Illustrated Homes Part 1

Back in October I had a table at the April House Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan and Renaissance charities.  I took details down from two lovely ladies both interested in having their homes illustrated by me.  I absolutely love being asked to illustrate peoples homes - there is something very individual and personal about them.

Due to Christmas coming towards me very fast we scheduled in that I would begin work on these pieces in February, and to be finished by the end of March.  Perfect customers!  Any other time of year I'm able to be much more flexible, but coming up to Christmas it was just too much work to juggle.

This first piece I'm sharing with you was to be a birthday surprise for the lady's husband - lovely!  With a view in mind to have some greetings cards printed with the illustration on them as well in the near future.

If you'd like your home illustrated then please get in touch.  You can leave a message under this post or send me an email to : charlotte_vallance (at) hotmail.com

Old Amersham Museum

I was contacted over Christmas by Emily at Amersham Museum, and after a meeting in January we'd organised that I would do an illustration of the Museum for use on promotional/informational flyers and possibly online.

Due to time restraints I had to keep the illustration quite small, but I don't think it hindered the overall image at all.  The museum is in a lovely building in Old Amersham and has some great original features - it was interesting to draw, and to have a look around the inside too!

I definitely recommend a trip to Amersham Museum if you're in the area.  It costs only £2 and has some great old photos from the town over the years as well as a cute garden out the back.  You can see original features in the building as well as toys and other bits and pieces from the history of Amersham.  It is quite petite, so you won't need long to get a good look around, and once you're done Seasons Cafe Deli is an excellent place to stop for a bite of lunch or a spot of tea and cake.

Old Amersham also boasts a fair few independent retail shops so there is plenty to look at if you're up for a wander down the high street.

February : Food

The second instalment of the 12 month collaboration with You, Deer.  Have a look on Alex's blog to see where she's up to with her side.  It's so exciting to see how each of us interprets the theme of the month.  We live in very different places (different time zones and everything) so we really don't swap ideas or take a peak over the others shoulder.  Each piece is completed independently from the other.  This is half the excitement with a project like this.

I really don't do much cooking - it's generally baking for special occasions or helping others cook meals.  The recipe that I have illustrated for February is one that I have done the past two Christmases and it has been such a hit!  If you get a chance to try out this recipe then let me know :-)

I have again used gorgeous handmade paper.  It's heavily textured and in fact has a natural wave the crinkles the edges in a lovely manner.  A little note to self : if printing on similar paper in the future, make it a one colour print!  It was a little hard to interpret where the screen would move the paper to - as it caught when going under the screen.  The result of this is a lovely off bonk print on most of the 10 prints I did.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to see me illustrate?  Leave a comment and let me know :-)

This print is now available in my Etsy shop : www.charlottevallance.etsy.com

Spring feeling

There's something about Valentine's and Mother's Day (with Easter close behind!) that makes me think of Spring, days getting lighter and general good feelings!  With this present in my mind I've introduced a set of four 'Heart of Flowers' greeting cards to my Etsy shop.  Each is hand painted by me on a lovely, thick, textured watercolour paper and come with brown envelopes.  This little set saves you a couple of pounds than if you were to buy four individual hand painted cards.  If there is a different design in my shop you had your eye on for a set, then just send me a message and I can work out a special listing for your order.


Etsy shop - www.charlottevallance.etsy.com

Come and say hello on Twitter - @charlsvallance

Travel Bunnies

I had the absolute pleasure of painting this commission for a gift from a friend to her sister as a little gift to wish her well on her travels round Thailand.  When younger, the sister had a toy bunny and upon seeing my bunny doodles for the Brown Paper Bunny (aka Jessica Mack) she was inspired to ask me to do a special one.

Are you off on travels?  Or have you been to Thailand?  Share a little story in the comments!

I went to Thailand for a month in 2009.  I had intended on seeing a temple made of beer bottles - recycling to the extreme!  Only I never quite found it, no one knew what I was talking about.  Next time I shall do more research before I go :-) I enjoyed a very relaxed lifestyle and enjoyed the Thai food, even did a cookery lesson.