an open [sketch]book

new goldfish

2012-01-30T22:47:00.007-05:00

This morning I woke up to find one of my goldfish with his belly up. It broke my heart. Well, this evening I decided to get a new goldfish. I hope he likes his new home.

my paper trail

2012-01-27T15:58:00.002-05:00

a soft place to land

2012-01-25T14:59:00.001-05:00

sweet suga'

2012-01-23T16:18:00.007-05:00

Rosy outlook: not only is that how Photoshop describes the color pink I've used in this drawing, but it is just the way I would describe Miles' personality. Happy-go-lucky, always smiling and snort-laughing, he seems to get the most enjoyment from seeing Max happy. He's going to be a great brother.

illustrated journaling workshop in greensboro

2012-01-23T11:05:00.004-05:00

We are SO excited about leading the first workshop of the year at Just Be and we'd love for you to join us if you're in the area!

a lunch break

2012-01-11T20:57:00.005-05:00

There is so much I could say about this little drawing. But, I'll stick to the fact that it reminded me that it has been far, far too long since I've sat down, away from the computer, and used markers. When it's so easy to be exact in Photoshop, it's so easy to forget the beauty that comes from being imperfect in hand.

status report

2012-01-10T11:18:00.000-05:00

The holidays wore us out! Both boys were sick and sleep...sleep...well... Thankfully, things are back on track, routines have resumed and all is well.

happy, happy, joy, joy

2011-12-31T19:37:00.001-05:00

ho! ho! ho! merry christmas!

2011-12-21T22:34:00.004-05:00

busy days

2011-12-18T08:53:00.006-05:00

These days have been busy, but somehow I have managed to spare some time to have fun in my journal.

Mon, Dec 12 :: Max kept us up all night as he is currently teething. Miles slept like a possum.

Tue, Dec 13 :: Flew to Dallas, TX. Prepared for a big presentation.

Wed, Dec 14 :: Presentation went well! Suzanne called me to tell me Miles said "Dah-Dah".

the week in review

2011-12-17T16:20:00.009-05:00

Today marks a momentous occasion.

I finished a magazine.

Yes, that's right, a magazine. Not a book, mind you, but a simple periodical: 46 pages long. This may not seem like an accomplishment to many. But, with twin babies, reading anything beyond Clifford's Bedtime is an absolute luxury: one I savor at the end of a long day for exactly 4.1 minutes [or 5 paragraphs] before falling into the deep sleep [the deepest sleep one can achieve when they're sure to be awakened by strange breathing or a pacifier leaping out of the crib every 30 minutes or so].

It's this short attention span that has left me unable to complete a single issue of The Week for six and a half months before another week passes and another magazine arrives in my mailbox. Yes, today is a turning point.

mr. moptop

2011-12-13T20:21:00.009-05:00

Edgar doodled The Beagle and this 'cool kid' last night. Every time I've run across them on my desk today it's made me smile. I'm lovin' that hair!

a cute crustacean

2011-12-12T09:48:00.001-05:00

sleepwalking

2011-12-08T08:52:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Max, I'm neither a morning-person, a night-person, or a middle-of-the-day-person. I'm a zombie.

a happy recap

2011-12-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sharing the work we do doesn't always come easy.

I remember being very reluctant to start this blog a little over five years ago as I didn't know how I'd handle the criticism that was certain to come with going public. The internet can be a very mean place after all. This fear, however, was erased within my first week's worth of posts as I was introduced to an incredibly warm community of people who not only didn't tear me to shreds, but offered their unrelenting support.

But, while it's one thing to hang out behind a computer screen, it's another to stand by and attempt to sell your work in person. For many years this is something Edgar and I have both wanted to do, but ahhh, the pain to sit quietly and watch others mull over your work's [or in a sense, your] worth.

For this reason, this weekend's double dose of craft fairs ---The Greensboro First Friday Indie Market on Friday, and The Big Crafty in Asheville on Sunday--was a big hurdle for us. We tried to go into it with 'no expectations' but inside hoped we'd receive a fraction of the support that we've had the great fortune to meet online. Looking back over the past three days, we are once again in awe of the supportive community that surrounds us and humbled by the way in which our illustrations have been received. Trust me when I say that no kind word goes unheard, no smile overlooked.

I'm sure I speak for others out there when I say it is wonderful to have people connect with the thing you love to do most. For us it's not about the money, but the feeling that we are doing what we should be. Your gracious response to that which we put forward confirms this...and its a very good feeling.

Thank you so very much.

note to self: chichi

2011-12-04T20:32:00.001-05:00

illustrated journaling

2011-12-03T20:29:00.007-05:00

Last week I mentioned my desire to freeze time in sketches. As much as I want to do this, Edgar is much better at actually making it happen: drawing daily, without fail, in his journal. As a result he's created quite the record of this past year...something I'm sure the boys will treasure as they get older.

