The Middlest Sister is a comic written and illustrated by me, Nicole Belanger Smeltzer. It is based on memories of growing up with four sisters. Each comic is painstakingly cut and pasted from scrap paper and other garbage I find in the junk drawer and recycling bin. You can find my other cut-paper works, illustrations, and paintings over at nicolesmeltzer.com
The Middlest Sister 
YAY!
I truly look forward to these every week! Keep ’em coming, Nicole! — Jessi
I don’t know how you do it, but I love these. I guess I’m not allowed to complain anymore about how time consuming it is to draw comics for my blog.
Thanks :) Your blog is very funny, I subscribed!
These are incredible! The painstakingness of it all is mind-blowing. Plus you like Kings Quest, so that’s awesome.
Wow! These comics are amazing. I love the style and colors.
Very impressive so far. The collage style makes it what it is, really separates it from other blogs.
Howdy sis
I nominated/awarded you for the Liebster blog award earlier today. Not sure if you are familiar with these awards but you now need to choose about five blogs that you like and award it to them as well, and then post about it.
Hey girl, I love your blog so much I nominated you for the Liebster Blog award. More people need to see your work!
http://whatimeant2say.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/thank-you-for-seeing-me-again/
I’m so jealous you are so smart/creative enough to think of this and I never had! I love playing with paper I have all these same paper scraps that I use for card making and I keep recognizing them throughout the blog. My favorite is the pink thread paper you use for the bunk beds, because I can never think of a good way to use that paper (plus it’s difficult it you cut mid thread) and it works perfectly as a bedspread. Love your stories with your sisters. I really think you need to make children’s books.
Do you? How funny! I was looking for more since I am running low on the patterns, but I couldn’t find them again. I’m pretty sure I got them about 7 years ago at Michael’s when I thought I would like to take up making miniatures.
Thank so much for your nice comments! I really appreciate it.
Yeah…you can’t get that scrap paper at Michael’s anymore. I think the company is out of business :( You can get a lot similar papers here http://www.papermojo.com/Two-Pound-Creativity-Boxes_p_4166.html . I haven’t ordered this two pound box, but I have ordered similar assortment packs from them and it had some of the same papers that were in the Michael’s bunches. Hope it helps :)
Oh, cool! I recognize a lot of the patterns. Thank you!
Ah your blog is so much FUN! Glad I’ve stumbled upon it. I am an only child (I think my mother learned her lesson as the middlest of three girls) and I’m sure my mom would enjoy this site – I’m going to pass it along to her as well. Looking forward to seeing future posts! Art and Memories together = Fun & Meaningful!
Christine
http://www.roamyoursoul.com
http://www.cperigen.wordpress.com
Thank you!
allenavw said you were great, and they were right – love the style! Keep up the beautiful work.
:) Thanks!
Hey! Just saw that you started following me :) Your pictures are beautiful! I’m impressed for sure. You’ve got a real talent. I think your illustrations would look fabulous for a childrens book.
I found your blog via Kate’s. This is so clever and cute and well-thought out and makes me smile. Subscribing! :)
Oh, I forgot to say, I’m the middlest sister of 5, too. :)
How cool!
people is good
Nicole this is so much fun! You know how to capture the trials of sibling rivalry.
From a Middle Child to the Middlest Sister – what a fantastic way to illustrate and tell a story. I’ll definitely subscribe. Congrats on being freshly pressed!
Traci
Thank you, I’m so glad people can relate to it :)
You should try and get an agent and publish this as a children’s series.
This blog is great! I really appreciate the work you put in your illustrations and storytelling.
I can so relate to you! I am the third of a brood of 5. All girls too! :)
That is so cool! I wonder how many sets of 5 sisters there are in the world.
Love, love LOVE your blog. Also, I’m in awe os the kind of work you’ve put in. Brilliant!
of. of the kind of work you’ve put in. Sigh. Shame. Blush.
So cool and cute!
Stumbling upon this blog is one of the best things that’s happened all day :) I am in love with your art style!
Nicole your blog is truly unique! Your collages are poetic and performed in a style that helps me bring back my childhood memories. May you never run out of scrap paper.
This is the most inspiring blog I have ever come across!
Much praise and success to you
I’m now following you because this blog is so creative. Kudos for all the effort you put into cut and paste illustrations.
You’re so creative! Keep up the good work! :)
Your blog made my day. I love your art! totally different. You’re my favorite blogger now! I admire the time and effort you put on each post. Very Inspiring.
Really nice, innovative and interesting work. Thanks for sharing
this is just. marvellous :)
Love your blog…so clever :-)
First time seeing your blog. I love it . So fun and creative! I’m the youngest of 3 girls…
So glad you got freshly pressed– otherwise I never would have found you! Kudos.
You are incredibly creative and talented with what you are doing. I haven’t seen anything like this before. 2 thumbs up!
This is awesome. I’m only the middle daughter of three girls, but regardless…being the middle is sure an adventure :)
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. I’m so glad you were because I wouldn’t have found your blog otherwise. The comics are spectacular! How long, on average, does it take you to complete a comics strip?
Thank you! It usually takes about 8-10 hours per strip, depending on complexity and the number of scenes.
Wow! It goes without saying, this a super cool idea! – Kimberly (Middle Child!)
Your artwork is great — there are some really nice effects of depth and lighting and I love the expressiveness of the figures/faces.
Absolutely original and unique idea! Love it!
wow. that must take allot of time. good work.
found you on the freshly pressed and love your blog, what a clever girl!
Keep making magic, young lady! Great work so far!
Your blog is awesome. You are doing a great Job! Keep on with the good work! :)
Your blog is so fun to “read”! I had to click “follow” … looking forward to “reading” some more, love your creativity!! Thanks for sharing :D
We love your site! If you ever need some additional handmade paper scraps, we’d love to send you some…
Wow, that is some truly gorgeous paper.
you do all this work with paper? wow – truly amazed! I have to follow you now!
I found my way to your blog from Freshly Pressed. Such a cute blog and so funny! Great job with all the cut-outs. Very impressive!
I am so glad you were mentioned in Freshly pressed! Your blog is impressive and creative!! Love it <3
new to the site–love it already! such unique creativity. thanks for sharing your talent with the world!
I don’t even know how you do this. It’s incredible. Takes such patience… Nice blog!
Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award!
Check it out http://sfaulhafer.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/versatile-blogger-award-ok-then-thats-neat/