steps till the end...

 So...I've been on the computer most of this day so far...apart from a few hours whilst working on this piece.

It's for this lovely lady over HERE.

 she has such adorable kids...these pictures I create of a mother and her "load" first came about whenever I would struggle when our girls were much smaller...and I would think of MY mother with 3...and say to myself "suck it up...if Mum could do it...so can I"...

 From those words...many drawings, commissions have been requested...I think it's a great gift to either give yourself to honour your journey as a mother...or to a friend,sister,mother...

4 children...I could only imagine how little I would get done in a day. I really do bow down to all these fabulous Mamas who have more than 2 children...you give up your all.

 Lisa has a wonderful Blog called Earth Mama...and she's constantly crafting with her youngans...very inspiring!

































Well...it's finished and in the mailbox...
Hope you love it Lisa as much as I loved drawing it. You have a beautiful family.

Don't miss MONDAY's MENTIONS in the post below!!!

OH...and I am opening up Sponsorship spots on our Blog again...(I've placed a page above for all of you which are interested!) just email me for more INFO.

HUGS
Char.x

Mondays mentions...and a little pirouette.

It's Monday again!!! and very nearly March...wow, I can already see this year speeding ahead of me...and me running to catch up!

I promised my parents I would add some pictures of the girls open house they had at Ballet last weekend.(don't forget to scroll down for our Monday's mentions!!)

 I love the Dance School they're at, it's so relaxed...no pressure...they can wear what they like as long as they have pink tights and pink ballet shoes.

 I'm not sure if this is the route they would like to go...they really don't practice at home ever (bad Mummy) but they do love going...and have never complained about going.

These are their costumes from last year's Ballet recital...Jordan had wings to go with hers...excuse the blurriness...the flash didn't do any of the photos justice so I ended up turning it off...they're in 2 separate classes...but Jordan is catching up with her sister fast! Because she started when she was just 2 1/2...she is the youngest in her class...I just love watching them dance!

Ok...thank you for bearing with me on our little ballerina fix....
NOW for MONDAYS MENTIONS...

ANY little person would LOVE a Thomas and Olivia ABC Poster  I know I would!!!(quick...they're going fast!!!)
To camp out in your own Tipi...would be pretty great!
Elisabeth from Fine Little Day has a Fine Little Gallery where you can submit your kids photos of their ART...of course I submitted ours...go HERE and try and find their drawings...Miss J had some pretty wacky hair that day!
Last but not least...have you heard of Mae? It's a Shop,a blog and a website run by 3 lovely ladies and they make the most gorgeous fabric wall decals which anyone would have fun with.
Hope you love our mentions....I know they're quite "little" orientated today...but little is a LARGE part of our lives.

JUST quickly...I guess this is my last mention...Happy Birthday Kayley...here's your gift.(hope everyone gets over that stomach bug and then we can catch up!)

HUGS to you all...I look forward to seeing what you've been up to this weekend.

If you have any Monday Mentions...remember to add your link in the comments area.

Char.x

FABULOUS Friday...and finished blanket...

Do you ever feel like something GREAT is going to happen?

Yesterday and this morning feels like that...I feel giddy and excited about the prospects of becoming an illustrator! Really, it's true...I feel butterflies in my stomach...like now is the time...the time I may get my break.
Also because Shelly and I have SO many ideas for this series of books...we really have a while before the excitement could vanish...not that it ever should.
Thanks for all of your comments yesterday...I will pass by and say hi today...this week has FLOWN by again.

I did manage to finish the blanket I have been crocheting for my new little nephew (1st ever blanket)...I learnt a few new stitches(self taught)...I haven't taken a picture of the absolute finished product as my sister may check in here and then the surprise would be broken.

I've been working on it for 3 weeks in my down time...like when I wait for the girls whilst they dance...or watching any shows I have recorded...I like having projects on the go...it helps me feel like I am accomplishing something.

What are you working on?
AND what do you do in those "waiting" times?