Here's is a tiny portion of the entries from the last few weeks...

Arriving home from vacation:

Before a super-busy time at work:

When he was sick:

[check out my cleavage]

When I needed my own super hero! [AKA my mom]:

On his dad's birthday:

Pokey and Reilly's thoughts on our new furniture:

Discussions between Max and my mom:

And working late, like tonight:

hope to see you!

2011-12-02T12:17:00.001-05:00

'tis the season

2011-12-02T11:29:00.009-05:00

...to eat within reason...

Now its your turn! Fill in the blank!
'Tis the season to ___________.
[Clever responses may very well merit clever illustrations!]

brown hand-drawn packages

2011-11-28T13:32:00.010-05:00

Checking some items off your Christmas list today? We hope you'll follow Santa's lead and visit our shop.

We're pleased to offer special personalized packaging this season, allowing your prints to go straight from the mailbox to under the tree. No additional wrapping necessary. Simply let us know who your gifts are for and we'll take care of the rest.

See our ever-expanding variety of prints, perfect for all the good girls and boys [and the bad ones for that matter!] here.

don't want to miss a thing

2011-11-25T19:57:00.009-05:00

'She was twice blessed. She was happy and she knew it." --Kathryn Windham

Edgar shared with me earlier how he wishes he could bottle up the moments we're living and keep them forever. Recording them in my sketchbook is my eager attempt to do just this.

Life is grand. And I love this little family of mine so, so much.

letting nature take the lead

2011-11-19T19:21:00.004-05:00

In the past Edgar has been determined to rake up the leaves from the million trees that surround our house as soon as they touch the ground. This year, however, the babies [or should I say, our bosses] have kept him too busy indoor to maintain the yard. As a result, when we look out our windows now the ground isn't a mossy green, but a wash of gold and amber. It reminds us just how beautiful nature is when left to do its own thing.

in other christmas news

2011-11-17T14:28:00.004-05:00

We're pleased to share that our work was awarded 1st place in the Downtown Greensboro holiday magazine cover competition. It is certainly nice to be recognized for doing something we love in a town we've grown very fond of.

If you're unfamiliar with Greensboro, the red awning across the street in this illustration belongs to what used to be Woolworth five-and-dime [currently the International Civil Rights Museum]. It was in this building that in 1960 four young black men, who refused to budge from a whites-only lunch counter, launched the civil rights sit-in movement, dramatically changing the course of history for the better.

santa's in the house!

2011-11-15T22:08:00.004-05:00

Yes, it seems a little early to me too. Nevertheless, we're busy little elves these days preparing goodies for Santa's list. Don't let those rosy cheeks and that belly of jelly fool you. He's quite a demanding boss!

a chip off the old block

2011-11-09T10:42:00.012-05:00

I haven't shared with you that Miles was born with a tooth. So was I. I like to say we are over-achievers since birth. But, as there are no scientific studies to prove it, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Right now this one little tooth is like a razor blade. Just this morning, I heard Max squeal after he'd inadvertently stuck his hand in Miles' mouth. Perhaps this will teach him not to stick his hand in other people's mouths...or not.

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Lots [and lots] of work happening these days...just not here. Here's hoping distance does indeed make the heart grow stronger!

no, they're not identical

2011-10-26T14:54:00.005-04:00

Edgar and I have been working for months now, struggling to define how Max + Miles should look in cartoon form. Yes, I know...isn't this the dilemma that every new parent faces? Anyway, today I think we've finally stumbled upon something.

I'm certain they will continue to be refined...an extra roll here, another dimple there...but it's a start. Mickey Mouse wasn't completed in a day, afterall!

And as for the title of this post, you wouldn't believe the number of times we've been asked this.

getting back in the swing of things

2011-10-24T15:20:00.001-04:00

...after spending a few days with the boys at my folks'.

so in love.

2011-10-14T19:54:00.004-04:00

The most significant part of Edgar's day...as revealed in his illustrated journal:)

there's an elephant in the room

2011-10-13T10:53:00.003-04:00

When my oldest sister was just a toddler she had an infatuation with elephants. Having asked for one as a pet, this is what she got. He's been standing in the window sill of my parent's kitchen ever since.

to the boys

2011-10-11T21:14:00.001-04:00

After putting the babies to bed, we've been spending many of our evenings in the shop working on a special memory box for our family. Here's a glimpse into our process.

three socks walk into a bar

2011-10-07T13:40:00.004-04:00

I'm doing laundry out the wazoo these days. Luckily, M + M equate watching me folding laundry to the finest in quality entertainment, with emptying the dishwasher running a close second.

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On another note, regarding my last post---sometimes I write about how I'm feeling in a given moment and move right on, giving it little extra thought. However, in this instance, several of you were more tuned into my emotions than I was. I'm very grateful for your kind words and thoughts. Right now is the best time of my life, but also the most challenging. No book could have prepared me for the roller coaster ride of motherhood.

four eyes, two heartbeats, twenty toes

2011-10-04T13:05:00.005-04:00

Miles + Max at their 4-month checkup this morning.

