I’ve had a few request to do a Jackalope pattern on my Flickr group, Badbird Patterns. So, I thought it was time that I made their wish my command.
Wallah!
Click on the image to enlarge, then right click on the image to print.
April 2013 Free Embroidery Pattern. The Jackalope!
April 1st, 2013Another kind of dog.
March 27th, 2013(Please click on the images if you have trouble reading the dialog.)
There have been quite a few children’s books about dogs. Lovable, people loving dogs. I’m writing a book about my dog, but he’s a bit different. My boy needs personal space. Strangers are to be seen from a distance and they’re definitely NOT supposed to come up and manhandle his butt. Even if they do it while saying “Who’s a good boy then?”
I can’t really blame him. If someone came up and manhandled my butt and said, “Who’s a good girl then?” I would be VERY upset and prone to physical violence.
Sometimes I wonder if he ‘s seen one to many Public Service Announcements about strangers.
And let’s face it, there is nothing stranger than some children.
When I say children that includes babies. As I’ve said before, in my Christmas story ( http://zuill.us/andreablog/2012/12/06/a-christmas-dog/ ), my dog can’t stand babies but he does like their toys. He’d never hurt a child but stealing from them is not a moral issue for him.
There is a type of child my dog likes. My furry guy likes to be treated like just another kid.
He may not know what is going on but he gives it his all.
There is only one problem with gaining my dogs trust. . .
March’s Free Embroidery Pattern! The folk art design: Heart in Hand
March 7th, 2013
March’s free embroidery pattern is an old symbol that I am very fond of. It’s called Heart in Hand. You’ve probably seen it before. Lot’s of folk-art crafters use this symbol. It’s been used to identifly the Odd Fellows organization. It can be seen in cemeteries on headstones of past Odd Fellow members often with the addition of a three link chain underneath it.
The Shakers used it to symbolize charity given with an open heart. I have also seen it used in old handmade valentines.
As always, click on the pattern above for a larger view and to print out.
Another tooting of my own horn. 2013 Golden Gate SCBWI San Francisco Conference.
March 4th, 2013
I have no idea why I chose the above image for this post. But I’m lazy, and I don’t feel like changing it now.
I’ve just gotten home from the Golden Gate Conference for the SCBWI San Francisco at Asilomar. For those of you that have gone to just the large LA or New York conferences I want to tell you that smaller events have some great benefits. There were only about 140 to 150 people at this conference. Like all SCBWI gatherings the people there were a real mix. There were all levels of writers and illustrators there, from those living- the- dream to total newbies. I believe that I got to have face time with literally everyone.
I have some new BFF’s (Hi, Suzanne, Joyce, Matt, Kat, Tiffany, Kathrine, and Tamara . Sorry if I missed anyone. I’m trying to be better at remembering names but I’m pretty sure I missed of few there) . My agent, Erzsi Deak, was there and she was one of the speakers. I also got to meet Jon Agee, Ed Briant, Patti Ann Harris, Lisa Jahn-Clough, Daniel Handler and Greg Pincus. And I finally got to really meet Lin Oliver. I’ve seen her a dozen times but I’d never actually had a chance to talk to her.
But my favorite part of the conference, because of my ego, was winning the Golden Gate Portfolio award! I remained humble after winning and waited until I got back to my room to do my victory strut (I’ve been told my victory strut is very disturbing). Emily Jiang won the Golden Gate Writer’s Award. (www.emilyjaing.com) She is a truly awesome person!
Oh, and I forgot to say, Asilomar is a state park in Pacific Grove near Monterey. It’s right on the beach and has beautiful historic buildings. It’s the perfect place to meet friends and discuss children’s books!
I used to do photography.
February 25th, 2013
My niece in her disturbing-lack-of-eyebrow phase.
About 3,000 years ago I used to do Photography.
San Diego County Fair, possibly 1996?
Yes, besides oil painting, watercolor, embroidery, quilting and illustration I did b/w photography. Before you get too impressed please note that I have a lot of trouble counting any higher than 10 and putting my shirt on right side out seems to pose problems for me.
Another niece and creepy rabbit with matching smiles.
These were originally created in the darkroom. I have started scanning them into my computer and working on them in Photoshop. When they’re finished I will be posting them. It’s really fun for me to see these images since they’ve been stored away for 10 to 15 years.
Baby Lincoln
February 21st, 2013
This is a new image that I am thinking about putting in my portfolio.
You won’t believe it! A NEW free embroidery pattern!
February 15th, 2013You know, you guys have put up with a lot from me over the years. First, there was Oil-Painting Andrea, then Craft-Girl Andrea, Stupid-Story Andrea and now Children’s-Book-Illustrator Andrea. What can I say? I wear many hats and some of my hats are wee pointy things with glitter on them, but I digress. I vaguely remember promising to give you, my loyal minions, a new free pattern every month (what was I thinking?) and that seems to have disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle of my life.
But guess what! A free pattern has snuck in! Right under my nose too (it’s probably because of me having a cold). And it’s topical! That’s right, it is! It’s an Easter Bunny. Can’t you just image him hippity hopping into your house on Easter night and depositing his eggs? Oh the joy.
So go ahead and have your way with him. Make me proud!
You can click on the pattern above for a large view.
I got my flu shot.
January 31st, 2013
I got my flu shot!
I don’t know if this happens to you, but when I get my flu shot I have feelings of invincibility. I feel like I can do crazy things! It’s like no matter what happens at least I won’t catch the flu. Or, at least, there is only a 3% chance of getting the flu. And those are my kind of odds.
But still, I hold back, I’m no fool.
This time, after I got my shot, I went on the web and read up on what the flu shot was all about. That’s when I was horrified to learn that it takes two weeks to get the full effect from the inoculation. I was still fair game for the flu bug.
Well, that sure put a damper on my euphoria.
So, I’ll soldier on with my tradition flu vigil.
But in two weeks, watch out! I’ll be 3% more dangerous than I am now.
