New Christmas Cards- I know it's soooo early, but you gotta keep up with the world of card design!

When I got told I would have to have Christmas card designs ready for August, when I started the whole designing greetings cards thing, I couldn't believe it, but, yes, it's true. So I here they are. I had some design ideas for a bear and cat collection, not sure where it came from, but it just popped into my head one day, and it looked good in there, so decided to put it down on paper, and am pleased with how they look. Fingers crossed all of you and some shops will like them too!

Sleeping Bear and Cat

Collecting the Christmas Tree

Bear meets Cat in the Snow

The cards are available individually or as a set...

have a look here for them on my website along side more 'Art and Other Lovely Things'!

Would love to hear what you think, if you would care to leave a comment below, thanks xx

Hot Off the Press: UK Wildlife Colouring Book, with fun facts about each animal.

I have had a very exciting last few days, last Friday I went to Dorchester to pick up my new and very first book. It's a colouring book full of hand drawn UK wildlife, and I am really pleased with it. I never thought that when I stopped work just before having Henry, I would ever be stocking shops with my card designs, let alone launching a new book!

Here it is, it is 17cm x 24cm in size (so between A4 and A5) so very handy for taking out and about in a hand bag to keep kids entertained. It has 20 different drawings of animals native to the UK. Accompanying each picture are 3 fun facts about each animal, so you can learn all about what you are colouring, clever hey?!

On the weekend I did 2 fairs, and the books went down well, children loved colouring in the cards with some of the images on I had made up for the events, and my gazebo was a little hive of activity, it was lovely!

The animals you can colour in the book are:

Deer

Dormouse

Fox

Hare

Otter

Badger

Barn Owl

Hedgehog

Heron

Pheasant

Frog

Pike

Red Squirrel

Robin

Sticklebacks

Stoat

Mallard

New Forest Pont and Foal

Puffin

Seal

The books are a great gift and perfect for anyone who loves colouring, and who doesn't?

They are only £4.00 each, so why not get yourself a copy here.

NEW: Limited Edition 'Fairground' Bike and Scooter Ribbons

I have had a ribbons kind of a week this week, so ended up with a Friday making session of these limited edition 'Fairground' ribbons. There are only 8 pairs available, so grab yourself some quick!

They are super pretty and bound to make your little one smile as s/he rides along with them flying off the handlebars. As soon as I made them, the colours just made me think of an old fashioned fairground, hence the name.

The ribbons consist of bright pink satin ribbon, violet satin ribbon, bright pink satin ribbon with white polkadots, white satin ribbon with black polkadots, sunshine yellow satin ribbon and white organza ribbon. They attach easily onto any handlebars with a soft pink elastic.

Have a look below for some pictures, video and an exclusive interview......

You can get yourself a pair and see other ribbons here

Vehicles Painting Commission

Recently I completed this commission for a little boy who loves vehicles. I came up with a sketch that his Mummy and Daddy were happy with, and then got to work, here's some photos so you can see how it went...

initial sketch

Getting started on canvas board

More vehicles

And some more

Road and river coming along

Just the sky to go

Almost there

The finishing touches

I really enjoyed painting this, it is always so nice to do a piece for a child/ baby who will hopefully have it in their room for years to come.

For more commissions, have a look here, please do get in touch if you would like one too, I'm more than happy to have a chat about ideas and I can work in a variety of media to suit your needs.

Would love to hear what you think about this one, please leave your comments below, thanks xx

Adrenaline Junkie Animals (Extreme Sports Card Collection)

Hi, I have been working on a few designs for my extreme sports animals collection lately. I have had the idea for these for quite a while, and have finally got them down on paper.

In my former life (before 2 little ones) I did have a go at few adrenaline fuelled sports, and was known by our friends, before we got married, as Pete's 'extreme girlfriend' , a title I was quite proud of. I love a bit of adrenaline as much as the next person.

Snowboarding is completely one of my favourite things to do, it's just incredible, and you can't beat fresh powder on a sunny day. (I do not claim to be any kind of expert, but I can get down a mountain pretty well).

Surfing is something I have conquered at a very low level. I love the beach too, and the sea. I went on some travelling adventures with my lovely friend Laura, where we spent a lot of time trying very hard to stand up on a board. And I am proud to say I have managed it, but don't ask me to do any tricks.

Last but not least, I have also sky dived, which was one of the most scary and exciting things I have ever done. If you really want a proper adrenaline rush, go and jump out of a plane. I was strapped to someone who knew what they were doing though, and have not even considered a base jump, or a wing suit as my fox is wearing in my painting below.

I always remember some one saying to me, and something that is a well known moto 'Do something that scares you every day' I'm not sure if I manage it every day, but these are a few things that I have done, and that have made my life even more enjoyable, and have also now inspired these card designs. Looking forward to the day we can take my two children surfing and snowboarding (I think they have inherited a bit of thrill seeking blood by the way they throw themselves off the sofa onto the beanbag!)

Check out my designs for my extreme sports animals card collection below, soon to be printed and available from www.sarahlovellart.co.uk . But there's lots to have a look at there in the mean time.

Unicorn in a Flower Meadow

I have recently finished a commission for a baby girl's bedroom. I wanted to paint something that would be very pretty and last her for longer than just her baby years.
I came up with the idea of a unicorn in a flower meadow, if you have looked at my art work or read by blog posts, you will know I have a bit of a thing for unicorns! I did a sketch and chatted with her Mummy about it. She really liked the idea, so I got to work.
The canvas is A1 and I used acrylic paint, I am getting very fond of using acrylic, it was a perfect medium for this piece as it leaves a soft satin sheen, and I thought that added nicely to the magical feel of the painting.
I took photos as I went along, so you can have a look how the painting evolved. I was really happy with how it turned out, and so were the recipients. Hopefully it'l be a picture the little girl will remember forever, I still remember the pictures I had in my room when I was little!

Initial sketch

The unicorn takes shape

Sky and the beginnings of the butterflies

Butterflies

And here's the finished piece.

I really like taking on commissions, so if you would like one, I would be really happy to hear from you, and we can discuss what ideas you have, and I can bring them to life for you

email : sarahlovell20@hotmail.com

Father's Day

Not long to go now until the 16th June (Father's Day in the UK just on case you needed reminding!) and I thought I would write a quick post to let you all know about my cards..... I have quite a few designs which would be perfect for any great Dad out there. they are all blank inside for your own special message, why don't you have a look and get yourself one in really good time for the big day, and make the card you give your Dad really special (and a little bit different) this year. Here are some pictures to inspire you.....

Campfire

Supercat

Chopper

Racer

Tourer

Melancholy Guitar Bear

Dancing Bear

Drummer Bear

Jazz Bear

Best of all, the cards are A6 and fit really perfectly in a 6 x 4 frame, so if he loves the card he can frame it and keep it on the wall forever. Also, some of the above are also available as A3 prints, so if he deserves a present too, you could treat him with a print. Go on, you know he's worth it, my husband (and amazing Daddy to our 2 children) definitely is!

View Prints Here