Bricks and Bark

Another update on the goblins pub. I did the stone work on my chimney, got the grouting pretty much done (though there are loads of touch-ups waiting for attention) and now I'm just waiting for the slab on top of the chimney to dry.

I've also made a big dent in the roof work. I took the dog for a bit of a walk around the property this afternoon and picked up loads of twigs and bark strewn around after the massive wind storm this past weekend.

While doing all of this I'm thinking about what to put inside and where things might lead. I've got a few ideas that I want to incorporate but I've got no idea what the layout will be inside just yet.

Chugging along

More pubby updates...

Not much else done on the interior. I've added the window frames and patched up the ceiling and corners and such. My mind is mulling over all of the details I want to include and where they might fit and how in the heck I'm going to make/get the pieces I need.

A giant chimney on the side of the building. No brickwork on this just yet... maybe this evening.

The exterior walls have egg carton stones but no mortar just yet. Still it's coming along....

Just call me Speedy...

I've started on my next wee house, which will actully a pub not a home. I'm not sure how I managed it but I seem to have done a rather large chunk of work on it. Honestly, things have gone rather well over the past couple of days **knock on wood and blink 3 times**

I used THIS fantastic tutorial for the stone fireplace. The stones are made from egg catons!

The Truth

A short while ago I was asked if I'd be interested in doing an interview for a local publication. After the initial outbursts of "Hells bells!" and "Yee Haw!" I warned the writer that I'm actually rather dull and that most of the story would probably have to be made up for interest sake.

Last night the photographer came over to take snaps to go with the article. D was beside himself, and suddenly became very interested in the work his boring old mum does. I told him that he should document what was going on. Here are some of those blurry photos for your viewing pleasure...

Photog: Just work how you normally would.
Me: Umm, I usually sit on the floor surrounded by mess.

D did manage to get just a few photos taken of himself and I'm certain that's all he'll be talking about on the playground today.

 

The photographer was disappointed that my studio was so clean which means I now have a valid excuse for keeping the place a mess.

I sure that any minute now someone will discover that I was telling the truth, that there really isn't anything to write about. Someone is bound to say "Who the heck is this chick and why in tarnation are we writing about her?" Until they figure it out, I'll just play along. :P 

How to... make a thimble garden

And finally, here's how the mushrooms and houses come together to make thimble gardens like the ones above. Enjoy!

Wands, of the Goblin variety

 

I've been giving an awful lot of thought to goblins lately. I'm sure the ones who live by the stream are up to something. Last week they broke a patch of ice poor Padfoot was standing on, giving the pooch a bit of a fright and four very wet paws.

Not to be confused with Hobgoblins (which are actually rather nice, often misunderstood creatures, who could be compared to a house brownie in temperament and behaviour) the goblins who live down by the stream are quite mean-spirited. They push and trip anyone who 'invades' their space. They cloak themselves with invisibility and create all sorts of mischief. In the summer, they keep swarms of bugs and mosquitoes, making it very unpleasant to explore their domain.

I wonder if some ale would appease them? Hmmm, I don't know how I feel about having drunken goblins on my doorstep demanding another round.

And the winner is....

The lovely Mrs E! Congrats!

Last day to enter!

Just a little reminder that the Thimble Garden Giveaway is closing today. Check out the original post for details. There's still time to enter.

I'll announce the winner this evening.

xoxo

A hunting we will go...

Tonight, D and I went on a faerie hunt. We weren't trying to capture the wee things, just out to spy clues that they may be around. We set off just before twilight and headed to the field behind our property.

The first thing we found was a lovely white feather in our path. D was sure it was a sign that the faerie folk were welcoming us.

There is a group of strange little trees that sits in that field. They are absolutely brilliant. Old and covered in moss with giant thorns. We decided this would be a good place to leave our offering.

The thorns on those old souls really are amazing.You can just see our house on the right of the photo between the branches.

 

Now, I don't have photographic proof of it but we did have a VERY strange experience back in that small grove of trees. When we were ready to move on we called to our pooch, Padfoot, to join us. He ran towards us and then seemed to get stuck, caught on something and then ran in circles. I moved forward to 'free' him but could see that he wasn't caught at all. I moved forward again and this time he seemed to focus on something in the trees and stood up! Every time we would call him, his attention was drawn away, and he would stand up on his hind legs again and again!

After that spot of excitement D found this little spot which he is quite certain is a faerie home.

We examined loads of little holes that might have led to exciting faerie places.

We found a thin little trail, only a few inches wide, but determined that this must be a deer path and probably didn't have anything to do with the wee folk.

The thing about twilight is that it turns to dark very quickly. Very soon it was time to head back inside for baths, tea and trying to get Dad to believe that the faeries had their way with poor Padfoot tonight.

Nighty night!

How to... Make Mossy Cottages

 As promised, here's a video demonstrating how to make the little mossy cottages above.



Be sure to make bunches, make loads of mushrooms, grab yourself some thimbles and come back next week to see how it all goes together.

If you are very lazy and don't want to make a little cottage just check out yesterday's post and you can try to win one instead :)

Do You Believe? A Thimble Garden Giveaway

Last week I said I'd do a giveaway and now seems like a fine time. I was thinking that perhaps we could follow up D's list of questions with one more...

If you believe in faeries shout it out! You can enter up to three times. Post a reply below, tweet @pixiehillstudio, and hop over to my facebook page and leave a comment. On Friday a winner will be randomly picked and sent the little thimble pictured above.

Be sure I can contact you if you win. Winner will have 3 days to send contact info. If the winner fails to answer a second entry will be chosen in it's place. Please, enter only once per entry type.

Good Luck!

Edited to add: Yes! This is open world wide for true faerie believers :)