Lullaby Book-Rock-a-bye Update

I didn't like my first version of Rock-a-bye baby. And yesterday, all those pictures of cats in cravats got me thinking. Hmn, why not a cat?

So here is my updated version of Rock-a-bye baby. It's modeled on my cat Mr. Moostache.

Here's the first one I did.

I like my most recent one better. Now, next up is the revamp of Toora Loora Loora and I can finally get his printed in book form.

Ruth

ps. Here's the pic of Mr. Moo that I used.

Mr. Moo

Lullaby Book-Hush Little Baby

Update: 6/6/11
Here is the revised version of Hush Little Baby. I think I like this version, where the goat is white and the Mockingbird is grey.

Here is the next installment of the Lullaby Book.
Featuring, "Hush Little Baby".

I never remembered the words to this lullaby, or rather even knew them past the first two verses. I started on this illustration yesterday and hated it immediately. So today in-between dropping of the quilt at the long arm quilters and lunch I finally worked out a sketch I liked, and finished it after putting the little guy to bed.

Here it is. It's much more subdued color wise as opposed to the last one but all the bright colors just weren't working for me.

Hush Little Baby, Illustration by Ruth Krueger

I'm starting to wonder if I should have made the billy-goat white.

Original Sketch

After a very unhappy first draft, I added the rest of the contents of the song: a looking glass, and a cart and bull. I'm happier with the final than with the first. I also perched the billy-goat differently. 

What do ya'll think?

Ruth

Lullaby Book

Recently I had noticed that I have forgotten or never learned the lyrics to several lullabies. Which isn't much cause for alarm unless you need to sing one to a fussy child or irritable baby. Also, I had forgotten lullabies all together, constantly singing the same ones over and over. Which is fine for a child, but can be boring for a Mother.

So, after much improvisation I decided to search for the lyrics to some lullabies as well as some new ones that I couldn't remember whenever I wanted to sing.

I originally printed out a list of sweet lullabies, and then also, their corresponding lyrics. I printed them out and just kept them in a binder clip near the children's books in my son's room. Then, I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have them all bound in a book, so that the kids cant, rip, tear, chew and so forth without it falling apart?

That became the idea for the lullaby book. So now I've taken a number of old songs, and am slowly, very slowly adding illustration. Hopefully, when I am finished, I can print them out, laminate them, and bind them (crudely I suspect) and use it for bed time lullabies. I also can make more and give them as baby gifts. For those Mom's who at 4 am cannot remember a lullabies lyrics, or really any lullaby other than twinkle twinkle, I hope it would be useful.

Here's the first.

It's not necessarily a lullaby. But it's a favorite song of mine and is pretty easy to remember.

Blackbird by the Beatles.

Here's the finished piece. Well, finished until I decide to change it.

Blackbird by the Beatles, Illustration by Ruth Krueger

This was illustrated in Illustrator CS5. I'm not sure if I like the layout of the text. But tweaking is part of the process. Next maybe I'll start on Lavenders Blue.

Original Sketch

I hope to finish it soon, as my sister in law is having a baby in July. Eek. Time constraints....always a nice kick in the rear.

Ruth

Superhero alphabet

While perusing through Design Milk, I found this incredible print.

Superhero Alphabet

A is for Aquaman, C is for Cyclops. N is for Nightcrawler. I just LOVE it. I need to get this for my son's room. His 2 year birthday is coming up.

Hmn....

I must have it.

Ruth

Rock Crystal Jewelry

I was walking on the Elliptical Machine at my gym and reading  (staring at pictures) May's issue of InStyle (with Tina Fey on the cover)  and noticed this lovely article about Rock Crystal Jewelry.

Then when I looked online the trend is still there!

Well guess who felt cool then..... I made some rock crystal jewelry this past fall as birthday presents for some of my sisters. The two piece quartz crystal necklace I made for myself. But I'm thinking about separating it into two necklaces. It's too bulky for just one person.

Here's it hanging on my home-made jewelry holder. Yay!! for projects you can make out of foam core board, thumb tacks and a cheap frame.

Here's a necklace made from pieces of Amethyst Crystal. I joked when I made it that it was a statement necklace, Whose statement was "I love big jewelry!"

Anyway, I feel neeto for having been part of a tiny trend. It seems that everyone thinks alike now and then.

Ruthie

Baby Project with Love

I started working on perfecting the curvy "Single Girl" Pattern. So after the first draft, I cut out four blocks of the pattern, and got to work, matching up notches, and pinning. I tried a couple methods and the pinning method worked better for me. Which is funny, since I've been doing the "make it fit" version for years and years and wondering why it never turned out well.

The four blocks fit well and proved I could use my pattern. And since it turned out so well, and I feel in love with the fabrics (all from my fabric stash) I added a little border and a heart and made it into a baby blanket.  No sense wasting a nice looking quilt just because it's only 3 feet by 3 feet.

Here it is.

I'm not one to try out patterns first when it comes to quilting. Only when it's a dress or a shirt. But then again, maybe I should going forward. Especially if my rough draft turn out as nicely as this.

 I added the hearts and appliqued them to the center. It needed a focal point. I thought about monogramming it with the baby's initials, and then chose an applique heart instead. I like it.

It's just straight stitched around most of the seams, (about 1/4' away from the seams) and it fluffs up just fine.

Hope the little girl likes it.

Ruth

Lego Round-up

Look what crazy awesome Lego themed products are out there. My little son is loving the large lego blocks, and I can imagine that these super cool lego products would keep me entertained as well...

http://design-milk.com/leg-go-stilettos/

 I can't imagine walking in these. I made a pair of 'embellished' shoes in college. I used lots of hot glue, lots of red rhinestones and made myself some Red Ruby Combat Boots. I was Dorothy for Halloween.

http://uniquedaily.com/2010/12/lego-brick-toy-box/
I really want one of these toy boxes for Jed.I. It would look a lot cooler than the overflowing clear plastic tub wouldn't it?

http://walyou.com/lego-calculator/

I just don't know how this would work. But I want to try. Can you imagine a Lego Graphing Calculator?

http://wn.com/More_Lego_stuff

I just found out that I'm not eligible for an upgrade on Verizon. My phone died in December so I had to get a new one. That means I am going without the Iphone for a little bit (1.5 years) longer. So perhaps I'll have to pretend with this lego facsimile. LEGO Iphone on the left if you're unsure. ;)

http://www.rei.com/product/807824

We just got our Son the lego light up keychain on the right. He loves it. Also, my husband and I love it too. Maybe we love it more.....not sure at this point.

http://www.amazon.com/Lego-Style-4GB-USB-Drive/dp/B0041EIFCQ

Usb thumb drives at Amazon. Gee, Legos really make me happy. They almost look as if they're smiling don't they?

<3 Ruthie