Natural Mama's Big Camp 2012

It may be Monday, but it somehow manageable as it comes on the heels of a fab weekend! The camp was considerably more popular this year and still had that good one-big-family feel to it. 

 My hubby, Oak, and I got to try out our new tent on Friday midday. For us, a tent we can now stand it, with lots of room, and it made it so much more comfortable.

Proud Hubby in front of our tent

There was lots going on throughout the 3-day camp, with campfires at night and workshops during the day. On the Saturday there was also a market place, in which i took part. There were lots of beautiful slings, and yarns and carriers among the wares for sale from various venders at the market place. My baby wearing and breastfeeding prints and cards proved popular and I also had a fantastic time as all of us were camp members. There was a fashion show with lots of mamas wearing their cute tots, and a fantastic raffle. I even won some nice smellies! 

Snuggling under our Lana Jade

Oak spent LOTS of time running free

Can't wait until next year's camp

Late night Cuddles

I haven't had much chance to be really creative this past week, but I did create this cute little pen and watercolour illustration.

It depicts a mother holding her baby tightly late a tight embracing those special twilight moments between a mother and her child.

 I've made her into cute little cards

Supporting your community

Since starting to sell my work I have met some amazingly talented people, who are also work at home mamas producing work for other mama's and their babies.


I hope you don't mind but I want to start sharing these with you, because they are an amazing resource and I feel so strongly about the importance of supporting independent artisans in their work.


It is comforting to know the things we buy have been made with love and not mass produced in unethical circumstances.


Today I want to share with you the amazingly talented 'Little Woodlanders' who produce the most beautiful handcrafted Natural wooden babywearing figures, 
teethers, and toys for open ended, imaginative, creative play.


I plan to buy some of their toys for my little boy as I know they will spark his imagination.


If you have time I would love for you to check out their Etsy store, and pop along and like their Facebook page.

Here are some of my favourite pieces that Rachel makes.

Illustration Friday: Suspend

This weeks doodles for illustration Friday.

The topic this week is suspend:

'hanging there suspended in the air, he thought to himself that maybe this wasn't a good idea after all'

 Some in process shots:

Original thumbnail sketch

Final sketch

 Almost finished

Words to live by

I have been busy using my newly created backgrounds to produce a series of mini posters full of beautiful words to live by. 

These are words that truly mean something to me, either words I need to hear and take note of, or special Buddhist quotes.

They are a cute A5 size, like a big postcard, I plan to put some up around my cubicle at work. I'm only at my day job two days away, but I often need some words of wisdom whilst I am there!!!

You can find these in my Etsy shop, and are £6 each

Words to live by

Painting from my heart

I've been doing a fantastic mixed course recently, it has encouraged me to start letting go and get really creative.

I've been enjoying getting covered in paint, carving my own stamps and creating my own stencils. I've been getting in touch with colours from deep within, and starting to delve deep inside my heart.

I want to share some of my backgrounds, printed papers and general creative fun.

Refresh - Illustration Friday

Just incase anyone thinks I've been getting a bit too serious with my illustrations recently, I've pulled Lemonhead back out of his grove.

This is my submission for this week's Illustration Friday topic:

REFRESH

I have used a combination of biro, pencil, highlighters and tippex on this one.

Inspired by my heart

I had a wonderful day painting yesterday, after being sick with a nasty cold all last week it felt good to be free with a paint brush in hand.

Inspired by my recent discovery of my inner colour palette (from doing Danita Art's course), I wanted to put it into practice, and I was determined that what ever I painted had to be from deep within my heart.

My husband and I have been blessed with the most inspiring and beautiful little boy, and we would love to have more than just the three of us in our family. Sadly we have already lost one pregnancy but we still dream that we will have more children to share the love and join in the fun.

So this painting is about our dreams of another baby, it is called 

'To dream of you on a crystal night'

The colour inspiration

Everyday should be your birthday

This past week was my birthday. Happy birthday me!

We have a tradition in our house, that everyone has a birthday week as well as a birthday day.

It just means that you get a bit more wiggle room, and don't have to do as much housework, and you can have extra treats or a special meal by playing the birthday trump card. It's kind of nice because you feel extra special.

But really because we should all feel that 'extra specialness' everyday. We should all feel spoilt, even if not by anyone else, but by ourselves.

So my birthday gift to myself is to make myself feel special every day. Not by physical treats but in the way I think and act about myself. After all everyday should be your birthday.

I have to confess to be very spoilt this birthday. One of my closest and oldest friends spoilt me by throwing a small bonfire party, with a special treat of using their outside bathtub.... bliss... it is heated by a fire underneath. I was invaded though by 3 children!

I was also given 3 of the most beautiful birthday cards.

 Made by Ursula aged 8

 Made by Toby aged 5

Stunning die cut card from my beautiful sister.

I was spoilt further by the gift of a place on Danita Art's 'Mixed Media from the Heart' course, which started on my birthday. Just about to start week 2 tomorrow and so far I am loving every minute of it.

Even after 1 week I feel a new side of my work is blossoming.

So Happy Birthday to everyone, be kind to yourself today.