I've told you about my playmap designs, right?
These are playable maps I make into blankets and rugs for the small adventurers in your life!
They are definitely inspired by all the beautiful ttrpg maps I have encountered - and in fact, I got to do a collab with one of my favourite mapmakers, Evlyn Moreau, where I painted one of her glorious doodle maps, Cozy Land:
They were created with the kids in my life in mind - so much so that the first one, the Realm of the River Dragon, was drawn in my sketchbook with both my nephews in my lap giving me very important instructions:
The most amazing part of making these has been getting them into kids' hands and hearing what they make with them - stories and worlds, characters and creatures, jokes and quests, it's all amazing!
This past christmas break my youngest nephew took me and his little figurines on a quest where we portaled from the wizard tower to the other maps and back again, picking up treasure and friends and pets along the way, and that's exactly what I dreamed these maps could do for kids!
And over the years I have had different chances to offer these for sale - online, locally, at conventions - and the absolute best part of that is when folks reach out later to tell me how the maps have been used in their home.
So huge thanks to everyone who's brought one of these home and shared them with their small adventurers, storytellers and otherwise creative creatures! You inspire me to keep making these!
And on that note, I have a promise to make: I am going to have a new playmap this year - aiming for a spring release actually! And it will be space themed, for all the kids I've talked to this year who's heads are not just in the clouds, but fully up in orbit half the time.
I've got a few different roughs done, exploring different ideas and approaches; here's probably my most readable one so far:
And I have a favour to ask: if you have one of my maps at home, would you be up for emailing me any feedback you and your family/friends have on the design? I am always learning how to make these more playable and fun, and if there's a favourite way to play in your house, I'd love to hear about it!
Also, if you have any photos of maps in use that you are comfortable sharing, those are amazingly helpful too, but no pressure! My email is shel (at) portablecity (dot) net
And thanks again for the support with these! I'm really excited to add to my map library this year and I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
also! Toronto folks, if you want one for your home, you can find them in stock as blankets at the Arts Market at 1856 Danforth Ave - tell your friends!