Have your cake and eat it, too!

My cousin, Ellen, is getting married today! This is the cake I drew for her rehearsal dinner invitiations and thank-you cards. It was fun to get a chance to be a part of her special day, aside from being a guest at the wedding. Hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a merry one! Ours was nice and oh, so busy! Oh, don't forget to vote for your FAVORITE GUM (see the left side of the blog). I added the Poll Gadget to my blog and will conduct random surveys from here on out.... the fun just never ends!

Jolly

Holly Jolly. Get it? Sending out warm holiday wishes to all the cool cats who stop by my blog (Oh yes, that means you!). Can't hardly believe the holidays are upon us again... My children are nestled all snug in their beds, and I am about to embark on an evening of gift wrapping with my good friend, Dr. Pepper. Here's a toast to all of you for a very wonderful New Year! Cheers!

Parade

I draw homes from time to time, and just found out that a couple (including this one) might end up in the Parade of Homes. The builder told me she would save me a book, so when it comes out, I'll scan the page in and blog it. Kind of fun. Well, it has been weird around here without my dog. I lost a day or so this week, and am starting to feel like I cam catching up again. Just finished the piece I am entering in the MNSCBWI/MCBA Illustration competition, so will take that to get it framed tomorrow. I have revised a couple sketches for the book, and will submit them to Alma Little. Man, my blogs are dull! Hmmm.....here is a joke that I made up all by myself:

Why were the police after the mint jelly?
Because it was on the lam! Get it? Oh, man! That was a good one! hahaha

Larry

It is so hard to say goodbye to a best friend. I met Larry when I was a student in tech school, fell in love with him, and he has lived with us for over 11 years. He was really a great dog. I will miss his crazy charm, it just won't be the same here without him.

JoJo

This is funny. My oldest daughter saw this doodle (supposed to be Steve Martin....still working things out!) and she said it "needs to be more steamy" and then drew the little green guy beside it. A few minutes later, she brought me the tiny, triangular "JoJo" nametag. I really don't know what any of it means, so thought it might make for a nice Monday blog.

100% Real Cat

Here is the one and only Gus! I have been blogging sketches of him, and thought you should get a peek at him in living color. This was the best photo, out of about 15. He is always on the move. In other news: my cover sketches and other revised sketches went back to the publisher on Friday, after many trials with my computer (I fear that all my feeble attempts at sending incredibly large image files made it, and that I now appear both overeager and dimwitted. The horror!) Onward and upward! Here's to another week- hopefull less hectic with fewer late nights!

Howdy

I realized that this poor cat is missing his whiskers! Don't worry, I'll remember them in the book!
Had a nice talk with Karen at Alma Little yesterday. They put my sketches in with the text and now I have some rearranging to do, but the call went well. Luckily, Karen is super nice . I worry too much and want things to go well and for people to be happy...Even though they are patient with me because this is my first book, I still don't want them to think I an a knucklehead.
Next comes the cover, I will start on that as soon as the kids start quiet time (not always quiet, but whatever!). Mailed our Chistmas cards, need to print up thank-you cards for my cousin (I should blog the cake I drew for her), and have a few other irons in the fire. Here's hoping next week will be less crazy, but at least I haven't crashed my minivan into anything yet!

Meow

Hey, people! My youngest daughter (who is catching a cold) has been all about her stuffed kitty this week. This is another bloggie from the book sketches. Our van is back from the shop and looks much better, and we got an estimate on replacing our garage door. Whatever. I hope to finish the house I am working on today, have been addressing the envelopes for our Christmas cards, and putting out Christmas decorations this week. I think that they are putting the sketches into the book layout with the text now, so it will be cool to see how it all comes together and find out what I need to change so things flow better. I still can't believe that it is December and that another year is drawing to a close. Have a great weekend!

Castle

They say your home is your castle. I damaged part of our castle today with my minivan and am the soul of remorse. They also say most accidents happen within 5 miles of the castle. Very true, in this case of "Tailgate vs. Garage Door." My plea: Absentmindedness Due to Fatigue and "Mom Brain." I am guilty. So guilty. They say accidents happen. This was a minor one in the scheme of things, so I am trying not to let it harsh my mellow.
On a happier note: my sketches were delivered one day before my deadline, I finished the rehearsal dinner invites for my cousin, painted a family portrait for a friend, ordered new postcards for my next mailing campaign, and designed and ordered our family Christmas cards.
Further bulletins as events warrant....