Artist Archives - Books by Rose

Our special guest today is an artist I met many years ago. Her whimsical art and engaging fun page and interactions on Facebook and other social media sites had me hooked. We’ve been friends ever since.

Welcome, Ariane at icraftcafe’!

(PS. That’s not a misspelling, that’s how she spells her business name.) ❤️

Hi Ariane, please tell us how you started creating your cute art and what all you create.

Thank you for having me, Rosie.

I’m a freelance illustrator/graphic designer. I mostly try to create cute whimsical illustrations for kids (and sometimes for grownups.) Those usually end up on items like stationery, tabletop or fabric to name a few. They’re available in my print-on-demand shops. I also sometimes take commission work.

I always loved to draw, but I only started this new adventure when my son was in elementary school. I wanted to be able to work when he was at school and also be close by afterwards since I hadn’t any family nearby to help out. I thought this was the best option and it did work quite well that way. The first things I created and sold were primarily teacher’s supplies (like back-to-school postcards and reward stickers) and teachers gifts (like aprons, notepads and pens). Then it just grew from there.

(2) At the beginning I used to draw my illustrations exclusively in colored pencils and scan them. Nowadays I mostly do my artwork digitally. However I always start with a sketch in pencil on a piece of paper .Then using the sketch as my template, I work on my design using either Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Fresco. I love the sharp vector brushes. Once it is done, I transfer the image onto whatever product I want to create.

I start off with a pencil sketch, then add to my iPad. It’s then printed on many products like you see below.

Here’s one of the the finished products.

(3) You can find my website icraftcafe.com or you can jump to my Zazzle profiles and find my shops there www.zazzle.com/mbr/238854679822468540

Thank you so much for sharing your work with us today, Ariane. They are all so sweet!

If you have any questions for Ariane at icraftcafe’, please leave a comment in the section below.

Goodreads Challenge 2024 – My November Reads

Getting down to the end of the Goodreads Challenge 2024.

I put away my art supplies, for the most part, and buckled down to reading these five books.

November 2024 Books - Goodreads Challenge

Here are my reviews:

All of these received 5 Stars from me.

“The Nightingale,” by Kristin Hannah

“The Nightingale,” by Kristin Hannah must be in everyone’s book clubs as it was hard for me to keep reading from the long waiting list at our library. I ended up getting the audiobook which was beautifully done.
This historical fiction themed tale has been somewhat repeated over the years in books. Hannah shares this storyline about two sisters who take separate paths when the Germans occupied France in the 1940s.
I’ve always liked how Kristin Hannah writes as if you are right there in any time period. Her descriptions of settings and characters kept me turning the pages.

Matt Sprouts #2

“Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun,” By Matthew Eicheldinger

“Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun,” by Matthew Eicheldinger is the second in the Matt Sprouts series and is written well enough you do not have to read them in order.
Matt finds himself in a few dilemmas when his dad insists he takes on a summer job. Nora the goat turns out to be his full time job and things take a turn when Nora refuses to cooperate.
Middle grade readers will enjoy this one, as well as adults. This would make a perfect read aloud for home and classrooms. This book could be a great tool for many discussions for problem solving and so much more.

“The Book That Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them,” by Roxanne J. Coady, Joy Johannessen

“The Book That Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them,” by Roxanne J. Coady and Joy Johannessen is a book you will want to check out for sure. If you do the Goodreads book challenges, you will be set for the year on these suggested titles by authors and their favorite books. I’m excited to look these titles up and re-read some old classics named in here, too. (The list of them are in the back of the book.)
I love how the proceeds for this book also go to the “Read to Grow” program. A subject dear to my heart.

“Housesketching: Learn to Create Energetic and Expressive Architectural Drawings,” by Albert Kiefer

This paperback book, “Housesketching: Learn to Create Energetic and Expressive Architectural Drawings,” by Albert Kiefer was just what I needed to read and learn from.
*I loved the fact one’s sketches doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
*Shading and adding lighting techniques are explained, which are simple to apply.
* I appreciated the list of supplies in the front and back of the book to choose from.
I’m looking forward to more books written by this author.

“Sipsworth,” Simon Van Booy

“Sipsworth,” by author Simon Van Booy is an enchanting tale which is one you’ll want to stay with until the end.
The first many chapter depict vivid descriptions of the Helen Cartwright’s life in her quiet home filled with memories and the world outside that feels just a bit too big. A delightful shift happens when she encounters a mouse which she becomes quite fond of.
The humor and heartfelt interactions are beautifully crafted and will leave readers with a lasting impression of warmth, hope and a literary hug. This sweet tale reminds us that we’re never truly alone.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Simon Van Booy’s books.

