Friday, September 16, 2011

Slow progress

There has been a lot of behind the scenes work over the last couple of weeks. Sourcing photos and trying to find the photographer and get permission to use the picture. Creating lists of where the picture comes from and who has and hasn't given permission. Sticking the pretty paper to the often three coated backing card. And cutting out the words. My friend Kim (who is also a member of the 'business' accountability group I set up last year, a pre school teacher AND most importantly is the person who suggested an affirmation ABC) phoned on Tuesday to say she was concerned that because I am using a higgildy piggildy font IE home made and  I have made the affirmation words curve around the animal,  kids, especially dyslexic ones, would find them too hard to read. A sleepless night ensued. Creatively I want them to curve they look 100% better. But I didn't want to make it hard for kids to read. Then I figured that in my mind I am making this a book for parents to read to kids, I am basically pitching it at 3 year olds. Anyway, in the end I have kept going with my creative vision. If anyone wants to publish it and thinks the words must be straight then I figure I can make it again. It would be a lot quicker the second time around.

I am still have difficulty with eager like an elephant, my two playing elephant babies look like something else to some people! I have looked at sooooo many pictures of elephants. They are not really eager animals! And a unicorn was proving to be a problem till I had a brainwave and got in touch with Sheri Cook from Paint Party Friday She has given me a picture of Lippizzaner she drew with pastels.  He still needs his golden horn! Lets hear it for PPF networking!

These are some of the others I have done. You have already seen the cat but it's sneaked in cos I changed it from clever to curious.
The colour is a bit dodgy cos the curtain is closed to stop them curling up in the sunlight. I particularly like the Iguana! My goal for next week is to have it all done. That might be a bit of a push as I have started a from home selling job which is now taking up some time. If not by the end of next week then for sure the week after.  Looking forward to catching up after a week away.
And today is my niece's LAST CHEMO YEAH.

41 comments:

  1. I like the fabulous flamingo best ;o)

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  2. I love the idea of PPF networking! I've thought to add some questions to my post, to get answers from the other artists, but haven't done it yet. Happy PPF!

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  3. They are all good, the flamingo is my fave. But did you mean to spell imaginative with an A instead of an I in the middle? Hugs, Valerie

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  4. $%%****$ no I didn't! I will have to do it all again.

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  5. HI guys I would be really grateful if you say why something is your favorite. E.G. If the Flamingo your favorite is it cos fabulous is straight or because of the colours?

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  6. I see what you mean about the elephant picture! Elephants strike me as more emotional and deep thinking, more serious creatures. I 'm trying to think of an 'e' adjective to convey what i mean but the only thing i can think of is earnest? the cat is my favourite just because the picture really conveys the curiousity!

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  7. Wow! That's really getting complicated now. :) Hope it all comes out in the end. Great progress.

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  8. I like the unicorn, in that position and pink background, it seems really a myth. Saludos

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  9. Love your artwork ~ Follow your heart ~ You can always do another with straight letters ~ PPF network sounds great and working! ~~Happy PPF ~namaste, Carol ^_^ ( Share the Creative Journey)

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  10. They are looking great and yay! for PPF networking! I like the curved letters too.

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  11. Well the elephants do look, um, eager. I like the iguana best. :) Yay for no more chemo for your niece!

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  12. Love the unicorn, but then the elephants too. They are looking good. Hope your weekend is great. Happy PPF!

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  13. I'm loving your alphabet...so creatively awesome! you inspired me to go down the ABZ's road again. Look forward to seeing this one progress. happy ppf! POP ART MINIS

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  14. Brand new to PPF and glad to hear the networking is great! I have felt nothing but wonderful support from PPF so far, too, and it's been less than a day!

    Your alphabet is so creative!
    Happy PPF!
    ~Mary

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  15. Lovely pieces - can't decide on a favourite. Love the cats and elephants. Watched a great TV prog this week about baby elephants - they are so adorable.

