What's New at Compassion Fashion

New Christmas design for fish lovers!

2006-11-17T17:10:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year again, and to celebrate (and help you celebrate) I've started working on holiday designs.

Here's my latest: You'd Betta Watch Out... Santa Claus is Coming to Town! featuring a cute green betta with a festive message (and Santa hat). As well as the ornament shown, I've created betta Christmas cards, numerous styles of betta T-shirts for all ages, betta magnets, betta buttons, and more. All adult T-shirts are certified sweatshop-free!

If you're looking for more general betta designs, check out my classic Bettas Deserve Better line, educational yet cute all year round. Too many unethical pet product manufacturers promote the use of tiny betta bowls, which inevitably lead to stress, suffering, illness, and death for the betta, and heartbreak for fishkeepers. Raise awareness about the care bettas truly need, and save lives! All profits from this line will go toward my betta-rescuing efforts.

New products (finally): Vegan for life!

2006-11-16T20:34:00.000-05:00

After months of illness I'm getting back to work on Compassion Fashion.

My latest effort is this Vegan for Life design, available on a variety of shirts for infants, kids, and adults, including the organic cotton T-shirt shown, as well as buttons, magnets, posters, cards, etc.

I'll be donating 10% of the profits from the Vegan for Life line (and all of my other vegan designs to vegan advocacy groups.

Chickens rule!

2006-05-01T12:22:00.000-04:00

May 4 is International Respect for Chickens Day. Show your appreciation of these friendly, lovable birds with these unique products.

Top left: Boys and girls alike will appreciate this Cute Chicken Kids Baseball Jersey (available with sleeves in red, black, or navy blue). You'll find this new design on many styles of shirts for all ages. (see more Cute Chicken products; more kids' baseball jerseys).

Top center: Serve up your morning coffee in this cheerful Cute Chicken Mug (see more mugs).

Top right: Add warmth and humor to your kitchen with a unique Cute Chicken Wall Clock (see more clocks).

Bottom left: Vegans and vegetarians, promote compassion for chickens wherever you go with this Free Range Chickens Don't Want to Be Killed Either Bumper Sticker on your bike or car. (see more Free Range Chickens Don't Want to Be Killed Either products, more bumper stickers).

Bottom right: This roomy Free Range Chickens Don't Want to Be Killed Either Tote Bag is great for going grocery shopping or carrying supplies for your next animal rights protest! (see more tote bags).

See previously featured products.

Gorgeous, gregarious geese!

2006-04-12T14:31:00.000-04:00

Recently my son and I saw a flock of Canada geese flying north--a welcome sign of spring. In honour of their migration, I've added a new goose design portal to my shop, Compassion Fashion.

One of my favourite designs I found in searching through the CafePress Market Place is Two Moons - The Goose shown at right. It's one of many beautiful totem animal designs you'll find at Patrick Shapard's shop, Ghost Dog Productions. Be sure to visit his store and admire all the beautiful animal art there—and learn about the symbolism behind each animal totem.

Fatal Light Awareness Program

2006-04-08T21:57:00.000-04:00

Today I attended an introductory session at FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program). With a tiny staff (2 employees) and dozens of volunteers, FLAP has been accomplishing great things on behalf of wild birds here in Toronto.

Part of FLAP's work is raising awareness about the dangers posed by modern architecture and the common practice of leaving buildings lit up at night. Migrating birds are confused by Toronto's numerous skyscrapers, especially those covered in mirror glass; and at night time, they are attracted to lights. Millions of birds die pointlessly because people don't turn off the lights! Getting rid of mirrored glass buildings is a more expensive proposition, but FLAP is working to educate architects about how they can make future buildings safer for birds.

The other big task FLAP takes on, and here is where the dozens of volunteers come in, is patrolling the most hazardous areas, gathering data on birds who die, and taking the survivors to wildlife rehabilitators. This is the area I will be getting involved in. Mid-March to Mid-June is an especially busy time for bird rescue, as the spring migration will be passing through Toronto. (It will be busy again in the fall.)

