Why Hello There 2015

Ahhhh...

 

That was a good break, I must say.

Thanks for hanging in there and being patient during that rather lengthy break of mine.

I was in my studio after the Xmas holidays getting a lot of sketching done in the company of way too much chocolate, in front of roaring fires, besides napping bunnies & during indulgent trash t.v.!

I didn't get as much work done as I was hoping for because head pain has been super bad and unfortunately very consistent but I did get some needed studio organizing done

and I did get some much needed rest...I admit it, I napped away like 20 year old cat!!!

I did also got an incredibly awesome (and intimidating) new printer & I can't wait to start using it.

 

This break was needed too because to be honest sometimes a sensitive little artist such as myself

just needs to cocoon herself off all safe and snug like to warm up her soul & spirit before once again

spreading her wings and taking off into the big huge unknown world of 'online'.

 

I am ready to be back at it all now though.

 

I am ready to keep on plugging away...

whether people are looking and liking or not!
Whether those much needed and sought after opportunities come or not!

I feel proud of my work last year, I did ALOT, a whole lot, it was my most prolific year yet

which is something to note because it was without a doubt also my worst head pain year yet.

 

 

I step into this New Year full of possibilities and dream-making

with three things I know to be true acting as my sturdy diving board;

I am completely and utterly lucky in love and will unashamedly fully bask in all that goodness.

I am a bunny-mama and I am going to embrace all that that means, lone black sheep & all!

and I am an artist to the very core of my cells and this year I will continue to grown within that...

I want to unabashedly and happily submerge into it all...

to sink into it all the soul vibrating pleasure that unbridled creativity can bring.

 

I am also buzzing with anticipation over some big studio/art plans and changes that are in the works as I slowly transition from the old 'Bijou's Whimsy' illustration identity that no longer suits me
into the new whimsical handmade indie entity I am now meant to be.

 

So dearest New Year

I am strong, I am unique, I am true...

and I am ready for more of all of your abundant beauties.

 

and I really hope that you continue to join me on this blog as I share a bit of my world, work & joys.

 

XO and see you all next week.

Back Real Soon

Hi Lovely Peeps.

 

Can I just send out a big massive hug to you.

I am feeling so very very warmly embraced & supported by my blog land circle...

 

Thank You.

 

Things around here are good & busy.

January is always a really great time for me to instigate new healthy changes & routines.

My head is amazingly behaving so I am in my studio a lot &  making lots of new pieces.

I am cleaning my studios big time...ugh it's been quite the job & I am nowhere near being done!

Soon it's back to work on the new website & I just can't wait to launch it.

Also new changes to the blog are way overdue & in the works as well...YAY.

 

(this is one of my all time favorite photos of our Teela)

 

Everybunny is good.

Teela & Yuuji love the newly finished bedroom.

(I think we were the only ones who were measuring the height of bed frames for bunny usage, ha ha!)

Frenwyck loved having his pa around constantly for our 2 week holiday.

Jinny is hanging in there.  She might need a 4th round of antibiotics and we are still quite worried.

The sneezing has stopped but the labored breathing is still present.

 

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be back really soon.

On January 20th to be exact.

I am excited. 

I think that 2014 is going to rock & I can't wait to continue sharing with you here.

 

See you again really soon & Happy Happy New Years.

XO Mandy (aka Bijou)

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.

Goodbye 2008 and Hello 2009

Goodbye 2008...You were a quiet year. You were an enchanting and blessed year. You were a relaxing and wonderful year. You brought us much time together. You again gave us lessons to show us that we stand strong against any upheaval. You reminded me how strong I can be in some trials and triubulations you threw my way. You tested my tolerance and strength with all the migraines and headaches, but I survived and will continue to battle them will all my might and more. You showed me even more of the beauty in simplicity. You helped me live and finally be comfortable in my own abundant life...now I move forward welcoming more abundance instead of being afraid of it. You were a year full of delicious naps and rabbit snuggles and new friendships being fortified and forged. And though you were in many ways a difficult year, you were a year in which we grew and had our eyes and hearts opened even further. Thank you 2008, we leave you now to move forward up and on, we leave you in kindess and grace.

Goodbye 2008...I will remember you fondly as I excitedly and happily move forward into the even better year of 2009. My dreams from 2008 move forward and expand and grow brighter and more assured...so today, I say "Hello Again" from a beautiful and long break and a wonderful and fun and restful holiday. I say 'Hello 2009". Hello, Hello, Hello I know your full of more goodness and beauty, hardships and lessons and I am ready...I am ready, Hello 2009.