It's really flipping hot and other news

It's hot. I'm sticking to everything. 'Nuf said.

It may be a little quiet around here over the next while as I get ready for Brighton's Streetfest on July 14th and our VERY BIG (you can tell it's important because of the capital shouty letters) Open House on August 4th.

I've started revealing the fairy spots in the garden but there's a load of work left to do. I'm not sure just how much will get done in the heat but we'll see. Here's one of my very old trees in the first stages of 'fairyfication' (... that's my word now,  you can use it but you've got to give me credit.)

Also in Pixie news, "The Other Slipper" was bottled and has been abandoned.

I was sort of afraid of being spotted making the drop so I had two helpers do the deed for me. You can see the jar beside that white bucket on the left. No word from a finder yet but I'm not holding my breath that I'll get a reply at all ... though I'd love one... really... it would totally make my day.

And finally, a heads up to check out Alpha Stamps and their yahoo group. I'd bet my bottom dollar that you'll be interested in some of the upcoming themes and swaps they'll be hosting. Here's some super cute examples from their recent "Beach Postcard" swap.

by Karen Cejka

 by Mollie Huddleston

by Carmen Willis

Now, I'm off to stuff some ice down my shirt in a sad attempt to cool down. Keep cool kiddies!

Mini Post!

I'm working on the "fairy tour" for the VERY BIG Studio Open House on August 2nd so this is just a very tiny, very quick post.

I'm offering two free workshops for August and September. They'll be a sort of crafting pot-luck... you brings some scraps and trims and we'll make something great together. For August we'll be making matchbox shrines, and in September.... well I don't know yet, but it'll be great!

Space will be limited so please email to reserve a spot.

More information here.

P.S. HAPPY CANADA DAY! WOO HOO! YAY!

The Butterfly Conservatory

A long while back I picked up a rather hideous jewelry box. It was ugly, but it had a load of potential and I knew exactly what I wanted to make. It's taken at least four years of starting and stopping, but I've finally finished it.

Here it is...

The outside has been covered in sewing pattern paper and hand painted with butterflies, moths and ladybugs...

Now the inside...

A butterfly conservatory! I'm rather smitten with this piece and it won't go up for sale for a while so that it's available for a few shows first.

Yay butterflies!

The Other Slipper

About a week ago I posted a ballet slipper shrine. Here is the other half of that pair...

There's something extra special about this particular slipper...

There wasn't extra love or glitter put into it...

This one will be placed in a big glass jar and left for a stranger to find!

I'm not sure where to place it just yet. I have a couple of ideas where I'd like to put it for finding. I'm sort of torn between leaving it in the children's section of the library, behind my favourite pizza joint, in an old tree stump or just in the middle of the sidewalk somewhere. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

It's not ugly... it's a stage 2

On our travels yesterday we stopped at a fabulous little studio called the Artful Garden Gallery. The artist, Sharon Ramsay Curtis, does the most delightful watercolours, very charming. We got to talking about this and that and she showed me an amazing dollhouse that belonged to her daughter.

Any who, we had a chat about painting and I mentioned that I'm working on a rather large piece and that it's absolutely hideous at the moment. She told me that I shouldn't say it's uguly but that it's a "Stage 2" painting. I rather like that :)

Here's another 'Stage 2' painting I've been working on this morning.

It's about 60% done. Loads of fiddling left. Hopefully I'll get it done before the end of the week when D starts summer vacation.

The way to my heart...

Apparently the way to my heart is little papery bits.

I had the opportunity to test drive two sweet little paper kits...

This super cute set of three stacking paper blocks which I really liked working with. It was fun to do flat surfaces on a 3d object... does that make sense?

And then...

 

How is that for cute? The paper table and chairs were a hoot to embellish. I LOVED setting that fairy table.

The chairs have text from a vintage book which says "The nicest boy" and "happy girl"

I believe the chair and table kit is sold out already but you can check it out here and be informed when it's back in stock.

P.S. There a fab new shop opening up next weekend in Cobourg called impresario Artisan Market. They'll be showing off my silly things as well as the work of other fantastically talented makers. Pop in and check out the goods if your in town. It's located at 37 King Street West, Cobourg, Ontario.

P.P.S. You should also pop into 9 Muses while you're there. Heidi is warm and wonderful and her necklaces are divine! Check for the "open" sign on the grand place at 202 Church Street, Cobourg.

Midsummer pretties and what's in the jar...

Took a walk around 'the hill' last night and took some snaps of the midsummer loveliness. Green must have been the colour of the evening because I saw a number of fantastically metallic looking bugs. One was a gorgeous damselfly with wings like lampblack. He was too fast for me though and refused to pose! The nerve!

Ah well, here's photos from midsummer at Pixie Hill that did turn out...

Also... a few of you asked what was in the fairy spying kit. Certainly you can make your own for gifts but please don't outright copy this and sell them... I WILL turn you into a toad. I've done it before I'll do it again.

Inside you'll find... a thimble, three coins, a little handmade net, a scribble book with miscellaneous papers, a fairy herb blend, a fairy spying stone, buttons and an old rusty iron nail. There's also a hints and tips, warnings and explanations for all of the items included.

Two kits currently listed on etsy here...