No Ordinary Day

Sweets for the sweet

2012-01-14T13:29:00.003-05:00

Not edible, but candy-colored!

Good enough to eat, right?

The multicolored ones with the beads
sewn on outside the center

were the idea of my little NanoBot.

At four, she's already a better artist than I can ever be :)

Pin-brooches sewn at the back -

wearable happy-ness :)

All wrapped up and ready to go

2012-01-11T19:04:00.000-05:00

Oh December, where did you go?

And now it's 2012 and January is half gone???

At least I have a little bit to account for my time:

my latest book with Creative Education and Publishing

is at the printer's as I type. Yay!

I had shared some rough drawings before.

This is their final form:

I used a lot of greens in this one.

And this was the cover spread I designed for it.

A couple more pics from the book:

This was the first time I did a story with twins in it,

and it was twice as much fun :)

One

2011-12-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

One...

with Nature

This is so much more clear and vibrant in person -

I just couldn't get the scanner to capture it right,

especially the lovely, neon greens :(
I'll have to use my camera, I guess.

There are details in the real thing that you can't see here,
(how the blue foreground turns into her dress)

but mainly the idea was to

integrate the girl into her surroundings.

Is that a quirky head-dress,

or are they trees in the background? sort of thing.

I also enjoyed the play of colored areas

juxtaposed with pencil drawing.

This was all done in watersoluble crayons

and color pencils on watercolor paper.

NO PhotoShop.

More boys!

2011-12-08T10:56:00.000-05:00

Some time ago, I was wondering

why I always get to illustrate stories that feature girls.

I've done a whole string of girl stories. Back to back.

But right after my post about this,

I got a boy story to do.

And now I have another, and this one features twin boys.

There's yet another book waiting in the wings, and also features

- you guessed it - a boy!

Here's a sample drawing from the story about the twins...

I made a rough sketch, scanned it, then placed the text on it

(not something I normally have to do since that's

taken care of at the publishing end)

and then I saw a whole bunch of white space left over,

so I drew in things with the mouse, straight on my image.

I've sent it to the publisher to see what he thinks.

Once I have the green light, I'll draw the whole thing again by hand.

Properly :)

The kid on his Daddy's lap looks like he has three legs, doesn't it?

I'll definitely need to fix that!

But overall, do you have any ideas or suggestions?

A is for...Alphabet Art!

2011-11-29T21:19:00.000-05:00

My painting

a nice fat type

some clipping mask magic

Put them all together and you get...

this!

Nursery art, grown-up art...I'm not fussy :)

Sunshine In My Hand

2011-11-23T17:07:00.001-05:00

Real paint (YAY - REAL PAINT!)

on paper.

OK, a tiny bit of PhotoShop too...

but mostly just honest-to-goodness acrylics.

Ditzy Doodle Day

2011-11-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

Hey! I like the sound of that.

That's it. One day of the week should officially be called

Ditzy Doodle Day.

So here's my ditzy doodle for today -

ink pen and felt markers (some nearly dead but braving it)

on printer paper.

Drawing really doesn't need fancy paraphernalia

(ah, another juicy word!),

but just a minute or two of not being afraid.

Really.

I've been told my ditzy doodles would make great fabric prints.

It's funny, but many people have asked me if I design fabric,

and the truth is I don't know the first thing about it.

By the way, I'd like to share with you this wonderful place

that sells designer fabric.

It's full of amazing talent. Do check it out!

Soup Season!

2011-11-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

I like soup.

Carrot, pumpkin, chicken, tomato, potato, onion,

rutabaga, wheat-and-barley...

...soup made with any of these,

or all of them mixed together, and spinach, oh yeah spinach!

With lots of black pepper, ginger, cinnamon...mmm...

Soups are wonderful!

Well, soup season is here!

Do YOU like soup?

Fully equipped

2011-11-14T12:07:00.001-05:00

Pencil-drawn, scanned, colored in PhotoShop.

It's Children's Day in India today.

Here's to all children, everywhere, being able to

learn, discover and grow in safe, happy environments.

Over The Moon Stories Facebook party

2011-11-08T10:47:00.001-05:00

Author Suzanne Muir of Over The Moon Stories

asked me if I would like to participate in her blog party.

She is trying to raise money for an iPad for a special needs kid.

It always humbles and amazes me when people organize events

in order to benefit someone else!

I hope this party does well!

Here's my contribution:

Red Leaf

Reproduction print of my original acrylic painting.

I scanned the original and created digital variations,

so I have the same painting in a few different colorways.

The two below are slightly different from each other,

but they both share the same exuberance :)

My contribution is one print in one of the different colorways

(I haven't shown them all here).

It'll be a bit of a luck of the draw kinda thing!

Drop in at Over The Moon Stories this Saturday at 1 P.M. EST

and bid for a good cause.

Art Everyday Challenge - Day 6 to Day 14

2011-10-14T20:58:00.000-04:00

Art Everyday...I'm hoping I can get away with CREATING,

if not POSTING everyday...

This piece above is acrylics and crayons on canvas.

This one is an old drawing I re-colored.

The above is a mishmash of many things, but mainly digital.

A doodle...

Another doodle...

And some biscuits!

This is from a lovely blog called The Nourishing Gourmet.

You can read the recipe here - it's very worth trying.

There are a couple more things, but I don't have the pics yet...

And also, soon to follow, the NanoBot's work~

Art Everyday Challenge - Day 5 and 6

2011-10-06T22:05:00.000-04:00

Another watercolor

(these are fun!)

A couple of drawings by the NanoBot...

She said these are seals who have just been scared by a shark...

The Daddy seal has a lots of hair and a beard.

I think he really does look terrified.

The other seal is a baby, and has only its head

sticking out of the water, which may look like a beard,

but is most emphatically NOT,

just in case you were mistaken into thinking it was.

And another ditzy doodle by me..

Art Everyday Challenge - Day 4

2011-10-04T21:38:00.000-04:00

Art Everyday Challenge - Day 3

2011-10-03T22:34:00.000-04:00

Another watercolor....

