MamaSeaShell's Drawing Board - MamaSeaShell's Blog - SacMomsClub.com

MamaSeaShell's Drawing Board - MamaSeaShell's Blog - SacMomsClub.com http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell Journal of an Artist-Mother of Four Boys Journal of an Artist-Mother of Four Boys en-us Paying attention http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9371 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9371 <p>  Even though I am able to be home and available to my boys during the day if they need me.   My focus, for a while,  was on art and a book.  The boys played outside while I painted.  They colored near me while I checked updates.   They played blocks and watch "Super Why" on television.   </p> <p>This week I have been catching up time with my boys.  We took the time to re-connect with each other.   We sat and talked on the couch, played and took naps together.  Sat down to have meals at the table.  </p> <p>I am paying attention to my house and preparing for my 13 year old son's big birthday party.  In which, he invited four of his friends for a BBQ and games, including a little girl he has a crush on.  I think <strong>he would have a fit </strong>if he knew I blogged about that but, mom cant help but remember all these growth milestones.  </p> <p> He said he wanted to rent all the pg-13 movies I didn't allow him to watch before for his birthday! lol.  </p> <p> I get to re-connect with my home and kids and that feels good.  </p>

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The Fairytale Town Printed Story.... http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9364 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9364 <p>My family and I made it to the Fairytale town event on Sunday to hear the writer of "Mommy, Do you think of me",  Caitlin Ross Manoogian,  read her story.  I'm not sure if anyone else here got to make it to the event.  It was filled with all kinds of venues and tents.  Well known writers and  illustrators were there for demonstrations.  Lots of families there playing around.  </p> <p>The SacMoms contest was scheduled for the middle of the afternoon.  We waited by the stage to be announced.  They called Caitlin up with recognition as the winner of the SacMomsClub story.  They gave thanks to me for the illustrations.  In which, I got a roar of applause (...from my little peanut gallery..my family...they're shameless.  ; /  ) </p> <p>I had the pleasure of meeting her family.  They were wonderful and very proud of their Mommy.  She sat on the Mother Goose stage with her son on her lap to read the story to a  nice audience of parents and children alike.  </p> <p>I received lots of compliments on what a great story it is and how nice the illustrations turned out for such a short event.   Including, come to find out,  a senator that was there enjoying the festivities.   I don't know from one senator to another.   I happen to not be that politically savvy but, he came over to our group.   My sister is dating an events planner and he swooped on in to talk to him.  It was great.  I'll have to ask later which senator it was.  </p> <p>I have to say...the book  turn out very nicely.  It's a soft-cover book, saddle stitched with an acknowledgment page giving thanks to all who made the book possible.  The illustrations are drawn and colored just in her and her son's likeness.  Which, gave it a nice touch to a personalized story that she shares with lots of parents.</p> <p>Caitlin received such a wonderful response for her story.  She is considering publishing options for the future of her book.  </p> <p>Making this book has been so wonderful.  I am really excited to extend a significant discount to all those that might still be thinking about illustrating their children's story and making it into a keepsake story of your own.  It's approximately $20.00 for a printed copy.   I plan on giving a special price for the illustrations to all of those that entered this contest.   </p> <p>Best Wishes to everyone... </p> <p> </p>

