Well, here’s the thing. I have this Olympic Challenge coming up, and I’ve been doing some brainstorming. I think Olympics . . . Vancouver . . . Canada . . . snow . . . moose!

So I’ve been experimenting with some antlers. What do you think? This is not my final design, but it seemed like to Order of the Lumberjack could use a new member. Meet the grizzly’s estranged cousin, Nelson Chestnut Moose, VII. He’s the baby of seven proud generations of antlered Lumberjacks.

An Eco Friendly Haiku:

Deforestation

Makes my antlers droop like

Wilting peonies.

Just a dollop!

And while we’re at it, what the hell is the difference between jam and marmalade? (Other than the word “marmalade” being way more fun to say) Well, upon some quick research (thanks, Wikipedia!) I’ve discovered that marmalade is only made from citrus. Is the cranberry a citrus? Alas, it is not.

How much more mysterious this little critter becomes when you realize its existence is the essence of enigma!

Well, either way, it’s super cute, and will be avilable in my shop later tonight.

(And it comes with a handy little pocket for stashing treasures!)

Well, it’s been many years since I curled up with a good coloring book. I mean, many many years.

In fact, the last coloring book I ever picked up was probably one of these:

And that would have been back in 1990. Oh, how many frock coats and pantaloons did I color in as a child?

Anyway, I stumbled across a fabulous site last month and suddenly found myself overcome with a strong desire to color once again.

Since I am not one to stifle my impulses, I bought one of these awesome coloring books lickety split.

The Doodler’s Anonymous Coloring Book, Volume One, limited edition first run of only 250 – and one of them is mine! A collection of drawings and doodles from 29 amazing artists – whose drawings all make me drool!

I may not be able to draw as well as the doodlers in this book, but boy can I color! Of course, as soon as I sit down to get to work, something like this inevitably happens:

Taha approves!

Well, if they have any left, and you feel like channeling your inner child, I highly recommend getting one of your own!

What does a Baby Cubicorn want more than anything else in the world?

Another Baby Cubicorn to play with! I obviously had no choice but to whip up this little winged critter:

So happy together!

So what’s new in the world of PterodactylPants, you ask? Well, I just sold an awesome outlet keychain to Australia.

I have officially entered an Olympic Challenge of Plush. This contest is going to be HUGE! Kristen Rask, the owner of the Schmancy Gallery in Seattle is putting it on – and she does great things for the Indie Plush community. There are over 180 plush artists participating, and the judges are pretty impressive, too. I’ve been given the category of skiing – it’ll be interesting to see what I come up with, since I’ve never set foot in a pair of skis in my life!

I am also applying to be in the first annual Plush You! Show in LA. Plush You! is a big deal every fall in Seattle, and they’re branching out this year. I didn’t quite make the cut last year, but you know what they say about getting back on that horse . . .

Oh! And I sold a mini maggot for Haiti. There are still some other Plush Team members’ goodies left in the Plush Team’s Etsy shop – all proceeds go to the Red Cross. Head on over and peruse the merch.

When people ask me why I make plush (after a long and rambling explanation of what plush is in the first place, from me) I find myself at a loss. I love to do it, I don’t know why. I started doing it one day out of the blue, on a whim. I had a sewing machine, I had some time on my hands, an innocent nudge from my boyfriend to pursue some creative projects, and Poof! PterodactylPants was born.

How do I come up with my designs? Again, no idea. I make whatever tickles me. It all comes from the gut, from instinct. Why question it? Just roll with it.

Until . . .

I started on this latest Unicorn Craze. I have finally mastered the Unicorn design (the third time’s the charm!), and I’ve taken a giant step toward discovering the source of my creative wellspring.

Above we have the latest and final Unicorn: Fabulous, no?

These are the first two versions. (The first one is available in my shop, if you’re interested!)

Partway through my struggle I realized where these purple and pink unicorns came from:

This is Jessie, the proud unicorn! My subconscious has officially burst forth and slapped me in the face!

In a good way.