Tuesday, June 30, 2009

watercolor day...


I've been having some fun with watercolors yesterday. An unplanned fun. My eyes were hurting from too much warm computery glow... and I had to 'step away' from the screen. All for good though.... 'cause otherwise, the vegetable friends would never see the light of day:)

Monday, June 29, 2009

happy thoughts...

Experimenting with watercolors today:) 
Hope to show you more tomorrow.
On Saturday, Anais turned 3 years old. She is my tiny pain in the neck... but she's also my huge joy and pride.

Thursday, June 25, 2009



Well... it finally feels like summer. In fact - it's hot. The AC is on (otherwise I'd have to take the skin off). I'm looking out my window at the poor plants... well, at least they aren't sweating.
The illustrations above are inspired by gardening. I should say - my husbands gardening, since I luck that talent and the only way my thumbs can turn green is if I paint them. But I like watching. I like watching people work in their garden. It's hard work, and the results would only last a few month (around here).... but so pretty - people do it anyway.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

smart...


Don't you just love it when things  you love come together :) Chocolate and Pattern... mmmm. Delicious and Smart. Couldn't resist showing you this wrapped darkness from the Mast Brothers (Brooklyn based artisan chocolate brand). The Brothers adopted existing wrapping paper and added their label to it. Clever:)
All I really want to do now is design patterns for the chocolate packaging! 
Dear Willy Wonkas of the world - please consider me for your next delicious product!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009



-" Top of the Tuesday, Whiskers." said Mr. Shniblie to his feline roommate. "Care for some fish?"...
'Two redheaded friends' and 'Nadia's dream' are my new gouaches.
I'm starting to really enjoy my little deviations from the world of illuminated screens:)

Monday, June 22, 2009




I'm back. The trip went incredibly well. No tantrums, no 'are we there yet', no unnecessary tears or disappointments on kids front. Eight hours in the car - and nothing major. 
The main reason for the reunion was the passing of my husband's grandfather  - who has managed to make it to 104! One hundred and four! Seriously. 
We've gathered to celebrate his life and (not that I've been to many, but...) it was a perfect memorial service. Anais set through it all like a real trouper (even though at barely 3 y. o. she had no clue what's going on).
Oh... and we also spent a day in Marineland. That was a real treat! I did all the kiddie rides.... since I'm a big scardie cat. Girls had a blast on the mini roller-coaster. I wish I wasn't so busy having fun... and took some pictures. 

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

see you soon...

I'm running... against the clock... with my tongue on my shoulder... trying to finish all the work before I leave to St. Catherines for my husbands family reunion. Goodbye sweet procrastination... I'll see you and Mr. Blog next week:)
Above: illustration I did for JUGGLZINE (Stealth Parenting).

Tuesday, June 16, 2009




This is not a pattern. It's a dream. Yes, the kind where you fall all the way through the earth and end up on the other side with all the upside down, inside out weirdoes. My favorite kind.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Contrary Mary and the Swan Sisters...


The weekend was pretty tightly packed with work. It's harder to work on the weekends. Especially when the weather is good:) The window is open... fresh air carries the sound of kids playing outside... warm... everybody and their grandma is gardening.... hard to keep your eyes and mind on the screen.
Did some watercolors as part of my 'must have fun with paints whenever possible' initiative. I think we are getting to know each other a little better (me and the watercolors).
Swan Sisters... they knew that no matter what - they would always have each other.
Contrary Mary... in the garden with her imaginary friend (Totoro tribute of a sort)

Friday, June 12, 2009

bookplates... for you!



Let's have a 'my blog readers appreciation day' and celebrate it with a set of 'free for you' bookplates! Why not?:)

There are so many things you could do with these. Give them to your kid's teachers, add them to loot-bags, use them as a bookmark....etc.,

I use them in my ever-growing collection of unique and interesting vintage books.

To copy: click on the image - it will open up in its own window at a high resolution (300dpi-true size). Copy that to your desktop and feel free to use:) You could make them smaller if you'd like.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Ta Da!

Today I'm celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary! 
How did this happen so fast? I don't know.
I do know that there's a bottle of champagne in the fridge waiting to be opened and shared.
I'm still in love and hope this never ends:)... So, cheers to that!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Mingle...



This is a cool party for the eccentric. Were you invited? Was one of them your roommate in college? Are you going to stay for another drink with professor Red Nose, or is 3:00 am you q to call a taxi? 
These are all good, valid questions... if you happen to reside inside my head as one of the characters. 

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

N8 bag...

Nate Williams is one of my favorite illustrators that never fails to inspire me. So, naturally, I was very happy to find out that he has designed a couple of bags for BlueQ and they are coming out soon:)
I'm am getting one of these for absolute certain. You just can't get lost in a crowd with on of these babies:)

Monday, June 8, 2009


This little dude came in the mail today. Doesn't he take the cake in the cuteness department. I don't normally care for his kind... but Anaïs requested a teddy for her 3rd birthday (coming up in a couple of weeks) and I went to town looking for the best... Etsy town that is:) Found him here (krakracraft). So well made and nice to touch. Mr. Magorium would have totally loved him:)

Sophie's cat...


I'm starting to have more fun with gouache. She's not so bad once you get to know her.
This cat (his name is Red) - lives in my neighborhood. He's the most relaxed, nonchalant being I've ever encountered. Red used to belong to my sister... but now, he's Mr. Everybody's cat.
I'm off to list it in my shop, and than - real work. Must remember to do real work... which also happens to be fun right now:)

Friday, June 5, 2009

I did it.

Thanks for your gentle push! I did it. I opened an Etsy store and I called it 'ORaNge StUDio'. I'll be making original work available to you via that store:)

Thursday, June 4, 2009

apples



A new painting to show you. Apples. Like a pattern on a canvas. I think it will make some kitchen very happy one day:)
Let me know if you think it's your kitchen. I was going to set up an Etsy store and sell most of my painting... but I haven't had the time or the chance.
(oil, 12X12 inches, and 3 inches deep)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

berry interesting...



Can you see this one on linen... or an upholstery grade cotton? Off white please. Berry nice:)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Naïve



My copy of Naïve has finally found me yesterday... Yeah!!!
It is an all around awesome book filled with inspired pieces by some of my favorite artists (Matte Stephens, Heather Moore, Nate Williams, Jenn Ski, Chris Haughton... and many more)!
Seriously.... what an awesome book!
Not just saying it because I'm in it:)

Monday, June 1, 2009

fun in pictures...





The weekend , as always, was too short. Blink... gone... I've managed to squeeze in trip to my favorite sushi restaurant with my parents (I penciled them in... ha ha:) ... a major clean up of my 'mansion' ... and some fun picture taking that  I'd like to start this monday with:) A show and tell of a sort.