Hello Zukzuk

2011-10-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Bunny Birthday Party - available in the store

The bunnies finally found a home. Then I couldn't decide what kind of a sky they needed behind them. Silly stuff! I'm starting to illustrate my second book and Christmas is coming. I think it's going to be a busy season...

2011-06-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Holding Something Bright and Beautiful - new print in the store.

2011-06-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

I recently finished illustrating my first book. It's a very pleasing feeling to submit that final image to the publisher...

2010-08-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Let's Dance new print in the store.

2010-08-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jessika for a great interview on a very beautiful Canadian site: http://www.ohmyhandmade.com/

2010-03-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I am working on something. Something peacocky... I'm spending so much time on my music these days and the weather's getting lurvely, it's hard to focus!!!

2010-03-03T19:02:00.001-08:00

Hello again little abandoned blog! Returned, revivified and ready to get back down to arty business. My son and I had a seriously good time visiting family and friends back home in New Zealand and are pleased to note that this week is feeling a little spring-like here in Toronto. Roll on second summer I say!

2010-01-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

Yeah baby! I'm heading for the south with blue skies and sunshine. Soonish. In the meantime our GIVEAWAY winner for cold old January is.... Melanie! Congratulations. Please contact me with your mailing details.

2010-01-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Pavlova anyone? Does anyone out there know what pavlova is? This is something very fun that I am working on at the moment for an upcoming project. The January GIVEAWAY is still on, scroll to post below. Hope you are having a delicious start to the new year!

2010-01-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

New print in the store - Birdstack. Let me know if you want one - it's January's GIVEAWAY!

2010-01-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

Kai Schilders, you won yourself a limited edition print of "Neptune's Party," Congrats! Again, thanks to everyone who played and good luck for January's GIVEAWAY which should be along shortly...

I hope everyone had a reasonable time over the holidays. I know it can be a fabulous or so-so time depending on a number of variables. I spent it in a hotel in Niagara Falls which was was curious yet enjoyable. Slightly atypical Christmases are pretty standard in my family, Christmases past on a boat in the middle of a small lake and in a garage with grandma blindfolded, dangerously swinging a stick at a piñata spring to mind.

This year Santa was discerning enough to bring a most excellent gift for my son, Marc Boutavant's latest book, Mouk. The illustrations are killer. Really lush colours and so much to keep the eyes busy. In some ways they remind me of beloved illustrator Richard Scarry.

Kai Schilders, I need your contact details! Email me so I can send you your print! Happy 2010 everyone.

2009-12-22T19:04:00.000-08:00

Holiday Giveaway!
Well, here we are. A couple of days until Christmas. DISORGANIZED am I but I've become philosophical. I was hoping to have some new work up but that will have to wait until the new year. So, for the monthly giveaway have a peek in my Etsy store and let me know what takes your fancy.

Happy holidays friends!

2009-12-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

The Winter Flingers and me!

2009-12-06T14:37:00.000-08:00

Yay! Fair! I didn't really have any idea what I was doing because it was my first time doing it but that was okay because it all went swimmingly. Met some fantastic people and had a really great day - thank you to everyone for coming out and making it extra special awesome.

2009-12-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder for those of you in Toronto, the Winter Fling craft fair kicks off this Saturday at 11am. There will be music and lots of crafty loveliness just perfect for that Christmas list you haven't taken care of yet. I'll be there peddling my wares in person so swing by and say "hi!" I'm awfully friendly.

2009-11-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Darby Bayly! You chose "Magic Jewel Bears" - they can't wait to meet you! Thank you for participating everyone, join me for the Christmas GIVEAWAY in December!

2009-11-28T13:20:00.000-08:00

Small Magazine brings you the best independent art, design, illustration and photography for the small set from around the world. Thanks Small Magazine for your nice Zukzuk spread! If you feel like doing some colouring, there's an illustration I did that is downloadable from the small draw section of the magazine (blue bar at the top of the page) - enjoy!

I'll announce the winner of November's GIVEAWAY tomorrow!

2009-11-15T17:56:00.000-08:00

The people at Homestyle magazine were nice enough to add my "Birdland" image (see above) to their latest edition - thanks guys!

Apologies for spotty blogging, nay, a complete blog absence, things have been extremely busy of late. The GIVEAWAY for this month is whatever you like. Check out my Etsy store and let me know what moves ya. This is about as organised as I can be for the moment!

2009-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Continuing with my Things-I-think-are-very-Fine-on-Etsy series:
DreamChildStudio
BlueRainbow

Oh, I've come over all Christmassy! I'm going to be part of this craft fair coming up in December. For those of you who are local, the locale, St. Stephen-in-the-fields, is a delightful church near College and Bathurst. I wonder if it will be snowing by then...

2009-09-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Etsy is a very fine place... To spend all your money! Some stores are real favourites. Above is a selection run by super people that I have purchased from and we have been loving our treasures ever since.

From the top:
ImaginationKids
Urastarhouse
BeneathTheRowanTree

This is a Waldorfy selection. I'm kinda Waldorfy, as opposed to being kinda Walmarty - I went to a Waldorf school for a while when I was wee and my son attends one now. It's such an awesome school that some days I want to go just as much as he does!

2009-09-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Yeah baby, it's you! Send me a message and let me know which "We are Strong" print you'd prefer Stephanie and thanks for playing everyone. Another Giveaway in October. Can you believe it, nearly October already? Crikey.

2009-09-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Lovey Dovey - Limited edition print.
Available in ye olde Etsy store now!
Scroll to post below to participate in the September GIVEAWAY!

2009-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

September Giveaway:
Your choice of either "We are Strong" in Autumnal hues or rainbow ones. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which. Just leave a wee comment...

*This Giveaway game is now over. Congratulations Stephanie B!

