Proud Mommy Moment

Liam just drew himself.

He drew without anyone encouraging him to do so. He did it for me. And I love it! Isn't that the sweetest picture ever? He even used his favourite colour, green. I just scanned it in and had to darken it a bit in Photoshop as it was a bit light in places. Oh my boy is growing up!

The Birth of an Elf Postman

I got my husband to take a few pictures while I was making my newest elf. He's carrying a little satchel of post and blowing his bugle - my most ambitious elf to date! He still needs shorts and legs, but here he is in the making...






His postbag is still empty, it will get some letters.

I tried something a little bit different with these two. It didn't quite work out the way I was hoping, but still, for a first attempt I'm happy...

...not quite 1:12 scale, but where the big one is an ornament, the little one is a garden gnome =) Only thing is, now they need painting!

I am Done

I am done! I was surprised with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from the staff and children at the preschool, it was lovely and I cried, and I will miss them all terribly as Liam moves on to big school in September. I had great fun bringing the wall to life, and I hope the children coming in to the new school year enjoy it just as much as I do. Here are some close-ups of the children through the seasons.











And a rough composite of what the wall looks like. It's a bit tricky to photograph as the school wall is too close to the mural to get back far enough to shoot the spring/summer panels, and each panel is staggered down from the last, but the green line of the grass does match up in real life!

The End is in Sight!

I don't think I'll ever be able to say "It's completely finished" but tomorrow I will say "I'm done."
All that remains is touching up sky and grass, sealing it with the clear varnish, and writing the pre-school's name in a cloud above the winter girl. I have two helpers tomorrow, which, considering that it is the last day of school for the year, is a good thing! I think it looks fabulous, the kids love it, and I've enjoyed the process so much, listening to the kids come past every day, always with something to say about the latest addition. The summer girl was a huge hit in her pink dress, the autumn leaves, the dog! One boy said, "Oh look, she's finally done the dog!" and then the faces - they've come alive since I gave them eyes and noses and mouths!

And look, proof that is really was me painting - I'm giving the winter girl red spots on her pink wellies - now to find myself a pair just like them! One little boy greeted me this morning by saying "Hello Artist!" I used to be 'the painter'...seems I've moved up in the world!
Click to enlarge ;-)

How I unwind...

There is nothing more satisfying than taking a lump of clay, a cup of water and my favourite tool in the world, and creating a new little elf. This little one is very sweet and charming, holding the skirt of her coat. I took a friend to HobbyCraft last week, and bought a new block of Das air drying clay. More elves will definitely be born this summer...

This one needs a name, any suggestions?