Have a FABULOUS Friday and a fantastic weekend.
We'll catch up on Monday....with hopefully some GREAT news about the book.

happy HUGS
Char.x

Book illustrations FINISHED

 Hello wonderful readers...today is a good day! I finished the illustrations for Shelly and my 1st book!!!
 I'm sorry this is only a tease really as I can't write the title...or give you the story written word for word...BUT...it's all about Rhythm and Rhyme....it's about accepting who you are...and learning from your mistakes...it's about making a positive out of a negative.

 She really is a sweet girl...she just needs to think before she speaks(hey, sounds like someone I know!!! :-)

she has family and friends who love and care about her...

 She just needs to fit in...and control that voice of hers!

 Life isn't always easy...

 BUT...she figures it out...

Soon you'll be able to read about her...

 HOPEFULLY soon...we're sending it off to a friend who is a text editor for a publishing house here in Canada...not that this will be the Publisher who will snap up our series...BUT you never know.
We're shooting for May 2012...

We're excited...and it's the 1st book I have ever illustrated, but have a list as long as my arm to complete.
It's great to have goals...and this is a BIGGIE!!!

HAVE a great Thursday, you know you'll be the first to know when things HAPPEN!
and...thank you...for the VERY sweet comments with regards to Miss A the other day. They warmed my heart. THANK YOU!

BIG hugs
Char.x

WORDLESS Wednesdays : Are you?

hugs
Char.x

Tuesday's LESSONS

 Hello lovelies...I hope you had a wonderful weekend...ours overflowed into Monday...that's why there was no post yesterday.

Our weekend was full of family times...I took the girls to the Justin Beiber movie...they enjoyed it, but couldn't understand why all those girls were crying?(fans)...their Ballet studio had an open house, which meant we could sit in and watch them throughout their classes...perhaps I'll post some picks tomorrow.Such a proud Mama!

We also learnt some lessons this weekend...one was not to break Mummy's heart with words which could have been thought about before being said...it made for a rough day for me yesterday...that's Life though...and hope the lesson was learnt.
I received a note from Miss A...hugs...hugs and more hugs were given and received.

The Sun can't even warm us up today as the wind chill of -25 is just fighting any rays which may be trying to remind us of it's warmth.Thanks for trying Sun...

hugs (coz I need lots)
Char.x

in MY bag

      Happy Sunday to you...
I'm joining in with the "what's in your Bag" by the Dos Family...you've probably seen this recently at many other blogs.
I enjoy doing this as in years to come I'll remember that we celebrated Chinese New Year with great friends...and that I am and will always be a huge fan of Marimekko...that the O-Plump has to be my favourite lip gloss of all time...and that I always get stumped on the spelling of "receipt"...why is that?

Have you joined in the fun?
Leave me your link if you have.

HAPPY FAMILY WEEKEND...(Canada gets a day to Celebrate families tomorrow...Happy President's Day for all our US readers)

BAGS of hugs
Char.x

Tam...perhaps we could see what your bag is hiding???

our petit Dancers..

Our girls danced this past Saturday in honour of African Heritage Month.
They learnt this dance in a matter of 3 weeks at the Caribbean club they dance at each week.
Here's a little video of them(they're on the right...in the Summer dresses).

Enjoy your weekend!
hugs
Char.x

Fuzzy Friday

Why so fuzzy?

Well my husband and I had a great idea to start the "Flat Belly Diet" this week...I wouldn't say either of us are overly overweight...but my main issue with my body is my belly...and I have to do a lot of exercise to get it to a place where I am happy and comfortable with it.
So through the voice of a friend, who is progressing remarkably through this "Flat Belly Diet", he told us how much he had lost...and how great it was.
You're basically eating clean...measuring portions...and eating no processed or saturated fats...AND your adding what they call MUFA's...which are your mono unsaturated fats...GOOD fats.
So until we get to the adding these MUFA's which are absolutely some of my FAVE foods...olives,nuts,olive oil and avocados AND I nearly forgot...CHOCOLATE!!!(dark semi sweet)...we have to do a 4 day kick start plan.
I am on day 3 and am feeling a little fuzzy...in the head.
Every day for 4 days we have to drink this SASSY drink which consists of 2 litres of water,1 lemon slices,1 cucumber and 2 tablespoons of grated ginger. This is a cleansing drink and it has to be drunk at every meal.
There are 4 meals a day...and everything is measured.It's quite surprising at how much extra I take in during the day...a nibble here, a mouthful there...
I am missing my oatcakes and butter this week...and I would sometimes find myself about to stuff my mouth with a piece of bagel whilst preparing our girls lunches....oops!