After a couple of days of being down in the dumps (for no good reason whatsoever), I got a reminder today of how incredibly, incredibly fortunate I am.

a prickly subject

2011-09-29T17:54:00.003-04:00

We've lived with this cactus for four years. In that time it hasn't grown a millimeter. Makes me wonder just how old it must be..

lines of love

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

With this said, I'm hereby redoubling my efforts to draw the boys. Their time as babies is fleeting and I want them to one day look back at my sketches and see how much their mom studied [and adored] their little faces, hands, feet.

all hands on deck

2011-09-24T20:37:00.008-04:00

We spent our vacation at the beach with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. Not only was it wonderful spending quality time with my family, but the extra hands also meant that mine were free to do a bit of sketching.

Oddly enough, in a few short months I'd almost forgotten how much more of a moment I soak in when tracing it with my pen. I must do this more often...especially when it comes to my boys [more on this in my next post].

please excuse the dust

2011-09-23T13:44:00.007-04:00

We're back home after a few days on vacation. Feeling rested, relaxed, recharged and ready to rumble...or is it tumble? I'm spending today doing laundry, the likes of which I've never seen before!

Well maybe here.

new in the shop! : tennis love

2011-09-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

Yep, that's right...this coming from the girl with two left-feet. Fortunately, athleticism isn't required to love watching tennis.

Visit our shop here.

spice girl

2011-09-07T14:14:00.003-04:00

After taking some time off, Baby Crocker is once again attempting to crawl out from that awkward drawer underneath the oven and cook for her family.

Let's hope Rachael Ray can help with this revival.

two for the price of...two

2011-09-06T14:58:00.003-04:00

I was under the impression that hospitals offered discounts to mothers who had two babies at one time. You know, buy one, get one free...or, at the very least, half-off... Apparently, this is not the case. The hospital shares neither my vision nor my sense of humor.

In other news, last night I dreamed I had quads.

The stack of bills could certainly be higher.

pump or pay?

2011-09-02T19:35:00.008-04:00

When I was in high school I went on a date with a boy, who, when pulling into a gas station, asked me if I wanted to 'pump' or 'pay'? It was one or other...he couldn't seem to manage both.

These days I feel like I've thrown a similar question of y'all...myself.... Do we want pictures OR words? I've only had the energy for one or the other. You get a picture, or you get a few words. Gone are the days of the deluxe value meal.

It's doubtful that it will be tomorrow or even next month, but one day soon I'm hoping to be capable of delivering on both: pictures AND words. And not just for you...but for me...the girl eagerly awaiting the opportunity to add a sketchbook to that diaper bag.

Until then, thanks for pumping :D

bay-b-watch

2011-09-01T16:00:00.001-04:00

sweet feet

2011-08-29T10:31:00.000-04:00

free shipping this hurricane weekend

2011-08-26T16:00:00.008-04:00

There's a storm heading our way! Time to heed Mama's advice and put on some rain boots! This weekend only receive free domestic shipping on this rainy day print [or any of our others] with the coupon code: IRENE. After all, isn't it time to make the most out of a bad situation? Pick up your prints here.

In all seriousness, wishes of safety and comfort to all in the storm's path.

pacifiers illustrated

2011-08-25T19:40:00.012-04:00

It's incredible to me how, at just three months, the babies have such strong preferences when it comes to their latex bling. As I want to remember these tidbits in the future, tonight I decided to create a 'pacifier directory'. But, as is often the case when they are needed, I could only locate a half-dozen of the countless pacifiers hanging out eveeerrrrywhere in our home.

Thus, I present a partial pacifier survey:

These two are the best in the middle of the night when the lights are off. Unlike the others, there is no wrong way to put these in the little guys' mouths.

Max's Favorite. He tends to spit this one out the least.

These were given to the boys-to-be by their grandparents this past Christmas. They were presented in two tiny stockings. The yellow one has been a trusted companion from the babies first days at home, but tonight it's headed straight to trash as it looks grimy despite several attempts at sterilization.

The pacifier that belongs with this clip is currently in Miles' mouth. I wouldn't dare take it out, no matter how important the drawing.

watch what you sketch!

2011-08-19T20:15:00.003-04:00

I received this article via a google alert this morning. I thought it was too funny to pass up sharing:

[Click on image to see larger.]

the basketball diaries

2011-08-17T21:41:00.005-04:00

Tuesday: Louie and I got our butts kicked playing basketball at the Rec Center.

Wednesday: Prepared and seeking revenge, we returned to the Rec Center, only to find the court was already reserved for a dog-training class. Bummer.

splish splash, max is taking a bath!

2011-08-12T09:15:00.002-04:00

We've had an extraordinary amount of unexpected house guests this week. And oddly enough, they all show up at bath time!

