Birthdays in our House...

Today was a special day...we blew up balloons...

and made cards...

prepped ingredients...

measured and mixed...

added a little colour...

and mixed some more...

checked that it all tasted great...
lit the candles...

and celebrated...

the girl's Dolls and Baby's Birthdays today.

You could sense the excitement and energy in the house this morning when I told the girls it was their Baby's Birthdays today and we better make a Birthday cake for them...

It was perfect!

The texture was so moist. The girls loved it.

Definitely a recipe worth trying!

Ricotta Pound Cake
1 1/2 c cake flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

3/4 c unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c fresh whole-milk ricotta
1 1/2 c granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/2 vanilla bean
1 tsp pure vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and place rack in center.
Grease and flour 9-inch loaf pan.
In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream together butter, ricotta, and sugar until smooth and light.
Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping sides of bowl after each addition.

Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the blunt side of a small knife, then beat them into the batter along with the vanilla extract. On low speed, beat in dry ingredients to combine them, scrape down sides of the bowl, and beat again on medium.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth top with a spatula. Tap pan on counter a few times to remove air pockets.

Put cake in oven and let bake for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and let bake until cake springs back when lightly touched, the sides of the cake have pulled away from the sides of the pan, and a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 25-35 minutes more.

For some reason, mine took another 35 minutes.
Allow cake to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then invert it on wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe brought to you from HERE.

VERY easy...the girls had SO much fun making it.

Little Miss A turned around to me and said " this was SO much fun Mummy...so special, a Birthday Party for our babies....Thanks you!"

That made my day already!

What/Who made your day today?

Char,On

Are you up for the Challenge?

HELLO ALL...

I'M COUNTING ON ALL YOU FABULOUS READERS!!!!

We have 525+ of YOU who I know are VERY talented and creative souls...who live by creating and crafting...and are extremely talented photographers too.

SO...PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE...enter this one for me...WIN one of my original **ONCE UPON A TIME WATERCOLOURS**

The contest is run by Carly and she has a blog which is hysterical and very REAL...and she also runs *Durham Region Baby* which in an incredibly informative website for all of us who live just outside Toronto in Canada.
Every week she runs a "PHOTO" contest...and I said I would donate a prize...SO this week the theme is Animals.
READ how to enter HERE.

HAVE fun AND PLEASE comment below if you enter it...or are thinking of entering it.
If you don't have children...get creative and use a friend's or a niece...or granddaughter!

It's been POURING here all day...but have already Celebrated one good friend's Birthday by going out for Lunch...and have another celebration this evening after our SWING/JIVE class...can't wait!

Tomorrow is Tell ALL Tuesdays...
until then...

Char,On

a super Sunday winnings...

YAY! YIPPY!

I woke up this morning to check my Esty Store and what did I find?

A lovely little note from the Esty Store *The Time is Now*(love that title)telling me I had WON her Giveaway!

Not sure when it was...but I entered a draw for these beautiful cards (hand cut) in the photo above by Naomi Shiek.

Now...the contest had been posted by Amy at Pikaland...and there was also a special to the first 3 who contacted Naomi about buying anything from her store and receiving free shipping...I jumped at the chance and bought myself *the deer in the bear*- it's a beautiful etching of hers...I love deer.

You can see more of her work either at her STORE or on her BLOG.

It's been raining ALL day here,so I have been doing a tonne of Internet marketing for our Mamas and Chicks Show which is creeping up soon.

I forget every time the Show comes around how much work is actually involved...

I have to create some more prints...and may be asking for your help soon...brain storming for ideas...

My to do list is becoming WAY too long for my liking.

If only we could buy more time...that *time vendor* would be one RICH man!

Have a lovely rest of the Day.

Until tomorrow.

Char,On

a sneaky sketch...

sometimes you have to sneak in sketches of your kids...this was our little miss A whilst she was eating this evening.
Always good practice and makes me feel like I've done my little *me* bit for today...

What did you do for YOURSELF today?

Char,On
P.S. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was GREAT...very entertaining with excellent graphics.

Cloudy with a chance of RAIN...

We haven't had much in the past 4 weeks...but this weekend we're calling for 2 full days of rain...we'll see if it happens.
In the meantime, we'll be going to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs this afternoon with the girls at the local Cinema.
It's a surprise...ssshhhh...the girls have no idea we're going.
I'll tell you what we thought later!
Finally finished the above sketch...sometimes things aren't completed to schedule...but that's Life.

What are you up to today?

Char,On.

