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Yay for Jannie Ho (aka ChickenGirl) and getting her all time favorite word featured for this week’s Illustration Friday theme – CHICKEN. Jannie is an AMAZING illustrator and designer. Her characters are always full of personality and fun. Check out her blog to see her super fun and amazing work :)

Here is my ‘chicken’ illustration for this week. I have to say that this is a very old illustration and I can definitely see how my style has changed. There are elements of this style that I love and sometimes feel bad that I’ve changed. I love the looser/messier feel to this illustration as I really enjoy drawing with more freedom and less precision. My work has become a lot tighter and more precise over the years. I think being tighter works well for certain projects but I also want to try to bring some of this looser style back into my work for the right assignments. What do you think? Love to hear your feedback on my style now verses then!

My friend Melissa Kew just started a new photography blog, Melissa Kew Photography, and has been working on building her portfolio as a photographer. She is an accountant by day but loves being creative on the side. She asked me if I wanted to do a maternity photo shoot with her and I was more than happy to accept!

I’m 29 weeks pregnant in these photos. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll remember my maternity photo shoot when I was pregnant with Isaac (over 2 years ago). I was 28 weeks pregnant in these photos so it’s nice to have both collections taken around the same time.

Melissa came over to my house and transformed my living room into a studio! We were even excited to see Isaac wanted to participate in a few photos. He isn’t usual compliant with organized photo shoots, so we weren’t expecting to get any of him. I am so happy with the results of the photos. Melissa has some great talent and I’m excited to follow her blog and see what she captures next!

Under 3 months to go.. almost all ready for the little guy to make his appearance :)

Most of you that follow my blog know that I am expecting another baby boy in March next year. My belly is getting big and we are getting very excited! And I think Isaac has finally decided that the baby is in mommy’s belly and not his! I’m at the 25 week mark now so I definitely feel pregnant! As soon as I found out the baby’s gender, I started the nursery design. I LOVE decorating kids rooms! I posted about Isaac’s new room a few months ago. He’s now officially in a big boy bed and doing really well. The kid hasn’t left his bed ONCE since being in it for over 2 weeks. He actually still calls for us in the morning to get him out of bed. I’m guessing this might pass, but for now, I’m happy the transition has been so smooth.

With the help of many artisans on Etsy, I’ve designed/decorated the room just how I’d imagined. I might add a few finishing touches here and there, but I’m overall very satisfied with the look. I’ve posted some photos of the items I purchased on Etsy so I’ll also include the links to each store below. I’d love to hear what you think of baby #2′s new room! And while you’re at it, feel free to send some name suggestions! lol We are having trouble deciding on a name for our new little bundle :)

Etsy Shops:
Alphabet Print
Animal Bookends
Pillow Cases + Window Panels
Raccoon
Porcupine Clock

The most wonderful time of year is just around the corner so it’s about time to get started on those Christmas cards! Paperworks Co. and I have collaborated on a new collection of 6 Christmas stamps. This collection is getting some great feedback so I really hope you like them. I’d love to hear which is your favorite. I think I’m particularly drawn to the little girl holding the snow globe :)

I also wanted to post this beautiful card designed by Sylvia over at Mabie Stampin’. I was drawn to the delicate colours and simplicity of the design! If you’ve made a card with one of my Christmas stamps, I’d love for you to post a link in the comments.

And if you act fast, you can receive an additional 10% off any of the stamps in the collection if you order this weekend! Simply enter the promo code “PWCOXMAS” when you checkout. This offer is valid until Monday night (Oct 18th).

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 ;)