The Embroidery Clock

If you follow this blog you may remember that a very short while ago I held a little auction to raise a few dollars for the Pixie Project. I was going to create a Borrower's Box for the auction winner. The winner was a very sweet lady who happens to live not TOO far away and she actually dropped off a fair few bits and bobs to include in the piece. I tried to include as many of those sweet little things and snippets as I possibly could.

After a fair bit of ho-ing and hum-ing I managed to complete the task and the winner picked up her wee 'house' today. So, I can now safely show off what I've been working on :)

This clock has been in my stash for quite a while. Sometimes when I'm stuck creatively I'll clean... when I came across this I knew it would be the perfect base for a little creatures home.

The inside is hollow and made a pefect (albeit small) space. Here you can see the roof top terrace where a someone has enjoyed a spot of tea.

Here's an overview of the inside. It's quite tight in there, but filled with nice little things.

A detail shot of a little table with a bowl of a rose petals and a clothes peg bench.

A fireplace with a gorgeous little cast iron cauldron and metal button she supplied.

 

Upstairs there's a match stick ladder leading to a sleeping loft.

You can see a stack of handmade miniature books and a birthday candle at the end of the bed.

 

Pretty things at the bottom of the ladder.

A matchbox bed with blankets made with vintage lacy bits. AND check out the size of that dolly. Believe it or not the limbs actually move! Plus, look at the mico-embroidery provided by the client.

Finally, here's a little spot for a little embroider. Filled with spools, needle and thread, lace and some very sweet vintage french stamps. And, if you look in the upper right corner, you can see that the flooring is held up by snails!

It was such a pleasure creating this little space and a great honor to use little heirlooms to make it even more special.

Celebrate Oz 2013 - Altered Oz

The fabulous Oma Linda is hosting a Celebrate Oz blog party and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join in the fun!

I remember reading the Oz books as a child but I don't remember many details other than the absolutely terrifying illustrations...

Illustration from my childhood copy of Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

Scary stuff! But I also recall that land of Oz extends far greater than that classic film with the rainbow song.

This March break, the Pixie family went to see the new Oz flick which explores more of that world and the great wizard himself. One of the best parts of the new film was the fantastic balloon ride our hero goes on. Because I've been admiring the light bulb hot air balloons I've been spying on pinterest for a while now, I decided to make one as my contribution to the blog party.

And so, here is my vintage Wizard of Oz in his altered hot air balloon...

AND because I kinda like munchkins and wee folk of all sorts I'm giving away a set of my new "Winged Things" Mini cards. Just comment below and you'll automatically be entered (just make sure I can contact you). I'll pick a random winner next Friday, March 22nd.

 

Now, hop over to Oma Linda's Olde Baggs n' Stuft Shirts and check out the rest of the fabulous  bloggy fun!

March Break and a Tiny Reading Spot

Sorry it's been a little quiet around here but it's March break and I've been distracted. Not only is the kiddo home, but Mr. Pixie took the week off too. I'm sure you can appreciate that very little is getting done. We've got a few little things planned (today it's sushi and karate!) but mostly we're just hanging out.

One thing that I thought I should mention... I'll be at the Brighton Public Library making paper crowns and wishing wands this Friday, March 15. At just $2 per kiddo I'm not sure how many spaces are left but you can contact the library directly to find out 613-475-2511 [email protected]

One thing I have managed to finish up is this little dome.

I started off with this Plastic Dome from Alpha Stamps and created a base using this 3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder and Egg Cup.

I've cut out some brownies from the Queer People Collage Sheet and they're hiding throughout the mossy mound.

Where are those wee creatures going? At the top is a tiny handmade chair and some itty bitty books with dog-eared pages and bookmarks too boot. What better place for a read than the top of a fairy hill :)

xoxo

Speaking of design

This issue has come up a couple of times and I'd like to address it.

When you hire a seamstress to make a dress, you are paying for the dress... not the rights to the pattern. Her services are paid for, she provides you with a final product. Easy peasy.

When people hire me as a designer, the same thing applies right? They request something, I design it, hand over the finished piece, and we're all good. But wait! What if the client wants the working file? What if they want the bones of your work? The graphic design 'pattern' you created.

I do NOT provide working files to my clients and there's a good reason for that. Let me put it to you like this...

Lets say you go to a fancy restaurant and order a magnificent meal. You think to yourself "Hey! I'm pretty handy in the kitchen! I have a stove and some pots. I'll just ask for the ingredients and recreate this at home!" The chef smiles and tells you exactly what goes into his dish. He even winks and whispers the secret ingredient in your ear.

Bonus! You're cooking for a date the following week and this will be perfect.

It's date night. After you gather your ingredients and begin to attempt to recreate the dish, you realize there's a problem. You don't know if you purchased the right cut of beef, how he prepared the peppers, the amount of cumin that was added, the temperature it was cooked at or for how long and you don't even remember there being carrots in it at all! The result is edible, but it's nothing like the gourmet meal prepared the week before.

