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I mentioned a while ago that I got Isaac an Italtrike Outside Passenger Trike from CSN Stores. I was a bit leery of getting him one so early (he’s only 20 months) as I was a bit concerned that he wouldn’t quite get the concept. Buuuuut I know how much he loves wheels and figured if he doesn’t like it this year, he’ll most likely like it next year :)

We’ve taken the trike out for a couple test drives but overall Isaac is happier to push the trike or examine the storage bin than ride it! I did have a bit of success with him on it while it was sloping down on our driveway (see photo). He had his feet on the peddles and was slowly moving downhill and somewhat peddling. Then he demanded to get off and that was it! lol! A note about Isaac: he takes a fair amount of time to get used to new things + is a very cautious child. These traits might be difficult now but I’m hoping it makes for a responsible adult :)

Regardless of our little success so far, I’m very happy with the quality of the trike. The design is very cute and boyish and I love the storage bin and parent handle features. The seat also has a strap to belt him in (if I can get him to sit on it long enough!).  It’s also a fairly small trike so if your child IS ready to start riding early, then it’d be the perfect set of beginner wheels! The one downfall of our trike is that the storage bin attachment was fairly loose so I called CSN Stores to help resolve the issue and they are sending out replacement parts. I have yet to receive them, so in the meantime I’ve just taped up the storage bin.

Overall we’re really happy with the trike…. we might just need to store it away until next spring when our little man decides it’s a safe and fun mode of transportation ;)

I’m in awe of the beautiful cards I’ve being seeing lately. There are some seriously talented crafters out there! Check out the cute little mouse bursting out of the card pictured above? SO adorable! I put a few more examples of the amazing cards I’ve being seeing lately with my new Paperworks stamp collection. If you’ve designed a card with one of my new Paperworks stamps, I’d love for you to link to it in the comments of this post. I’d also love to hear which is your favorite stamp of this new collection and any ideas you have for future designs. I’ve asked for feedback before and I write down each and every idea you pass my way… I always appreciate the feedback.

And of course I want to credit these amazing artists for their cards (clockwise from top left):
A Surprise Cheer by Cris
Gone Fishing… by Jenny
Puddles of Fun by Cabio
Birthday Parade by Stephanie

As a children’s illustrator, having a toddler has been the best thing for my career (in terms of inspiration, but not time!) Not to say that there are a million other reasons why my son is the joy of  my life, but there are definitely some benefits to being immersed in a kid’s world. I think I have a small obsession with boutique toys and craft supplies. My friends would probably concur… I love good design and I love shopping to nice products for my son. One brand I’ve encountered several times is eeBoo. They are a toy manufacturer that specialize in creating beautiful, very high quality items for kids. They value good design and always use amazing children’s illustrators for their products. They never license artwork and always get illustrators to design for them individually. I love this! I love that each illustration is unique to their products.

I would LOVE to design for this company. It’s important to me, as an illustrator, to know that my work is going to be featured on high quality products or produced in a high quality manner. I know with this company, I wouldn’t be let down. I wanted to write this post to share this inspirational company with you but also maybe they’ll read it and get back to me ;)

I love cake! Don’t you? I especially love it when it’s as beautiful as this one by Ween from Love-a-Cupcake. She creates amazing cake decorations or ‘sugar art’ and has recently created some new sugar art inspired by my work! I made a post a while ago showing some of the first creations she did inspired by my work. I was so flattered and amazed at how she could translate my illustrations into sugar! She has created some new designs that I’ve posted here :) She is very talented at what she does, I couldn’t help but share it with you all! You can view more of her amazing work at her blog or website. Too bad she doesn’t live in the area… I’d love to hire her for Isaac’s 2nd birthday!

My little guy is almost 18 months and I really can’t believe how much he’s grown. I know everyone says that, but wow, he’s huge! I don’t have the exact stats but I think he’s around 34 inches and 30 pounds..he’s a BIG boy. I look at him every day and can’t get over how much he’s developed…physically, emotionally and intellectually. He has an amazing personality and loves so many things… he loves the outdoors, being silly and running in circles around the kitchen table, playing with balls of all colours and sizes, snacking on watermelon and Gold Fish, reading books…especially interactive ones, listening Baby Einstein music in the car, jumping on his dada, building forts with pillows and blankets, bathtime and bubbles, playing at the park, baking with mama (or just making a big mess), and so much more! Being a mother has filled my heart. He’s an incredible little boy with a sensitive heart and a joyous personality. How did I ever get inspired before him? Isaac is a HUGE inspiration to my work and I have so many ideas waiting to come out. I love being a mother and love having a little bundle of energy to chase around each day. He loves life and makes me love it too!

Juggling work with a toddler is not easy but I’m doing the best I can. I mostly work in the evening and on the weekends but squeeze in a bit of work during his naptimes. Everything has changed since this little person has entered my life and my priorities have definitely shifted. I try to only accept a couple jobs at a time and give myself generous deadlines in order to keep life sain. There are many phases to life and I’m planning on cherishing this one! Thanks to Crystal Driedger for mentioning me in her last posts and making me seem like a mom and artist who has it all together! I’d love to think I do, but each day is a juggling act and I’m always learning :)