I have a feeling you'll be seeing a bunch of these,

thanks to Wendy and her challenge.

Art Everyday Challenge - Day 2

2011-10-02T18:22:00.000-04:00

I must thank Wendy Malowany, fellow homeschooler and entrepreneur,

for the Art Idea Challenge idea she posted on our homeschooling forum.

I've been far too neglectful of creating something everyday,

so thank you, Wendy, for spurring me on.

Do check out Wendy's website for tips and resources for teaching your kids at home as well as for running a business.

Here's my entry for today -

a simple watercolor on paper.

I like it either way up :)

Art Everyday Challenge

2011-10-01T20:30:00.001-04:00

So I signed up for it, and I dunno if I can (will?) do it,

but like I said, I signed up for it, so here goes

DAY NUMBER ONE!

A ditzy doodle.

Yup - that's what I'm gonna call it.

The NanoBot is supposed to be making something everyday as well,

but the only thing she made today was a mess.

I mean toys all over the place kinda mess.

Maybe tomorrow she will have something for me to upload...

It's a BOY!

2011-09-09T10:54:00.001-04:00

No, not THAT way.

I'm finally (OK, after a VERY long time)

illustrating a story with a boy in it.

Just when I was starting to think it's really weird

how I always seem to end up with girls.

Funny how things work.

I should work on putting in some shadows...

Why homeschool? Here's why!

2011-07-26T10:41:00.000-04:00

Magic Words

2011-07-20T11:50:00.000-04:00

No, not Please and Thank you, although those count as well!

Magic Words is the name of the new book I'm working on...take a look.

It's about a little girl who can't fall asleep

(I always seem to get the little girls. But actually,

I'm also working on another book that features...a little boy!)

and she goes to her cat and her bird and her fish,

trying to get them to play with her...

until her Mommy takes her to bed and teaches her some

'magic words' that help her sleep.

I'm using more textures and patterns in this one for a softer look.

Please do tell me what you think - and thank you :)

Earthship, beam me up!

2011-06-15T20:05:00.000-04:00

Earthships:

Beautiful, self-sustaining (off the grid), sustainable, earth-friendly,

beautiful, HANDMADE, unconventional, beautiful...

Did I say beautiful?

Earthship in Taos, New Mexico)

Made with discarded tires, drink cans, glass bottles,

and honest-to-goodness earth,

these are dwellings of the future (I hope),

inspired by the past.

This is re-purposing at it's best and

I really, really want to live in one.

Full disclosure: I would also like to build it.

(DaddyBoy, are you listening?)

Here's a little about earthships. Even the name is heavenly :)

YouTube has lots more on them...

Paper Sculpture with the NanoBot

2011-06-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

It's been rainy, so rainy. I do love the rain,

even though it sometimes means being stuck indoors, but not much :)

So on one such lovely day,

NanoBot and I sat out in our little covered patio

outside our apartment

and made...

this!

I can see the idea translated into

wall sculptures with an industrial feel -

a set of three square bases

with metal strips instead of paper

and a lovely blue-green patina!

Anyway, here's the PAPER version for now,

with a step-by-step demo

courtesy the NanoBot herself.

Begin with some thick paper for a base.

We used the side of a spaghetti carton.

Glue plain paper on to it and cut to size, like so:

So now you have a cleverly recycled piece of packaging!

Set the base aside and start making line drawings on a sheet of paper.

I used one color, lots of globby shapes, and a whole bunch of

lines in a variety of ways.

This was the only step I showed the NanoBot an example of.

(the teal blue drawing is mine)

It was a good lesson for taking note of how many

ways you can draw a line.

Then she made her own...

She made the globby shapes in a pale orange, but quickly

switched to a dark blue for the inside lines.

She even put in some alphabets!

Next, flip the drawing over, make some guiding lines

(yes, MORE lines)

and cut!

Snip, snip into thin strips.

And you end up with these.

Remember that base we made before?
This is where it makes its grand entrance.

Using a glue stick, start sticking the ends of the strips to the base,
leaving the rest of the strips loose.

You can twist the strips before you glue the second end,

or loop them around other strips.

Keep going until the entire base is covered, and you get THIS.

A lovely, loopy paper sculpture!

And an incredible artist overcome with modesty!

Do give it a try!

My first U.K. book, and some fabric fun

2011-05-30T14:31:00.000-04:00

Well, it's not a book YET...but it's been great to work with

a new editor/publisher from a different zone than North America.

Three of the pics...

I did have a lot of fun drawing the cute little redhead character,

and I had fun with the color pallette as well.

The little cat shows up in a lot of the pictures,

but not in all of them, as you can tell from the following two.

The bunny in the flashlight, competing with

the 'deer in the headlights' look :)

Dunno if bunnies chomp down carrots in the dark...

but what good is artistic license if you don't use it? :)

And a bird's eyeview to dinner.

I still have one more picture to finish and then...

wait for publication!

Somewhere in between, I did some sewing,

but not enough picture-taking.

So here's the only two things my camera snapped up so far:

A coin purse! My first! YAY!

Lined inside with a yummy grren and pink printed material,

all from recycled fabric, of course.

Featuring a cute little blue flower and a juicy purple gem,

also and embroidered scrap with a scattering of

purple sequins all around it.

AND...my very first key fob!

Wool roving in delicious green and pink

on a denim base

plus a lot of found objects

equals a very tactile way to hunt for your keys!

I think I'm gonna keep both things for myself -

I need them!

More later!

The Little Things...

2011-05-24T12:01:00.000-04:00

For Birgitta, in gratitude.

New publisher, new book

2011-05-14T20:41:00.000-04:00

And a new look.

Normally I work with a combination of hand-drawn and digital,

but this one is all on the computer, from scratch.

A couple of samples:

That yellow speech bubble will hold some text. This book is all about food!

Anyway, all that computer work only makes me want to hunt down

my pencils and brushes...and paint!