WINNER of the AMY & ANN giveaway...

So...good luck to the very few who entered...but I'm extremely happy you few took the chance...hey, less is more sometimes*smile*.
And the winner is::

Char from Ramblins...YAY, well done you! That's awesome...a photographer winning a photography print! If anyone reading has NOT been over to Char's World at Ramblins...please take a visit over there and congratulate her!

I will email Amy and Ann and tell them the good news!

Now for some sweetness...we just returned from raspberry picking again....I know, my girls are going to get SO tired of picking fruit, they'll NEVER take their children when they have a family...BUT, I love it...and they do whilst they're there.

The bowl is *homemade* ...I took a pottery course with my husband and 4 other couples(all good friends) and made a series of these bowls...they are SO heavy, but I love the way they turned out...not bad for my first Pottery lesson!

Maybe we'll try it again some day...life just gets busy with kids....BUT having said that, we are taking Swing and Jive lessons starting Monday...wish us luck...not sure if my hubbie and I will be loving each other or hating each other after the class!

Have you ever done a class with your partner??? How did it pan out???

Char,On

Celebrating Rainy Days...

It's not complete yet...so check back later to see them finished...I tried to capture little Miss A's softness and Miss J's stubbornness.
Have a wonderful Friday!

Char,On

Don't miss out...

Good morning to you all...
well, I know the *4* which have entered the GIVEAWAY below probably don't want me to advertise the fact that NO-BODY has entered our AMY & ANN giveaway...you must all have one of their prints already...
AND if you DON'T...then enter the GIVEAWAY below.
You only have until 12pm and then we will be selecting a winner randomly!

I'll be back in a minute with a new project I've started...

Hope you're having a wonderful Friday morning!!

A BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY from AMY & ANN...

How sweet is this!

2 Photographers::2Foodies::2 wives::2 Moms with 3 kids each...

offering a GIVEAWAY for all our Fabulous Readers.(thanks Amy and Ann)

How do they have time to accomplish SO much beauty in the day?

Je ne sais pas! I don`t know...

All I know is that their photos are stunning...they make me want to have my tea in hand each morning as I turn on my computer to head on over to their site to see what`s been seen through their eyes.

As a BLOGShop-Warming gift YOU get to pick any one print from their fabulous blog amy and ann.

They have their new shop and relatively new blog full of wonderful images.

The Rules ARE::

Firstly go and follow their new blog and come back here and comment here letting us know which print you love the most.

Hurry....there are lots to look through.(I know I have my favourites!)
GIVEAWAY ends Friday at 12.01pm
Amy and Ann have their respective Food Blogs too with GREAT photos and recipes.

Here are the links:

Amy's is: I am a Celiac

Ann's is: Dollop

Thanks Amy and Ann!

I'm off to boil the water for a lovely cuppa...then go for a visit to your World.

Char,On.

What's in YOUR bag?

I was feeling a little stumped this morning about my posting today...some days are easier than others...but didn't want you to miss out on visiting our World over here today...heehee...*SMILE*
...after reading a couple of books to little miss J before she went down for a nap...I started to clean out my summer *bag* and start filling my Autumn *bag* up...eliminating old receipts ,tissues,dried flowers...half of which I have NO idea why and how it ended up in there in the first place.

So...after laying out all that I wanted to keep...I thought I'd take a snap shot of it all...for keep sakes, like a time-capsule photo...

-As you can see...I NEED a new wallet/purse...I have had this one for 9 years.
If any of you know of a wonderful ETSY seller who makes them...I need to purchase one:-)

-I won the purple and green fabric purses...from one of our Fabulous Readers...miss RIKRAK,they're awesome and really help me keep things a little more organised.

-I *HEART* Marimekko...a lot! As you can see from the coin purse, the pencil case and our table cover...I think it's the Scandinavian thing which always steers me towards them.

-I always carry a few business cards...you never know when I may get lucky...in business that is *smile*

- I have pictures of my mummy and daddy with our girls...I have to get more recent ones...but I love these pics.(I also have pics of my hubbie in my wallet...and more recent pics of the girls)

-My *Bag* is a WONDERFUL hand-me-down from my darlin sister...Thanks Boo! I LOVE it!

-Then I have my NEW favourite accessory...from Smashbox O-Glow lip gloss...it's AMAZING. It's a clear gloss which tints your lips to their natural red or pink. I'm in love.

-And that's about it...oh, nearly forgot...reading glasses,sketch book and tissues and hair accessories.
Oh, ...here's the photo I took of it all.

