Ripple Project - Hope Floats

I've just contributed this image to the Ripple blog set up by illustrator Kelly Light to raise funds to help the birds and animals affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Please take a look at the blog here.  Artists from around the world have contributed small works of art which can be purchased by donating $10 to one of 2 charities helping with the clean-up operation.

It's so terribly sad to see all the wildlife affected by this manmade disaster and I hope my contribution will raise a little for this very worthy cause.

Illustration Friday - Paisley

The Paton family from Paisley were a close-knit clan!

Here's my contribution for this week's Illustration Friday topic.  I had fun working on this one and learnt a few interesting facts too!  The paisley pattern which originated from Kashmir was used on shawls which were made in Paisley, Scotland in the 19th Century.

Shelf Life No 2

I was the lucky winner in 2 blog giveaways recently, so I have a couple of new additions brightening up my studio windowsill: a fab Nelly the elephant card from Bee which I framed and a cute stained glass egg man from Flora.  I think they both sit nicely with my 70's cat mug, a recent charity shop find.  Be sure to check out their lovely blogs and head over to Bee's for a new giveaway this week...

Vintage Children's Books

I recently spent a lovely few days visiting my parents and while I was there I found these 2 fab books which I had collected years ago and forgotten about.  It was great to rediscover them and bring them back to the studio to join all the rest of my books.

I particularly love the bold illustrations in this one, and I've just found a flickr group dedicated to the work of Bernice Myers. Take a peek for some fantastic vintage illustration...

Know your onions!

I love it when the alliums burst into life in my garden, and am always amazed by their firework like brilliance.  Here's a photo that I took last week when they were in their full glory.  Luckily even the seedheads are fantastic so when they start dying off they are just as beautiful.

I've just worked up this little drawing from my sketchbook, the little bulb vase is looking very pleased with herself for putting a such a display!
I might print this design on some cards with my gocco....