Engaging Young Readers One Book at a Time

Tag: In The Art Zone

In The Art Zone with Whimsical Artist, Ariane at icraftcafe’

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

Welcome Back, Ariane at icraftcafe’!

No, that is not a misspelling, that is how she spells her business name. 🙂

Let’s get started…

Ariane, please tell us about yourself and some of the cute art you have for our readers this fall.

Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations

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.

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

Pumpkin spice pancakes and process.

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 love hearing about how you do this, Ariane. Please share some of your fall art projects you have for us.

Fall Coffee Mug
 Autumn - Brown Bear with Pumpkin - Hardcover Journal

These are so adorable, Ariane!

I love how you added pink in this next one. Is that a cat ghost? Oh my, so cute! 💗

Spooky cute pink Halloween placemats.

This “Reading Raccoon” makes me smile! 🙂

Reading raccoon library hall pass badge.

Where can our readers find out more about your products, Ariane?

You can find my website https://icraftcafe.com/ or you can jump to my Zazzle profiles and find my shops ► here.

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.

Thank you all for stopping by today.

Have a wonderful fall season! 🍂☕️🪵

Rosie

PS. If you would ever like to feature your art in a interview, write me a note and we’ll set it up here “In The Art Zone at Books by Rose.”

PPS. In case you missed it, here’s another feature we did back in August.

Fall 2025 is Here at Books by Rose

Welcome October! What a beautiful month you are here in the Midwest USA!

Image Credit: Artem Saranin

In This Blog You’ll Find…

*Goodreads Challenge 2025

*A Craft I’m Making

*Fall Favorite Recipe

*Special Guest at “The Art Zone at Books by Rose.” (Coming Soon!)

Let’s get started…

*Goodreads Challenge 2025

Goodreads Challenge October 2025

My 5 Star Reviews

5 Stars
5 Stars

“Insolitam Drive,” by F Wallers

A time travel story, “Insolitam Drive,” by F Wallers

Cassidy wrapped up seventh grade at 13, and wow, everything’s shifting. Her parents have divorced, and now her mom is moving her and her brother to a whole new town. She misses her best friend from her old home and feels the lost connection with her. Soon, Cassidy befriends a new boy in her new neighborhood named Ethan.

Things start to heat up for Cassidy when she decides to get some various jobs to keep her busy. But as she goes from house to house, she noticed that something seems off in each place. Little details just don’t add up. As Cassidy and Ethan spend more time together, they stumble upon a mystery that’s messing with time.

After Cassidy and Ethan visit the homes in their neighborhood, they realize they all have something in common. They are not from this time! They teamed up to figure out what’s going on with the houses. Not only will they solve a few of their questions, Ethan also discovers something even more about his life circumstances. As their friendship grows, so do some unanswered questions.

“The Plain Little Unicorn,” by Jessica D. Adams

“The Underground Toy Society” has a new friend, and oh my, will you love this little one.
“The Plain Little Unicorn” is an adorable book. The illustrations will warm the readers’ hearts as well.
I highly recommend this as a read-aloud for further, meaningful discussions.
Congrats to Jessica D. Adams and her daughter, Janelle, for another great installment.

“Painting Cats,” by Terry Runyan

If you’re a cat lover and love to paint, “Painting Cats,” by Terry Runyan is the purr-fect book for you!

Whether you’re just starting with watercolors or have been at it for a while, this guide takes you from a simple blob of paint to creating stunning portraits of your furry pals. It’s all about having fun and letting your creativity flow, using some cool art therapy tricks to keep things light and enjoyable!

I enjoyed the different options she shared and look forward to adding them to my art pages.

“My Three Lives,” by Tina Cole

I’m familiar with Tina Cole mainly through the TV show, “My Three Sons,” but have known about her as a part of “The King Sisters.”

“My Three Lives” walks readers through Tina Cole’s life. From the beginning of her career with her family, to her TV shows, all the way to the life she is living now.

I enjoyed this candid and truthful look at her cultivated and rich artistic legacy.

A Craft I’m Making

I wish I could show you a close-up of this craft so you’d know what it is, but it’s far from finished. I promise I’ll show you some of it when it’s done and explain a lot more about it. Let’s just say for now, it’s a combination of two of my favorite things… art and reading. I’m in love with this concept, and I hope it will inspire others out there, too.

A Craft I'm Making at Books by Rose

Fall Favorite Recipe

I have shared this recipe in the past. It’s worth sharing again as it’s a go-to treat for fall parties and gatherings. It does contain nuts, so please add a note for those who have nut allergies.

The only thing you don’t see in this image is “Candy Corn.” Of course, that’s optional. Add as many peanuts, raisins, and M&Ms as you like.

Trail Mix
Fall Trail Mix

*Special Guest at “The Art Zone at Books by Rose.”

I will be back this month to share a special guest who I have featured before. This time she’ll share some of her “Fall Projects” with us.

I want to make she gets her own special spotlight. Watch for a post coming soon at, “In The Art Zone at Books by Rose.”

In The Art Zone at Books by Rose
In The Art Zone at Books by Rose

That’s all I have for now. I hope you all have a “fall-static” October!

Write us a note and tell us what you are up to these days. Projects? October Events?

As always,

Happy Reading!

Rosie

PS. If you missed my September blog news, click here. 🙂 September, School, Bookish News and More at Books by Rose

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