Hello, Xyliacs! Greetings from snowy Iowa!
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So little April has made a friend…hmmm..
If you’ve been reading this story, something may be familiar here.
If you’ve read Nigel’s Opus…something may be familiar here.
If not, no worries. ^_^
—————————TWC————————–
Thank you EVERYONE for getting us up the rankings on the Webcomic List. We’ve been holding steady in the forties for a while now! Thanks for your votes!! New incentive up today- this is a very old concept drawing (like from two years ago…) of a scene that is coming up in a bit …
———————–XYLIATALES NEWS!!————————
Also want to remind you again that Tall Tale Features has a new design and layout with great new content! Norm Feuti, creator of Retail has a really cool ‘how-to’ entry of how he creates his syndicated comic on the TTF website!
———————-Barblog———————————-
Short blog for the moment- it’s nearly 2AM and I have an early morning getting kids here and there and an appointment with my accountant shortly after- so it’s my beddy bye time!
Iowa got smacked with some seven or so inches of snow again. -.- Sigh. I’m sorry- winter ain’t my bag, you know? But it’s not too terribly cold…and I know that March is coming soon… still my trip to Texas has me smiling pretty good…
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Xyliatales On Air will be broadcasting on Sundays, along with the occasional last minute broadcast! (Just had a fun one last Thursday night!). I’m going to try for a regular time- like 7PM CST. I know some of you will find that an inconvenient time in other parts of the world- hopefully it will work for some of you! XYLIATALES ON AIR TALK SHOW SITE
Remember, you can follow my announcements on Twitter
Or consider friending me on Facebook- just make sure to let me know that you are a Xyliac when you send the request.
——————–XYLIA GOODY BAG——————
Please consider donating for the cause! I plan on adding new things in the coming weeks- first I will be creating a series of hi resolution downloadable character cards, with profile images and bio information! In the meantime, browse our existing wallpapers and other things. As always if you don’t receive your download, please email me directly at bji2001(at)mchsi.com.
Thank you all for visiting! Remember, that I love comments, and your feedback keeps me goin’ on this cold winter nights in Iowa!
Hugs,
~B
February 10th, 2010 at 2:16 am
that’s a funny one! I love all of April’s expressions on this page- she is so cute!
Sometimes I think you started doing this story Barb, so you can do many many butterflies! And you do them so well! I wonder who this “talking bug” is…
Warm hug! ^.^
February 10th, 2010 at 6:49 am
I crave comments too, so here’s one for you
I absolutely LOVE April’s expression when the butterfly talked to her. I could just hear the ear splitting scream there!
And interesting that she has something so rare as different colour eyes.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:07 am
I just love those bright red poppies, they create such a nice focus point for each panel. That large panel of April yelling out is my favourite, too. She’s adorable.
It took me a few moments to realise what Janey Mac was whe ni first saw that panel , I thought for a second that it was the name of some sprite or fairy April recognised. ^^;
February 10th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Yes! A talking butterfly or is it a moth because he’s grey? It’s a beautiful contrast, the grey butterfly/ moth and the vibrant red poppy.
Poor April.. wasn’t expecting a reply was she? ;D
February 10th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I love the expression on April’s face! Too funny!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
The best part is looking at the teaser, you think something bad is going to happen. Then it’s a talking bug. That is the best.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Well I didn’t see that coming! But I love it! And I will agree with ChristineA about the poppies. They tend to hold a greater significance for me, an Australian, than most. We wear a poppy to remember the fallen on Rememberance Day in November. Can’t wait to see where this story is headed. Lovely art as usual, well done!
February 11th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Aw, a talking butterfly…..that is the funniest reaction possible. Well done.
It’s my birfday on Friday, peeps. Say YAY!!!
Question — what’s Janey Mac? Is it a nickname? Her way of saying Holy Crap? Something else?
February 11th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Ack, I missed not one BUT TWO updates! EEP!
I got shivers on the previous page to this one…why do people do that to young girls/boys…why do they seem to think that crap is okay…BLEH.
This page is altogether awesome! April seems truly shocked, the butterfly is beautiful and are those poppy’s it is sitting on? Beautifully rendered page!
February 11th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I want to know what Janey Mac is…just saying. I love talking bugs! lol…
February 12th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Spindizzy-lyrics-Apoptygma-Berzerk/B326DFEE3C6B8AFB48256DF00010FAD0 The lyrics don’t really do the song justice – I highly recommend listening.
Thanks so much for all your hard work <3
February 13th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Hi all! Janey Mac is apparantly an Irish way of saying Jesus Christ when you’re exclaiming surprise or something, it’s to avoid saying the name itself.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:52 am
I love April’s eyes; they are just outstanding. ^_^
Hmm…. That does seem familiar. :-]
I like the “Janey Mac!” ^_^
@Brent & @Karstrel – I believe “Janey Mac” is a locally Irish exclamation of startlement or surprise, and I think it came from a common children’s rhyme. Any Irish folk out there who can corroborate?
February 21st, 2010 at 10:20 am
Okay- finally getting my butt in gear and responding to all the great comments I’ve received…*rolls up sleeves(
Hagar- There are a lot of butterflies- or at least butterfly wings! LOL! And yes, that talking bug…?
Tantz- LOL! Thank you very much- I love drawing horrified expressions more than any. April is a great character to draw, because she is very over the top expressive.
Lana, it was nice to get some red in a page as an accent, rather than a symbol of violence. All the other uses of red have been so negative- these poppies are more to convey excitement… And yes, Janey Mac is an exclaimation that at least one Irish person has confirmed that is actualy said! ^_^
Christine- THat is actually a white moth. And no, April really wasn’t expecting it to talk. Don’t think I would either. ^_^ LOL!
Tinkerwrks- Thank you- she is really fun to draw!
Iwfish- YAY! I was hoping for that – that the teaser would trick readers- I always like to offer a surprise… more of those coming…hee hee hee.
Aquila- YAY! I’m always happy to hear that you are surprised! We also use the poppy as a symbol for Veterans in the US on Veterans Day… Thank you for the nice comments!
Brent- Happy late birthday BTW- I’m so sorry I missed it. I hope you had a great one! Janey Mac is a exclamation. I’m not sure of it’s origin, but it’s Irish.
Tiger- Kinda fun to get to see two pgaes in a row though, sn’t it! Sorry about the previous page- but you need to see what these two have been through. Thank you very much for the nice comments!
Karstel- In case you missed it above- Janey Mac is an Irish expression – an exclamation. Talking bugs are teh bomb! ^_^
Nainami- thank you for the song- I listened to it while working on the next page! Thank you very much for the kind words!
Lana- I’m not sure what the origin of the expression is- it was just listed as a general exclamation.
Octodude- Thank you! I really enjoy having this character with two colored eyes!
So you do see something familiar there…
Oh- an you seem to have found some etymology on Janey Mac! Very cool!
Thank you eveyrone for your comments! Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply! Much better next time!
Hugs,
B