Everyone has idiosyncrasies and I’d like to share a particularly silly one of mine with you.

I rarely remove my wedding ring but I will, on occasion, and I most certainly take off my engagement ring when there’s even a small chance of it getting dirty (as it’s especially delicate because of the old pearl in it).  But I have this habit of washing my hands before taking off a ring and since I don’t want to put a damp ring inside its box (which also happens to be vintage where moisture is a no-no) I’ll have to leave it out.  Naturally I’ll set it somewhere out of harm’s way (a.k.a. Spoo Kee), like inside a cabinet or drawer until I can put it back on or until it’s dry.  Whilst setting the ring down on the shelf inside said cabinet or drawer, I find myself thinking these very words: “But a mouse might get it.”

Headline: “35 YEAR OLD HOUSEWIFE AND COMPUTER-NERD LADY LIVES IN FEAR OF RODENTS TAKING OFF WITH HER JEWELRY!”

OK, it’s not quite that dramatic but still nutty.  (And what kind of newspaper would print such a story anyway? [And did I just say "newspaper"?  Do they still make those?])  But I’m not really embarrassed to tell you since it IS so completely…absurd; I cannot help but be amused by it.

…

In high school my family and I went went on a road trip through the American Southwest: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and so forth.  I will forever associate listening to U2′s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” on my walkman, snacking on half-melted gummy worms (from a 5lb bag, oh the horror of it), reading Garfield comic strips to my little brother (whilst we eagerly found coloring mistakes in the illustrations), and eating greasy-good breakfasts sitting inside equally greasy red vinyl booths at diners along the way with this trip.

Anyway, before we hit the road my mom hid some of her jewelry in a plastic bag inside the flour canister.  High tech.  Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Upon our return from the trip, and to our disbelief, the jewelry was gone (perhaps an earring or two was left  behind); only a holey and dusty plastic bag remained.  It was a mystery for a few years and soon forgotten.

Then my parents had the kitchen remodeled–taking out the atomic green formica counter top which I look back on fondly–and what should they find?  The jewelry.  Inside a mouse’s nest.  (We had no idea we even had mice!)   I was–and am– completely fascinated by the fact that these mice (or mouse) wanted the jewelry inside their wee nest.  I guess Magpies are not the only ones attracted to shiny things!

So there you have it, my explanation as to why that crazy thought comes to mind whenever I leave my rings out.

Yellow flowers for Monday.

Hi folks!  It’s always a good feeling to have something new to add in le shop.   This new print, “Hope Springs Eternal,” was created after the devastating quake and tsunami in Japan.  I really wanted to make something special to help.

Cherry blossoms always come to mind when I think of spring and it somehow seemed appropriate in this drawing.  And it’s around this time of year when I rush to the Japanese market hoping to find anything sakura-flavored like Kit Kat or mochis.

Buy this print and 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. (I will make donations at the end of each month.)

I have also upgraded the paper for 8″x8″ and 8″x10″ prints which I’m nerdily excited about.  I’ve been putting it off for a while, concerned about raising my prices, but being able to provide the highest quality prints I can afford won out.   I’ll have 2 different papers: museum etching (which is similar in texture and thickness to watercolor paper) and another premium cotton rag which is more like hotpress watercolor paper (a smoother texture but with a little tooth to it).  ”Hope Springs Eternal” is currently being offered on the museum etching.  I really love how it looks on this paper!

This is a detail photo, to show you the texture of the surface.  Did you know it’s really hard to photograph paper?  I always have a heck of a time trying to get it right.  You can see more details on the product pages here and here.

If you like this print, please help me spread the word by tweeting, liking and forwarding this info along!  Thank you so much.

Available in le shop and on Etsy.

Oh, Monday! We had very heavy rain ALL day Sunday and it’s quite the relief to see the sun shine today.  I like the rain but when it’s constant (and cold) it tends to get me down. (Proof: I ate about a dozen chocolate chip cookies before I realized what I had done.  Whoops!)  But this new week brings pleasant things like the arrival of Spring in the northern hemisphere (YIPPIE!)  and some goodies around these parts.

The first being my bakery download in issue #2 of Toffee magazine!  Toffee is this new and neatorific downloadable magazine filled all sorts of printable goodies, tutorials and articles about extraordinary craftsters and illustrators.  I’m still perusing my copy–it’s that huge!  Tons of good stuff made by many talented peeps.

Issue #2′s theme is “Forest Friends” so I whipped up a recipe card along with matching bakery cards and a tag:

I can totally see myself living in a cute little pink cottage like this.  (Please note: this image is merely a low-res preview.)    So take a peek at Toffee when you can!

Also this week, I hope to share with you some drawings I’ve been working on for my class.  (Drawings I’m not embarrassed to show you, thankfully.)