OK, so it was only a half-second flash, but if you watched yesterday’s Nightline broadcast about online humor you might have glimpsed my “sprouts” photo flying by amidst some other featured Etsy/Regretsy folks.

I am just now getting around to listing some of the new photos from last month in the Sixhours shop. I’ll be adding a few more sizes and variations in the coming days. Of course, you’re always welcome to convo me if you’d like a specific size!

And in Calobee Doodles news, I have a 16×20 poster of numbers & fruits that needs a home. It’s an extra from a shipping mix-up. It’s all boxed and ready to go, and I’ll even ship it for free! Head over to the shop to purchase if you’re interested.

I already mentioned it briefly, but if you’ve happened to pick up a copy of the infamous Regretsy book lately, you might find a certain photograph of mine. In fact, you don’t even need to open the book… they used the same photo on the back cover (something I didn’t notice until I’d already had the book for several weeks–I’m about as sharp as a spoon.)

Side note: I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the little thrill of seeing one of my photos in print while browsing the book store. I’m always tempted to take the book in question up to the counter and buy it, even when I already own a copy. I’m a dork!

I haven’t made a big deal about this mostly because the Etsy community seems heavily divided on the Regretsy issue. Some argue that it’s demeaning to artists and craftspeople, while others think it’s all in good fun. Personally, I can understand why some people who’ve been featured on the blog are offended–unlike with the book, they didn’t ask to be written about or poked fun at. As someone who tends to look at her work with a sense of irony, I know my stuff can be weird and I don’t mind people playing on that. It’s interesting that the photo they chose for the book is also my most popular print; the “weird aesthetic” appeals to more people than you’d think.

However, a good portion of my customers at my other shop are Etsy business owners, and I was a little nervous about alienating them. Would they think less of me for being part of the Regretsy project? But then I reminded myself that I’m catering to different audiences with my illustration and photography. There might be some overlap, but the chance of losing all my customers for this one publication is slim.

More importantly, I have to be me. The person who doodles cutesy, happy, fluffy little girls is also a person who giggles at dead baby jokes, even though they’re in poor taste. What can I say? I have a dark sense of humor, but it’s that sense of humor that allows me to create my art. I can’t ignore that for the sake of making a few extra bucks.

It’s been a good week for business. This morning my shops were on the front page of Etsy, thanks to an excellent Maine treasury curated by atelierfrost. Prior to that, my “rescue” doodle was the Pick of the Week at Illustration Friday, one of my Firefox Personas is currently featured on the front page of the official Personas Web site, and to top it all off, I have a photo in the brand new Regretsy book.

Obviously I’m excited about the excellent press, but there’s nothing like a one-year-old to keep you grounded and living in the moment. Ellie doesn’t care about my self-perceived success, as long as I can still read “Hop on Pop” and sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” (both of which I’ve done, endlessly, this weekend). It’s hard to tend to an inflated ego when you’re scraping two-day-old banana off the floor, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve also been exhausted all week. Sometimes it seems like I can’t catch my breath with everything that needs to be done, and there’s always something new to add to the list. Thankfully, Tim and I managed to carve out a couple hours for a night out on Saturday. We decided to see Date Night with the idea we could use a few good laughs, and the movie totally delivered on that promise.  Steve Carrel and Tiny Fey have excellent on-screen chemistry.

We also hung out with Danielle, who got me off my ass when all I wanted to do was sit and stare at my computer until my brain melted and leaked out my ears.  Thanks to her, I had the excellent good fortune to try beer-battered asparagus (OMG so yummy) and lemon cake with pudding and berries. I am absolutely stuffed.

Tonight, I’m going to turn in early and try to catch up on sleep. Tomorrow starts another busy week!

I collect links the way some people collect magazine clippings for an inspiration board, and Google Reader allows me to star and share interesting tidbits I find as I’m reading. Here are some of my recent favorites:

• How did Modish know this is just what I needed today? – Things are looking appropriately bleak around here–it must be February. This colorful post cuts into the gray nicely.
• These illustrations at The Shiny Squirrel make me vaguely uncomfortable – But as one of my favorite authors once said, “Art is not comfortable.”
• I wish I’d grown up in this house, via Design Sponge – It’s like a cross between a funhouse and a thrift store. I especially like the birdhouses in the kids’ bedroom.
• Artwork by Kate Pugsley at Celebrate Odd Etsy – You never know what eclectic Etsy goods you’ll find at Celebrate Odd Etsy. This particular illustrator’s work caught my eye because of the teeth drawing.

Find these and more at my shared favorites on Google Reader!

I collect links the way some people collect magazine clippings for an inspiration board, and Google Reader allows me to star and share interesting tidbits I find as I’m reading. Here are some of my recent favorites:

• I’m all about font friday at PoppyTalk – Look at the pretty Christmas fonts! And I adore “Helvetidoodle.”
• What to read next? Ask the Book Seer! – I’d actually been searching for a Web site like this… something simple and elegant that recommends books based on your previous favorites. According to this, I should really read The Lovely Bones. Via Shelterrific
• It’s a controversial site for some Etsians, but I love this “LOLcat” on Regretsy – not to be mean, of course, just because I love LOLcats. You should check out the rest of the seller’s work, too–it’s cute.
• The cheerful cake Christmas ornaments in this series at Cake Wrecks caught my attention – and the little fawn made me go “awwww.”
• Sweet Juniper’s writing and photos make me feel like I’m there – I was oddly touched by this story (photo essay?) about a local market in Detroit. It made me wish I could visit.

