Penguins (purple and otherwise)

Penguins -- they are the new Cabbage Patch Kids. I know Tickle-Me Elmo is waxing nostalgic, and Wii is making a grand appearance for Christmas. But these cute little fellas from down south (way down south) grab your heart strings in a special way.

Remember the waiter penguins who danced with Dick Van Dyke's Bert in the movie Mary Poppins? Remember Chilly Willy in Walter Lance's Woody Woodpecker cartoons?

Even if you see these little black and white birds in person, penguins seem cute, perky, and full of fun. At wildlife parks and zoos, you can watch them slide on ice and dive into their cold pools of water. With movies like March of the Penguins and Happy Feet, it seems more people are really getting to know these natives of Antartica.

I'd been meaning to draw some penguins for a long time. You know how I am -- unicorns, owls, pandas, and other adorable animals.
(P.L. rolls her eyes here!)

I put some ice skating penguins online early Thursday morning. They went "live" later. I struggled with tweaking the section a bit that night, and finally rebooted the computer. When I came back into my store area, I found someone had already ordered a white hoodie bearing this speedy skating penguin.

Wow! Someone was just waiting for this little guy to appear. What luck for both of us!

I believe these talented penguins have been especially commissioned by Saint Nick himself to deliver messages and what-not around the Big Toy Shop. Who wouldn't enjoy a work break with a steaming cup of cocoa from one of these cute little guys? After all, I'm afraid the climate wouldn't suit actual gophers there.

I'm dreaming up stories about Santa's penguin assistants at the North Pole. Poor P.L. is groaning and hiding her head under an Artist at Work throw pillow. (Ooh, my penguin pal will look so cute on one of those!)

I'm already ordering one for a friend. I think I need penguin buttons or magnets to give out in lieu of cards at work. It would be fun to have one on a long-sleeved shirt or hoodie. I wish I knew how to make plushy animals....

P.L. says I'm getting a bit carried away, and she will be forced to pretend she doesn't know me. Ha! Wait till she sees the picture of her wearing her latest tee, with a lavender penguin on it. I can't wait.

If you would like to affiliate Penguins On Ice through CafePress.com, and earn 20% of sales, click here to sign up, and link to great gifts and apparel.