First there was Louis XIV...

Followed by the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams...

Next came the Cowardly Lion...who surprisingly, for a feline, liked the water!

Then Vanilla Ice!

And last, but certainly not least, Elvis!

Rub-a-dub-dub!

Up for some more bath-time fun? Check out this video. Thankfully that visitor hasn't shown up at our house. Though I'm sure its only a matter of time...

the man behind the curtain

2011-08-11T13:17:00.005-04:00

Another perspective of Friday night's Indie Market.

On another note, I want to let you know how thankful Edgar and I are for your continued readership. In the past, we've always tried to follow-up with every comment, visiting blogs and getting to know you better. Unfortunately, time doesn't allow for that right now. But, rest assured we take note of every comment we receive...follower we gain....and that your presence here inspires us beyond words and sketches! Thank you!

don't look now, but

2011-08-10T14:25:00.002-04:00

Look inside this issue here.

and speaking of love...

2011-08-09T08:48:00.002-04:00

May the sun continue to shine on what we share. Happy Anniversary Edgar.

our finest works of art

2011-08-08T22:39:00.012-04:00

Last week we did something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time...sell our illustrations at a local market. We had a terrific time Friday evening gaining experience merchandising our work, meeting lots of nice folks, even discussing the occasional spotted banana.

But as fun as it was, it simply didn't compare to the joy of coming home to these little guys sleeping peacefully in their crib [even if the peace only lasted a few minutes]. I never knew that I could love two souls so much.

I also NEVER knew my heart could be so full.

introducing : a downtown affair

2011-08-05T12:50:00.006-04:00

We're excited to share with you a NEW limited edition print inspired by summer nights spent downtown!

Find it now on Etsy or visit us [where else but downtown?] tonight at Greensboro's First Friday Indie Market on the corner of MLK and S. Elm. We'll be there from 4 to 9, rain or shine!

Hope to see you!

a girl's gwotta do what a girl's gwotta do

2011-08-04T14:00:00.010-04:00

Dearest Readers----

Reilly here.

Dad and mom are so busy with the twins these days, that they don't seem to 'have time' to post about me and my accomplishments. Gwuess I'll have to do it myself. You see, I'm famous. Well, more famous than usual.

I'm featured in the current issue of Uppercase Magazine. Yep, front and center. That's me...right here...page 67.

Uh-huh. I'll admit it's not my best angle. I mean the least mom could have done was show my gworgeous eye patch. [Not to gwossip or nothing, but you know that lots of gwirls pay top dollar to have markings like it!] At least she included my pawdicure.

Oh, and did you happen to notice the cutie on the cover? Who am I kidding? How could you miss him? Ay caramba! A man in a bow tie! [insert squeal] If only there were sophisticated hunks like this in my neighborhood.

Until next time. XOXO----

Reilly

silly business

2011-08-01T09:03:00.005-04:00

I spent some time at my mom and dad's over the weekend, and for the first time in quite a while had an opportunity to draw for pure pleasure--and what a pleasure it was!

This is my niece Wren (aka the best babysitter I know) reading Silly Business, a much-loved book in the Buchanan house. Originally given to my father by his grandfather in the 1940s, my sisters and I have studied this collection of cartoons to the point that we reference it's punchlines nearly every time we're together. It's good to see the humor isn't lost on Wren.

Today happens to be Wren's 8th Birthday! Can't believe it has been four years since she was a sleepy tot in a car seat!

be fully present

2011-07-19T09:31:00.010-04:00

A few years ago I thought I needed six hands...now it appears as though I need eight...or do I?

Shortly after writing yesterday's post, I stumbled upon this excerpt from Samantha Power's commencement speech at Occidental College. It really struck a chord--or perhaps more accurately, a nerve--with me, so I wanted to share it with you.

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IN WHATEVER YOU do, try to be present, fully present. As Satchel Paige put it, “Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching.” You gotta be all in. This means leaving your technology behind occasionally and listening to a friend without half of your brain preoccupied by its inner longing for the red light on the BlackBerry.

I have gotten some glimpses of modern learning: In many college classes, laptops depict split screens—notes from a class, and then a range of parallel stimulants: NBA playoff statistics on ESPN.com, a flight home on Expedia, and a new flirtation on Facebook....I know how good you are at multitasking. You have developed the modern muscle set. I know of what I speak because I, too, am a culprit.

You have never seen a U.S. government official and new mother so dexterous in her ability simultaneously to BlackBerry and breast-feed. But I promise you that over time this doesn’t cut it. Something or someone loses out. No more than a surgeon can operate while tweeting can you reach your potential with one ear in, one ear out. You actually have to reacquaint yourself with concentration. We all do. We should all become, as Henry James prescribed, a person “on whom nothing is lost.”

