Faeries, Frocks and Godmothers

With the arrival of the glorious spring weather the faeries have come out of hiding and hibernation. I thought it might be a good time to talk about them, the fair folk, and share some faerie truths.

When one thinks of faeries they often imagine tiny winged pretty ladies either scantily clad or clothed in frilly frocks.

While it is true that in the throes of summer many fae opt for minimal covering (they don't have air conditioning after all), I am assured they do not pose with arched backs nor push their bosom forward seductively. That said, please beware that there ARE several varieties of faerie who like to lure men into harms way. Long story short, if you happen upon a sexy faerie, tis best to run in the opposite direction.

Now, about those frilly frocks...

Five inch frock worn by Miss Gwendoline Twinkle during the strawberry harvest festival of 1913.

Frilly frocks and pretty dresses are rarely worn by the fair folk. The little people usually prefer clothing that is comfortable and practical. The above dress and slippers fit neither category. There is an exception to this general rule: Fairy Godmothers.

Full 6" dress, boots, hat and wand from the closet of Miss Mulberry Threadbare.

While Fairy Godmothers are soft hearted and mostly very nice and down to earth, there is a recent trend among the younger faction to wear large ornamental dresses and completely impractical footwear. The appeal seems to be gaining momentum through the ranks of Godmotherhood, extending as far as the matronly Eldermothers.

While many faerie folk believe these dresses to be ostentatious and showy (some rolling their eyes at the mere mention of them) they also know that there is no harm in it. 

The general consensus is "So long as their job is done, let them look as silly as they like."

The frocks pictured above will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. You can find the current "Open House" schedule HERE.

The Meaning of Life with Graphic 45

The Graphic 45 window shadow boxes just beg to display collections. And collections should definitely be displayed! What use are those little tid-bits we hold dear if only to be shoved in a box in the back of the closet?

So I gussied up a Black Window Shadow Box with Craftmanship and This Old House from Artisan Style, added some chipboard gears and wings, topped it with vintage ‘junk’ and then finished it off with a Door Knocker for a bit of ‘rawr!’.

On the little shelves I’ve tucked new and vintage treasures.

 It may seem like a jumble of miscellaneous bits but there is a loose theme here: the meaning of life according to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The number 42.

And you should defo hop over to the G45 blog today to peek at more amazing work by my teamies and a chance to win some 'Raining Cats and Dogs' papery goodness.

The Supply List:
Window Shadow Box
Artisan Style Craftmanship
Artisan Style This Old House
Door Knocker
Steampunk Shape Set
Faux Metal Number PlatesFiligree Corners
JUNK!
Adhesive
Acrylic paint

The May Two Four

It's a holiday here, the Victoria Day weekend, or 'the May Two Four' is the slang name that is most often used. Originally intended as a celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday, it's really the weekend gardeners start their planting in earnest and bend a few elbows to enjoy a tipple or two of their favourite summer beverage. It's kind of the Canadian kick off of summer.

While Mr Pixie has been over exerting himself in the garden I've been puttering and picking boughs of lilacs. I LOVE lilacs and their pretty perfume. My kitchen smells divine because of these beauties.

And one little bit of magic to share... this guy. 

Isn't he a beauty?! I found him peeking though our kitchen window last night. I grabbed a few shots then hurried to find my tripod but when I returned he had already left. He must have been called back to the fairy party.

Before chores

Most Sundays are about chores around the Pixie house.

After I put the laundry on the line but before the floors and cleaning I went about the garden and took a few snaps. Everything is coming alive and the springtime greenery is starting to be dotted with colour :)

No wonder the dogs allergies are acting up. Check out all that pollen inside our tulips!

The white and pink 'bleeding hearts' are doing their dangly thing.

I'm sure the faeries had something to do with the Lily of the Valley popping up all at once.

And those beautiful apple blossoms... *dreamy sigh* 

Hope your Sunday chores get done... but that you take time to notice the nice things going on quietly around you too.

One Little Thing - The Night Sky

This week we'll be exploring one of my very favourite themes: The Night Sky!

The moon, stars, planets, darkness, bats, the milky way, dreams, sleep, lightening bugs... there are so many beautiful things that happen when the sun goes down.

Create one little thing based on your interpretation of The Night Sky.

Remember, as long as you try, you will succeed in this challenge! The intent is to spend at least a few moments every week being creative.

Have fun!