Your date asks where you got the recipe and you give her the chefs name. She smiles and nods but makes a mental note not to eat at his restaurant.

It takes more than fancy software to design something well. Good design requires care, skill, knowledge, sensitivity, and experience to mix space, colour, shape, line, images, type and text into something effective and visually appealing.

I care a great deal about the work I do. (As both a designer and an artist.) Time and time again I have seen design work ruined because someone with limited experience altered original working files. Honestly,  I'm not being a meanie by keeping the files. By NOT distributing original working documents I am ensuring the integrity of my work and my reputation as a designer.


Now go and hug a designer! We need some lovin' ;)

A Busy Bee

I've been keeping myself busy lately but I don't have much to show for it just yet.

The whip has been cracked and I've been doing some graphic design work. I have a love hate relationship with graphic design. When a job goes well it's pretty darned satisfying. When it doesn't there's a blue streak spewing from my mouth ;)

Designing puts me in a different state of mind than other forms of making. Although it's all creating, I just FEEL different doing it.

Anyway, here's a couple of little projects from a couple of weeks ago that I don't think I showed off here. They are both currently at Impresario Artisan Market in Cobourg.

AND I'm so thrilled to be able to say that the Pixie Project has reached more than 50% of it's goal. I know I said I would only make the single plea on here but I fibbed... BUT just a little! I've updated the indiegogo page with a video of me ummming, ahhhhing, fidgeting like a tick and looking a general wreck, all for a good cause. Hop over, share the link and I'll blow some fairy kisses your way.

xoxo

Thinkin' Spring

There's still snow on the ground but I can feel spring peeking it's gorgeous head around the corner.  Alpha Stamps is currently offering an "Easter Parade Kit" filled with beautiful springy things. I made this little eggy book from Chipboard Egg Die-Cuts and held together with  Metallic Mini Brads.

There are also some sweet new collage sheets and absolutely stunning new Dresden scraps on the site, so quick like a bunny and check it out for yourself.

Speaking of spring... I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be vending at The Mother of All Craft Shows in Corbyville/Belleville on May 5th. I don't do many shows but this one looked like fun and it's for a good cause, Fixed Fur Life. If you're around stop by and say 'Hiya!"

I'm really looking forward to the event and showing off some of my shiny new card designs which have been shipped off to the printer. I'm especially giddy about my new sets of  'Winged Things' mini-cards!

I have a feeling that this Spring is going to be a dandy :) Here's hoping it's filled with wonder and good things for all of us.

Graphic 45 Design Team 2013 Audition

A little bit of excitement today as Graphic 45 announced their design team call for 2013! If that makes you a little tingly too, check out the full details HERE.

Being a bit of a paper hussy I could hardly let the opportunity pass. So, I'm tossing my craftin' hat into the ring, crossing all of my fingers and toes and hoping for the best. Here's a few of my favourite projects from the past year, I hope you like them too :)

 

Laying low

The planets must be jumbled because everything seem rather sticky and messed up at the moment. I think the key to surviving the rest of the week will be to lay low and try to avoid anything truly disastrous. Hopefully everything will sort itself out sooner rather than later because I could really use a bit of goodness.

It's been nose to the grindstone here. I've been working on some cards for spring (just the thing to do on a snowy winters day). Here's a sneak peek at one of the new designs...

Not entirely sold on the words... but we'll see what happens.

I've also been working on some new full moons. While I usually create my moony faces in paper clay I thought I'd do a series in polymer clay so that they could be worn as a brooch. The first one listed can be found here.

I also made two mandrake brooches! One is already listed here.

Ok, I'm heading back into the studio to keep out of troubles way. Wish me luck!

Papery love

I think the glue is still wet on this one but I couldn't wait to share. Really it's just a load of fun with paper...

The base of the piece is made from the boxes from the  Layer Cake Paper Mache Box Set. (I swiped the lids for other projects) and you can grab some of those trims, papers and flowers from Alpha Stamps too. The tree at the top is made from twisted brown paper bags.

And here's a nice close-up detail shot of the tiered portion.

I'm really pleased with how this came out. There's a zillion little parts to it, but it looks like a fairy wedding gift.

Happy Monday!

Winged things and missing mail

I've spent the day makin' this troop of winged things...

They're going to part of a new batch of work for greeting cards which (fingers crossed) should be available in a few weeks.

ALSO please note, I'm having a heck of a time with my email. I have no idea what has or has not been going out or coming in but I suspect shenanigans!

If I owe you a message, or you think you've been lost in the abyss of cyber space... I'm sorry and I have pulled out my wand in the hopes the issue (whatever it is) is resolved soon!

New and Improved Pesky Piskie Photos

Thanks to the sunshine (and the realization that my macro setting was somehow turned off) I have some improved pictures of the captured Cornish Piskie!