Tell Us About You

Tell us about your November and what plans you have for December.

Wishing you all a wonderful month and a happy holiday season to all.

As always,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

May 07, 2021

First, before I start, I wish everyone out there a very special May and spring season, 2021! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! 🌺

My Special Guest for the Month of May is…

Author Peggy M. McAloon!

Peggy is an author and a talented artist.

She has a story of resilience, bravery and faith.

Her story, “Elle and the Reflective Portals” is a wonderful book that reflects just that.

Let’s Dive in and Meet Peggy

Peggy, what inspired you to write your story?

I loved fantasy stories when I was young (and still do). As an abused child, the books were my escape from the real world and into something more beautiful and safe. When I wasn’t reading, I made up stories in my head to pass the time.

Mom was very religious and taught me all about the guardian angels who watch over us. I wanted to write something including those guardians that would not only touch the hearts of young girls, but provide an opportunity for discussion of today’s social injustices with their parents. Bringing fantasy and reality together was a major concern as I formulated the story in my head.

My next major concern was the diversity of our world and the young girls who are growing up afraid of the same threats I endured. It wouldn’t do to call the winged creatures angels because not every child believes in angels. So, I chose the name Fiori for the dimension rather than heaven. (Fiori is the Italian word for flowers and I’ve always imagined heaven is filled with flowers.

The main character, Elle Burton is ten-years-old as the story begins. At the age of ten, I was very mature and many times brought poorer kids to my house to trade their dirty and frayed outfits for one of my pretty tops or dresses. Therefore, because I have two sons, Elle had to be a kid like me because I have no other experience with little girls.

Fiori and the Fiorins were a joy to create. The winged creatures can be whatever the reader wants or needs them to be: angels, fairies, creatures from a dimension we’ve never heard of before, or aliens. Imagination is an incredible gift to children and I loved the freedom that knowledge gave me in creating Fiori and its inhabitants.

How many years did it take you to write it?

I spent about a year writing the book. It took another six months to do the editing and work with the publisher. The original book was roughly as long as a Harry Potter novel, but the publisher told me I had to end it in a cliff hanger because no one would purchase the entire story. The last 100 pages were removed and became the first 100 pages of the second book, “Missing.”

Tell us, Peggy, what type of research did you have to do to bring across your beautiful tale?

In order to bring inspiration to the readers, I chose to utilize many of the experiences I had and my children had growing up. As an example, when Elle chooses the class bully to help with a school project it was very loosely based on an experience my son had with the class bully.

The description of Fiori was actually quite simple. We travel to the Gulf Coast each winter to visit my brother. One of my favorite places to go during that visit is Bellingrath Gardens and Home outside of Mobile, Alabama. Even though we visit each year, it feels like heaven each time I enter the gates. https://bellingrath.org/

The rest of the story takes place here in Menomonie, WI. I spent many days driving around town with my camera figuring out which locations would be used in the book and which businesses would be featured. Once the book was published, each business featured received a signed copy of the book. I was taught at a young age that we are supposed to support our local businesses.

What do you expect Middle Grade readers to walk away with after reading your story?

My purpose in devoting so much time to this story is to convince kids in trouble to have the courage to tell someone, even if it’s another kid like Elle. For those who haven’t experienced the social injustices in this world, I want them to recognize the problems and step up to help whenever it’s safe to do so or to find an adult to help as Elle did with the girl she found hiding in the girl’s restroom at school after suffer a beating at the hands of her father.

I think Maya Angelou said it best: “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” That’s who Elle Burton is – a kid who wants to help others, and now she has some magical creatures to help her.

Do you have hobbies outside of being an author?

More than anything, I love being outside. I particularly love being by the water which makes our winter trip to the Gulf Coast so enjoyable. My relaxation comes from painting in watercolor and acrylics. I also have the old Conn organ that I played in the Miss Iowa Pageant when I was a contestant back in the 60’s. I also love traveling the world with my wonderful husband and the hours of fun we’re having with our newest family member, Shelby (a Schweenie – cross between a Shih Tzu and a Dachshund). We are anxiously awaiting the summer months, when she will graduate from her “terrible-two’s.”

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Peggy.

You can find Peggy’s M. McAloon’s work on the following sites.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

LinkedIn

Pinterest

Link to the Book

In Other News at Books by Rose

Guess what? The Early Reader I’ve been hinting about? It’s done!

I have so many things to do to get it ready for you all to see. The formatting, technical side, editing and so much more is in the works for the coming months.

Keep watching!

Have a wonderful spring and I’ll be back to catch up with more news in the month of June.