had to draw her this afternoon.

   
And things I like lately: daffodils and Monarch of the Glen. Both things are doing a bang up job at making me forget that it looks like a perpetual January in these here parts. So Old Man Winter, you can put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Pencilings


   

 
It's Friday, so how's about a sketch dump? Random things I've doodled over the course of the past few days.


 And of course, vive le weekend!

Spring-tastic

 
Art making with bits and pieces, things that were previously destined for the trash bin. I have Spring on the brain in case you couldn't tell. Mother Nature, however, is of an entirely different mindset...

The Lodestar

Yes, I'm still infatuated with the old postcard book, making collages from its pages. It's a nice change of pace, messing around with a needle, thread, pencil and paper.

And I'm jonesing for new music. What's your favorite album as of late?

Katya's Garden - Embroidery Pattern

 

Here's a little something new: an embroidery pattern to download. It's a fun pattern and not overly complicated. I ended up adding in some extra stitches to give the background a little extra oomph on my version, so there's plenty of room for customization and experimentation.

And if you're not the embroidering sort, you can always transfer the pattern to cloth and trace along the lines with a fabric pen. In short, go crazy and do your thing.

 

Copyright, Abigail Halpin. For personal use only, please.