Romance

I don't think of myself as being a terribly romantic person. I don't often think of wooing and the whisperings of sweet nothings. Once in a blue moon however, I'll dream of a handsome stranger who will say something so lovely that my heart does a little flip... there must be something rather gooey deep down inside of me.

I decided to create a few sets of limited edition handmade ACEO's inspired by these visitations. It seems fitting to use images from from my vintage photo collection as my dream men are always rather more tender and courtly rather than slick and sexy. It's nothing overtly romantic that gets my attention, it's a certain thoughtful tenderness that gets me. And so, here are my quiet men...

Limited Edition of 7 - etsty listing

 Limited Edition of 7 - etsty listing

 Limited Edition of 9 - etsty listing

The Makers Church

I've been keeping this one under wraps for a while because it was a Christmas gift and Pixie's don't like to ruin surprises... especially holiday ones :)

My last house of 2012 was the Makers Church. It's a little place of holy comfort and mess making. It's now at home with the queen of the fairy makers and I really and truly hope she loves it.

The door is made from an old discarded hymnal.

I'm fairly certain all houses should have rooftop picnic areas.

This was going to be a bell tower, but not all fairies are fond of bells... indeed, it frightens some away! And so it became a story room.

There's a knotted rope ladder to get up there... for guests who don't have wings.

A leaf and twig bed with feather cover, moss pillow and fuzzy slippers.

Every fairy queen needs a crown.

A lovely messy workroom.

A spot for painting dragonfly and fairy wings.

Baskets of goodies for creating fairy finery.

I hope your Christmas's were merry and bright and your New Year is filled with dreamy delights :)

xoxo

Much love from the mess maker and her pixies

Make Merry!

Tonight the Pixie house will be filled with feasting, drinking and making merry! 

The whole bunch of us extend warm wishes to each of you this Yule. 

I really do hope that you are blessed with prosperous and happy times over the coming winter,

and send BIG wishes that you will be warm, fed, safe and happy :)

xoxo 

More feathers

First, and most importantly, BIG thanks to everyone who's said nice and encouraging things over the past week. I've absolutely needed it and you've made me feel loads better. Please know that I appreciate each and every one of you! xoxo

I managed to finish up two more little birdy paintings last night. It's a funny thing looking at them on the screen. In real life they are much more 'alive' and precious.

The Gnatcatcher Etsy listing

The Flycatcher Etsy listing

It seems the little birds have brought me a bit of luck. I found out last night that my painting of the cheeky robin below won the 'staff choice' award at the Grafton Village Inn painting competition. I'm thrilled to bits.

And now I'm off to clean, cook, bake and wrap for the onslaught of holiday cheer about to burst through my doors...

Painting birds

I told myself that I wouldn't be doing any more paintings but last night I was sucked back in. There's something about painting that I find rather meditative. It soothes me and clears my mind.

Birds have always been one of my favourite subjects. I'm not quite sure why I like painting them so much. Perhaps because they're usually skittish but cheeky... a bit like me.

Anywho, here's a little acrylic on canvas Red Breasted Nuthatch I finished up. He's rather sweet and small, measuring just a smidge over 4.5" x 7".

He's available here.

A pic or two

Given that I've been a tad miserable lately, I thought that perhaps I should go looking for lovely things this afternoon. On my short stroll the thing that stood out most were the bright mossy patches at the bottom of our hill. The dreary rainy weather has not instilled the holiday spirit, but these little spots sure are cheery.

Just look at that soft feathery moss!

Perhaps its time to find those tiny bright spots, things of beauty, and daily gifts from the wee folk once again.

Creating hope

It's been a terrible flipping week.

The attacks on children in China and Newtown have had me holding D extra close. I can't even begin to imagine that horror. There simply are no words.

And.... I lost my job. I've worked part time as a graphic designer for a not-for-profit for eons. I've been very fortunate to have had a bit of secure income that guaranteed, even in the leanest times, that groceries could be paid for every week. Despite my longevity with the place, they're small with a limited operating budget so there's no severance pay. A week before Christmas, I'm sure you'll agree, is pretty shitty timing.

I've never lost a job before and it's been 20ish years since I've been completely out of work. Frankly, it scares the hell out of me.

But what is there to do? The only thing to do is to pick up and move forward. And when you can't find hope for yourself, perhaps creating it for someone else can help. So here's the baker's boy, bestowed with striped socks and a crown and instilled with a strange thrilling wonder.

Etsy listing here

While waiting for this little monkey to cheer me up, I'm going to eat a pound of fudge and roll around in some glitter to drown my sorrows.

Here's hoping tomorrow will be a brighter day.