The Flea Circus

Well they've taken over. The fleas, that is. Something about this year's summer, but I've heard the fleas are assembling in an aggresive manner to take over the world and no one is safe. Lou's blaming me because I feed all the stray cats outside. Maybe. But I'm not confessing to anything without my lawyer. Either way this is really hindering my crafting. I've been a cleaning fiend all week.

My summer sale is still going strong. I'm not sure how long I'll hold it for. Can't very well have a "summer sale" in September right? Ah yes...I'll call it a back-to-school sale. Marketing genius.

A few days ago my paper samples came in the mail and it was like Christmas! I wanted to research which type of paper I thought would be best for some art prints I'm making. I ordered a small sampling of some Hahnemuhle sheets. The canvas paper is so nice and smooth and bendy! And the photorag is so silky. Now I can't decide which looks best. ah well.

Am I the only one that loves/knows of the videogame Katamari Damacy? If you haven't heard of it, I highly recommend it. There's a few sequels out also. It's colorful and fun and totally wacked out.
This is just one of my illustration interpretations of a character in the game that I'm working on.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

Last weekend my friends and I went to the PA Renaissance Faire. This is the second time most of us have been, and also the second time we've dressed up! This time was even more involved than the first. Two of us wore chainmaille and I sewed up a green doublet for Lou from a Simplicity pattern. I'm really proud and amazed with how it came out because this is the first time I've ever followed a pattern. And now that I think about it, it's kind of funny since I've had my sewing machine since I was in highschool. I like to wing it I guess. But now that I know I'm capable of following patterns, I can't tell you how excited I am to try my hand at other ones! Maybe next Renaissance Faire I can whip myself up a hoity toity noblewoman's outfit. Although, I really enjoy my "wench" look. When I spilled beer on myself (multiple times), it almost looked like it was supposed to be there.

Anyways...I had lots of tasty wine at the winery where they had wine tastings. The workers were all so nice too! There was a lot of sweet fruity/sugary wines, which I'm not usually that big a fan of, but they were still all delicious. The food was to die for too. There was drunken chicken and beans, turkey legs, pickles (my favorite!), fresh lemonade, portobello sandwiches with grilled onion and cheese, among other things.

So much fun...I can't wait to go back!

Guest blogging and kitty shenanigans

On Monday [yes I know it's almost Thursday..I'm a little slow], I was the guest blogger for my company's blog! I wrote about the upcoming Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and how you can host a kid's party in the theme. Check it out here. My friends and I are going for opening weekend this Saturday and it's going to be awesome! Pictures to come, naturally.

In other news, I've discovered why there's always cat hair in and around my light box.



It kills me because it was so cute and I couldn't yell at him, but he's messing up my crafting area and he has no idea!

Also, I whipped up another summer sale advert. I'm loving the way the cartoon Plini came out.

Stuff I want. Take notes.

And here's a segment in my blog I like to call..."if I had money to spend on fun things I would get this"...

How awesome and funny is this painting?



'Raccoons Frequently Gorge on Frappucinos' by Kill Taupe



One day, in the vaguely forseeable future when I own a house and need to decorate walls, artwork..I'm so there.

summer sale update!

ya heard.

cupcake party!....?.....!

cupcake party!
Originally uploaded by magicbeanbuyer

I'm trying to figure out why this photo on my flickr account has an insane amount of views/favorites/comments. Out of all of my photos, thoughout the entire life of this one Plini cupcake photo, it's always at the top of my most viewed list in my stats. It's so weird! I love the picture, don't get me wrong. But what is it about this photo that's getting it so much exposure? It's from over a year ago. Are that many people linking to it on other blogs and such? I need answers! Is it in part because the name of the photo is "cupcake party"? Like maybe an insane amount of people are searching for cupcake parties and stumble upon my photo? Or do I have the perfect combination of tags and group photo inclusions?

..and so the mystery and intrigue continues.