2009-09-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yay! Finished! This is one of a bunch of banners that will be put up on lamp posts in my 'hood. It's okay small - I hope it won't look too pixely at 5 feet by 2 feet!

Happy September everyone!

2009-08-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

Creative whirlwind Yael, of Yaelfran has started a monthly colouring book project with all sorts of interesting illustrations by Etsy artists. Theme was "We are Strong" my contribution had to be a bear of course...

2009-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Something I'm working on for a street art project. Hey, I think this is my 100th post. Wheeee!

2009-08-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

No reason, they're just kinda cute. In case you were wondering, I'm not responsible for bringing all this beauty into the world - just a third of it.

2009-08-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Kwu - it's you! Well done, August's print is your new print.
Folks, look out for another giveaway next month...

2009-08-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Um. Yes, totally.
Thank you Sarah Applebaum. These images via Breaking into Sunshine. Giveaway still on, scroll to post below.

2009-08-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Into the Sun

New print. Happy days! This limited edition print is our August
G I V E A W A Y and apologies for not getting it together giveaway-wise for July. Leave me a wee comment and you will be entered in the monthly draw. Draw date, in a few weeks from today! Enjoy the sun! Wheee!

2009-07-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Been having an excellent time lately with Saskatoon berries. For those of you in Canada who haven't tried them I urge you to go for a wander and find yourself a bush of these delicious berries. As a hardy native, landscapers like them and there always seem to be at least a couple planted around schools - you may even have one in your backyard!

And so, jam was made with this recipe - my very first batch! I liken the excitement to birthing my very first sock - very satisfying indeed.

2009-07-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at sewing something. In case you're wondering, it's supposed to be a gnome.
Congratulations to Love, Luca who one the June Giveaway!

2009-06-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

At the moment I'm encouraging myself to learn to sew by surrounding myself with sewing supplies and gorgeous fabrics. Think that might work? I've been a huge fan of Anna Maria Horner fabric for quite some time and finally got my hands on my own little pile of fat quarters (love that sewing term) in some very gay hues. Also added some assorted buttons from Etsy seller Kellwood though I think my primary motivation in this case might have been to introduce my boy to the joy of buttons. Like everyone, I loved playing with my mum's button collection!

The fantastic quilted blanket is from Etsian RaggedyOwl, very good for picnics in the garden and hiding under in the living room.

These pennants from Adorablefiend are awesome and are the inspiration for my first ever sewing project! I wonder what mine will turn out like?? Yikes!

Does anyone sew out there? Any tips for someone embarking on finding the bestest, most inexpensive sewing machine suitable for a person who hasn't sewn since high school?

June G I V E A W A Y still on. Scroll to post below.

2009-06-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to get the impression that warm weather and spending time near water are my least favourable conditions for keeping up with blog entries.. June has been very blad indeed. But the month is not quite over - we can still fit in the June GIVEAWAY! It's a print I'm particularly fond of and I think it sums up where my head is at the moment. Ahhhh summer....

Leave a comment to be entered in the draw for "Best Time of the Day." Draw date: in about a week. Cheers!

June GIVEAWAY Best Time of the Day - limited edition print

2009-05-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

Ready. Set. Craft!

Red Bird limited edition print below.
Happy orangey-red weekend everyone!

2009-05-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hooray for dancing around the maypole! Can't get enough of that dancing round the maypole thing. Excellent. Holding brightly coloured ribbons and dancing with little fairies and elves to the sound of wandering musicians was a good start to the weekend. We're kinda wishing maypole dancing could come our way a little more frequently.

It was an intimate little gathering for our May GIVEAWAY, our "winner" is... NUALA! Thanks for your comments, thanks for playing the giveaway game. Thank you to itsalljustmenagerie for adding Neptune's Partay to this sparkling little gem of an Etsy treasury yesterday.

2009-05-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

"Mama, I want a knitting thing."
"I can see you really like the look of that knitting thing but I think you might find it a little difficult to use. Maybe when you get a little bigger" (fatal error in argument)
"I am already big! I'm a big boy."
"Yes, umm..."
"Mama, I want a knitting thing!"
And so forth...

When I was little we were given a wooden spool with 4 small nails in the top, some wool and another nail to pull the wool over. Charming and simple, also effective. Due to an inability to think well on my feet in the yarn store we now have this.

To make matters worse, instead of my knitting project of the moment, I am the one left sitting on the couch using the knitting thing while he is off doing something else! Ridiculous. I dislike this knitting thing-a-ding.

2009-05-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

Jumping on the blossom picture bandwagon. They just beg to be photographed and they're so forgiving, they even look good on my camera! The garden is becoming overwhelmed by violets but I like them so I am being a total pushover (which is probably just as well - they're pretty hard to get rid of!) We're making use of this bounty as dear table companions at mealtimes and, teamed with forget-me-nots (which I love so much) they're just perfect as a wee person-sized posy for a neighbourhood friend, don't you think?

I had to start a spring cotton hat for my little one and I had to sit under the tree to do it this morning. The sky was blue (yes!) as was the yarn and there were little blue flowers that weren't forget-me-nots but that looked like forget-me-nots. Happily we also have flowers that look like forget-me-nots which are forget-me-nots. I never get tired of these. I am also loving very much the huge swath of Lily of the Valley along the path to our house - yes, spring is most assuredly with us.

2009-05-11T05:55:00.000-07:00

Neptune's Partay

Your comments were excellent last month - a lot of fun to read. I like the idea of an interactive giveaway - you pick the theme, I make the picture. Might be I'd land myself in a whole world of troublesville as far as deadlines go but we'll see. I'll have to get my thinking cap on and work out how that idea might go. In the meantime here is the GIVEAWAY print for the fair month of May.

Leave me a comment, say howdy! Draw date: 25 May

2009-04-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

2009-04-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

Poooot! It's the Love Train...

G i v e a w a y still on. Scroll to post below!