Find these and more at my shared favorites on Google Reader!

I’ve been so caught up in family drama and sickness the last few days that I almost forgot about the giveaway! Eee! Today I sat down with my e-mail inbox and sorted all the entries, removing duplicates and checking to make sure everyone was accounted for. The end result was 87 total entries between blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and comments–wow! I plugged that number into Random.org to generate the following sequence:

I then counted back through the entries and matched them to the 5 winners.

The winner of the poster is… JenniferB who said: “I like the numbers print from your Calobee site.” Thanks, Jennifer!

The four runners up and gift certificate recipients are:

• Lisa R
• Kiddlebug
• Shannon
• Elsie

I’ve contacted all the winners! Thanks to everyone who entered and spread the word.

Dear Santa,

It’s that time again. Let’s scrap the small talk and get down to business: I think I’ve been a pretty good girl this year, all things considered. That’s not to say there haven’t been challenges, hardships, and the occasional swear word or two, but everyone around me is still alive and I’m not in jail or anything. I have to call that a win, wouldn’t you agree?

So when you’re loading up the sleigh and my name comes across your list, please forgive that one incident with the mixing spoon and the cat, and make sure you’re packing the following…

• Carlino Cashmere Argyle Socks – I already have three pairs of these cozy socks I bought at an L.L. Bean outlet in October, but I should have bought more. Before you say anything (Mom), yes, they’re expensive for socks, but entirely worth the cashola. My feet will thank you.
• iPhone Magnets by Bear Duck Designs – I pointed these out in a previous edition of Friday Favorites, but I have to mention them again. As a Mac geek who does not (and will probably never) own an iPhone, these will console me.
• Garden Bead Lover Necklace by Atlantic Art Glass – I met Linda at an Ellsworth craft show a few weeks ago, and I immediately fell in love with her intricate glass bead necklaces. I don’t wear jewelry very often (it becomes a super-magnet for grabby baby fingers) but the detail in her work took my breath away.
• Owl ornaments from Pink Perch – So cute! I want a whole set of them to hang on our Christmas tree.
• A Sunspot Granny Square Afghan from Judy and Cheryl’s Craft Boutique – I’m dreaming of a big cozy afghan to snuggle up under when it gets cold (if it ever gets cold… this “winter” has been deceptively mild for Maine so far).
• Fabric wall decals by Mae – I’ve been eying these since I first saw them months ago. They’re really more for the baby than me, but I think it would make decorating Ellie’s room so much easier!

There you go, Santa. Open that Etsy account and get cracking!

Much love,
Caro

Just a reminder that the Alphabet Soup poster giveaway ends on Monday! Which reminds me, I need to doodle up a cute graphic for the gift certificates.

This weekend is shaping up to be a busy one. Tim, Ellie and I will be hanging out with some good friends, taking photos, meeting Santa and enjoying the local holiday festivities on Saturday. Once I’m fueled on Christmas Spirit (and perhaps some other spirits of the alcoholic variety, if Ellie goes to bed early) I just might be ready to tackle all the cleaning and decorating I’ve been meaning to do. I also have a gingerbread house kit to attend to, and I want to get a jump start on a new doodle project. We’ll see how much of this Her Majesty actually lets me do, of course.

How’s about you?

It’s contest time, all! I think you’re going to like this one. The grand prize….

A 12×18 Alphabet Soup poster print!

This was the doodle that started it all, and easily one of my most popular items. If you don’t have kids, consider it a jump-start on your Christmas shopping for your family or friends who do.

If that doesn’t motivate you, I’m also giving away some runner-up prizes–4 $10 gift certificates to use in either of my shops. That means there will be not just one but FIVE lucky winners.

There are four ways to enter, which means you can have up to four entries in the contest:

1) Leave a comment on this blog post. Visit either of my shops (sixhours or calobee) and tell me what your favorite item is. Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you, too!

2) Re-tweet the contest on Twitter by copying and pasting this message:

RT @sixhours Please enter me in the Calobee Doodles contest! http://www.sixhours.net/2009/11/23/yay-for-free-stuff/ #calobeedoodles #contest

3) Become a fan of Calobee Doodles on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall naming your favorite Calobee Doodles print.

4) Blog about this contest, making sure to include a link back to this entry – http://www.sixhours.net/2009/11/23/yay-for-free-stuff/

The contest runs until 11:59 p.m. on December 6. On December 7 I will collect all entries in a list and generate a random number for the grand prize winner, then four more random numbers for the gift certificates (one prize per person). This contest is open to U.S. and international participants alike! Gift certificates will be sent via e-mail with a code–you can use this code in the “message to seller” box at checkout and wait to pay until I’ve sent a revised invoice.

Good luck!