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Title: story board...
Caption: Storyboard - drawn and watercolored Illustrations
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Title: Water coloring a page to the story
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story board... Storyboard - drawn and watercolored Illustrations Water coloring a page to the story Meeting with the children's book writer.... http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9335 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9335 <p>I have been painting away on the story for our contest winner.  I haven't had much time to post very much. I wanted to journal about my experience with illustrating for this contest.  </p> <p>I have four of the pictures already painted.   Due to the time frame of the contest in conjunction with the Fairytale Town Children's Book Celebration,  the pictures and illustrating concepts have been drawn up rather quickly but, still look very nice and heartwarming.  </p> <p>I met with the writer, Caitlin, on Thursday.  What a wonderful treat that was for my household.   My kids really enjoyed meeting her and  talking with her.  My 3rd son gave her a hug.   She is a very pleasant and caring lady.  </p> <p>We went up to my office/studio to look over the story and discuss the printing options as well.  She seemed very excited and pleased to have seen the story drawn up.  </p> <p>The mother character for the story has a short "bob" haircut.  So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Caitlin had a bob haircut as well.   I re-did a couple of the pages to paint it in the coloring closer to the likeness of her and her son.   Because, after all it is her keepsake story that she is having illustrated and printed.   It is lovely.   </p> <p>I have a few more pages to finish then, its off to the printers to lay out the illustrations with the text and print a copy for the writer to approve.  </p> <p>I explained to her,  the time frame of the contest was to accommodate the story to being read at he Fairytale Town Celebration as the prize.  That didn't leave me very much time to work on making the final illustrations.   </p> <p>I had worked out a system of  reading and outlining the entries to the contest and drawing up some initial illustrations for each one.  So, that when the time came to announce the winner...whomever that would be...I would be a little more prepared to illustrate the final pictures for printing the story.  </p> <p>So, just to let the other writers know, Although I wasn't able to illustrate and ouline every story. I sitll have created outlines and sketched character ideas for some of the stories that were entered in the contest.  If you are still interested in having your story illustrated and/or published.  It would be a treat to work together with these stories. </p> <p>I was so amazed at the preparation and the creativity behind these stories.  I would encourage the writers to seek an illustrator and look into self -publishing them.  I would be honored to illustrate for you. </p> <p>Meanwhile,  I have had time to take breaks and to play with the kids, have coffee in the morning and read the newspaper.  This Sunday we went to the park and had a walk about.  In which,  my youngest son, who is 3yrs. old,  was very interested in exploring an ambulance.  There was an on call ambulance sitting in the park waiting for calls.  The ambulance drivers where very nice in letting him look in the back of the truck and at the radios and computers.  Maybe someday my littlest son will be an Emergency Medical Technician.  You never really know... </p> Gaining Security http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9304 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9304 <span lang="EN"> <p>At 4:30 this morning, there was a very loud sound roaring off in the distance.  My son heard it and panicked.  He came in our room and woke us up to tell us that there was a roaring sound that wouldn’t stop.   We heard it rumbling.  It sounded like the Aerojet Center testing their rocket engines again.  He seemed quite scared.  He does this often. </p> <p>Sometimes it’s a nightmare he will wake up from.  Coming into the room in a panic saying, “There’s a huge, red hot air balloon hovering in my window.” Of course, this is humorous and we try and teach him to laugh it off.  This underlining fear of something about to happen has been troubling my, now 13 year old, son for most of his childhood. </p> <p>My son was in the 3<sup>rd</sup> grade when the twin towers fell on September 11<sup>th,<font size="3"> 2001</font></sup><font size="3">.</font>  Even though we lived in the back mountains of the southern Sierra’s at the time.   It was so real and terrifying to watch and feel it on our televisions, in our homes, neighborhoods and schools.  We were waiting for something else to happen.  </p> <p>To him it was the day when all the adults we’re not sure what to do.  The day when all the adults were sad, scared and angry.  That was something that shook our foundation of security.  We’ve been trying to gain it back ever since. </p> <p> How do we gain it back?  How do I try to gain his confidence back?  We pray and are thankful in uncertain times that we still have each other.  We fly our flag outside in rememberance.    We try and do our best to remember that we, as a community, are all doing our best to do our jobs, whatever skills may be, to help each other.  I do my best everyday to make sure my kids know I am doing the things I do because I love them.  That's all I can think of doing. </p> <p>In rememberance, How did this day effect you?  How do you deal with it? </p> <p> </p> </span> Writing and Illustrating http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9270 http://www.sacmomsclub.com/home/Blog/MamaSeaShell/9270 <span lang="EN"> <p>I am really excited to be apart of this Children’s Book writing contest. This is, truly an amazing opportunity and creative adventure.  All of these stories have created a whole life of their own. </p> <p>I wanted to say Thank You to the people responsible for getting my little art studio involved. The gentle guidance, support, and encouragement of SacMoms frequent blogument writer ~ <em>Creatress.</em>  Katherine Elorduy ~ Administrator of SacMomsClub and her team for coordinating and judging the event…and the other SacMomsClub mothers that made some <strong><em>pretty amazing stories! </em></strong></p> <p>I am so grateful to be able to connect in this way with some of the most wonderful mothers here in Sacramento. </p> <p>Thank You</p> <p>MamaSeaShell </p> <p><a href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_4m3L5IuSMB3bqJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpc2VvdmQ2BHBvcwM3BHNlYwNzcgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=1hed7l2ru/EXP=1220554150/**http%3A//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3Fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fei%253Dutf-8%2526fr%253Dsfp%2526p%253Dyellow%252Brose%2526iscqry%253D%26w=750%26h=727%26imgurl=www.shilpkalamart.com%252Fdollsofindiaimages%252Fhandicrafts%252Fyellow_rose_PS95_l.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.shilpkalamart.com%252Fproduct%252FPS95%26size=106.9kB%26name=yellow_rose_PS95_l.jpg%26p=yellow%2Brose%26type=JPG%26oid=16520f2419bd6cd6%26no=7%26tt=211,354%26sigr=1199jmsvj%26sigi=12bu4nqkq%26sigb=12ih5q2fk"><img title="http://www.shilpkalamart.com/product/PS95" height="145" alt="Go to fullsize image" width="150" src="http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/m3/2656798773?SSImageQuality=Full" /></a></p> <p><font size="1">(image of a cart full of yellow roses provided by </font><a href="http://www.shilpkalamart.com"><font size="1">www.shilpkalamart.com</font></a><font size="1">)</font></p> </span>