crying over spilled milk

Meow meow meow... a new collage to share with you today! I never had a cat growing up, but we did have a dog for a little while – well, until it nipped me and we had to give it to another family. Anyways, no point in crying over spilt milk... well, unless you are the wee one in this collage. Bad kitty!

new calendar is here!

Hooray, hooray! So it is finally here... the Cabin + Cub 2012 Desk Calendar is being unveiled today! For the upcoming year, I thought I would shake things up a little bit and make the calendar quite a bit taller in size... which means larger images to enjoy each month (which, in turn, means more cuteness for your desk, and yes, perhaps more envy from your fellow co-workes coveting said calendar... heehee). And no fret, the calendar still comes with a cute little wooden easel stand. Check out the calendar in my etsy shop here.

collage: buried treasure

As a kid, I always thought it would be exciting to find buried treasure. I think it was more of the idea of actually finding it, rather than its contents that was the thrilling part... I mean, what is a little kid going to do with a chest full of gold coins?... (unless they were the chocolate kind, of course). Hmmmm... now I think it is quite the opposite... I have quite a few ideas (no shortage of them, actually) lined up in case I find buried treasure... a gal can dream, right?

paper and snot

I am finally posting again... had to take a break last week since both baby an I were down with a cold. I have now learned that snot is one of baby's worst enemies...(how can such a tiny thing make so much of it!!!). Anyways, whilst not cleaning snot off the wee one, I started clipping out images for a new collage series... so thought I would share some of the process so far. And don't worry I did wash my hands very thoroughly, haha. I'm still working on the collages, so hopefully will post those pics real soon! Oh yes, and also wanted to let everyone know there will be a giveaway starting this Wednesday.. so stay tuned!

collage: in tangles

A new collage to share today... this one is called In Tangles. Thank goodness none of our lamps at home have a cord this long. I think our home is pretty tangle free... oh wait... there is still the hairdryer from time to time, oh yes and the seasonal Christmas lights, oh and then there is the rice cooker... uh, ok... I take the "tangle free" claim back.

collage: two cats for one bird (and shoe)

As promised, although a bit late in the posting, is one of the new collages I have been working on! This one is called "two cats for one bird (and shoe)". A bit strange perhaps? But there was once a time where bartering was super common and made a lot of sense... ok, so maybe not in the 1950s department store, as this collage suggests, but that's just getting technical. Not sure who is getting a better deal here... I guess that depends on whether you are a cat person, a bird person, or a shoe person (I am the latter, btw). I have put a lot of those collage-y bits I posted about to good use, so will be posting more collages soon!

collage teaser

I have made a bit of progress with collaging this week... am almost done a few... just a few more illustration-ey bits to add to finish them up. Here is a tiny bit of a teaser... will reveal one of them in its entirety next week after it is done! Intrigued, aren't you? Ooooh, the suspense... and over the long weekend too (well, if you are in Canada, like me, and celebrating Thanksgiving). Happy Weekend! :)

collage bits

I am making some slow progress (which is better than no progress, right?) on my collages. Have clipped out lots of cool images and will start working on layouts and illustration soon. Also, I figured out a way of storing and putting away these itty bits of paper a lot less tedious ... (which might be a useful tip for some of you). After seeing a puzzle mat in a Lee Valley catalogue, I decided to make my own out of thick felt and a mailing tube. Now, all I have to do is roll it up, when I'm not working on them. Hooray!... craft mess contained!

collage: maybe i'll get a kitten

Hooray, the weekend is right around the corner! I haven't posted a collage in quite a while, so I thought I would share one of my faves. This one is called "Maybe I'll get a kitten". In actuality, I can't ever really get a kitten since I am super allergic, so I have to admire the little fur balls from afar. Although, there are those hairless ones... but less face it, those are so not very cute.

collage: red balloons

A new collage to share with you today! I remember being very upset as a little kid when I would lose a ballon and see it float away high up in the sky... worst feeling ever. I wish I had a bird friend to bring them back to me. Or, at least if the bird didn't bring them back, it would have been reassuring to know that it was enjoying the newly found balloons.

collage: the whispering bunny

It is Easter long weekend starting today, so a perfect day to share a bunny themed collage. This one is called the Whispering Bunny... the reason being, I actually don't know what noises a bunny makes. Do bunnies even make noise?... and what noise do they make (besides breathing and the thumping of their little feet). Is it ironic that they have such large ears and are one of the quietest animals?... oh wait, but maybe this is so they can hear each other better. Hmmmm... someone please enlighten me. Ok, got a little off tangent there... hope everyone has a Happy Easter weekend!

finally friday!

Hooray! It is finally Friday! This week felt like it was dragging by really slow, I thought I'd never see the weekend. So to celebrate today, without saying TGIF (ugh... I hate that expression, but I guess I just said it!) why not a fun collage... perhaps a one gun/one arrow salute. Hmm... not sure what it would sound like... maybe kapow, kapow, twang, twang? Ok, so sound effects are not my forte.

Anyhoo, also wanted to send thanks and hugs to some wonderful bloggers and blogs who have featured some of my items!

· to Casa Cullen for featuring my cork coaster set

· to Caren from buttercupped for featuring my little rainy day collage

· to she.likes.cute for featuring my baking-themed collage

· to kate and oli for featuring one of my little kite collages

· to Sarah from Koo & Poppet for the lovely feature

· to Free Time Crafts for passing on the Sunshine Blog Award and the Searched and Found for passing on the Happy 101 Award

ps. my March giveaway starts this coming Monday!!!

how n.e.e.t.

