Celebrate Oz 2013 - Altered Oz

The fabulous Oma Linda is hosting a Celebrate Oz blog party and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join in the fun!

I remember reading the Oz books as a child but I don't remember many details other than the absolutely terrifying illustrations...

Illustration from my childhood copy of Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

Scary stuff! But I also recall that land of Oz extends far greater than that classic film with the rainbow song.

This March break, the Pixie family went to see the new Oz flick which explores more of that world and the great wizard himself. One of the best parts of the new film was the fantastic balloon ride our hero goes on. Because I've been admiring the light bulb hot air balloons I've been spying on pinterest for a while now, I decided to make one as my contribution to the blog party.

And so, here is my vintage Wizard of Oz in his altered hot air balloon...

AND because I kinda like munchkins and wee folk of all sorts I'm giving away a set of my new "Winged Things" Mini cards. Just comment below and you'll automatically be entered (just make sure I can contact you). I'll pick a random winner next Friday, March 22nd.

 

Now, hop over to Oma Linda's Olde Baggs n' Stuft Shirts and check out the rest of the fabulous  bloggy fun!

March Break and a Tiny Reading Spot

Sorry it's been a little quiet around here but it's March break and I've been distracted. Not only is the kiddo home, but Mr. Pixie took the week off too. I'm sure you can appreciate that very little is getting done. We've got a few little things planned (today it's sushi and karate!) but mostly we're just hanging out.

One thing that I thought I should mention... I'll be at the Brighton Public Library making paper crowns and wishing wands this Friday, March 15. At just $2 per kiddo I'm not sure how many spaces are left but you can contact the library directly to find out 613-475-2511 [email protected]

One thing I have managed to finish up is this little dome.

I started off with this Plastic Dome from Alpha Stamps and created a base using this 3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder and Egg Cup.

I've cut out some brownies from the Queer People Collage Sheet and they're hiding throughout the mossy mound.

Where are those wee creatures going? At the top is a tiny handmade chair and some itty bitty books with dog-eared pages and bookmarks too boot. What better place for a read than the top of a fairy hill :)

xoxo

Speaking of design

This issue has come up a couple of times and I'd like to address it.

When you hire a seamstress to make a dress, you are paying for the dress... not the rights to the pattern. Her services are paid for, she provides you with a final product. Easy peasy.

When people hire me as a designer, the same thing applies right? They request something, I design it, hand over the finished piece, and we're all good. But wait! What if the client wants the working file? What if they want the bones of your work? The graphic design 'pattern' you created.

I do NOT provide working files to my clients and there's a good reason for that. Let me put it to you like this...

Lets say you go to a fancy restaurant and order a magnificent meal. You think to yourself "Hey! I'm pretty handy in the kitchen! I have a stove and some pots. I'll just ask for the ingredients and recreate this at home!" The chef smiles and tells you exactly what goes into his dish. He even winks and whispers the secret ingredient in your ear.

Bonus! You're cooking for a date the following week and this will be perfect.

It's date night. After you gather your ingredients and begin to attempt to recreate the dish, you realize there's a problem. You don't know if you purchased the right cut of beef, how he prepared the peppers, the amount of cumin that was added, the temperature it was cooked at or for how long and you don't even remember there being carrots in it at all! The result is edible, but it's nothing like the gourmet meal prepared the week before.

Your date asks where you got the recipe and you give her the chefs name. She smiles and nods but makes a mental note not to eat at his restaurant.

It takes more than fancy software to design something well. Good design requires care, skill, knowledge, sensitivity, and experience to mix space, colour, shape, line, images, type and text into something effective and visually appealing.

I care a great deal about the work I do. (As both a designer and an artist.) Time and time again I have seen design work ruined because someone with limited experience altered original working files. Honestly,  I'm not being a meanie by keeping the files. By NOT distributing original working documents I am ensuring the integrity of my work and my reputation as a designer.


Now go and hug a designer! We need some lovin' ;)

A Busy Bee

I've been keeping myself busy lately but I don't have much to show for it just yet.

The whip has been cracked and I've been doing some graphic design work. I have a love hate relationship with graphic design. When a job goes well it's pretty darned satisfying. When it doesn't there's a blue streak spewing from my mouth ;)

Designing puts me in a different state of mind than other forms of making. Although it's all creating, I just FEEL different doing it.

Anyway, here's a couple of little projects from a couple of weeks ago that I don't think I showed off here. They are both currently at Impresario Artisan Market in Cobourg.

AND I'm so thrilled to be able to say that the Pixie Project has reached more than 50% of it's goal. I know I said I would only make the single plea on here but I fibbed... BUT just a little! I've updated the indiegogo page with a video of me ummming, ahhhhing, fidgeting like a tick and looking a general wreck, all for a good cause. Hop over, share the link and I'll blow some fairy kisses your way.

xoxo

Thinkin' Spring

There's still snow on the ground but I can feel spring peeking it's gorgeous head around the corner.  Alpha Stamps is currently offering an "Easter Parade Kit" filled with beautiful springy things. I made this little eggy book from Chipboard Egg Die-Cuts and held together with  Metallic Mini Brads.

There are also some sweet new collage sheets and absolutely stunning new Dresden scraps on the site, so quick like a bunny and check it out for yourself.

Speaking of spring... I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be vending at The Mother of All Craft Shows in Corbyville/Belleville on May 5th. I don't do many shows but this one looked like fun and it's for a good cause, Fixed Fur Life. If you're around stop by and say 'Hiya!"

I'm really looking forward to the event and showing off some of my shiny new card designs which have been shipped off to the printer. I'm especially giddy about my new sets of  'Winged Things' mini-cards!

I have a feeling that this Spring is going to be a dandy :) Here's hoping it's filled with wonder and good things for all of us.

Graphic 45 Design Team 2013 Audition

A little bit of excitement today as Graphic 45 announced their design team call for 2013! If that makes you a little tingly too, check out the full details HERE.

Being a bit of a paper hussy I could hardly let the opportunity pass. So, I'm tossing my craftin' hat into the ring, crossing all of my fingers and toes and hoping for the best. Here's a few of my favourite projects from the past year, I hope you like them too :)

 

Laying low

The planets must be jumbled because everything seem rather sticky and messed up at the moment. I think the key to surviving the rest of the week will be to lay low and try to avoid anything truly disastrous. Hopefully everything will sort itself out sooner rather than later because I could really use a bit of goodness.

It's been nose to the grindstone here. I've been working on some cards for spring (just the thing to do on a snowy winters day). Here's a sneak peek at one of the new designs...

Not entirely sold on the words... but we'll see what happens.

I've also been working on some new full moons. While I usually create my moony faces in paper clay I thought I'd do a series in polymer clay so that they could be worn as a brooch. The first one listed can be found here.

I also made two mandrake brooches! One is already listed here.

Ok, I'm heading back into the studio to keep out of troubles way. Wish me luck!