The end of 2009: Thoughts & plans

Wow. I can't believe this is the last day of both this year and this decade.

I know, I'm sure that sentiment is just so terribly original around this time. I still couldn't avoid starting my post with it though.

I don't have any New Year's resolutions as of yet - do you? I go back and forth on whether or not to make them every year. I'm also tempted to make a new decade resolution - you know, set some really big life goals, like finding a way to either balance my creative pursuits with my career ones or make my creative pursuits into my career. I'll finish my PhD in the Spring, if all goes as planned, and I don't want to follow the traditional professor route, but I'm not sure exactly what I want to do instead.

Anyway, just in a reflective mood I guess. Now I feel like I should be stretched out on a couch and you should be sitting with a pen and pad of paper in your han saying things like "so how does that make you feel?"

My plans for tonight include hanging out with friends, playing board games, snacking, and drinking a bit of wine. How about you all?

To make this tie into one of my more traditional topics, I'll throw in another link to my 2010 calendar (the first PurrPrints calendar ever - don't you feel special now? ;)

Ribbons are Essential to a Cat's Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Sunday Sketchbook: Fishing for waves

I recommend clicking on it to see it slightly bigger - my blog layout doesn't handle panoramic style images like this too well ;)

I love the visual texture of grocery paper bags. I don't know why. Does this make me a total weirdo or what?

More new designs: Alette and George

These are more of the new designs from my recent creative spurt. I actually have Alette (above) with a few different facial expressions and colorful backgrounds, and her brother George (below) has the same kinds of options (open-eyed or close-eyed, 6 different background colors).

Like last week's piece, this one was done using digital painting techniques. I'm really happy with the textures this can produce. Look at this close-up from George for a better view of the texture.

I liked the close-up of George so much I made it into it's own card and postage stamp in my zazzle store (look under "More PurrPrints designs").

Full prints of Alette and George are up in that same folder on zazzle--but if you'd like something smaller, like the 8x10s or 5x7s or art cards I do in my etsy shop, let me know and I'll create a listing just for you.

Sunday sketchbook: Star gazing

I've been in a creative mood recently, so this is one of a few new designs - I'll post the others soon. This one is listed as a 15"x21" print and a 2"x3" pin in my zazzle store (look under "New Designs") but I'm also happy to make it into a listing for a smaller print in my etsy shop or put it on some other product on zazzle if you'd like--just say the word!

Feature Friday: TheClayShoppe

So besides my obvious weakness for cats, I also have two less obvious weaknesses for adorable-ness from the animal world: owls and hedgehogs.

Don't ask me why, i don't get it either. But I do. I guess I just fall into some kind of weird indie stereotype, because I see cute owl and hedgehog stuff on etsy regularly, and it makes me whimper with joy.

Yes, I know, the idea of a 30 year old woman whimpering with joy over an embroidered hedgehog or polymer owl is pretty pitiful. Ah well. I'll take the little joys where I can get them.

Anyway, this month's featured EtsyBlogger is this hyperactive duo who have four (yes, four!) shops on etsy - and on one of them, TheClayShoppe, I found this adorable little owl mold. A mold that would allow one to make as many of these cute little owls as desired. I saw this, and a flash of a household strewn with little owls danging from the windows, the ceiling, the walls popped into my head.

And then the expression on my husband's face followed it, and I decided to shut that daydream down. But I still wanted to share this bit of adorable-ness with you all.

They also have a blog with a giveaway going on right now (for the next two days I think) for my fellow giveaway fanatics.

And the winners of the Thanks-Giveaway are...

Whew - we had hundreds of entries - thanks so much to everyone who visited all our shops and left your lovely comments.

So now it's time for the fun part - announcing all 16 winners!

TwinStar winner:

Comment 373 - leftygirl said...
On Crocheted Little Things I adore the facial round scrubbers.

edited 12/12 to a new winner when leftygirl didn't respond - new winner: d said... 11/29/09 4:53 PM I love the Crocheted and beaded mini cupcake key chain in pink cotton - Strawberry at the Crocheted Little Things' shop! Thanks :-)

PurrPrints winner:

Comment 239 - Cindy said...
I really liked this print. I love the various circle colors and size.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29805580

EllaScottJewels winner:

Comment 222- windycindy said...
The "Something Blue Necklace" from
EllaScottJewel's is gorgeous!
Thanks for the fabulous prize giveaways!
Cindi

Imgenuity winner:

Comment 344 - Jenny O said...
Purr Prints - Catnip Carolers. Cat Christmas Cards in red, green, and white.

Audrey's Country Crafts winner:

Comment 181 - mogrill said...
I like the Cupcake pin cushion. Thanks for the chance.

Crocheted Little Things winner:

Comment 310 - Angela said...
I also love the Crocheted fingerless gloves in off white and sage green with flower applique from Crocheted Little Things 2


And the 10 winners of advertising spots:

Comment 220 - the monkey's mama said...
I would advertise "Festive Frills" (my twin's etsy shop). I love promoting my sister!!!!
contact via blog profile page with blog sites and email

Comment 193 - Surge said...
my favorite twinstars item is gingerbread ornament knitting pattern

Comment 122 - memoriesforlifescrapbooks said...
I like this: Crocheted ginger bread man Christmas tree ornament from CrochetedLittleThings.

Comment 321 - squidart said...
I would just kill for that advertising spot!
I would use it to promote my Etsy photography business: http://squidart.etsy.com
Katie

Comment 57 - Born to Dance said...
Love this!
And this is beautiful:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13433556

Comment 361: Deb - Two Cheeky Monkeys said...
I'm a big fan of magnets so I would pick these from Purr Prints' shop:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24746138

Comment 201 - Deb K said...
My favorite item from TwinStarGifts' shop is Blessed Are The Peacemakers - Wall Hanging

Comment 364 - Ladytink_534 said...
My favorite item from EllaScottJewel is the Midnight Earrings Black Friday - Cyber Monday Special

Comment 167 - Melanie said...
The Welcome Sign at Audrey'sCountryCrafts is adorable.

Comment 25 - Emily said...
I also like theFloppy Cat Women's Light T on cafepress!

Winners should keep an eye out for their messages from either me or the other shopkeepers so you can claim your prize! Don't hesitate to contact me via the form on my blog here if you run into any troubles.