View from the Zoo

I put togther my birthday tea party invitation (it says «come and celebrate my
5(0) years with me») with animals that I had drawn recently. Except these guys thought they were posing for a five year old’s celebration - until my main monkey came in with the zeros that were missing. The design challenge : to find a look that was adult and masculine using funny animals. The party theme was inspired my my preschool mad hatter tea parties I had with my friends, complete with little dishes and tiny tea cups. However today, instead of water and crackers, there will be real cucumber sandwiches and homemade scones topped with whipped cream and jam. Yummy!

I think that this illustration by British designer Jane McDevitt would make great Christmas giftwrap. I find the colors striking and I like the numbers - it looks like a wonderful diagram. I counted about fifty birds which reminded me of the Christmas carol mentioned in the title of this post. Jane created this image for a silkscreen printing class and was inspired by one of the natural history displays at The Stewartry Museum in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Happy holidays, Jane!

Montrealer Melanie Favreau has a great sense of humour that can be seen in her sterling silver jewelry that she sells on Etsy and on Supermarket.  «Everyday things that are around me inspire me, says Melanie Favreau, like those plastic tags on breadbags.» Among my favorites are the owls, top, and the heart, not the usual shaped heart, but a real one with the arteries with an inscription in latin that reads «From the bottom of my heart» (Ab Imo Pectore - see below).

 Why owls?
«When I started selling on Etsy I noticed that it was a popular theme- everyone was doing them. So I started with my Sweet Owls, followed by my Crazy Owls in resin and most recently the Three Musketeers series (top image). I didn’t think they would sell so fast! Now I have to rush to make more for Christmas! The latest thing is moustaches. I don’t know why they are popular but I find the trend very funny.»

Melanie is also part of the EtsyQ team - a group of Quebec artists on Etsy and they are having a great giveaway worth over 200$. You have until the 29th of November to participate. 

Congratulations to Darby the dachshund for having won her elections today. He she was Moira’s mascot for the presidential race this week. You can have your dog’s portrait done up like this by contacting Moira or order a «Hope Dachshund for Obama» print at her Etsy shop. Gotta love those stripes!