What's in your bag?

Char,On

X2 GIVEAWAY...

GO on over to AMY from PIKALAND.
She has X2 Giveaways going on today...and they're BOTH wonderful!

Have a GREAT evening...
I'll be back tomorrow...with what...I don't know.*smile*

Char,On

Tell ALL Tuesdays:: Amy from PIKALAND

Good morning EVERYONE...and thanks for stopping by today!

This morning we're welcoming Amy from PIKALAND. She's a talented artist,illustrator and blog extraordinaire...and her blog is all about living the Illustrated Life.(how perfect is that!...can you tell I'm a fan?)

*Visiting Amy's Pikaland* is always on my list of to do's for the day...if you haven't been yet...YOU MUST! ...Careful...because you may get hooked.

So...here goes:

AMY from PIKALAND...
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?
I live in a small little town on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia. I prefer the suburbs as compared to the city – it’s a little too busy and I find the pace a little too frantic at times. I’ve lived here ever since I was 5 years old, although I did move house once (but we’re still in the same postcode, so it doesn’t really count!) We have a university here, so there are always lots of students around, and the people here are always so friendly because it’s such a small town that everyone knows almost everyone. I’ve schooled here and sometimes I bump into familiar faces just by walking the street!



If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

Oh gosh, there are so many places I’d love to go visit. I’m not sure about uprooting myself permanently, but I would love to have a go at living in Finland or Spain!

How structured is your day usually?
Well, I try to structure it a little by spacing out pockets of work time. I start with having breakfast, and then it’s off to work until 1pm for lunch. I take two hours off for lunch, and I watch the TV shows that I’ve downloaded to wind myself down a little. I start up work again at 3pm and work until 7pm and then I go for a run or play with my dogs, and have dinner. I like to space out time for doing nothing at all so that I can think and process what happened throughout the day. After dinner I take a little time to socialize online via Twitter and make a list of things I need to do tomorrow. I find that I work in spurts and bursts, and I burn lots of brain matter when I do, so the long hours in between allow me to recuperate!

Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog, most definitely. But thanks to my husband, cats are growing on me too.

What did you do today?

Today I sent off my sister in law to the airport as she’s furthering her studies. My in-laws are here as well and we’re taking them out to lunch in awhile. My schedule today is a little tight, but that’s okay. I work whenever I can, and allow myself more time away from the computer as we have guests. I love the fact that I can organize my time and be more relaxed, even though I have tons of deadlines looming!

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?

I’m a breakfast and dinner girl! I eat small portions and indulge in chocolates now and then. If I want to eat more, then I’ll exercise more for the week to balance it out. This way I won’t feel guilty at all!

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?

Oooh. I love making pasta and spaghetti, so perhaps something along those lines would be lovely. Also, I’m a big fan of Jamie Oliver, so I’d probably look to him for inspiration. I love herbs. Also, that reminds me that I need to learn from my grandma on how to make great Indonesian fare – she is a fabulous cook!

How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?

I don’t think I would ever know the answer to that as I am still on that path myself. I love think that I’m on my way to something big, and I would like to be very much surprised at where life will take me. I do trust my gut instincts, which has lead me to where I am so far, so I’m excited to see where it will continue to bring me!

Who /what drove & inspired your love to create?

Hmm, that’s a tough one. I don’t remember exactly who or what drove me to create. I think I grew up in a family where we made do with what we had. My grandma sewed her own clothes, crocheted shawls, TV covers, and even the sofa cushion covers! My mom made her own maternity clothes, as it was too expensive to buy. She loved drawing, and I remembered that my parents would encourage me to pick up a crayon, pencil or pen and to just start drawing. I loved drawing dolls in fashionable dresses then! The next step was to learn how to make the dresses that I had drawn, and I failed terribly at that, so I stuck to drawing instead! I learned how to use a sewing machine much later on, which helped a bit, I think!

Tell us something not too many people know about you.

I believe that I’m an old soul! Others have called me an old lady for not liking to party, and generally not acting my young age (not being reckless, not drinking enough!) I just love reading and thinking a lot. I draw and write out plans and thoughts more than I draw illustrations at times!

Shoe choice::flats or heels?

FLATS! I’d love to wear more heels, but I’d be cursing throughout the day if I had to walk in them. The terrain here is not good at all for walking on heels!

What was the last book you read?

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It was mind-blowing.

What advice would you give others just starting out?

