What a difference a year (or two) makes

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the day we got the keys to this old place.

This house and it's hills grabbed me, saved me, swept me away from the nightmare we were living in and plonked us down in the middle of a fairy land.

This old place with it's creaks and wobbles, with it's 1980's wallpaper and pink carpeting. This old place that I love, and would happily spend the rest of my days in.

This weekend only, use the coupon code "TwoGreatYears" when you check out at the etsy shop, and get 20% off your purchase :)

The Mad Hatters Tea

I've never worked on an Alice in Wonderland piece before. I don't remember reading the book as kid, but  I do still have my childhood copy the Lewis Carroll classic. The Tim Burton flick must have touched on something deep inside my mind (as deep as my mind runs anyway) because it gave me terrible nightmares.

I dusted off my old copy of Alice's adventures and have started to re-introduce myself to the story and it's characters.

The visuals that are stirred up while reading it are wonderful. Almost every page is bringing new snippets of inspiration. And all that nonsense! It's all very charming.

The size of the actual box, not including the dodads, is approximately 7 x 8.57". Much of the imagery, and that glorious little spoon, comes from alphastamps.com

This piece is now listed in the etsy shop

Sail away...

I'm having a grand time on the Alpha Stamps design team. To be sent a box of delicious crafting goodies and then be set free to make glorious messes. How lucky can a gal get?

The little sail boat above is just 5" tall and includes uses the Kraft Postcard,  Bathing Beauties #2 Collage Sheet, Brass Starfish Charm, Art Deco Travel Ads (Clear Black Sticker), Half-Round Dresden Border and one the absolutely gorgeous Travel Adhesive Borders.

Now, skip on over to specialtyontario.com to read my interview with them. It's a wonderful showcase of the fabulous things Ontario has to offer.

xoxo

P.S. Stamps are going out tomorrow. Sorry I'm late but I kept forgetting to buy stamps!

An inspiration gone...

Maurice Sendak died today and I've got a case of the sads.

It wasn't until adulthood, when I started reading to my kidlet, that I discovered Mr. Sendak's work. It wasn't love at first sight, but over time it became deep respect and admiration. That's the best kind of love if you ask me.

I'm a rockstar!

Ok, not really. But I do feel  very fancy indeed because a gorgeous glossy local magazine, County and Quinte Living, did an article on my work.

Veronica Leonard wrote such lovely things about my work and made me sound very, very nice. I couldn't be more thrilled or grateful :)

Also in arty news, I've been invited to join the board of the Brighton Arts Council. I'm so excited about being part of the BAC. It really is the most amazing group of talented, kind and generous people you could hope to meet. If you aren't a member of your local arts council, I highly recommend joining.

Now, I'm off to do the floors.... eeesh! They are a fright.

xoxo

P.S. Anyone else not seeing the "Follow" option on the top blogger bar when they go a-visitin' other blogs? I only see 'Share' now and it's driving me nuts!

Ms. Pish & Posh

I was going to name these gals Pish and Posh. What do you think?

The kiddo is off on his very first trip to the symphony. He's going to Toronto to see the Sci-Fi Spectacular hosted by George Takei. I usually go on school trips and I really, really wanted to go on this one (George Takei!!!) but I've got to prep for an art show this weekend. Also, I think the kid liked the idea of a trip without his mum... boring old goat that I am :)

If you happen to be passing through my little town of Brighton this weekend, stop by the BAC Jubilee Art Show & Sale at the King Edward Community Centre and say 'Hiya!'

The Squirrel's End - A Goblin Pub

It's done! I am pleased to present The Squirrel's End, public house of choice of the finest goblins.

The main pubby area

There are loads of little boozy bead bottles under the bar.

Cheap beer! That's two old six pence for a big frothy pint.

There's a chicken roasting on the spit, a twig mop, and see that mount over the fireplace? A found duck skull.

This would be my table. I'm always spilling stuff. Did you notice the graffiti on the tables?

One of my most favourite things in the pub is that handmade dart boards.

The tiny dominoes ain't half bad either though. Can you spy the vintage Guinness coasters?

How about the gum under the tables?

Upstairs is the storage.

There's cheese, nuts, and booze galore!

When I saw this hand in a package of pointing fingers I purchased I knew it HAD to go into the pub. And so you see that little round number thingy? An old French lottery number!

Can you see that bar of soap? It's soap!

I'm pretty proud of this toilet hobbled out of bits of wood and a q-tip.

Just two more photos. They'll give you an idea of scale...

xoxo

Happy May Day :)