Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy birthday!



This was another one of the Squaredy Cats designed in summer 2009. It's always somebody's birthday, so go ahead and send this cat to them to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! or go to the Squaredy Cats Facebook page and tag a friend on their birthday :)

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy birthday to somebody :)


It's somebody's birthday somewhere.

This was one of the Squaredy Cats designed in summer 2009. We were intending to post the birthday cats in January, but we got a message from a fan of Squaredy Cats Facebook page that it was her birthday before the new year. We're so glad to have a good reason to post this sooner. Happy birthday, Destiny :)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Watch the ball drop with us!


Our fourth of 4 New Year's Squaredy Cats designed for 2010.

We're posting four new Squaredy Cats this week that are designed specifically for New Year's Eve 2009-2010. We hope you enjoy sending them as much as we enjoyed making them.

Hey, we FAIL sometimes. There are times we drop the ball, and there are times we make all the right things happen. But if we are afraid to try we never accomplish anything.
You'll never fail if you don't try, but you won't succeed either! Don't be squared to drop the ball.

We hope you visit the Squaredy Cats Facebook page to send a "Happy New Year" greeting by going to the New Year's Eve photo album, and tagging a friend.

Monday, December 28, 2009

A new decade is around the corner


Our third of 4 New Year's Squaredy Cats designed for 2010.

We're posting four new Squaredy Cats this week that are designed specifically for New Year's Eve 2009-2010. We hope you enjoy sending them as much as we enjoyed making them.

Sometimes we never want the day to end, but get plenty of sleep for good health. Tomorrow will be even better if you're well-rested!

We hope you visit the Squaredy Cats Facebook page to send a "Happy New Year" greeting by going to the New Year's Eve photo album, and tagging a friend.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

New Year's Eve 2 of 4


Our second of 4 New Year's Squaredy Cats designed for 2010.

We're posting four new Squaredy Cats this week that are designed specifically for New Year's Eve 2009-2010. We hope you enjoy sending them as much as we enjoyed making them.

Let's make 2010 a fun year - full of confetti and streamers :)

We hope you visit the Squaredy Cats Facebook page to send a "Happy New Year" greeting by going to the New Year's Eve photo album, and tagging a friend.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

New Year's Eve 1 of 4


Our first of 4 New Year's Squaredy Cats designed for 2010.

We're posting four new Squaredy Cats this week that are designed specifically for New Year's Eve 2009-2010. We hope you enjoy sending them as much as we enjoyed making them.
For some of us 2009 was a hard year. Let's go into 2010 with a great attitude, and make it a great year. 2009 was a transitional year, so 2010 should deliver results :)
We hope you visit the Squaredy Cats Facebook page to send a "Happy New Year" greeting by going to the New Year's Eve photo album, and tagging a friend.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Smoochy, smoochy <3


Kisses from Squaredy Cats ;*

This is the last of our Christmas cats for 2009. Have a wonderful Christmas time! We hope to see you all in 2010 :)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Gumball Search CONTEST


Find the Squaredy Cats Stickers, and tell us where they are :)

Squaredy Cats™ Stickers are in gumball machines and vending machines now.
We're asking fans to let us know where they are. If you find the stickers take a picture of the machine with you or your friends pointing at it.
Email a JPG of the picture along with the name of the store, and town or city (full address if possible) to webmonster(at-sign-here)monkeydoodledandy(dot)com  -  we'll post the picture to our Squaredy Cats Facebook Page, and send you a free pin and original postcards (while supplies last). You can also post the picture to the Facebook page yourself. Let us know how we can contact you, and we'll send you your prize.
The first submission received will get a full set of stickers, the pin and postcards! After that, up to 50 people will receive the postcards and pin. Contest will end December 31, 2010.

By submitting your picture, you are giving us permission to post you picture online. Please let us know if you would rather not have your picture posted. You can still win a prize.

Somebody call a chimney sweep ;)


Warm wishes for Christmas, but not too warm! Don't get too close to the fireplace. Have a merry Christmas. Do something nice for someone you don't know.

Monday, December 21, 2009

not squared to play vinyl


Have the courage to be old school if you want to be.

The "not squared to sing along" cat we posted yesterday was originally done this way. A lot of people don't realize all the nuances in well-done music that get lost in MP3s. CDs, and digital music can sound too polished sometimes. DJs and old-school music fans know that vinyl is something to appreciate even if it's not considered "cool." Don't be squared to play vinyl ;)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

not squared to sing along


This cat is a favorite among people who are not embarrassed to sing along with their headphones, with the music playing in the room, or at a concert. Sing out loud, and let them know you just love to.
This originally appeared as a graphic with some more elements, and a different caption. We'll post that one tomorrow. You choose which you like best.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

not squared of wasabi


"Not squared of wasabi" was troublesome at first. Something didn't seem right. We added chopsticks to a few versions because some people didn't really understand the joke. It's been seen as "not squared of sushi" too. This is how it originally appeared, and it still stands the test of time. It was created in 2008, and it's still one of my favorites.

