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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

kings and queens

Queen 3

Queen 1

Queen 4 

Queen 2 

The children have been drawing a lot of kings and queens lately in their artwork. I think this is largely inspired by all the Narnia stories we read them over the past year, plus the 'myths and legends' they've been reading at school. But in any case, I like this theme a lot.

Over the weekend, I noticed that they were 'collaborating'- Arlo would draw a castle with knights and flags, etc, then Keira would paste a giant picture of a princess/queen on top- 'to make it more beautiful', she said. Luckily, he didn't seem to mind. (He's a long-suffering type of brother.) I decided to translate one of her characters into embroidery so that I can sew it into a summer top for her this week. I chose the lady with the see-through skirt.

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29 responses to “kings and queens”

  1. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    Dear Melissa, What lovely drawings; the details (poof, hearts on the flags) are too charming. Excellent inspiration for a new embroidery! Made me recall the latest post I saw on http://www.artfulparent.typepad.com which promises to set up art penpals (children around the world sending each other drawings/simple letters). Could be something of interest for your budding little artists. Good night from Praha! Ellen

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  2. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    Fantastic drawings your children have made. Brings back such wonderful memories of my little artist kings and queens, princes and princesses.
    Love the picture with the almond snacks 🙂

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  3. kaylovesvintage Avatar
    kaylovesvintage

    wonderful & so cute
    do miss the snow?

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  4. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks kay- yes i do miss the snow!! and that lovely light it creates. is it snowing at your place yet?

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  5. kaylovesvintage Avatar
    kaylovesvintage

    no snow this year, it’s stil warm here for November

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  6. chez danisse Avatar
    chez danisse

    So sweet! I love the see-though skirt!

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  7. annri Avatar
    annri

    so precious to catch those moments of creativity shared. and i love the see-through skirt! 😉

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  8. chez danisse Avatar
    chez danisse

    oops…”see-through”

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  9. louana Avatar
    louana

    I love children’s drawings translated into other forms of art, Keira will love her new top I’m sure. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

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  10. Hanna Avatar
    Hanna

    so cute, don’t you just love the pictures kids draw.

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  11. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    what a wonderful idea!

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  12. briar Avatar
    briar

    LOVE IT! I have made similar ones but into embroidered bookmarks for gifts at Christmas time- Love this idea too…will see if my 3 1/2 year old is up to drawing a dragon or some such terrifying beast (that boys seem to like!) and make into a library satchel…cool!

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  13. Pom Pom Avatar
    Pom Pom

    What a wonderful idea! I often find similar stick figures on scraps of paper, tucked in old books. Save them. They’re magic.

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  14. Marty Avatar
    Marty

    You are such a good mom! These are really cute.

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  15. abby Avatar
    abby

    This is so precious! Totally made me smile (and even giggle out loud a little). I didn’t have the long-suffering type of brother, which would never have allowed for this kind of collaborative interaction. Love your embroidery translation.

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  16. kimberly Avatar
    kimberly

    I’m sure she will love to have her own queen sewn into a new top. I love your embroidery and am impressed by your freehand designs.

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  17. Cinnamon Avatar
    Cinnamon

    I love this post. It reminded me of my long suffering brothers and that put a smile on my face 🙂 And the queen with the see-through skirt is adorable.

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  18. Desiree Fawn Avatar
    Desiree Fawn

    I love that they are working together like that — so fantastic!!

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  19. T Avatar
    T

    Hi
    This is the first time Im living a comment although I read you blog regularly.
    Ilove you work and your photos ther are always so clean and make me feel so relax and simple. The children are doing great masterpiece, you can see were they got the talent..
    T from Israel

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  20. Eliane Avatar
    Eliane

    so lovely! i kept a gorgeous drawing o f a giraffe from my then 4-year old for that purpose, now he is ten and the project is still waiting! but looks easier as it probably seems as i not not really an embroiderer!

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  21. isoinpapu Avatar
    isoinpapu

    Oh, it´s so wonderful! See-through skirt. Oh!

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  22. Sarada Avatar
    Sarada

    Such cute drawings and I love how you’ve captured it in your embroidery, it will make a really lovely top.

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  23. Celine Avatar
    Celine

    hee hee! see through dress!
    it is so cute that your kids are collaborating! What a nice brother to let his sister pretty up his drawing!
    Thank you for adding a me to your “Things I Like” section. I am so happy you like my little blog. It is so nice to meet you.

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  24. tracey leys Avatar
    tracey leys

    I love Arlo and Keira’s drawings. Something magical happens when young children put pen to paper.
    Hope you are all settling back into NZ life.

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  25. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    WAUW! I love your blog. This is my first time here, but ohh, not my last. I will add you to my blog roll instantly. I hope that’s ok with you.
    ·*.·

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  26. parisa mahmoudi Avatar
    parisa mahmoudi

    Sooo happy to found your blog! It’s amazing!!!

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  27. Kari of Writing Up A Storm Avatar
    Kari of Writing Up A Storm

    Thank you for the kings and queens! And I love how faithfully you have reproduced the queen in your embroidery. Those stick arms raised up to the sky bring back wonderful memories of first-grade fine art. xo Kari

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  28. Elena Avatar
    Elena

    Lovely lovely embroidery!

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  29. Andrea Gutierrez Avatar
    Andrea Gutierrez

    i LOVE this idea! i’ve often thought of turning my daughter’s work into things but this is absolutely beautiful 🙂

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