These are for a different book, and I'm enjoying their making just as well.

Softly Spring

2011-05-03T13:26:00.000-04:00

Illustration on watercolor paper;

gesso, watercolors, watercolor pencil, ink

Hey techies, grab my QR!

2011-04-25T12:56:00.000-04:00

So, you can just google for QR code generator - I used this one -

enter a couple of things, and the nifty program will make you

a brand new QR code!

What's a QR code?

Well, duh, something like a bar code but with more info.

And they're all over the place.

And you can make one and use it as a business card

(for instance).

If you have the app for it, you just scan it with your phone,

and it takes you places.

Here's mine. Don't it look purdy?

I should make some jewelry with this!!!

Guess where that takes you (hee hee)! Go on, scan it!

And if my post was all gibberish to you,

get the lowdown on it right here.

Happy scanning :)

Earth Day

2011-04-22T09:23:00.000-04:00

April 22, 2011.

Earth Day is everyday, really. Only we forget.

So maybe it's good to designate one day

when we can step back and

consider the treasure we live on.

A lovely girl named Beth

(a name like Beth can only belong to a sweet person)

sent me this email,

which I'm sure at least a few of you are familiar with,

but it's worth sharing.

All about one of Nature's gems - the cucumber!

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need

every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin

B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin

B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron,

Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon,

put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a

cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B

Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that

quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror

fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a

cucumber slice along the mirror, it will

eliminate the fog and provide a soothing,

spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?

Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will

be free of pests all season long. The chemicals

in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give

off a scent undetectable to humans but drive

garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5 Looking for a

fast and easy way to remove cellulite before

going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or

two of cucumbers along your problem area for a

few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber

cause the collagen in your skin to tighten,

firming up the outer layer and reducing the

visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or

terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices

before going to bed and wake up refreshed and

headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B

vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential

nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in

equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and

headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that

afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers

have been used for centuries and often used by

European trappers, traders and explores for

quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and

you realize that you don't have enough time to

polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber

over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a

quick and durable shine that not only looks

great but also repels WATER.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a

cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic

hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage,

facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire

cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water,

the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber

with react with the boiling water and be

released in the steam, creating a soothing,

relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce

stress in new mothers and college students

during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and

realize you don't have gum or mints?

Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth

with your tongue for 30 seconds to

eliminate bad breath; the

phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your

mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to

clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?

Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the

surface you want to clean, not only will it

remove years of tarnish and bring back the

shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm

you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake?

Take the outside of the

cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen

writing, also works great on crayons and markers

that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

That just makes me go "Wow!", AND they're yummy!

Have a wonderful Earth Day!

Watercolor - two ways

2011-04-17T19:39:00.000-04:00

There's something undeniably delicious about letting your brush slurp up jewel-toned watery color, and to lay it on paper in delicate swathes.

Folks who work with watercolors know what I'm talking about!

I've been without it for far too long,

so making this little birdie was so sweet.

And then I thought I might as well do it digitally too,

not the same picture, as you can see,

but the same(ish) technique.

Anyhow, here it is, and both were fun to do:

Watercolor two ways....

Traditional media (paint and paper)

Digital media (mouse and PhotoShop)

More ammo for my illustration techniques!

Simple pleasures

2011-04-14T10:03:00.000-04:00

I find it amazing that the most ordinary things can inspire us

to pause and reflect, and marvel.

I was trying to sort out some of my photographs into anything

that might resemble a sane grouping

of a crazy variety of images

(probably an impossible task not worth the attempt)

and found these....

Taken at night in yellow light...

A mellow light...

Our old chandelier and a vase from WalMart

with a plastic orchid stuck in it...

(I told you about the ordinary things!)

But I remember it was wonderful to take these pictures.

Hope you find some extraordinary

in your ordinary today!

Caught in passing....

2011-04-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

Happenning upon an article on Etsy,

I found this little gem and had to share:

What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade is the cliff swallow, bulding a mud nest on a wall where vertical meets upside down. It’s about finding the patience to slow down and accept the pace at which one person can progress through many detailed steps. It’s the power that we all have to bring something into existence that just moments before was a fleeting thought or curiosity.

What an amazing way to put it! Do read the rest of their story

- it's guaranteed to inspire.

Ring, ring...!

2011-03-08T01:08:00.000-05:00

Visiting my parents (yes, I am) means a couple of things
- lots of food, and lots of talk :)

I need to start working on illustrating the book

I'm supposed to be working on,

but I'm also itching to work with fabric.

I found a few shards of really cute material and

can't wait to make something out of them.

And I definitely need to make more of these!

Funky fabric rings are calling out to me!

While The Babies Sleep

2011-02-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Four little babies fell asleep

Then their friend came and woke them up

This inspired Mommy to wake up too.

And see red.

And gold.

And oval seemed like a good way to go.

Ready to party?

An experiment in monochrome

2011-02-18T16:45:00.000-05:00

My new book illustration project involves a Moroccan wedding.

That means this look that I was working on

will have to sit on the shelf for a bit.

Moroccan wedding = COLOR, no?

At least I think it does.

Time for research!

Minty Green Butterflies

2011-02-15T10:52:00.002-05:00

What happens when you mix blue with yellow,

or actually, greeny-yellow?

Minty green, of course!

The NanoBot had her fingers in the making of this,

but that was the best part.

I love 'cooking' with her!

I found this playdough recipe at mini-eco here.

(can you believe those yummy natural colors???)

We wanted blue playdough, but didn't have any red cabbage left,

(chop some and pour boiling water over it,

and you get an intense blue dye

-also thanks to mini-eco. You MUST check out this fabulous blog)

so I improvised with drink crystals

(which we only use for coloring stuff - haven't tasted them yet :))

The drink crystals were a lovely blue,

but the recipe calls for cooking oil,

and I only had olive oil.

That's where the blue+greeny yellow part happened.

The resulting color was a gorgeous icy green - so cool!

