Illustration Friday "Invention"

So here's this weeks Illustration Friday. I just started doodling and this is what came about. I did start another one previously, which is here too, as I thought it was a pretty cool invention. Though I am yet to work out what either of these things actually do- but it's pre-tea & too early in the morning. Maybe you know what they do!?
I have been working flat out on some illustration jobs, using my new wacom drawing tablet and corel paint. What painty/drawy programs do other people use? I've just downloaded the trial version of paint, and so far I'm having fun with it so I might purchase it when the trial period is over. Although I love to play around and draw on the computer, I still think nothing beats the tangible nature of paint. I've been feeling like I want to get my oils out again.. it's like a calling. It may be a disaster though.. I get it everywhere, and am too used to the quick drying time of acrylics so I get impatient. I think I need to get them out though- even if just for fun. I went through a stage earlier this year painting weird scary pictures with a realistic feel. I don't know why, I guess I was inspired by similar works of this nature. I'm over that phase now though, and the paintings are gathering dust.
I see blogger has a new version or something. This is news to me.. I'm too scared to change over my account as I don't have time to fix up any bugs that may appear. Is it safe??

Link love: I've wanted to add Cheeky Beaks to my link list for a while now. She's an aussie designer, and I like reading her blog.

New bag & purse designs

Here's a design I call "I wish I was a cowgirl." Check out Tummyache as there's a set in the shop now.
I also wanted to post this design, even though it sold within 24 hours of being in my shop.. much to my delight!

Now to change the subject... how's this girlfriends: my partner of 11 years recently informed me that for approximately 3 days each month, I am nasty, moody and naggy. The amusing thing about this is that 3 days times 12 months times 11 years equals 1 year & one month of solid nagging!! This is some feat of which I am tempted to feel proud of.
He's also just informed me that people get less time than this for armed robbery.
Though I think this is getting back at him for all of his sarcastic, wise guy, antagonising mannerisms & comments. Touché!

Finally, another Illustration Friday!

Haha! Got one done. After my previous post I felt bad about missing my usual illustration Friday topics, so I just had to colour in this pic that I had already drawn. I feel it's a shame that I only ever get halfway there, and I never post them!
This week's topic was 'clear.' This picture is a play on the fact that sometimes people in a relationship can be so oblivious to what their partner is really like, when actually it's as plain as day. I guess that's why they say love is blind!
I wonder what this girl ever saw in him!!?
This is a mixed media piece using graph paper, pen, coloured pencil, felt, stitching, and wonderful wonderful magical scotch tape. I have discovered a new love for this stuff tonight. I stuck all over the paper (just to stick the graph paper down at first) and the vibrancy of the coloured pencil when drawn over the top is fab-o! Plus it has a nice feel to draw over it with pencil. Oooohhh, I think I've just discovered a new technique. Don't you just love that?
(Click on image for a slightly larger view.)

The new etsy is here

..along with my new banner (comments & criticisms welcome)! I'm really loving the new look of etsy version 2. Our shops look much better, more professional and the item photos are bigger and therefore easier to see (and perhaps more tempting to window shoppers? Or should I say "monitor shoppers"!?) Anyway, I'm in a crafty item making frenzy at the moment, so keep checking my shop and also the fabulous Georgielove for some more new stuff coming very soon! I've been working on some new bag designs and also had an idea for a new mini quilt last night. I'm also going to make some more brooches; here's one that's in the shop now:
I've been so busy lately with illustration work, and while it is nice to be busy and have work, it's a shame that I'm neglecting my blog and not doing any illo's for illustration Friday. I have however sketched out or doodled every single topic, it's just that most of them are pretty quick doodles & are all half finished.

Did I mention previously that Jimbo & I bought an acre of dirt? Well we did! I also registered my business name tummyache, so business cards, swing tags and all the rest of the stuff that goes along with a new label is in the process of being made. So with my new business venture, plus illustration work, and not to mention the fact that everyone wanted to be born around this time of year, and with Christmas coming up, it's a very busy time indeed.

Oh, and I have been typing and blogging this with my very own brand spanking new wacom drawing tablet! It's very strange to get the hang of, but I'm feeling excited about all the possibilities it will open up for me in the world of digital illustration, hopefully making my job a little easier & fun. At the moment I feel awkward with it and feel like I'm not going to draw anything much more professional looking than the pictures I drew in high school when I mucked around with my best mates computer with the basic paint program. (I still remember how exciting that was- I didn't own a computer then! Now that I think about it that program was pretty much on par with the etch-a-sketch.. actually we might have had a computer by then.. the good old commodore 64!)

Now for some linky dinky love for today: Kirin Notebook. You know I love it when I stumble across other talented Aussies.. and this gals in Melbourne! An interesting blog with some nice looking images.. I know this one will become a regular visit for me.

Say no to backyard breeders

With Christmas coming up, and having had first hand exprience of seeing where unwanted dogs end up, I thought it was a timely reminder to alert people once again to this overwhelming problem. The good folks at Pet Talk Radio! started up their own campaign & they have been gathering signatures for the cause. Please go to saynotobackyardbreeders.com to learn more about this campaign and to sign the petition. Approximately 130,000 dogs and 60,000 cats are killed at pounds every year in Australia.
My very own Bender was heading for the pound before we rescued him. He is a fantastic dog; he's one of those dogs that make people want to get their own. I've had so many people tell me they want a dog just like him. I often think about the family that gave him up because they had to move house.. and think that they gave away possibly the best dog I know. There are many excuses for surrendering pets, some legitimate, though many are not. I have lived in 5 different rental properties with two large dogs, moving to and from different states, and not once was it even an option to rehome my dogs. I also know that having a baby is another excuse frequently used. I know a couple that rescue staffy's, and they had twins recently and still kept all their dogs and continued rescuing aswell.
If you are going to get a dog, make sure you research the breed well, get a dog to suit your lifestyle and circumstances. Don't get a border collie if you are a couch potato. Don't get a large breed dog if you only have a court yard. Don't get a dog if you can't afford the food/ medications/ vet bills. Don't ever buy a dog on impulse.
So here are my two 'furbabies.' Bender is the black one and the other is Leela. I love these dogs to death. Maybe it's time for me to get back in to volunteering for rescue again...

Would you like some unicorn with that salt?

A doodle for today.. Sunday the 5th of November... one of my best buddies birthday. Happy birthday Tan! You rock! (By the way, this doodle has nothing to do with her or her birthday; I'm not implying that she eats unicorns.. I just felt like drawing...)

Plasticine Pandemonium by The Claylord

I've always been a fan of plasticine animation.. specially when the characters are made kinda crappy. I love the pan outs and close-ups he's done in this, and have always had a special place in my heart for crappy plasticine characters with no heads that breakdance.. so lucky there's one here!
The claylord is a genius!