The making of jail bird

He'd been in and out of the coop ever since he cracked his shell. They couldn't keep him contained behind bars for long. Once again he was out and headed South for the border.

His story starts with a world map my daughter brought home from school. (The girl knows cool collage supplies when she sees them.) The map, with a bit of designer paper, black ribbon and white card stock make the bird, his scrubs and a post to stand on. Matte gel medium makes it all stick.

The hardest part is walking away so the guy can dry between layers. I made myself refill coffee and do a computer task or two. When things dry, a bit of paint and ink hit the first layer. Next, more of the composition gets adhered including proper jail attire and a key which is floating now, but will soon be hanging from his beak via a key ring.

I step back again for more dry time before building on the last layer. Then, I adhere the type and add more matte medium to create texture which will be painted over in the final step.

A funky fuchsia feather is added along with more paint on top of all of those layers. Finally, a few finer details take place and he's complete. Jail bird is born. Call the proper authorities if you spot him on his flight to the border.

Plugging a sampling

I remember as a kid being enthralled by the brown paper grab bags often found at gift shops. You never knew what you were going to get (no fair peeking), but for sure it would be a deal and a little thrill to open once purchased. I don't see them as much any more, but the Sampler kind of reminds me of that. If you're not familiar, the Sampler is a super fun marketing and promotional tool for indie businesses. Each month, independent crafters, artists, shops, zines and record labels who run web-based businesses send samples and promotional materials to a contribution pool. All the samples are photographed, posted to the site, put in little packages and sent off to Sampler Subscribers, Sampler Contributors and members of the Media all over the world. You're not guaranteed to get a sample from everyone who contributes, but you are guaranteed to get a certain amount of samples depending on the size Sampler you order.

Right now Samplers are on sale (peek over there quick!) I guarantee that you'll be waiting anxiously for this package. Not only is it the most fun thing to open and go through during the doldrums of winter...it's a great way to discover and then support indie businesses. It also makes a unique gift for that person in your life who has everything. Plus, if you are an indie business, it's one more inexpensive way to get the word out.

extra credit: I was a contributor last month...can you spot my sample?! : )

you're groovy

Here they are...a freshly designed frustration pencil kit for Valentines day. I'm a big fan of the February holiday which brings a burst of warm, bright color in the middle of an often dark and cold winter. Valentines day is right up there with girl scout cookies sales if you ask me. I couldn't help but design a special craft kit to celebrate. Each kit will make a total of 6 pencil friends to keep or give to teachers, friends, grandparents, etc. I'm also thinking these would make for a unique girl or boy scout craft activity, birthday party or classroom craft. The enclosed pattern/direction sheet illustrated by me guides any age through the pencil making process. The sheet includes valentine wishes to adorn the pencils reminiscent of the age of frustration pencils like "U R Outta Sight". Here's a peek at the Valentines kit contents:

And just in case you missed this craft in the 70s (or you missed the 70s), my daughter Cara demonstrates below how to melt your frustrations away.

Smooth hair up nice and straight. Rub pencil between hands, Laugh at ridiculous looking pencil. Repeat.

These kits will be available in my etsy shop for the next month or so. Standard frustration pencil kits are also available in a variety of colors. I've redesigned the packaging on those, but the kit contents haven't changed with one color of fur per kit. Okay now, you all have a dynomite day. Dig? : )

love birds

And they resolved to love each other forever like true love birds do.

I put away the last of the Christmas decorations today...that is except for a lonely wreath on the outside of our house that requires a ladder and a husband and many sweet suggestions that I would soooooo appreciate having that wreath down : )

Now I'm looking toward the February holiday of love. Prints of this illustration will be available in my etsy shop as I decorate things for the upcoming season over there. xo xo

A sweet puppy

My first born turned ten a few days ago and oh how she wants a puppy. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad aren't ready to add the live kind to our household just yet so a sugary one had to suffice. Around here, as I've mentioned before, a homemade cake happens for every birthday in the shape of whatever the birthday child dreams up (that's within reason...this isn't Ace of Cakes.) Sometimes, I'll surf the Internet for inspiration and other times I'll just wing it. This time I was winging it.

Here's a very easy cake pattern if by chance there's a puppy lover with a birthday at your house. I used two cake mixes ...one filled the 10 inch cake pan and the other filled a 9 inch with batter left over (the leftover made extra cupcakes.) A furry cake is pretty easy to decorate since the icing doesn't need to be all perfect. I gobbed it on and swirled it this way and that to get the furry doggie effect. I used a lighter color of the fur icing to make the snout area and then used pink icing for the collar. The dogs eyes and nose (nose cut into proper shape) are peppermint patties. White chocolate chips decorate the collar. Finally, I did some very basic piping with black and white icing, but candy (licorice, etc) would also work to get a similar effect.

