Wise Old Owl...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all well. A lot to share as usual. First, as some of you may know, I carry limited edition Carnival button sets in my shop. Well, they really are limited edition and I have one set left! Grab it while you can. But this also means, a fresh button set is on its way. The new set, called Old Salts, will be in the shop by January. I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the sketches and final art. They're colorful and cheeky, just the way we like it around here!

I have listed the Death Crow Dandies in the shop for purchase. They're original scratchboard pieces, perfect for gift giving or keeping (I won't tell). My scratchboards tend to go quickly, so if you like it, go for it! Here's the final piece I didn't show last week:

I think I had mentioned buying the Avalanche letter press calendar for my studio from Oddball Press recently. Well, I finally got it the other day and it's wonderful. The detail and the sight gags when you look closely are priceless. (I snapped a shot here for you.) This calendar is cheap and you'd be supporting a great Etsy seller if you got one! (Plus, all us cool kids are doing it...)

As many of you followers know, I love antique/junk shopping. Well, my Dad was visiting this past weekend, so we went antiquing and I found the greatest little thing. I love wax seals, I have a few. Well, I found a Wise Owl seal with glitter wax in its original box! I had to try it out immediately and look at how great it is! I'm going to have to write someone just so I can seal their letter with the Ol' Owl.

Now, I am not a car fan. I love classic cars, but I know nothing about them and talking about engines and horse power puts me to sleep. However, have you guys seen Black Beauty from the new Green Hornet movie? Holy smokes. I want it. Amazing lines and guns and green headlights. Sigh. There's a video all about it and a pic here:

Let's wrap with some weird news, it's been awhile. This one is a doozy. Did you Kiddies read about the home in New Brighton, PA that had been a problem for years? First, the owner was breeding dogs there, then they moved out. Then, neighbors saw "scores" of rats coming out of the home and called authorities. The house will be demolished, but not before they attempt to exterminate 95% of the vermin (a foot deep in some spots), in an attempt to prevent them from running into neighboring homes. Check please. No thank you. Gross.

The house is like this, only with rats, not candy.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Fairs, Owls & Full Moons...

Hello Lovelies!

Well, fall has really set in up here in Maine and that means it's fair time! I went to the Fryeburg Fair yesterday up north. I go every year for the food, the rides, the photo opportunities and of course, the people watching. I wasn't disappointed on any front this year. I got some really good photos that I'll be adding to the shop soon. Here are some others I took because is there anything cuter than fuzzy draft horse hooves? I think not... (And yes, those rides were about to hit each other.) Crazy.

I picked up a really cute Halloween decoration the other day to add to my collection. I can't resist an owl and this guy had glitter too which makes him darn near perfect. Love it!

Oh! I have some exciting news to announce! I am doing my first ever GIVEAWAY on November 1st in celebration of Stapelia's one year anniversary. I will be giving a complete set of my Alice in Wonderland print series to a person chosen at random. All you need to do is comment on any post between now and then with a book or movie you think I would enjoy and your email/shop name so I can contact you if you win. That's it! I will announce the winner on November 1st.

I have found some really great artists lately that I need to share. First, Mikey Burton is a designer who also does letter press and a variety of other things. His work is pretty great (and you know I'm a sucker for good design and letter press.) Here are a couple of his event posters. Great stuff.

I'm sure you've all heard of the photographer Diane Arbus, she was one of the first photographers to take pictures of people on the fringe of society; carnival workers, everyday people, transvestites, the elderly. Her work is truly wonderful, it captures the intimacy of the people and their (in many cases) hard lives simultaneously. Also, there is a wonderful movie called Fur that's very loosely based on her life that you should check out. It's beautifully filmed and fascinating. Below are two of her pictures. Love these.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...