Although I have always admired birds, have spent some time bird-watching, and lived with two budgies as a child, I learned a lot about bird anatomy and behaviour from today's workshop. Did you know that birds' repiratory systems are completely different from ours? As well as lungs, they have air sacs. Oxygen is absorbed through the lungs on the exhale. I also learned that the birds whom I occasionally recovered after crashing, who seemed to have broken necks, in fact did not. Birds' necks are naturally much more flexible than ours, so what seems like unnatural floppiness and serious injury to us is really within the normal range of motion for birds. (The usual cause of death for birds who crash is head trauma.)

FLAP is a great organization. If you live in Toronto, I encourage you to get involved. If you live elsewhere, visit FLAP's website and maybe you'll be inspired to start a similar programme in your city!

Celebrate the beauty of fish!

2006-04-02T11:17:00.000-04:00

Top left: this pretty Goldfish Love Jr. Raglan is available with pink, light blue, or black sleeves. You'll find this new design on many styles of shirts for all ages. (see more Goldfish Love products; more women's raglan shirts).

Top center: Looking for a unique baby shower gift for a fish-loving friend? Try our Goldfish Love Infant Creeper! (see more infant creepers).

Top right: Decorate your bedroom, living room, or fish room with this striking Goldfish Love Large Framed Print. (see more large framed prints).

Bottom left: Use this Goldfish Love Journal for your tank log or other fishy thoughts. (see more journals).

Bottom left center: Raise awareness about fish welfare with this Goldfish Bowls Kill Organic T-shirt (Text reads: "Goldfish bowls KILL".) (see more Goldfish Bowls Kill products (and information about why goldfish bowls kill); more organic T-shirts).

Bottom right center: Start conversations and spread the word everywhere you go with a Goldfish Bowls Kill Button. (see more buttons).

Bottom right: Keep small treasures in a Rescued Betta Fish Tile Box (see more Rescued Betta Fish products and read Jellybean's story; more tile boxes).

Not quite what you had in mind? Visit my new Fish T-Shirts and Fish Gifts portal, and my Companion Animal Rights portal for more great designs!

Beautiful busy buzzing bees!

2006-03-30T23:13:00.000-05:00

I've been busy as a bee tonight, searching through 2,627 bee designs in the CafePress Market Place to find the very best ones for all you bee lovers out there! That design at the left is Honey Bees Dance from Spice Tree Gift Shop.

Looking for a gift for a gardener, entomologist, or bug lover? Or just want to ask that special someone to "Bee mine"? Check out my selection of the crème de la crème of bee designs!

Keeping fish—just a "hobby"?

2006-03-24T22:00:00.000-05:00

I've learned so much from participating in the many aquarium forums on the web, and I'm grateful for that. But sometimes my fellow fish-keepers drive me nuts.

One of my pet peeves is the way that so many people in the fish-keeping community refer to it as "the hobby" (as in, How can we encourage people who are new to the hobby?)

The problem with this was brought home by a recent post. The poster said that recently one of his/her fish died. S/he said something along the lines of, "I was upset at first, but I reminded myself that they're not pets, it's just a hobby."

Excuse me? It is not "just a hobby"—fish are living beings with feelings and needs, and they are completely helpless and dependent on us. We hold responsibility for their lives in our hands! The poster was right to be upset about the death of a fish.

At some point I'll be adding some T-shirts on this theme to my CafePress shop (so many ideas, so little time).

Easter's coming....

2006-03-24T21:39:00.000-05:00

and since the dentist recently found two more cavities in my darling son's mouth I am reflecting on the need for sugar-free Easter goodies. Naturally, as a CafePress Shopkeeper, my thoughts immediately turned to them.

That pretty mug at the right, which features pastel rainbow bunnies, is from the Giggle Bunnies line created by Darice Pauselius of Pauselius Art+Design. (Yes, I know I've mentioned her shop already, but her stuff is so darn cute!)