The butterfly pic was taken as daylight was just fading,

and shows the color accurately.

We made lots more butterflies, then put the cookie cutter away.

These pics were taken in yellow light.

I made a bunny face, and the LittleOne made some monsters.

This was the color of the drink crystals

(no idea what flavor that is - I just picked it up for its hue!)

It made for a good lesson in color mixing!

Color, and a prayer

2011-02-04T11:04:00.001-05:00

It's white, white outside, so I made me some color...

A funky fabric bag

To go with some funky fabric jewelry

Bring on the snow...

Although, with the storm we had a couple days ago,

and the snow swirling around us,

I couldn't help thinking how incredibly fortunate

we are to have a roof over our heads

and every comfort to cater to our every need.

I couldn't help thinking of the many who are without a home,

without warmth, without even food.

Inconceivable, but so real for so many.

Like I said to the Little One,

the least we can do is pray for such people,

pray for their comfort and safety.

But that is not the least we should do.

We all have the capacity to help, and there are

many small ways to do so, both locally and online.

We do food banks and blood donations

(DaddyBoy goes every other month),

and each year instead of doing birthday parties

we sponsor a child in the LittleOne's name,

but I also hope to volunteer at a soup kitchen

with her when she's a little older.

Until then, there are so many other small ways to pitch in.

May the cold not be too cold for anyone...

January

2011-01-31T18:33:00.000-05:00

Eeek! Where did this month go???

I have lazed around, and lazed around, and...you get the picture.

Lots of Agatha Christie, tea by the bucketfuls (bucketsfull?),

and a LOT of Star Trek after the LittleOne's beddy-bye.

Oh yes, good times.

But now I have a new computer, and well,

I guess I can't hide behind any excuses any more.

Just to give you an idea of HOW lazy I've been,

here's a picture I took in NOVEMBER - that's right.

I know. So last year. But here it is:

A luscious book about the birth of an orange in sunny climes,

and its long journey to a very cold place (looks very much like Canada).

And how it is then shared by a bunch of kids playing in the snow. We were enjoying some juicy watermelon that day which had doubtless undertaken a similar journey to get to our table, and I thought it made a cool pic.

Which I forgot to upload, of course. Until now.

Weirdly appropriate, don't you think, since it's now January?

Or will be, for a few hours more :)

Purple

2011-01-04T12:25:00.002-05:00

Purple is an-between color, and it's both calm and passionate. I'm only recently learning to embrace purple, and in this cuff bracelet I have harmonized it with it's two cousins - red and blue.

The result is very intense, and quite stunning!

Super Magic Powers

2010-12-23T11:08:00.000-05:00

I'm still laptop-less, so this is just a quick post about something I've been meaning to share ever since I saw it. Something about an ordinary lil thing with....Super Magic Powers, like DaddyBoy would say (now with the LittleOne following suit, of course).

Baking soda. Yup. I've always been a big fan - I use it for cleaning spills on the carpet, and for scrubbing the stove and appliances in the kitchen, not to forget countertops. Even the bathtub and the toilet come out shining with it. It really is a handy thing to have around if you don't like the chemical-infested cocktails they sell as household cleaners.

Of course, baking soda is also a manufactured compound, so we do ravage the earth a little while making it, but it's still far more friendly to the environment than regular cleaners, both in its production and its use. Combine it with earth-friendly vinegar and you have a powerful team of Super Fighters.

But then I came across this. 30 great tips for baking soda. And then some, if you look at the comments this post generated.

Here's one from my Mom: Take about equal quantities of baking soda and active dry yeast. You need very little of each - less than half a teaspoon. Mix together with a tiny amount of water to form a paste. Rub gently on your face. Keep for a couple of minutes, then wash off. You won't believe how soft your skin feels afterwards. Try it!

The Deception Of Time

2010-12-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

Gouache on acrylic paper

6"x9"

As painted...

...and 'digitally remastered' : )

RIP

2010-12-09T18:31:00.000-05:00

That's for my poor laptop, who died a hero after an epic battle with chocolate milk. (NanoBot with glass of milk and laptop negligently left on coffe table...enough said.) I've never seen a laptop screen do the things this one did as it passed on....

So no computer means no computer time, mostly. Sharing DaddyBoy's right now, but I used to like to do all my computer stuff while the LittleOne was asleep, either very early in the morning or very late at night, so that I would be with her most of the day at least. But DaddyBoy also needs it at the same times, so I haven't been able to update my blog.

OK, that was just an excuse - I've been lazy!!!

We had our first snow - three days ago!

Anyway, the Brocante Lux was so good!! The new cuffs were a hit, and all my brooches are gone as well. Next up is a project coming up with a clothing company from the U.S. Wish me luck!

Last few days I was busy doing a writing assignment for a wonderful blogging network - sisterswhoblog.com - a press release and letter to the CEO of Qatar Airways. The network will be giving out awards for best blogs and the founder is hoping QA will give out free tickets to the winners.

Let's hope that letter works!

I'm also in the midst of illustrating SuratAlFurqan - the most challenging illustration project for me so far. Meanwhile, here are a couple of pics form my last book, as promised...

It's about two sisters who find a necklace...

And the older one reminds the younger one about doing the right thing...

The younger one suddenly remembers who she had seen wearing it,

and off they go on an adventure to find the owner...

It was a fun book to do!

Ciao for now!

Books and the Brocante

2010-11-24T21:37:00.001-05:00

I've been struggling with getting the illustrations done for the latest book I'm working on - a cute story about two sisters who find a beautiful necklace, and their quest to find the rightful owner. They're pretty much all done, except for the cover, but I have a few days for that. Some pics soon...

Meanwhile, here's what I've been working on alongside - these will be at the Brocante Lux this Friday...I'm excited about how the cuffs turned out, and they look really cool on the wrist, all encrusted with roses and beads and sequins.

Very quick pics...so they don't show the whole cuff, and I've got them wrapped around an old bottle from IKEA : )

The roses are less orangey and more deep pink,

but somehow it doesn't look that way...

