Abigail 2/9/15 Abigail 2/9/15

Green + New

Snowed-in again and a brutal case of cabin fever has me ready to climb the walls. So what's a girl to do? Re-design her website, that's what. I've added a few new pieces, updated the book list and dusted off the pixels in general.

Abigail 2/3/15 Abigail 2/3/15

Snow and Sundry Other Things

Since our last transmission:

* Blizzards and book sketches have had me in mole mode as of late. Ergo, there's been many cups of this tea.

* I'm completely obsessed with Natural Companions, by Ken Druse. I've been using it for reference material -- it's a goldmine of botanical images.

* Anyone else watching the absolutely delightful Grantchester?

* And I'm planning a craft night, tentatively for March, at my studio. Local (i.e, Seacoast New Hampshire/Southern Maine) and interested? Drop me a line at abigail@theodesign.com and I'll keep you in the loop!

Abigail 1/23/15 Abigail 1/23/15

Moonglow Mystery, Redux

This past fall, I'd painted some mysterious figures on a moonlight mission. I ended up turning it into a pattern, then promptly forgot about it until I spotted a two for one deal on fat quarters on Spoonflower. Exclamation point!

A fat quarter turned out to be enough for a detachable Peter Pan collar. And now I feel like I'm ready to go out and solve a mystery or two myself. Move over, Nancy Drew.

Abigail 1/19/15 Abigail 1/19/15

The Elf Maiden

I started reading Kristin Lavrandsdatter last week, hence, the elf maiden above.

Abigail 1/9/15 Abigail 1/9/15

Winter Wear

A little warmup sketch. She's dressed exactly like I want to be right now, in the middle of this arctic blast.

Abigail 1/6/15 Abigail 1/6/15

Two Thousand and Fifteen

Happy New Year! Here's the view from the window by my drafting table this morning. That river's looking mighty cold today.

So Christmas was lovely and New Year's was great -- here's hoping yours was, as well. I visited with family, ate large quantities of baked goods and enjoyed all of the goodwill and cheer. But now, I'm back in the studio, raring to go. I'm working on a new picture book and sketches are keeping me busy. Aside from that, I've been mulling over New Year's resolutions. So here's what I'm going to push up my sleeves and give a go:

* I'm collaborating with my sister on an online comic that we're hoping to share some time this Spring. She's writing, I'm illustrating and we're both pretty darn excited about this. More on that later.

* I want to sew and knit more of what I wear on a daily basis. A party dress with a paper wasp print? Made it. 1920's bathing suit? Done that. But the kind of shirt I'd wear 'till the cows come home? Nope. And in keeping with that goal, I've got my eye on Grainline Studio's Archer pattern and Colette Patterns jersey Moneta dress.

* Take a class or two. I've been thinking of an etching class maybe and I'm trying to find a cake baking one as well.

And besides that, there's vague plans of travel, sit-ups and 25 books that I want to read. So here's to 2015. Insert lots of noisemaker noise-making and clinking of glasses.