Love & Magic!

I'm kind of in love right now.... and the most JOY-full of that "love" feeling is that is doesn't need to make sense in the slightest..... Now there's an opening sentence :)

I've been wanting to make some animal heads for a long time now, but couldn't quite get MY head around the fact that fake/fabric or not I would be creating something based on the idea that a dead animal head was going on a wall.... ick!
That was until active imagination stepped in (hallelujah!), and suggested that in actual fact the head belongs to a very much alive and  magical  (of course!) animal , who peeps in from some sparkly realm bringing with it a magical quality to bestow on the home it finds itself in.
Well....Yes! When you put it like that I can TOTALLY jump on board that creative adventure!

So let me introduce to you the new obsession  love  in my life......my "forest friends"...... *sigh*
This is Bernadette, bestower of the magical quality FUN and playfulness...

 Little Doe......I really do love her..... and the magical quality of Innocence that she brings.

And Mumma Bear Mathilde...who's magic carries the qualities of nurturing and comfort.....

I have begun something I cannot stop...... Love indeed :)

xx

Sharing...

I'm relishing the quiet that surrounds me right now, nothing but  birdsong...peaceful bliss!
I'm also finding it quite amusing that the first day we have had for weeks without sunshine meets the first day back to school! A gloomy day to match the kids' mood..how thoughtful of the weather :)

I thought I'd pop in and share the rest of the card designs I've created (some others can be seen here).

There have also been a couple of things that have popped into my inbox that I've thought "how great is that!"... and so wanted to share in case you may have missed them.

The first one is Andrea Schroeder's  "Lets give your dreams wings"  FREE e- course. Its a dip into the techniques and tips that she offers and is more than enough to get your dream up and on the road (and in a mere 10 minutes a day!). I've used Andrea's techniques for several years now and am a fully fledged member of her Creative Dream Circle. I love Andrea  and her work....some may find it a bit "out there", but if there is anything I have learned since starting this business journey of mine is.... growth requires doing the inner work, which for me was letting go of a crazy load of limiting beliefs and fears!

The next one on receiving, created the immediate response: "YES!.... How to write  the ultimate resume....
or ..... your "Really wild Bio"! I love the idea of a CV containing more than just the previous jobs worked/ qualifications gained... one that honours those moments and experiences in life that make you uniquely YOU, and highlight the unique and wonderful skills only YOU have! You can download a FREE copy that contains all the juicy ways to dig in and find out what your Wild Bio would contain here!
Seems so fitting at this time, when my eldest is at the stage of having to make subject choices at school , which to her feels like such a defining moment....I'm tempted to email the link to the school :)

So that's all I've got to share for now....all I have left to offer is a hug of the hairy variety...but I think that should suffice.... after all what better kind of hugs are there?! ;)x

Kitschy Stitches!

Just coming up for air before I dive back down again...... this part always catches me out...the run up to a Trade Fair and the long list of things to do! Trade Fairs always seem to fall just after a school holiday...which I NEVER remember to factor in when it comes to getting things done.
*Sigh*
Stu has been a master child entertainer while I have been expanding my own repertoire of skills....the beginning of the week saw me as " instruction booklet maker".....yesterday I was "in-house  photographer"....today I'm "machine sewing expert" and "PR guru"!  Still got to own and wear the "Display officianado" badge.....which is the bit I've been putting off most......You see I need to come up with a design to display and showcase my items that I can carry with me on the train in a suitcase! ......
I just KNOW I am going to regret leaving this one till the end!

Anyhoos, today I wanted to share some new embroidery kits I've added to the items I'm taking down to London..and soon to offer in my shop. I'm so happy with how they have turned out.... kitschy stitchery kits! 

These couldn't suit me more! I love embroidering but am hard pressed to find designs that a) are my kind of style and b) can be used/displayed in some way that would work in my home.

These kits come with a piece of fabric with a colourful design already printed on, and parts of the design left blank to be filled in with stitches.The end result is a co-created textured piece of wall art! Yes!

I hope you love them as much as I do!

So back to the multi tasking...best go do some child entertaining for a while....the walls are being climbed!x

Hello Spring!

Hello spring, I see you sneaking in with your warmer winds, glints of sunshine and unfurling buds, the eking out of days and the lightness in my heart.
My most favourite time of the year!
It's brought a hustle in our house with painting and DIY, and a serious urge to de-stash. So much clutter here.
It has also brought relief and hope that maybe, just maybe the only 3 pairs of tights my youngest will wear will provide leg coverage for just that little bit longer......I have perfected my skills in darning this winter, that is for sure.