2009-04-11T15:47:00.001-07:00

A bit late on the old G I V E A W A Y this month but here it is. Sleeping Tree is a new piece printed on gorgeous museum quality Hahnemule German etching paper.

Each month (usually around the beginning of the month, ahem) we play the giveaway game and all you need to do is leave me a comment - this month I'd love to know what you think the subject matter of one of my new prints should be - and you might be the one to get yourself a snazzy print in the mail!

Now that I'm back in good old Canada I get the chance to enjoy a delightful, chilly spring followed by another summer (I've been in the southern hemisphere for the last 4 months) which means 2 summers practically back to back! Sweet.

It's good to be reunited with the old computer and art supplies again, I'm gonna be whipping up a bit of a storm so watch out!

G I V E A W A Y draw date? Oh, let's say a couple of weeks from today shall we.

And I know what you're thinking about this one. You're thinking this should be called Jelly Bean Birds Gone Bonkers or something. Right? It's good and juicy loud. I like me the Jelly Bean Birds. I Like it so much I decided to rework it with an even feistier colourway. Roawrrrr!

Happy Spring/Autumn!

2009-04-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned, G I V E A W A Y coming soon...

2009-03-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Victoria Bennett Beyer
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!
Some Jellybean Birds will be on their way to you shortly...

As always, thank you to everyone for participating in the giveaway game, all your comments were gems to read.

Have a great week...

2009-03-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

Late for the G I V E A W A Y but it is still on! I'm running low on things to offer but I do have a lovely "Jellybean Birds" print which needs a good home. It happens to be a big one (13" x 19") so if you have a big bit of boring wall which needs some colour, play the giveaway game!
Just leave me a quick comment and be in to win!

2009-02-19T23:09:00.000-08:00

Things I've been doing. Yes, more socks...

A view of Kiwiland

I tried to weave a basket out of flax.

I took a ride on a steam train!

Some green ferny goodness.

My favourite swimming hole.

A bit passed the 15th but C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Anna Lloyd! Thanks so much for playing the giveaway game.

2009-02-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY!

I'm really trying to keep up with my monthly giveaway, but I don't know about all this working whilst on holiday business! I kid.

If you fancy this sweet lass and her big weeds leave a comment and I'll do my best to pick your name. She doesn't come framed I'm afraid but a nice frame like the one pictured above can be got for next to nothing from our lovely Scandinavian friends at Ikea. I think you can click on the image for a bit more detail.

I do the draw on the 15th so good luck all!

Okay, back to the beach...

2009-01-14T20:24:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Thanks for your comments and warm wishes for 2009 - this year will be a fantastic one for sure!

We are having a wonderful holiday (so wonderful that we have decided to extend our stay), the weather has been treating us very nicely and I am happily rediscovering that this place rocks! Home really is very lovely, very green and very clean and yes, Anne, all this mood enhancing sunshine is making us feel chirpy and healthy and turning our wan North American skin a lovely biscuit brown.

I'm delighted to announce that Miriam, Martin and their infamous chair collection will be finding their way to Ann and Sam - hope you both enjoy your new friends and congratulations!

You'll notice that stock in my Etsy store needs a bit of "fleshing out" as it were. I hope to do a bit of art stuff while I am over here - lots to inspire - and to restock upon my return.

2008-12-31T21:47:00.001-08:00

January GIVEAWAY!

Please excuse all this spotty blogging! My excuse? Being on holiday for a couple of months in the South Pacific. It's a hard life...

If I had a wire thingy to connect my camera to this computer thingy I could send you a picture. I'll try to get that sorted. In the meantime the giveaway print for January is "Martin's Chair Collection."

Say "hi" and win yourself some chairs and fowl.

And, Happy 2009!!!

2008-12-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

L y s a, for you, some "Birdland" goodness! I like the giveaway and I don't 'cos I want everyone to win! I love that you all stop by my little blog and say "hello." Thank you, it's always awesome to hear from you.

2008-12-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

Ta daaaaaa! Can you see it?!!

I got me a copy of the latest Canadian House and Home magazine so that I could be all overcome by my little Birdabies in print. It's a small thing but it makes me feel chirpy.

2008-12-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Zip on over to the Amnesty International site and take a peek at the amazing results when we fight for human rights for all.

If you're anything like me today, sitting at a computer (possibly eating a piece of chocolate) you can be pretty grateful, we've got it good as compared to many in the world. I get a bit teary when I think about how we humans function, at one moment with such gentleness and kindness and then in another moment with such violence. Even in our own lives we can be so hostile with the one who is most important to us - ourselves. Especially today and especially at this time of the year, I hope we can remember to be gentle and kind.

Snowmen Christmas card by gigiphillips

In other news, Arren Williams, a freelance stylist, editor and trend reporter, was kind enough to give me a nice post over on his Design Lab blog on Monday. Apparently my work is "storybook cool." How do you like that!! I'll have to remember that one. For those of you in Canada, you might like to grab yourselves a copy of the January edition of Canadian House and Home and take a peek at the bit about Arren. And, this is for you, mum - I believe there is a little picture of my "Birdabies" print in that piece. Wheeeee!

Birdabies goes out and about in the world and gets itself all famous.

Don't forget to play the GIVEAWAY game below, I'll be drawing a name out of the hat thingy in just a few days time. Details in the post below.

2008-11-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

December GIVEAWAY!

No, it's not December already is it? Well, no. Not for another 2 hours but close enough. So it's the monthly giveaway time. Seeing as it's supposed to be a merry, joyous sort of month for a lot of folk, I've decided to give away a large print of "Birdland." I know I just blogged about it recently but it's the one that got me thinking about home and it might just be on television at some point in the nearish future and that's all I'm saying...

Leave me a little commenty goodness and win yourself some feathered goodness! Draw date: 15th December

Best wishes everyone!