To trust your own instincts and don’t believe in the naysayers too much. Life is like one big recording and you can’t re-tape over it, so might as make it a good show!

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.

I love visiting PostSecret (because reading all those postcards make me feel alive and aware of others), Freshly Blended (I just love the picks on over at Nicole’s blog),
Oh Joy! (because Joy posts a lot of beautiful things that are wonderfully inspiring for my upcoming wedding party next year),
Grain Edit (I love, love retro art & illustration, and Dave has it all on his awesome bog),
and DRAWN! (one of the first art, illustration and comic blogs ever. ‘Nuff said!)

Thanks Amy for letting us have a lovely little peek at your Life...that was awesome!

If you came to say hello please leave a comment for Amy below...

AND you can visit Amy at her PIKALAND blog.

It's raining here today..so it's another...Laundry day...oh well...at least it'll get done this week...haha...you should see the piles...

Have a lovely day!

Char,On

the WINNER is....

firstly...Thank you ALL for entering our 500+ FABULOUS READER giveaway!
I tried to get my girls to write out the name of the winner which I used Random.org to help me pick one of you.(my girls wanted nothing to do with writing your name...sorry,they preferred playing with their babies!)

SO....DRUM ROLL......
The WINNER is.....

A very talented lady who we just had as one of our Tell ALL Tuesdays not so long ago...she's a speedy crocheter and has some very beautiful creations for sale in her Etsy Store...you must take a look for yourself, because there are some very unique items which could be GREAT gifts!
she goes by the name of::
PILLI PILLI HANDMADE....
and she's all the way in Italy...she said in her comment that she'd like a sheep, she has no children(yet) so she'd like herself and her lover boy on the back of the sheep! (I'm looking forward to doing this one!)
Congratulations Miss K from PilliPilli!

I'll be in contact with you...on how to get this sent all the way across the Atlantic!

AND....NOW....
or in a minute...
I will be posting our TELL ALL TUESDAY...
SO stay tuned!

Char,On

Dinner TIME...

can be really painful sometimes with our girls!
SO...we create a *STAR* chart...and for every mouthful of food...they get a Star.
Ash has never been really interested in food...but LOVES to please,so this way she could see her own progress...and loved filling the page with stars.
Now we use whatever shape they request...tonight A had hearts and J wanted numbers...starting from 2.
They were SO slow, I even had enough to sketch them at the bottom of the page.

It's a fun exercise...and less food goes to waste...I tell them, I wouldn't make them something which tastes bad...

Anyway...this is also a reminder about Tell ALL Tuesdays...we're back tomorrow morning with our fabulous Amy from Pikaland.

Until then...if you haven't entered...ENTER my Giveaway...you have an hour or so left...just scroll down a couple of posts.

Take care and thanks for passing by!
Char,On

Good to be home...

it really is good to be home...
Do you ever feel like you do so much and try to cram as much as you can in a weekend? Especially the last few of the Summer...because along comes Winter and so many weekends are spent at home.
Well the whole Summer has been crazy...and as much as I love our road trips, but I adore coming home.
The girls seem to relax more at home, they have all their toys and books...it's tough trying to gather items which will occupy them,toys,books,dolls,stickers,crafts...to bring with us every time we head out for the day.
Yesterday(Saturday) we went to the "drop Zone"...my husband had to pick up a rig(parachute) to practice packing on so he can complete his course.
So we were there a good 4 hours.
I ended up sketching my little nephew Morton...he looks a little Alien in this sketch, I haven't met him yet...but know from the pictures which I receive he has big piercing eyes...striking little fella! (I CAN'T WAIT to meet him at xmas)
The sketch is for Matt,my brother in-law...his Birthday was yesterday...Happy Birthday Matt!

Today we left for Picton,Ontario...where my husband had a couple of friends slalom racing their cars...and asked if he'd like to try it.

SO...up again,prepping for the whole day out...our girls are such great travellers...but they also knew that we were going to Bird House City!

We've been a few times, the last time was 2 years ago...so it was new and exciting for J...little miss A couldn't wait to see them again...it's a large conservation area where different artists have made replicas of historical buildings in and around Picton...and others such as this Horse...Miss J's fave.

Of course Miss A chose the castle as her favourite!

So...I'm not sure if you've all noticed the AMOUNT of bugs this year....but when we were at the raceway this afternoon...we were surrounded by crickets and grasshoppers...

