One Little Thing - Rain

Ok, crafty people, this week your prompt is 'Rain'

Spend just a few minutes reflecting on this weeks theme, then create one little thing. Easy peasy!

Have fun!

A Gift / Memory Box for Dad for Petaloo

In our household we celebrate simply. A small token gift, maybe dinner out, or a trip to the movies is standard gift fare. Just because our gifts are small and sentimental rather than large or elaborate doesn't mean that we can't gussy up the presents!

This year for Fathers Day I'm planning a night to our local drive-in to see Mad Max (woo hoo!). Using Cogs & Gears from Marion Smith I created a simple gift box, then topped it with an image from Portfolio. I've finished off the exterior with Embellishment Brads, Burlap Trims and a Spring Berry Cluster.

Inside the box I'll wrap up those tickets and add a little floral touch with a little Chantilly-VelvHydrangea

And even better, after our drive in adventure we can store photos and ticket stubs, in the box to remember our 'Dad' night together.

Supply List:
Embellishment BradsBurlap Trims
Spring Berry Cluster
Chantilly-VelvHydrangea
Portfolio
Cogs & Gears

Gina's Designs Birthday Blog Hop!

Welcome to Gina’s Designs 3^rd Birthday Blog Hop!

The Birthday Blog Hop will run from today, May 22, until May 29 at 8pm CST.  You should have just come from Diana's Crafts Blog. If you didn't, don't worry! Just pop over to Gina's Designs Birthday Blog Hop post and follow all the blogs in order.

We are having two great giveaways associated with this blog hop.

The first one is the Birthday Prize Giveaway!

The Birthday Prize package includes:

Filigree Frames Shape Set , Dressforms 1 Shape Set, Butterflies & Dragonflies,Grape Vines, Feathers Shape Set, Dressforms & Wings Shape Set, Steampunk 2 Shape Set, Clockwork Penny Farthing, Garden Fairies Medium, Garden Fairies Large, Damask Singles, Button Shape Set, Skylines, Landmarks, Collage Border Splash, Mermaids Shape Set, Stackable Labels Shape Set, Steampunk Shape Set, Vintage Ladies Silhouette, Dressforms 2 Miniature Shape Set, Candelabra Set, Dressforms 1 Miniature Shape Set, Barbed Wire Deco Frame Square, Barbed Wire Deco Frame Rectangle, Alarm Clock, Layered Border Victoria Small, Flourish Frame Sienna, Flourish Set Amanda, Wishing Well, Butterfly of Gears, Longstem Rose, Grape Vine Frame, Barbed Wire Frame Circle, and a Brush Caddy !!!!!

To be entered into the Birthday Prize giveaway, you need to:

1. Stop at all 15 designers’ blogs for a secret word.

2. After you collect all of the 15 words, create a sentence.

3. Email your answer [email protected] for a chance to win the Birthday Prize!

 This is why you will want to make sure you stop at each blog. That prize package is fantastic!  

Now the second giveaway will be done on EACH of the designers blogs. The shape set I am giving away is  

the Steampunk Shape Set which is filled with really amazing and useful pieces. 

I used this set in the piece I showed off the other day.

To be entered into my blog's giveaway,

1.  Subscribe to my blog. 

2.  Leave a comment on this blog post.

THAT’S IT! So easy!

So many great ways to win some fabulous chipboard pieces! My word for the Birthday Prize giveaway is PROJECTS.

The next blog you will want to visit is Carla's Creations.

If you get lost along the way, here is a list of all the blogs you need to visit to collect your word.

Kim - AngelDream Crafts
Angela - A Crafty Blether
Barb - In the Studio With Barb
Melissa - Ribbons, Lace, and Good Intentions
Mary B - The Damsel of Distress
Shanna - Shanna's Designs
Kathi - Kathi's Creations
Amy - Amylove Crafty Kingdom
Kim C - Kreations by Kimber
Lynne - Scrappy Squirrel's Nest
Dianna - Diana's Crafts Blog
Nichola - Pixie Hill
Carla - Carla's Creations
Deann - CraftDee1
Mary - The Craft Hoarder

Shop Updates

This toadstool house (and its neighbour) have been sitting in my studio for an age. 