Searching through the CafePress Market Place, I discovered many more gems, like the gorgeous "Love Chocolat" poster by a fellow Canadian artist, Loulou. You'll find many great products with variations of her Easter Bunny design at her store, art-factories.com.

To see all my latest finds, visit my Easter portal at Compassion Fashion.

Welcome Spring with Adorable Bunnies

2006-03-12T01:11:00.000-05:00

At last, spring is here! Celebrate with my original brown bunny design.

Top left: Brighten your home or office with this cute Hoppy Easter poster (see more Hoppy Easter products; more posters).

Top center: This pretty pink Hoppy Easter ornament will dress up your Easter tree or wall (see more pink Hoppy Easter products; more ornaments).

Top right: Looking for a baby shower gift? Welcome spring babies with a sweet Brown Bunny bib! (see more Brown Bunny products; more bibs).

Bottom left: Stop animal testing with a Buy Cruelty Free Jr. Raglan (sleeves in your choice of light blue (shown), pink, or black). Text reads: "Save bunnies. Buy cruelty free." (see more Buy Cruelty Free products; more Jr. Raglans).

Bottom center: This cushy Brown Bunny Throw Pillow will look great in your child's room! (see more Brown Bunny products; more throw pillows).

Bottom right: Carry your vegan shopping home the environmentally friendly way with a Buy Cruelty Free Tote Bag (see more Buy Cruelty Free products; more tote bags).

Not quite what you had in mind? Browse the CafePress MarketPlace for more great gifts for rabbit lovers, vegans, and animal rights activists:

rabbit gifts | Easter gifts | animal rights gifts | cruelty free gifts | vegan gifts

Who killed coyote and pups?

2006-02-15T20:46:00.000-05:00

From OSPCA:

NEWMARKET, ON, (February 9, 2006) - The Ontario SPCA is calling on the public for any information related to the death and mutilation of an adult female coyote and two coyote pups found on the York University Keele campus in late January.

On January 30 the Ontario SPCA was notified of the incident by Toronto Police, 31 Division. The remains of the animals were found in a thick, clear plastic bag behind the Beatrice Ice Gardens, located at the northwest periphery of the University's Keele Campus. The animals had been skinned from the waist up and beheaded, with ears, eyes and nose removed. There is no clear indication whether the incident occurred on the University campus, or if the bodies were disposed there afterwards. The bodies have been sent for a necropsy.

The coordinated investigative effort between the Ontario SPCA, Toronto Animal Services, Toronto Police and York University Security Services has not yet turned up any leads in finding who was involved with the death and disposal of the animals. "We are appealing to members of the public who may have any information related to the case," says Sarah Jones, Ontario SPCA Inspector. "If anyone has seen or heard anything that may help us we would greatly appreciate their assistance."

If you have information that may help further the investigation, please contact Inspector Sarah Jones at (905) 898-7122/ 1-888-668-7722, ext. 338. Information can be left anonymously.

Cheerful chickadees brighten winter days

2006-02-09T11:47:00.000-05:00

Here in Canada, I can count on chickadees to brighten up the long cold winter.

Top left: This organic cotton Chickadees t-shirt is soft against your skin—great for winter layering.

Top center: Get caught up on your correspondence with these cute Chickadees notecards (blank inside).

Top right: This Chickadees tote bag is an environmentally friendly way to carry your groceries, library books, and whatnot home.

Bottom left: Curl up with a good book and this soft Chickadees throw pillow.

Bottom center: Warm up after a day in the snow with a Chickadees mug full of hot chocolate!

Bottom right: To rest your mug on, a matching Chickadees tile coaster.

Not quite what you had in mind? Shop for more chickadee gifts, more bird gifts, more wildlife gifts in the CafePress Marketplace.

Fish are smarter than most people think!