It's officially birthday season around here, so they'll be two more kids cakes happening between now and March. I'm not sure what shape those will take on yet...but I'll keep ya posted.

New threads

I feel like I'm waking from a long, dreamy nap...you know the kind that makes you question where you are, what happened and what time is it already?! The past week flew by like that. Actually, I'd say right after Thanksgiving things were on fast forward and haven't stopped since. Our family had a great time celebrating the holidays with friends and family. The above was one of my favorite gifts. A very modest, beginner-style sewing machine. Perfect for someone who said to her helpful mom..."You mean thread comes down from the top AND up from the bottom?! At the same time! WOW." And that would not be my daughter talking to me, but me talking to my mom who guided me through my very first sewing project.

disclaimer: I did have a Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine way back when, but that couldn't really be classified as sewing could it?

So from a "Pattern for Dummies" with Mom standing by, I made this table runner for the dining room. It even has a fancy navy cord detail on the edges that is hard to fully appreciate in this photo. Trust me it's there and I have to say I'm pretty proud to have managed this.

After the runner, the sewing bug officially took hold. A day or two later, I wandered into the fabric section at IKEA and fell in love with this fabric. And like many of my project ideas, I couldn't sleep until I had whipped up two valances for my office with a touch of vintage brown seam binding. This project was a little bumpy with no pattern or Mom to guide me, but I'm getting better.

Two no sew projects (my specialty) also happened over the last week. First, I decided to cover my drafting table chair. I used my fancy upholstery tool a.k.a.flat head screw driver to shove fabric into the crack between cushion and rim.

This actually was a piece of cake. That fabric is wedged in really tight and is nice and smooth all around. Now I've got a spiffy "new" chair for a new year of art.

Finally, Modge Podge and leftover fabric scraps transformed my office switch plates. Another easy, inexpensive, satisfying kind of project. So besides the usual holiday stuff, you've caught a glimpse of the threads I've been working on here. Time to flip on 2009. Happy New Year to you!

A virtual Christmas card from us to you...

open to...

Finally, I got all of the printed versions in the mail yesterday. I still have a few hand delivers that are awaiting a tray of cookies to go with. This card idea came to me after finding yet another vintage Scrabble game (favorite) at a holiday flea market. At home, as I stared at and moved around those gorgeous wooden letters, I saw XMAS. When I discovered that I could fit MERRY XMAS on the wood rack, I completely geeked out and went at it with full force. Using a Photoshop trick or two, I turned our family into scrabble tiles adding a point value to correspond to ages. (okay one age is slightly questionable...I wanted to see who was paying attention ; )

With several design projects happily at the printer, cards mailed and presents wrapped, I've officially put myself on vacation. My hubbie and I purchased a rug pad for my office rug, installed badly needed new blinds and completed little odd ball fixes around the house that have been crying out for attention for many, many months. Projects that give me tremendous JOY now that they are done. Me and my little cooks are planning to heat up the kitchen with cookies and a feast for Thursday. We have family coming into town for Christmas day and several days after so we're looking forward to entertaining and enjoying our time together.

I'm taking some time away from here, but I'll be back after the new year. 'Til then happy, safe and cozy holidays to you along with lots of PEACE, HOPE, LOVE and JOY.

Eye candy

I managed to hold myself back and only produce six varieties this year...that being from top left, peppermint crunch, bear claws, caramel swirl pretzel rods, toffee bars, monogrammed chocolate D's and chocolate covered Oreos. yummmmm...

These little chocolates were new for me this year. I was at the counter, ready to purchase all of my candy making supplies, when I spotted the monogram candy molds. I'm a sucker (catch that candy pun?!) for type so the D mold quickly found itself in my cart. The helpful candy lady, sensing my enthusiasm about the prospect of making initial chocolates, pointed out the little foil wrappers in aisle three. She explained how to wrap the hardened chocolate and then lightly rub the front of the candy to make the D show through the foil. How cool is that?

Dare I say, I got a bit carried away? Although easy enough to make, wrapping all of these little guys took some time. I caught my hubby rolling his eyes once or twice at my idea of "scaled back" candy making. Worth it in the end, the red foil D's were the perfect bits of sparkle to pull the whole candy box presentation together.

Here's a peek into one of the final boxes for friends, family and teachers. Next week cookies. Let's wait until January to talk about the gym.

