I want to hug him and run away screaming all at the same time.

What a fine example of a proper old school City Rampaging monster. Big teeth and wide eyes - he’s a beauty! This cute, yet fangy, furry friend is the creation of Mate Steinforth - designer, illustration, animator, and creative director. He was due to pop into Poke today to do a little talk, but hopefully he can make it in another day. I’m excited to get the lowdown on the 3D modeling work below, and see what else he has up his sleeve. I will report back if i hear more …

Some gorgeous shots taken by Mr.Lomo ( with his Lomo of course ) of some street art by Sheffield rapper Kid Acne. He’s sniffed out a whole bunch here around the streets of East London, against a variety of lush colours and roughed up textures. Our heroine swordsman seems to be a little accident prone, as she’s featured many a time with a plaster-cast arm, a few drips of blood, and the occasional gimp mask ( as you do ). You can buy a shirt featuring one of Kid Acne’s ‘Stabby Women’ over at Concrete Hermit.

Here’s a couple of cheeky chappies i’ve been making recently. Their temporary names are Elliott and Joseph until their new owners are old enough to speak, and give them their proper names :) These Cat Monsters are twins, similar but not the same. Their eyes are slightly different to tell them apart ;) I’m sure over time they’ll develop their own unique characters much like their owners, twins Eleanor and Josie ( who are themselves the fantastic creations of Iain & Sophie ). A couple of soft, button free, squishy friends to keep them company.

For the lover of the WaterMelon Shoes, here come the Meat Feet! Also - don’t miss the Meat Man-Bag, the Cheese Bag, and Bacon Briefcase plus the Bacon Wallet. You could probably get a whole outfit … but you might look like some kind of crazy butcher. Via Allee Willis.

Alexandra Verschueren has designed this angular yet soft, concertina textured cloak. It looks perhaps like it’s made from felt, and carefully creased like origami to create an expanding, and stretchy, but delicate structure. It makes you want to touch it. I love the effect. I’d like to see how it looks in motion. reminds me of those stratchy paper things apples used to come packed in. If i saw it in reality it’d be all too tempting to grab it and ‘test it’s strength’ - like bubble wrap, irresistible ;) Reckon the paper dress underneath might be a bit chilly ;) Inspired by Origami, and the photography work of Thomas Demand.

I was browsing through Hylton Warburton’s latest flickr uploads when i spotted this piece of brilliance. I shall be customising my mac forthwith!

This is bloody ace! You can sing into your phone and it appears in the track. Awesome. Then choose which of your mates you want to sing each note. And bang, you’ve got an amazing / ridiculous cover version. Having lots of fun with cat noises today … must remember to do some work as well. Visit the site here to make a track for your Facebook or Blog. ( Great tech work here from the Poke boys. Crazy voodoo magic to get this one working ).

A couple of things i’ve added to my Ffffound page recently. Great colours and line work in the Ant Eater illustration by Jörn Kaspuhl. Love the screen print offset, and the slight green tint to the ink rather than a darker black. And the second astonishing image of what looks like a Victorian era fella up to his chest in squirming crocodiles! Is this some kind of circus or crocodile transportation ? Is he taking them out or putting them in ? NO idea. It’s hard to tell what he’s trying to do. But after being quite close to a crocodile myself once, i have to say he’s got balls. For more oddness, captured moments, and cartoons pop over to HeyOkay.

Another sweet link from Emma Beddard the crafty/chutney/jam making master. This awesome pencil scarf. I think that might be a knitting project for the winter! Great idea.

Spotted this Ghostly Monster fella over on Ffffound and i just had to show you. Traced it back to an article on the consistently excellent Kitsune Noir and here’s the link to the band in question’s site so you can have a little listen. I don’t know for sure but this looks a little like the work of Supermundane ? Had a rummage and indeed it is. Check out his other lovely stuff here. I think i’m quite liking that band too. What a nice double find.

And it’s at this point i break away to tell you about my new jumper. Yes! It’s all hot news down here at Monster-Munch ;) It’s cold and drizzly today and happily my jumper arrived bang in time from Lazy Oaf. There is a questionable fella wearing it in the demo shot so i have removed his head so as not to scare you off. It’s reversible, and suits two moods both joyous and grumpy, or sober vs drunk perhaps, or time for bed vs time to get up. Whatever suits you. Anyway. I am very much looking forward to utilizing this double sided messaging. Watch out for grumpy face - if you see it, a cup of tea wouldn’t go a miss ;)

I have no idea how i’ve managed to go all these years without coming across the gob smacking work of Charley Harper. It was a post on Emma’s Blog about a needle point canvas kit ( cross-stitch type thing ) featuring some beautiful graphic birds that caught my eye. I’d assumed that the abstracted angular shapes were from a modern illustrator, and by that i mean drawn digitally. It looks so current. It’s only when i click through to the craft site Purl Bee and through to the artist’s site that i’m amazed to find that the work is several decades old! I was so surprised and excited to see the enormous amount of work Charley had created over many years. And the fact this very modern looking illustration style had come from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I urge you to head in and flick through the pages and pages of wonderful work. Amazing colours and forms. Hugely inspiring!

Charley was born in 1922, and sadly passed away 2 years ago. But i’m sure his work will be enjoyed for generations.

Cute vs Dark. La Boite A Monstres makes both fantastic jewelry and sweet plushies. Her lollies, cupcakes, and mushrooms are full of warmth and character. In contrast below there’s the Jack The Ripper pendants, and Pirate Jewels. Both are gorgeous! She makes an huge amount of original and unique necklaces, bracelets, and cufflinks. Flick through pages of great stuff over at her Flickr and check out the latest pieces on her Blog. I am SO tempted by the Pirate bracelet! I hope it’s still for sale.

Here’s the magic moment when Cookie asked me to Marry Him! I said yes of course. I would have even without the absolutely phenomenal engagement bribe that is the 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan. But wow, what an amazing day! Beats a ring anyday. See the story told frame by frame here on Cookie’s flickr.

THIS ISN’T ME by the way. But that’s my guitar! How long do you think it’ll be before i can rockout like that? ( Check the last minute ) Phew! Cookie is the most awesome boyfriend. He’s bought me this Engagement Guitar! SO much better than a boring old ring. It’s pretty amazing. Very happy indeed. Oh yeh, and i’m getting married too! That’s pretty cool as well ;)

Cookie has pictures of the big moment - with me looking a bit red nosed with cold, a bit shocked and very happy - here. And also a bit more background on the awesome guitar!