Home Sweet Home Cards for Graphic 45

We grow most of our own vegetables, collect eggs from our hens, make preserves and hang laundry on the line in the summer. 

The Home Sweet Home represents all of the things we love about our rural lifestyle. It’s bright and cheery, fun and clean. 

It’s a great collection that’s a breeze to work with. I created four cards with this collection, using one sheet of Core’dinations card stock as my base. I have no doubt that this will be a well used collection in this house :)

Supply List

Home Sweet Home Apple Pie
Home Sweet Home Handmade
Home Sweet Home Farmers Market
Home Sweet Home Home Sweet Home
Home Sweet Home Garden Fresh
Home Sweet Home Granny’s Quilt
Home Sweet Home Country Life
Core’dinations Creme Brulee
Jute Twine

Hope over to the G45 blog for a good gander at more cards and goodies created with Graphic 45

Guess what?

Chicken butt.

Sorry. I couldn't help myself :P

Done! Miniature Second Year Hogwarts Textbooks

If you can look past the inky, painted, grubby glue covered fingers, you'll see the miniature version of the required textbooks for year two Hogwart's students.

My thumb looks disproportionately HUGE in this photo!

I think I've satisfied my miniature book urges for a while.

I also made some 'autograph' cards to be sent out with the books.

Gilderoy would have wanted it that way ;)

There are 12 sets currently available HERE. 

This is a limited edition so I will NOT be making more. 

One Little Thing - Comfort Zone Challenge!

This week I'd like to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.

Create one little thing, using whatever topic you like, but use a medium that challenges you. If you would normally paint... write a poem. If you're a paper crafter, try drawing a picture.

Remember, you aren't being judged, there is no wrong way to complete the challenge. Success is measured by the fact that you tried... not the end result.

"Of Summer & Bees" Deja Vu

No, you are not going crazy. Yes, I posted this project not long ago.

Alpha Stamps is now carrying just about everything you need to recreate this project I designed for Ginas Designs Lasercuts. Also newly available, this collage sheet of vintage blushing beauties. They're really wonderful and (I think) a little bit otherworldly.

And here's the tutorial again, to help you along :)

Helloooo Prof. Lockhart

I've been working away on the year two Hogwarts textbooks. The year two list is filled with titles written by Gilderoy Lockhart. 

“Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five times winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. But I don't talk about that; I didn't get rid of the Banden Banshee by smiling at him.” 

~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

My Lockhart is a compilation of several vintage photographs. The hair, the eyes, the smirk, all coming from different people to create one handsome terrible mess of a man :) And here is his face adorning the covers designs I'm working on...

I think this set is going to be a lot of fun. They should be set to mail in about a week. If you want to be guaranteed a set you can order them from my etsy shop here. Pre-orders are slightly discounted and have free shipping. There will be a limited number of completed set available too. 

And I think they'll all have an extra fun little something included too...

Little drawers a'plenty

I'm in love. Seriously. Just look at these little drawers!

As soon as I saw this set of 24 drawers from Gina's Designs I knew I wanted to make them mine. 

Now, doing anything 24 times can be a bit of a pill. About 3/4 of the way though assembling all those boxes I thought "What have I gotten myself into?!" but I prevailed and I LOVE the results. I've embellished mine with papers from the Baby 2 Bride—Deluxe Collector's Edition and added vintage buttons to the front of those drawers.

Yes, yes... the insides are unfinished. Let's just pretend they're lined with music sheets... which they will be... one day.... maybe.

One of my very favourite things about these drawers is that if you aren't keen on the little finger pull cut out crescent, there is a small hole on the other side for adding knobs and handles. Either way, if you slip your drawer back in the wrong way (not that ever happens to me *cough cough*) you can easily pull it back out. They're a nice size too at 3.5" x 3.5" x 1.5".

I have a pair of these vintage metal handles I've topped my drawers with. Now that there's only one left, I guess I'll just have to make a second set.

Last little bit to finish it off, some chess pawns painted white and added as dainty feet. Yep. Pretty pleased with the shabby thing and I can't wait to fill those drawers with all sorts of magic.

The goods:
24 drawers from Gina's Designs
Baby 2 Bride—Deluxe Collector's Edition
Chess pawns
Vintage handle
Vintage buttons
Glue, glorious glue
Ink pad for distressing

The Pixie Schedule 2015

2015 is well under way and I've finally gotten around to scheduling some dates for events and workshops around this old dusty place.