Thank you again for supporting my work and by extension the amazing work done by the folks at Amnesty International.

No, not the frame too! Just the print, yeah.

2008-11-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty happy.

I now get to put my knitting in this styling knitting bag from Sew Bendy instead of ye olde crumbling plastic bag. Melissa and Jenn at Sew Bendy are exceptionally friendly and professional and my bag, a "knit tuck," (I think they might be fans of the show) has a little pocket for DPNs and a snap loop for the yarn to feed through. The design of the handle means you can slip it over your wrist and knit in a department store while swaying to muzak and feigning interest in the toy section. I truly think this bag is improving my knitting maybe even my life!

I hereby dedicate these socks to Raina from Raining Sheep. If it weren't for you, Raina, I'd still be on the other side of the fence, the side without wool, where you think knitting is for people that don't get out enough.

And as promised, some socks. They're my second and third borns. Yes, they're pretty rugged looking but it's winter so they can be 'boot socks'! I can hear you wondering what my problem is, c'mon, admit it you're thinking 'life's too short, why would I knit a sock?' but I'll have you know it's pretty satisfying. They knit up quickly, self striping yarn is AMAZING and you can think about all those knitters from da olden days knitting up socks through necessity in front of the fire or wherever it was they did a spot of knitting.

Old Breton woman knitting - Image from a vintage postcard
Check out those knitting hands!

This yarn, "Holly" is a bit festive but in retrospect maybe not quite bright enough. I promised Rosemoo fuggly sock pictures if she would show me her great hat knitted up in some of Rivulettecraft's beautiful, popping bright yarn. So Rosemoo, ta daa!

I really had better get some of this. It is too beautiful.

And speaking of Rivulettecraft, I received my delectable glass bead from her the other day. It's wonderful and I'm very pleased but I had to laugh when I saw the size of the box that it arrived in...

Lovely, lovely handmade glass bead from Rivulettecraft.

2008-11-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

Snow. It's pretty neat stuff. Snowflakes? Amazing!

I was 26 when I first saw it snow. I had just arrived in Canada (a lot of snow comes here) and my need to frolic and dance in the snow was very strong; terribly amusing for the people I was with at the time.

One of my favourite things is still a nice walk at night in fresh snow. The insulating effect of snow makes for an enchanting, quiet walk and when there's a bit of light around and the snow's all sparkly I feel like I'm adrift in a sea of tiny jewels.

Baby Snow Bears - limited edition print

For those of you in the north, stay warm!

2008-11-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is not what it looked like today. This is last week. Today looked all grey like THIS. Now all these trees are, according to my son, "naked" and they've gone and left their fricking clothes all over my everywhere!! Grrrr.

eeeeeeEEEEK! I missed my own GIVEAWAY! For shame. Is it the 16th today? Yes, I think it is.

Oh well, without further ado: is there an Elizabeth Sullivan out there in the audience? Would Elizabeth please come up to the stage? We have some wee bears and YOU are their new mummy!

Thank you all for participating in the monthly giveaway and thank you to those who sent me emails. As always, I wish we could have an Oprah moment where they'd be bears under everyone's chairs!

Here are some new bears in the works. Yep, it's all gone to bear around here! All bears, all the time.

In other news, I have been strutting around feeling very powerful of late and the reason? I have birthed my first sock!

I'm going to have to show you a picture of it soon, just as soon as I can figure out a flattering way to photograph it... I know, I know, the anticipation is... is... Not there. But I'm going to show you anyway.

Beautiful people, have a wonderful week!

2008-10-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

The GIVEAWAY!

Did you have spooky fun last night? We did. And I discovered that a red bicycle reflector light set on flashing mode looks good inside a jack-o-lantern! Hot diggity!

More fun has been had of late making knitted things and now that I've started... I can't stop! It's probably pretty spooky seeing these first wretched attempts, especially for you veteran knitters out there, but it seems fitting seeing as it's Halloween and all.

I can now knit things from the shoulders up.

The GIVEAWAY...

It's the 1st of the month so it's GIVEAWAY time! If you like cute things or know someone who does, fire me a wee comment and be into win! The cute thing to be got this month is a limited edition print called "Bear Hug." Hope you like it and good luck!

Bear Hug - Limited Edition Print

GIVEAWAY DRAW: 15th November

Happy November!

2008-10-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

It's happening again.

With the holiday season nearly upon us my thoughts are turning to my family and my lovely home in the South Pacific. It's quite an interesting place, that New Zealand a.k.a Aotearoa, meaning "land of the long white cloud," and for quite some time it's interestingness was a bit of a secret.

Since parting from supercontinent Gondwanaland 80 million years ago, it steered away from other landmasses (wheeee!) and well out into the Pacific, beginning the longest period of isolation of any non-polar landmass on earth. This remoteness allowed evolution on land to take an eccentric course. Plants, animals and ecosystems developed that are so distinctive, New Zealand is like an island ‘Ark’ – it has a high percentage of native species that are found nowhere else. By comparison, Great Britain, which separated from continental Europe only 10,000 years ago, has only two endemic species – one animal and one plant.

Birdland - limited edition print

So, who was hanging out on the ark all those many years ago? Well, because of the timing of the split (dinosaur time), New Zealand evolved pretty much without any mammals. Apart from some lizards and insects it was basically one big non-stop bird party. Without predators birds flourished - when there's no one around to eat you or your babies you can nest on the ground and heck, you don't even really need wings! Most notable is the evolution of the flightless bird which became our beloved national bird, the Kiwi.*

Birdland's a picture I created when I was thinking how lovely the forest must have sounded all those many years ago...

I might just be making it downunder for the holidays this year! Yeehaaa! I'm curious, have you started your holiday shopping and/or holiday making/re-gifting yet?? Would getting a gift for free start the ball rolling for you? Of course it would! Enjoy the beautifully written, sensitive reviews at Wishing Willow and win at the same time!

