January's Newsletter

Psst...

The January Newsletter was just mailed out.

View it here if you please.

XO Mandy

Painted Bird Ceramic

Okay, so I finally admit it...

a secret love...

Painting ceramics!!!

I know they are typically abit 'cheesy'

and I always feel weird about painting something someone else made

But what can I say, it's a long-time love my mom turned me onto when I was a kid

and I recently indulged in this secret hobby to paint this...

...I think it took me about 8 or 9 hours straight but I think it was worth it.

I gave it to my mom.

See you soon and thanks oodles for hopping in for a look-see.

XO Mandy & 4 snow tired bunnies

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.

I am Back

Hi Hi Hi Everyone

I am back...

and so excited to be,

I already have so much to share with you all....

As always promised on this beloved blog of mine,

in 2012 I will continue to share my creations and illustrations...

the creative fire is flowing strongly and I will have have lots to show and share...

I will bravely & happily share my artistic life, the ups & the downs

(such as trying to be an artist & run a small handmade business as a severe migraine sufferer). 

In 2012 I will share my inspirations and my aspirations,

some of what makes me happy, some of what makes me sad,

and abit of the in betweens goodies.

There will naturally be continued glimpses of the life I share with bunnies...

and of course with my amazing honey.

And who knows what else...

I am excited to see where 2012 will take me.

But before we go forward into 2012, let me reminiscence briefly

and look back at what was accomplished in 2011...

Which we'll do this coming Wednesday and Friday.

But for today, the most important thing to cover is the winner of the giveaway...



I am so very glad to have pulled Aline's name out of the bucket because well honestly,

she left me one of thee nicest blog comments I've ever gotten in my 3+ years of blogging

and it meant so very much.  Here's a taste of the sweet words offered...

"Hi Mandy...
I've been anxiously following your blog for the past few months.
Like you, I'm a self motivated artist who works from home.
Reading your words of wisdom and seeing your love of life with Jon and your bunnies
(despite those darn migraines of yours) & photos, gives me that bit of extra wind in my sails
that I sometime need to keep on creating.
It's almost like, even though we don't communicate, you're like a friend who is always there. 
p.s. I admire your persistence and drive in making life a bouquet of flowers
even when your head is far from feeling like a rose.
Thanks a bunch, fondly Aline"

...isn't that the best...

Anyhow, ha ha, Aline is not a fellow blogger, but she is a fellow local artist, a jeweler to be exact,

I've seen her work before, it's beautiful natural pieces made from beach wood, rocks, glass and wire

and I think it's pretty cool that she entered and won because before so,

I had no idea that a single local artist followed me and my work.

So congrats Aline, thanks for the lovely lovely note and congrats on winning...

Get in touch soon with your mailing address
so the bunnies and I can get your prize mailed out to you.
(and so we can perhaps arrange a tea/coffee date?)

(just email me at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com)

See you all on Wednesday I hope.

Happy New Year...I hope it's off to an AMAZING start.

XO Mandy, Ella Luna, Roo, Jinny and Jaks

An Original GIVEAWAY & Happy Holidays

In the spirit of giving and joy

I wanted to offer up this lovely little original watercolour, ink & acrylic painting of mine.

It's a sweet little thing at only 6" x 5.5".

I am going to make this giveaway super duper easy to enter your name for...

...All you have to do is leave your name

(& hopefully some kind of lovely comment) in the comments section below

and when I am back to my beloved blog on January 23rd, I'll draw the winner.

I hope in the spirit of the season, you'll help spread the link to this giveaway around.

Happy Happy Happy Holidays Everyone...

See you soon in the New Year

(January 23rd to be exact).

I am off to re-wrap some presents that a certain little bunny decided to unwrap at 5am this morning

every though we told him time and time again that they weren't for him, ha ha....

...and I am off to bake some Christmas cookies as well.

XO Mandy & Ella Luna, Roo, Jinny and Jaks

Xmas Owl

A Xmas Owl in watercolour...



....just playing around.

One more post for 2011...how did the end of the year come so fast, wow!

But how wonderful that holidays are a day away...a much deserved rest is awaiting.

See you all tomorrow for the giveaway.

A Christmas excited Mandy & four bunnies who like opening presents

December's Newsletter

The very last e-newsletter for 2011...

It's been lovingly put together and just sent out to all you lovelies out there

 and is ready for your visits for those of you who don't receive it by email,  just click here to view it.

(To sign up to receive them right into your email boxes just click right here.)

Two more posts and than I am on holidays.

I hope you'll hop in for tomorrow's post for I am going to show you a new watercolour...