[via The Week]

lessons in efficiency

2011-07-18T11:07:00.004-04:00

WOW. I never could have predicted how busy things would be! But as a friend of mine who also recently had twins said, "time flies when you're feeding every three hours!"

Because our 'free' time is limited, we're making the most it. It's amazing how many loads of laundry I can fold and dishes I can unload in just 5 minutes. Beyond the housework, we're also tackling some ongoing design projects, including prep work for the upcoming First Friday Indie Market. Not only will we be selling our prints at this event, but we were also responsible for designing the poster to promote it. Here's a look:

If you live in or around Greensboro, I hope you'll join us at the event. We'd love to catch up...between feedings of course :D!

getting to know max + miles

2011-07-11T20:11:00.004-04:00

Our boys may not be able to talk yet, but in their first five weeks we've gotten to know their body language quite well...especially in the middle of the night.

This is a cheat sheet we've set up for future babysitters in an effort to help them better decipher and respond to the boys' ever-changing moods. Good luck there!

Click HERE to see a larger version.

bring your babies to work

2011-06-27T21:06:00.004-04:00

Have you ever taken your child[ren] to work?

If so, HOW ON EARTH did you get any work done?

about last night

2011-06-21T14:25:00.005-04:00

You know the cliche about new parents not getting any sleep?

Well, it's true.

mama's mama

2011-06-13T14:59:00.006-04:00

It's nice to know that despite being the thirty-year-old-mother of two new babies, I'm still my own mama's baby.

'Gamaw' has been staying with Edgar and me the past few days, helping us get adjusted to our new way of life. I've felt so spoiled and don't know what I would have done without her: especially today, Edgar's first back at work. Not only is mom a natural baby whisperer, she's wonderful at keeping up with all the things around the house I've neglected and remains very calm in the loudest of circumstances :)---the best support an anxious newbie like me could ask for.

roots

2011-06-10T16:34:00.004-04:00

Suzanne and I watched Roots this past winter. I was deeply touched by the scene in the movie where Omoro Kinte raises his baby Kunta Kinte in the starriest night and says: "Behold... the only thing greater than yourself."

No way I could ever do that with two... only if I grab them by the legs I guess.

spotted bananas spotted down under!

2011-06-10T11:23:00.010-04:00

We're super-excited to have our Spotted Bananas print appear in the June issue of Australia's Shop Til You Drop magazine.

A big thanks to the GnomeAngel [author of one of the most beautifully curated blogs I visit], for sending us a copy!!!!

my little men

2011-06-08T18:40:00.005-04:00

Thank you so much for your sweet response to our news. One week ago today we welcomed two little souls into the world that will certainly change our lives forever. Our little family, while a bit sleep-deprived, is very, very happy. Life is excellent.

best birthday present ever!

2011-06-06T15:07:00.005-04:00

I know it's been a while since we last posted anything. We are happy to announce that Maxwell Brady and Miles Morgan are safe and sound at home. They were born last Wednesday, June 1st (not that is a big deal, but it was on my birthday). Suzanne is doing wonderful and I have to say, I did not know how strong she was until I saw the ease at which she handled the delivery. Here are some facts.

Maxwell Brady :: 4:52 pm :: 5 lbs. 12 oz.
Miles Morgan :: 4:55 pm :: 5 lbs. 15 oz.

Suzanne will be back very soon with a more detailed report on the babies.

Thank you all so much for checking in!

i'm still standin'

2011-05-26T14:23:00.018-04:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

My hands and feet may be swollen; and, to steal an expression from my friend Jen, my toes may look like 'sausage links'...but life is good! A visit with the doctor yesterday confirmed that the babies are healthy, happy and will definitely be here within the week!

Thanks for hanging in there with us! Edgar and I certainly appreciate all your well-wishes and advice!

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Side Note : Not only does Jen come up with great expressions, but she and her business partner Michelle run a super-cool company, Six Chicks Designs. If you aren't familiar with their work, or are hosting a party in the near future, I suggest you check out their creative portfolio here. Cheers to Jen and Michelle!

high school reading meets pregnancy

2011-05-23T11:36:00.015-04:00

Still no babies. Five days past the anticipated due date...not that I'm counting.

Anytime I find myself in a lull [though never quite like this], I'm reminded of the title of one of my favorite high school reads: All Quiet on the Western Front. Today this led to some searching of the various book covers associated with the text. I find it very interesting seeing different artists' interpretations of the same title/concept and speculating about which one I'd purchase if given the opportunity.

I tend to like the ones that focus on a small, but important element from the book.

[illustration by Beat The Pulp]

...though I do like the somberness of this one...

[illustration by Albert Nguyen]

Can't you hear the art director on this next one? 'Sure it may be the 'greatest war novel'...but sex sells! Put a girl on the cover!

All in all, I'm ok with things being quiet on this front. However, I am praying that the boys don't decide to take a page from another literary classic, Henry David Thoreau's Walden and stay indefinitely.

