A few of the trees in our apartment complex have started to bloom. We've had some unusually warm weather which has actually made it rather pleasant here. Still, I know the cold will return before too long. There is a large tree in our "front yard" that is always stunning in the Spring and is the biggest reason I'll hate to move when the time comes. Its blossoms are rather frilly and pink, which anyone can tell you isn't my style, but for some reason I've become particularly attached to it peeking into our balcony view. Its trunk is slightly twisted and I imagine if it had been fortunate enough to have been planted in a garden rather than an apartment complex, its branches would be perfect for sitting in and enjoying a good book. It's helped this place feel more like a home despite the tiny kitchen and slippery steps. Call me a tree hugger if you like. Sometimes they are just as welcoming as a good friend.
I need to make something– badly. We've everything but shut down the shop since being laid off, and now I just can't seem to create anything. I have some good ideas, but I feel like exerting energy on anything other than the job hunt is not making progress. Then again, more portfolio pieces can't hurt either. I've considered working on some more digital illustration pieces, but I'm not sure what to create. At my last job, most of the illustration work I had the chance to do was around Christmas due to the shear volume of holiday themed products we pitched, so it would be nice to have something that shows what I can create without the use of tinsel and garland. If there are any ideas out there, please toss them my way :)
So it's been a little over two weeks since the our own personal recession began, and although nothing permanent has come along yet, we have a few good leads. In the meantime, I was able to get my new portfolio site up and running. (Thank you Michael) He was good enough to put together the technical bits for mine first, so his is still in progress. Other than some additional pieces I'll be adding to it and a few minor tweaks, I believe it's ready to be shown to potential employers. Feel free to take a look.
Dearest reader, I know we've always kept our more personal and professional experiences to ourselves, but in light of recent events, we felt the need to share. On Tuesday, our office was closed forever without warning and Michael and I now find ourselves jobless along with all of our beloved former coworkers. Luckily, we're both fairly level headed and decent with saving money (Thanks Dad. I get it from you.), so we'll be alright for a while. We hope that you will keep us in your prayers while we feverishly update our resumes and build the portfolio sites that honestly should have been done years ago. We may be absent from the blog for a while, but if anyone has an opening for a Graphic Designer or an Interactive Flash App Developer, both with experience working with one of the largest social networking platforms - let us know.
Yes, the title is stolen from the movie Bolt. If you haven't been yet, go see it. Seriously.
My favorite ornaments this year are our little alphabet block house by ArtByHeather and our bunny rabbit tags (used as ornaments) by BelleAndBoo. If you're looking for something unique and nostalgic, you should definitely check out their shops.
Hopefully we'll be back to blogging soon with some more neat things we've been up to. There are a few crafty gifts that will have to wait until after Christmas for us to show, but stay tuned for our ginger bread house post. We promise that we've assembled something special this year :) Last, but not least, please give a big round of applause to Michael who finally sewed the bells on his stocking (on the left, below). It's been waiting a whole year for them! If we don't squeeze in another post before Christmas, we wish you all warmth, safety, and mental stability as you go forth into this consumerist wonderland and we suggest you repeat three questions in your mind while gift hunting: Do they actually want it? Do they actually need it? Should it actually cost this?
If you are not familiar with the BioBags, they produce biodegradable bags in various sizes made from corn. It's a great idea in theory. Inside a plastic bag, garbage doesn't have access to the microorganisms needed to break down quickly, not to mention how much plastic those bags are piling into our landfills. Here come BioBags, 100% biodegradable so you can feel good about putting less plastic in the landfill and you know that anything biodegradable in your trash will be turning back into soil much faster. Great right? Well, yes. Unfortunately there are some shortcomings that I think BioBag is going to have to work through before most consumers would consider the switch.
Our entry for Illustration Friday "wise".
We have to admit that coming up for a name for this one was really difficult. Is it a dragon? A creepy guy? Some mutant sperm? Finally, it was decided that a woolly mammoth and a Chinese dragon had a complicated love affair and this was the result. (Please don't notify the asylum. We're fine. Really…) I'd like to incorporate more of the 'fur' technique used on his chin in other pieces. I'm liking it. So feel free to come up with your own name for this cheerful specimen and leave it in the comments for us :) And if you fancy him enough, he will be listed for sale in the shop tomorrow.
