Saturday, February 16, 2008

New Project


Ellie aged 1 week - Watercolour

Last night I finally started the project I've had in mind for the little indian handmade journal I purchased from Kala back in November...A life book for baby Ellie.

My plan is to paint or sketch little pictures of her as she grows on one side and capture a few of her favourite toys, shoes and general bits and pieces on the reverse. I do also plan to add notes and text along the way.

I will then present the book to her on her 18th/21st Birthday as a special and very personal gift.


When I purchased the journal I knew I would have to find some very special purpose for such a pretty and unique book.

The journal is made up of Bockingford watercolour paper in accordion style, allowing me to add further pages with ease should I require them through the years. It also opens beautifully revealing all of the pages on one side at the same time allowing years of growth to be viewed all at once, just perfect for such a project as this.

I started with a portrait of Ellie aged just one week old and added sketches of 'Nellie' and her 'Roo' blanket; the first toy and blanket we purchased for her, on the reverse side of the portrait.


Handmade by Kala

I know I am going to really enjoy this project, my only regret is that I didn't find my path to art earlier so I could have produced such books for my own children.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a lovely project....I have a handmade journal that I want to use for portraits of my son...so far I've just put reference photos in it for when I feel my abilities are up to the task...she is going to LOVE this!!
deni........;)

Creative Life Studio said...

Stunning! I keep a written journal for my girls with the same intentions as yours for their 18th birthdays or upon graduation. I don't think I could tackle something of this magnitude though. What a precious, priceless gift this will be!

I am wondering, is it strictly watercolor that you used or have you used any watercolor pencils too? Would you be so kind as to list the media you used on the first painting?

Thanks so much; I really love your blog and get such inspiration here. :)

Margaret Ann said...

What a thoughtful, precious keepsake..so sweet...so original...so "YOU!"

Barbara said...

Oh Anita, this is so incredibly lovely! - Barbara

artfulzebra said...

This will be such a wonderful gift for her. ;o) Could you not use photos to do retrospective books in a similar vein for your sons? Just a thought!
Great to see your column in the paper too! :o)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

What a gorgeous idea for the exquisite handmade journal. Lucky Ellie. You are going to be so busy once you have to start similar projects for Jake and Harry's children!!!!!!!

RH Carpenter said...

You are creating a family treasure for her that she will keep with her forever. What a wonderful thing to do - and isn't it great to have the talent and skill to be able to do this for her? Will be looking for more entries in Ellie's Journal to come...
--- Rhonda

E-J said...

A lovely idea for a project - and what a gorgeous book! Your sketch of baby Ellie is very sweet. So hard to capture their youngness, but you've done it.

Can you not use photos to capture something of your sons' childhoods? There must be so many mementoes you could include.

Ann said...

Oh my, this will be priceless! With your first entry, it already is, it's a lovely watercolor and such a pretty book too. You have the most fantastic ideas :)

Serena Lewis said...

What a beautiful and sentimental gift it will be, Anita. Ellie will cherish it for sure. :)

caseytoussaint said...

What a lucky little girl - this is an incredible gift to give someone.

Jo Castillo said...

Anita, this is so special and so you! I hope we get to see the entries as you go along. Thanks.

Karen Jinks said...

This is utterly adorable, a real treasure!