#76 Emma Wiesenekker

How much do you love that photo. Too sweet for words? I would actually really love to see a whole series of Emma Wieseneker's illustrations in photos, I think it's a concept that works perfectly with her whimsical style.

I am a big fan of Emma's work & I think it would look wonderful in a nursery or children's bedroom, however one of the especially lovely things about these pieces is that while very cute & certainly captivating for a child's imagination, maturity would bring a new level of appreciation for the intricate detail & talent of the artist. They would transition perfectly from a childhood fascination to an art piece in your child's home, laced ever so delightfully with memories & sentimental value.

 
  
 
  

It was so hard trying to narrow down my selections for this post, I'll admit I did have some help from one very opinionated three year old.
Please visit the Emma Wiesenekker blog in order to truly appreciate these gorgeous illustrations in their intended larger sizes, unfortunately my indecisiveness meant images at a smaller size (to fit more in) & I'm afraid some detail is lost, so head over & have a look!

The birds are truly remarkable in intricacy, though I think my favourites remain the horses & the whale. The use of watercolour is just stunning.

You can also find Emma Wiesenekker Designs on facebook & there is apparently an etsy shop opening quite soon - excitement!
I have my fingers crossed for a picture book in the not so distant future too... can you imagine?!

Cx

#45 Identity

This morning Master C & I were reading picture books in bed & chatting, when our conversation turned somehow to his name.
I was explaining to him - just for fun - that his middle name was once his fathers nickname, here is the conversation that followed.
Me: So a nickname is something people often call you, that is isn't really your name. Just like we call you 'Spud'.
Master C: Yes... But that's not my real name, my real name is C(insert first, middle & surname here).
Me: Yes. That's right.
Master C: But sometimes people don't know what my name is.
Me: What do you mean?
Master C: Well, all the time people at the shops say to me (adopts the exact intonations as I now realise would so often be used) "Hi there Matey!"
Me - laughing: Honey i know what you mean but they don't think that's your name, it just means ' Hi Friend'... it's just a different word for friend.
Master C: Well... I don't like it.
Me: Why not honey? It's a nice thing to say to someone?
Master C: Because my name is C(insert first, middle & last name here). And, I am happy with that.

I think it is quite amazing just how young a child's sense of identity develops.
I also think it both remarkable & amusing that they are often so fiercely protective of it...That for so many children the use of any adjective will elicit a fiery response of " No I'm not! I'm *name*!!!"
In a way it feels like a tiny insight into a time in the future when everything about them will be so much more 'them' than their parents. When the name that you gave them will suddenly seem so much more to you, than it does to them.
A most frightening & lovely role reversal...

Cx

#37 One Of Those Days

Today I feel like this.

Which seems to be making Master C feel like that too.

Which makes me feel guilty.

Which makes me feel even more like this...

image via alex brown photography

C x

#29 Little Red Dream

As a child, I guess I had what most would consider 'boyish' tastes.

I loved playing with lego, digging holes to hide out in (weird?), looking for old bottles & cans etc left by miners in the gold rush, getting purposefully lost in the state forest behind our house just so I could try & figure out how to get home - luckily those activities always ended well & I avoided any bottom of a mine shaft incidents!

I loved catching frogs & yabbies (sans net) in the pond out the back of our house more than anything else in the world, & I loved matchbox cars.

I had two favourite cars.

The first was a black english taxi cab, on which the doors opened backwards.

The second, was a little red treasure, which now belongs to Master C.

C x

# 8 The Special Ones - Part 1

I think that everyone - at some point or another in their life - has a special one or ones.

A toy that is a childs favourite beyond a fad.

You know, the kind that is asked for every bedtime without fail, that at times must wear nappies or sit at the table and appear to eat all meals, that is the cause of such charades as "Oh dear did he fall over? He's crying? Yes ok I'll bandage his knee and kiss it better" or "He told you he wants to help us washing the dishes? Umm how about he sits over there and watches us instead...?"

You know.

Master C has a few of said specials.

This is number 2, (In order of 'birth' not preference of course!)

Meet Melvin the Monkey.

Somehow he turned out a lot bigger than I set out to make him, and for a good while there was actually bigger than Master C himself, which made it all the more amusing to watch him attempting to carry him around!

I would love if you would share your memories of you or families special one or ones?

Were they or are they ;) a traditional toy/teddy or something more unusual?

Do you still have them???

Cx