2006-01-25T19:23:00.000-05:00

People tend to assume that fish, like my son's beautiful betta Red Licorice shown at the left, are pretty mindless, spending their lives swimming around aimlessly, pooping at random, and eating whatever they can. But Dean Pomerleau and his son Kyle are showing the world how smart even small fish like bettas can be, with their Fish School. The fish school site features photos and videos of goldfish, oscars, and a betta performing neat tricks, including playing "fetch" with a human, swimming through hoops, doing the limbo, and even pushing a "soccer ball" into a miniature goal!

The fish are trained using positive reinforcement rather than punishment, and the book stesses the importance of keeping your fish healthy and happy.

I couldn't resist ordering The Fish School E-Book, which shows how to train your fish to do these tricks (including instructions for making the necessary equipment), and also cites fascinating research about fish intelligence. You can also buy ready made fish training equipment at the Fish School website, if you prefer.

I'll be testing the Fish School methods on Red Licorice, and my landlords' goldfish, Queenie, Glitter, Freckles, and Prince Charming.

Of course, regardless of how intelligent fish are, they are creatures with feelings who should be treated kindly. At my store, Compassion Fashion, I offer two fish-rights designs: Bettas Deserve Better and Please, Don't Eat Fish.

For more information about fish, please see PETA's site, FishingHurts.com.

Personalized lovebirds mugs and steins

2006-01-22T13:17:00.000-05:00

Today is my boyfriend's birthday, so I got him one of my new personalized lovebirds stein (also available on a conventional mug).

This is the first time I ordered mugs from Cafepress, and I am very impressed by the crisp, bright image.

If you'd like to get your own lovebirds stein, for yourself or someone you love, visit my personalized lovebirds mugs and steins page. If you don't see the name you want there, just email me at rosemaryamey at sympatico dot ca (convert to conventional email address format).

You can make money by selling Compassion Fashion products!

2006-01-16T19:39:00.000-05:00

It's easy to make money with your website, blog, or email, by becoming a Compassion Fashion affiliate! It's free to join, and you make 20% of every purchase made by customers you refer to my shop.

First, sign up as a CafePress Affiliate™. You'll be assigned a PID.

Then, just add links to your site, blog, or email, like this:

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE">Shop at Compassion Fashion</a>

For more sales, use one of these banner ads. Right-click on the banner to save a copy on your computer to put on your site, and use the code given. Be sure to put in your PID!

728 x 90 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion728x90.jpg" width="728" height="90" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

468 x 60 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion468x60.jpg" width="468" height="60" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

234 x 60 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion234x60.jpg" width="234" height="60" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

125 x 125 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion125sq.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

120 x 240 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion120x240.jpg" width="120" height="240" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

120 x 90 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion120x90.jpg" width="120" height="90" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

120 x 60 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion120x60.jpg" width="120" height="60" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

88 x 31 pixels

<a href="http://www.cafepress.com/compassionshop?pid=PUTYOURPIDHERE"><img src="compassion88x31.jpg" width="88" height="31" alt="Buy unique gifts for animal lovers at Compassion Fashion."></a>

Cats in Toronto urgently need homes

2006-01-14T00:38:00.000-05:00

The animal rights group I'm most involved with, Freedom for Animals, operates the Kensington Market Stray Cat Rescue.

One of our foster moms needs to find new homes for these cats as soon as possible. Her apartment is no longer a safe place due to criminals in the building.

If you live in the Toronto area, please visit the cat rescue page to read these cats' stories, and consider taking one or two into your home. If you can provide a permanent or foster home, please contact our cat rescue co-ordinator, Suzanne, at 416-591-5120.

And please pass this information on to any Toronto-area cat-lovers you can think of.

We will be devastated if we have to take these cats, who have been through so much before they were rescued, to a shelter where they might be "euthanized". (I do not consider killing healthy animals "euthanasia".)

Loveable lovebirds in time for Valentine's Day!

2006-01-02T16:55:00.000-05:00

Lovebirds are adorable, and what better image for a Valentine's Day gift for the animal lovers in your life?