Friday, December 18, 2009

not squared of apples


This cute little fella has had two captions. It was one of the first few Squaredy Cats designed. This one incorporated the style of using a visual that hearkens to a well-known idiom: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Some people suggested it should be "not squared of needles," so we presented it that way a few times, but we are always pleased when someone "gets it" the way it appeared originally, so we keep it as is.
Take the message a step further, and consider that eating healthy will likely insure you don't have to visit the doctor too often.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

not squared to charge it


The art for this one has always been the same, but the caption was originally "not squared of coupons."
The idea was that shoppers shouldn't be afraid to use coupons to save money, but the more we looked at it the more we realized this image doesn't really look like someone who is a super-saver. She's simply a shopper. She's fully equipped with her credit card and designer bag. Chances are she doesn't really car about coupons. She's not squared to charge it.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

not squared to go green


We thought about the last time our environment was important to a large percentage of the populace, so we took the "hippie" element from the 70's and thought we could evoke a Blyth style that was popular in the 70's. This was the first time we used eyes of different sizes, and a warped shape. We were still experimenting, but people seem to like this one a lot, so we keep it the way it is.
The original caption for this was "not squared to recycle," but we wanted the phrase to encompass more in our effort to care for the environment. We ultimately went with the more general, "not squared to go green."

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

not squared to re-gift



You know you'll get something that someone else would like better. That stereo-phonic, battery operated, three-legged, iridescent, corn cob purple people eater nut cracker you got? We could use one of those. Don't be squared to re-gift it.
Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 14, 2009

not squared to be holly jolly


Inspired by Burl Ives' "Holly Jolly Christmas."

This is the first of a few Christmas cats we created for the Squaredy Cats style guide several months ago. We'll be posting them sporadically until Christmas.
This one is inspired by the Burl Ives Christmas tune, "Holly Jolly Christmas."

Spread some cheer. Pass it on :)

Sunday, December 13, 2009

not squared of tanlines


Not exactly a winter cat, but some of us wish for summer as early as November.

We gave "not squared of tanlines" a surfboard to go with the Zinka nose. We tried a heavier pink to simulate sunburn, and an outline that included a bit of tan in the pink. Don't be squared of tanlines, but be sure to wear sunblock… even in winter.

And, now this one is a sticker!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

ain't squared of varmints




We had some fun with this one, and deviated from our phrase rule of beginning with "not." Go out and catch that rascal that's been running around in your corral and making your day tough. Don't be squared to change what needs to be changed.

Friday, December 11, 2009

not squared to dance & spin


Happy Hanukkah from the Squaredy Cats!

Inspired by the lyrics in the dreidel song, we designed this cat for the first day of Hanukkah. If we think about it more next year maybe we can try to do one for each of the eight days.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

not squared of kisses


What follows hugs? Kisses! Another one to reinforce warm affection. Show the ones you love that you care. Don't be squared to give them a big ol' kiss.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

not squared of hugs


The thought process on this was pretty simple. We wanted some straight-forward cats that would express something positive. Some people may have an aversion to showing affection. This is for everyone who isn't afraid to let their friends and family know you care about them. Everyone needs a hug once in a while, and when you give one you're an angel.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

not squared of the dark


There were a couple for this phrase, but this was was designed specifically for this phrase. The other is a ghost cat, but there were a couple of phrases that worked with that image, so we left the miner as the "not squared of the dark" cat.

Monday, December 7, 2009

not squared of frogs


Kiss enough frogs, you'll eventually find a prince.

We approached some of the early phrases with images in mind, but we also considered some of the subjects of which kids are afraid. While boys revel in collecting slimy creatures, frogs seem to be almost exclusively something little girls don't like. This is not necessarily true in a modern world, but it's likely why fairy tale princes were turned into ogres and frogs.
This is for all the young girls who aren't afraid to turn over a few rocks to achieve their dreams. It doesn't even have to be about a boy. Your "prince" might be winning first place in the science fair.

Friday, December 4, 2009

not squared of carbs


This one is pretty straight-forward. With everyone running for the hills when a big bowl of carbohydrates hit the table, we thought it made sense that if you use the carbs properly you have nothing to fear.
We have another "not squared of carbs," that uses the detached visual humor we sometimes employ, but we'll post that separately - perhaps next Halloween. Seems so far away. Maybe sooner.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

not squared of yer booty


Not squared of yer booty was designed in 2008, but still remains one of our favorites. The double entendre is playful enough to be innocent, and inspires a grin from most adults who read it. It's really all about the pirate bling, though.

not squared of heck


This one seemed like an obvious choice at first, but "H" word was something less family-friendly initially. A friend liked this one so much I made a one-of-a-kind less censored version using Cafe Press for his birthday.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

not squared of bad luck


Originally, this one was designed with a different kind of humor in mind. We were exploring how far of a stretch there could be between the humor of the phrase and the image. The original phrase for this one was "not squared of malls," but it didn't really make sense to anyone. The idea was that it was a cat "dressed in black" not interested in anything trendy. It was too much of a separation, and never worked.
It made so much sense when we had a V-8 moment. Black cats are supposed to be bad luck for those whose paths they cross. So, it made sense they themselves wouldn't be afraid of bad luck.
Ironically, the chipped ear is an indication he's run across some bad luck at some point. The hole on the edge of the ear was an idea from an old family cat named Spooky, but the ironic scar was funny enough to leave as is when we changed the caption.

And, now this one is a sticker

not squared of mice


Not squared of mice was only the third Squaredy Cat to be designed. He's meant to look a little "mousy" in appearance. This is where we realized humorous visuals could make these even more fun.

not squared of hairballs


This little guy was the second Squaredy Cat ever designed. He was modeled after our own cat, BigFoot, may he rest in peace and chase tinfoil balls forever.

not squared of being cute


This was the first finalized Squaredy Cat design done in 2008. He's based on a friend's cat named Sam. Several others followed this one, and they became more fun to do every time a new one was designed. Each idea led to three more.