Projects du semaine

1. Inchie ATCs: Artist Trading Cards with inchies on them. I will post what I create.
This is for my monthly ATC exchange, and it's a nice challenge. I've been thinking in one inch squares, wondering what will look nice.
2. Rubber stamped onsies: I'm playing with Tsukineko All-Purpose ink, and stamping on fabric. I have posted some examples on flickr—look to the right to see them.
I started this for Jeanette, and I am thinking of doing more.
3. Doggy neck warmers: It's basically a knitted tube. I'm trying to post a photo of it, and have been thwarted four times by blogger, so I'll post it to flickr. Look right to see an example on my stream. Stella and Checker (Siri & Bambi's dog) need some, so I'm knitting some up, quickly.
I had a stretchy cast on, which is helpful, but the cast off that I know isn't good for stretching over anyone's head: canine, human or monkey. The result is stiff and feels like it will break, so I've been looking for something stretchier.
The thing I've found helpful is a blog post byWeebleknits, giving me a clue on what to do.
Right now, I'm trying Elizabeth Zimmermann's cast off. It reminds me of the Kitchener Stitch, what with sewing/pulling yarn through as if to purl and sewing/pulling yarn through as if to knit, then pulling off the needle. With the Lion Homespun, I'm finding that the boucle scrunches up and it's difficult to take the stitches off the needle; however, I'm going to keep working, and finish this sucker tonight. I'll post the results, on Stella and/or me!

More soon, as things progress!
Love,
Shop Monkey

While I adore our customers...

I do adore our customers—each and every one.
HOWEVER, I would really appreciate the chance to have a bite or two of lunch. Or 10 or 20 bites.
Thank you.
Love,
Shop Monkey

Sound Advice, Indeed!

Sound Advise!, originally uploaded by HA! Designs - Artbyheather.

I thought I'd post this bit of graffiti that Heather found.
It is appropriate for a monkey blog, no?

Hammering out issues...

Oh, gang!
I hear from some of you that the text goes far to the right for a long time.
I hear from most everyone that commenting is hard. Lee seems to be the only one who can comment.
(Right now, I have comments open to everyone, but you need to be able to type the phrase that pops up in order to post. This is supposed to keep the spam at a minimum.)
I do not know why these problems are popping up, and I am looking into it!
Luff,
Shop Monkey, eek eek

Find Peace in Your Frigidaire

What makes an artist?

I've been wondering something today, and I hope you all can answer this, even if it's with "this debate is so boring!"

I read Cloth, Paper, Scissors while Rosie dyed my hair today. Something in the "Popping the Question" section caught my brain. The question was "What art supplies do you like to travel with?"

One person answered, "I always have knitting or small sewing projects, but now that I've been introduced to CPS, I'm putting an art pack together, including a camera that will go with me from now on. I can't begin to tell you what your magazine has done for my creative juices. Thank you to all your wonderful artists who share so much with us 'wannabes.'"

Here's my question: When does someone stop thinking of her/himself as a "wannabe" and start being an artist? Why does the writer above think of herself as a wannabe? And is it presumptuous of me to think of myself as an artist? I know that I have a lot to learn, but I still think of myself as an artist. Do you consider yourself to be an artist? If so, why?

Please tell me what you think.