And we're back...

Every year we go camping at a different provincial park. This year we scooted off to Charleston Lake. We came home a day early because there were thunderstorms in the forecast and we rough-it old school in leaky tents.

Things got off to a rough start. Our first night was a wreak when the people in the site across from ours showed up late, setting up camp at 10pm, headlights shining into our tent, shouting and swearing "WHERE'S THE GARBAGE?" and "HE F*CKED UP THE TENT!". They were bloody awful. Over the next day they let their dog loose to bark and chase every passer-by, chopped down a damned tree for firewood, continually drove the wrong way down one way lane and seemed to have some sort of contest as to who could slam the car door the loudest.

Next to that hot mess were three drunk loud talkers. At one point one of the 'gentlemen' started shouting, certain that the raccoon that was invading their camp site was a child trying to steal their fire wood. "I'd come and chase you through the woods if I had brought my gun!"Followed by the loud crashing sound of someone diving into a tower of beer cans and a case of empties. They were gone at 7am so I'm pretty sure they were removed from the park... I would have preferred them to the dinkuses across from us.

Things weren't helped by the fact that the next morning we were woken by what seemed to be a dozen babies crying and a pack of dogs yelping, barking and whining. I swear we had to have gone during some strange experimental week where people with sheltered pets, cranky babies and a sincere belief that rules and social graces do not apply to them were given a steep discount. I've never been in such an unruly provincial park.

BUT it wasn't all bad. Our last day we canoed out to a tiny little island and had lunch in our own little world. We hiked and swam and roasted things on the fire. That's gotta count for something right?

Here's a butload pics from our adventure...

The park was gorgeous and canoeing was fab... but there are many other Provincial Parks higher on my favourite list. Ah well, can't win them all.

Oops! I almost forgot! I left one of my bird books in the mossy roots of this magnificent old tree! I hope it was picked up quickly by a very nice (hopefully sober and quiet) stranger :)

Proud Priscilla's Bohemian Bazaar Matchbox House

I'm so excited to share this project. I've had to sit on my hands to stop myself from posting it sooner BUT today it's being featured on the Graphic 45 blog so I can safely show it off.

May I present, Proud Priscilla's Bohemian Bazaar Matchbox House!

This project was created with Small Matchbook Box as a base and embellished with of my very favourite paper collections: Bohemian Bazaar. A couple of years ago my arty pallet consisted mainly of grey, brown and black. I made a conscious effort to add bit of colour to my work... now I can't get enough. Bohemian Bazaar makes me happy just to look at it :) AND check out the windows and door... those are the G45 Staples Ornate Metal Key Holes

 And those keys... LOVE them.

Turn the wee building around there's our Proud Priscilla standing in her garden of Petaloo flowers :)

For more pics and complete materials list hop over to the Graphic 45 blog!

The Great Migration - Faerie Village Opening Day

Today is the anniversary of The Gates, our local arts centre, headquarters to the Brighton Arts Council AND the summer vacation home of the Pixie Hill faeries. This is the second time the fairies have taken a vacation at the Gates. It's a labour of love, a gift to the town I love, and an excellent opportunity to spread arty farty goodness to the public.

It's opening day of the fairy village and I think it turned out pretty stinkin' cute. A big fat thanks to some of the local artists who contributed items to the tour - Ron Waddling, Roni Glenn, Anja and Natasha Hertle, Kathy Powell and Louise Sirtonski. AND more wet sloppy kisses to Wendy Larsson, Chris Bird, Liz Kay, Erin Schwab, Kevin Gilbert, Joanne MacDonell, Mr. Higgins, Diane Douglas, Julia La Rosa and Linda Wildenstein for contributing pennies :) You've all made such a difference and I love you for it.

I'll post some pics of the opening event later but for now here are some post set-up/pre-opening pictures....

HUGE thanks to Louise Sirtonski for assisting with the set up and delivering these amazing dragonflies by Kathy Powell!

THANK YOU Kevin and Erin for your generous contribution

THANK YOU Joanne MacDonell for your generous contribution!

THANK YOU Natasha Hertle for your beautiful contribution!

More of the lovely dragonflies contributed by Kathy Powell

BIG THANKS to Roni Glenn for contributing this amazing fairy house.

Here's hoping the rains hold off until AFTER the celebrations. Then again, faeries do like to play in puddles :)

Coming together

I managed to get over to The Gates to do a little more work on the fairy village installation being revealed this Saturday. Thank heavens! There's still a fair bit of work to do tomorrow BUT I feel like things are starting to come together. For a while it was all just looking like 'stuff' strewn here and there... but there's a little magic brewing now :)

AND just look at this magnificent boot house and teacup home!

The two were generous contributions by local artist Anja Hertle and her daughter. I am absolutely smitten with the boot and greedily thought about keeping it far longer than I should have. It really is magnificent :)

Why yes, I have lost my mind

I'm looking forward to this week being over. I'm bombarded with projects that need completion and last nights bed time was 3 am... the night before it was 5am. Yeah, I won't be a pretty sight by the time the weekend rolls around.

The fairy village installation at The Gates opens on Saturday and I am no where near done. The installation date was moved a week earlier than expected to coincide with the first anniversary celebrations at the site. It's a smart move as far as promotions and media interest are concerned... not so much with my schedule. So it's stealing an hour here and there to try and pull it all together. Fingers crossed.

 

These little hanging pixie houses are one of the projects I completed last night. I think they will be super cute hanging here and there from the trees.

I was totally inspired after seeing the above images on Pinterest. The original post is from Filth Wizardry, an art and craft blog for kids. How flipping cute are they? I totally swiped the idea and ran with it.

Super-cute AND recycling... how can you go wrong?

Wish me luck on completing the week with what is left of my sanity intact. I'm not holding my breath ;)

Christmas in July & A French Lady

I received a package of fresh new papers from Graphic 45 last night.

Mother Goose is cute and cheery and has loads of "Twinkle, twinkle little star" bits. Ring Around the Rosies, Checkers and Nursery Rhymes are loverly.

 12 Days of Christmas is just yummy. I particularly like 12 Days of Christmas because I love plaid at Christmas. I'm feeling the peppermint stripes of Drummers Drumming. Christmas Rose is just all sorts of shabby chic gorgeous.

And now that I've got the new papers in my greedy little hands I'm going to have to find a way to wrap my mind around doing Christmas projects in this July heat. Geesh!

I'll leave you today with this ATC I created using A Ladies Diary and French Country... just a little Ooh, la la for your Friday :)

Summer Beachy Bunting

You know those people who complain about the cold in winter and long for hot summery days? I'm not one of them. I'll take the cold over this hot humid sticky mess any day of the week. To make matters worse my husband likes to wait until we are all in absolute drippy misery before turning the a/c on. Last night I said I would no longer be cooking until the heat wave broke... the air went on soon after.

 
As much as I dislike the heat, there are some very nice things about summer. Bright and breezy days, sitting by the pool, trips to the beach, camping under the stars and firefly shows... they are all rather splendid.

I created this summery beach bunting for Alpha Stamps. It reminds me of the sweet and cheery things that I do like about summer. and looks pretty darned cute hanging on my mantle ;)

Here's a better look at each of the pieces...

Alpha Stamps is currently offering a Heat Wave Beach Sale and a giveaway too boot so hop over and try your luck. AND while you are there look at those little treasure chests! I'm just a little jealous I didn't get one in my design team package :)

Stay cool!