I’d like, for a moment, to step out of character, and speak to you as the humble (or not so humble) narrator of The Panda Chronicles. First, I’d like to thank all of you who have joined in the fun this year. I say this from the bottom of my heart, that Bob T. Panda and his friends have become stronger and funnier because you all are watching. Whether it’s high art or low art, art needs to be seen and appreciated to really exist. It’s kind of like Tinkerbelle. If you don’t believe in her, she’ll fade and die. Poof. Blapp.
I’d also like to say, that as a full time artist for more than several decades, that the pandas bring me FUN in a way that painting has not, in some time. Don’t get me wrong. I love painting, and it continues to bring joy, satisfaction and gratification (not to mention $$$) into my life. Make no mistake about it, just because you love something, that doesn’t mean it isn’t work, particularly when you spend 40 or more hours a week engaging in it, not to mention all the “non-art” stuff you have to do in order to make a living at it. Not that I’m complaining. What other work can a person do at home with their cat on the drawing table? Be that as it may, drawing pandas is FUN with a capital F. Thinking up things for my pandas to do and say is even more fun and often makes me laugh out loud. And yes, Virginia, there is a Mehitabel. While she is named for a literary cat (from The Lives and Times of Archie and Mehitabel) she is an actual flesh and fur 15 year-old cat, who can still jump onto my drawing table from the floor.
Enough seriousness….
So here’s where the fun comes in. As a special present for Christmas/ Hanukah/ Kwanza/ Solstice or what ever the heck you want to celebrate this time of year, I propose a fun, interactive project. Uh oh, you say. Whenever my yoga teacher says she has something ‘fun’ for us, it usually means 74 sun-salutes with an extended hold in downward facing dog or some such nonsense. No, this will actually be much more fun. Introducing the Babette de` Panda paper panda! And her first outfit! Remember paper dolls? You cut them out and then you cut out all their little outfits (oops! Don’t cut off the tabs!) And then you change their clothes and have a party. I’ll make a new outfit every now and again so that you can change Babette’s wardrobe. (She simply hates wearing the same outfit two days in a row!!) Today’s pandas are presented in a higher resolution size than normal, so that you can print them out. I suggest gluing Babette to a piece of cardboard so she can stand up. You could print a whole army of Babettes and have a cocktail party!
Here’s the “interactive” part: after everyone prints, cuts out, and dresses Babette in her outfit, I want you to photograph her and post the picture on Bob the Panda’s fan page on Face book. Feel free to post your photograph on your own page or send it to your other FB friends. You can even print out a little crowd of “Babettes” and have your own little choir de` Babette. I ask only a few things in return (oh, there’s always a catch, isn’t there?):
- You “like” the Bob the Panda page.
- You link back to The Panda Chronicles or “introduce” panda friendly people to Bob T. Panda
- You may not put Babette on anything that is for sale.
Other than that, the only requirement is that you have fun with this. I will come up with some sort of actual prize for the most creative photo of Babette submitted by December 31st. A committee of Babette, her special friend, Victory and myself will determine the winner.
Technical note: It helps to print these on light cardstock, and glue an extra layer on “Babette” before cutting out. You can the make a triangle out of light weight cardboard which has a fold at the bottom so that she can stand up. I’m hoping the automatic resizing that happens when I put a picture on the blog doesn’t screw up the scale. If it does, you may have to mess with print sizes a little bit. Also, don’t separate the hat from the rest of the outfit.
Be the (funloving) Bear
Bob T. Panda
Okay, now this is just way too much fun!!!! I had a momentary (insane) mental image of a Christmas tree solid with Babettes in costume! Happily I let go of that one, but will definitely be printing some out for my granddaughter (not to mention myself).
Ah, come’on….I think an entire tree of “Babette de`Pandas” would be fabulous!.
What a grand idea…..If I can figure out how to print this out….sometimes I find myself amazingly thick headed when it comes to actually doing stuff like this. *&*&&%^
I know what you mean. I spend a lot of time swearing (gasp) at my computer. Fortunately I have a friend who provides tech support. (when I can find him)
Yay, got my own panda bag!! U da (cool) Bear, Bob T!
