fee fye fo fum

Over a nice dinner together last night, Mr You and I were talking about the dawning days of the internet (yes, clearly we're old geeks. Terribly interesting ones though). He was musing about how in the very early days it seemed that 97% of it was inhabited by males, and on the rare occasion that a female would appear in a forum or chatroom, she would be instantly swarmed by the lads.

So I was amused today when thinking to myself about the percentage of females to males in the blogging community (at least the one I find myself in). When I find a male has left a comment I experience a bit of the "swarm" myself. Not that I'm going to launch myself "annual-bridal-gown-sale" style at them, or even sidle up with a "do you come here often" type line or anything, no, no, it's all safe. But it's just so rare that I can't help but get a bit of a thrill.

So at the risk of scaring this rarest of species away... ladies roll up your sleeves, get your barging elbows out... hello Steve, thanks for leaving some comments :)

Also, if you haven't met Willie, please go check out his unique world, it's pretty amazing.

Oh, and Patrick! Go meet Patrick too! His art is mind blowing.

portugal

This is: my favourite travel memory.

I couldn't possible narrow it down to one single memory, I'm not sure I could even narrow it down to a city or country, I've loved so many of my travels, but for the purpose of Hila's "this is" theme this week I've chosen to share Portugal!

While other travel memories I have are moments, feelings, people, culture, ambience, etc, Portugal still holds thick in my visual memory. It's literally coated in pattern, everywhere your eyes come to rest; from the patterned footpaths, to the colourfully tiled houses, and painted tile murals. It's like no other place I've ever been.

Whether it be ornate decoration, or decaying paint or stonework, there's pattern to be found at all ends of the spectrum. The beauty does not favour the rich over the poor, it spreads itself equally and generously among all. Whether it be new and carefully laid out, or ancient and haphazard, the colours still shine bright.

Of course I still hold many unique moments from our time there fondly...
- Coming across a small pet market. No not a small market of pet things, a largish market selling only small pets.
- Old women sitting on every corner every Thursday selling small posies of wilted handpicked wildflowers, wrapped in a bit a tin foil.
- And the day I stood looking closely at the mountain of Christian souvenir paraphernalia in this stall for a good minute before I realised there was a live woman tucked in amongst it.


All I can say is no wonder there is such beautiful art and craft coming from the bloggers of Portugal!

where babies come from

My Illustration Friday attempt for baby.

Where do babies come from?... Why sperm whales of course.

(only just made it in time this week, phew)

postcards

I had some of my illustrations made into postcards! They look so great, all glossy and professional. I'm really happy with them.

I've put them in my etsy store so they're now available to buy. It's a much cheaper way of getting art on your walls, or unique cards for your friends. There are single postcards, but I've also put some in sets, including Looking for Love and Sometime Soon ...as requested ;)

Others include my electricity illo from a couple of weeks back, the extreme illo that's in Curvy, and string theory, which is one I really like.

So there you have it. Small bits of art you can buy with small change. :)
Click on the images above to be transported to my etsy store.

this blog is a toddler, and i am a fiddler

I miss it every year, but yesterday was this little blogs 3rd birthday. Gosh they grow up so fast, don't they? sniff sniff...

Actually it was my birthday the week before last too. Both event's passed by without too much fuss or grandeur, which is fine... mind you there was no cake for either birthday... which, come to think of it, is not so fine, it's no good at all. I must rectify that. Girls and blogs need cake!

Mr You shocked me with his gift... a violin!!!! Shit! I know I'd been banging on about wanting to play fiddle for ages, but the reality of actually having a real one terrified me. I guess he has some faith that I'll be able to learn it, either that or he got sick of me air-fiddling... a move I'm sure he's partly regretting now he has to listen to the pained screeches of this fine instrument as I practice each evening. My fear and apprehension has turned to nervous fits of hysteric laughter when I try to play. It sounds terrible. It's so bad it's hilarious. I need lessons. And a violin mute has been ordered and is on it's way :)

tinki woo

This is: my pet. (relaxing on a warm Summers afternoon) ....beam!

It's been just over a year since we rescued Tilli from the shelter. She was about 5 months old when we got her, and in the past year she has grown at least twice the size. When she sits with all her feet tucked up underneath her she looks like a roosting hen, so we used to call her "Chook-Chook" (one of her bazillion nicknames), but now she's so big we've had to abandoned that in favour of "Goosey".

She's super playful, everything is a game, everything is a toy, and every moment is an opportunity to play. She's so much fun.

I've never had a cat before, but I'm a convert; I freakin' adore her... so much that sometimes it hurts.


Thanks to Kyla from Two Peas in a Pod for this week's "This Is" theme.

worry

My Illustration Friday attempt for worry.

It was suppose to look as thought he was pushing his fingers inside his skull... I guess I'm not that gory.