I didn’t want Janauary to end without me thinking seriously about the illustrated calendar that I want to have available for next year.  With this in mind, I’ve been sketching like crazy and thinking of what theme that I would like it to use to pull the whole calendar together.  The ideas are still at the seed stage but it feels good to actually begin.

Below are some of the sketches I’ve been working on:

I don’t know where I’m going with these yet but I’m just letting the ideas flow as much as possible.  As you can see, I’ve done them with a blue ballpoint pen which is not the usual medium for me but it was interesting!  I’m not necessarily thinking of doing the illustrations for the calendar in ink but the pen was what I had to hand at the time and I liked the idea of trying to do shading with it.

What do you think?

Today, I showed my son how his handmade bookmark is progressing:

© Stacey-Ann Cole 2012

His response was “Wow! Sick!”  which I think means he likes it in 8 year old ‘cool’ speak   We discussed what else the image might need if anything and I suggested that he write ‘I love football’ somewhere in the grass and he said “No, you write it because your handwriting is neater than mine” So I’m very pleased that the bookmark has met with his approval and I can finish it off now.  Whew!

Here is the other one that I’ve been working on and it feels to me as if it’s very nearly finished too.  I don’t want to do too much more to it:

© Stacey-Ann Cole 2012

I love the shade of blue contrasting with the green background and I’m pleased with how it’s turning out in general.  Stay tuned for pictures of the final bookmarks soon!

Have you got any project nearing completion?  Leave me a link in the comments below and I’ll be sure to take a look.  Thanks!

However, I’ve tried it a few times recently, keeping all potential disasters well away from my laptop and it’s been surprisingly good!  I’m used to working at my table in the living room, which is a big, long table with my workstation at one end and my art/craft spread out around the rest of the table.  I’d never seriously considered that this set up would hinder my productivity in any way but I can’t deny that when I have blog posts to write or accounts to do, moving my work into the kitchen helps me to get them done.

Image © Bill Lim 2007

I’m wondering if it could be that my kitchen has a whole different aura to it or maybe the round kitchen table feels more spacious, but whatever it is, it’s working and I like it

So if you find yourself stuck in an unproductive rut then you could try moving locations.  And it doesn’t have to be in the house either.  I’ve read about others who usually work from home suggesting that taking your work to local coffee shops, libraries or the park can get you out of a rut too.

Have any of you had success with this productivity method?  Please share in the comments below.  Thank you!

Here’s the first one, which was actually inspired by a painting that I completed for a customer:

Here is the painting that inspired it below:

Original Watercolour Painting © Stacey-Ann Cole 2011

Here’s the other line drawing:

The above will probably be a part of my Serenity, Joy Art Series when it’s finished but I’m not sure yet.  It was inspired by the pencil drawing below from my sketchbook:

I must say though that I like the sketch better!  I may have to redo that line drawing until I like it as much as the sketch

She said she didn’t mind if I produced the same designs but I thought I’d do some that were similar and some that were a bit different.  What I liked most about this order was using decorative papers, colours that were not strictly traditional and using a lot of collaged elements. There were five designs with three cards of each design – fifteen cards in all.  Here they are:

She was pleased when she received them so good result!  I hope whoever she sent them to, like them too

Anyway, here’s a face that I sketched not too long ago that I really like.  I quite like the effect of the soft pencil I used and it was quite meditative to draw her.

I can’t help wondering what she’s thinking.

What is your sketchbook full of?  And if you’re not an artist, do you doodle whilst on the phone?

You and Me Valentine Card by myjuly on Etsy

I like the colour of this and the fact that it’s not too soppy!

‘You’re Exactly My Type’ Valentine’s Card by RedLetterPaperCo on Etsy

Again, here’s another one that’s not too soppy.  The seller suggests that this card would be perfect for nerdy types or writer/editors, but I think a lot a guys would like this.  It’s clear and to the point and even better it’s printed on recycled card.

‘I Love You More Than Shoes’ lasercut card by Storeyshop on Etsy

I think this may be my favourite.  You can ask the seller to make you a custom card that replaces the word ‘shoes’ with a word of your own!

If you liked the card selection above, I’ll be doing more as we get nearer to Valentine’s Day so stay tuned!

Julie grew up surrounded by art because her father is also an artist and she enjoyed playing and drawing in his studio in her childhood.  As you will see, her art is inspired mostly by nature and nature’s colours.

Here are a few of my favourites from her current collection of work:

‘Days Pass By’ Original watercolour & ink illustration © Julie Suzanne 2012

I love the shade of pink used.  The white buds look lovely against it and I love all the fine details of the illustration too.  I would be happy to have this framed and hung on one of the walls in my home.

‘Purple Flowers’ Original watercolur & ink illustration © Julie Suzanne 2012

 The flowing watercolour background is so lovely and soft and the flowers have such personality, don’t you think?

‘The Morning Passed’ Original watercolour & ink illustration © Julie Suzanne 2012

I would dearly love to step into this illustration, sit under that tree and watch as the morning passed.  Look at that gorgeous sky!

To see more of her work such as art pendants and notecards, you can check out Julie Suzanne’s website here and her Etsy shop here.

• My best friends
• My mum
• Regular buses to everywhere and anywhere
• Hustle and bustle
• A shop conveniently on every corner

To name just a few.  If I ever go back to London to live I may very well miss the peace and quiet that I currently have, but for now here are some nostalgic London themed photos that I found on Etsy:

‘Night Rainbow’ Fine Art Photographic Print © Keri Bevan

Double Decker Bus 8×12 Print © aroundin80frames

London At Night Original Fine Art Photo © Ronya Galka

I might do some non-photographic London themed handmade items in another post as I saw some really cute things whilst I was browsing.

Do you have a time or a place that you really miss?  Let me know in the comments below.

So with all this reading, he made a special request for me to please make him one of my handmade bookmarks.  I was delighted that he asked!  He was very specific about what he wanted on it: a picture of himself kicking a football in the air.

After seeing the first draft, he requested a tree in the background, so here’s what it looks like so far:

He’s given this version a nod of approval so I’m allowed to continue

Here’s another one that I’m working on at the same time and I must say that I really love it.

I think I love it because of her expression, the shape of her face, her hair and everything!  I can’t wait to see what it looks like when I’ve finished it.

I really hope my son likes his when I’ve finished it as well and I’ll make sure to post another pic when I’m done with his verdict.