sketchbook - talking doll

I decided to fill my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project with failed ideas and inventions. This one is of a talking doll designed by Thomas Edison. The mehanism used to make the doll's voice was difficult to wind and wore out quickly, giving the doll an eerie, shrieking voice that became unintelligable. Only about 500 were sold, most of which were returned. Creepy, huh?

sketchbook project

I found out on another blog about The Sketchbook Project, in which thousands of sketchbooks are collected and displayed at the Brooklyn Art Library. The exhibition will tour across the country in 2011. If you go to the website, you can order a paper moleskine book, pick a theme, and they will send you one to start decorating. I ordered two books, and I had the website pick random themes for both of them. I got "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "Great Hopes and Massive Failures." Pretty intimidating themes. However, I am very excited to participate and have started on one cover already. I will update as I start working on the inside.

whippet

Tea Time

A sketch of my tea kettle, which is bright orange and makes me happy.

I also love this little tea pot, which was a gift from my mom. She always finds the sweetest things.

I used it to make some delicious Organic Plum Berry white tea from The London Tea Room in St. Louis

Bar Cat

A while ago I took a picture with my phone of the cat at the Empty Bottle. Don't think he's still around, but I thought it would make a nice drawing. This note pad is really tiny, the drawing is about 2 1/2" x 3".

Dogs

Here is a charming little guide book I found at a second hand store.

It was printed in 1946, and there are some unusual breeds mentioned, including the Bush Dog, somewhat cruelly described here as "unlovely." I'm not entirely convinced it's not just a badger of some sort after all.

Some drawings of my dog Pete on the couch. I've no idea how he makes himself so compact and so perfectly spherical.

And here's the original, soaking up a sunbeam. As you can probably tell, he is in a near-constant state of complete relaxation.