I made a brooch with this same base - see the last picture!

And a few simple earrings...

Looking forward to the show!

Flames Of The Forest

2010-11-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

Oh, these are BRIGHT!

This first brooch I did with my usual layering of fabrics with the machine,

then layering some more by hand, and then embellishing the whole thing,

by hand of course.

On this piece I have let the edges be, but for a lot of my jewelry I sew up the exposed edges, and it can take a lot of time, like on this necklace:

And then I discovered fusible web.

I never knew about FUSIBLE WEB!!!

The salesperson told me the kind I bought was non-woven,

whatever that meant.

Anyhow, it was the only kind they had.

So I bought a meter of the gauzy thing, and voila - new technique!.

This multicolored flower (brooch? fascinator?)

has the magic touch of fusible web.

Now I thought fusible web was useful for sticking two fabrics to each other, and maybe some kinds are, but this kind turned out to just be adhesive on one side. So when I sandwiched the web between the two fabrics that I wanted to adhere to each other, it only stuck to one.

Still, I ended up with fortified petal shapes, and a fortified base shape,

and sewing the two together turned out much easier than my older technique.
Also, I didnt have to worry about the edges -

the webbing stops them from fraying!

I have much to learn about the different kinds of fusible webs out there

(is interfacing the same thing??)

but it looks like it'll be a fun thing to explore.

The New Black...

2010-11-12T16:15:00.001-05:00

...is PINK!!!

Ok, only for me - but isn't it sweet?

: )

Captured Colors

2010-11-12T11:20:00.000-05:00

A series of reds and pinks...

And a woodsy brown and green.

Fall In The Water

2010-11-09T12:14:00.001-05:00

Observation:

The breeze sounds different in Fall.

Theory:
It must be because of the leaves being a different texture and feel.

Fact:

Fall is magical even in its reflections,

even when you can't hear the breeze, only see its results.

If the leaves are falling in your part of the world,

take a moment to marvel at it all...

Blue and Gold, and the Brocante Lux

2010-11-07T17:14:00.002-05:00

Some older pieces, reworked.

This top one was a pendant, but it looks better as a brooch, I think.

So I removed the bail, refinished the back, and added a brooch pin.

This was a pendant too, and still is, but I trimmed the corners

and rounded them, then refinished the back.

I wasn't satisfied with how these pieces used to look,

but after revisiting and reworking them, I feel ready to show them.

Next up is The BrocanteLux Art and Fashion Market, Nov.26;

check it out!

Manga and Mystery

2010-11-05T15:57:00.000-04:00

Chilling out and taking a two-day break with some graphic novels...

Not sure I like Agatha Christie in such an abridged fashion.

The Tatsumi is fascinating, though.

It's also very long - more than 800 pages worth,

but a manga eye-opener for sure!

Industrial Chic

2010-10-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

Well, a little bit of industrial chic, and a little bit of shabby-industrial chic...

metal + fabric necklaces...

Still vintage, new, repurposed..

Still fabric, lace, cord...

Just ever so slightly edgier...

Also, a quick way to make something when you're in the middle of

a bunch of illustration assignments :)

Featured

2010-10-26T15:56:00.000-04:00

I'm sharing page space in Niagara Interiors magazine with some

pretty cool Niagara artists.

Not sure where they saw my work, but I'm thinking it's from the Brocante Lux exhibition in September. The editor emailed me for my address and even sent me two copies of the magazine, which was great.

You can see the whole thing online here.

Ahhhhh - DEADLINES!!!!

2010-10-14T11:57:00.000-04:00

So I had just submitted my pics for the first of the four books that form a series, when the publisher emailed me yet another book to illustrate - and this one takes precedence over the series, so I have to think about some new characters, and soon! Meanwhile I still need to keep working on the other books, not to mention a whole different book from some time back that I have not yet finished. Ahhhh!!!!

Sometimes when I'm faced with too many tasks I just do something else altogether to clear my head and gear up for the work - sort of mentally rolling up my sleeves by just letting my brain rest with a different activity than I'm pressuring it about.

So I made this little piece today while the NanoBot was also painting. I love the shimmery summer colors in it (it's dark and rainy outside today) and the profusion of white, which is less stark actually than it looks here.

Today I also go to a book club meeting, and I want to make some apple crumble to take with me. I made some last weekend for a small party and it was a big hit, so I'm gonna fall back on it for today as well!

Now back to work :)

More heart brooches...

2010-10-09T13:43:00.001-04:00

Fabric brooches - gifts for some special ladies I'm thinking of...

The first of the five books I'm illustrating is DONE, and I sent it out for the publisher's OK. I start work on the second one today, at least mentally :)

Meanwhile, these little fabric brooches are wonderful to make,

and I hope will be wonderful to receive!

It's actually way too nice outside to be sitting indoors with anything, though, so I'm not!

Hope you too are enjoying the outdoors this weekend!

Watching the leaves turn

2010-10-08T14:26:00.000-04:00

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

- Elizabeth Lawrence

Funky Fabric Jewelry: Heart Brooch

2010-10-05T11:34:00.001-04:00

I took a break from my drawing work last night (one book half done - YAY!) and made this Fall-colored fabric brooch.

The brown and orange-red shades are exactly

what's on the trees right now,

and the beads add more autumn tones.

It's a beautiful time of year, for sure!

Making (Dubious) Connections

2010-10-01T14:29:00.001-04:00

I suddenly have five books to illustrate. Yes, FIVE.

Party!!!...not :)

So to get me warmed up to the task, I must play with something else altogether, of course, hee hee.

This is a lamp post down the street we used to live on.

Black and white, and one wild color.

Got your creative juices flowing too?

Gypsy Princess

2010-09-28T18:58:00.000-04:00

Didn't know what else to call this...

Fall-ing For Gold

2010-09-24T09:56:00.001-04:00

Gold - that's the color most evocative of Fall, don't you think?

