A NEW Year

So soon it will be 2011. I'm not much into resolutions but I do like a "to do list" So, here we go...

TO DO:

1. Get out & about & explore more

2. Adopt a dog

3. Look into Luca's little brown eyes more often

(without letting my mind wander off to other details)

4. Kiss my sweet husband more

5. Just be happy to be me!

Wishing You...

A Wonderful Christmas full of friends, family & kindness!

Dear Santa

I've been a pretty good girl this year. What would I like? Well my favorite part of my day is in the morning when I pull out my make up and get all dolled up. I love the colors, the smells, the names, (roman moon, napa valley, black ice, baroque, you get the idea) & especially how I feel when I'm done. Ready to take on the day. So to sum it all up What I want for Christmas is world peace & make-up. What a combination. *Note: I do follow the phillosophy that less is more, so don't worry I don't end up looking like a clown.

Happy Winter Solstice

Now bring back the light!!!! Think I may need to get one of those lamps to sit under.

Circus

I thought this was an appropriate post today. Feels a bit like a circus around here. We've been rushing from one thing to the next- one deadline to the next! Looking forward to a few days off soon. The art is a collection of simple patterns I put together in photoshop.

2010 Christmas Card

Hooray!!! We just got all out 2010 Christmas cards. A nice sense of relief has come over me. This year I painted a little village scene, added some stamping & a few stitches with the sewing machine & voilà.

12 Days part II

As I mentioned yesterday I had made a 12 Days of Christmas gift-wrap collection years ago for Hallmark. You can see different but the same. Hallmark added gold foil to the wraps & bags they also have some pretty talented lettering artist that helped out with the text. The collection was big but I only had a few bits & pieces of it left. To find more I'd just need to visit my mom's house she's bought a sample of everything (yes, everything...) I've ever done & has it all neatly stored away. She's great & the best Christmas present I ever could of wished for.

12 Days of Christmas

Tomorrow will kick off the Twelve Days of Christmas. Hard to believe. . . Last year I was commissioned by Hobby Lobby to create a 12 Days of Christmas gift-wrap/ gift bag collection. They wanted something fun & whimsical but still traditional. This was the outcome. When I worked at Hallmark 7 years ago I did another gift-wrap bag collection for The 12 Days of Christmas. (I'll show that one tomorrow) Seems like I'm often requested to recreate the same theme. The challenge is to keep your general style but be aware of where you've already gone before.

Land of Nod Holiday

The last 5 years I've been lucky enough to work with The Land of Nod on a holiday assortment. There are stockings, garlands, plush ornaments (inspired by my little one who would break all the glass ones), place-mats, a tree skirt & advent calendars. Have you decked your halls yet?

The Land of Nod is currently offering free shipping on many of these items.

Interview on Illustration Mundo

I recently did an interview for the amazing Nate William's, Illustration Mundo.

You can check it out here: jill mcdonald design

December Floral

December 1st has arrived. Missing the lush green & pops of color outside. I'm still finding some beauty in the outdoor palette. Colors just seemed more paired back- & a bit like one color slowly falls into the next. I found a floral in my print collection that has this winter feel to me. I have all my art achieved on my computer. When I pulled this one up it was called December Floral & I knew it was perfect for today's post.

And We're back.

Here we are again back at it. Hope everyone is fully recuperated from a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I have to say I'm glad to start my weekly routine again. (creature of habit) Today's art cut paper, paint a little glue & some digital touch up.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the spirt of giving thanks I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone that takes time out of their day to stop by my blog. I really love what I do & it's great fun for me to be able to share my art. (i make a lot of it! :) Wishing you a day filled with good food, family & friends.

Gather, Jump, Fall

Today I've posted a seasonal print that Liz made. Fun & charming- I like the pink ground.

A Taste of Fall

From my sketchbook some simple drawings of my favorite parts of fall.

Counting the Days...

7 left until our Thanksgiving feast. What's your favorite thing to eat that day?

Little Dude Doodles

Since having my own little man I've become way more inspired to sit the flowers aside & make more boy appropriate art. Enjoying all my new sources of inspiration.

Friday!

Have a good one!

The Family of the Sun

My son recently came home singing "The Family of the Sun". I had never heard this song & some of the words in it cracked me up when I heard them come out of his sweet 3 year old mouth. I've attached the song. It goes to the tune of "The Farmer & the Dell". The art I've paired with it for today's post is an older cut fabric piece. (sewing machine, some hand stitching & a bit of digital work) I was very taken with the environmental component & respect for the Earth this song teaches little ones. Give is a try it's catchy!

A Friendly Reminder...

Fall Back. Liz made this print for Hemtextile. Hemtextile is show in Frankfurt Germany- every January Antonio takes our collection to exhibit. I thought this one fit todays fall back theme perfectly. Hope you enjoy your extra hour!

Thoughts of Migration

Brrrr. The mornings are becoming very chilly. Throughout the day I can hear the geese honking above headed someplace a bit warmer. If I had wings I'd join them.

Happy Halloween!

So the costume is finished, the jack-o-lantern carved, the candy has been bought (the good stuff...) and we're officially ready for Halloween. Even had a little extra time to make Luca a little bandido shirt to wear to school today. Hope you have a happy, spooky & safe Halloween!

More Halloween

Like this art? I have cards available (each square it's own card) available on cardstore.com

Halloween always one of my favorite seasons.

Are you feeling Spooky?

Halloween is right around the corner! Can't wait...

Peek -a- Boo

I see you... Hope you're having a great weekend!

(art: watered down gauche, pencil & stamps)

This pretty much explains me...

Brrrrr....

