Scribble Picnic: Tablecloth

Well, I'm not sure this really qualifies as a tablecloth anymore for this week's Scribble Picnic. Sigh. When I first started sketching this illustration, my idea was to have these cute little guys playing on a tablecloth outside in the grass. Somehow, my mind made changes along the way and now they're inside playing! Oops!

So, if you're OK with them still joining the picnic, here they are. They've got a lunch sack with peanut butter and jam sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and a juice box I'm sure they'd be happy to share!

Scribble Picnic: Hot Chocolate

Every afternoon after school, Charlie would venture off into the woods behind his grandpa's house to play with his new friend, Olaf the bear. They loved playing hide-n-seek with Olaf's woodland friends. Afterwards, they would carry berries to the rabbits across the river, buckets of nuts to the squirrels and then shared delicious cups of hot chocolate at the end of the day. Charlie couldn't imagine his world without Olaf. He was the perfect friend...

With that said, please welcome Charlie and Olaf to the picnic. Olaf has brought his favorite peach cobbler pie while Charlie brought along a jug of his grandma's secret hot chocolate with a splash of peppermint. Mmmm.....divine! Me? Oh yes, I've packed a little basket of multiple goodies to make up for missing the last few picnics. There are mini raisin scones, chocolate croissants, snicker-doodles and my favorite....manchego cheese biscuits!

OK....hurry....it's getting a little nippy out. Grab your warm coats and cozy scarfs. Let's snuggle up around Olaf's warm fire and toast to a wonderful new year.

Maxine's New Friend & a Special Announcement

Maxine....she's not quite sure about that bear. Does he really just want to be friends? A cute doodle I started working on a little over a week ago. If you visit my Instagram, you can see where this illustration started compared to where it landed in its finished stage. Can you spot the differences? :)

In other news, I'm thrilled to announce that I'm now an Ambassador for the Manuscript Pen Company located in the U.K. Do you remember those daily sketches I did back in October of last year? Well, they love my work and I'm collaborating with them a bit more and will be attending some upcoming events with the first one in Dallas, Texas this coming March. I'm super excited and looking forward to sharing more about this in the coming days.

For now...happy Friday, everyone! Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Scribble Picnic: The Velveteen Rabbit

The Velveteen Rabbit children's story has been a longtime favorite of mine and although there are other fictional characters I love and have drawn a time or two, I decided to bring this story to life in my own way. I love dreaming and am confident this is how I keep my child-like heart alive within!

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Michael's Scribble Picnic. It's wonderful to be challenged to not only come up with new ideas but the fellowship at each week's picnic is something to cherish. Thank you to each of you for your well wishes. It seems I'm finally on the uphill and should be fully on my feet by the end of the week. For now, I'm sad to miss the festivities of food and delicious drink this week as I must remain in bed resting, snuggling my hot water bottle...and dreaming new dreams for this year.

Hot Water Bottle Hugs...

I’ve spent the last 8 days hugging my hot water bottle here on the sofa. It’s not how I planned to start the new year but I’ve allowed this required “down time” to heal my creative heart/soul. Sometimes, we get too busy in life or overcome with worries and fear of all the ‘what ifs’... this year, may we live in the now and focus on loving ourselves and those around us. When we do, everything else will fall in place.

New Year doodles

As you all know, I'm horribly sick and have been housebound all week on the sofa, discovering yesterday at a doctor's appointment, that I've bronchitis. Yuck! So, for now, please enjoy these few doodles and I hope to return in a few days to share some thoughts on my heart and mind about the coming new year. Love to you all and thank you so much for your ongoing love and support. I'm truly, truly grateful for each of you!

Scribble Picnic: New Year!

We're back from our holiday visit to Kentucky with my family and I've spent the entire time on the sofa sick! Thank goodness I did my illustration just before leaving to fly back as I would have missed the new year prompt for Scribble Picnic with Michael and the gang!

Most of us tend to create resolutions for the new year....I thought it was fitting to create an illustration on "renewing love"...these two adorable hedgehogs are renewing their love for one another...something it seems our world is in more need of lately.

I've personally not made any resolutions at this point due to being sick. However, all this time on the sofa has allowed time to think about this new year and where I'd like to be or go, not just with my work but with family. 2017 brought many, many joys and blessings but it also brought some of the most stressful months near the last half of the year as well. I'm praying 2018 will be a bit gentler on us!

With that said, this gal is going to have to skip the picnic this week. I'll remain home under the covers sipping on lemon tea, eating salty potato chips and blowing my nose every 2 minutes! Ha! But please do enjoy Mr. & Mrs. Hedgehog as they have lots of yummy goodies to offer!