Sporty girl chains.

Do you have a sporty girl at your house?

I've got two hockey-playing girls under my roof and all the smells to go with. So you'd think these designs would have been the first out of the gate. Well they are ... right behind ice cream cones, cupcakes, strawberries (and all of my other favourite things!)

Check these out for your hockey-playing-serve-aceing-homerun-hitting charmer. Once they're dry, they'll be in the store!

P.S. He's a hedgehog. Who doesn't love hedgehogs? (they don't smell nearly as much as hockey bags either)

Just doodling.

What a great summer we've had and what a crazy first week back. Three hockey outings the evening of the first. day. back. Whew.

I've got lots to post, so hopefully it'll be a very blogtastic fall around here. Til I get it all scanned and spell-checked, though. Here's a piece of my last week. Enjoy.

Beaches Arts and Crafts Show 2011

I thought I'd share a few shots from this past weekend's Show. I love doing neighbourhood shows like this one because I get to meet so many of the locals. And the fact that the weather held (a first!) was just icing on the (cup)cake.

The brand new 'big girl' tent was perfect.

Lots of new magnets.

Pretty new chains that gave kids whiplash. (sorry about that)

Magnets and charms table.

Letterpress and calendars and prints, oh my! (gift tags and more cards too!)

New in the Shop!

A few weeks ago, I got my hands on some beautiful 1/2" by 1/2" pieces of smooth, clear glass. I added a little carolyndraws magic and ended up with these ...

Each charm comes on a 17" ball chain necklace (delicate but durable) in a pretty organza bag, all ready for giving.

I've got just a few left until I replenish my supplies of glass and chain, so check out the shop and get yours today!*

They make a great gift for a special birthday, or take home after a party. Designs include a flower, horse, cupcake (of course), ice cream cone, bird, star and heart.

*Live in Toronto? Email me here and save yourself the shipping and USD. We can arrange pickup or drop off to get yours to you.

Got your Teacher gifts yet?

If you're in town this weekend, June 11th and 12th, swing by Kew Gardens in the Beach for the 2011 Beaches Arts & Crafts Show. It's the largest of its kind around here with over 150 artisans and a fantastic walk in the park. I've got my brand new (inhale the clean canvas smell!) big girl tent and, rain or shine, I'll be there.

Speaking of brand new, get ahead of the game and get your end-of-year Teacher gifts at the carolyndraws booth -- cool new magnet designs hold 6 or more sheets of paper on a file cabinet, perpetual calendars keep everyone on track, letterpress stationery will up the 'cool teacher' factor and brand new carolyndraws necklaces are always a great idea!

A SPECIAL OFFER JUST FOR YOU!

To thank you for visiting this oft-neglected blog, here's a great deal ... click HERE to print out this special Friends and Family $5 off coupon. Bring it along to the show and treat yourself to a calendar too (you'll never forget an important birthday or anniversary again!)

See you there!

Just in time for the Show ...

I thought I'd add these to the mix and take them for a test drive this Saturday.

Each of three different glass charms (with a scribbly twist!) comes on a 17" sterling silver plated ball chain in its own little gift bag. Perfect for big and little girls, they make a sweet birthday treat for you or your best friend and they go with any outfit. Swing by the show and get one -- only 5 of each are available until I see how they fly!

A little hint of grey.

Now that I've printed a few things on my antique letterpress, I thought I'd share a hint of things to come (at this weekend's Movies & Makers Show). Stop by, say hello and check out some new magnet designs, stationery sets and (yep) necklaces!

It's time for Movies & Makers again!

If you're in the Beach this Saturday, do swing by the Fox Theatre for Movies & Makers: A Spring Art & Craft Fair.

I'll be there with loads of new magnets, brand new letterpress stationery sets and for the very first time, I'll be test driving some cute jewellery (handmade, featuring scribbles of course) for groovy girls of all ages.

This is the perfect opportunity to get a jumpstart on your end of year teacher gifts too -- there are some really beautiful one of a kind items available.

Check it out on Facebook here.

I'd love to see you. And the first 50 people in the doors receive a grab bag full of great goodies! The fun starts at 11 am and goes til 5:30, so plan to hit Queen St for a coffee and a quick shop!

See you there ...

The Sketchbook Project 2012

I read about The Sketchbook Project last fall after the deadline to submit books had passed (of course).

It sounded like so much fun that I've been stalking the Net, waiting and hoping for a 2012 edition. What do you know -- last week the Google Alert Fairies came through and I signed up right away!

I'm super keen and plan on making my sketchbook this summer's project. I was going to take the summer 'off', after a crazy busy couple of months last year trying to negotiate intense deadlines from a cabin in the woods with a fickle internet connection and rotten solar battery. But the theme I picked, "things found under car seats", has me so excited I can't wait to start. (What? Your car seats are not that entertaining? Have you looked under them lately?)

It works like this: artists of all stripes sign up and receive the same sketchbook to fill as they see fit. (I think the only rules involve holding off on glitter and hazardous 3D materials.) Once the sketchbooks have been returned to the Art House Co-op, they go on tour. This year, it's an international affair that actually makes a stop in Toronto! Books can also be browsed online.

Very exciting -- I'll be sure to share a few spreads once I get mine underway! Wish me luck and feel free to send inspiration.

Oh Canada, I was inspired.

More new magnets, this time with a distinctly Canadian bent.

Inspired by a friend who is always on the lookout for nice gifts to pack when she goes abroad, I designed these to reflect a few of my favourite things about our great nation. (I'm told they're lighter and less dangerous than bottles of maple syrup in suitcases!)

Beaver, moose, canoe, hockey skate, flag ... which is your favourite, eh?

P.S. Look for them at the Fox Movies and Makers Show on May 14th, and at the Beaches Arts and Crafts Show coming up June 11th and 12th. They'll be in my etsy shop soon too!