PAPER DAYS OF CHRISTMAS–Hand Stitched Fox

Animal ornaments are my favorite! My family's tree has quite a few. When you're a kid, they're basically just toys with strings on the top. Resin, plastic, glass, whatever. When I make these animal ones, I'll use some heavier stock, just in case.



Click here to download the full size!

Daily Pattern: Painted Pigs

Topic: farm

I read a tiny bit about farms and sustainability and things like that. They're fairly popular topics these days. One of the things I thought was both interesting (and kind of cool) is how animals and plants can give and take from each other in good amounts. Some regulation, plus regulation of how much regulation is happening, makes for a pretty nice setup.

Daily Pattern: Chicken Scratch

Woo! Trying to get on board for the last stretch of patterns. Here's my farm pattern - inspired by the farm I used to visit as a kid. It was actually a Christmas tree farm in West Virginia, but there was totally a chicken coop, and goats. I always thought those chickens were kind of scary, but these guys are a bit more peaceful enjoying an afternoon snack.

Daily Pattern: Ducklings

Topic: babies

Add this to the list of awesome things about Minneapolis: there are lakes in the city. On those lakes there are ducks (during the warmer months), and sometimes those ducks have babies. I suppose any place with a pond in it has some ducks.

Daily Pattern: the Jackalope

Topic: myth

Everybody knows that jackalopes are the fearsome stuff of legend. They may be one of the cuter versions of mythological beasts, but that doesn't make them any more friendly. Unless you're talking about this guy, who is always willing to give a hand and some advice.

Daily Pattern: Cutey Friends

Topic: BFF (best friends forever)

Part of the reason going to a Japanese supermarket or buying Japanese stationery is so great is because it's coated in the sweetest little animals. A trip to United Noodle (a favorite Twin Cities Asian import grocery) usually compels me to draw some kind of anthropomorphic food item or cute animal. For "BFF", I decided to treat myself with some cute gouache painting. I posted the individual character paintings here.

Daily Pattern: Cat Habits

I have a cat that likes to destroy my things sometimes.

Daily Pattern: Winter Bunnies

I'm starting to not really care for winter too much. The snow, you know? It gets in the way of doing things sometimes. Sometimes it's kind of pretty, though, and that can make it worth it. Everything's grey and eery. Here's a wintery bunny pattern, sans snow.

Daily Pattern: Goats

I have Lindsay to thank for this topic! I was stumped (beards were a thing already, right? Something like that...), but Lindsay thoughtfully reminded me that we all need to move to St. Paul. Apparently you can own goats there. And goats are cute.

Mice and Pipes

“Today I am inspired by the cartoon Ratatouille to create this pattern about rodents. I know that mice live in tunnels and basements. They're very dark and unpleasant places, but I tried to imagine what mice do there and how they have fun.”

-Ira

Daily Pattern: Deer Quilt

Ira made this really lovely deer pattern. I'm still in the mood for autumn and winter, and seeing this really fit the craving. They have such beautifully gentle faces!

Daily Pattern: Party Pup

“Today I decided to draw a pattern about two things without which a birthday is not a holiday. These are, of course, a cake with candles and gifts. I'm always glad for these on my birthday :).”

-Ira

Daily Pattern: Owl Cushion

“The first items I thought of for today's topic of pillow are the several owl cushions I have on my bed in different colours! My friends know I love owls so I've received several as gifts; this pattern is a sort of amalgamation of the several I own :).”

-Fran Court

Daily Pattern: A Deer Family

We've been spending a lot of time walking around in the mountains, seeing the some of the most amazing natural things I have ever seen. Yesterday we ran into a family of deer, babies and all. After that I knew exactly what I wanted to make for (yesterday's) daily pattern.

Daily Pattern: Kitty Booties

Another cat pattern! Would you believe this is only my second one? I'll try to keep the number of cats down in the future. For now, here's a few more.

Daily Pattern: Dancing With Mice

Today we have a new guest artist! Ira Sidakova created her cute mouse pattern while listening to the Wall-E soundtrack's version of "Put On Your Sunday Clothes"–an excellent choice for background listening, if I may say so.

Ira is a 24-year-old architect from a small coastal town in Ukraine. She loves drawing and likes to let the images she creates speak for her. She also is responsible for the creation of some adorable patterns, so you should absolutely check the link to view her gallery!

Daily Pattern: Doggie Dress-Up

Who doesn't like to dress up a pug? I know I do.

Daily Pattern: Bikini Kitties

It's kind of odd I don't have more character patterns on here. So here's one!



Party down, beach cats!

2011 Walk for Animals Recap

Thank you to everyone who donated to our Walk for Animals donation drive! It was a huge success and we raised nearly 600 dollars for the Animal Humane Society!

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate much (unlike last year) so we ended up very cold and very, very wet.





Despite some discomfort, it was still a ton of fun to see all the animals and people who did brave the weather to bring their cat/dog/pig/crocodile to the event!

Of course, Studio dogs Twinkle and Atari didn't seem too bothered by the rain, and I kept myself warm at the kissing booth.



To those who donated; we'll be shipping out the prints and posters as soon as possible. If you haven't sent me your address yet, please do so! Just send me an email with your name, address and the name you donated under to chris[at]paperbicycle[dot]com!

2011 Walk for Animals - Last Chance!

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Saturday April 30th, is the The Animal Humane Society's Walk for Animals! So this is your last chance to make a donation!

Remember! We're offering sweet, free artwork to those who make a donation to the Paper Bicycle Fund-Raising Team!

See the previous post for for information about the prizes and all the details!

Free art and getting to help animals? What could be better?!



Reminder to anyone who donated and wants to claim their sweet reward! Once you make your donation, send me an email at chris[at]paperbicycle[dot]com with your choice of cat or dog, your address and what name you donated under!