You thought I'd forgotten my zodiac didn't you? Didn't You?! Huh??! Well let me tell you, you skeptical bunch....I, well, I kind of had for a fleeting moment there. But only a really tiny little short one! I've been so excited about making candles and bags and other exciting things that all else fell to the wayside. That was until I had to pay for said supplies. The big, sharp ouch it produced snapped me back into reality - hence, Scorpio, the Scorpion! That's kind of what it stung like. But worse.

So we know that scorpions are nocturnal creatures - some even glow in the dark!!! I think more animals should have that strain in their dna, they would be far more interesting to look at. It might even become a defence mechanism....I'm pretty damned sure I wouldn't even fathom eating steak if the bloody thing glowed like a radioactive cow while still wandering around it's paddock! No way. Although it might do wonders for teeth whitening. Anyway, getting back on track... I don't have access to glow in the dark inks (unfortunately!) so this little scorpion is just plain, old black. But he doesn't need a glowing exoskeleton, he has a lantern! And he hates moths as much as me - when you're not looking he's gonna kill those little suckers! *cheers* So yeah, hope you all like it, because Scorpio was a total nightmare to come up with! And Gemini is proving to be twice as difficult </bad pun>

Have a wicked awesome week guys and gals! Expect Gemini as soon as I think of a decent design!

I told you I would me parleying with you soon about these candles, did I not?! The time has come for me to try something new....I....can't believe I'm saying this....but, I need your help! Anyone who knows me will be well aware that I am full to the brim with good ideas, but sometimes I get so many of them I don't know what to do first, or how to do it, or when to do it, or anything remotely useful! So I just don't. Not good for production.

But not this time! Oh no, this time I'm moving forward - but I am still struggling to make a final decision so this is where you come in. So here's the plan:

I would like to make all of you some really gorgeous gift candles. They will come in frosted glass jars (with glass airtight lids, so that you can re-use them once the candle has burnt out!) and feature one of my original images (glittered, of course) on the face of the jar. Atm, I'm working with zodiac and Christmas images, but I plan to add a whole lot more once I get the hang of actually making them. The jar itself stands at about 10cm tall (lid included) and is rectangular in shape. Just gorgeous!

The part I am stuck on is the actual candle itself - everyone has their own particular taste and style, including myself...however, we don't all have the same taste and style. I need to know from all of you which candle you would be most likely to buy and display in your house (or give as a gift!). You need to factor in colour and scent. While I am still new to the whole candle-making process I will be making candles that are either coloured or scented (apparently it takes a bit of time to combine the two properly. I shall experiment though!).

So please, vote in the poll to the right -->. I have picked some of my own favourite scents to get you started - but if you can think of one that's not on the list, then let me know! Post a comment on this article, or drop me an email. All sensible suggestions welcome!! Thanks!

Arrrrr.....Ahoy Thar fellow scallywags and landlubbers alike! Fer anyone who hasn't been livin' wi' their heads in the bilge, ye should be knowin' that today be none other than Talk Like A Pirate Day! I keep tryin' t' push fer Talk like a Pirate month, but so far the cowardly swabs of so called "polite society" have belayed me actions....

As ye can imagine I spent the day in me well-worn pirate shirt - I was mutinied from me own workplace (I feel the landlubbers feared I may turn on them...pillaging the shop stock and such....) but I be not bothered by such folly, I am me own Cap'n after all and I be takin' no orders from deckswabbers on such a fine occassion as this!!! As it were I had plenty o' time t'day to be planning me next adventure - I be wantin' to make candles an' bags t'sell at markets an'the like...sometimes all the pillagin', plunderin' an' rapin' gets t'be a bit tiresome so I think it makes sense t'be earnin' meself some loot! (well, there be no harm in a little bit o' hornswagglin' I s'pose....between mateys o'course!)

I'll be keepin' a Captains Log of me tales as I set sail on me new course - I may even be askin' ye to parley an' give me yer thoughts an'opinions. Now - back t'work with ye!!! There's a deck t'be swabbed! In the meantime I'll be workin' on me Pirate talk. Even if the dirty scoundrels won't be lettin' me have Pirate month there be no code o'conduct that says I can't be celebratin' Talk Like A Pirate weekend....

(Cap'n)

You know, I've just realised I never posted the new artwork I did for my friends' cards! Shame on me. But that's ok because I'm going to do it right now. Speaking of which, did you know there is actually a group on facebook for people like me? "It's ok, I'll do it tomorrow!" is an awesome group....everyone should join! Well, when you feel like it, not right now of course.

The first picture was commisioned 'specially for a good friend. It's minus the words because they were, let's say, a little...."improper". Lol. In fact, now I think about it "spoonhead" is the only word I can actually post on here without unbalancing the politically correct nature of society. It was for a well-loved brother who holds a special place in his sibling's heart - I'll let you use you imagination, but I can tell you it was frickin' hilarious (for a "politically incorrect" heathen like me!).

 The next picture was for another work buddy whose younger cousin just loves AFL (that's Australian Footy Rules for all you non-Aussies. You know, the real hardcore football...not that wimpy American stuff where they get to wear padding and helmets! Pffftt.). It's still a bit cute cute and fluffy, but I tried my hardest to make it a boys card! It's difficult for me, ok!!! It ALL ends up cute!!!

So there you have it. Two new designs. I will make these available for purchase in the online store as greeting cards (and possibly prints), do not fear! I just have to come up with some....appropriate... words *giggle*. Until then, have a wonderful weekend everyone! Hope your weather is better than mine!