Everything is turning amber, honey and caramel - delicious!

Long dangly earrings - all gold upon gold.

Gold is timeless, but especially perfect for this season.

Hello, Fall!

Life and Learning

2010-09-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

Idzie, who writes a thoughtful and illuminating blog about unschooling, was one of the speakers at the Toronto Unschooling Conference this past weekend. For those who couldn't attend (like myself), she has broken down her speech and is posting it on her blog in installments.

I just read the first part, and I really like these words of hers:

Unschooling, at its heart, is nothing more complicated or simple than

the realization that life and learning are not two separate things.

And when you realize that living and learning are inseparable,

it all starts to truly make sense.

There are many reasons why some parents choose to not send their kids to school. For me, it's less about the cons of institutionalized learning than it is about the pros of learning from real life, and most importantly, playing an active part in that learning - it's so much fun to discover the world along with my LittleOne, why would I not want to be part of this wonderful journey?

Do you homeschool, or unschool, and why?

Be Jeweled!

2010-09-14T10:10:00.002-04:00

UPCOMING SHOWS:
September 17: The Brocante Lux
September 18: The Glenridge Artisan Show

Reclaimed fabric scraps + beads + sequins = yummy loveliness...

Fully lined at the back, these earrings are finished on both sides.

Their organic shapes are completely hand-sewn and embellished.

They are ever so slightly different from their pair, and of course,

absolutely one-of-a-kind!

Funky fabric jewelry.

Eid!

2010-09-09T12:30:00.000-04:00

I'm always sorry to see Ramadan go, but Eid is a wonderful way to say goodbye to this month of blessings. It's great to make your own decorations and gifts - handmade rules! - and I wanted something that would do double duty, since I already have two shows in a few days that I need to prepare for as well...

If you remember, some of the beautiful rocks I collected last summer
I turned into this:

It took me a LOT of time!

I had more rocks left over that were so inspiring in their lovely, soft shapes, but I did not have the hours to cover them up in fabric.
I still wanted to use them for an Eid decoration idea.

So I decoupaged them with used gift tissue (hey, I love the three R's!) and then remembered my white pens, with which I'd had a lot of fun
until I forgot about them.

Remember these?

So this is what I did:

The layers of tissue paper created a wonderful, subtle leathery texture, and the varnish gives them a very lacquered look, with their
deep, deep, shiny, shiny red.

I'm also making some in my favorite, black and white!

They look great as Eid decorations,
but will also make wonderful gifts, InshaAllah.

If you are celebrating it, have a wonderful Eid!

Colors

2010-09-08T21:29:00.002-04:00

Colors always excite me. I think my favorite thing to say about anything is that it has a juicy color! The sky, water, a lovely fruit, a piece of silk,

color is an incredible thing to behold.

I recently got some beautiful Fair Trade felt bags from Nepal that I am working on. These bags were hand felted and hand dyed by women, and I feel good about supporting them in their livelihood. They usually sell them with felt embellishments attached to them, but I ordered them plain so that I could finish them up with my own personal touches.

Here's one. I stitched up an assymetrical strip of a whole bunch of layered fabrics, and then sewed on trim, beads, sequins, leaves and the rose. The back is studded with more beads. A nice little purse for day and night!

The colors in this one are blues and greens with metallics thrown in. Blue with green is my all-time favorite color combo, and it really tones down the indigo of the felt.

The other bags are in other shades, and I'm working on similarly exciting color layerings on them too! More pics soon!

Sorry, this one is in yellow light!

Strawberry Dreams

2010-08-25T09:48:00.002-04:00

Hand-felted, hand-dyed bag

embellished with a crochet flower

and yummy pink buttons.

Coming with me to
BrocanteLux
and
The Glenridge Artisan Show

Flying to the Moon

2010-08-16T13:12:00.000-04:00

Pencil colors on note-paper, outlined with ballpen.

The Best Month of the Year

2010-08-11T15:08:00.009-04:00

Ramadan starts today!

We are sort of settled into the apartment we are renting, but there's a lot of stuff that needs to be put away. I'm tripping over things all the time!

So the NanoBot and I did a very simple activity to welcome our favorite time of year. I quickly drew some letters on construction paper (completely freehand and therefore quite uneven) and she colored them in, then I cut them out. A little BlueTac later, voila! A simple little reminder for the three-year old to look at all the time, since she's learning the names of the months of the Arabic calendar.

I have something very simple in mind for Eid too, which I will share when we do it, InshaAllah!

The Sum Of all Days...

2010-08-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

Art Is A Refuge...

2010-06-26T07:40:00.001-04:00

The sordid mess of the oil spill, the G20 fiasco, the senseless brutality at a local animal park - enough! As if it's not hard enough trying to just live a simple, clean life. Try avoiding plasitc, or eliminating foods containing soy, for instance. Each of these is a post in itself, but they are not what this post is about. This post is about the hope that keeps us going, and allows us to do things that redeem us again and again.

Random acts of kindness, a new baby, a smile from a stranger

- thank God for these things.

And art.

Art is the result of creativity, and creativity is a connection with the universe and it's Creator. No matter how small or sporadic, it is still a vital connection. I know everytime I make something I am recharged and refreshed, even if I have dry spells when nothing materializes.

We are in between homes - our cute little condo now belongs to someone else, and we have not yet found our next dwelling - so most of my time is being spent house-hunting! Meanwhile I still have two books to illustrate. Which means I haven't painted, and haven't made any fabric art, or jewelry. But about a month ago I made these (and more stuff that I've yet to take pictures of), and yesterday I took some quick (and not so good) pics. Ah - just looking at them charged me up again! Yay for handmade!

These are all defintely Nature-inspired!

Pink and orange and green - tropical yumminess for a forest princess.

A fuzzy moss-inspired cuff in woodsy colors...

This one has it all - fabric, fused, recycled plastic, metal, ribbon, sequins,

and lots and lots of beads...