One landed on J's hand..."Look Mummy" she said...followed by...

her completely freaking out because it wasn't going anywhere and was making itself quite comfortable on her body...I'm so glad I caught it on camera...because she was pretty upset...but know she will be talking about it for months.(that's just what she does)
Somebody caught a pic of me sketching...haha...see how I hold my pen...I always have and always will...teachers at school would be constantly trying to correct it...as I do with little miss A...as she has the same issue...funny what gets passed down.

I don't think I have ever drawn a car before...makes me chuckle a little...as I had to add miss A's little baby she pushes or carries everywhere with her...just to pretty it up a little. I like this sketch and am happy with the wonky,wobbly lines...I wasn't concerned too much about precision...it was a fun exercise.

AND...finally, from the bugs eye view...our girls watching the cars zig-zag through the slalom course. LOVE this shot...am going to get it printed for sure.

Wow...that was a long post...if you got through it...thanks for hanging in there!

How was your weekend? Did you get up to much?

OH...

Make sure you enter the 500+Giveaway I have going on if you haven't yet!!!

AND remember we have another Tell All Tuesday happening this week...check back to see who it is!

I'm off to get me some chicken soup...

Bye,

Char,On

*WIN WIN WIN* GIVEAWAY!!!!

THANK YOU ALL 500+ OF YOU FABULOUS READERS!!!

ONE of YOU can win...A customized Once Upon a Time...watercolour!
Most of you know all about how my Watercolour *prints* are customizable to suit your family or name of friend's little one.

Well...this is for an *Original* with the value of $75...all you have to do is::

Just: Leave a comment with your choice of :
1.Animal
2.Colour preference
3. Boy or girl(or how many children you have-and I will try and accommodate).
I will do the rest!

GO to my Etsy Store for some samples or click on Once Upon a Time link in the Tags on the left of this blog.
Giveaway closes Monday September 21st at 11pm.Winner will be randomly picked on Tuesday Sept 22nd.
-POST about the giveaway on your own blog and you'll gain an extra entry!

-FOLLOW our blog and receive another entry.(please comment for each entry)

GOOD LUCK...and have a lovely weekend and thank you again...I am humbled that you would all like to read our blog *blush blush*!

Char,On

3 X 3

Here's my 3x3...if you had passed by earlier you would have read about Gustavo Aimar and how he is celebrating 3 years of Blogging(he's a FANTASTIC illustrator)...and is celebrating by posting little 3x3inch creations on THIS site, which ANYONE can participate in.
Such a great way to celebrate...spread the word and create something 3x3 for him to post.
All he needs you to do...if you don't understand Spanish: send him and email to aimargus@gmail.com with a Jpeg of your painting,drawing,illustration...but it has to be drawn in a 3x3inch format...not just cropped to size. Your link and name and what media you used.

So much fun...make it your weekend project!

OH...and I nearly forgot...check back in an hour and enter our *WIN WIN WIN* Giveaway...to celebrate our 507 FABULOUS READERS!

Until later!

Char,On

tea and biscuits

She doesn't really look exactly like these...but has some similarities, and I should really wear my glasses whilst sketching because things always slant to the right a little and have been noticing it more and more recently!(getting old)
I just finished the above sketch whilst we were having our Tea and Biscuits before her nap time...her Tea consists of a dipping of the Tea bag in warm milk...she just likes to dip her biscuits in her Tea like her Morfar(my dad).
The one below was sketched quickly before we went raspberry picking this morning. She kept moving around so much...but I captured somewhat of her and her concentration whilst she practiced writing her ABC's.
I find sketching on a whim something which I used to do a lot more of before I had to chase after our girls...and now that they're more independant...I would love to start again...I have been trying to remember to bring sketching materials with me wherever I go...and would love to make a day to day journal...with sketches amongst appointments.
CHECK THIS OUT!!!!
Gustavo Aimar is celebrating 3 years of Blogging(he's a FANTASTIC illustrator)...and is celebrating by posting little 3x3inch creations on THIS site, which ANYONE can participate in.
Such a great way to celebrate...spead the word and create something 3x3 for him to post.
All he needs you to do...if you don't understand Spanish: send him and email to aimargus@gmail.com with a Jpeg of your painting,drawing,illustration...but it has to be drawn in a 3x3inch format...not just cropped to size. Your link and name and what media you used.
So much fun...make it your weekend project!

I am off to do something little now...and I'll post it for you later.

