How do you know it's getting cold?

Hantje's favourite place in winter: The heater. It means less warmth for us but I think she pretty much couldn't care less if the fellows are freezing or not. I still have the usual problem with the room: In summer too hot, in winter too cold. Meaing I'm sitting with one of my hubby's cardigans, wool socks, a scarf and tea and still freezing fingers here while typing. Whereas Hantje is toasted on the heater. Sometimes I wish I could curl up on the heater as well. Duh.

 And that's how I know where Hantje is.... the omnious blob. She uses the curtain as a hammock. Clever girl. I'd be really happy if she also understood the room has two doors and you don't have to mew on the closed one and scratch for hours if the other one is open. Cat's logic, I guess.

Tretel is occupying the cat's bed next to my screens- still a pretty boy and still bat shit lazy. I took away his Slim Ball and he started pouting instantly. I love his love for the ball but seriously... if he kicks it constantly against my computer as if that'd make Dreamies apaer inside out of nowhere it's annoying. He doesn't understand the problem.
If you have a cat who tends to inhale food: Try the ball.
I only use the SlimCat for Tretel's Dreamies since he has a pretty unhealthy obsession with these but if your cat's crazy about kibbles and won't stop eating till it comes backwards: Try the ball. Really! It costs less than having to deal with the medical problems of a totally overweight cat and is easy to clean.
I tried different systems and boards but the ball's still the best and he's entertained for around 30 minutes and keeps moving around if I set the ball to the hardest level (lot of rolling around).

Leggy

While cursing over stones and sandy landscapes and finally getting pretty sick of orange tones I'd like to show you these:

It's leggins with "Cloudy"- an old illustration of mine but still.... beautiful on legs. I hope I get mine in December and it's not too cold to wear these. :D

You can find all current products I offer on ArtOfWhere here: Click Me!
Let me know if you miss anything. I'll take care of it as soon as I can.

I will add some snuggly scarf designs in December when I have some more time. Currently I'm still working on one children's book (deadline next week... orz) and a manual for a board game we finished yesterday (deadline 29th.... double orz).

31 since Monday....

Monday the 31 thingie happened aka me celebrating my birthday.
And since pics (even the bad ones) say more than words.... some pictures as well.

I admit I dressed like a slob (still or again or.. like always). Thanks god we have no decent dress code in the studio otherwise I'd mourn the loss of oversized knit granny cardigans and comfy sweaters. So basically dressing up was "oh look... another... sweater... again!" and at least defuzzing my head. So that's 31-years-old me... but let's move on to more important things like... food.

One of the regular birthday duties: Feeding hungry fellows aka colleagues in the Studio (and mostly everybody else as well) with Pumpkin Crumble Chia cake. Yummy. I love pumpkin season.

Working.... a lot of people told me they take a day off on their bday. Since I'm up to my neck in deadlines it would have ment sitting alone at home, playing entertainment slave for Hantje and Tretel and still working my booty off. So I went to work. And I worked. And it was okay.
Before you ask: Yes, it's Agnes' "It's so fluffy!" unicorn which I got from Irene. Normally it's humping my tea box.

 After work my hubby and me went to a nice cozy restaurant ("Kid Creole"- which I can highly recommend) and met with two of my girls. Sadly the girls are camera shy... and my hubby as well. =.= Anyway, we had Jambalaya, Gumbo and basically it was so good I was sad I when my tummy screamed "stop, we're done!"

 Maike (who's my buddy in crime for Schmidt Spiele) gave me a small but wonderful collection of yummy things meant to produce even more yummy meals. My fingers itch to test the things.

And the evening ended with happy rolling around on the couch feeling like a stranded wale on a beach- tired but happy. I can't remember the last time I ate that much. Worth every bite and if you ever get the opportunity to visit the Kid Creole: do it.

So that's it. No family party this year since I'm still trying to meet every deadline and the week-end will be workloaded up to the max. It's a bit sad but I don't regret the decision (my mum was miffed though... ouch).

Hello Essen....

 My hubby and I... went to Essen and fangirled (I did at least) at the SPIEL. And though it was exhausting it was heaps of fun. I wish I could write a bit more about it but honestly it has to wait till the end of November when three four deadlines are over.
I should be inking for the junior scouts (deadline tomorrow) right now but at least some words:
My eyes are still bleeding from the game art work. Some were beyong awesome and I have such a huuuuggeeeeee WANT-list it's scary.

I had to post this one because the game title is simply awesome and I wonder if any other kind of lol speak will ever make it into a game title. I guess I could vote for "I can has your Karte?" for the next card game but I doubt my editor would love the idea as much as I do. Sadly.

We had free evening and watched "cloudy with occasional meatballs 2" (I loved it) and "Ender's game" (still unsure if I like the books more but it was effect galore nevertheless). When I have some time and we manage to test some of the board game we bought I'll post some more pics.
We met Dheny and his folks which was a pleasure as always.

Till next year, I guess? :)

no con for me...

This week-end the MMC rocked Berlin and I couldn't be there :< Honeymoon, wedding and the car accident my parents had took away too much time and I'm still trying to catch up. Meaning I spent my week with wombats, weird orange birds, several mugs of black tea and coffee and Ane Brun. Her interpretation of Jóga (Björk) rocks but if you have never heard of Ane Brun, click here and enjoy.

Thanks god at least somebody thought of me *yes, totally lamenting* and Marina aka the really nice Yumkeks spent some evening hours with me. I think I babbled about ten million boring things whereas I really wanted to know how the con was. Arg! I'm getting old.

Yes, we did!

Almost 7 years and still rollin'! My hubby and me tied the knot 2 weeks ago with a garden wedding and awesome late summer weather.

Photocredit goes to Meike Kenn who's awesome and you should 100%ly pay her a visit. Or book her... or both.

My Favourite Photoshop Pencil Brush

One of the brushes I use most for concepts and sketches is the Pencil Brush made by Koifishsushi on Deviantart. You can find and download the little awesome sucker HERE.

Above is the sketch and final painting I did for Schmidt for "Fühlzwerge". And even right now I use it for new sketches almost on a daily base. I like the smooth but traditional feeling of the brush a lot and the sketch tends to look more alive.
The only other -but real- pencil that gives me the same feeling is the Blackwing but being a leftie I tend to smudge it horribly and that's one of the reasons I use it only when I really think it's worth the hassle.
Nevertheless if you are into traditional sketches you might want to check out the Blackwing anyway. I have all three versions and can highly recommend these. If anybody is interested in sample pics let me know. :)
AND if you buy these anyway because they really *are* that awesome: Get yourself a long point pencil sharper as well. You will regret not having one at hand if you need one.