PSSSSST! It's my work getting the spa treatment over at Wishing Willow today!!!

* It never ceases to amuse me that the United States got the Bald Eagle and we have the small, brown, flightless, half-blind, nocturnal Kiwi as our national bird!

For more information about the prehistory on NZ see this page. Oh yeah!

2008-10-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

GIVEAWAY - The Draw!

We have a name! And the name is GENEVIÈVE BRODEUR! Congratulations Geneviève, some weird hair coming your way... Thank you to all for your participation. I visited each blog (for those that had them) and had a delectable little nosey. So many different lives and passions and voices and yet a common thread running through: the desire to connect and share with others.

I'm getting into this giveaway vibe - another in November.

And on the topic of giveaways... more giveaways! This time over at the Pikaland illustration blog. My work, along with a tonne of work by people way more talented than me, is winable or failing that, buyable from Amy, the hardworking blogger gal of Pikaland. Have a look, lot's of pretties.

Magic Blossom Bears - Limited Edition Print (LARGE)

What can I say? People like pink for little girls. I guess we feel more comfortable when we can instantly identify someone's gender. Been to a big chain toy store lately? They are so helpful. Head for the excruciating neon pink aisle to the left if you are after something for your sweet wee girl. Head for the miniature military-industrial complex to the right for your tough little guy. Thank you and have a nice day.

Hmmmm...

After a bunch of requests, I'm going to be making a series of Larger prints for ye olde Etsy shoppe. The poorly shot image below (it was cold and I didn't want to hang around outside!) shows the regular size and the new large size for comparison.

Bear Hug Green - Limited Edition Print (LARGE)

I Run to you - Limited Edition Print (LARGE)

2008-10-13T19:04:00.001-07:00

Fireball. Some photographic goodness from Maine Momma

My, time flies when you are doing exciting things like sorting through all your... crap! The house I live in is being purged. I'm not fond of clutter and yet it comes, gently, quietly like drifts of sand or dust or something and you're like, "how the hell did it get this bad?!" And so, I haven't been very good at posting for the last couple of weeks, how could I when on top of all the decluttering there have been so many great blogs to check out? It has been fun times reading all your comments from the GIVEAWAY below, it's always a delight to check out the stuff you get up to through your blogs.

I feel honoured to have received some bloggy awards since I started a-bloggin' from Mayamade, Little Bird and Fancy Picnic. If by some strange twist of fate you are unfamiliar with these rocking ladies go take a peek; they all make very different things, they are all creative wonders!

Mayamade goodness

Littlebird goodness

Fancy picnic goodness

Instead of passing on these awards to others, I'd like to say "thanks" to all the creative people I have been lucky enough to make virtual aquaintance with since I started to blog; you've been supportive, genuine and inspiring. So, on the topic of women and creativity I'd like to share this short trailer for your benefit and inspiration. It comes via, you guessed it, another fantastic, creative women's blog (Maine Momma)*, I look forward to seeing the whole documentary when it comes our way. It is being released in the states this month.

Curtains...

*You need to definitely, definitely check out Maine Momma's Flickr photostream, it's beautiful.

2008-09-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

GIVEAWAY - yay! It's that time of the month -- ha! Not that time! Excuse me. I mean that it's time for giving away something to like, go on yer wall. If you don't have one of these (image above, not including frame) but you think you might like one, let me know. There's no pressure, you don't have to say anything witty, you can just say "hi" if you like, it's all the same to the impartial hat thingy.

I'll draw a name from the hat thingy on the 15th of October and post the winner's* name here at Zukzuk. Please make sure to leave me a way to contact you; blog, email addy or whatever just in case.

Thank you to everyone who comments, lurks, reads or just blows by occasionally, it's nice to think you're all out there!

Here's the necklace I received the other day from a yummy trade with Katrin from Kaleidoscope Style . She has loads of beautiful, fun and of course, colourful pieces. I feel very lucky to have mine!

In celebration of all this delectable Auntumness we are enjoying at the moment I made an Autumn themed landscape print and also a version with more of a Summery feel for those not quite ready to let go of Summer or perhaps for those southerners soon to come into Summer. Maybe just for folk who like yellow, green and red together!! Anyway, these along with dear little Sugardrop baby will be finding their way to ye olde Etsy shoppe soon.

Sugardrop Baby - Limited Edition Print

Tiny Summer Landscape - Limited Edition Print

Tiny Autumn Landscape - Limited Edition Print

I really don't mean to keep banging on about myself but it wouldn't be nice if I didn't mention that Ariadna from the blog Design This Design That has put out the second issue of her fab on-line magazine with lots of stuff about people who draw things and somewhere amongst all those colourful pages is a Zukzuk interview. Take a look if you have a lot of time to spare, are trying to put off some sort of unpleasant task or are my mother. Gee, that's not what I meant, that sounded dreadful, like I was putting the magazine down! Of course you should look at the magazine even if you are being eaten by wild dogs -- you should look at my bit/interview only if you have time to kill. There. That's the self deprecating sentiment I was going for.

http://issuu.com/designthisdesignthat/docs/issue2

If you happen to live in Canada, by chance, Hamilton, you might like to zip along to the opening, sorry, GRAND opening of the White Elephant next Friday. Jane and Hollie are opening a lovely boutique gallery there and you might just see some of my stuff!

And, it's that time again, thank you to everyone for your support.

*Excuse me for using the word "winner" it's such a dirty little word...

2008-09-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

I've been to New York!

On our very first day we spied a friend in the crowd, cool.

Well, you know where this is! Time square, visually and olfactorily arresting.

What a place!

I had a great time, I barely complained at all about having to schlep child and stroller around this fabulous city. We were so giddy we even found the cab rides thrilling; as exciting as a dodgy fairground ride and just a wee bit more dangerous.

