Crazy Antics

Trying to get anything done seems like a snowball effect (or an avalanche?). You start with one thing, then it turns into another and another, until you have SO many things to do, you want to scream. I get that quite often, too often!

Halloween came and went in the blink of an eye. Smokey did come in to the office with me and was just as well behaved as I could have hoped. While he spent the majority of his time sleeping soundly at my feet under the desk, he would follow me around whenever I got up to file, or get water or what have you. He was also happy to get a greeting from the few patients we had in that day. I don't think it was till about 10 to 5PM when he decided to check out one of the other rooms in the office where Wade spends his time. This was short lived however and he came running back to the desk to get in a few more winks before we headed home.

Being TOO adorable while I was trying to get work done.

He was also a great help when it came to getting out the Halloween decorations, but was less help when it came to actually putting them up. He spent Halloween night with my mom and me on the couch watching really bad, scary movies (in between my running up and down the stairs to greet trick-or-treaters.) He did manage to avoid putting on his costume until my boyfriend stopped by, at which point he felt like showing it off. And his giant paws.

A break from the trick-or-treaters.

Smokey showing off his costume.

Thanksgiving is coming up, not Smokey's favorite Holiday, since there aren't a lot of boxes to get into, ribbons to chase or wrapping paper to attack. However he does enjoy a piece of turkey should someone be kind enough to share with him, or perhaps a little gravy. His dislike for the holiday comes through in the card I'm STILL trying to complete. While it was one of the first sketches I had completed, its probably going to be one of the last cards I get done. (Along with New Years). I've found coming up with ideas for the other holidays wasn't too hard, there are lots of things one can use for pretty much any holiday to add some pizazz.  Now while granted you can use turkeys, cornucopias, corn, pumpkins, or... I'm sure something else, putting them together to make something worth looking at is a completely different story. In the end I imagine this card will bare little resemblance to the one I have posted below. In this case I think I might have to turn to my boyfriend for some creative input.

I have since removed the pie, but I'm still stuck on the right direction.

For the time being I've been trying to get my Easter card completed and I'm maybe 95% of the way there. Granted its been giving me a bit of trouble as far as how it looks and just the technical details I still need to work through, like his face. Like my previous cards this also started as a sketch that went into Illustrator and then exported to Photoshop. Like my completed Christmas card (which I'll post), I have been introducing some real textures into the piece. I feel some may be a little more successful than others.

Close to finished, but as you can see there are still some technical
issues I'm trying to resolve, some textures to add, etc.

When I finally get this completed, I'll have a totally of 5 completed cards, with 3 more to go. My holidays are quite out of order. Completed we have: St. Patrick's Day, Easter(95%), Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas. Which leaves me with New Years, Valentines Day and Thanksgiving. I've got the line work and color done for two, but New Years is still in the sketch phase. As Will had suggested a kitten might be more appropriate because of the new years baby, or something.

While I had hoped to have these completed before this Christmas to put on sale, at current it doesn't look promising. Perhaps I will sell the ones I've done as individual holidays until the full set is ready. When they do get completed they will most likely be available via etsay, through here or at local stores (if I can find any who would be willing to sell them). Fingers crossed, Smokey isn't a cheap cat!

Completed Christmas Card
Thanks to Will for the suggestions on layout and colors.

Gearing Up (10/15/11)

While Halloween is coming up, I actually find myself working on cards for other holidays. I'm currently working on redoing my card from last Christmas. I found that next to my more recent cards, while I like it, it just didn't hold up. I've gotten a little input as well from my boyfriend on how to redesign it, as well as advise on how to give it a more unique look from a friend.
I started by taking it into Illustrator as I've done with the last few cards. Here I created the line art, and added the flat colors. I then took it into Photoshop to add the background and details. I've begun adding in realistic elements to give it a slightly different feel. I think it definitely adds something.

With the holidays comes a changing of the seasons as well, of course. While we may be in FL, there is a change in the air. You can start to feel the subtle changes in the tempter, its almost chilly in the mornings and at night. Of course for Smokey this means more time to be spent out-of-doors. Rarely will you catch him just lazing around the house now (except for his nap time between 10-5). He enjoys napping most with his best buddy Will. I think these two could sleep the day away if given half a chance.

Smokey is gearing up for the house to be decorated for the holidays as well. He loves to help with putting up the decorations by being under foot, sticking his head in every box/bag/container, and chasing after strings of lights when you're not looking. He will also be making an appearance at my office for the Holiday. I'll be the witch with my little witch cat. I'm excited to have him in. Nothing is better than a warm cat at your feet, supposing he doesn't wander around the whole office making friends with everyone who happens to come in!

(Sorry this post got SOOOO delayed. Been super busy with work and life to have it up sooner!)