I’ve posted about Violetpie’s wonderful work before, but I love her new Halloween creations just in time for the season this year.
Category: plush
-
Dang it. These Celestial Buddies are just so cute.
They range from $19-30 (a little pricey if you ask me), but oh…the cuteness…
-
I’ve just been ogling some creations on Cart Before the Horse. Look at these adorable party skeletons!
They come in three sizes and three color schemes…
Everything on the site is hand crafted and hand painted. This robot is another favorite of mine…
Projects range from sweet folk art characters, to surreal flora and fauna, to slightly dark personalities.
-
Easter is high atop the list of holidays I don’t celebrate, but I do love the yearly reemergence of Cadbury Creme Eggs. This image comes from an online game Cadbury launched this season (it needs to me aimed at my mouth).
Lovely little bunnies from Ron English:

I spotted this rabbit on speed in a grocery store (note the oddly placed block of cheese next to him. Did he steal it in an amphetamine rampage?):

A bunch of bunnies by Frijol Boy:

Two by Nicoletta Ceccoli:

This is what you will dream after too much Easter candy:

Just a happy day in the garden…

Not sure I understand what they were going for with this military theme.

And here’s a bit of nostalgia…

-
I can’t get to Rotofugi in person, but I love Andrew Bell’s new series of sweet n’ sinister creations (previously posted about here).
See the rest here.
Artist site
Previously on SheWalksSoftly -
Here is one of the most personal confessions I will ever make in public: I loathe Valentines Day…because I know I could love it.
I understand why people go all out on this day; conversely, I understand why they detest it.
My official standpoint on Valentines Day: Yes, it’s capitalist nonsense. The fabricated publicity, pressure and expectations are absurd. But you don’t have to be Hallmark’s bitch to honor the one you love.
Why not take this opportunity to celebrate love in your own creative fashion? You can bypass the drug store aisles filled with pink and red things. Let it be a personal ritual between you and a partner…or friend…or your family…or your pets.
But celebrate love. It’s rare. It’s important. It’s worthy of recognition.
People are gross. We have bad habits and bodily functions. We do stupid things. We start wars, kill each other, institutionalize hatred and prejudice, indulge in greed and senseless drama, get wiped out by natural disasters or illnesses. So if you have anyone who loves you despite your humanity…be grateful, and damn well celebrate in a way that resonates with you.
Even if you’re jaded, cynical and misanthropic, send someone a card that says “Thanks for not being the total bloody disappointment I thought you’d be.” Let someone know they are just a little less horrendous than everyone else.
To my loved ones: thank you for all you given, inspired, healed, comforted, supported and for all the ways you’ve made my existence worthwhile.
For some reason, people who share my viewpoint on this holiday are few and far between. But I encourage you to consider that even ideas founded upon capitalist greed are ours to reclaim…if we choose to do so.
-
On any given day, I’m guilty of countless curiosity tangents. After seeing one word or image that strikes me, I’m liable to spend (too much) time in search of related images, information and anecdotes.
Today? VINTAGE STRONGMEN, inspired by these bandages seen on Swissmiss:
Outlets for the general fascination with physical strength shape-shift through generations, but the fascination itself appears to be a constant of the human experience.
Since images like the ones above are easy enough to search out (if you’re so inclined…which you’re probably not), I’m going to focus on a few of the things that surprised me in my strongman odyssey.
I came across many more dolls and toys than I expected. Particularly modern ones. There’s a strongman revival in the works, folks. Believe it.
Perhaps the toy trend comes from the recent hipster adoption and pop culture resurrection of the handlebar moustache.
They just kept popping up!
Inherently contradictory paper strongman:

There are a variety of vintage toys as well.
I really wonder what this old “Rover” LP sounds like:

For those who wanted to measure their own “strongmanity” (my adjective describing one’s degree of strongman attributes):

Lou has Muscles and Might (though surprisingly weak ankles):

Yearning to know more? Try a Composite Guide.

There were indeed comic representations too, but that’s a whole other story.

I’ll wrap it up here with a classic poster.

You’ll find the greatest wealth of images on Oldtime Strongman (I didn’t take images from the site for this post because I found the logos distracting to look at, but much effort clearly went into this site).
This post is dedicated to the mighty Buff Jenkins, who has helped me loosen many a jar lid. May your tankinis always be striped and well-fitted!
-
If you’ve ever been inclined to take the cliche of “wearing your heart on your sleeve” one step further (or ten steps), consider an Organ Scarf.
Lady Cartoonist is actually doing a scarf-a-day project this year.
-
Hine Mizushima is responsible for my favorite unique holiday wreath this year:
Her collection of plush work is impressive, to say the least.
And the 2D work is adorable as well:

Tons more on her Flickr site and website.
-
I’ve seen Croshame’s work on no less than five of my favorite craft blogs in the past week…but I’m sharing this work anyway. Whether cute, sinister or both, I admire the ability to crochet such interesting creatures.
Check out the Exorcist Playset!

If Satan had toddlers, this Black Metal Guy would be the perfect plaything…

See a few more here.


































