Carousel - Central Park

We did many of the touristy things with plenty of park time thrown in for kid and parent relief.

Central Park

For you North Americans I'm sure all of this is not so interesting, you've no doubt been to New York a bunch of times, but for me, all the way from little old New Zealand, it was mesmerizing. Please excuse these photos, they are, I think, primarily for my mother's benefit.

Museum of Modern Art

Lovely hidden courtyard in Greenwich village

Brooklyn Bridge

I hope I find my way back here one day. It was truly lovely.

Manhattan skyline

2008-09-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

I Run to You - Limited Edition Print
(This will be available in 2 sizes at some point in the nearish future).

Bear Hug - Limited edition print

Hello there! I think it's time for the GIVEAWAY draw!!

The winner of the peacock print, in this case a white one, is: Frizz!

Congratulations Tricia Tharp a.k.a Frizz, I hope you like your new boyos.

I'd really like to send prints to everyone!! This giveaway business is hard! If it is any consolation, there will be another GIVEAWAY in October and hey, that's just around the corner. Hasn't this year just blown by? Whoosh.

It really is a lovely treat to hear from you all and your interest in my work makes me feel very honoured, thank you.

Happy vibes for a great week to all!

2008-09-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Martin the rooster's beloved chair collection. He's the kind of guy who can't drive past a chair on the side of the road without taking it home and fixing it up. Well, sometimes he fixes them up, a lot of the time they just get added to the ever growing brokeny tree forest in the garage.

Miriam the hen finds this all very vexing.

Martin's Chair Collection - Limited Edition Print

I have had an urge for some time... The urge to knit! It's pretty hard to avoid an urge like this, I mean, haven't you heard it's the new yoga? Wha? Whoa, anyway, I bought some disgustingly expensive yarn this weekend and am part way through... yeah, you guessed it, a scarf! I'm not totally new to the concept of knitting, at the first school I went to all the little boys and girls were required to knit a recorder case. You can imagine how these little beauties turned out:

Image borrowed from Alan Howard Waldorf School Catalogue

I suspect my scarf will look something like these (already there is a resemblance*) perhaps a little more scarf-like but then you never know...

Peacock Print GIVEAWAY! See details below.

*Hey, hey, it's... Garter stitch!

2008-09-04T08:23:00.001-07:00

Hey!

There's this great gal called Amy who has a great illustration blog called Pikaland and right now there is an interview there with little old me. Don't miss out! Check out all my dorky responses!! This doesn't happen every day!

If you're into free stuff, and I know you are, you'll definitely want to have a look at Pikaland. Amy collects all manner of illustrative goodness from a variety of artists each month and then just gives it away!

Her blog is very addictive because it is chock full of great illustration. She has a knack of finding and then showcasing interesting artistic talent and she manages to cover a range of styles which is nice.

... And while we are contemplating bloggy bountifulness, let me not miss an opportunity to remind you of my own small GIVEAWAY where you stand a pretty good chance of winning yourself a rather fetching (if I do say so myself) peacock print. Have a look at the post below.

So go... What are you still doing here? Go get your own Pikapackage!

LA la la la....

2008-08-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is NOT the giveaway, this is the hat-thingy that the names get drawn out of.

Well, I think it's GIVEAWAY time again! Hooray!

If you have a bit of a thing for birds -- they certainly seem to be a popular theme at the moment -- leave me a little hello in the comments section and my lovely assistant will endeavour to draw YOUR name out of the hat-thingy.

Up for grabs this month is a peacock print, your choice of either these pretty fellows :

Peacocks Orange

Or these pretty fellows:

Peacocks White

You can see more images of these prints in my Etsy store. Please let me know which you prefer in case the next winner is... YOU!*

DRAW DATE: 15th of September (ya know, give or take a couple of days)

*The only criteria for entering this giveaway, though I do hate to make conditions, is that you have to like chocolate.

2008-08-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Do I love these? YES I do!

Tea towels, artprons, pillowcases and artkerchiefs that you love to look at but are loathe to use, found at the Third Drawer Down

Yes, please.

Yay! The Magic Moss bears on the front page of Etsy!*

*If anyone knows how to get a not crap screenshot please let me know...

2008-08-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

One of my most pleasurable memories from childhood was hunting for wild chocolate eggs on Easter morning. I'm guessing my parents (I suspect mostly my mother) rose super early and hid them all over the garden but maybe it was the Easter bunny, we never really discussed it. Finding something as wondrous as a brightly coloured foil wrapped chocolate egg amongst the everyday greenery is a truly special moment in one's life.

I also remember being highly enamoured with a juicy fruit gum advertisement where a bunch of kids come across this fantastic tree that seems to be fruiting the advertisers gum; somehow that was way cooler than an actual fruit tree, go figure. I don't even really like or understand gum but that advertisement left a magical impression.

Treasure Tree Hand finished in Watercolour, edition of 10.

We took a little trip to the Island the other day...

2008-08-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

My cup runneth over! This nifty oven arrived in my mailbox the other day. Created by the extreme talent of littlebirdesigns over in Scotland who managed to pull my name out of a hat during her recent blog giveaway.

In other news, I struck up a lovely friendship with a fellow Etsian in Denmark and she sent me a box full of goodies; a beautiful Waldorf inspired doll and a treasure of earrings and she made them all herself!

There's a lot that separates those who can photograph things from those who cannot as evidenced below, I had a nice idea but managed to make a complete hash of it. Oh dear!

So, what to do with this overspilling of goodness? Amnesty International to the rescue!

2008-08-22T09:47:00.001-07:00

Masked Bear passing through Rainbow Forest. Available all colourful or in understated black and white!

2008-08-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Not quite sure where this will go. Masked bear in progress...

2008-08-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Humpff...

1. Manuela Valle said three store employees told her last week that H&M policy did not allow her to nurse her eight-week-old baby in the store because it might offend other customers.