 Here are our open dates for summer 2015:

Saturday, June 6 • 11 - 4

Saturday July 4 • FAIRY TOUR OPEN HOUSE • 11 - 4 

This is the big one. If you're making a drive to visit this is probably the day you'll want to come.

Saturday, August 1 • 11 - 4

I've also scheduled a few studio workshops. They'll be very small, and take place at Pixie Hill. You can see the listings HERE. Private visits and workshops may also be arranged (depending on scheduling) by shooting me an email at [email protected].

Paper Rosettes for Graphic 45 with Tutorial

When I created these rosettes it was with Mother’s Day in mind. Mothering can be a thankless job. The cleaning, the laundry, the dishes, the cooking, the cuddling, the worrying… it often gets done with little recognition (although cuddling is it’s own reward). 

I think a rosette, a first place ribbon, and a little “Thank you for cleaning the toilet, mum.” would make those thankless tasks much more bearable.

Placed on top of a big fat present would be pretty nice too.

These rosettes are created (mostly) with Precious Memories. There’s a dash of Botanical Tea, Home Sweet Home, and Couture too. Really, I just played with all of the collections, using the coordinating colours as my guide. Finished off with some Petaloo flowers, ribbons and burlap tails.

But I also created this rosette with Botanical Tea for a video tutorial to show you how to create your own.

Here are the supplies you'll need for the piece created in the tutorial:
Botanical Tea > Sweet Chamomile / Birds of a feather / Herbal Infusion
Time to flourish chipboard
Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle”
Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim

Petaloo Darjeeling Dahlias
Hot glue

And a few more to show off.... 

Supplies used in non-tutorial rosettes: Precious Memories:

Baby's Breath

Cherish

Cutie Pie

Pupp Dogs' Tails

Precious Memories Journaling Chipboard

Precious Memories Decorative Chipboard

Precious Memories Sticker

Botanical Tea Sweet Chamomile

Couture Alphabet Stickers

A place in time stickers

Spellbinders® Nestabilities® Decorative Elements “Royal Circle”

Petaloo flowers and blooms:
Botanica Petites

Botanica Blooms

Botanica Spring Berry Clusters

Darjeeling Dahlias
Darjeeling Petites
Fancy Trims: Burlap
Crochet Lace Fancy Trim
Misc ribbon

Hot glue

Padfoot Gets a Treat: Barkn Up the Green Tree

Something a little different today... our dear pooch, Padfoot, will be taking over. He was asked to do a review of some treats by Bark'n Up the Green Tree and since he doesn't have his own blog... well, you get the picture.

Bark'n Up the Green Tree, produces holistic vegan, gluten and nut free dog treats. She also creates cute (I mean really cute) hand-crafted apparel, collar accessories and collars from up-cycled and re-purposed materials. Paula, the creator behind Bark'n, is super nice too ;)

First we tried 'Rootalious' containing ingredients to "improve digestion and skin allergies" like sweet potato, carrots and coconut oil.

Pads could not wait to try it. 

Next up 'Garlic and Peppercorn' to "help against allergies". 

Having terrible allergies to just about everything (including chicken and his own dander), Padfoot was super excited about this one also!

The last one we sampled was 'Sparkling Fresh' with ingredients to freshen your furry friends dog breath.

So, how did the tasting go? 

Let's be honest, Padfoot IS a dog so he's pretty easy to please when it comes to treats but he definitely has preferences. We gave him a good sample of each to try first, then laid a bit of each for him to pick what he liked best. He quickly swooped in and grabbed the Rootalious and took off like shot to eat it in peace before gobbling up the others... but that might have been because it was the biggest piece and he is a greedy bugger.

In a blind test, where he could only smell the treats, he chose the 'Sparkling Fresh'.

Like I said, he's a dog and easy to please, and I knew he'd enjoy them. But then this happened....

I found Padfoot in the kitchen staring and bag of leftovers on the table. I'd say that's a pretty big seal of approval!

Feeling a bit bad for the old boy we gave him a few more pieces. He's usually pretty good at holding treats on his nose but failed miserably this time, preferring to gobble up the goods rather than impress us.

Padfoot's verdict? It's safe to say he loved his Bark'n Up the Green Tree treats. If you've got a furry friend please check them out and support an amazing small business.

P.S. I should mention that my kid thought they sounded so good he also tried the treats. He didn't like them as much as Pads but I reminded him they are for dogs, not boys.