This colorful painting is available on a wide range of items, including t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, cards, post cards, and more. And for the first time ever, I am offering personalization at no extra cost! Check here first to see if the name you want is available; if not, email me at rosemaryamey at sympatico.ca (convert to normal email address format) with the name and product you would like. I'll email you back within 5 days with a link to your personalized item.

If you have room for a lovebird (or should I say a pair of lovebirds) in your home and your heart, please adopt a bird in need from a rescue or shelter. According to the Avian Welfare Coalition, small birds like lovebirds are the most common victims of the "pet" bird overpopulation problem. First learn as much as you can about lovebirds to make sure you can meet their needs: ten things you need to know before adopting a bird is a good place to start. Then contact your local animal shelter or one of the bird placement organizations listed at the Avian Welfare Coalition site.

How will you help animals in 2006?

2005-12-31T22:04:00.000-05:00

Here are some resolutions to consider:

Volunteer your time each month to a local animal organization.
Adopt an animal from a rescue or shelter.
Become vegan (if you aren't already).
Invite a non-vegan friend or relative to share a vegan meal with you each month. (Lead by example.)
Organize an information table or peaceful protest on an issue you care about.
Write to your MP (or other government representative) about animal-related legislation each month.
Be conscienscious about consuming less, recycling more.
Spend more time with your companion animals.

Let's continue making the world a kinder place in the new year.

Anti-Fur Protest at Holt Renfrew

2005-12-17T21:12:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank everyone who came out to Freedom for Animals' protest against the Toronto Holt Renfrew. (Holt Renfrew is an overpriced department store which sells many fur and fur-trimmed items.) I especially enjoyed meeting all the new people, many of whom came directly to the Holt Renfrew protest after a protest at KFC organized by Misha Buob.

Freedom for Animals will be protesting outside Holt Renfrew again on Tuesday, December 20, from 4 to 5 pm. (Holt Renfrew is located at 50 Bloor St. W., near Bay.) I hope to see you there!

Visit Ontario, and Your Dog Could Be Killed

2005-12-17T21:06:00.000-05:00

The pit bull ban in Ontario is a threat to dogs of other breeds, and dogs visiting Ontario. It is illegal for tourists to bring along their pitbulls, and the penalty is death. Even if your dog is not a pit bull, s/he could be mistakenly considered a pit bull by the authorities. See full details from Caveat.

Freedom for Animals believes that irresponsible owners should be blamed for dog attacks, not innocent dogs who happen to be the same breed. Please write to the Minister of Tourism and tell him that the pit bull ban will cost Ontario tourist dollars!

The Honourable Jim Bradley
Minister of Tourism
Hearst Block, 9th Floor
900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M71 2E1

I will be donating 10% of my profits from my I Love My Pitbull products to organizations working to oppose breed bans.

Peaceful dove painting

2005-12-17T00:52:00.000-05:00

I've added a selection of products, including certified fair-labour shirts for adults, as well as mugs, stickers, cards, even a teddy bear, with this painting I recently did of a dove and the word "peace".

I've also created a Swahili version, suitable for Kwanzaa giving, and a version with no text.

Save the bees--no honey, please!

2005-11-30T14:30:00.000-05:00

I created this design after an unpleasant experience at a restaurant—a server argued with me about whether vegans can eat honey instead of just preparing my hemp shake with no honey. The Save the Bees line includes t-shirts, buttons, magnets, bumper stickers, and more.

For more information, please see

Why honey is not vegan by Noah Lewis
Is honey vegan? by Joanne Stepaniak
Bees page at the Vegan Society
Honey: From factory-farmed bees at the PETA website

My son, shown at the right, convinced me that the "Save the Bees" bee could stand alone. The Big Bee t-shirts, buttons, mug, and other products are suitable for everyone who loves bees, even people who aren't vegan (yet).