"Hey little guys! This is your mom. I like to rest as much as anyone, but there is more to the world than undisturbed solitude! Come out and play!"

pokey grows up and out

2011-05-18T14:40:00.006-04:00

Scattered throughout our studio on tiny bits of paper are Edgar's attempts to give Pokey a makeover. You see, Pokey has had the same cartoon persona for quite some time...but as he ages [and grows more three-dimensional in the process] we think so should his look on paper. This incarnation, in particular, is from last week when Pokey wasn't feeling so hot. Poor beagle.

29 ways to stay creative

2011-05-17T14:48:00.006-04:00

I believe this list has circled the internet a few hundred times over, but today was my first time finding it. These are lessons I need to be reminded of on a daily basis. Perhaps they will resonate with you as well.

I think I've got number 19 pretty much in the bag this last couple of weeks. We'll see how long that lasts!

[from Life on Michigan Avenue] --very cool site I might add!

the waiting game

2011-05-16T14:42:00.002-04:00

brown knight + pf changs

2011-05-15T10:14:00.003-04:00

In the last two months, Suzanne's mom broke her ankle...bummer; and my mom broke her wrist...double bummer. As they both recover, they deserve extra care and attention. On Tuesday, Suzanne and I decided to give my mom a surprise visit in Raleigh along with takeout from P.F. Changs. She was so pleased! and so were we.

bootylicious

2011-05-13T12:33:00.008-04:00

The latest bit of cuteness to invade our house. Ahhhhh! These booties were handmade by Jennifer Edwards of the delightful blog Drawn2Be. Really, does it get any sweeter?!?

I think not.

Thank you SO much Jennifer for your craftiness and thoughtfulness. I can't wait to fill these booties with little footsies...any day now!

UPDATE [a few minutes later] : Oh dear, the title of this post has left me singing 'I don't think you're ready for this belly, I don't think you're ready for this belly..." I need help!!!!! Beyonce--where are you?!?

baby fro

2011-05-10T11:13:00.002-04:00

Another sketch inspired by a friend's child. Sooooo cute.

royal wedding at reilly's

2011-05-09T20:53:00.016-04:00

Oh well...since Reilly was not able to see the Royal Wedding in person, she decided to have the girls over and have a Royal Wedding Party. She was very meticulous about all the arrangements and details of her party that morning, but it seems Ally Mae (our neighbor's dog) did not meet Reilly's dress code.

By the way, only 4 Royal Wedding Hat Prints left!

heartburn hotel

2011-05-06T13:56:00.005-04:00

And after a small break, The Heart Burners are back on tour....and like any respectable rock band, they love trashing their hotel room in the midnight hours.

it's may!

2011-05-02T11:43:00.005-04:00

...and I just bought the same sneakers I'm pictured in here, only a few sizes larger.

Something about this month makes me very happy. Sure I've got a couple of extra reasons to be happy this year; but, for me, May always seems special...like a fresh beginning. I love it.

Do you have any special things you are looking forward to this month? How about traditions or events you take part in every year around this time?

new in the shop! : royal wedding hat print

2011-04-29T19:17:00.005-04:00

Add a touch of royal fashion to your decor here!

just in time for mother's day

2011-04-29T18:06:00.013-04:00

Visit our shop for details!

royal wedding hats illustrated

2011-04-29T14:12:00.002-04:00

By far my favorite part of this morning's events! Stay tuned for more...

35 weeks

2011-04-28T15:20:00.007-04:00

This isn't exactly the piece of cake it used to be. Though in an attempt to see the glass half-full, at least I can't see how swollen my feet are.

counting down

2011-04-26T13:11:00.008-04:00

During my last visit to The Salvation Army Select I stumbled upon this handsome pair of books published in 1960. You know how I love a good vintage illustration...and the timing and subject-matter of these couldn't be any more perfect.

This pretty much sums up the anticipation I'm feeling these days. My official due date is even the same as the one marked on the calendar, June 9. However, because we're having twins, the babies are predicted to come about three weeks earlier. Oh...and that look of nighttime discomfort...I'm totally, totally there!

Edgar, on the other hand, is busy making arrangements for the babies' arrival...

...and coming to the realization his space in the house is getting smaller and smaller by the moment.

He is ahead of the game in the sense that he already has his clothes picked out in the case of a mid-night run to Labor and Delivery. He had this task complete several days before I had my own bags packed :)

Despite all the planning, I'm sure we'll look more like this when the time finally comes. Afterall, can you ever be truly ready?

kevin and lauren

2011-04-25T08:02:00.005-04:00

As I've mentioned before, rarely do I draw children. But when I saw the kiddos of my good pal Liz, all made up for Easter, I couldn't resist. This might just be the sweetest, wispy-haired twosome ever.

our peculiar pet : wild eyes mcgee

2011-04-20T12:03:00.005-04:00

This is one of the other stuffed friends we received at our baby shower! Made locally by Michelle Lyon of Raleigh, NC, each Peculiar Pet, including ol' Wild Eyes here, is made using repurposed damaged vintage bedspreads. According to the company website, the attention to sustainability doesn't stop there; each pet is stuffed with a fiber fill that is 80% recycled water bottles!