Mixing it up

These days things are definitely mixed up around here with the normal design/illustration work, family life and a roaring-down-the-highway holiday fast approaching. Is Christmas really only two weeks away?! I remember as a kid when that seemed like forever. Now I'd give anything to sneak a few more present wrapping, candy making, cookie baking, card addressing, gift crafting days in between now and then. In the midst of the holiday happenings, I have five pieces in this show including the one on the above flyer over the words "Opening Night".



Here's another piece in the Mixed show. For my latest series, I've been adding my spin to old fashioned sayings the first being "If the Shoe Fits" and now "All of Your Eggs". I've always thought there was a lot of wisdom connected with the eggs in a basket phrase on so many different levels. Whether it be about finances or compartmentalizing one's self. Both are stifling and even downright risky. If all energy is concentrated in a single area what happens if that one area doesn't hatch? The egg out of the basket is the one that is hatching wings and will soon be flying. It's about mixing it up—mediawise and otherwise.

Note: "All of Your Eggs" will be available as a print in my Etsy store later today.

The one

Every year, we go through the routine. They all look rather similar, but that never stops us. We have to spend ridiculous amounts of time searching for the one.

Every year, five different perspectives of "perfect tree" wander around the tree farm or in this year's case the tree lot. We take our time debating which tree deserves a shot at being our Christmas tree. The height, prickle factor, branch sturdiness, shape, price (hello recession), bare spots, trunk posture and overall 'look' are all factors that go into this monumental decision. Does it matter that much? After the decorations, don't they all kind of look...well...the same?

maybe. However it just wouldn't be Christmas without the evergreen ritual and getting to finally say, "That's our tree." And if we're all still speaking after the annual outing, even better.

Future architects

My three kids woke up this morning expecting chocolate coins and oranges in their shoes in honor of St. Nick Day. Instead, St. Nick chose to bring each a gingerbread house kit of their very own. That Nick is a smart guy. Besides being a great time filler, one house kit per kid means no fighting over the icing bag or how many gummy this or gummy thats the other one has.

It was a perfect winterish day for a project like this with the first real snow of the season going on outside. It was the kind of day that begs for hot chocolate and gingerbread decorating. And while I'm not a big fan of store bought baked goods, a gingerbread house is the exception to my rule. It is wonderful to be able to get to the constructing and the decorating with everything you need in one kid-friendly kit. Besides gingerbread houses are more crafting than baking in my opinion.

After the three decorated their houses, I chose to mix them in with our ceramic Christmas village. I think the edible variety look right at home. Unfortunately I can't guarantee that they'll make it through the season. Hansel and Gretel have already been caught in the act.

Cheesecakes roasting...

One of my very favorite December things to do is to bake the special treats that get saved for holidays. My mom introduced us to these super easy, kid-baker-friendly (very important), six ingredient, mini homemade cheesecakes that not only taste good, but look festively impressive. They're a big hit around here especially at Christmas and Valentines, and like I said, a cinch to make. Here's how.

First, line mini muffin tins with paper (candy size) baking cups.

Next place one mini vanilla wafer in each baking cup rounded side facing up. The mini wafers will serve as your cheesecake crust. Note: Make sure you get the mini kind. Regular size wafers won't fit.

Then, beat 2-8 oz. packages of softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2/3 cup of white sugar. Beat until smooth and thoroughly combined. Fill each mini baking cup 2/3 full with cream cheese mixture...approximately 1 tablespoon in each cup.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until set. Cool on wire rack for at least 30 minutes.

Finally, top with cherry pie filling when cool. Refrigerate for several hours and serve. Now how easy was that?!

A special shot out to Cool Mom Picks for featuring my Frustration Pencil Kits on their site today! Frustrationpencilwise, as of tonight, I am down to red, pink and the special holiday kits. I'll try to add more to the shop in time for Christmas, but I can't guarantee. If you're interested in having a kit for the little cheesecakes on your list you might want to head over there and grab one (or two). Thanks so much for your support of my newest venture. And if I haven't said it lately, thank you for your comments too! I love reading what you have to say.

12/4 update: Red kits are now sold out.

So that's how

Here's my latest theory. Helium is involved. Lots of helium.
What do you think? ; )

Holiday Frustrations

Happy day after Thanksgiving a.k.a. Black Friday to all! There is plenty of holiday shopping silliness going on today which begs me to reveal holiday frustrations. Nah...no ranting or raving kind of frustrations here. Just a friendly reminder to keep a sense of humor, remember the reason for the season and know that everything will be okay if 16 varieties of candy don't get made this year (do you hear me self??...it will be okay! ; )

Here's one way we're keeping our stress levels in check. I incorporated some holiday in our frustration pencil crafting. My kids are having soooo much fun with these pencils. They've been crafting pencils of their own and pencils to give to special teachers for Christmas. I also made a bunch of kits to give to several of the younger set on our list this year.

