(Almost) Perfection!

Our open house was this past Saturday and it was the most amazing day.

A surprise visit from a friend and around 100 of the sweetest visitors from all over. Each of them was a delight. I know that people often say that they have the best 'followers' but I truly do. They are kind and funny and full of just the right amount of mischief and they make me feel pretty dang special.

The day didn't go off without a hitch. The mailbox had to be replaced at the last minute and was a general pain in the bottom. We had planned for a crafting table that never seemed to make it outside. But there were successes. Who knew challenging people to pile stones atop one another would be such a rip-roaring success? (The record was 10 stacked stones by the way.) And these little certificates went over really well too.

In the past it has been the kids reactions to this place that really made all the hard work worthwhile. This year was a little different. This year it was the glimmer in the grown-ups that moved me most of all. So, an extra large THANK YOU is in order to every single 'big person' who blew more bubbles than you needed to and made a wish when you thought no one was looking.

I'll get a nice post with pretty pictures up later in the week... but I did want to thank all of the visitors and all of those who sent their well-wishes from a distance. I love you. Seriously. I think you're awesome. Each and every one of you.

Finally, this viddy (language warning) isn't of the tour but rather a compilation of me messing up and swearing. I put it together after sharing tutorial disaster stories with my G45 teamies a few months ago. Not having everything go according to plan this weekend reminded me of this vid. 

I mess up all the time, and things rarely go according to plan. I'm totally ok with not being perfect. In fact, I think imperfection might be underrated. 


P.S. I know I missed the 'little thing challenge' this Sunday. I'll be switching things up a little bit starting next week.

Garden Fairy Crown for Gina's Designs

I love crowns. I do. I adore them and make them often. I guess I haven't had my fill of fancy head wear because I've made another. This one was created with chipboard shapes from GinasDesigns.net and it's this month's video tutorial.

The crown is made by layering Garden Fairies, Feathery Flourishes Set, Dragons Shape Set, and Tudor Rose Singles over a simple base. For some added interest I added texture using gel medium and the Texture Sheets Fiesta from Gina's.

Washes of ColourArt Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes and Twinkling H2Os Shimmering Watercolors are applied and then a smidge of glitter is added.

Some pretty paper flowers, butterflies and ribbons and voila! I'm pretty sure that wearing this will automatically make you a fairy princess.

Here's the video tutorial. The sound is a bit awful in spots and I'm sorry about that (honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing and it's a miracle I muddle through at all!). If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Here is the full supply list:

Texture Sheets Fiesta

Garden Fairies
Dragons Shape Set
Feathery Flourishes Set 
Tudor Rose Singles

ColourArt Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes 

ColourArt Twinkling H2Os Shimmering Watercolors

Golden heavy gel
Butterflies

Petaloo Botanica Flowers

Glue
White paint

Glitter (this is what I used)
Ribbon

Heavy card

The Infirmary

As Pixie Hill will be playing the role of fairy sanctuary this summer, it only seems right that we have a little clinic, an infirmary to care for injured and unwell fairy folk.

My neighbour gifted me this house last fall. It was scribbled on and glitterfied and had clearly been well loved. It was also going to be tossed into a fire before she saved it and brought it to my door. It's not done done (door needs more paint, signs need to be replaced, and there's a few details missing) but it's done enough to show off and for visitors to look at during my open house.

There's loads of little beds, baskets of fruit, flowers and 'get well' cards within. There's even little medical charts pegged to some of the beds.

There's an examination rooms with medicine, bottle, vials and charts.

A privacy screen for modest little folk.

Extra sheets, cleaning supplies and bandages are in the upstairs hallway.

There are a few more things I'd really like to add, but I think any unwell pixies will recover just fine as it is right now.

P.S. Thank you, Carol!

One Little Thing - Texture Challenge!

This week I'd like to challenge you to create one little thing with added texture.

If you're a writer, think about adding a descriptive word or two to your vocabulary. For mixed media artists, consider new ways to add different interesting texture to your work. Artists you might want to try emulate a textured surface.

Good luck!

Fairy Tour 2015: Sanctuary and Museum

Just one week until our summer open house!

If you're near on July 4th, 2015 pop in for a visit.

Pixie Hill is located in Brighton, Ontario Canada.
Our address is 134 Bullis Rd.

