I spent the entire day making cookies for the school bake sale. Many a sprinkle was involved.

Two new magnets of the nerdy variety.

Is there any other variety?

Woo Hoo! I finally got the plant markers up in the store. Good lord it took me forever, didn't it?

I'm trying out half a dozen graphics programs right now to decide what I like best to replace my ancient limited edition Photoshop that came with the Wacom tablet I bought 7 years ago. Test driving programs has been fun but I think I'm officially over the "wow look what THIS one can do!" and just need to make a decision and get to work.

In addition to testing Painter X/Photoshop/Gimpshop/Paint.net I've been trying to learn a different FTP program and transferring my files from the old computer to the new one. That's much less fun than playing with painting programs.

Since lots of people asked, the markers are made of foam so they are indeed waterproof. I used a sharpie to write the plant name and a regular ball point pen to write the info on the back. I'm not sure how fade-proof either of those inks will be, but the printing and the foam itself shouldn't fade very quickly at all. They'll be usable again next year.

(Click the image if you want to buy some.)

Here's a picture of my most recent Fishcakes project and possibly my favorite thing I've made so far. Combining monsters and gardening is a good thing.

I haven't put them on the site yet because I haven't finished putting the packs together. I need to get them out there soon, before everybody has already gotten their gardens going.

And just in case you're keeping tabs, I've got two types of peas planted as well as the lettuce and spinach you see so stylishly marked in this picture. I have to get my fence up soon, though. I know the squirrels have been watching me work and making notes on their calendars so they can sneak in and eat all the tender little shoots when they come up.

What are you growing? I need to know.

I've been making polymer clay monsters for a few days now. I have about ten times what I'd intended to make but once I started making them I couldn't stop. I never thought I'd turn into one of those wacky polymer clay people who look at everything and wonder if they could cover it with sculpey but I'm starting to worry it's happening already. I've had thoughts of taking my food processor to the studio just to chop up clay. Except then I couldn't make hummus and that would be sad. I guess if I was a true wacky polymer clay person I'd just go without hummus, so maybe I'm not quite converted yet. Whew! What a relief.

Anyhow, I made lots of monster ornaments in the fall and they sold well so I'm starting up again (since I'm still avoiding my sewing machine.) They're a lot of fun to make although a little tedious when I'm feeling clumsy. All those fussy little jewelry findings and beads make me feel like I have gorilla hands.

Several people suggested I make pins and earrings too but I'm still working out how to make them small and sturdy. Once I work it out I think they'll be pretty darn cute. And hopefully I won't be the only one who thinks so. There are a few up at my etsy store if you want to check them out.

Hey, Lookie! Four new monster card designs are available at Fishcakes! I'm super excited about these -- I can't seem to get enough of emotional monsters! Especially when they're fat.

There are two different happy-occasion cards for those of you who might have friends celebrating marriages, divorces, or the purchase of a really nice pair of new shoes. Whatever you might have to be enthusiastic about, I'm sure these two monsters will be happy to help you express your joy.








And for those of you who are missing someone special (your best friend? your mom? or your 7th grade english teacher?) you might want to check out the two sad monsters now available on blank cards. They're seriously bummed. They'll get the message across.

The cards are blank inside so you can properly pour out your story of longing and desperate sadness.