I found myself with the urge to paint a pink doe the other day...so I did.
who knows what urge Spring may bring tomorrow!

My website has been getting the spring treatment too, with some new bits and bobs added..still working away on the shop though..the big reveal will be sooooon!

Oh and I finished the BOOTCamp assignment....

This is what I handed in for the submission to Lilla's Gallery. Not entirely overjoyed with it, but felt it was time to move onto the next thing (like the pink doe!) 

I did find the phone case a struggle to get into...the fact that they are such a small and odd shaped "canvas" ...plus  I guess I should bashfully own up to being one of "those" who has a phone (still the size of a brick..I do believe they are coming back in fashion now) which is either not switched on, misplaced or left at home. Stu loves that part of me I am sure ;)

Anyhoos I digress...

Back to spring, hope you're feeling it in the air x

A collection of love x

  I can't possibly start without sending out a heartfelt THANKYOU to those who left such dear comments (here and over on facebook), words of support and sweetness that celebrated my business birthday alongside me. It never fails to astound me, that a single individual has the capacity to fill another up with so much love and support...and this can be with someone we have never even met! I am so GRATEFUL. (insert very smiley face with a wee tear in the eye and holding a hankie!)
Maybe Cyril can say it better....here is a flower for you x

Love from Cyril

                

I'm not sure if you noticed, but I've turned the comment option back on too.
I had turned the comments off way back in the Summer as I was feeling bad about never replying to the lovely messages people had taken the time to leave. It was a time thing...not enough of it and having to use it wisely, which my polite upbringing struggled with. It was also to help create a bit of space for me to allow new things in , new style, new items, new approach, without outside influence.
Its a tricky thing this social media, or atleast I find anyways...that slight need for external validation..do they like this piece? Oh I've only got 1 comment this week, maybe this piece is not so good...and so on!

Anyhoos.....the reintroduction of comments for the giveaway (and then left on accidentally afterwards) has made me realise it's no fun being in a vacuum. Quite lonely in fact! Its not so much the comments that I missed but more the feeling that when I write a post someone somewhere will actually read it. Without the comment option I knew it was just for me and frankly I'm over that self indulgence! So if you ever feel like tinkling on those type keys, tinkle away....or not.  I'll feel delighted to know you are out there either way.

Side by side

So if I can draw breathe after this long ramble...I just wanted to share some of the new card designs that will be accompanying me to Pulse Trade Fair in May. These 3 are all about the love....

Beauty-FULL

Which I am sending out to you all tenfold xx

2 year Biz Birthday GIVEAWAY!

Hello lovelies.
It's been almost 2 whole years since I left my job and began making my living from my creations. What a feat!
I'll save a post for sharing a little of the journey till the 31st (the official birthday)...but today I wanted to let you know about the giveaway I'm having in celebration.It has to be a foxy one of course....cos you know I'm owning that right now,albeit  in a Wayne's World kind of way! ;)

You can leave a comment below (I've opened the comment section especially!) or you can pop on over to my facebook page and leave a comment there too! You get extra entries for every social media site you comment on....ohlala!
I'll randomly pick the winner on Fri 31st Jan.

                     
                          

THANKYOU ALL so so much for joining in my celebration with me, it would be a very empty and lonely adventure without you all by my side xx

*ADDITIONAL EDIT on Fri 31st JAN*
The winner of the giveaway is Jacqui Aldi
Yay!
THANKYOU all soo much for joining in...there were nearly 100 names to randomly pick from..my ceremonial teacup had to be replaced with a measuring jug! Amazing xx

Foxy love

I'm delighted to share with you a few new items I am unleashing to the world!
They've been a work in progress for some time, so it's a GREAT feeling to have them finally  put "out there".
I'm loving also how their release into the world coincides (kind of!) with valentines day.....so for a bit of fun I'm putting out a little "foxy lady" love with these...I mean if it's good enough for Jimi Hendrix it's good enough for me!

First thing I want to share is this cotton cushion with pom pom trim! It's a 2 sided design that's been digitally printed onto thick cotton fabric and sewn together by me.

Here is the other side of the cushion......so you can alternate between the 2 , depending on how much

fox you want in your life! You can find the cushion here in my etsy shop.

