bedtime story

by Bill Tiepelman

Pillow Talk with Mischievous Mice

It was supposed to be a quiet night at the Mouse Manor. The moon was high, the bed was soft, and the pajamas were snug. But of course, that’s when the trouble always starts. Squeak and Squabble, two tiny mice with more energy than sense, were not the kind of critters to call it a night just because the clock struck midnight. Oh no, they had a better idea. “I’ll bet you five sunflower seeds I can knock your tail off with this pillow,” Squeak declared, already gripping the cushion like it was a weapon of mass destruction. His blue-striped pajamas made him look innocent—like a tiny, adorable menace, ready to ruin someone’s peaceful slumber. Squabble, never one to back down from a challenge (or a bad idea), grinned in her pink pajamas, which were two sizes too small thanks to her impressive cheese intake. “Bring it, you furry little turd,” she squeaked, grabbing her pillow with the determination of a mouse about to make some terrible life choices. The first swing was light—a tentative hit meant more for fun than for war. A few feathers popped out and floated lazily in the air. But in the heat of the moment, things escalated. Fast. “You hit like a gerbil!” Squeak shouted, dodging a pillow that would’ve knocked his whiskers clean off if it had landed. “Oh yeah? Well, your tail looks like a chewed-up pipe cleaner!” Squabble spat back, launching her pillow with the precision of a mouse who's spent way too much time practicing for exactly this moment. It was a direct hit, right in the whiskers. Feathers exploded into the air like popcorn at a bad movie. The room became a battlefield. Pillows flew, feathers filled the air like some kind of bizarre snowstorm, and insults were thrown around as recklessly as the cushions. “You couldn’t hit a barn if you were standing in it!” Squeak taunted, hurling his pillow with all the grace of a drunk hamster. Squabble’s response? “At least I’m not still scared of the vacuum cleaner, you little pansy!” The room erupted into chaos as the mice, now fully committed, began bashing each other with every ounce of tiny, adorable rage they could muster. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the carnage. Feathers stuck to their fur, making them look like deranged little cherubs in the aftermath of a really messy angel convention. Both were panting, grinning, and covered in fluff. The bed was a disaster zone. “Truce?” Squeak asked, holding up a paw, his pillow limp and deflated, more of a sack of feathers than a weapon at this point. “Only if you admit that you lost,” Squabble said, wiping a feather off her nose. “Fine, fine. I lost… to a mouse with thighs that could crush a walnut.” Squeak’s face split into a mischievous grin. “But I’ll still be the one stealing the last piece of cheddar from the fridge tonight.” Squabble squeaked in outrage. “Over my dead body, whisker-face!” And with that, the battle was back on. Pajama Party Pandemonium Meanwhile, across the hall, two other mice—Knuckles and Nibbles—were about to experience their own nocturnal disaster. Knuckles, wearing pajamas that looked like they’d been made from a retired sailor’s wardrobe, was standing on the bed, pillow in hand, looking down at Nibbles, who was peacefully trying to sleep. “Hey, Nibbles… you awake?” Knuckles asked, his voice barely containing his excitement. Nibbles, curled up in his own fluffy pink pajamas, cracked one eye open. “Knuckles, it’s like two in the morning. Go away. I’m dreaming about cheese.” “But we could have a pillow fight instead,” Knuckles suggested with a grin that made it clear he wasn’t asking so much as informing. Before Nibbles could answer—or escape—Knuckles swung the pillow like it owed him money. Feathers exploded, Nibbles’ peaceful slumber shattered like a dropped glass of milk. “You absolute pile of rat droppings!” Nibbles yelled, scrambling to grab a pillow in retaliation. “You’re gonna regret that, you flea-infested lint ball!” And so began the second great mouse pillow fight of the night. Feathers flew, insults were exchanged, and soon both mice were so tangled in blankets and pillows that they could barely tell where the bed ended and the fight began. At one point, Nibbles managed to get the upper hand—or paw—and pinned Knuckles under a pile of pillows. “I’m gonna suffocate you with this cushion, and no jury of mice will ever convict me!” he cackled. “Do your worst! At least I won’t have to hear your snoring anymore!” Knuckles wheezed from beneath the mound of pillows, though it was hard to tell if he was laughing or genuinely gasping for air. By the time dawn began creeping through the windows, both pairs of mice were exhausted, lying in their respective beds, surrounded by the carnage of a night spent in ridiculous warfare. Feathers floated in the air like memories of battles lost and won. “We really need to start going to bed earlier,” Squeak muttered, as Squabble flicked a feather off his ear. “Yeah,” she agreed. “But that would be boring, wouldn’t it?” And so, the mice of Mouse Manor drifted off into the kind of sleep only those truly satisfied by chaos can appreciate, dreaming of cheese, pillows, and the next time they could ruin a perfectly good night’s rest.    After all the pillow-fueled chaos and mischievous fun, you might be wondering how to bring a piece of this adorable pandemonium into your own space. Whether you're looking to add some whimsical charm to your home or share a giggle with a friend, we've got you covered! Check out these delightful **Pajama Party Pandemonium** prints, available in a variety of products: Tapestries – Perfect for adding a playful touch to any room. Throw Pillows – Cozy up with the same pillows our mischievous mice used in their epic battles! Tote Bags – Carry a bit of cute chaos with you wherever you go. Greeting Cards – Send some cheeky mouse mischief to a friend who could use a laugh! Whether you're decorating your space or gifting a friend, these items will bring a smile (and maybe a chuckle) to anyone who appreciates a little bedtime fun. Browse the full collection here. After enjoying the antics of Squeak, Squabble, and their fluffy, feather-filled chaos, why not bring a bit of their mischievous charm into your home? Whether you're curling up for your own pillow fight or just want to smile at their cute faces, we've got the perfect products for you! Check out the delightful **Pillow Talk with Mischievous Mice** collection: Throw Pillows – Snuggle up with the same cushions that started all the trouble! Fleece Blankets – Wrap yourself in cozy, mouse-approved comfort while enjoying some downtime (preferably without a pillow fight). Framed Prints – Add a whimsical touch to your walls with this playful artwork, perfect for reminding you to never take bedtime too seriously. Ornaments – Decorate your space (or tree) with these adorable mice to keep the fun going all year long. Whether you’re looking for a gift or a cozy addition to your home, the **Pillow Talk with Mischievous Mice** collection is sure to bring laughter and warmth to any space. Browse the entire collection here.

