Unwrapped...Book 'Em

So with the new year before us--and Christmas safely unwrapped--I can show you some of my projects. Sadly, a few more are still being wrapped up...no pun intended (this time).  I'll show you those as I finish.

When I give kids gifts I usually try to include a book.  Yes, I am THAT person; unabashedly guilty!

This Christmas the book I found for my little cousin Cole shaped the whole gift.  This book is really cute.

My favorite part is that Jake stays black & white in a color story!

So to go with this nursery noir, I made the little guy a 'police academy workout uniform': royal blue sweats and an academy t-shirt.  Here is a close-up of the 'Storyville Police Academy' seal that I drew on the t-shirt.

               

I checked out Police Department seals and realized they often mix in the state emblems so I realized I needed to use the Landmarks of 'Storyville'.  

I really wanted to put the seal on the cobalt blue pants maybe in a yellow or white outline.  In the end I wasn't sure how that would end up looking so I stuck with only decorating the t-shirt.  Besides when it comes to doing stuff for boys--less is more.

Next up: A Cuppa' Joe

What a Life-Saver!

So I don't always feel that a Thank You note is enough.  That is actually what spurred this project.  I was in need of some assistance translating a call.  A girl down the hallway came to my rescue.  However, she worked in a tremendously busy office and she only worked part time so I never figured out her schedule.

I decided to leave something little on her desk so that whenever she came in - she would know that I appreciated her help.

I came up with this little swimmer to thank her for being a Life-Saver.

Here is how I put my Life-Saver Thank You together:

    

I drew out my swimmer making sure she was long enough to cover the candy roll.

 

Because I was drowning in an office of these CD Labels, I realized the small circle would be perfect for a life-preserver for my Candy Swimmer.

I colored in the swimmer template to look like my Life-Saver down the hall.

I cut out the circle for the center of a CD label and cut slits all around the center to ease it onto the candy roll.

Cut small slits and test that your life-preserver will fit snugly around the candy roll - you can always cut a little more if necessary.

If the Life-Saver Thank You is being left somewhere it may face a little moving around it may be helpful to tape your swimmer to the candy roll.

Now my picture shows the tabs so you can see how it really looks when it's put together but by all means trim down your tabs but be careful to leave a little so the life-preserver stays in place.

Also - depending on where you leave your Life-Saver Thank You, you can bend your candy swimmer's legs to sit on a desk or dangle off the side.

In about a half an hour - you can write a thank-you note or you can really let someone know they were a Life-Saver.

Hmmm...shoulda had this done already...

So just when I thought I was through the most recent wave of baby showers...I realized I didn't take care of one.

Heehee -- whooops...

And so this week I'll set things right and get some fancy baby onesies drawn up and sent off!  I mean it's not like the kid won't come out if I don't hook 'em up.  Actually that's pretty presumptuous to assume the little one even wants to wear one of these.  Then again, it's destined to be puked on, among other things...

So, this is what I'll be working on this week!  Onesies just beg to be drawn on in my opinion.  Honestly babies grow so quickly that even if Mamacita isn't a fan of your art, the baby will probably only be able to wear it once anyway.  But you should stop by regularly juuuuuust to be sure they get a little air-time.


These are a few onesies that I made for my little cousin:

I told you -- I worry about making boy stuff too girlie so a dinosaur seemed like a safe bet!

 
Of course some humor makes sure Dad will slip at least one of your creations on the wee one.

And of course, storybook and nursery rhyme characters are always a welcome addition amongst all the, 'Mommy's Little Angel' and 'Poop Happens' themed gifts.  

Well...it's back to the drawing board for me -- just in case that kid does hold out for some onesies...

Dr. Sketchy's (Part 1)

I surveyed the street, it was dark and a few cars swept past the city corner.  The street light cast shadows off the row of parking meters.  I made my way to the front of the club, an abandoned looking storefront with a Price is Right 's' marking the entrance.  I was making this trip alone.

'Six dollars for anyone drawing, eight dollars for voyeurs', the girl behind the counter smirked. 

I paid the cover and slid into the first available table.  I tossed my ragged bookbag into the captain's stool and pulled out my sketch pad.  A pale pretty girl dressed in black and pearls posed in a staged bedroom, posh and sparse like a New York hotel room.  I  began to draw.  The model moved.  Damn, I wasn't ready so I ignored the next pose and finished the first drawing.

To be continued...