So cool! The boys are sure to love!

sleepy giraffe on etsy

2011-04-20T10:34:00.006-04:00

Thanks for all your uplifting comments yesterday! We've listened, and Mr. Giraffe has now found a home in our shop...until, of course, he finds a home in your home :)

More stuffed goodness on the way...

a tale of two sleepers

2011-04-19T11:19:00.000-04:00

We received this sleepy little giraffe (it plays soothing sounds) as a gift at this past weekend's baby shower. If the last two nights are any indication, the boys are going to have their work cut out for them in reclaiming it from dad. I'm thinking my 35-year-old-baby is already quite attached!

Now, if only I could get it to work for me. With approximately a month to go until B-Day!, the times of being comfortable seem to quickly be coming to an end. I feel amazingly lucky to have had the smooth pregnancy I've enjoyed thus far, but as the babies grow I find I'm having less room to breathe, to eat, to sleep... This all leads to shortness of breath, heartburn, regular bouts of insomnia [i.e. why I'm writing the draft of this post at 4 AM] and even more daytime napping. For this reason, I've made the decision to refrain from taking on any new custom work for the next bit. Edgar and I will, however, be updating the shop with newbies on an even more regular basis, so I'll hope you'll check in there if you're in need of a special gift.

bunny business

2011-04-14T13:17:00.005-04:00

it's a snap

2011-04-13T15:27:00.009-04:00

A few weeks ago I was introduced to a new iPhone app by a couple of my most app-savy friends [you know who you are]. Instagram! If you have an iPhone and haven't experienced this freebie yet, you've got to! It's so cool!!!! An extremely easy way to share snapshots of your day and see the colors that fill others' lives:

So you get an idea, here's a sampling of my week.

: rainbow sherbert = new obsession :

: new grass! thank goodness for a rainy week :

: lots of thank you notes! :

: a quiet saturday morning filled with nutella crepes! :

: even Wonder Woman needs a hand to hold on occasion :

Normally I'm not a huge fan of photo filters, but the ones included with this app seem to really work, transforming ordinary photos into something special. Already aboard the Instagram train or ready to join? Find us under the username anopensketchbook. We'd love to follow you!

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Oh, and one last one....featuring the latest print to show up in our shop!

: Edgar's fishy-fishy! :

sensitivity training

2011-04-12T11:40:00.009-04:00

For eight years The Beagle has been my most loyal companion. He follows me wherever I go, greets me every morning as though I'm an old friend he hasn't seen in years, and never, ever misses an opportunity to cuddle. Lately I've sensed that Buddy Boy, as well as Moppy Mop, are increasingly anxious and needy...as if my growing belly is a sign that an era, one of them ruling the roost, is coming to an end. I feel for them and hope I can make this transition as smooth as possible on the whole Cabrera family.

Any advice is appreciated. Also, any tips for keeping a very alert Jack Russell quiet during nap time?!?

sketchworthy service : cole @ wal-mart #3658

2011-04-10T21:59:00.015-04:00

It's sad to say, but it isn't all that often you leave a big box store these days saying, "Wow, that was some incredible customer service!" Saturday we experienced the exception to this rule. While looking at goldfish in Wal-Mart, we were greeted by Cole, as sales-associate who was both very knowledgeable about fish [thank goodness or we'd have some belly-up] and extremely courteous. Cole took his time answering our many questions and made sure we had everything we needed to prep our new tank prior to leaving the store. He seemed personally invested in the success of our new project. A very refreshing experience!

About this series : Having both spent our fair share of time employed in customer service, we really value meeting people working with the public who seem to genuinely care about their jobs and the people they come in contact with. We find that it's these individuals, not necessarily their products, that make us repeat customers. Occasionally we highlight these fine folks as we encounter them, believing excellent work should be noted, valued and appreciated.

strawberry bits forever

2011-04-07T11:01:00.002-04:00

...waiting for the compost.

berenstain bears : revisited

2011-04-04T17:17:00.002-04:00

Meant to share this earlier: a snapshot from Michael Berenstain's wonderfully inspiring talk last week. It was very interesting to see the cross-section of people attending the lecture. While I couldn't capture them all from my vantage point, there were grandparents, college students, moms, dads, teens and toddlers, all eager to hear the stories behind the bears and have their much-loved books signed by the author/artist. The appeal of this family of bears is universal.

Some notes from the lecture:
1) Draw inspiration from the people, things and moments that surround you.
2) Don't be afraid to adapt and change with time.
3) If something works, recycle it!