I've included easy-to-follow-illustrated instructions with this kit. The kit will make 4 Merry Mops (that's the red fur pencil with candy cane arms and a long green felt scarf) and 2 Radical Reindeer. Merry Mops have white fur on the inside and red fur on the outside for a tie dyed kind of pencil. The deer feature pipe cleaner antlers and a little bell around their necks. You can purchase a kit over at my Etsy shop if you're interested. These kits take me a bit more time to assemble so there will be a very limited number available over the next couple of weeks. Got to keep that holiday stress in check.

Check this out

If you've been hanging around here at all you may recognize the lunch survey on page 42 of the December/January edition of Family Fun. I posted my idea here first, and now have been honored to have it included this month in one of my very favorite mags. You can go to Family Fun to download a copy or since you're here scroll over to the right in my "Printables" section. Click on lunch survey to read about the inspiration and then click on the survey itself to print. Try it out on your kiddos. It's a great way to hear more about their day at school. Plus they'll love it. promise.

And while we're on the topic of surveys to check, here's another post from last year that is once again perfect for the season. I created these Thankful coloring place mats for the kids at our Thanksgiving table.The idea was to start the wheels turning about all the big and little things to be thankful for and why we celebrate this holiday. Poor Thanksgiving sure gets overlooked what with Christmas decorations hitting the stores before Halloween. You can click on Thankful coloring sheet link in my "Printables" section to the right. Then click on the image itself (private use only please) for your Thanksgiving festivities.

My opinion regarding shoes

This might just be my opinion, but I totally believe it as truth. I have to. Okay blog friends, here's a reveal. I have big feet. Size 10, sometimes 11. I would be the perfect size 10 1/2, but for some reason the shoe people don't make such a size for American feet. Why do all the other shoe sizes get a 1/2?? I'm guessing they figure once you hit the world of size 10s it really doesn't matter anymore. Hope is lost. Good luck sister.

These days I'm okay with my big and archless feet...really I am. Growing up, I listened to my mom say over and over in response to my complaints..."well at least you have feet." Amen. My point is when I stumble upon the rare discovery of a size 10ish shoe that not only fits, but is comfy and somewhat attractive those shoes are mine. End of discussion. No questions asked. Footwear purchases justified. BTW what time does DSW close?

We interrupt this blog for a special unpaid message plugging handmade..

The only thing making the unseasonable cold, snow and rain that has hit my part of the world a wee bit tolerable is the package I received in the mail over the weekend. I ordered a handmade scarf (with the cutest matching flower pin) from a fabulous Etsy store... cosy up your closet.

Etsy (if you're not familiar) is a handmade marketplace i.e. treasure trove of incredibly talented sellers who are making beautiful items with an attention to detail that you can only find when you buy handmade. Just look at how that box arrived on my doorstep. Beautifully packaged, a handwritten note (is there really such a thing?!) and even a little surprise gift that I didn't order, but have already pinned to a coat with a big smile at the seller's thoughtfulness.

When determining where to spend your holiday green, I'm suggesting peeking around over at Etsy and also considering other handmade outlets. From what I'm reading in the paper, the big guy that rhymes with Dull-Mart is doing okay. And trust me he will never, ever package up your purchase with this much love. Now back to your regular programming.

IF: Pretend

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: pretend. My first thoughts drifted to the pretend pink, dress-up world of princesses and ballerinas where my three year old currently lives. Then I went back to the dreams I recall having as a child many centering around the ability to grow wings and fly. The piece became more nostalgic than I had originally intended, but that's the great thing about the IF challenge. Every once in awhile it takes you to places that you could only imagine.

Our take on "those" dolls

Lately, my 9-year-old and I have been loving those eclectic little stuffed dolls that seem to be everywhere. Regardless of what you call them, they are fun creatures to make since there is no right or wrong. Awkward shapes, uneven stitches, and mismatch-ness make for all the better and at the same time sum up my sewing ability. The other plus is that they are a great way to use fabric scraps, lonely buttons and leftover pieces of trim.

Cara made the doll above with very little help from me. We were inspired to go at it after reading this article which helps with the basics for those of you with limited sewing skills like us. I think any type of fabric would work just fine although Cara and I opted for softer varieties. We're dreaming up some holiday versions as we strive for more handmade gifts this season. Ideas are welcome!