Here's the run down....

For the duration of the summer, Pixie Hill will henceforth be a Fairy Sanctuary and Very Small Museum. You can be the first to peek and poke around the place on July 4th, 11 - 4.

Inside, visitors can peek at the showroom, see some magical arty things, and view some fairy specimens.

Outside, visitors can roam the lawn and spy the little homes and encampment that provide a safe heaven for pixie, fairies and other wee folk.

We have fairies that have traveled far and wide to take advantage of our 'catch-free zone'.

During our open house event you can:

• Participate in a visual scavenger hunt.
• Obtain a fairy name

• Make a wish

• Create something nifty
• Collect fairy mail**
• Visit the art and craft showroom
• See fairy artifacts
• Receive a very important award

**IMPORTANT: Requests for personalized fairy mail must be received by June 30th.
Email HERE

My friend and fellow artist Marc Bourdon will be joining me this year
 and offering face painting for a small fee.

The open house is free to attend, but donations are appreciated.

ALL ages are welcome and bringing children is not a requirement ;)

Cash, or credit cards are accepted for showroom purchases.
We do not take debit (though you could etransfer if in a pinch).

Can't join us on July 4th? No problem, the sanctuary will (mostly) be set up throughout the summer. If you have kids that don't like hustle and bustle, you are absolutely welcome to arrange a quiet, private visit. It's no trouble at all, but 24 hours notice is appreciated.

_______________________________________

Note: Pixie Hill is not a park. We do not have rides or playground equipment.

The Wandry Room

I've hustled, avoided all housework, and managed to get my little corner done. Are you ready? I think you're going to like it...

"The Wandry Room" just like a boring laundry room... only for fairy wands and wings.

Inside! I am smitten. I can't hardly believe I made it with my own stubby hands :) There's a lot going on in there. Including a bottled magic, soap, baking soda, wand and wing starch, bars of soap, buckets, and a wandry machine for getting tough wand stains.

There's even suds in the tiny sink.

A wee little plug.

Maybe the plumbing needs to be checked? There's some extra wand parts being stored under the sink.

In case you were worried, the owner of this fine establishment is certified.

A teeny wand repair manual c. 1978 in the tool tub on the shelf.

To properly clean wands and wings you need bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles.

Sometimes magic spills a bit here and there. You can see some freshly cleaned wands drying on the left.

There's some other care manuals tucked here and there too.

And here are some wings and wands tagged and ready to be picked up.

Finally a shot with my grubby hand to give you a good idea of the size. It measures 7" x 8" x 4". I used one of my Corner Box as the base. Here are some of the other products I used:

Miniature Wooden Crates 

Bronze Stopwatch Clock Charm - Roman Numerals 

Miniature Wine Bottles* 

Amber Even Tinier Bottles* 

Even Tinier Bottles* 

Doll Buttons - 4mm Mix* 

Iridescent Glass Micro Beads in Bottle* 

Diamond Glaze 

Tim Holtz Long Mini Brads 

Brick Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet* 

And some products that are similar that you may find useful:

Set of Miniature Books* 

Set of Mini Wooden Buckets 

Stork Scissors 


Or you can just hop HERE for the whole she-bang listed in one spot :)

The Wandry Room is currently listed in the etsy HERE.

Simple Floral Favors for Petaloo

Holy heck! I almost forgot to post this super sweet project I created for Petaloo!

Although I've been married for an age, I believe the worries of time and money probably still plague brides-to-be today. I thought this project may be too simple but quickly realized that might be exactly what someone needs, an oh so simple favour that can be done in a pinch.

Ok, ok... but what are they?

Pretty floral rings! Easy as can be to make. Simply affix the blooms to a ring blank and ta-da! You've got a cute as a button favour for your guests. Selecting adjustable rings will take the worry out of fitting.

Give as party favours at a bridal shower, or give as a sweet token of affection to those who help make your day special.

I've used Chantilly Mixed Blooms in Sienna 1279-212 and Textured Elements Mini Blossoms in Red 1263-212 but I am certain that there is a Petaloo bloom to match any wedding colour pallet. 

Supplies:
Textured Elements Mini Blossoms in Red 1263-212
Chantilly Mixed Blooms in Sienna 1279-212 
Adjustable ring blanks