Fusing the colored part of the scrap plastic was an experiment, but it was worth the idea

- I got a swirly, textured look I could not have contrived!

I fused some red plastic (from a clothing store bag) and hand-shaped it

to make this huge flower ring.

It has a weathered, leathery look that came out great.

Layers of fused plastic, beads and a shred of gold melted in for shabby/industrial chic.

So there you are - makes you forget about horrible things, doesn't it?

Until next time, Peace!

Urban Decay

2010-06-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

I've recently taken some pics here and there of buildings and structures which I've yet to share (my next post, perhaps? And in this same decade, I hope!).

Anyway, I was reminded of some amazing photography I'd come across a while ago of beautiful, ethereal urban decay. These images are infused with a tragic beauty, and I'm glad a quick Google search yielded them again....

All these rooms were obviously filled with character to begin with, but in the throes of death they have become sublime.

Sven Fennema

ScallopHolden.com

unkreatives.deviantart.com

A bunch of different photographers,

more here.

Bye, Bye Old House!

2010-06-12T15:36:00.012-04:00

Only a couple of days left for us to move out of our little condo.

We blew bubbles in the patio for the last time...

Bye, bye little patio!

Mmmm....Roses!

2010-06-02T19:37:00.000-04:00

I don't know what color roses I like better than white ones. Actually I love all flowers in white. DaddyBoy surprised me with six lovely white stems yesterday! I guess better than white roses is getting white roses for no reason at all!

YUM!

So I took a bunch of pics, and then I had to do something with them,

of course.

Here's one:

And another:

Wonder if I should list all the 'play' pics in my shop at all...

In any case, what a sweet way to take a break!

After a long time, some digital work

2010-05-24T08:53:00.000-04:00

I should really work on my blog

- there's so much I need to do to make it better -

and I definitely need to work on my shop and

PUT SOME WORK IN IT ALREADY!!!

But, when I sat down at the computer I just ended up playing instead.

Again.

In its first life, this picture was an out-of-focus headshot of a hydrangea bloom.

Like so:

A little tweaking later, it metamorphosed into this:

And now I'm thinking:

I wonder if I can translate this into fabric?

Knock, knock!!

2010-05-17T16:51:00.001-04:00

Oooh, I'm still here - just totally neglecting my blog lately. And my shop.

Life is full, though!

Between getting our house ready for sale, I illustrated one of the two books I had to work on, finished a large fabric necklace for a custom order, and started work on two ENORMOUS canvases (at 6 feet by 4 feet, these beauties dwarf me completely :)) for another custom order!

Some quick pics:

After a good coat of gesso, I painted on a mix of red, green and yellow that yielded a brown so choclaty that it even smelled like chocolate!! Then I drew a rough sketch of the Toronto skyline using plain chalk.

The client wants the CN tower (of course) on one,

and more buildings on the other.

The sky roughed in.

This is the other canvas, also with the sky done so far.

And here's the fabric necklace I was working on as well...

This custom piece, already delivered, is based on my earlier piece called "My Favorite Playground", which I sold at the WhoKnew show in April

to a very sweet girl.

And drawings from the latest book I illustrated...

need to start working on the other one soon,

since the publisher sent me two at once!

I love being busy!

Lunch For DaddyBoy

2010-05-12T09:24:00.001-04:00

Tahini Sauce - So Addictive!

2010-04-24T12:36:00.000-04:00

I always have tahini in my kitchen - that wonderful sesame seed paste you get in the International section of food stores. I used to make a lot of hummus, which calls for tahini, but lately it hasn't been tasting the same. Not sure what it is. The only thing different is the blender!

Anyway, I was looking for a simple alternative sauce which did not need a blender, and I found this recipe for tahini sauce on About.com. Although the recipe does require a blender, or at least a mortar and pestle, I just mixed everything together in a bowl with a spoon (tahini and garlic first) and it still came out great.

The recipe is by About.com contributor Saad Fayed.

Saad Fayed is a restauranteur with an avid interest in preparing Middle Eastern cuisine. He has lived and traveled in many Middle Eastern countries, experiencing the many flavors and specialties of each region. Saad is currently writing a cookbook that features his family's favorite dishes.

Ok, now about the recipe! I made this twice (although I did not pay attention to the measurements, since I never do, and just went about adding one ingredient after another and tasting in between till it felt right to me) and both times it was gone before I could even think of taking a picture. Delish! We tried it with pita bread, cucumber, celery and carrots - and it was unstoppably good!

Ingredients:

•1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)

•3 gloves garlic, crushed

•1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

•2 tablespoons olive oil

•1/4 cup lemon juice

•1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped (optional)

Preparation:

In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine garlic and tahini. Add kosher salt.
Remove from food processor and add olive oil and lemon juice. If too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water until desired consistency.

Mix in parsely

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

I actually didn't add parsley, since the nanobot doesn't like the feel of raw parsley in her mouth. Next time I put some aside for her and then add it to the rest. And maybe take some pics!

Hope you make this and enjoy!

This and that...fabric jewelry.

2010-04-13T10:53:00.000-04:00

I'm in the middle of an exhibition, so not much work done lately, except for these...

A felt flower lariat from a scrap of felt a felt artist at the exhibition gave me. I got out my needle felting kit and did some felting...and then laid on the beads. Not finished yet...

Golds, blues, reds...I'm happy!

Pale gold braiding with blue and glod brocade...not sure what chain to use...

I like this piece - ruffles all the way down, and my favorite color combo of blue and green!

This cuff is royal! Fuschia with gold, need I say more?

An accidentally discovered texture 'technique' for fabric work- layer upon layer free-stitched, then embellished.

More later!

While I Work...

2010-03-31T15:52:00.000-04:00

...The LittleOne works too...

exploring

learning

painting

being

And then she comes...

Bearing magical gifts...

For ME!

Boho-chic, meet Biker Babe - More Fabric Jewelry

2010-03-28T16:27:00.001-04:00

A sakura motif, with the colors turned all upside-down, makes a cute piece of fabric jewelry!

