Bottoming... (or Freddie and the Fairy)

Freddie, character sketches in gouache and ink

Bessie Belle, character sketches in gouache and ink

My friend Jay was over last week, we were sharing Battenburg and listening to Womans Hour when Jenni Murray announced that her mother used to refer to spring cleaning as "bottoming". Jay has a wry sense of humour and had a few words to say in response which (sadly) I can't repeat here. Anyway, it struck me as such a wonderful description that I have been going about the housework today smiling to myself! Our house is such a state that even my boy noticed that the dining room carpet looked bad, that is to say you could identify what meals we have had over the last week just by looking at the floor. I'm not usually so slovenly, in fact I am boderline OCD, but I've had a busy week working on these illustrations.

Waterstones have held a competition to find a new, unpublished illustrator for Julia Donaldson's new book.

The book is all about a boy (Freddie) who rescues a fairy (Bessie Belle) who grants his wishes to have some pets... Unfortunately Bessie Belle is a little hard of hearing and Freddie doesn't quite always get what he wishes for.

The winner of this competition will have their illustrations used in the new book to be published next Christmas - how amazing would that be? It's being judged by an illustrious panel including Julia Donaldson, Lauren Childs and the editor of children's books at Macmillans publishers, just to have the opportunity to have some illustrations seen by these people was enough to get me working all night for a week, I'm so shattered now though!

The competition is fierce, view the pool on Flickr here. Wish me luck!

Field and Sea Etsy Shop

I was wandering through some etsy shops (as one is often wont to do) and came across these lovelies from Field and Sea. They're called "Little Reminders - 20 Helpful Cards for the Tongue-Tied" and have little messages which you can leave like a calling card. "You're right, I'm wrong" is one that I would probably need in triplicate since I have a hard time admitting it. Romantic and literary. Just my thing. The shop also has lovely cards, stationery and pillow boxes, so do check it out.

SGx

A Beautiful Ripple Effect

"TRUE" for A Beautiful Ripple Effect, originally uploaded by sarah_gardner.

I just thought I would put a note up about a charity auction which I was asked to be a part of. Carolyn's Compassionate Children is a US based charity which raises money to help young adult cancer survivors pay for college. Carolyn Rubenstein has been running the charity since she was a teenager which I find both inspirational and amazing. The auction is a virtual auction on ebay and begins the 14th of April. For more details, check here. Oh, and the piece above is my donation. Handlettered gouche on paper, made especially for the event.

SGx

Did you know...

Did you know..., originally uploaded by sarah_gardner.

Alfie Jim

At long, long last my handsome boy is here. I wish you girls could meet him he's incredibly soft and smells like a cup of hot milk. We are all in love with him, even at 1am! Delicious x

folksy.com

Every Occasion Tags, Darling Dilly Dilly

Dirty Dolly, Chicken Dog

Green Ribbon Vase, Lauren Denny

Yes I'm officially bored... but putting my free time to good use with some serious internet trawling. Have you girls heard of Folksy? It seems to be like a UK Etsy. It has a way to go before reaching the professional look and service of Etsy (I really love the Etsy seller guide emails and labs) but it seems to be an easier way for folks in the UK to buy from artists and craftspeople than going through Etsy. Check it out and see what you think...

now this really is shameless self-promotion...

I have set up an etsy shop I hope that you don't mind me posting about it, maybe I can temper my self-marketing by sharing my favourite-so-far etsy sellers with you all; check them out here.

As you say SG, here's to building empires! x
PS: SB, next up is Facebook...