Happy New Week!

National Go Birding Day was on Saturday of this past weekend, so Patty wore her favorite hat and waited around in case anyone wanted to snap a pic of her in the garden.  This was her favorite pose.

~ Priscilla

Character Studies: Getting In Touch With Feelings

These are the three emotions that I've been dealing with here in the Midwest: Frustration, Confusion and Elation...It's Spring after all, and for the first time I've been early with all my seed plantings. So it goes without saying that of course they're huge now and I have no where to put them because it's too cold outside to plant! Perfect emotions for character studies though, at least I can manage that when the weather isn't cooperating!   ~ a : )

Character Sketches: Pug Edition

I sat down to do some character sketches of our pug, and just had to laugh. The subtleties and nuances of pug emotions are far too complex for us to grasp. A life of peace and contentment. Absolutely marvelous!

Character sketches

I'm working on a picturebook.
Here's a sketch from it.

Here's another from the same book:

Only a few thousand more sketches and I'll have that book figured out. :)
-- Ruth McNally Barshaw

Character Sketches

Character sketches in progress, still whittling away! 

Character Study Sketches this week

Happy New Week!!

I'm always amazed at what even the slightest change or tweak in sketches can make to a character or characters.  Pardon the large-ness of these sketches, however, wanted you to see clearly because the changes/tweaks are mainly facial, and a little in the body language, too.

It's really fun to move the eyes, mouth, head and neck to see what different emotions, interactions, or 'story' it evokes.  

These two little playground friends have been sitting in one of my files, quietly waiting for their story to unfold.  The top sketch is the original.  I think the bottom sketch shows a bit of either bad news, gossip, or a sad-something going on or being said by Annie.  Do you agree?

I can't wait to see what the other Sketchables post this week!

~ Priscilla

egg holders or name place cards

I figured you can do a couple of things with these little doggies. Create place cards for your Easter meal or have them be Easter egg holders!

Forgive the terrible job I did cutting these out, but the photos above show my meaning. I used a small clothes pin to hold up one of the place cards, or you can cut out the paper strips. You cut out the strips and tape them behind the card in a loop. The loop also holds your decorated Easter eggs.

Have a lovely Easter and weekend!

-Joy

Springtime butterfly note card

Hey, kids!
With your teacher or another adult's help, download this pdf:
http://www.ruthexpress.com/html/barshawbutterflynotecard.pdf 
Print it, cut and fold following the instructions, and you'll have a 3-dimensional butterfly note card where the butterfly sits on top.

Happy Spring! 

Here in the Great White North, the snow has finally melted and the crocuses and tulips are starting to come up. I haven't seen any butterflies yet (except on Spring Break in Texas), but I'm confident they're arriving soon. And until then, I'll make do with paper butterflies flittering on my notecards.

-- Ruth McNally Barshaw

Easter decoration

Cut out scallops or just punch hole in top and hang up.

Egg Hunt Memory Game

Spring Greetings!  Today I'm sharing a free printable Egg Hunt Memory Game.  Click here to download the PDF file for the card game and matching envelope. Print out the cards and envelope on cardstock.  You can laminate the cards so they can withstand a little more play from smaller hands.

The envelope will stay closed if it's folded like this with one flap on top of the other.  

You could include the memory game in an Easter Basket or print a few sets to give away to the little ones at your celebration this weekend.

These cards can be printed for your own personal use, use in a classroom or daycare.  If you share this on your blog please link back to this post.  If you'd like to see more of my work head on over to www.heatherpowersart.com.

Easter & Spring Printables Week!

We are working up some fun printables for you to enjoy!

BUNNY BUNTING Printable by Priscilla

Directions:
Right click to save this BUNNY BUNTING image to your computer to print out.

~ Print out as many sheets as you'd like, and then…
~ Cut-out around each BUNNY, while humming a happy tune…
~ Use a Hole-Puncher to make holes where the little circles are on each little BUNNY ear
~ Thread your BUNNY BUNTING together with string or ribbon!

Now it's ready to hang ~ Happy Easter Week to you!    ~ Priscilla

Hippogriffs

Imagining how nice it would be to tuck under Mama's wing during an April shower.

April showers

April showers

 bring mud

and sometimes comeuppance for people who haven't been nice.

These sketches are from my fourth Ellie McDoodle book, Most Valuable Player.

-- Ruth McNally Barshaw

Dancing in the Rain

I love the freedom of the uninhibited heart.

April Showers

I've learned not to grump about the weather - rainy days are good for quiet times like curling up with your favorite book.

April Showers Week

"Hello happy little rain boots, " breathed Megan.

Joy-Woodland Creatures

Our theme this week is "woodland creatures". I know those gnomes are out there somewhere.

Have a lovely weekend!
-Joy

Bears Can't Read

Doubtful this could EVER be a kid's book...but I couldn't help having fun with this.