by Bill Tiepelman

Nightwatch of the Starry Sentinel

In the realm where the fabric of night is sewn with threads of starlight, there was a dragon named Orionis, whose scales shimmered with a thousand galaxies. Orionis was ancient, a celestial being whose silent flight across the heavens was marked by the comet’s tail and the whisper of nebulas. On earth, his presence was known only to the wise and the watchful, to those who sought the solace of the stars and listened to the stories they told. It was on a particularly clear night that Orionis embarked on a journey unlike any he had known before. This night, his vast wings unfurled not to soar through the heavens, but to cradle something far more precious. Nestled within the crook of his tail, wrapped in the gossamer threads of the universe, lay a newborn child, an infant whose destiny was written in the constellations. The dragon’s journey was slow, a graceful arc that traversed the valleys and peaks of slumbering clouds. Below, the world spun in a silent waltz, unaware of the dragon's vigilant passage. Orionis’s eyes, deep pools of cosmic wisdom, reflected the tranquil world below — a patchwork quilt of sleeping forests, silent mountains, and winding rivers that gleamed like silver ribbons in the moonlight. With each beat of his mighty wings, the dragon and his charge rode the gentle rhythms of the night. It was a slow ride, a dance with the view of eternity, where each moment was savored, each star a story, each breeze a melody. The child, safe in the embrace of the dragon’s watch, slept soundly, the soft rise and fall of its chest a counterpoint to the beating heart of the cosmos. Orionis, the Starry Sentinel, knew the value of patience, of the slow passage of time. He knew that the smallest moments held the deepest truths, and as the earth slumbered below, he continued his watchful journey, a guardian not just of the child, but of the night itself, and all the small wonders it cradled. The Dreamscape Guardian As Orionis, the guardian of night, continued his celestial voyage, the veil between worlds grew thin, and the realm of dreams beckoned. The stars twinkled in recognition as the dragon entered this sacred space, a guardian not only of the physical night but of dreams as well. Each starlight beam was a path to a dream, and Orionis, with the sleeping child in his care, was the silent sentry at the gateway of dreams. The night deepened, and the dreamscape unfolded like a tapestry woven from the threads of imagination. Here, dreams bloomed like midnight flowers, each petal a different vision, each scent a different story. Orionis’s gentle breath stirred the dreams, sending them to dance around the child, weaving a lullaby of fantastical tales and adventures yet to be. In the dreamscape, the child stirred, smiling at visions of laughter and play, of flights through candy-colored skies and dives into rivers of starlight. These were the dreams that Orionis guarded, the innocent reveries of youth that held the seeds of tomorrow's hopes. With a deep, rumbling purr, the dragon infused the dreams with the warmth of his protection, ensuring that nothing but the sweetest of stories would visit the child's slumber. The universe watched and waited, for in the dreams of a child lay the future of all worlds. Orionis, the Dragon of Dreams, knew this well. As the first blush of dawn approached, the dragon completed his voyage, leaving the child cradled not just in the safety of its own bed, but in the promise of a new day filled with boundless possibilities, each one guarded by the vigilant love of the Starry Sentinel. With a final, affectionate glance, Orionis retreated into the tapestry of the waking sky, his silhouette fading into the light of dawn. Yet, his presence remained, a silent promise in the brightening sky, a guardian ever-watchful, ever-faithful, until the stars would once again call him to his nightly dance among the dreams.     Let the celestial tale of Orionis, the dragon guardian, weave its way into your world with our "Nightwatch of the Starry Sentinel" product collection. Each piece in this series captures the enchanting essence of the story, bringing the magic of the guardian's watch into your daily life. Adorn your wall with the "Nightwatch of the Starry Sentinel" poster, where the intricate details of Orionis’s scales and the peaceful innocence of the child he guards are brought to life in a visually stunning display. Enhance your desk with the mouse pad, a daily reminder of the dragon’s steadfast protection as you navigate through work and play, its smooth surface a testament to the seamless journey through the night sky. Wrap yourself in the fantasy with the tapestry, a fabric embodiment of the dreamscape that Orionis patrols, perfect for draping over your furnishings or as a wall hanging to transform any room into a space of dreamlike wonder. Assemble the celestial story piece by piece with our jigsaw puzzle, a meditative activity that echoes the dragon's slow and thoughtful passage across the heavens, culminating in a beautiful image of his sacred charge. And for those moments when you wish to send a message that carries the weight of ancient guardianship and timeless dreams, our greeting cards are the perfect vessel, each card a tribute to the dragon’s eternal vigil over the slumbering child. From the majestic to the intimate, the "Nightwatch of the Starry Sentinel" collection invites you to carry the magic of the guardians’ watch into your life, celebrating the peace and protection that blankets us all under the night sky.