Which face do you prefer?

Sketching

'A Day at the Circus' Wall Paper

© 2013 Heidi Schoonbaert

Garter Stitch Illustration

© 2013 Heidi Schoonbaert

Owl Wallpaper

© 2013 Heidi Schoonbaert

Doodling Knits

Knitting stitch by stitch, creating loop by loop, has inspired me to pick up the pencil and doodle. Gosh, it feels like a century since I've last worked with pencil. It feels good to get back into the swing of things with my illustrations. Hopefully I can keep it up while being busy with the knits.

'3 Cold Mice'

© 2013 Heidi Chouinard

Ella's Boots

My second knit design is finished! Here is Ella's Boots...

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I wanted the boots to be warm and durable with some texture. I designed Ella's boots with a high cuff, which can be rolled down, giving it a different look/style. I used genuine leather for the soles, making the bottoms durable and skid-free. 

I want to bring fun, vibrance, character and warmth to each design. So, I was thinking that a cute animal  illustration paired with each garment would add a nice touch, making each design more unique and personal, especially for little ones. What do you think?!

This is putting together all 3 of my passions: photography, knitting, art, and design. :) 

Nursery Rhymes

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I love a colorful, simple, painting geared towards children, which is what I had in mind for these small canvas paintings. I am very often inspired by simple, creative, ideas for nurseries or children's rooms. I did these for Nightingale, leaving the top of the canvas blank so we can add a name by request. 

Owl and the Pea

Classic fairy tales and nursery rhymes often inspire me. I especially like the odd ones, such as 'The Princess and the Pea'. With this classic tale in mind I took my own spin on it. :) 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

Some Paper and Some String

A while back I had made some paper cat garland for the store. Marie came up with the name 'Cat Parade', which I thought was clever! Of course we had to hang them above the mouse house. 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

This past week I made a 'Happy Birthday' garland...

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

The jimmies are my favorite, of course ;) 

Hope everyone is having a great summer day!

Illustration Wednesday

A little Illustration for the day:

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

Ink & cclored pencil on bristol smooth paper

To all my fellow Americans, Happy Fourth of July! :)

Three Amigos

I apologize for not posting any art work recently. So, here is a piece I did awhile back. :)

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

Acrylic & modpodge on  12"X12" canvas

Weeble On A Slate

Now that the mural is finished we(my sister and I) have been back at the store for some laid back creativity, from getting creative with paints on hanging slates to birdhouses. It is June and we are already beginning to paint things geared towards halloween. Living in Salem for a good chunk of my life, I have successfully avoided the total ciaos that takes place downtown every year during the whole month of October(don't get me wrong, it can be a lot of fun, it is just not my thing)...but this year it is going to be unavoidable. We are going to be setting up a booth down town in October with some halloween things as well as some regular items that are sold at Nightingale. We are going to be in the midst of it all! Ahhhhh! 

On a positive note, I think it is going to be good exposure for Nightingale. 

Below is one of my halloween creations on a slate. As most of you have guessed, I like to create cutesy characters with unique, simple, designs/patterns. Weeble, is a ghost who is dressed up as a sort of bunny, who dwells gaurdian over the pumpkin patch during the night. 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

A Mob Of Cats and a Ball Of Yarn

Today has been a little bit of a sad day, especially for my mom. :( It was the day that she had to put down her cat Raven, who had been apart of our family for 13 years. It was tough to see him go, and see my mom so upset. Raven will be missed. 

On a better note, I did finish that piece that I was working on for my mom, and I did get it done in time for Mother's Day. It was a close one though! I was going to draw in different patterns on the cat's bodies and color them, but decided not to. I remembered that my mom loves to color, and doodle...soooo I turned it into a coloring page! I made a ton of copies so that she can do all kinds of different designs and colors on them. My mom came up with the great idea to put four of the squares together to make up one big square and turn it into a puzzle with shrinking plastic!! I think it is a fantastic idea, and can't wait to see the result. It makes me happy to know that she is thoroughly enjoying it! 

      © 2012 Heidi Chouinard 

                                                                                                      

On the knitting end I have worked a little bit on my herringbone stitch baby blanket. 

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

As you can see I have finished the blue stripe, and have just begun my next stripe, which is called oatmeal!

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

 © 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I went to my local yarn shop today and picked up some of this scrumptious 55% wool + 45% cotton by Spud & Chloe for a Rhino Romper that I am going to make for my fiance's brother's baby boy who will be making his grand entrance in September!! I read through the pattern and found that it is written well, pretty easy to understand, and it is free,which surprised me. 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I have heard nothing but great things about this yarn, so when I saw a whole section of it in my local yarn shop I got a little over excited. :) It seems to be a great pick for children knits, and mom's. It is a superwash wool, and can be put in the washer AND dryer, which in my mind is a must when worn by babies! I am using the color 'Toast' for the main color of the romper, for a few stripes in the chest area I am using the color 'Moonlight', for the collar and cuffs(on arms and legs) 'Cider'. I am eager to cast on for this project, am hoping to start it tonight! For all my fellow knitters out there, happy knitting! :)

A Mother's Day Sneak Peek

My mom is a child at heart. She is very goofy, and always puts a smile on someones face. I think my mom is the only person I know who doesn't like receiving flowers, especially on Mothers Day...I have made the mistake in the past in getting her a bouquet of flowers. :P  My mom takes joy in the little things, and something that makes her laugh will make her day. Soooo...here is a peek at what I am making for her for Mother's Day.

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

Oh, and did I forget to mention that she looooves cats.

I'm not going to tell you what I have planned for this, but when it is finished I will post. I am very excited to get started on it! I don't have much time now, so I better get cracking on it! Happy Friday! :)

First Spring

I finished it! Today was a productive day. I got my mini illustration finished, photographed some sketches that  I'll be sharing later this week, watered the garden, finished knitting a honeycomb, and went with my sister to pick up her new car! 

colored pencil and ink on Bristol smooth paper

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

All in all it has been a great Monday. I am going to finish it off with some relaxing knitting time with the blanket that I shared with you in my last post. I love productive days! :) 

Monday Update

Last night I came up with a sketch that is still in the works...

graphite on Bristol smooth paper

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I have some color combinations brewing that I am eager to add! I hoping to finish it today. 

On the knitting end I am working on a baby blanket for my 'Hope Chest'.

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

The stitch I am using is the Herringbone stitch, which I am really loving!

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

These are the colors I am using for the stripes...

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

My next color stripe is the blue one, which I am super excited about! I would have to say that the colors I chose for this blanket is coastal inspired. I love the earthy tones with the muted blue. 

Have a great day! Back to work for me. :) 

An Illustration for Monday

Hi everyone!  Here is an illustration that I did a few months ago. 

Owen The Bunny

colored pencil and ink on Bristol smooth paper 

5"x7" 

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I hope you had a great weekend, and have an inspirational Monday! :)

Counting Stitches

Graphite on Bristol smooth paper

© 2012 Heidi Chouinard

I have finally finished it! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a passionate knitter. My knitting inspired me to draw this illustration. This probably isn't the last of a knitted inspired piece...I am sure there will be more where that came from. I went through a few of the same sketch before I got the ending result I wanted. I originally was going to do this piece in color, but I was having a hard time coming up with a color scheme in using colored pencils(I have not got my paints yet, so for now I am using my colored pencils).