Have any of you done this diet?

Anyway...coming to the reason I know my head is fuzzy...I woke up 1/2 an hour late...and was in a deep dream state when Miss A came in and woke me up...
Then I had a whole post ready...and had taken pictures of my "BAG" and it's contents...I go to search for the photos...and they're not there on the SD card...bazaar!!! Really...this has never happened to me!

So...I took a photo of Miss J who is home with me today...she's practicing her writing...we do this every day she's home. She copies my sentence...and has improved incredibly...she's almost writing a neatly as her sister.

Ok...back to cleaning up the basement.

HAVE a fabulous Friday and a great weekend!
Tomorrow I am trying "Tap Dancing" for the first time EVER!

Have you tried anything new recently?

fuzzy hugs
Char.x

Starting Simple

Well Char as promised here are a couple of pix of my new cushions... my first sewing project to brighten up my kitchen. I got the fabric from my sister for Christmas and thought it would be perfect for this. I am an awkward novice when it comes to sewing by machine and previously all the handmade cushions I have made have come apart after a while in places so I'm hoping my new passion will bloom and stay together! Still starting simple seemed a good idea and I am really loving just exploring what I can do.

Another simple start began last week when Beth started nursery, after only 3 days going there I went to see Jack at his assembly this morning and the little girl who wouldn't sit still was brought in with the rest of her class to sit in front of the other reception children. She not only sat perfectly still whilst his class told us about Chinese New Year and showed us the colourful dragons and lanterns they had made but also got a little WOW certificate for making a little fish and sticking colours on it. I was so sure that she would cry seeing me there watching her and kick up a fuss, but no, she got up in front of 3 years of children and all the parents watching and told the teacher the colours she had stuck on and pointed to the bits she had cut out. Totally unfazed, confident and so sweet. I was enormously proud and slightly shocked  just to see her behave so well... small starts but made me smile! She's also starting to potty train herself, which made me chuckle as the other night driving home in the dark a little voice came out from the back seat saying "MAYDAY MAYDAY I need a wee!" where on earth she got mayday mayday from I have no idea!! Today is a busy one, I've been to the assembly and a zumba class (which I'm loving, great fun and good music, I've never been to any exercise class voluntarily for 3 hours a week and this one has me hooked) and now on with the rest of the day! Tam, Lincolnshire, UK

WORDLESS Wednesday...keeping our girls happy.

crafty hugs,
Char.x

Tell ALL Tuesdays :: Heather Moore of SKINNY LAMINX

Good MORNING Tuesday readers...AND have we got a special treat for you this morning...

This fabulous lady has kindly taken time to visit us here today...as we all know she is an extremely busy lady...but thankfully, she said "yes" to us....

well...let's not waste more time...  

I am extremely pleased to introduce you to the ever so talented designer and illustrator Heather Moore, or some of you may know her better as the creator of Skinny Laminx ::

Tell us a little about the Town you live in... and have you always lived there?

I live in Cape Town, which is the oldest colonial town in South Africa, with lots of Dutch, Portuguese, British, Malaysian, San, etc etc heritage. It's beautiful here, with a big mountain in the middle of the city, awesome beaches, incredible winelands and fruit farms and forests, good shopping, theatre, movies, and just about everything else, too. I've lived here with my husband Paul Edmunds for 15 years after having moved here from KwaZulu Natal in the east of South Africa.

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

We spent 6 weeks in NYC last year, and after that amazing experience, I'd definitely love to try living there for a bit. 

 

 How structured is your day usually?

We're pretty rigid in our daily routines, rising at 5:45, and getting to our respective studios at about 7:30 and working to 6:30pm or so. Paul is an artist and takes a long time to make his very intricate work, and I run my own business, which is very all-consuming.

