Crazy Costumes

Dear Reader,

Apropos nothing in particular, I just have share this recent burst of domestic creativity.

Sometimes it's important to dress up and celebrate the colors in your wardrobe. In this instance the self-imposed challenge was "craziest costume".

I love where my darlings took this and even more how they embraced the personalities of their respective outfits :)

Here's to silly fun every day of the week!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Suspended Submarine Shack

Dear Reader,

There's some really exciting things happening behind the scenes right now, and while I can't quite yet share the exact details with you yet, I can say that your squirrels will soon have some options for housing :)

Let's just say for now that these wonderfully whimsical images from Erik Pirolt have inspired me.

Of course in the world of The Squirrel King, we're going to give our own take on this beautiful crafting. Just know for now that things are in the work!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Dotting the "i"

Dear Reader,

It's been a while since I mentioned the series that started the world of The Squirrel King, and I wanted to assure you that we haven't forgotten it.

In fact in the background we've been quietly working on various elements, including a title sequence which we hope to share very soon :)

Yesterday I literally dotted the "i".

We just need to add a little sound and score and you can see how our squirrels constructed the title sequence (there's a lot more than the glimpse of it in our Kickstarter video from late last year). So stay tuned!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

DIY Cardboard Fasteners!

Dear Reader,

Every now and then in life you stumble across Pure Genius! Earlier this week I was lucky enough to have one of those moments :)

Long time readers of this blog will know how much we love cardboard, yet somehow I had - up to this point - not encountered The Cardboard Collective. These DIY cardboard fasteners are just the tip of the iceberg.

Check out the simplicity in the photo on the right!

From a unique ball to a fashionable cardboard igloo the opportunities seem endless.

The Cardboard collective is sure to get repeat mentions here, but I encourage you to check them out yourself too!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Happy Easter!

Dear Reader,

What a fun weekend with the kids!

Easter buns were baked. Eggs were decorated (in this case with lots of glue and gold paint).

And inventive lures were made for the Easter bunny ...

I do so love the way this carrot gives a nod to the bumpy-lumpy-ness of the real thing. Simply inspired if you ask me :)

And there was a rustling heard in the shrubs ...

Binoculars were immediately consulted!

And then they were off!!

Hope you too had a wonderful weekend of family fun :)

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

An Acorn Handbag!

Dear Reader,

I've always felt that our acorns offered many opportunities. Squirrels have already fashioned everything from houses to hot-air balloons from them.

The possibilities seem endless!

Then, the other day when I was sitting in the living room my eldest came in with another industrious surprise for me.

An acorn tote bag!

Of course little sister was not to be left out and soon they were out on the town with their new accoutrements :)

And please, do share your own genius with us!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Camping Yarn ..

Dear Reader,

The best thing about camping is spinning a good yarn around the campfire, right? Well here's a take that gives new meaning to that idea! Certainly looks cozy inside that tent :)

And if pavers always feel a little on the cold side, especially in snowy countryside ...

well what if said pavers were made of wool?!
If these fantastic creations tickle your fancy, you should check out Crocheters Anonymous, there's pages of these wonderful creations!

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Dressing Up Squirrels

Dear Reader,

As anyone with kids knows, kids pattern off their surroundings. What I only just realized is that in the development of new ideas, this trait can open the door to amazing insights.

Recently we have begun designs for additions to our squirrel craft kits, namely bits boxes which will have everything you need, including instructions, to make costumes for your squirrels.

And while I have been cogitating, little designers in the other room have been crafting!

I'm loving where they've taken it so far. Hopefully it will inspire some of you too :)

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Dresses in All ... Materials

Dear Reader,

The other day I was looking at masking tape - specifically all the wonders it's been applied to - and I came across the dress below. Not sure how comfortable it would be, but it's pretty cool :)

The funny thing is that yesterday I came across the awesome "salad dress" on the right.

I can't tell you how it tickles my heart to see such wackily creative interpretations of everyday forms with such unexpected materials.

Hope you get a kick out of it too :)

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

PS To see more photos of Esther's amazing masking tape dress check out the designer's site.

Stickers Stickers Everywhere!

Dear Reader,

What if you started with a white room - a really white room - and gave kids colorful stickers to adorn it ...?

Yayoi Kusama asked and answered that very question!

To me it's a wonderful reiteration of the power of scope, something that has been a guiding principal of The Squirrel King since we first started our journey. Hope you too enjoy the whimsy of it all :)

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims

Mowing Down Cards

Dear Reader,

Sometimes good things happen slowly. Our new card deck (which I've been assiduously working on) is exactly one of those times.

Fortunately, when working on good things you often stumble across other happy little moments. This lawnmower squirrel on a sheet of white was exactly one of those moments.

I hope she brings the same smile to you that she brought to me :)

Chin chin
Ruthless Whims