Carnet de gratitude : February 2025 sketchbook

Everyday, illustrated journaling is an important part of my life.
Keeping an open mind to the tiny details that make it easier to breathe even in troubled times, that clear your mind and let you behold routines little miracles, then creating pages to recall them... That's a powerful tool and it's called "sketchbook" spirit.
Sharing this with friends, and opening the circle to others, it's fun and gratifying.
Drawing a Gratitude sketchbook has many values for meditation and mindfulness... I talk about this in the interview I answered for Domestika's blog at the end of 2024.
I publish monthly and you can access the archive since November 2021 from the Projects section on my Profile.

In the February pages of Carnet de Gratitude, I keep on introducing my Saint-Ours bears as special guests, then I include portraits of cherished art toys from other artists. Hoping it will be nice to browse life at Maison Legrand, here goes...

For Carnet de gratitude, I use Talens - Art Creation sketchbooks in 19x14cm format, I draw and colour with fineliners, water-based Tombows, Lyras, crayons...
The Saint-Ours bears were creating almost 20 years ago ! I sewed them by hand from plush fabrics and vintage mohairs, set their glass eyes, and assembled them with moveable heads and limbs. The art toys by other artists date back to the same period. I have labeled the pictures with the artist's names.

February begins with a Saint-Ours bear girl called Midori, a favorite dress from Zuri that I should wear more often , and Nori the Potichat, drinking from a fountain using his paw.

Saint-Ours Midori bearie, in an anime style

The official day for pancakes ! Crepes of any kind <3
This tiny bear is the smallest I created for Saint-Ours. See how Wabisabi likes to sleep, face deep in the pillow.

Hand sewn mohair bear, he looks better than in this photo !

First little bear that could hold something, thanks to a tiny magnet inside her paw.
My friend Coralie Trinh Thi was the model for a graphic painting <3 - I made Overnight Oats with an apple theme.

I loved drawing her eyes ! Reproducing paintings in very small format is a challenge that I enjoy.

Sad news : Gary Baseman's darling cat Bosko died suddenly... They were so close together, it's heartbreaking.
We shared a can of tuna with our 7 Potichats.
Meet a special graphic coloured little bear I created as Saint-Ours.

This little one surprised me when he appeared out of my hand :-)

This winking little bear was funny to create <3
I discovered the concept of Iyeon from the Corean movie "Our Past Lives".
My cat Kurumi makes us happy just looking at him.
We shared some special ice cream that was meant for Christmas, never too late !

Cute little one, I created him as Saint-Ours

I practiced Pilates breathing and for someone devoid of abs, it's difficult.
Miruku, delightful Potichat.
I made some Lazy Noodles that were delicious.
You are not hallucinating : the little Saint-Ours bear is also a buttercup flower.

For this Saint-Ours, I watered a seed. Joking !

I listened to No Money Kids, good rock band.
This photo of my nephew with his two young ones <3
I made us wraps for brunch : healthy and delicious !
This little pink bear from Saint-Ours is grumpy day in day out.

Can you think of something to cheer her up ?

Headaches times are back again... Thanks for pills that help a bit.
My Tanuki cat is lazy and fluffy (only on this picture, she is a very fast runner in reality).
Meet bears from my collection : Created by Beardsley Bears, this is Little Mizz Lucy Foo".

Created by Beardsley Bears, she's a beloved part of my Artist Bears collection <3

Sad day, one of my very favorite authors died. RIP Tom Robbins, you blew my mind and exploded my vocabulary scope <3
This bear is another Puzzi from Beardsley Bears, from her serie "Why be normal ?"

These clown bears are real works of art <3

My grand-daughter turned 16 ! She is bright, original, creative... A wonderful young person <3
Meet Puttzi and the Cat, characters by Beardsley Bears.

They are vintage treasures in mohair created by Beardsley Bears.

The first time I saw this little pink felted bear called Mozzèle, I fell in love <3
Our Potichats, Kurumi and Wabisabi sat quietly side by side in the catio, watching something together, when they usually chase each others.
I made pop pop pop... POP CORN !
Flashed on an illustration AIed by Anthony Machuca, artist eye and meme expert.

She is a felted bear, created in 2005 by artist Nadine Murat Thèvenot. A real collector and circus bear <3

I wore a necklace for the first time in ages... Wabisabi woke up and looked at me with sleepy eyes and the sweetest face.
This wonderful bear has real butterfly wings ! He is over 20 years old now so his wings are dried, but the artist was thoughtful enough to gift another pair that is pristine, in a little box.

Not only does this darling bear have wings, but he is incredibly beautiful too <3

I began crafting an animated card, following a tutorial, and remembering the skills I learned in the Domestika course about Pop-up books.
We shared a diner of Fondue : delicious melted cheese in which bread cubes are dipped.
Meet one of my most extraordinay art toys : Flora Imp by the ridiculously talented Erin Currie aka CURSTER.