31 weeks

2011-04-04T08:06:00.002-04:00

...and in need of alignment. This belly is unbalanced.

my uniform at suzanne cabrera illustration

2011-03-31T13:14:00.006-04:00

I love the Mossimo tees from Target. Right now I have them in six colors...one for nearly every day of the week. I'd like to extend the collection to two weeks.

What's your uniform staple these days?

flat stanley comes to visit

2011-03-30T12:25:00.017-04:00

I finished up a project this afternoon for a very patient client: my seven-year-old-niece, Wren. Some time ago, Wren had sent me her friend, Flat Stanley [you made have heard of him...or in this case her], to "take care of." And...with the help of Uncle Edgar, Flat Stanley has seen a thing or two. Take a look...

Dear Wren--

Thank you for sending Flat Stanley to our house. It was nice to have some company. In fact, this is why it has taken me so long to send Flat Stanley back---I'll miss her!

But, the house will soon be filled with other visitors...the twin babies I'm expecting in May. Can you believe that in just a few short weeks you'll have two new cousins?

Flat Stanley went with me to the doctor's office when I had an ultrasound to check on the babies. She thinks one of them looks like Grandpa! I told her that all bald babies look like Grandpa.

Because I'm pregnant, I haven't been able to do a lot of things with Flat Stanley that I think she'd enjoy, like jumping on a trampoline or going to the water park. We have, however, spent a lot of time outside, walking the dogs and enjoying spring.

Occasionally Flat Stanley got a little bored hanging around the house. Whenever this would happen she'd pack her bags and travel with your Uncle Edgar. You probably remember that Edgar goes a lot of places with work---this spring was no exception and Flat Stanley fit snuggly in his passport.

In the last few weeks they've gone to:

Do you know what city that is?

Here's a hint: your parents lived there before you were born.

Flat Stanley has certainly been earning some frequent flier miles! Perhaps she can use them to take you somewhere neat soon. In the meantime, she told me that she misses you and the rest of your class so she's ready to go back home to University School.

I miss you too Wren. I'm sending my love along with Flat Stanley and hope you'll both come visit once the babies arrive. How do you think Flat Stanley is at changing diapers?!?

Love, Suzanne

bear with me

2011-03-29T17:35:00.009-04:00

I am SOOOO excited!!!!!! SOOOO excited.

After several days of having too little energy to even unfold the newspaper, I waddled to the curb late this afternoon to pick up today's edition and discovered some thrilling news!

Michael Berenstain, son of Jan and Stan Berenstain, the husband and wife team behind The Berenstain Bears, will be speaking at Elon University this Thursday! I've been a fan of Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister Bear for as long as I can remember. Reading these books with my mom are some of my best memories. And I know that studying the Bear Country drawings has certainly made an impact on what I do today and even the place in which I do it [check out this bear-inspired-post from a few years back].

According to the N&R, Michael, whose childhood was the fodder of many of the bear family stories, continues to write and illustrate new Berenstain Bears' stories along with his 87-year-old mother. He will speak about the importance of early literacy, as well as writing and editing for children.

If you live in the area and want to attend, you can find all the details here.

On another note, Happy Birthday to my own Sista' Bear, Addie!

it's pretty simple, really...

2011-03-29T11:20:00.006-04:00

What's your goal?

seeing double

2011-03-28T16:59:00.007-04:00

This past weekend marked the first of two baby showers thrown in the boys' honor. All three of us (me plus the two little ones currently taking up residence in my belly) felt very loved as I opened present after present filled with matching clothes and gear. I have a feeling this sketch is the first of many pairs in my future.

Thanks so much to the friends and family responsible for such a sweet party!

in need of a simile

2011-03-23T18:28:00.007-04:00

Today I'm having hot flashes like ___________________________.

Please help me fill in the blank. I've over-heated and I have zero cleverness to spare.

working on a project

2011-03-22T10:08:00.008-04:00

...that involves duck feet. Can't say anything more now [they're top-secret duck feet], but want to let you know I am here behind a computer and not in labor and delivery. [Some of you asked...] Let's cross our fingers we're not there until mid-May!

While we're on the subject of feet, big thanks to Carla of Decorativity for featuring our kicks as part of her fun Art Alphabetical Series. See the whole collection here!

29 weeks

2011-03-17T20:45:00.003-04:00

...and growing...

spring fever

2011-03-15T15:23:00.005-04:00

A big thanks to all who've included our work in a treasury over the last few days!

Stepping Out Into Spring! by Teagan Carnes

Sew Me A Story by EqueGlitz

Mama Said by Bleulavande

March Madness by Terry of TeaseJewels

April Showers by Lindsey Whitcomb of Topsail Winds

Rain Clouds & Rainbows by Linsey Gray Frost

The curator of the last treasury, Linsey Gray Frost, also happens to be a past student of mine. Linsey is talented in every way possible. You'll be missing out if you don't see her work for yourself here. Right now she's offering a buy one, get one free print special in her shop!