I've always had a soft spot for the pair them but it's time to find them some new homes. If you think you're up to a little fairy mischief you can find them here and here.

I've also 'discovered' a fresh batch of fairy thimbles sprouting and listed those too.

Finally, just a few Pixie Dust pendants were added to the shops roster and there are still a few Fairy Dust Shrines available also.

Faeries, Frocks and Godmothers

With the arrival of the glorious spring weather the faeries have come out of hiding and hibernation. I thought it might be a good time to talk about them, the fair folk, and share some faerie truths.

When one thinks of faeries they often imagine tiny winged pretty ladies either scantily clad or clothed in frilly frocks.

While it is true that in the throes of summer many fae opt for minimal covering (they don't have air conditioning after all), I am assured they do not pose with arched backs nor push their bosom forward seductively. That said, please beware that there ARE several varieties of faerie who like to lure men into harms way. Long story short, if you happen upon a sexy faerie, tis best to run in the opposite direction.

Now, about those frilly frocks...

Five inch frock worn by Miss Gwendoline Twinkle during the strawberry harvest festival of 1913.

Frilly frocks and pretty dresses are rarely worn by the fair folk. The little people usually prefer clothing that is comfortable and practical. The above dress and slippers fit neither category. There is an exception to this general rule: Fairy Godmothers.

Full 6" dress, boots, hat and wand from the closet of Miss Mulberry Threadbare.

While Fairy Godmothers are soft hearted and mostly very nice and down to earth, there is a recent trend among the younger faction to wear large ornamental dresses and completely impractical footwear. The appeal seems to be gaining momentum through the ranks of Godmotherhood, extending as far as the matronly Eldermothers.

While many faerie folk believe these dresses to be ostentatious and showy (some rolling their eyes at the mere mention of them) they also know that there is no harm in it. 

The general consensus is "So long as their job is done, let them look as silly as they like."

The frocks pictured above will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. You can find the current "Open House" schedule HERE.

The Meaning of Life with Graphic 45

The Graphic 45 window shadow boxes just beg to display collections. And collections should definitely be displayed! What use are those little tid-bits we hold dear if only to be shoved in a box in the back of the closet?

So I gussied up a Black Window Shadow Box with Craftmanship and This Old House from Artisan Style, added some chipboard gears and wings, topped it with vintage ‘junk’ and then finished it off with a Door Knocker for a bit of ‘rawr!’.

On the little shelves I’ve tucked new and vintage treasures.

 It may seem like a jumble of miscellaneous bits but there is a loose theme here: the meaning of life according to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The number 42.

And you should defo hop over to the G45 blog today to peek at more amazing work by my teamies and a chance to win some 'Raining Cats and Dogs' papery goodness.

The Supply List:
Window Shadow Box
Artisan Style Craftmanship
Artisan Style This Old House
Door Knocker
Steampunk Shape Set
Faux Metal Number PlatesFiligree Corners
JUNK!
Adhesive
Acrylic paint

The May Two Four

It's a holiday here, the Victoria Day weekend, or 'the May Two Four' is the slang name that is most often used. Originally intended as a celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday, it's really the weekend gardeners start their planting in earnest and bend a few elbows to enjoy a tipple or two of their favourite summer beverage. It's kind of the Canadian kick off of summer.

While Mr Pixie has been over exerting himself in the garden I've been puttering and picking boughs of lilacs. I LOVE lilacs and their pretty perfume. My kitchen smells divine because of these beauties.

And one little bit of magic to share... this guy. 

Isn't he a beauty?! I found him peeking though our kitchen window last night. I grabbed a few shots then hurried to find my tripod but when I returned he had already left. He must have been called back to the fairy party.