ON ANOTHER NOTE::
We reached 500 FABULOUS READERS.... YAY!!!
You guys are awesome.
Check back sometime this weekend to enter our *WIN WIN WIN* giveaway!
You all deserve to win...but only one will.(sorry)

Have a wonderful weekend...and get creating!
HUGS
Char,On

Tell ALL Tuesdays:: Stefanie Beyeler

Every week on Tuesdays we introduce to you another one of our *Fabulous Readers* who I have gotten to know through Blog Land over this past year.(that's right...it's been 1 year)
When I first stumbled across Stefanie and her amazing talent...I was in awe. She has a very unique style which I just wanted to see more of.
It's a wish of mine to one day get to meet her in person...and another to own one of her originals...or to commission a painting from her.
So...without further adieu...
I welcome...Stefanie Beyeler
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?
I live in Thun, a city with about 42’000 inhabitants in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It’s very pretty, with a medieval castle, a lake and a beautiful view on the Swiss Alps. Before that I have lived in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which is not that much bigger, with only 122’000 citizens.

If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
I don’t want to move at all, we live in a wonderful old house and have such perfect neighbours! But if I could take them with me, maybe to the Arizona desert or the south of France. Or Hong Kong for the food?

How structured is your day usually?
Not as structured as I wish it were, but I’m working on it: I’m a fanatic list maker. I work 60% as a graphic designer, paint, and work with my sister, a journalist, on an illustrated book about a fairy tale princess who gets anorexic. My boyfriend who is also a graphic designer, has lost his job because of knee problems and he couldn't do anything for a year. But now he is getting better and he is really spoiling me with cooking and doing housework.

What did you do today?
It’s Monday, so I worked at my day-job this morning. Then I did some work for the princess book. Mostly research, we will send out the manuscript to agents and editors soon. I like the drawing part much more than the organizing part.
Monday evening I go figure drawing in a lovely old house in the park of a castle at the lake Thun. It’s a magic place and such a beautiful studio. When I come home I go for a late walk with our neighbours’ labrador.

Are you a cat or dog person?
Both, my two cats love our neighbour’s dog and I would love to have one or two dogs of my own. And a donkey, goats, rabbits and a lot more animals.

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
All three of them, I need to eat regularly or I get so unhappy and grumpy.

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
Lots of salad, sushi (I make the ugliest sushi worldwide, but it’s delicious) or rice with spicy vegetables and for dessert my brownies. Nobody goes hungry after having eaten my brownies.

How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
I knew I wanted to be a farmer or a graphic designer at age thirteen. At art school I was very, very bored and our teachers were not at all encouraging, so I stopped to draw entirely. As a graphic designer I work mostly digital.

At 35 I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I could no longer do what I wanted, even the smallest things were exhausting and going out became impossible. But I still worked part time as a graphic designer. So I began to draw and paint again, because I was quite desperate. Doctors couldn't help me and didn't believe me. I changed my diet and this really worked, but there’s no more Swiss cheese and chocolate for me. And no more coffee, that’s a hard one!

Who /what drove & inspired your love to create.
My parents have always been fascinated with art. My sister is the clever one, but I was the girl who could draw well. I am inspired by everything that I see or feel, but for working I have to start without waiting for inspiration. Not thinking too much and just let it flow.

Tell us something not too many people know about you.
I love carrots! Maybe that’s why my teeth look a bit like Bugs Bunny’s.

Shoe choice: flats or heels?
Both, but they seem to get flatter with age…

What was the last book you read?
I love books, they are the best things ever! Can I mention three I’m reading currently? There is Middlemarch by George Eliot, which is wonderful, a collection of really quirky German fairy tales and I’m trying to figure out my Style Statement (McCarthy & LaPorte).

What advice would you give others just starting out?
Be nice, work hard and have fun.
And don’t be intimidated to get paid for your work.

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.
http://www.designspongeonline.com/ I’m addicted to interior-things.
http://www.swiss-miss.com/ Such a wonderful and positive collection of interesting things.
http://camillaengman.blogspot.com/ She’s my favorite illustrator and Morran is the best dog ever.
http://www.modishblog.com/biztips/ Because you can never know enough about business.
http://inkonmyfingers.typepad.com/ink_on_my_fingers/ I’m currently doing the Unravelling e-course ((http://www.susannahconway.com/unravelling )) and just love it! I do recommend it highly.

Thank you Stefanie for a wonderful insight to getting to know you a little better.(I can't wait until your book is finished-I think it will help many people)

Make sure to go over to Stefanie's Blog and Website to see more of her brilliance!

Thanks for passing by...and leaving comments for Stefanie (and us..heehee)

Until tomorrow...hugs.x.

Char,On