Some new work

Quote from one of my favourite films- Little Miss Sunshine

Just a round up of some of my latest illustrations. Been having lots of fun on these recently.

More brooch fun

The Shrink art bug has definitely got me! I have been working on a few more designs, and have lots of more ideas. I will have a brooch for every occasion, and I think my friends and family know what they will be getting for their birthday, christmas and any other occasion! haha. I will have to try making some other jewellery soon.

It's just really satisfying creating physical objects, as much of my work stays on a screen!

Good post days!

We may live in an instant world, where most things are done online, but you still can't beat pen and paper and snail mail. Here are a few things that dropped through my post box over the last week that really made me smile.

 A card, little note and cute stamps from @letterloves on Instagram.  She is very passionate about snail mail, and asked people if they would like her to post out a card to them. The first few to respond were rewarded with a little envelope of happiness! :)

 An AMAZING squirrel money box that @ptitbento of sent me out of the kindness of his heart, after I commented on his picture on one on Instagram, to say I was in love with it! He sent this from France just because! Don't you just love Instagram!?

This shows the awesome bits and pieces that my wonderful friend Lizi sent me from Hong Kong, where she is teaching at the moment. She hardly ever gets a day off where she can go to the post office, so she had been saving me bits and pieces for a while. Kawaii stickers, tape, page markers, and pen... I'm in heaven! Now time to go and write a letter back!

Shrink Art- It's magic!

Over the past few months I have noticed loads of cool pieces of jewellery about, that have been made using shrink plastic. For a while I have wanted to have a go at making my own jewellery and this seemed like a great way of having a go. I bought some Shrinkle shrink plastic off ebay and got stuck in. Here's some photos of my first attempts.

This one was done using permanent fine liner and pencil crayon. It was really exciting watching it curl and shrink in the oven ( it just needs a few mins at gas mark 3) Me and my husband were riveted! Though it was a little nerve wracking, as it curls and twist a lot, before it settles back down again!

 However, it went a bit wrong when we sprayed some lacquer on it, as it made the ink run. :( hmmm probably should have checked that first!

Above is the second attempt! Again done using pencil crayon and permanent marker. I used a sharpie marker, but found this bleed very slightly on the roughened surface of the plastic, though this wasn't really noticeable once it had shrunk. This time I used a different varnish on it, and yay, no bleeding!

 Sketch time, there was always going to be a squirrel! :D

Painted with a thin layer of acrylic paint

This was the last one I made, and I am really happy with this. This one was done using acrylic paint You can see how concentrated the colour gets after shrinking. So remember less is best when adding the colour!

You will definitely be seeing more of this guys! :)

Recent work

A commission completed for someone's wife for their anniversary, based on a few of her favourite things.

A painting for a first birthday and christening

A cross stitch portrait for someone's Birthday

I took my work into the camper van, so I had a nice little outdoor studio.

Winston came to keep me company! :)

Wedding Commission

A few weeks ago, I was asked to create a portrait of a couple for their wedding. This is not the one I did, as they're not married yet, and I didn't want to risk them seeing it, but I wanted to share it with you, so I have altered it to this made up couple.

I really enjoyed creating it, and think that it would make a lovely memento for a wedding, anniversary or engagement.

If you are going to a wedding this year than why not get them something more personal and get in touch? Prices start at £20 for a digital file that you can print to any size you want.  Email me at samanthaeynon@gmail.com if you want to enquire.

Count Cosmin

October's paper toy is here. Meet Count Cosmin, ready to make your Halloween a bit cuter! If you want to make your own head to my website for a FREE download of the template.

Jubilee Cupcake paper toy

I'm releasing June's paper toy early, and it's a double whammy, coz I'm feeling generous! 

Want some cute decorations for your Jubilee celebrations (if that's your thing?), or just some cute paper toys for whenever.

FREE download of the templates at http://samanthaeynon.com

Vintage Wooden egg cups! :)

I spotted these while having a rummage at an antiques shop. I zoned in on their little painted faces, and they were only 50p each, a bargain in my eye, especially as they are hand-painted. They are egg cups, but I think they are too pretty to be kept in a cupboard so I am using them to put my rings and necklaces in at night.

Smile At A Stranger

I always think that a smile from a stranger can brighten up you day. It's a shame people don't do it more often, dogs are much more forthcoming (though not sure I agree with their other greetings, probably best to leave that to the dogs!)

Happy Easter!

Please say hello to April's paper toy, Fred and Ginger! It is a few days late, even though I planned it out weeks ago! Other things just seemed to get in the way. I wanted to get a bit of a retro look for this one, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. One of my favourites I think!

As ever the template is FREE to download from my website

some new work

Just a short round up of some of my recent work.

This pattern was designed as part of a tutorial I did for Digital Artists Magazine. The tutorial is in issue 31 that is out now.

The idea behind this, was the feeling that there is nothing better than coming home to be greeted by a big hug, be it from your other half, pet or even a friendly furry monster.

Ok, so not the first time this play on words has been used, but with the arrival of spring I felt like doing an image of some dancing bees!

The Curious Pancake

You know who wonderful it is when you get something through the post? Well a few weeks back I won a £5 voucher from The Curious Pancake (the website is currently being revamped but will be back soon) through a twitter competition, I promptly used it to help me buy this wonderful necklace by the fantastic Amy Walters, that I had been admiring for a while.
How lovely it was to open the package when it arrived, all beautifully packed and with a lovely note! It really made my day, it's the little things hey!? I wish all parcels were as pretty.

Giveaway!!!!!

Running a little giveaway. Up for grabs is an A5 Print (you drive me crazy) 6 mini moo stickers and 1 round sticker, 2 badges and a handmade, hand printed notebook. If you want a chance to win comment on this blog post and/or re-post this blog post on twitter, making sure you mention me @littlegamgee so I see it.  If you do both you double your chance of winning.

A winner will be picked at random on 12th March. Good Luck folks :)

March Paper Toy

Here is my March Paper toy; George the Cat. He was designed with Mother's Day in mind, though the template comes with 2 envelopes. One that says "To Mum" and one that is blank, so you can make this little guy for anyone you like, or maybe just yourself!

He is available to download fro FREE, as ever, from my website

Though if you do want to donate click the button on the left bar :)

Barry Amor the love monster

Meet Barry, Barry Amor, he is a cheeky little love monster complete with a bow and arrow. Though he likes to pair up very odd couples every now and again for his own amusement.

 It is my February paper toy, so obviously had to be Valentine's related, so if you fancy making one head to my website to download the template for FREE

Cross stitch

Above is my initial design for a cross stitch of me, Joe and Winston that I want to make and put up in the house.

I was inspired by the amazing cross stitch patterns by Wee Little Stitches  like the ones below:

Scooby Doo

Hellboy

The Goonies