Pimpin' My Family--The Champion and His Burning Flame

I just got my step-brother-in-law's band's new ep (yes, step-brother-in-law and, no, hallmark does not make a card for such a relationship). It's GREAT! We don't even have to pretend we like it 'cause he's family. We really do! The album art is fantastic. Check out some other things the illustrator had done

You should definitely check them out and order and EP while you're at it. In fact, it's not too early to start Christmas shopping so I'd say go ahead and pick up a baker's dozen.

I listened to it on repeat today while finishing up work on those fairies I mentioned earlier. And tonight Daniel and I get to go on a Starbucks & sketching date-- sketch book in one hand, coffee in the other, good-lookin man across from me, what else could I want ; )

Sketch Dolls Under Construction

I wanted to show you how the project from this previous post turned out. Ultimately, I'd like to add some Sketch Family softies to the shop. But I'm still testing the materials and such. This one is done with coffee-stained cotton fabric, a sharpie, and acrylic paint. Though I'm considering having them custom printed onto fabric by Spoonflower for machine-washability's sake.

I'll keep workin on them and will of course let you know when they're available!

Free Bird!

Wow, I've GOT to make this! I saw this today on the design sponge blog and there's a link to download the free sewing pattern on the left side of this page. So pretty!



Not big into sewing? No problem! At NaniBird.com there are free downloads for some birds of the paper variety. There are a ton of options and a call for artists to design more. (I'm sending an email re: that today!)

Of course, if you like birds but don't want to make one, feel free to purchase one of mine here or here. :)



"I like where you're going with the paper folding thing," you say, "but I'm looking for a quick craft that says something more like 'I'm going to rape and pillage your village; ". No problem--- Hudson picked out this little pirate and we constructed him together. There are pirates, monsters, and robots galore for your downloading and folding pleasure at ReadyMech.com.

A Trashy Garden

Picked up a "creeping rosemary" seedling at our farmers market this morning and added it to my ever-changing trash can garden. I'm still trying to figure out what lives and what doesn't in this little environment. We'll see how the little guy does.

What's that you say? Where can you get that cute little linocut print on the window sill? Why, you can get your very own right here ; )

Wishing You a Fairy Good Weekend

Here's a little peek at a snippet of one of the designs I've been working on this week for Cinnamon Joe. Read here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.

I checked the decor8 blog today like I usually do and was surprised to see my name there included in the list of artists from that Tea Towel exhibit. I'm so glad I decided to submit something to that show at the last minute. It's gotten quite a bit of good press. Plus, my towel sold and someone commissioned another one just like it that I've got to paint this weekend! My response:.."Really?? I mean, eh-hem, why yes of course. Another tea towel with my little characters on it--I'll get right on that." Galleries? Commissioned pieces? It's like I'm a REAL artist!

I Heart Bird

Hey, things are a little rough around here (think someone spiked my 3-year-old's apple juice with crazy pills or something). Nonetheless, I finally printed a handful of this linocut print tonight after the boys went to bed. They're up in the shop if you'd like!

Thanks, Lavar.

Growing up, I was fascinated with all the creatures and plant life left in tide pools ( I think I learned about it from Lavar on Reading Rainbow). Being from Ohio/Kentucky, though, the closest thing we had to that were the bloated worm carcasses and gum wrappers left in parking lot puddles after a heavy rain. Now that we live seaside, I think I get more excited about exploring the rocky beaches than Hudson does.

Here's the explorer and his deep sea bounty:





And in family news, we started giving Jude some cereal. From the looks of it, he was ready for it.

(Dad--you do know you can click on the highlighted words, right? They're called "links" ; ) Just checkin')