anchors aweigh

Here's an unusual commission I got recently--a customer saw my sports-themed wedding cake toppers and wanted a model of them in their boat. It was a bit of a challenge to get the shape just right, but I liked the results.





Hey--don't forget we're having a little contest right now and the winner gets a free custom wedding cake topper! We have only had one entry so far so if you're a currently engaged couple, send me your story! Details: Click here for details!

meet Pooto

Faithful readers of the Bunny with a Toolbelt blog will remember Iris, my youngest fan whose collection keeps growing over time and her lovely mother sends me a photo of the new family of animals. This time, I was asked to make a pink poodle. I added some stripes and polka dots for fun. Iris named the poodle "Pooto" and declared she is a 6 year old high school student. I might need to hire her to dictate what happens in my next stop action animation!

Engagement story #1!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our first entry in the 2011 engagement story contest! Here's the true tale of Rhian and James. (Need a refresher on the rules? Click here!) Voting will commence in early May. The couple chose the Moose Bride and Groom cake toppers to illustrate this story.

Rhian and James met at band camp, yes, band camp. He was a third year section leader and she was a first year in the baritone section. He was dating someone else but after spending every afternoon together in rehearsal it soon became clear that the other relationship would not work and then Rhian and James began dating. They graduated from college and traveled west to begin a life together. After almost seven years of laughter and love, James decided to make things official. While on a walk with their dachshund, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes and accidentally tackled him. They plan to live happily ever after.

Awwww....now wasn't that special? You can enter your story if you're a currently engaged couple and win one of two free cake toppers! Click here for details on this year's contest!

Nuralagus rex—"the Minorcan king of the hares."

Scientists finally found fossil evidence of a giant prehistoric rabbit weighing 27 pounds- here it is next to a regular-sized bunny. I guess the tool belt was a later evolution. Click here to read more from National Geographic.

how cute is this?

as seen on Etsy--click here for full listing from the Turnip Truck.

it's time for another round of: "How'd ya Get Hitched!"

Hey Beautiful Person! Remember last year when we had a little contest to design a custom wedding cake topper to one lucky couple who submitted the sweetest engagement tale? Well, it's time to do it again. But better. This year I will give not one, but two custom sets away.

Here's the basics:

Tell me your cutest, goofiest, or most swoonfully romantic story of your "I do moment." Then choose one of the designs on the Bunny with a Toolbelt Etsy site, my online album of cake toppers, or one you spotted hanging out at the Chapel of Bunny Love that I can use to illustrate your saga on my blog. Send a picture of the two of you to sweeten the pot,and I'll publish your stories between now and 11:59 PM, Pacific Standard Time on May 15, 2011.

Then from May 2-7, we'll let the voting begin. One winner will be determined by the one who gets the most unique comments from readers who will declare which story made them go "awwww!" or "ohhhhhh!" or "mmmmmmmmm!" A second winner will be selected by myself and an esteemed panel of judges, including Reverend Steve Sharp from A Beautiful Ceremony NW, Kimberly from Gator Bride, and Rebecca Amblin from Origin Flowers.

The two winners will get a custom cake topper set that I'll make with whatever critters make their hears go purrrrrrr!! I will also give you the keys to the castle where you can order custom invitations, big gifts for the wedding party, or little ones for the guests--all with the picture of your adorable Bunny with a Toolbelt wedding cake topper on them and whatever personalized text you like!

Please limit your entries to 500 words. This contest is intended for currently engaged couples. I'll post them as they come in. Email them to me at bunnywithatoolbelt@gmail.com. Thanks for playing!

and my new giraffes?

they are hanging out with their buddies on Etsy

did you see my new elephants?

woody delicious. on Etsy while supplies last!

awwww

Here's another custom commission for a couple who became engaged at the zoo near their favorite exhibit--the polar bears! Rather than a bride and groom, this set borrowed from some of my valentine designs with a heart-shaped balloon tied to each tail!

these are a few of my favorite things....

This set was made for a couple who is clear about their priorities in life:
1. get married
2. drink beer
3. make art


cheers!!

do gators eat bunnies?

Yet ANOTHER set for my fans in Florida!

got some catching up to do around here!

There have been a lot of lovely wedding cake topper commissions passing through my workbench lately so I decided to share them with you over the next week or so. Don't forget you can see ALL of my cake topper designs and commissions right here!

We'll start things off with a variation on a classic. This couple wanted the flower centers to have sparkly clear swarovski rhinestones. Who am I to deny them their pleasures? I love the way these turned out!

not all bunnies are with toolbelt

playable angry birds birthday cake!!

In honor of our founding fathers' respective birth days, I present you with this contemporary birthday cake design as seen on instructables!

It took 10 hours to make and 2 minutes to destroy. More pics can be seen by clicking here.

the playful object | ssǝɔoɹd lnɟʎɐld ǝɥʇ

Hey y'all! I'll be teaching a workshop called the playful object | ssǝɔoɹd lnɟʎɐld ǝɥʇ at my alma mater Oregon College of Art and Craft at the end of the month. There are still a few spots left in this jam-packed weekend of play exploration!

Course description: A broad-based arsenal of materials and processes can be vital to any artist working in any medium. Join Hilary for an enjoyable weekend investigating improvisational processes and creating extraordinary objects, discovering new ways to use old methods of art making. The class will cover aspects of exploring from and shape as well as developing the use of surface techniques such as flocking, metallic leaf and paint. Though there will be opportunity to discuss ideas for each individual to incorporate into their current artwork come prepared to share and participate in discovery as group. Artists from all fine art and craft disciplines are encouraged to take part in this opportunity to learn from each other.

February 25-28, 2011
Friday 6pm-9pm
Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm.

Click here to sign yourself up!

wouldn't it be luverly?

another new batch of cake toppers - this time it's lovebirds on fruits. Available on my Etsy site while supplies last!

pretty kitties

I just unleashed a posse of new wedding cake toppers, seeing how many ways I could paint a cat. Here's a sneak preview but click here for the real deal.

life before Bunny with a Toolbelt

(Thanks to Rev. Steve at A Beautiful Ceremony NW for this great photo!)

Another Florida Gators commission!

I seem to be amassing quite a few fans down in Florida - here's the latest in the series of wedding cake toppers for what must be the most enthusiastic sports fans on the planet! What's that...you didn't see the others? Look in the Bunny with a Toolbelt online photo album of wedding custom cake topper commissions for the sports section!

happy Chinese new year!

It's the year of the rabbit! Woo hoo! Whether you're a good bunny or a bad bunny, here are some videos for you to help you get your bunny on! Enjoy!