I love Curster, I collected her creatures and wondered what happened to her over the last 20 years.
You can take a look at her gallery on DeviantArt. And today, I found out she opened an account on Instagram <3

On Valentine Day, we shared a lovely box of sushi that I hand picked for the occasion.
I gave the little animated card I had crafted.
We also shared heart shaped cakes that were delicious.
Meet Lil' Striped Demon, by Curster <3

I love drawing my toys; It could be the topic of a special sketchbook (if I find the Pause button on my timeline).
I drew Lil' Striped Demon with some cacti for my Domestika course with lapin about Botanics and Meditation.

Can you hear me sing "Ran" by Future Islands ?
I had coffee with a small coconut cake, and my Miruku sitting by my side :-)
Meet Jellyfish, by Curster.

Curster's imagination and expertise know no limits.

Can you hear me sing "Staring At The Sun" by TV On The Radio ?
Also, I made a brunch with fried eggs, bacon, rösti, fresh salads and pancakes ! Scrumptious.
Here is Blue Jellyfish by Curster.

To have not one but TWO amazing jellyfishes by Curster <3

I purchased 3 "Hand" brooches from an artist friend, Marin Goodmorning. She is so talented, she paints and draws incredible pieces.
These hands are for my grand-daughter, my daughter and myself. It feels nice to each have a special creation that are linked.
I also made a nice lukewarm salad with herring fish and broiled potatoes, folowwing a recipe by famous chef Philippe Etchebest.
Today Art toy from Curster is Survivor in MEDwaste Suit. Ohlala.

I feel so lucky to have gathered my little collection of Curster Art toys !

Have you listened yet to Zaho de Sagazan ? She's a very talented french singer, just pick a song. This one, in my earphones is called "Le dernier des voyages".
My Potichat Tanuki came and cuddled against my leg on the bed, before I went for a liver ultrasound.
Meet Curster's Albino Mantis from Mushroom Forest Collection.

Because a mantis can't have too many sequins and glitter <3

This BAD CONNEXION day ! LOL
From online Yoga class to evening online Theater Therapy, I couldn't come through clear enough.
I saw a cake by Pierre Hermé that I would love to dig my teeth in : Estella. Just imagine : Buckwheat shortbread, soft biscuit, cedar pine praline, ganache and pine bud whipped cream, fresh green herbs gelée...
Meet BadGirl #3 by Curster.

These cute girls were made as a set of eight. Two of each color. They are not standers but great at sitting.
• 15″ (38cm) tall
• Hand-painted face
• Bendable wire legs
• Quilted hand-painted fabric

I grilled green peppers to make a spicy dish named Tchoutchouka that I like to spread on bread in the morning.
While husband was out on an errand, I watched a cute movie I had wanted to see for a while "Un p'tit truc en plus", about a bunch of people with disabilities that go on a holiday together.
Now meet YETI, the first Curster manufactured plush toy ! What a smile <3

What a smile ! Curster plushes are wonderful, and YETI is super cuddly.

The Potichats start to spend more time in the catio now that it gets warmer.
I downloaded my collection of e-books from Amazon before it stops being possible to do so for my Kindle. It's almost 300 books !
Meet my last Art toy by Curster : Monkion !

Isn't he the best ?! <3 Curster really has a special hand for faces and expression.

More and more scientific podcasts about the LHD, I just love them. Dear Potichat Miruku spends the evening on the sofa besides me.
Meet my round plush spider from Omobono <3

I'm quite sure she came from an artist shop on Etsy.

Kurumi the Potichat stretched out on the floor, enjoying himself. We watch the last episode of Season 1 of The Expanse. 6 more to go !
I make a coconut milk and thai herbs fish soup; just for myself as husband can't have vegetables, or coconut milk, or spices...

Online Pilates class, then getting ready while listening to a scientific podcast about tracking rare utra high energy particles, like neutrinos, exoert guest is Kumiko Kotera <3
I make tuna spread with lime, green onions, cilantro...

Listening to an Aurora album, physical therapy session, tv show and drawing with help from my Potichat Miruku, artistic assitant.

Quiz game about dietetics, probiotics, and finding online inspiration in the sketchbook continuum <3
Meet Moses, my guardian angel plush, created by Postdesigner.

Gabby, Postdesigner, created Moses, what a wonderful character <3

Happy to have learned how to recognize fruit trees by their flowers !
Activity bubbles do float when you have enough energy.

Listening to The Liminañanas new album "Faded" and to a new covers songs album from William Sheller... <3
Yuzu lying down in front of a large mirror, Kurumi walking down the cat stairs...
I make lemon cakes.

Miruku keeps a clos eye on my fineliners and rulers <3