Nermy's Nifty Tips for the New Year

In honor of the New Year, Nermal has some nifty tips she would like to share to make 2009 a most enjoyable year.

#1) Stop and smell the roses...err rosemary. Doesn't matter what it is, just get out and enjoy life!

#2) Try something new. Tap dancing, pottery, singing- even eating onions! Make 2009 the year to NOT do the same old same old!

#3) Take a risk. Walk out on the high beams of life. You'll never know what you're capable of until you put it to the test. Balance is easy when you're on level ground.

Happy New Year! Here's hoping 2009 will bring you much love, joy, and peace.

We have a winner!

Yes, a little later than expected, but we FINALLY have a winner in the Christy's Critters Christmas Give Away! Whoo Hoo!!

CRAFTING WITH CAT HAIR shall be the proud recepient of a custom critter. Yippeee!

Beam me up, Scottie!

Okay, just ignore the trekie reference and check out these pooches...Most of these are local commissions with the exception of a few, including the 'Hurley' doubles here. Hurley lives in the great northern frontier of Canada. (Let's face it, anywhere north of the Mason Dixon line for a southerner is a northern frontier.)

A random musing...

Do you ever try to pronounce the psuedo-words that you must type as security key when you're posting on someone's blog or creating a new account or something of the like?

You know:

horiso

or

pkattamus

or

blofjeu

I think I have some sort of OCD when it comes to this because I have an incredibly strong urge to make a legible word of it before I can type it.

Maybe I should look into therapy after the holidays.

Christmas Critter Give Away

Alright folks, here's your opportunity to get a custom mini-critter of your choice. Beginning today until December 26th I will be accepting entries for my 'Christmas Critter Give Away'. Well, how do I enter you say? It's simple, just begin following my blog AND/OR leave a comment in THIS post! How easy is that I tell ya!?

All followers/entries will only count ONCE. The winner will be chosen on Saturday December 27th by an impartial party sticking their hand, or paw, in a hat and pulling out a random name. For your prize you may choose from a custom mini figurine (3") of your pet OR perhaps a favorite animal, domestic or wild. (Within reason that is... I dunno if I'm up for sculpting a Yeti or a Chupacabra yet.) If you'd like to transfer your winnings to someone else as a gift, that is totally possible as well.

On the 27th I will contact the winner via whatever means I can contact you (posting on your blog, email, etc) and I'll also post the winners name here as well.

So on your mark, get set, GO! Have fun and Merry Christmas!

P.S.
In the spirit of 'give aways' be sure and check out Allover Art. They are having a give away of their own and a pretty spiffy one at that! Besides, you won't regret visiting the blog or store, there's really some incredible art to see. :)

Yes Virgina, there IS a Garfield.

This caricature is a commission based on a cat that is Garfield incarnate. The real cat is much more amusing to look at. :)

Mom's Cabin Crafts

My Mother is a rather crafty person, I must say. She has tons of ideas and while I'm not always as enthusiastic about some of them as she is, I think these rustic ornaments she came up with are pretty darn cool. They're entirely handmade and each one is unique. She used the wood from a felled oak tree out in the pasture and then burned all sorts of cabin-esque icons into them along with some Christmasy stuff.I think you could leave these out all year long if you wanted to...well, maybe not one that says 'Noel', but the cabins and bear tracks- why not? If you'd like to see them, I've listed some sets on ebay. Just click on the photos or search under the seller id: christys_critters. And while you're over on the old ebay engine, be sure and check out some of my ornaments you won't find in my store like this little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

I feel like an Elf on speed...

I have been so busy! Not as busy as I have been, but busy none-the-less. I like that word...busy...At ANY rate, looks like all my Christmas customs will be out and on their way on Monday. Hurray!

In other news: We've been deluged here the last few days. I was beginning to wonder if building an ark would be a lucrative idea. But the rain did finally end yesterday evening and right at dusk a beautiful rainbow appeared. I'll have to post some photos...And how 'bout that snow in Louisiana!?? What in the world!?

While I'm here I'm going to post a few pics of two ornaments I just finished.

(It's a pit bull and a lopp bunny, incase you were wondering... ;) )

On the 5th day of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me...a Jaaaack Russel Terrierrrr!And a cockapoo for good measure.

On the 4th day of Christmas...

...my true love gave to me: an english bulldog in a pear tree! Well, maybe not in a pear tree, but most certainly for a Christmas tree!

Chow Baby!

If ever there was a dog that stole my heart...

Well, a dog other than my beloved english bulldog 'Sherman', it would most definitely be pretty much ANY Pembroke Welsh Corgi that I've ever met! Heck, I'll even throw a bone out to the Cardigans as well...I'm not gonna be a hater just 'cause they have tails. ;)
This is a recent commission. The dog is still a puppy, but I was told I could make him look more 'adult' and position him how I wanted. He has to be one of my favorites of all time. When I get done with all my custom work I think I'm just going to see how many corgis I can make before I go mad and have to go find a real puppy. (And to that my kitten Nermal adds, "Keep dreamin' sweet cheeks.")

Counting down the days...

Christmas is coming and this little elf is working her hiney off! The plan is to get all remaining custom orders out by December 15th. Yes. I'm going to do it.

By the way, I'm no longer accepting custom orders for 2008, but if you'd like to get on the books for the New Year, please let me know! I'd be happy to pencil you in!

Well I'm off- but here is a lovely pine warbler to brighten your day!