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  16. LOL on the elephants - now I can't see it any other way. I really love the hippo because of the color combination, those gorgeous background swirls and the fact it looks like it's smiling. I'm also loving the cat because the picture is so perfect. (and I'm a sucker for those orangey blue contrasts). I agree with your decision to stick with the curving letters. If you were creating a text-book for early readers you might consider different font/text. (but then again, if this was a book for beginning independent readers you probably wouldn't be using words like "fabulous" and "beautiful" anyway) . This is a gorgeous book for a parent and child to read together and the text is an important part of your beautiful design.

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  17. Tough choice between the straight lettering and the free-form. I agree that ABC's are usually being read to children too young to read on their own. Go with what feels most artistically right.

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  18. That fabulous flamingo belongs here in Florida with me! LOL Great work!! Happy PPF!!

    Ileana (aka "Scarlet") at www.chica1665.blogspot.com

    PS - Google wouldn't let me sign in with my address...I wonder why I'm suddenly having trouble accessing blog comments my new computer. :/

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  19. beautiful, well a fav,, mmm, the elephant,, looks so regal and honest, thankgoodness your niece is finished her treatments,, beat wishes for her!

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  20. These continue to be GREAT and I'm so glad you decided to keep the letters curving, 'cause I love them like that! Not that my opinion is relevant, but there it is if you want it ;)
    Happy PPF,
    Stephanie

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  21. Lovely letters! Just love the curious cat! Happy PPF! Theresa

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  22. They're looking great!
    Hooray for your niece's last chemo :)

    xo
    Kristin

    p.s. If you're looking for an eager elephant have you looked at photos of circus elephants? (I just finished reading "Water for Elephants" so maybe I just have them on the brain! hee hee)

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  23. Hippo is my fave! Sounds a bit stressful but looks like you're on the right track and know what you want and what your vision is!

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  24. Ohhhh I have to say I love that Curious Cat best of all! I hope you find your solutions for the Unicorn! Keep up the great work and have a great PPF!

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  25. Oh yeah the Imaginative Iguana is my favorite!!!!They are all beautiful, you are doing great and I wouldn't worry about the curve letters, they do look better that way!I'm sure everyone can still read them and it will make it more fun if the kids have to tilt their heads too! A circle would even be fun, maybe with a monkey where he is upside down at the other end! Happy PPF ! Deb

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  26. What a cute idea! I like them all, don't think I can really pick a favorite! Happy PPF!

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  27. I believe I'm new to your blog. Lovely works. Enjoying your imagination. :)

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  28. These are just great. My fav is the flamingo be ause of the colors and simplicity of the composition.

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  29. Networking is always good.

    I like the alphabet pages. Very cool.

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  30. What a wonderful and creative work Rosie! Thanks for discussing the process too. I hope I could draw something to help you out perhaps but I am not sure if I can catch up with your deadline. Anyhow, you've worked hard and come a long way.. I look forward to seeing the rest!

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  31. Elephants are my favorite the illustration the color...but they are all fabulous!! Pretty colors!

    Hugs Giggles

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  32. Love what you've done here. I think the curved letters look great. (The only 3 year old I know that could read a book was my daughter, but she's in her 40s now.) So I think it will be parents reading it to kids, for the most part. Did it have to be "eager"? I mean, are you following a certain adjective guideline? My first thought was "enormous".

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  33. I love Sheri's horses...great idea! Yay for networking! Happy PPF!

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  34. I like the ones that have the most contrast between the background and the images. And you are correct. Enormous is not very affirming for a person, but it is affirming for an elephant.

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  35. I love these! I too love the F for Flamingo. It may also be because my last name is F too! Happy PPF!

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  36. Love these, all are wonderful. Well Done!

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  37. All very beautiful but I adore the Curious cAT.

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  38. Awesome, colorful creations! I love Beautiful Butterfly =) Kathryn

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  39. so creative...beautiful colors.
    cheers, dana

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