Knitted Elephant

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Originally uploaded by mscahillman

I finished this elephant a while ago, but I didn't post it because it is a christmas gift. I decided that since the recipient probably won't be checking my blog (although her mother may), I would post it anyway. It's knitted with that kool-aid dyed yarn from a few posts back. The pattern came from Zoe Mellor's "knitted toys", which has a bunch of really cute stuffed toys. I'm working on the rabbit now as another gift.

Gocco Birthday Scene

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Originally uploaded by mscahillman

Sofia's upcoming 5th birthday inspired this drawing. I scanned the original drawing, fixed a couple errant lines in Photoshop, and printed it the size I wanted for cards. It seems our printer's ink contains enough carbon to make a good gocco master. These test prints are on various handmade paper scraps that came in a set from Michael's. The higher contrast ones look better. Next I think I'll add some color layers and turn this into birthday cards and/or gift tags. Full size photos over in flickr.

New Logo Work

This is the logo I did for Natalie's bookstore along with the front and back of the business card.

Breakdance Daniel

Pen and ink with watercolor on illustration board. 8 in. by 10 in. This was done for my niece as part of a "secret buddy" exchange at her theater group. Her buddy describes himself as "metro" and likes to breakdance. Apparently, he loved it.

Pincushions

I'm a little behind in uploading projects. I made these back in May when two of my friends celebrated their 40th birthdays. Wool felt stuffed with wool and beans for stability.

Kool Aid Dyeing

My friend hosted a yarn dyeing play date and this was the result - yummy colors! This was a skein of undyed wool from Joann's. The basic recipe is, unwind ball and rewind into a big loop and tie in several places to keep from getting tangled, soak the wool in water (we used large basins outside), add vinegar, and sprinkle several packets of kool aid in the bath (do not stir to get the nice variegated dyeing), sit for a while, then rinse until water runs clear. There are many recipes out there on the internet. I have a cute knit elephant pattern that I think I will use this yarn for.

Cloth Baby Shoes

We have a new baby in the family, and I couldn't resist making these shoes when I saw them. The pattern is here.

Rejection

Colored Pencil and ink on watercolor paper, 7.5 in. by 10 in.

Suit

Aquarelle and pencil on watercolor paper. 7.5 in. by 10 in.

Guitar Tees

I printed these t-shirts today (the gray one is a birthday present for one of our little friends) with the print gocco. It was fun and easy - now we all have guitar t-shirts.

What Have I Been Doing??

I've been doing some toy making as well as some art. These little guys are root children and they go along with the Story of the Root Children, a traditional german story about the seasons.This is a quickie painting I did for my honey for his birthday in November.
I got together with some friends to dye silk scarves for playing. My girls got one of the rainbows pictured for Christmas and they love it!
Christmas card production this year...


A butterfly mobile for my twin niece and nephew.

...and lastly, a set of puppets for my niece to go along with a really cute story.

Love Your Body

Acrylic paint and ink on illustration board. 9 in. by 12. in.

This is my entry for the 2007 Love Your Body Poster contest. I am pleased with the outcome. Wish me luck!

Rocker Ballerina

I did this commission for my best client, so far:)

Twins Announcement

Print Gocco and Watercolor on cardstock. 4 in. by 5 1/2 in.

Wizard of Oz

Gouache and ink on illustration board. 8.5 in. by 11 in.

I painted this program and flyer for a play that my niece and nephew are going to be in this month.

Summer

No, it's not the topic for Illustration Friday, but it's my excuse for not doing any IF for a while. I didn't realize how much more I could get done while Sofia was in half day preschool . For now, I'm back to full time mom of two. I am working on some knitting and a birth announcement for my sister. Summer fun will be posted here!

Jungle

Acrylic on illustration board. 9.25 in. by 12 in.

I did this piece a couple years ago in a class. It was for a Los Angeles Times Magazine article about a young kid in South Los Angeles trying to free himself from the gang life.

Portrait of Two Girls Sitting Amongst the Lettuces

Acrylic on canvas board. 10 in. by 14 in.

This is based on a photo I took of my two girls at a farm this spring. I am reposting a new version on Friday 6/9, which I think is better, not perfect, but that's what practice is for, right.

CAKE

Acrylic on canvas board. 9 in. by 12 in.

5/31 I uploaded a new photo taken with a friend's digital SLR. The color is much better than anything I was able to get. Thanks Rowells!

SORRY

Gouache and watercolor on watercolor paper. 5.25 in. by 7.5 in. I'm sorry that I was not more creative with my subject matter on this one. I didn't have time to think about it too much, but I love Carla's take on this one. Anyway, I saw a lot of sorry little people in this week's entries also, so I thought I'd try my own take on a sorry little person. Boy, does she look sorry. I almost feel bad. I have no idea what she did.