A little press clipping to share with you today. One of my collage illustrations is in the latest March issue of N.E.E.T Magazine! (that's it right there on page 217). N.E.E.T is a quarterly online magazine that showcases grassroots creativity... everything from tons of fashion, independent designers, to awesome craftiness. Oh yes... and it's free! Check it out here for some awesome articles and lots and lots of eye candy... it will make your fashionista side want to start shopping.

collage girls saxing

I haven't posted an instalment of recent odd keywords lately (searches people have typed into Google to end up at this site)... so why not some weird ones to wrap up the week. Here are 8 random keyword searches (and my 2 cents) that have popped up on the list recently: *please note that I kept their original spellings intact

1. collage girls saxing

Yes, I get many hits for "collage girls" actually looking for "college girls"... but this one is new... someone wants to see a bunch of them playing saxophones... oh wait... they don't mean musicians do they...

2. my favorite subject in scool is history

Well, it sure isn't "spelling" is it? sorry, I got a bit snippy there.

3. fancy deer stand

For those deer that can't stand up themselves?

4. 11th anniversary day card

Wow! An anniversary card for Day 11 of your relationship... a true romantic or super stalker?... you decide.

5. forgot give you cake, happy birthday

Awww... now this is such a heartfelt sentiment, isn't it? I seriously have to turn this one into a real birthday card greeting or something.

6. what would a squirrel say on your birthday

Hmmm... not sure... maybe he would say... "you forgot to give me cake" and then proceed to bite your ankles.

7. i want a girl in my cabin

Ok, creepy person, I have seen how horror movies start... not going to help you out there

8. i want to catch a baby deer

Ok, is this the same creepy person?... again, I have seen how horror movies start... no baby deer for you either.

Find past ones here, here and here. Happy Weekend!

ps. my February giveaway kicks off this Monday!!!!

collage: caramel friends

It has been awhile since I have posted a new collage... so why not today? I thought this one would be appropriate this morning, since I am slowly packing up our house of the leftover holiday things (yes, a little late... but tree chipping isn't until this weekend, so we have left things up)... the tree decorations are coming down, stockings unhung, wreath stored away... and caramel apples fed to the baby birds. Okay, I am kidding about the last part, I'm not actually feeding caramel to birds... so please don't get all PETA on me... it is just a collage. Now I have to go and break the news to Mr. Christmas Tree about the upcoming chipping party.

collage: captain, there is something wrong with this map

Whenever Roger and I travel, I usually am, by default, the "map" person. Whether it be on a road trip in the US, or getting around winding back streets in Saigon... for some reason the map and I seem to get along a wee bit better. And yes, I guess I am a bit old school... I love paper maps... but perhaps, I will eventually have to upgrade to becoming a GPS handler soon. We'll be heading on a short trip this weekend (location to be unveiled next week!)... so my next post will be the giveaway draw this Monday!

ps. don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a $20 Cabin + Cub gift certificate... last day to enter is Sunday!

i love you collage girls

Ah yes... time again for me to share with you another installment of odd keyword searches people have typed into Google to end up at this site (remember these and these?). And yes, for those who are curious... various forms of "collage girls" are still yet appearing in a steady stream... (if you want "college girls", please learn to spell). Here are 8 random searches (and my 2 cents) that have popped up on the list recently (and with an old 90s collage for visual accompaniment): *please note that I kept their original spellings intact

1. baby chipmunks for sale

ok, I am not selling baby chipmunks... who is? these critters are cute, but they are meant to be in the wild, not pets?... they will gnaw your face off when you sleep (ok, i am exaggerating... but i do think they would prefer to stay with their moms and chipmunky families in a tree)

2. blubbery guys

huh? and eww?

3. designing a writing cabin for a smoker

who knew this would be so difficult? build cabin. supply pen, paper and ash tray.

4. funny ways to stop on roller skates

a guaranteed funny way is to fall on your face... that always gets a lot of laughs, followed by skidding on your knees, or landing on your rump. Bonus funny points if you can involuntarily do the splits, followed by one of the mentioned stops... and the longer distance it takes you to stop, the better.

5. i love you collage girls

awwww, a fan! wow... thanks... i do like making collages. hey, wait a minute... you are one of those poor spellers, aren't you!

6. rebel deer drawings

so are these drawings done by the actual bad-assed deer themselves, or maybe they are drawings by confederates who like deer, or maybe they are drawings of deer by angst-ridden teenagers?.... so many possibilities! i want to see these!

7. why don't i have pine cones this year

because your tree does not love you... sorry to break it to you.

8. guy shot out of cabin in to pool

that sounds amazing... when you find the link, please let us all know!

finally flickr!

After much sitting on the fence, I finally decided to open a Flickr account. One of the main reasons is to make an easy gallery archive of all my collages for my own sanity... but also, make an easy way for anyone who wants to order a specific print to see them all in one place..... seeing as how lots of my collages can be described as "the one with the funny girl and bird on that wood background"... I think this will make it a wee bit easier. Check out my new Flickr gallery here! 

ps. don't forget to enter my October giveaway! 

collage: girl and balloons

Hooray for the weekend, it's finally here! It feels like a good balloon day today... something to cheer me up from this grey and gloomy weather we are having... bleh. Hope everyone has a fun and great weekend!

ps. Be sure to check back on Monday.... it will be the first day to my October giveaway!!! 

they say its your birthday...

Hooray! Today is my birthday! (wow, did I just cheer for myself out loud?... uh, yes i did!) Not sure what the hubby has planned for today... he is keeping it all very hush hush.... but I hope there is some cake somewhere in the plans (Roger, if you are reading this, please get cake). Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

ps. don't forget to enter my giveaway here!