Bunnies and Kitties ATCs

I did a personal ATC swap with the amazing Gozer. She made me some seriously awesome cards, and I sent her some kitties/bunnies themed cards. This one is watercolor and ink. Originally, I was going to leave the background kitties black and white, but there just wasn't enough color for me.

This one is a bunnies-themed mixed media card. Postage stamps, paint, regular stamps, pigment powder, etc. 

Anyhoo, I hope everybody is having an awesome month. I can't believe that October is suddenly so close to its end! I haven't even made my art calendar and I feel pretty slackerish about that. But I have been so busy with what seems like millions of doctors appointments in places that are just way too far away from my house. Bobby and I are trying to start our family, and have been for what seems like for-ev-er, and we're finally into the crazy stuff. Keep your fingers crossed for us, prayers appreciated :)

And just a wee reminder: 

Learn to sew a bag! "A Bag for All Reasons" book giveaway is still happening. Go comment to enter!

GIVEAWAY! Want to learn to sew a bag? "A Bag For All Reasons" Book Giveaway!

Why hello, my friends, on this lovely Tuesday! I have a giveaway for you guys. The kind folks over at Martha Pullen Company sent me a copy of Lisa Lam's "A Bag For All Reasons" to review and also offered to give a copy away to one of my readers.

I decided to try making the Compact Groceries Tote (thanks, Mindy, for the fabric!), since I'm constantly bringing packages to the post office. I was using a different bag, and just crumpling it up and throwing it back in my car once it was empty. 

What I like about this one is that it has a wrap around strap to fold up the bag and a clippy on it so I can attach it to my other bag, instead of just tossing it in the car willy-nilly. I like this bag a lot, and have actually been using it as my purse for the past few days. I can snap the wrap-around snap together and clip my keys onto it, which is cool, because I am always losing my keys.

Making the bag from the instructions in the book was pretty easy, and I didn't need to think too hard. Whenever I try to just sew a bag from scratch out of my head, I end up seam-ripping and having to think real hard. It was nice to have clear instructions to follow step by step. Also, there are full-size pull-out patterns in the back of the book, so you don't have to make your own out of tissue or whatever. I liked that a LOT. The only thing I had trouble with was the envelope-style bottom, but that was just me being crazy.

Anyway, I really like this book, and I'm not just saying that. The pull-out patterns: awesome. The book is spiral-bound, so it lays flat when you're working: awesome. And all the projects in the book (there are 12) are all really cute and functional and not too intimidating.

So! Do you waaaaant a copy? :) You should. This giveaway is open to folks in the US, Canada, and Europe. You can enter two ways: comment here and/or on the giveaway photo on my Facebook page. Please only comment once per place. I'll pick a random winner on Monday November 12th.

And guess what? if you just wanna GET the book, here's a code for 33% off at Martha Pullen: BAGS2012
And guess what ELSE?! If you want to make a compact groceries tote for yourself, you can find the whole project tutorial and pattern here. http://www.sccmag.com/bag-for-all-reasons/.

Bowie & Friends! Birdy pet portrait and videos

I can't remember if I ever told you guys about Jxh0703's YouTube videos, and if I did, it was probably one of Bowie, the indian ringneck. Anyway, she has this adorable flock of various parrots, and they are all super cute and I love to watch them. I have been wanting to do some fan art for a while, because for some reason, I just really like these birds! I finally got to it last night. Top branch L-R: Smokey, Hazel, Boo-boo. Low branch L-R: Kool-aid, Wish, Bee, and Bowie. 

 Now get ready for some cute videos.  My favorite is Bowie. He talks and is just so sweet. If you want to go into a cuteness coma, watch this video:

This is Hazel and BooBoo, the most terribly adorable pair of inter-species friends that you will see EVER. And BooBoo is wearing a space collar in the painting because he's been picking at himself lately. Watch this super cute video:

 This is Wish and Bee, the budgies. Wish is pretty much new, but here's a video of Bee going swimming and Wish in the background:

Well, I hope you liked my weird post, telling you all about vague celebrity birds that I've never met. LOL.

Have a great week!