2. Talk in Toronto of banning large children's strollers from public transit.

3. Conversation on the radio, topic "should children be allowed in art galleries?"

As a member of society and a mother I'm feeling a bit indignant. It's not that society has ever been particularly kidcentric or nurtured the needs of women and mothers/caregivers but if not now, then when? I mean, we've already got i-pods and a particle accelerator,* how much longer do we have to wait? What do we need to do as a society to help ourselves think more wholistically??

The Hadron Collider

Here's a quaint little picture I made. She looks like she's working pretty hard and has a lot on the go but I hope you'll also notice what a groovy getup she's got on and the fact that she likes to go against conventions and has painted her house pink.

Thanks mum.

* I have to confess, I think the particle accelerator is totally awesome and I have a picture of it on my wall.

2008-08-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Are you one of these paper people??

Seeing as this is the very first zukzuk GIVEAWAY I thought it might be nice to start with a bang! My lovely assistant* was kind enough to help me choose 2 names out of the hat-like thing and Jelly Bean Birds will be soon winging their way to:

Krista of Thunder Bay
Julie Alvarez of Argentina

Thank you to all for your kind words and encouragement, for someone like me new to the blogging world it was a lovely experience and one I will be happy to do again. So, stop by for another giveaway in September!

Take care everyone and have a fantastic weekend!

*Good grief, dirty fingernail child...

2008-08-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Camping Trip Card by Screech Owl Design

I received an email from Kelly Lynn Jones of little paper pl anes today and it seems my prints arrived safe and sound. All I can say is, phewwww!! You send forth your babies in their thin armour of plastic and cardboard and you hope they'll be okay, it's always nice to hear they have arrived at their destinations intact. I guess it's good preparation for future adventures in parenting!

Storage 4 by Kelly Lynn Jones

Kelly is an amazing artist who does stuff like this:

The New Land by Kelly Lynn Jones

...and runs a swell little on-line store chock full of art, zines, jewellery, bags and accessories.

Things like these:

Cagefight Tote Bag by Drew Beckmeyer

The Hostage Print and The Whale Print by Gilbert Ford - these crack me up!

Cool zines like these:

Bear Zine 5 by Gemma Correll and Sheds Book by Analogue

...and art:

Rocky Mountains Drawing No. 1 Print by Jaime Derringer

Gordita by Esther Ramirez.
Awwwwwwww...

And in other news, tomorrow is the "BIG DAY"! I'll be drawing a name out of a hat-like thing to pick a winner of the Jelly Bean Birds print, will that name be yours?!!!

2008-08-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to have a garden it's pretty hard to resist taking some pictures of it, especially if you live in a part of the world where the whole thing ends up covered in snow for a big chunk of the year!

Can you smell this basil? These tomatoes? Ahh... my pretties.

Just like Pooh bear, I love it when the bees are buzzing...

Okay back to work, but first I need to play my recorder for a bit and build something with my Lego...

Don't forget the Giveaway! See details below. Have a fantastic weekend!

2008-08-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it's nearly time to bid a fond farewell to the "Birdabies". I really love this print and it seemed like a lot of other people did too because it sold very quickly; today I only have a handful left.

I thought I might like to have some more birds scratching around my Etsy store so here is my new print, "Jelly Bean Birds" which was lots of fun to make. So much fun, these prints may well be imbued with rocking good vibes because I was in a jolly mood as they came into being!

It's been a long weekend here in Toronto and I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a peek at some other blogs. I noticed that many talented folks are doing GIVEAWAYS, what an excellent idea! I think I will do what all the cool kids are doing and follow suit.

So, if you are an exuberant sort* and would enjoy an extra splash of colour in your day please leave me a comment and I'll pick someone at random on the 15th of August to win one of these limited edition prints. Please be sure to leave me a way of contacting you, a blog link or email address for instance. I don't think many people visit yet so your chances are good!!

And if you are interested in winning more artful goodies go check out littlebird blog -- she has something lovely there, you might be lucky enough to call it your own...

*Maybe you dream of being an exuberant sort and just have too much beige in your days?

It's been so nice to hear from you all -- you've inspired me to do a giveaway at the beginning of each month, share the love and all...

THANK YOU!

2008-08-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

My, my, what a curious day.

I've been welded to the computer chair all afternoon, so much has been going on! My dear friend from Denmark helpfully drew my attention to the Etsy front page treasury were "Birdabies" was having a brief moment of fame thanks to the birdliscious selection by Etsian Rivulettecraft. Stephanie from Rivulettecraft has oodles of lovelies in her store...

Then the front page treasury changed and my print "Magic Moss Bears" was there! I know the treasury does some curious things when items sell so maybe I wasn't actually chosen for this particular treasury but just turned up there anyway, I dunno. I did manage to capture a screen shot of Rivulettecraft's treasury but had difficulty getting the whole thing to fit so my apologies to the stores that I managed to cut off in this shot below.

Thanks to this little blip of exposure I sold some prints and while I was getting them all ready to ship my blogging mentor Raina of beautiful Rainingsheep fame informed me that she had done a post called "socks for helen"! Crikey!!

Raina knits fantastic things and was kind enough to make me a pair of wondrous socks, so wondrous in fact that I'm not sure they are for wearing; maybe just for photo opportunities and a bit of fondling. Photography is another love for this talented gal, check out the luscious montage in her latest post which includes my socks!

Raina's photograph features soft, golden light and my socks enjoying the breeze against a verdant Summer oasis...

... and my "find the socks" against backdrop of partially falling apart rag rug, last-vestiges-of-daylight-really-needs-a-flash snap shot.*

*Raina, I was going to do a picture like you did with the clogs but my clogs are not glamourous and pristine like your clogs (you don't actually garden in them?), mine look like a dog chewed them. Now I do know a dog...