 You may remember the Fantastic Mr F I sketched a while back?...well I made a print of this sweet fellow to match the cushion..
 

..and turned the  foxy cushion design into a print too...matching set! Both are available here.


 Next comes these 2 sweet foxy prints that I originally created using acrylic paint,gouache  and pen. They come as a set of 2 small 7 x 5"  prints  with the black border or can be bought individually in regular A4 size.....love the boldness that comes from the limited colours used.

Amongst the foliage

Countryside Queen

I've been working on trying to take better photos of my items...somewhat a long way to go....! There have been so many comedic moments along the way which I'm very relieved no one else witnessed! I have to include the one below purely for that reason as I grappled with wind and wire and flying leaves. You will never know my pain ;) 

Each foxy item comes with a little foxy tag...as a special Valentines treat....everyone needs a little reminder of their true foxy-ness grrrr! :)xx

A pleasant little interlude...

"Admiring from afar"

To counteract the feeling that everything I'm trying to put together is taking so long, it felt great to do a bit of tearing and gluing, painting and drawing, and end up with something to show for it...albeit  a bit teensy!

(A little jiggery pokery computery collage added to the mix!)

"Footprints"

I am really excited about showing you the goodies I almost have ready to launch into the world. But for now I offer you these little mixed media pieces. I love how they have turned out, especially the bear below..but you know I have a soft spot for these furry fellows!

"Friend..?!"

The tea bags even got involved in these ones...yet another excuse to pour a cup!

Hope you're all getting back into the swing of things again after the hols...did they even happen?! xx

Winter Sewing : Introducing a new pattern and a freebie!

I love a good winter project to keep me occupied over the dark cold nights, and so I've been enjoying sewing again. (though my sore fingers are telling me I am very out of practise!)

With that in mind I've set to work to come up with a few designs available as a downloadable pdf pattern, so that if you love a good wintery project too then there will be a few nature inspired ones available just for you!

The first pdf pattern that I'd like to introduce is this fabric stag head, designed as a cushion/softie/plushie for your wall, shelf or favourite chair!

I'm delighted with the way the stag has turned out and have to say I really enjoyed making this.

 The pattern comes as a 12 page pdf  ..all the details can be found here.

There are 5 embroidery stitches in the included stitch "library", but I chose running stitch as the main component of the hand stitching...I love this stitch..so simple and very therapeutic...the repetitive motion of weaving the needle in and out. Love it!

The pattern is now available in my shop here , there is a special  30% introductory discount available till Christmas ...simply type in at the check out:

WINTER13

And enough of the sale talk! Below I've created a sweet little embroidery design for you to print for FREE and get jiggy with if you feel the stitchery wintery urge. Simply click on the image and then "save as"  to your computer for printing. If I've got my calculations right (which is always debatable) the size provided should fit a 6 x 6" embroidery hoop.

Enjoy!!!x

Christmas Cards!

Hello lovelies! Can you believe it's November?

Hope you had a fun halloween...ours was suitably spent face deep in green jelly fishing for eyeballs and dooking for apples..oh and doing the Monster Mash of course!
Stu and I had a movie night watching World War Z...zombie apocalypse meets Brad Pitt and block buster..hmmmm interesting mix...though I'm such a light weight I did miss a lot of it hiding behind my hands.
Why do I put myself through it?!
Anyhoos just to change the subject completely, my christmas cards have returned from the printers and I can now show them to you! Insert little star jump *

"All is bright"

"Warmest wishes"

"Secret Santa"

"Winter Wonderland"

I'm really loving these little cards, my homage to to the festive season. I don't tend to dive right into the full Christmas shabang, but I do value the sentiment of love and togetherness this time of year brings, which hopefully is captured in these cards.

They are all available in my etsy shop if you are extremely organised!......

which I must add is where my christmas organisation stops.Damn!;)x

Mr Fox...

I do love this Fantastic Mr Fox...because yes, the film is in my top fave list of films (and I am quite selective when it comes to films!)..but I mainly love him because of the time I spent drawing this...and the gentle but wise eyes that looked back out at me and soothed as I sketched absent mindedly and thought of my Granny who is getting ready to leave this world. 

Art is healing, as is nature too....I always knew it, but am reminded again.

I hope you are keeping cosy on this wet wintery-feeling day. Sending lots of love from me and Mr Fox for anyone who needs it xx