 

Here she is, sitting still for just a moment. Piskies do not sit still for long. If you happen to capture one, you must act quickly and be very patient in order to get a good photograph.

It was quite dangerous of me to remove the lid, I could have lost a finger! Thanks to BLiSsAngELs for the suggestion that a nibble of cake might appease her for a short while, I was only nipped twice. 

How big is she? Well her box measures just 5" tall, and don't worry, the lid, once again, is firmly in place.

Ode to Stash Joy Shrine

So there's this sad little box that has been in my stash for ages. At some point I had painted it black, gave it glittery yellow interior and some sparkly red trim but it sat in my 'to do' drawer for about 3 years untouched. That is until yesterday when I got a bit 'stuck'. When I get stuck I try to get myself going again by cleaning up my mess. When doing so yesterday, I came across the little black box. I thought that it might be a nice little project to get the mess making juices going again...

 

I just began gluing things down and eventually it became a shrine to the all of the little bits in my stash that never get used. You know, all those beads and sequins and things that sit around and rarely get used and you think "I can't get rid of those! What if I need 10,000 star sequins one day?"

 

Anyway I rather like it. It feels lovely and heavy in your hands. It's a bit of a mess... but a hot mess... and I think it's rather joyous in it's sparkly goodness.

I'm thinking I'll make a larger one next time and REALLY go to town using those old stashy things that have gone far too long without attention.

Sneaky peeky at a pesky piskie

I worked on this piece today. A captured Cornish Piskie.

I was pretty darned pleased until I tried to photograph her. Grrrr. She was pulling all sorts of horrible faces, moving around so that the pictures were blurry, and hiding in the shadows. Here's hoping a good night sleep will do her good and she'll be more photogenic in the sunshine tomorrow.

Fingers crossed she doesn't escape before then!

A goat named Nymeria

I finished up another painting inspired by Missing Willow Farm last night. This one is much smaller than the last at 8" x 6"

I dropped the lamb painting off at Impresario Artisan Market on Sunday and Rebecca commented on the sort of dabby, smooshy kind of painting I do. I didn't always do that. I used to paint like this...

Those studies are pretty darned accurate, but reproducing something is a skill and is only one part of the act of  making. I eventually came to a point where it became more important to enjoy the painting process, to celebrate the little strokes and ticks of colour than to get hung up on perfect rendering.

Now, if you'll pardon me, I think I'll got and get dabby with some oils ;)

Pixie Box

You may recognize the pixie from this piece. She was the gal on the Valentines Day cards I made this year. I'm pleased to say she now has a permanent home in this piece.

It measures 10" tall, the outside painted like the night sky with a few sparkles and stars too boot.

She's already made her way to Impresario Artisan Market in Cobourg. Hopefully she'll find a nice home quickly. If not I'll have to sneak her back and adopt her out myself ;)


AND... If you're living in the Great White North, HAPPY FAMILY DAY! No idea what I'm talking about? Family Day is a new holiday here, smack dab in the middle of the winter blahs. Some people belly ache over it, saying it's a silly made up holiday, but I say anything promoting a day with the family is a good thing. The Pixie family plans? ROCKBAND! The hardest decision I plan on making today is drums or vocals.

Exploding carousel box

I've been working really hard the past few days. As usual there are three million works in progress in my studio but I was determined to get at least one or two done this week. So I've worked my fingers to the bone and managed to complete a number of projects.

One of the items completed this week (which is a little bit of a fib because it'll get a few more finishing touches still) is this exploding carousel box from alphastamps.com. Laura over at Artfully Musing created a Valentine masterpiece with the same box and even has a tutorial.

 When the lid is lifted, the sides fall open and reveal another compartment inside.

(I really like that this lid comes off completely.)

There's gorgeous paper flowers and a little house in there.

Really, the possibilities with this box are endless...

... but I am partial to butterflies and moss ;)

Favourite products?

  

Gardenias - Mixed Pink: Absolutely scrummy. So good it's the type of thing you're tempted to hoard and save.

Olde Curiosity Shoppe Butterfly Specifics Scrapbook Paper  I adore this paper and use those lovely butterflies at every opportunity.

Little Lamb Painting

One of my favourite crafty peeps is Connie at Missing Willow Farm.

If you haven't visited her blog, YOU MUST GO NOW!

At this very moment there are posts galore of gorgeous baby animals. I'm pretty sure if I lived there I'd be making a right fool of myself baby-talking and cooing over all the little lambs and kids.

Connie was kind enough to let me use her photos as reference for a painting or two. Here's the first completed.

He's far from perfect, I know, but he's rather sweet and a nice size at around 31" x 21".

This one was done with acrylic and I think I might try the next in oils. I'm sure I'll regret that decision after about three minutes.

P.S. Just 2 days left to bid on a personalized 'Borrower's Box' The auction is currently at just $11.50 so get over there and START BIDDING!