The brown is a beautiful soft mushroom with blue undertones, so I used pale teal with it. Looks really delicious, but very subdued. The round 'findings' are humble little aluminum washers from DaddyBoy's toolbox. Love how they match perfectly with this piece.

I think I'm gonna take a break after this piece. It involved an insane amount of handstitching to put all the layers together for the flower, and to make the grungy, rough base instead of a smooth one, and then to finish up everything at the back. (The back is six overlapping layers, one for each petal, and then a central round one, and it's all smooth - forgot to take a picture!)

So there you have it - another slip-on fabric necklace with a braided cord.

Sits just a few inches under the collarbone.

Welcome Spring with a cherry blossom!

Your feedback is much appreciated!

Celebrating Sunshine! Fabric Jewelry

2010-03-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

Soft Spring sunshine...translated into a beads and fabric necklace.

Wear your own golden drops!

Hello, Sunshine!

And Now There Are Three!

2010-03-25T13:49:00.000-04:00

well, sort of...still working on this green and brown one...

River Rocks...Rock!

2010-03-23T14:16:00.000-04:00

These lovely, smooth pebbles are all dressed up - the small ones make great jewelry; the larger ones can add instant glamor to a table!

First Day Of Spring...

2010-03-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

...first crocus!

Spotted!

2010-03-11T08:58:00.000-05:00

The very lovely Christine has a beautiful blog that features unique handmade treasures. I just love the artists and artisans she picks. I was actually unaware of this blog until Christine emailed me several weeks ago to let me know she had featured my work on it. That's when I discovered this amazing collection of beautiful things, and I was SO honored to be part of it!

It's funny; I sometimes agonize that my work doesn't seem to bear a stamp that says 'Azra Momin'. Probably because I'm constantly trying new materials and new outcomes. I've almost come to accept that I will never have a signature look - it will always be in a process of evolution.

Well then, when I took a look at the pieces from my shop that Christine picked for her blog feature, I was quite amazed. Those pieces all DO look like the same person made them - ME! YAY!

And you can see them all here!

Incidentally, the first piece in the feature, and another one that I made at the same time, were both picked for Etsy treasuries. It's funny coz I really wouldn't have expected it for either of these pieces. Just goes to show you never know!

Rain On Me

Hope

Until next time!

Fabric Jewelry - Finished And WIP

2010-03-05T20:46:00.000-05:00

I finished my book illustrations - just need to do some final resizing before I send them off. So I took a break and snapped some quick pics of my what I've been doing in between, not in natural light but the best I could do for now. I'm so excited about these fabric jewelry pieces - they look good, even though they took ages.

Anyhow, here goes:

A REVERSIBLE necklace! Yes, you can flip it over and sport a new look instantly. I didn't intend it to be this way, actually, but the shiny silver-shot-with-orange backing fragment that I used looked so funky I had to develop it into its own side.

The original side is pink fabric that I covered in a layer of diaphonous gold ribbon, and voila, it became a dusty salmon that matched perfectly with the bead necklace in pale peach. Embellished with shreds of pink brocade, golden sequins and beautiful browny-pink vintage Czech glass flowers.

The other side is that lame-like fabric, adorned with a sprinkle of long glass tubes, and edged with a pale gold trim. Both sides look fabulous!

Then there's this piece that I made a while ago but could never decide upon the necklace part. Nothing seemd to look right until I came upon this multi-strand blue chain. It's fabric and handmade - how cool! So finally the piece I called Celebration when I first made it, has something to celebrate! It's now whole and gorgeous.

And a very boho-chic cuff in my favorite blue-green turquoise - frayed edges and large round sequins held together with a button I covered in green dupioni silk, the same fabric that lines it at the back.

Finally, my work in progess. Can't you just tell it's going to be stunning!

That's all for now!

For one thing...

2010-03-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

...does ANYBODY read this blog?

For another, tonight the Nanobot fell asleep ON HER OWN!!!

It's night time.

But is it also the eve of a new beginning, or the dawn of a new era, or whatever it is they say?

You know what I mean.

Yes, you.

Meanwhile, I'm so taken aback by this strange occurence I'm not sure if I should stay up and celebrate in some way (although of course, it had to happen on a night when DaddyBoy is out helping a friend with a leaky faucet, so I have to forget about curling up and finally watching a movie) or just quietly go to bed, coz I really need to.

Hmm.

Funky Fabric Rings

2010-02-26T09:03:00.000-05:00

I have three shows coming up soon, and hope to show my jewelry in two of them - the third one is an art show where I will show only my paintings and my framed works in fabric.

So here's some more of my boho-chic jewelry...I need a hand model, or one of those eerie cut-off-at-the-wrist ring display hands, though :) It's hard to depict in pictures how quite large these pieces really are.

All of these funky fabric rings are one-of-a-kind pieces and are on adjustable bases to fit all sizes. They are made from new reclaimed fabric and then adorned with hand-sewn embellishments - a bit of eco-friendly, bohemian fashion for your fingers!

Dreaming in White

2010-02-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

When I imagine my dream space, it's always white. White may seem sterile and impersonal to some, and it can be that way sometimes, depending on how it's being used, and of course there's the question of keeping it well, white.

BUT,

white is so liberating, so clean, so fresh, and so incredibly versatile.

You can play with textures in an all-white room, or just simply combine it with another favorite color. Small touches of bright hues shine against a crisp white backdrop. The results is usually stunning.

For a period of time, a long time ago, I had a red and white room. I still remember that space with fondness. This is a tribute to that old room of mine.

They are not real rooms, but clever renderings (look closely!) and only some of them have names of the designer, but they are all pretty fab, don't you think?

When I studied design, making perspective drawings was one of my favorite subjects, and I made a LOT of white rooms!!! Those were all done by hand, but computer renderings are now the norm, and look real enough to deceive.

In any case, they are a great way of playing with color without the fear of commitment!

Do you have a dream-space dream color?

Enjoy!