Winter Sky

The snow falls heavily, coating everything in silvery white sparkles.  I feel like I am inside a snowglobe, filled with icing sugar and silver glittery stars.  It's quite magical.  And it fits in nicely with this beautiful treasury featuring one of my photographs.  So I would like to take a moment to post my favourite items from the treasury on etsy.com by Ludmila from Amay Art, simply called "Winter Sky."http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTkxMjg4NzJ8MjcyMTQ1MzU4OQ/winter-sky?index=1&ref=pr_favetreasuries
The third photo is my own.

Bird Nests

Thank you Jessica Sawchuk for the gift of a birds nest!  I had been working from photographs as my inspiration for these nests, but oh look how much inspiration you have given me!  It is such a treat to see my textile art bird nests side by side with the real thing! 

Pretty Fairy Treasures

I am in the mood for Spring!  As the weather gets colder and drearier my thoughts turn more and more to the coming Spring.  I dream of soft, fuzzy things and new growth.  I have been making lots of tiny bird nests.  These fairy wishing nests are magical nests for you to keep the deepest desires of your heart.  Store your wishes in the nest where a fairy will keep them safe and warm and just watch them grow as spring returns!  You can also store your treasures in these nests. I have little acorns and pinecones from my woodland wanders stored in my nest as well as this homemade soap which I formed into tiny egg shapes.  I also have bigger nests available on etsy now. These larger nests come with a homemade beeswax candle which smells like lilacs and spring!  So lovely!  Would be a nice Ostara/Easter gift. My creative energy is still quite high. I handpainted a buffalo tooth for my partner for Valentine's Day. It was very difficult, but I loved every minute! I have also been experimenting with fashion design and transformed an old skirt which I never wore into a lovely fairy skirt which I hope to wear lots! I believe I create more in the Winter, so as to escape the winter blues.  Once the weather is warmer I want to just be in nature and have my hands in the soil again. I can't wait to plant a garden!!! How do you survive winter?? I create art, cook stews and other warm food, bake, drink tea and read comforting stories.  And of course I cuddle my love and my son.

Valentine's Day Treasures

I am dreaming of the perfect Valentine's Day and browsing the lovely selection of items that are available through www.etsy.com.  Valentine's Day has never been a big deal for me, but this year I think it will be somewhat special as it is our baby son's first Valentines. When he is a bit older we can make paper valentines together, but this year we will spend some quality family time together and if we get the chance to get to Ithaca we will venture to our friend's shop The Art and Found and get  our tarot cards read by another friend.  Here is the link for the event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/497122323667882/ 

Today is another quiet day at home with my son, but the sun is shining and the weather is warmer, so I think we will take a woodland wander and perhaps pay a visit to the goats and chickens.  But first... If I could pick my dream Valentine's Day, this is what it would be like....

We would spend the day in Oxford, have lovely hot chocolate served from a beautiful tea pot and something scrumptious for breakfast.  We would explore some of the shops, especially book stores and quaint garden stores and then we would happen upon a rusty garden gate which leads to...(insert ideas here) a beautiful secret garden, or a fairy realm, or any number of places.  Where would you want the gate to lead to?  Oh and I have included photo's of my dream outfit.  So that is my fantasy valentines day. What is yours?

Photos's from top left

1. Travel Photography, Balcony on George St, Oxford by Lix Hewetthttp://www.etsy.com/shop/lixhewettphotography?ref=seller_info

2. Gold retro handpainted tea pot by Sanja http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftUnikat?ref=seller_info

3. Oxford photo, Broad Street by Lix Hewett

4. Hand knit women's grey cloche by Zojka Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZOJKAshop?ref=seller_info

5.Grey handknitted poncho capelet by Malgorzata Drozd http://www.etsy.com/shop/KFbyMalgorzataDrozd?ref=seller_info

6. Dusky Rose Cuffs by Flora of Inner Wild http://www.etsy.com/shop/InnerWild?ref=seller_info

7. Adjustable vintage brass locket ring with moon by Victoria of Inmost Light http://www.etsy.com/shop/InmostLight?ref=seller_info

8. Thigh high leg warmers in charcoal heather by Sharon H   

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FineThreadz?ref=seller_info

9. garden gate photo by Sue of First Light Photo http://www.etsy.com/shop/FirstLightPhoto?ref=seller_info

Spring Give Away!!!

I am feeling that a spring give-away is just the thing, so if you fancy receiving a very special made for you birds nest PLUS a surprise gift then enter my spring contest through etsy.  The winner will be chosen on March 21st, so there is plenty of time to enter.  Read on for the guidelines.

1. Create a treasury, or 2 or 3 on etsy www.etsy.com using any item from either of my shops.  Please no more than 3 treasuries per person.
2. The treasury must be centred on any of the following themes...
Spring Trends, April Showers, Woodland, Fairytale, Wedding, or Mythology
3. please tag your treasuries with the theme you have chosen from above.
4. Share your treasury on social media sites and/or your blog.
5.  Like my facebook page!
6. And finally.. send me a message on etsy letting me know you have entered the contest and how you have met all of the requirements.
7. Winner will be chosen based on the quality of the treasury and must have met all of the requirements listed above.
8.Winner will be announced on 21st of March!

shop links...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhereTheBrackenGrows?ref=ss_profile
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAcornCabinet?ref=ss_profile

facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/TheAcornCabinet

Tuesday Morning Musings

It's been a quiet morning at home for me and the little elf.  Harry explored this new world of his while I had breakfast (rice bowl with tamarind, tamari, cilantro and sesame seeds and a cup of tea with coconut milk) and sketched. I've become fascinated by a new shop on etsy (new for me), called Microscopic Art. Perhaps I had one art work in particular in mind as I created my morning sketch as there is a bit of a resemblance. http://www.etsy.com/listing/37748435/twirling-sea-anemones-8-x-10?

I am constantly amazed by the beauty that is found in nature. I am still inspired by mother earth in my creations above all.

I've been experimenting with candle-making and soap-making.  I am attempting to make tiny egg shaped soaps and/or candles to go with my birds nests.  Which would you prefer?  The candles would mostly be beeswax and essential oil and the soap either glycerin soap or french milled soap.  Perhaps I will make some of each.  I suppose I could make chocolate eggs for Ostara as well as it is just round the corner.  We made waldorf style candles the other day and I love the whimsical wonky shapes.  I find them so charming and quite organic in shape.  I can't wait for Harry to be old enough to help out with creative projects.  I wonder what he will enjoy the most?  He created his first sketch the other night.  I held the pen and he pulled on the paper and together we created something beautiful!! :)  I feel so grateful with the knowledge that my son is growing up in such a creative and warm environment.  Blessings to you all on this beautiful day!