Looking Back Abit More...

Reminiscing still and looking back, I can say that
it was yet another wonderful year with my little ones...

Ella Luna and Roo

They are my heart of hearts...

and 2 of my very best friends.

 It was a wonderful year as well with our sweet Jaks and Jinny...

Two speacil and sweet little buns who make our home more complete...

We had some major ups and downs and some big scares with the buns in the past year,
but that just comes along with life with 4 older rabbits.

It was another incredible year with my hon bun, Jonathan (aka Deyfenn Slayd)...

It was a year with alot of time spent outside and enjoying all the
beauty offered in abundance...

...nature & it's inhabitants continue to be the main driving force behind most of my work,

and where I find inner peace and pure beauty.

And it was an amazing amazing year for concerts and music.

We saw over 24 different bands/concerts/performances...wow, completely awesome, ha ha!
(My all time favs would have to be the performances by U2, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Lake of Stew,
Jesse Cook, The Crooked Brothers, The Sheepdogs and Harrison Kennedy's...AMAZING).

And, even though we don't get to go too far from home because of the buns,
We did manage a few small trips to the big city for some fun,
We spent hours upon hours enjoying Ontario's beautiful countrysides,
We saw the awesome Snow Birds perform, We went kayaking for the first time,
Had quite a few biking adventures, Found an enchanted garden,
Spent lots of time by the water with picnics,
Got henna tattoos, well I could go on for abit, ha ha...
We definitely put my camera through it's paces.

I am completely excited about 2012, especially seeing how great 2011 was.
And even though it was a hell of a year for migraines and headaches,
I am optimistic that 2012 will be better as I plan to hit the yoga mat and acupuncture hard!

(Though it's here that I finally will mention that the new year got of to a tragically sad start
when my beautiful 18 year old step-niece, Torry McIntyre, was killed in a car crash on January 3rd.)
...
It is important to look back so we know where we want to go in the future, I think anyways.

So thanks oodles lovely peeps, for looking back with me...
(And for the sweet messages you've been sending me welcoming me back)
I really hope you'll continue to follow along in the new year,
I am sure we'll get up to some lovely stuff and make many many new creations and illustrations
with more bunny adventures thrown in for good measure too.

XO Mandy & the Bunnies from a chilly Northern studio in a little wintery town

Looking Back at 2011 Art Work

Well I think 2011 can be deemed a lovely and great year.

And it's just one of many reasons why I love being a blogger...

because I can look back on my blog like it's a beautiful visual diary

& be reminded of some of what's transpired throughout the year.

I created quite a few new illustrations and creations in 2011.

Including all of these...

And all of these...

And all of these as well...

I created these new goodies in felt...

And because I like to offer the occasional giveaway on my blog, I gave away all of these...

There was alot of good stuff happening as well such as...

My work being shown in a new local eatery/organic juice bar called 'Veg Out'...

With my continued membership at a local art gallery 'Art On Main'...

and than a few months later, my departure from that same gallery...

I was featured in the local newspaper...

I tried out an 'ArtFire' shop...

I continued on with my 4th year with my online 'Etsy' shop...

I had my 3rd solo exhibition called 'Birds Of A Feather'...

Took part in an important 'Bun Blog Pledge' to help spread the word on Cruelty-Free Living...

I was interviewed on the 'Do What You Love', 'Courage To Fly' & 'Ladaisi' blogs...

I was featured on various fellow bloggers blogs like 'Heart Of A Cowgirll', 'Raspberry Rabbits'  

& on the 'Rabbit March.org' blog....

I plucked up the courage to invite a fellow blogger from a town away to spend the day with me...

My honey and I completely revamped my main website...

And we created a few new YouTube art demo's and artist interview videos

and we also introduced the new 'Bunny Diversions' videos as well...

I took an online mixed media course and the 'Do What You Love' e-course...

I was featured in over 63 Etsy and ArtFire collections/treasuries...

I sold my first 'professional' photographs...

I am sure I am missing a couple things but these are the major things that stick out in my mind for 2011.



Indeed it was a good year art wise...

BUT I am hard on myself and must admit that it could have been better...

I could have created alot more artwork (head pain always gets in the way)

and I could have had alot more luck business wise

(I am one of the artists who fully believes in her talents and

works her butt off but still never gets quite as far as she deserves!!!) 

I also could have had alot more luck with my name and work spreading around...

So that's where the goals are aimed for 2012.

(If you can help me with this goal, do please email me at mandysaile@bijouswhimsy.com)

If you'll join me again on Friday, I'll indulge and reminisce on 2011 just abit more.

See you than.

XO Mandy

p.s. 2920 days ago today (in other words 8 years, ha ha) we brought our precious Ella Luna home...
ahhhh tis an extra special day indeed.