Thanks for the kind comments about the latest batch of knitted animals and about my little sitty-knitty corner on the last but one post. A couple of people asked what I use my collection of coloured pencils for. To be honest, not so much these days – they had most of their use nearly 20 years ago when I was at college and then when I worked (briefly) as an illustrator / graphic designer. I used to paint in gouache and then work over the surface in the caran d'ache watercolour pencils. Things like this…
(If you wanted to see more of my paintings there are a few more on flickr.)
These days the pencils mostly come out for shrinkle making with Amy, though I do sketch out ideas for clothing for the knitted animals from time to time. I did a few paintings for the children's rooms when they were little, but the last time I painted properly was when Amy first started school and I made this Little Red Riding Hood costume for a fancy dress competition.
These days it's mostly knitting rather than painting that fills my free time – it's easier to pick up and put down and so fits in much better with having the children around. But thanks for asking about the pencils and giving me the chance to drag out my paintings again and remember how cute Amy was at five!
little cotton rabbits 
Wow! Beautiful artwork, Julie! I absolutely love the big bad wolf. And – yes – Amy is/was very cute!!
Pen x
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Wow! that’s all I have in me – just wow. You are very talented 🙂
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well gorgeous, no matter how cute and cuddly I think your knitted critters are, if ever you gave it up you would def have another fantastic business on your hand painting….they are beautiful ;o)
hugs
hello gorgeous xxx
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My goodness your artwork is beautiful! I love the cats and my favourite would have to be Relax….I am often like that with the cat, nothing beats it does it. Amy looks fantastic in her costume and that big bad wolf sure is scary…did she win?
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I JUST LOVE ALL PAINTINGS.
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AMY LOOKS LOVELY,IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CANT DO.
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I want to live in that cottage.
Gorgeous Julie – I’ve always been so impressed when you’ve shown your artwork.
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Julie – Oh my! Those are beautiful! You certainly are blessed with talent!
Dawn
PS – I bet you could add a picture line to your Etsy shop! 😉
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Julie, I’m wondering what other lights you have hidden under your bushel now.
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Oh I do love the big, bad wolf and his wonderful eyes!!
I would love to live in that little cottage too and admire the beautiful daisies while drinking tea and eating cake.
Thanks for sharing your lovely illustrations Julie, I think you should get those pencils out more often. 🙂
Vivienne x
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Ohmygosh! That Little Red Riding Hood is fantastic!!! Have you ever knit a Little Red and her Big Bad Wolf?
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You’ve work is wonderful!! I love the first one with the cats. They would make wonderful notecards!
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That wolf is AMAZING!! You are so talented!!
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Golly, you are one talented lady! 🙂
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I’m sure once your children are older and you perhaps have a little more time on your hands you will get the urge to paint again – it would be such a shame not to! I gave up for many years while my kids were small but now it’s a major part of my life once again.
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OMG, your paintings are AMAZING!! I hope you realise how talented you are!! I love the cats and the fox!!
Would love a portrait done of my two cats in your style, have you ever thought of doing anything like that?
BTW had a look at your little corner, looks very cosy – my corner is my conservatory too and we have the same red spotty knitting bag!!
S x
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I mean wolf not fox, doh!!
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Love your paintings 🙂
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Gorgeous drawings! I hope you have an opportunity to take it up again – there are seasons for doing certain things!
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These paintings are awesome – you should start again and sell your prints. Beautiful! Lisa L.
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Great talent. I agree with the others, you should make notecards or something to post on your etsy shop.
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Your paintings are wonderful. Hopefully you’ll be able to get back to painting in time. It would be a shame not to use such an incredible talent.
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Oh Julie, that costume is really amazing. Amy looks so sweet, too. Did she win – surely she must have? Your artwork is brilliant. I would love to buy a fox or wolf drawing of yours. You should start again.
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Oh my goodness! The talent and gift you hold in your fingertips! I’m so glad you shared. I am just wowed by you. Seriously!
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Backstory. Like finding easter eggs. This explains so much about the neat and provocative lines of your knit design. Interesting. It was born in you to create. Born in you to take an inert substance and give it dimension and life. Certainly, you have been given the most precious of materials – and you are working them, delicately shaping, taking something that is only itself and teasing out of it the life inside. You are something, my dear. Something very special.
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Wow Julie, You are so talented, I can knit most things quite happily, but always wonder at your stunning animals and now I see why they are so beautiful, you are a fantastic artist – something I am definatly not! Amazing xx
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You’re a very talented lady, it’s lovely to see all your lovely work.
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lovely art work, nice to think you could pick it up again if you wanted too. I will be putting a prize in to the sheep raffle too this year!
xxx
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Cripes!!! fabulous artwork. Is there no end to your talents you lovely lady you!
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Your paintings are amazing! I love all of them, but I really wish I could own that first one! Very cool.
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Man, you’re talented! I especially love the girl ying down in profile with the cat.
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They are all so wonderful! I have to say, if you made prints and put them up for sale, I would HAVE buy all three! Seriously. Could you? Would you? There is no way I could pick just one. Gosh, I really wish you would……….:)
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Oooooh, Julie. There are so many wonderful interesting sides to you.
I have marveled at the delicacy and intricacy of your beautiful knitted creatures and handiwork and wondered how you found the time for them and yet you say they are easier than drawing.
What other talents are you hiding??
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Boy oh boy! You’ve got talent galor! And Amy is beautiful!
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Your paintings are wonderful Julie… and I hope Amy won first prize with that brilliant costume
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Oh how amazing! I’m so impressed! K x
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Oh Julie – Is there no end to your talents??? Beautiful artwork and gorgeous photos. Amy’s fancy dress is wonderful and so creative!! I had been wondering what all your coloured pencils were used for and you have answered that question. Your ‘quiet corner’ looks absolutely perfect – I would love one just like it!! Thanks for your recent posts – your knitted animals are just as lovely as ever. Love to you all, JennyH.
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Wow, Julie — your paintings are delightful! I want to jump into the one with the cottage and sip a cup of tea with you. Thank you for sharing your journey with Toby so often — I too have a child with an ASD and your posts are more encouraging than you’ll ever know. God Bless You!
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Totally talented! Waterstones are running a competion to illustrate michael morpurgo’s ‘sleepin beauty’. it is ‘picture this’ on the waterstones website! We need you drawing more too!
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It is always so nice to see your work and now first time I´ve seen your drawings/paintings 🙂 and I do like all what I´ve seen 🙂 And maybe someday You might draw/paint some more…example then when comes that “knitting-blaah” what is visiting now in “my place” and I wish it goes over soon or I need to go shop some more books what to read…reading-season is now “in” :))Drawing might be fun too but I´m not so good as You are…
I liked that black/white cottage the most and kittyes were great too :))
Happy Midsummer Days to You and family,enjoy the summer 🙂
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Hi Julie. This is my first time visiting your blog, and after several people pointed me in your direction because they thought we had some things in common (the crafting and the son), I thought I’d have a look. I must say I’m in awe of ALL your gorgeous work, but most especially your work as a Mum. What an inspiration you are!
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Oh my goodness, you are so talented. I love all three pieces of artwork but I have a small fondness for the second.
I love this blog, have been visiting for quite a while now, and shall continue to do so.
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You never cease to amaze me Julie – your talents are endless. I love your artwork just as much as your animals. Hope you are well xx
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Stunning Artwork!
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Wow, much as I like your animals, your paintings are wonderful. I wish I was half as talented.
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They are so beautiful. What a talent you have. I bet if you sent them to some card companies they would snap them up!
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