What did you do today?
Had a coffee at a favourite stop on the way to my studio with Paul,
Got to studio and dealt with orders from my online shop,
Wrote a blog post for ELLE Decoration
Took photos of some new colourways of fabric,
Cut some cushion covers,
Edited photos,
Wrote a blog post for my blog,
Worked on a new online shop I'm setting up,
Did a Bikram yoga class,
And now, at 6pm I'm putting in a last hour before meeting a friend for sushi.

 Are you a cat or dog person?

I like both, but adore our two hilarious kitties, Monkey and Nanook.
 

 Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?

I do like food, but am terribly undisciplined about eating. Luckily Paul is a good and healthy cook, and makes me delicious dinners every night. On the weekends we like going out for brunch after some morning exercise.


If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
I hardly every cook, but if I had to, I'd probably haul out my tomato tart recipe. It usually works out ok.
 

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

I'm an inveterate late bloomer, and it was only when I was about 36 that I started feeling like I was doing something I really did well. Before that, I'd been working as an illustrator in the educational industry, and found it very unexciting work, on the whole.


Who /what drove & inspired your love to create?
I've always enjoyed it. My mom is a junior school teacher, so she knows the value of creative play, and always encouraged us in that direction.
 

Tell us something not too many people know about you.

I can't bear the colour purple.

 Shoe choice::flats or heels?

I'm getting better at heels... but on the whole I have to dash about so much, it has to be flats.
 

 What was the last book you read?

I'm reading one on animal/human interactions and relationships called Some we love, Some we hate, Some we eat, by Hal Hertzog. Very interesting psychology and morality about how animals and humans share the world.
 

And finally...what advice would you give others just starting out?

Don't put too much pressure on trying to make a living from what you do. If that's the motivation, you're not going to have a lot of fun.
 
THANK YOU Heather...
It really was a pleasure to have you spend the day with us here.
Your work is timeless...and perhaps one day I will come for a visit again to Cape Town...such a beautiful City with incredible landscapes!
 
You can find Heather at her:
BLOG
ETSY store
WEBSITE
 
I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday...can you believe we're midway through February already?
HUGS
Char.x
BTW...don't forget we have ALL our Tuesday Interviews linked from the "PAGE" tab at the top of our blog!

Sweet Valentines...and Monday Mentions.

 To be greeted with these two gorgeous sweethearts makes everyday worthwhile...HAPPY VALENTINE's Day!!!

 Just thought I would show you a couple of sketches which I have been working on for the set of Alice up at our girl's school.

 I haven't met the director of the Show yet, so I'm not sure in which direction they are going with regards to set changes etc...

 BUT...at least here's something for them.

 I'm also working on another sketch for the Tea Party...which may be fun...so stay tuned!

I've never been involved with any set designing before...but thought I could lend a hand.

AND NOW....for our "MONDAY MENTIONS"...
Today we're looking at all those Valentine Celebrations...handmade LOVE...
THIS tiny book of LOVE is adorable,
 and the way it's put HERE...
THIS Mama has been baking lots of LOVE...
Check out these sweethearts(literally) over HERE.
2 POSTERS I would buy for my man!
AND finally...my favourite place to come when I want to see some beautiful Artwork dedicated to those who LOVE a stranger...HERE...


I really have to send MANY MANY *hearts* out to all of you...you're AWESOME, and I totally appreciate you stopping by and leaving such honest and heartfelt comments...
HAVE a wonderful VALENTINE's DAY...
I will be thinking of my sweet husband who makes everyday special...our girls who bring smiles and tears to my face daily...and thinking of my father who is going in for a biopsy today(follow up of last year)...

SWEET HUGS
Char.x

New Banner...what do you think?

I know,I know...I keep trying to change the existing one...but take a look at all of them together...
I am really loving the colours of our new one...and the fact that it's of Tam and I across the Ocean...which is very symbolic...we're 2 birds (as they would say in the UK) and...well...enough said.
I would love your feedback!

Should we keep the birds up for a while???

Have a lovely weekend!


HUGS
Char.x