Oldie Thyme

I've been looking back on old holiday images I've done...

I think though they are old that they are still pretty darn sweet. I'll offer Xmas cards next season!

Wanna Colour Some Bells

I hope your taking time to relax amidst all the holiday craziness...

I made sure to sit long enough to conjure up a fun holiday colouring page...
 

 

It goes out tomorrow afternoon with my next studio news edition...

if you'd like it and future pages of mine just sign up to Keep In Touch.

Happy Holidays

Time for a nice long holiday...

 

 

...See you all mid-January XXOO

A TINY break...Back REALLY Soon

Hi ya.

 

We've taken an unexpected & impromptu little break around here.

This cold & super wet week seemed to be the perfect time to do nothing but be cozy all together,

and well we just needed abit of recharging...

 

 

So we're watching loads of movies, taking lots of delicious naps, eating lots of scrumptious food...

Spending oodles of time snuggling six bunnies.  It's been good...ahhhhhhh.

 

I'll be back in my studio & to blogging next week.

See you then. XO.

Christmas Time...Happy Happy Joyful Time...

Good Tuesday all. I have to admit to missing Monday's post because I was too busy refinishing an old desk which I am excited to show you for tomorrows post. For today, I thought we'd celebrate the official beginning of Christmas with a Christmas Illustration I created last year for my greeting card line. It is called "May the Spirit of Christmas Find You"

I have to be realistic and most likely will not be getting the xmas cards or prints in the shop or onto the new website in time for this holiday...but the good news is that there will be a good assortment ready and early for next season!

Admittedly as I get older, Christmas and the holidays takes on alot more melancholy, reflection and naturally some sadness...but I think that luckily and thankfully most of us can feel these things grow and learn from them hopefully and that they only help to lend to an even more wonderful, festive, happy, joyful and appreciated holiday season. I am proud and happy that Jonathan and I are learning to adapt and move ahead more heartily every year despite missing the ones who had to leave us during these months.

I am glad that this year finally we've gotten it through our heads that presents are the last important thing and just being together and perhaps going out skiing together than coming back to our cozy home and settling in with a roaring fire, wine, good food and healthy bunnies will indeed be enough for us this year.

I hope you enjoy my holiday illustration...until tomorrow, be well and happy creating...and happy holidays too.

A Christmas Image & A Day With My Dad

Good Tuesday Everyone. I am having a 'weird' and somewhat slow week this week which I won't get into at the moment, as I do still intend to keep this blog primarily focused on my art, my artistic journey and my creative inspirations. So I'll just say I am feeling 'off' and I'll keep plugging away.

There will definitely be a new little painting tomorrow but for today, because it's been feeling abit 'xmasy', let me show you one of my favourite illustrations. I did this xmas image a couple years ago and made it into a greeting card, it's one of my most popular ones but only people who have bought the cards or seen me at craft/art sales have seen this image as I never did get around to posting it on my website and only now just on this blog. So enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

A print of this image will be available over at the shop very soon.

We had a very quiet but good weekend. Saturday we did not step foot out of the house which was nice for a change because it seems like the last couple of weeks one of us has had to go out on some errand every single day. My battle with sinus congestion and daily headaches throughout the whole weekend unfortunately. On Sunday I ended up spending some time over at my parents in the wood shop with my dad. My dad was helping me cut some wood and gave me a lesson on the scroll saw where I successfully cut out my little intricate bird pattern, so I was really happy about that. I have ideals for a whole new series, very unlike anything I've done before involving wood and knowing that I'd be comfortable enough to cut my own pieces makes the whole ideal seem that much more do-able and approachable. I can't remember the last time I spent some time in the shop with my dad like that so it was really nice, nostalgic and cozy for me. As a kid I always hung out in my dad's shop, it's a very comfortable place for me. I remember him giving me lessons on the band saw or drill press, I'd throw wood in the stove to keep the shop warm, I'd help him with simple things. Even when I got older, I always would pop in to see what he was working on. I guess that's why I am just as comfortable hanging out and shopping in a home depot as I am in a Pier One Imports, ha ha...Thanks for your help dad.

So until tomorrow....Be Well Everyone...and yes indeed...Happy Creating! XXOO Mandy.

It's Canada Day & I am still on holiday

Hi Everyone and a Happy Canada Day to you. I am still off today, I took Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off...well if you can consider toiling away in the yard really time off, but we're having fun so I guess it would be, ha ha. This weekend, we did alot of cleaning, had a dear friend over for a lovely dinner and movies, planted 6 trees, tore down an old crooked deck and attacked the front garden and actually got it all finished and looking beautiful which took about 8 hours total!...to say that the weeds were prolific would be an understatement. Anyhow, the bunnies are outside and another weedy area is calling to me so I shall be going outside for the rest of the day.

On Friday we also picked up my dad from the airport and I was so so so glad to see him back home. He brought me some amazing gifts from my dear Grandpa which needless to say are now some of my most treasured possessions.

I just also wanted to send out a hugely felt thanks to everyone who visited my Saturday Tea Party and left all those wonderful comments. Vanessa over at 'A Fanciful Twist' did an amazing job with her party, she went all out, I was so amazed. I was also amazed at how much fun I had in creating my own little imaginary get together, I think I was walking around with a smile for 2 days. Anyhow, again thanks everyone...it was a lovely time.

I must send out a "Happy Birthday" to my sister-in-law Jennifer. And now I leave you with a tidbit photo from my studio...my sweet little lamb bronze sculpture that I love oh so much. Be Well Everyone and until tomorrow's post, which may be abit later in the evening than usual.