Cozy Up
This winter my second collection with FIGO Fabrics, “Cozy Up” came out. Inspired by the Danish concept of hygge, it’s full of mugs of hot beverages, snowflakes, pine boughs and all manner of, well, cozy things. I remember first working on sketches for this collection sitting at the window at Lil’s Cafe, with a latte and a cruller. Good times…
For Christmas, I decided to make a skirt with one of the prints from the collection. For a pattern, I used Zinnia from Seamwork. I made version 2, but went for the length of version 1 and skipped the belt loops. A quick sew, I love the shape, the pleats and most especially, the pockets (yesssss). I’d definitely make this one again. The only thing I’d rethink is a different finish on the side seams and pockets, but live and learn.
Itzhak
I’m thrilled to share that Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin was named a Schneider Family Book Award honor book, as part of this year’s American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards.
It was an absolute delight illustrating this book by Tracy Newman, a picture book biography about the young Itzhak Perlman. And I’m very grateful to have had Courtney Code as editor and art direction by the talented Steph Stilwell.
And while library and school visits aren’t a thing for me right now, I do have a virtual illustrator talk for the book that I recorded this past summer. A behind the scenes look at how the illustrations for Itzhak were made, there’s also a kid’s craft project included at the end of the recording. If you’re looking to make that craft, a violin sun catcher, here’s the free download you’ll need.
New Year New
It’s been awhile, but I’ve begun to miss sharing here. Following a death in the family, I thought some time away would be a good thing. And it was.
But now feels right to return, slowly.
In the Woods
Until last week, it felt like March 59th. But this week the trees have started leafing out properly and the quince is about to explode in blossoms, so I feel slightly less pessimistic. Although if the snow predicted for this weekend comes along, I might have to revise that statement. See also: Murder Hornets.
Aside from killer insects and ridiculous weather patterns:
* I’m reading The Old Reliable right now, because I needed a laugh and Wodehouse always delivers on that count. I’m also reading No Idle Hands, a social history of knitting in America, which is absolutely fascinating.
* I planted sweet pea, radishes and snap peas this past weekend and the radishes are already poking through. I also started shallots and pumpkins indoors. Gardens are strange, wonderful and frequently maddening. But there’s nothing like seeing little bits of green to give you a sense of hope.
* I’ve been watching The Mallorca Files lately and so far, am loving. It’s a witty tale of an odd couple cop duo, set on the sunny Spanish island of Mallorca. Also, now I really want to visit Mallorca.
Hunkered Down
Four months in and 2020 is already making my (and I suspect your) head spin. What a strange, strange few weeks. Life here isn’t too radically altered and for that I’m very grateful. I’m still working, drawing, painting, stitching. I’ve walked more the past month than I have in eons. And I’ve done plenty of stress baking: four loaves of soda bread, one batch of hot cross buns, two cakes and a couple dozen cookies. I suppose it’s a good thing I’m walking far more — gulp! I do miss friends and family though (especially my 93 year-old-grandmother). But this too shall pass, right?
And I’m tentatively planning to do some sort of live drawing demo. on Instagram or Facebook in the not too distant future. I tried last week to set up for that, but discovered that balancing a camera on a stack of books just isn’t the way to go, especially if you’re a highly accident prone individual… So more on that later!
Beyond that, I’m slogging through the end of Little Dorrit, binge watching Gardeners World and knitting this cardigan.
Stay safe + be well!
Lots and lots of Educational Things
Where to even start? The past fortnight has felt like two months, rather than two weeks! Wherever you are, here’s hoping things are well on your end.
I did want to start pulling together some resources for families, especially if you’ve suddenly found yourself a surprise homeschooler. Below are links to some coloring sheets, as well as free activity kits put together by the authors of books I’ve illustrated. Hope you find these resources helpful! And I’m hoping to do some kind of Facebook or Instagram live event in the next week or two (drawing? reading? I’m open to suggestions!). So… Let’s get to the links:
* Download the above forest wanderer here.
* Or if mythical woodland creatures are your jam, you can download this fairy coloring sheet.
* Want to get out of the house? Here’s a Finding Wild activity sheet. And if you’re a school or library and would like to be able to read Finding Wild or Fort Building Time during the next few weeks, check out author Megan Wagner Lloyd’s site for guidelines.
* Some coloring sheets from Bella’s Rules, by Elissa Haden Guest (download sheet #1 and sheet #2).
* Author Uma Krishnaswami has an activity kit for both The Grand Plan to Fix Everything and The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic (two delightful middle grade books I illustrated a few years ago). You can find that terrific resource here (scroll down a bit to download).
* And Kate Hosford has up some super fun curriculum resources for the books she’s written, including an activity kit for Mama’s Belly.
Hope you enjoy! And if you use any of the coloring sheets, definitely let me know (or holler at me on social media). Stay well!