Yay you too! I hope you enjoy it! Don’t forget to print your “Babette de Panda” and play our game. I think I will take mine to an art opening tonight!
Your challenge is accepted, my friend, I don’t have any card stock in these temporary living quarters, but I shall improvise. Anything that allows me to focus on the form of my lovely Babette. After the holidays I may dress her in jewels!
just try and top this, Monsewer Pandet!
Like like like!!! I want a panda!!!!!! But I don’t have a printer 🙁 First world problems…
It was great to get a little personal post. I feel privileged 🙂
Do you have a friend who can print it for you? it would be really fun to have you join us in this crazy idea of mine. Keep in touch. maybe I’ll get an idea of how to get around this problem. ( till about 6 months ago, I didn’t have internet access and did everything at the library.)
OMGosh this is right up my alley!
Oh wonderful! I can’t wait to see where you photograph my paper panda. And if you’re really feeling creative, you can make your own outfits for her.
Oh boy, oh boy, more study procrastination!! Oh, I mean, what a great fun thing !..I have never lost my love for paper dolls and paper Babette will be such a treat 🙂
Remember, engaging in creative play makes your brain work more efficiently. (um how was that for justification? pretty good, huh?)
Oh boy, oh boy, more study procrastination!! Oh, I mean, what a great fun thing !..I have never lost my love for paper dolls and paper Babette will be such a treat 🙂
Remember, engaging in creative play makes your brain work more efficiently. (um how was that for justification? pretty good, huh?)
Oh boy, oh boy, more study procrastination!! Oh, I mean, what a great fun thing !..I have never lost my love for paper dolls and paper Babette will be such a treat 🙂
Remember, engaging in creative play makes your brain work more efficiently. (um how was that for justification? pretty good, huh?)
Okay . . . a project. I’m going to have to think (clear the room and deactivate the smoke detectors) about this a bit.
And remember you asked for it, so I’m going to run with it. I hope a ginormous crew of participants show up to play.
And remember you asked for it, so I’m going to run with it. I hope a ginormous crew of participants show up to play.
And remember you asked for it, so I’m going to run with it. I hope a ginormous crew of participants show up to play.
Pingback: I Don’t Want Anyone To Miss The Fun « Miss Demure Restraint
Thanks Miss Demure Restraint for this comment and your championing of me and all my panda kindergarten friends. I get slightly moist about the eyes when I think about how so many people have embraced me and their inner pandas. And don’t you feel better for it? Don’t know how I would have survived without them. Thanks for inviting people to play the panda paper doll dress up game. I’ll have a new outfit tomorrow. You da Bear
Pingback: I Don’t Want Anyone To Miss The Fun « Miss Demure Restraint
Thanks Miss Demure Restraint for this comment and your championing of me and all my panda kindergarten friends. I get slightly moist about the eyes when I think about how so many people have embraced me and their inner pandas. And don’t you feel better for it? Don’t know how I would have survived without them. Thanks for inviting people to play the panda paper doll dress up game. I’ll have a new outfit tomorrow. You da Bear
Pingback: I Don’t Want Anyone To Miss The Fun « Miss Demure Restraint
Thanks Miss Demure Restraint for this comment and your championing of me and all my panda kindergarten friends. I get slightly moist about the eyes when I think about how so many people have embraced me and their inner pandas. And don’t you feel better for it? Don’t know how I would have survived without them. Thanks for inviting people to play the panda paper doll dress up game. I’ll have a new outfit tomorrow. You da Bear
Sounds like fun, but only one picture. This will have to be good.
I’ll be working on a new outfit for Babette tomorrow. stay tuned!
Sounds like fun, but only one picture. This will have to be good.
Good luck with your project my friend,
it is not really my scene but I still wish
you lots of success with it…
Have a fine rest of week now Bob T Panda…
Androgoth