It's that time of year when the mornings are cold around here. As the day progresses it warms up nicely- but I have to get through that morning chill. So it's official it's now time for warm winter drinks. I'm on a peppermint tea kick. What do you like to drink to warm you up?

Some Exciting News!

Antonio, Luca & I just got back from the ABC Kids Expo. For the past year I've been working on a crib bedding line, Jill McDonald Baby. We just launched the collection at the Show. The collection will be available this coming spring. This has been a labor of love inspired by my little one & the desire to share a really beautiful collection at a really reasonable price. I'll share more details soon. Know anyone expecting this spring?

Who's in the Forest

Hello my latest book Who's in the Forest with Barefoot has just dropped. This is a peek a boo board book that introduces the young reader to an adorable crew of forest animals. This weekend Barefoot Books is offering 20% of your entire order when you enter AUTUMN at check out. (now through Oct 11th) They offer so many beautiful books I hope you check them out.

Happy Friday!

Birds on Brown

Today I posting a new print with a nice fall feeling. This was made in photoshop . I'm still waiting for a chunk of time to start playing in illustrator. I'm determined to learn that program!

An Afternoon Break

So it was way too pretty here today to be inside all day plus it's Friday. So Liz, Luca & I hiked along the Parkville nature trails. There's a magical little waterfall that has become a new favorite spot for my family. Sometimes packing little lunch or making paper boats to float down the stream. Hope your able to visit your "happy place" this weekend!

A is for Another....

OK so Alphabets always sell so here's yet another. I'm going to have to think about how to reinvent this idea. For now I'm sticking with fun, bright & happy!

Kaleidoscope

We've been busy around here- which I love. I'm one of those people who thrives on having a lot to do. It's a bit of a kaleidoscope of activities & switching gears. We're about to begin a month long project, I'm putting the finishing touches on my first picture book with Barefoot out this spring. I've worked on lots of board books but a picture book is crem della crem- so I'm thrilled. We're also headed to the ABC Kids expo in about two weeks. October is a jammed packed month!

Monday Motivation

I made myself an I think I can poster about a month ago & we finally hung it up over the weekend. (*accompanied by a bouquet from the garden)

I think I can... What a great saying. Luca loves trains & since he was born we have read him "The Little Engine That Could". When he's in a challenging situation we often can hear him softly say, I think I can, I think I can. I thought I could apply this gentle phrase into my on world. I think I can, I think I can, I knew I could. Have a great week!

Fall Trees

Looks like fall here today. I've noticed on my evening walks with Luca the dry, rustling sounds of the leaves. This is how it begins... I'm starting to see the slightest color change in the trees but what you can't miss is the light. Seems like around 4 pm everything has a golden glow & the in the morning when I wake up it's still dark. (this is the less enjoyable part) What's your favorite thing about Fall?

Follow the beat..

1-2-3-4-5 Sounds like FRIDAY! Have a great weekend.

Thursday

It's rainy & dark here today. The kind of day that you want to spend in the kitchen experimenting with a new recipe. Instead I'm in the studio working to complete a deadline & day dreaming about what to make for dinner. What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Flying towards Fall

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend! Now on to the slow drift into fall. Time to think about bright blue skies, sweaters, acorns, & cider!

Preschool

Last night was the ice-cream social at Luca's Montessori school. He goes 3 mornings a week for a year now & has developed a real bond with his little buddies. He's very social which makes his father & I wonder where it came from as we tend to be the opposite. This art reminded me of the exuberant, curious pack we enjoyed treats with last night. So many tiny personalities it really wonderful to see!

Tickets

Today I got our tickets to the Circus in early September. This will be a first for Luca. I've always loved the circus & have a sneaky suspicion he will too!

Party Time

Today I'm showing a few photo's of Luca's 3rd birthday party last Sunday. We had a wonderful time. He finished his last slice of cake at lunch today so it's officially over until next year!

My SUN

Today is Luca's birthday. Three years ago he arrived in our world. I couldn't love him more! All those funny little things he's brought to our life- the chance to color with big crayons & watch cartoons again. The bubble baths, the strolls in the park, the holidays, the stories, explaining things to his always curious mind, & the pure sincere excitement he has for every new day. Happy Birthday my Sweet Boy!

Tomorrow some photos from his party.

FRIDAY...

my favorite flavor. What's yours?

Have a great weekend!

Tweet, Tweet....

Today I'm posting some photos of the mobile I made for my sister n law Ashley. She's due the end of September & her nursery has a bird theme. Wish my photos had come out better this really did turn out nicely. I spelt out my soon to arrive niece's name on the back of the felt birds. To avoid ending up with craft store felt with that neon just died color (although sometimes that's cool) I've been ordering from Magic Cabin. Antonio's sister Carolina is due at the end of October so I have my stash of materials & many more baby projects to complete.

Animals

I love animals. That unconditional love, the beauty & it doesn't hurt that they can't talk. (we live in a noisy world) We're still looking for our next dog. I would be thrilled with a french bulldog but I just can't get myself to pay all that money. We've always gotten shelter dogs which have been wonderful pets. I don't know how many times I've drawn, painted or decided to collage animal theme art. The subject always makes me happy. A bit of a ramble here so on to the art!

August Butterflies

So, I missed my opportunity in early June to post about the start of firefly season. (Pure nighttime magic to me) I knew I couldn't miss the chance to mention the butterflies that start to pop up around now. They start out just a few when the month begins. Some flying about & some still furry little caterpillars inching along the ground. Later this month & in September the sky is a flutter & it's fun to see the deep orange of a monarch dance by. I'm grateful for the big window next to my desk-this way I don't miss out.