sunny Monday...

GOOD MORNING my friends...wishing you all a SUNNY MONDAY!
These are our skies at the moment, which makes for a beautiful day...
I hope you're all keeping safe on the east coast of America...Hurricane Irene certainly has been making it's mark...hopefully it dies down very soon.


This is my last week of ART Camp...then the girls start school next week.
I'll be running Saturday classes too starting in October which I am excited about.


What have you been up to this weekend?


We took the girls camping for the first time ever...I think they enjoyed it...but we weren't completely in the wild...it was a warm up to the outdoors at night...next year we'll go portaging...
Have you ever been portaging?


Well...campers will arrive very soon.
Have a wonderful week...I'll be posting Camp pictures and I have 2 new projects to work on in September so you'll get a sneak peek at the preliminary sketches.
Until then...


HUGS
Char.x

FRIDAY fashions

 HAPPY Friday...yeah, I know...fashions for Dolls...Dolls play a major role in our house at the moment...and I refuse to pay $10 for a hat for them...OR upto 30 for an outfit!

 So...after MANY months of NOT crocheting...I had to re-learn and make these two little ladies their winter hats...because it's RATHER chilly up here.

 This is Olivia(Miss A's doll)...she calls everyone Olivia!

 This is Daphne(Miss J's doll) such an old name...but I believe J is an old soul...she's been here before...she "knows" things!

Hope you've enjoyed my Friday Fashions...I will probably be adding more...in the near future...
These girls(and ours) deserve the World.

HAPPY WEEKENDING!
hugs
Char.x
BTW...these hats have no pattern...they were an experiment...one to be worked on and perfected!

WORDLESS Wednesday...guess how I'm feeling today!

hugs
Char.x

BEYOND Bedding...

Happy Tuesdays fabulous readers!!...yes, I know...no Tell All Tuesdays this morning.

 This week has been crazy getting our Mamas and Chicks Show organised before my partner Cindy leaves to meet her adopted boy in China next week (SO excited for her!!!)

We're ALL sold out with the Show...which relieves SO much stress...you wouldn't believe the amount of worry goes through my head when we're scrambling for vendors the last month of the Show...which has only happened a couple of times...but anyway, I won't be worrying about it now!

So thinking of Cindy and her new baby I came across this BEAUTIFUL site which as it says in it's name "BEYOND BEDDING" carries the most amazing bedding, and accessories for children of all ages,even little cute outfits for toddlers...my jaw was dropping as I was browsing. The fabrics are stunning...

the colours are perfect...

the style is divine...

and the prices are extremely reasonable...

I mean...look how gorgeous these are!!

They even have teen bedding...and with a flat rate shipping cost of $7.95!!! WOW!

SPREAD the word...if you know of ANYONE who is having a baby,or is transitioning from baby crib to toddler...or a teen bedroom in need of a makeover...send them this link.

WEBSITE : BEYOND-BEDDING

AND...they even have a blog!

BEYOND Bedding BLOG

Anyway...I am amazed what we can buy and find on the internet...

Have you purchased anything on the internet recently worth telling your friends and family about?

Have a great afternoon.

HUGS

CHar.x

Luxray the GREAT

good morning everyone,thank you dearly for all the sweet comments....last week was a SUPER busy one,so if I haven'y replied or visited your World yet...I will try tonight

...it's the start of a new week...and it's going to be a busy one!

late last night I finished Luxray for Vincent. He's turning 7 and loves Pokemon...so I found Luxray who's one of the characters...this is my first non-real animal which I have painted. As an artist you have to bend to others sometimes...kids grow up...we have to grow with them!

the binders of my watercolour pads are filled with colour tests...I keep them as a memory of the paintings I did...is that wierd?

What do you keep that not too many people know about?

have a great Monday.

HUGS,

Char.

Post Man I *HEART* you

and I *HEART* miss K from PilliPilli Handmade...look at the precious packaging!

AND the gorgeous Scarflette...my little Arctic Fox...

I love him...and will care for him...forever and ever...thank you K...your work is SO precious and beautiful.

Thank you for the extra cards...they will definitely come in handy.

Fabulous readers...meet PilliPilli...please take time to look at her wonderful creations.

My head is spinning with what I have to do for the Mamas and Chicks Show.

What's your World spinning in at present?

HUGS see you tomorrow.

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

Weekend commissions...

I think last week completely drained me because I am still exhausted...but I managed to finish the 2 paintings which I had promised to get done before Friday...deadline met...yay!

