BOO.

I'm a big fan of Halloween. People who go all out on their lawns with tacky decorations or jump out of bushes to scare unsuspecting trick or treaters? I admire the dedication to good times these people possess. But for the past couple of years, I've definitely copped out on the holiday. Didn't go out, didn't make a costume. So this year I made up for it by throwing a party, and man, did my guests ever deliver with their amazing costumes! We played scary music in a foggy basement, conjured evil spirits, spilled drinks - it was just what the doctor ordered. For my costume, I tried my hand at a little paper mache (inspired by my favourite dancing pumpkin man, of course). Even Dennis, who doesn't often participate in the whole costume thing, exposed the scary devil within.

Happy Halloween!

CITY OF CRAFT + CANZINE

Dropped by Canzine this weekend. A bit on the claustrophobic/congested side, but there was definitely a lot of great stuff to check out/eat/drink/purchase/lust after. And the venue was cool too. I left with one neat thing I can't show you because it's going to be a gift for someone who reads this blog (shhhh!). But I also picked up some coffee from Big Smoke Coffee Co, and this little linocut print to remind myself that while my current schedule might be running me into the ground a bit, it's jammed full of enjoyable stuff and everything is ok. I would love to give the artist credit, but she didn't have anything with her name on it (and I have a terrible memory). My friend Tim and I also enjoyed mini beef sliders from West Side Beef Co via the Toronto Underground Market. Delicious! And lastly, if you came to Canzine too, then you probably got a piece of my latest City Of Craft work in your bag - a shiny new postcard! Details for everyone, details for all.

Guess what! You can like Deadweight on Facebook now. If you're into that sort of thing. OMG. I'm no longer obsolete and living in the dark...

CHARMED.

Photo by Sweetie Pie Press.

I recently had the pleasure of designing a set of artist series pins for The Sweetie Pie Press called CHARMS. A watchful all-knowing eye, a wishbone, a lucky rabbit's foot, a mystical gemstone, and a couple of arrows (possibly dipped in persuasive love potions?). This set of 5 pins is available now in her Etsy shop! I should have a few copies at approaching local holiday shows too. Need protection from wrongdoers, evil spirits, curses, and all other kinds of odd, spirit-y foolishness? Look no further!

ART CRUSH: ELIZABETH GRAEBER

Elizabeth Graeber is an illustrator from Washington making nice rough around the edges work. Scratchy lines, watercolours, cool bikes, and great faces. I'd been checking out her shop, admiring her wide selection of goods, when I impulse bought An Illustrated Guide To Cocktails. My friend Tim's been drinking whiskey a lot more often these days, and I'm taste testing here and there in an attempt to develop an appreciation. Expand the horizons beyond lazily uncapping a beer, ya know? Though I certainly plan to continue doing that too... An Illustrated Guide To Cocktails (writing by Orr Shtuhl and drawing by Graeber) "tells the tales of the heyday of cocktails, from the origin of the margarita to the grandeur of the first celebrity bartender with some modern twists. Along the way, this fun, handheld guide is dabbled with beautiful illustrations and, of course, recipes." A little history, some excellent visuals, and delicious instructions? Yes please.

A few more recent crushes can be found in this Etsy treasury: Bad Ritual.

And why does Blogger keep denying me my text and font colour choices? This is not Arial. Those black links are not all peachy. This is not my beautiful house.