And to finish this epic post, I am happy to be able to send a little more love Amnesty International's way thanks to everyone's support. Thank you so much!

2008-07-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hubba hubba!
Is there something missing from your life? Maybe you have a reclining-male-with-deer-head sort of deficiency thingy.
Megan Bonovich can help you!

2008-07-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

There are some plants in Montreal...

2008-07-28T13:49:00.001-07:00

I was thinking today as I was having a look at another blog, that blogging seems to come to some very easily, me not so much. I can see that it's a really useful tool and certainly everyone seems to have one (or two, or three... ) but I always feel like a bit of an egg when I blog. Maybe it'll just be my "blegg" from now on.*

*Geeez. See what I mean?

2008-07-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Nice eh? I've had my eye on these for a while, they remind my of kina (sea urchin) from back home. They are from Element Clay Studio.

2008-07-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have a bear problem. I have some bears but I can't seem to decide what kind of bears they will be. They are most definitely lovely bears but are they also golden bears? Endangered bears? Magical bears? Hmmm...

2008-07-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

The first time I remember flying above the clouds I was eight years old. We left a grumpy, grey day below but above the clouds I couldn't believe what I saw -- an enchanting world of blue, white and gold -- a beautiful, sunny day! I guess I've had a bit of a thing for that cloudy realm ever since, not in a religious sense, I just think it would make for a lovely place to hang out from time to time.

I thought these colours were kind of funky and upbeat. It all came out a bit "care bears" in the end but I stand by my choice!

2008-07-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

What jaunty little hats! If I were to own one, I think I'd be just as happy to admire it as an ornament as to use it as an article of clothing. From Dadaya.

2008-07-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

It seems that everyone's number one way of being earth-friendly these days is taming the evil plastic bag.

So, our consumerism is encouraged, we stock our environment friendly Walmart tote* to the max with stuff produced in sweatshops and packaged in non-recyclable plastic, but it's okay because we're not using a plastic bag! What the? While our attention is focussed on things like plastic bags, "big business" continues to commit terrible environmental atrocities on a daily basis, how convenient.

Here's someone else (Joshua Allen -- street artist) 'taming the bag' but in a most ingenious way.

* yes, Walmart has jumped on the green bandwagon and it now produces it's own "earth friendly" tote. Can you imagine?

Thanks, Heather for showing me this!

2008-07-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah, well I wish I had done these myself. Check out the work by littlebirdesigns -- stunning stuff!

2008-07-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

A celebration of all parts of the journey but especially the vintage years!

Images of perfect youth abound so I wanted to create something that acknowledged the grandeur of those grand in years.

My mother would tell me that it's all very well discussing old age in rosey terms from the advantageous position of being in one's 30's but it is my hope that one day I get to be old and fabulously bold at that!

Certainly in many other cultures older people get to hold a privileged position in society and their thoughts and presence are revered. By respecting our elderly there is a good chance that we will in turn be respected and if not, well, we can always be old and bold!

2008-07-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

I really like these. These are cool!
The Toronto Craft Alert blog has a nice interview with the artist, Julie Moon and more images of her work are available at www.juliemoon.ca

2008-06-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

"Alone, aloud in the raptured ear of men
We pour our dark nocturnal secret; and then,
As night is withdrawn
From these sweet-springing meads and bursting boughs of May,
Dream, while the innumerable choir of day
Welcome the dawn."

From the poem Nightingales by Robert Bridges

2008-06-29T19:01:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... satisfying.
This week I completed 2 new limited edition prints, they are available in my Etsy store.

2008-06-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today I am delighted to be able to make my second donation to Amnesty International. Thank you so much for supporting my work and by extension the truly valuable work that Amnesty does defending human rights and non-violence for all.

2008-06-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

My Small World. Hmmm... reflecty.

2008-06-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

There's this other fantastic street artist I know...

2008-06-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Some more weekend fun...

2008-06-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

There's this fantastic tree in New Zealand called a Kauri tree.

Actually rather than a tree, it's more like the tree of New Zealand and for you Kiwis reading this you can't go counting the Ponga because that's a fern, iconic and tree-sized piece of flora though it may be. Kauris can live to be over a thousand years of age and the ancient ancestors of the modern day Kauri were living during the Jurassic period!

So anyway, I was thinking about the Kauri tree and in particular it's groovy seed cone which looks like this...

...and with thoughts turning to home I drew an illustration of a family tree.

So here it is, my "Family Tree"

Resemblances to any members of my family are purely unintentional!

2008-06-19T12:24:00.001-07:00

Weird hair, feeding some birds...

2008-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Stormy weather,
Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky,
Stormy weather...

We do seem to be having a lot of aberrant weather of late. Unlike Ella or Billie I wasn't worrying about no man when I created this but I was thinking that atmospherically everything feels a bit off. Fortunately people seem to be taking this strange weather and the probable causes for it a bit more seriously these days, we can but hope for better days, or in some parts of the world, preferably wetter days!

Still Loving the Suburbs and Too Much Weather limited edition prints. Originals were mixed media mad fun.

2008-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's true. Canada Post really does use actual snails to transport the mail.

Amy from Pikaland tells me that my contribution for Pikapackage has not arrived!? The little gastropoda assigned to deliver my package has clearly lost it's way.

I also suspect that there is a room at the back of the post office where large packages are used as furniture for at least a couple of weeks before they are dispatched to find their way (ever so slowly) to their destinations.

I'm going to go relieve my frustration by weeping gently in a corner now...

Possible Canada Post employee (courtesy Wikipedia) looking for my lost package.

2008-06-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

Pen and ink peacocks. People like birds...
Birds like birds. Don't see a peahen anywhere, they must fancy each other.

2008-06-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

And you thought you had a hard time getting started in the morning...

Photograph of a dragonfly covered in dew by Martin Amm.