Then, this little guy on the whale was for Finn, a little neighbour who wanted to enter our World a little sooner than he was expected. He's definitely a fighter!

Welcome Finn.

We had a lovely BBQ at our friends this evening...now for some more work.

Thanks for all the very lovely comments you have been leaving, they're always MUCH appreciated!

Char,On

Once Upon a Time...Elephant & Rhinoceros

These two watercolours are for Silke, a fabulous reader and blogger of Metamorphosis...they'll be flying out tomorrow, hopefully to get to her very soon as she has been patiently waiting. Thanks Silke!

I hope you like them Silke...

I am starting the Pond Mural today. I'll post my progress along the way this week...AND please don't forget to come back tomorrow for our Tell All Tuesdays...we have an amazingly talented lady being featured...can't miss this one!

Oh...we came 9th in our City Chase Race this past Saturday.There were 460 teams...SO pleased we made top ten!

Have a productive Monday.
Charlotte,Ontario

Sunday Watercolour...

It's boiling out...my DH took the girls over to a friends to play for a couple of hours so I could get this watercolour finished.
Prints will be up for grabs this week in my Etsy Store.
Want to know what I'm up to this week::

• Taxes
• Meet up with 2 clients for the murals (Fairies and Swamp/Meadow)
• Watercolour of a Whale
• Zoo (I promised the girls)
• Strawberry picking(if I don't go soon...there will be none left)
• Update Mamas and Chicks site
• Exploring 2 new parks (I promised the girls)
• Send Boo(my sister) and Olivia(my Niece) in the UK their Birthday gifts.
• Try to catch up with Shelly and Dale
• Clean house from top to bottom
• LOTS of Laundry
• Grocery shop
• Set up Mamas and chicks Blog
• Email vendors about Fish Friday at Club Carib
• Start my inspiration board

Do I think I'll get it all done? I hope so. The Taxes are going to take up all my evenings and lunches if the girls nap...but they have to be done, as my husband is waiting for figures.
It can sometimes be a little overwhelming, and I'm definitely not as good at writing lists as my DH is...but here is my effort, I hope it helps.

What do you have to get done this week???

I'll check in with you all later today...
Char,Ontario

4 NEW Once Upon a Times...

I could have waited to post one a day this week...but thought you may need some extra eye candy considering I have been a little lacking in the "posting" department these past couple of weeks...
I'm really happy with the Finch...it reminds me that Spring is here...even though we've had torrential rains here outside Toronto and a wind like you wouldn't believe. It feels like a typical English rainy day-cold,damp and bitter when in it!
Below we have our lovely Ginger Cat...who has been a great part of my childhood and has left lots of wonderful memories. All the ginger cats I have known are extremely mellow in temperament and very loving but also independent cats. I love cats...and will surely be painting more in the near future.

Every child wants to ride their large pet dog...and isn't allowed. So this one is for all those little boys who dream that they could explore the countryside on their Pet Dog.

I wanted to have another Elephant in the Once Upon a Child collection...this one is a night scene with just one boy sitting alone.

They'll all be posted on my Etsy Store some time this week...definitely before the Show this weekend...also because I am dropping prices for the Show considerably, I'll be matching prices on my Blueshinebaby etsy store on Saturday and Sunday...so come back this week to my blog, you will not want to miss this!

Off to explore my dreams...thanks for stopping by.

Charlotte,Ontario

Once Upon a Time Rhino...

I'm thinking if I make some more "Boy" illustrations, I'll get better sales at the Show...so this week I'm concentrating on animals which are loved by little boys...I'm excited about all the earthy colours.
Hope you all had a great weekend!

EVERYONE....Don't FORGET to enter my April Giveaway! Only 24 hours left to enter!!!See the post below the Polar Bear to leave your entry.

Charlotte,Ontario

Once Upon a Horse

Once Upon a Time "Horse" is dedicated to my little nephew "Morton" who was born this morning in England. A big CONGRATS to my Sis(well done Boo) and her Husband...I am working on a special one just for Morton...but for now...Welcome to our World little guy-you have entered into a family full of love and you will always be treasured each and every day of your long and healthy Life-I can't wait to meet you...although I know it may be a while :-(

EVERYONE....Don't FORGET to enter my April Giveaway!
Only 24 hours left to enter!!!
See the post below the Polar Bear to leave your entry.
Ciao for now...I may be posting my Rhino later.
Charlotte,Ontario