Hilarious satirical "Meat Eater Pride" t-shirts

2005-11-26T19:25:00.000-05:00

I didn't create the image at the right, but whoever did and opened the Meat Eater Pride store at CafePress.com is an evil vegan genius!

This revolting image (the products have the slogan "Murder is yummy" written in bloody letters) really communicates how foul meat-eating is. And s/he may even trick some meat-eaters into buying and wearing it!

Winter is really here

2005-11-24T22:24:00.000-05:00

Well, now the snow is staying on the ground and it is bitterly cold. I hate the winter, especially now because my fibromyalgia makes cold painful. But my son Nicky is very excited and happy that the snow is here. I got him a nice warm jacket, hat, gloves, and boots—he's looking forward to getting out there and playing in the snow. Although the cold is unpleasant for me, it is good to see Nicky so happy.

The teddy bear at the left is decorated with a bee that Nicky drew in Adobe Illustrator (with some help from mom). In fact, Nicky has his own little Cafepress store devoted to products with this bee picture.

33 Vegan and Vegetarian Designs!

2005-11-23T21:33:00.000-05:00

Today I added a new section with 33 new vegan and vegetarian designs (3 by me, and 30 from other shops at CafePress.)

The vegan design at the right is by April Marie Mai, a talented vegan artist from Kansas City. April Marie has also created vegetarian and veg*n versions.

Bettas don't like living in vases

2005-11-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

I always hated the concept of keeping betta fish in vases (or other tiny bowls), but it was not until I took in Jellybean and researched betta care that I truly understood how horrible betta vases and other fish bowls really are. (The magnet at the left is from Suzanne's Random Shiznit at CafePress.)

Briefly put, keeping fish in bowls kills them, sooner or later. Fish bowls are so small that the fish's bodily wastes build up rapidly to dangerous concentrations, unless you change the water very frequently, which in itself is stressful for the fish. Usually fish bowls are not even filtered. Furthermore, fish bowls are too small to be heated safely. Bettas are tropical fish and like their water around 80°. Living in too-cold water is just one more stress on their system.

Please, if you have a betta or other fish, research its care (there are many excellent sites online) and do all you can to meet his or her needs. Your fish will be happier and healthier. Every pet deserves proper care, no matter how small it is or how cheaply you bought it.

Happiness is being vegan!

2005-11-19T02:59:00.000-05:00

Happiness is being vegan, and knowing that you are minimizing cruelty to animals and environmental destruction, while improving your own health!

Spread the good news about veganism with this cheerful design, available on a variety of shirts, including an organic cotton vegan t-shirt, buttons, magnets, caps, bumper stickers, and mugs!

The colors of this design will look very similar in print as on the screen (I can't say they will be exactly the same because every monitor is different.)

Until December 6, customers in the United States can get free shipping on orders of $50 or more! So get your holiday shopping over with today, and avoid the shopping mall crowds.

My boyfriend has a blog!

2005-11-19T02:55:00.000-05:00

That's my gorgeous boyfriend, James Smart, at the left.

James has just started his own blog today: Ramblings of a Madman.

James wasn't always so lean and fit. He lost 100 pounds through Weight Watchers, and has kept it off with the help of a vegan diet. But I'll let him tell you about that in his blog.

(Even before he lost the weight he was very cute.)

Sign the petition for more certified fair-labour clothing at CafePress

2005-11-18T17:22:00.000-05:00

If you care about the treatment of workers, please sign Christina Arasmo's petition to get CafePress to offer more sweatshop-free t-shirts (etc).

Christina has a beautiful store at CafePress.com called Vegan of Light. All of the shirts she sells (vegan, vegetarian, and spiritual designs) are certified sweatshop free, made by American Apparel. At the left you can see her beautiful "See Yourself in Others" organic t-shirt.

I'd like to thank Christina for making me aware of the sweatshop issues. She inspired me to carry only adult t-shirts made by American Apparel in my Cafepress shop, Compassion Fashion. (Unfortunately, the baby's and children's shirts in my store are not certified sweatshop free, because CafePress does not yet offer any sweatshop-free clothing for babies and children.)

