Acorn top tacks

I planned to do some dramatically overdue yard work this afternoon but it was muggy outside so I let myself do a little productive procrastination crafting.

acorn tops + upholstery tacks + hot glue = some darn cute new pushpins for my bulletin board that are helping to put me in the Fall spirit.

The project took me a hot minute. You should make some too!

Vampire Hedgehog!

It has been months since Justin and I adopted Acorn (our curmudgeonly hedgehog companion) and I announced that he would surely inspire many Argyle Whale illustrations as our bunnies have. To my surprise, having him around didn't give me any ideas for hedgehog illustrations.

Acorn is kind of a hard guy to get to know. For starters, he's primarily nocturnal and even when we'd take him out to play, his idea of fun was crawling under a blanket to take a nap. It wasn't until I got a quick peek under his chin that I noticed he had a pair of little fangs and a slight overbite.

The discovery of fangs paired with his nocturnal ways finally triggered my imagination and I started picturing Acorn as a vampire. I considered the pairing of adorable woodland creature with the sexy dark imagery associated with vampires and realized that Acorn didn't have what it takes to be an immortal bloodsucker. Clearly he was disappointed but I was happy to finally have a hedgehog illustration!

So, I am delighted to present "Almost Vampire" featuring our dear Acorn sporting a high-collared cape, looking into a mirror and coming to the tough realization that "Little fangs and a satin cape do not a vampire make." His reflection mocks him with his own personal reality. *Le sigh*

I promise that I'll make him a more triumphant character next time.

Acorn is a new man.

Justin and I just gave Acorn his first spa day. Which began with a bubble bath in the tub followed by a fresh rinse in our sink. Then we wrapped him snug in a warm towel and watched an episode of The Daily Show while he dried off. We trimmed his toenails and finished off with an olive oil massage to keep his quills slick and his ears soft.

He is now totally exhausted and napping in his blanket nest under the heat lamp. Oh, to be a hedgehog!

By request:

Acorn in action. Two minutes of couch exploration. I promise that my blog has not turned into an Acorn fansite but I just can't help myself right now; he's so delightful!

Acorn! Acorn!

We have given our new hedgehog a name. Acorn seems more like a member of the family now that he has one. He is sweetening up to us and beginning to explore his new home. He really is a funny little guy.

I'm looking forward to drawing Acorn and his little black nose. I was never able to draw a hedgehog very well but now that I have a lovely model all the time, I'm sure someday I'll be as comfortable drawing hedgehogs as bunnies!