January art, my etsy shop and Cricket magazine

The new year has started, I celebrated a birthday and I've been painting.

I began this one a year ago, then put it aside. 

I went back into it the other day and I'm pretty happy with it.

Above is the initial sketch. Hope you can tell it's a class on a field trip to the modern museum.

It's very cold this week, so I painted some bright springy flowers :)

below, with a muted grey background.

Speaking of flowers,

I just added three wristlets, a pencil case and a coin purse to my etsy shop - Blip Blop Shop

I sold two and gave one as a gift over the holidays. 

My friend, Margot Kingon sewed these for me and I think they're real sweet.

Take a look at my shop to see details.

While I was home for the holidays, I came across this vintage Cricket Magazine

from 1976. It's pretty great! The cover art is by Erik Blegvad

I don't think I ever entered a contest, but it's fun to read over this one.

I was surprised to find a poem by Sylvia Plath.

You can see The Bed Book on Brain Pickings, one of my favorite blogs btw

Sylvia wrote this series of poems for her own children 

It was illustrated by Quentin Blake 

The art here is by Emily McCully

I really like this Coming Attractions page and got a kick out of the 

worm wishing a Merry Christmas to his tail and vice versa ;)

It's in good shape overall. I'll give it a read!

Ok, that's all for now.

Off to locate more blankets!

Enjoy the rest of your week.

xo, A

Happy Holidays to You!

Is this bunny a guardian angel or an oversized ornament? 

All I know is Santa owl is quite tired and needs some help crossing things 

off his gift list! Bun can help, maybe.

:::

I was happy to receive some of my bag designs in the mail this week. 

Baby bird and doggie bag have been around, but the floral patterns are new.

The print quality by Society 6 never disappoints.

These come in various sizes and the patterns are available on other products, as well.

Take a look, especially if you still have some shopping to do!

Society6.com/AllynHoward

 The lovely talented Margot Kingon created wristlets, change purses and pencil cases 

with my new fabric patterns, these printed by Spoonflower. 

I just got them today and they look super sweet!

ps - Margot is exhibiting some of her mixed media work now at Catalyst Gallery in Beacon NY.

I love the pale pink and blue linings she chose.

I'll probably see if I can place a few of these in local shops 

and maybe even do a little give away here on the blog.

These are my favorite custom Christmas paintings painted on the front door of 

If I Were A Toy store over the last few years. They closed up shop last winter. 

It still feels a little strange not painting a theme there each month.

Court Street Carolers 

Gift from big Bear

Bear made it as a smaller illustration also.

You can buy A Gift for you as a print or cards in my Society6 shop - Allyn Howard

Also available as cards *only in my Etsy shop - Blip Blop Shop 

Thanks for stopping by.

* I hope you're enjoying a wonderful holiday season *

All my best!

xo, A