Please, if you haven't already, sign the petition! CafePress has over 2 million members; you can be sure they are selling a lot of t-shirts, so their decisions have a big impact! Thank you!

Invite Christmas kisses with a sprig of Mistletoe

2005-11-17T15:52:00.000-05:00

Well, Nicky decided he didn't want to go to the science centre so I did get a new design done today!

I was inspired by azspirit, who has a selection of Christmas underwear at her SpiritKeep Shops. Her designs are great, but I immediately thought, "Where's the mistletoe?"

This sexy yet tasteful mistletoe thong would make a great gift for the woman in your life—or for yourself.

My selection of mistletoe products for Christmas also includes t-shirts, camisole, boxer shorts, buttons, magnets, stickers, and more!

Funky black cat mugs, totes, t-shirts, baby clothing, etc!

2005-11-17T13:10:00.000-05:00

I've got ideas bubbling away in my head for the shop, but no time to develop them—I promised my son I'd take him to the science centre today. So once again I'm plugging someone else's work.

Darice Pauselius is the talented graphic artist who created the cat design shown; her black cat merchandise also includes a black cat with a green ball of yarn and a black cat with a blue bowl of fish. (While all the designs look great, please don't put fish in a bowl in real life.)

Pauselius Art+Design also has fun black dog, Christmas, polka dot, and baby designs. In fact, I've been meaning to mention this shop in my blog for a while so maybe it's just as well I don't have time to work on my own shop today.

But hopefully soon I'll have time to develop more designs for my shop; I'm planning another geisha, an anti-racism design, and an anti-fishbowl design.

Fun kitty pirate design!

2005-11-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, today was not the most productive day, as I spent hours knocked out by my fibromyalgia. So once again I'm plugging someone else's design instead of developing one of my own.

This cute kitty pirate design shows a cat skull with catnip mice instead of crossbones. It's from Luna Crafts, a CafePress shop which also has an amusing Kitty Porn design, Tarot card ornaments, and more!

Beautiful frog painting!

2005-11-15T19:01:00.000-05:00

I wish I could paint like Kathie Miller does, all of her paintings at her CafePress shop, Art from Nature, are absolutely gorgeous.

I especially love this beautiful red-eyed tree frog, and had to share.

If you'd like the beauty of a RETF in your home, don't buy one from a pet store or breeder. Frogs have special needs which require a lot of research to understand and meet, and do not enjoy socializing with humans—they do not want or appreciate our companionship. I have two African dwarf frogs (rescued from a neighbour who had been given incorrect information about their care, and whose kids were no longer interested), and they still seem to fear for their lives whenever I have to clean the tank. I believe captivity is stressful for frogs; while those who are in captivity should be cared for as best we can, we shouldn't be capturing or breeding frogs for lives in captivity, or financially supporting those who do. Thanks to talented artists like Kathie Miller, we can enjoy the beauty of frogs and other wild animals in our homes, while letting them stay in the wild where they belong.

Cat lover gifts: 15 beautiful, cute, and unique designs

2005-11-15T12:34:00.000-05:00

For all my fellow cat lovers, I've created a page of gifts for cat lovers, including my own cat designs and a selection from other fine CafePress shops.

The beautiful brown tabby cat at the left is from Full Moon Emporium. It reminds me of Pecan, my handsome brown tabby whom I rescued from an abusive situation (physical abuse and neglect). After such horrible treatment, Pecan would have been fully justified in hating humanity, but incredibly, it was just the opposite. Pecan was the only cat I have ever known who liked being hugged. At night he would sleep in my arms.

Pecan passed away after only two years with me (I don't know how old he was when I got him). I still miss him. He was a beautiful soul.

Black Egyptian Mau Stickers for Cat Lovers

2005-11-14T18:08:00.000-05:00

Stickers are selling well at Compassion Fashion, so today I added 3 more based on my painting of Cleo.

Cleo was the first cat I knew well. My sister adopted her from our vet when we were in high school. Although Cleo has long since passed on, I still have fond memories of her, memories which have led me to adopt more cats (currently Felicity, found on the street, and Gremlin and Tetoun, from the Kensington Market Cat Rescue). Tetoun is a very handsome domestic shorthair black cat.

These stickers are printed on vinyl in quality inks that will not bleed or fade. Buy one to put on your car or bike, and proclaim your love of your pet to the world! Also makes a nice stocking stuffer for your cat-loving friends.

Japanese Geisha Christmas Card!

2005-11-12T12:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun addition to the Beautiful Geisha line: a Beautiful Geisha Christmas card! East meets west in this fun illustration of a geisha holding a Christmas stocking. Inside, katakana text reads "Merii Kurisumasu"—Japanese for "Merry Christmas".

This one-of-a-kind card will wow your Japanese-speaking friends. Merii Kurisumasu!

November 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance

2005-11-12T12:04:00.000-05:00

November 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time to remember the tragic loss of those murdered because of hatred of transgendered people.

Our Gay Apparel has created a selection of products for Transgender Day of Remembrance, including the organic cotton fair-labour T-shirt shown. (This shopkeeper is not receiving any profits from these products, and I have not put my affiliate code on these links.)

Let's remember the innocent victims, and continue working for a day where we can all safely be ourselves.

New and Improved Vegan-Power T-shirts

2005-11-11T19:48:00.000-05:00

I've revamped the Vegan Power design to state the most popular advantages of veganism: "Protecting animals and the environment. Creating optimum health." This new line includes vegan organic T-shirt, vegan fitted T-shirt, vegan "baby doll" women's T-shirt, vegan hoodie, vegan tank top, vegan baby T-shirt, vegan children's T-shirt, vegan apron, vegan tote bag, and more!

More beautiful geishas

2005-11-11T16:32:00.000-05:00

I've continued uploading more Beautiful Geisha products. At left you can see the beautiful geisha large framed print (also available: beautiful geisha large framed print with blue background). As well, I've added geisha buttons, geisha minibuttons, geisha magnets, and a new geisha Christmas ornament.

More beautiful geishas!

2005-11-10T16:20:00.000-05:00

I'm expanding the popular Beautiful Geisha line with a set of the geisha on a white background (I've still kept the older design with a blue background and black frame). This dramatic throw pillow will add a touch of Japanese elegance to your decor. There are many other unique geisha gifts at my shop including mugs, mousepads, clocks, posters, t-shirts, greeting cards, notebooks, and more!

New, extra-colourful Vegan Power merchandise

2005-11-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

I've added the new, improved, rainbow background Vegan Power design to the rectangular magnet. A cool thing about these magnets is that you can save by buying in bulk (sets of 10 or 100). Selling these magnets would be a great fundraiser for your vegan or animal rights group.

Of course, if you want to make a BIG statement, you might prefer this big, bold Vegan Power framed print! It measures 15" x 19", with a stylish white matte and black frame, and is printed with archival-quality inks on acid-free paper. This brilliantly coloured print will become the automatic focal point of any room. Perfect for your living room, bedroom, dorm room, kitchen, or office!

More Vegan Power madness—durable rectangular sticker for your bike or car!

2005-11-09T14:16:00.000-05:00

As promised, I'm extending the Vegan Power line with another product. This colourful sticker will look great on your bike or car. It's made of durable vinyl printed with inks that won't fade or bleed. Spread the word—Vegan Power!

New Vegan Power Ornament

2005-11-08T21:12:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I added a round ornament to the Vegan Power line. The ornaments (aka "keepsakes") are currently on sale—$2 off until November 14 (use the code "Holiday2" when checking out). Most of the Vegan Power merch currently has rainbow letters on a white background, but I'm adding products with this newer version, white letters on a rainbow background, throughout this week. Groovy, baby!