And I am quite sure that you won't want to miss the last post of the year, on Friday,

for it's going to be a chance for you to win an original colour study of mine.

See you tomorrow.

Be Well, Be Joyful & Be Inspired, Mandy XO

Where Is Winter

I don't think we're the only ones waiting for the lake by our house to freeze over.
It's usually well on it's way by now but so far we've had a warm and rainy winter, which is unusual.
I don't like it one bit to be truthful, ha ha...since, in my humble opinion,
one of the benefits of living in a land which is frozen for almost half the year (and often unbearably so)
is indeed big beautiful snowflakes and crazy winter storms that keep you in your house
in front of roaring fires & in the company of hot chocolates, etc!!!...



...But I shouldn't complain for I know soon enough we'll be walking hand in hand or
gliding across this exact same spot on our skis,

with a thermos of hot chocolate and a big warm blanket tucked into our backpacks...

before we know it we'll be spending another season on the slumbering freeze,

Enjoying it's oh-so-quiet endless calming lengths...
Part of me can't wait, even though a bigger part of me hates being cold!

Be Well, Be Joyful & Be Inspired

XO Mandy & The Buns who will be starting holidays very soon and can't wait!

Owlette Now As Prints

Heh Everybody....look at WOO's just Perched In The Shop...


Visit my shop for a lovely soul-drenching dose of whimsy and colour.

Well that's all for today,
sorry lovely peeps but my poor noggin is too sore to write much more today...
p.s.  I am so so glad that I discuss and share my life as a migraine sufferer, here on this blog o' mine
because I get so many people writing me saying 'Heh I suffer too...' and than we share our stories
and it's some how nice to know others are out there in the same boat.

It's pouring here today...the rabbits are by the back door getting some fresh air.
And after a bit of a lie down with my trusty heat and ice packs, I'll be spending the day with
some watercolours...(pounding be damned) WHOOT WHOOT...ha ha.

XO A Colour Addicted Mandy

Swan

I just can't get over the beauty of this swan and just had to share the photos I took...

(and besides swans are kinda Christmasy aren't they, ha ha).

I think if ones ever doubting that magic and true beauty exists, all one has to do is find & watch a swan!

I've been working on opening a new online shop for my 'photography'

The details are still abit fuzzy but it's a coming and I am excited...

It may be a brand new shop, it may or may not be on Etsy,

The photos may just be available in my current Etsy shop...

I've not figured any of that out yet.

But I do have my prices set, a professional printer nearby ready to go,

and a new shipping area in my studio is almost complete and ready for lots of shipping action.

The response to my photos on this dear blog of mine is always quite strong

and I am so ready to branch out into this new direction.

...Well that's all for today...

May you bask in the glory of a magical swan as often as you can.

XO Mandy

A Happy B-Day

Today is a great day for it is my hon buns birthday...

He's 1 year more brillant and amazing & breath-taking & awesome...



And today is extra speacil in our rabbity warren because it's also our precious Ella Luna's 8th birthday...

Happy Birthday My Loves...

I hope I can make your day even one iota as beautiful as you two are.

XXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOO

Bijou, Roo, Jin & Jaks XO

A Grand Start

Some mornings are just so drenched in heart squeezing goodness...

Yesterday the sun made a glorious appearance...
(My head wasn't sore & Ella Luna was doing better with new arthritis meds to help her out)...
The golden light poured into my upstairs workspace making me want to jump to work right away...

...Jaks was snug as a bug on a cozy red blanket...

(with Jinster fast asleep in a nearby box).

Ella Luna and Roo with full tummies were all sleepy and warm and snug next to each other

(All of our floors are covered in soft puffy bed comforters, to help out Ella Luna's sore feet & knees)...

...The day also included a yummy nut pastry and a cinnamon cappuccino (hello!) 

with some watercolours ready to be played with for the day...

Ahhhh....

I just love grand starts like this one.

Peace, Love & Warmth wished your way lovelies...

XO Mandy, who with the help of an AMAZING guy, gives her bunny baby physiotherapy 3 times a day.

p.s.  My flickr photostream has TONS of new photos added, hop on by for a look-see sometime.

New Prints In The Shop

Hi Everyone, We're just hopping in today to let you know that...

..."Seraphina and The Night Owl", "Remembrance"

and 'The Dreams Perched"

could easily be hanging on your walls, in your favourite frames...yayyy

because my prints are offered in an 8 x 10" format, which is a very standard frame/mat size,

so whether your buying a professional frame, a walmart frame or perhaps some lovely one at

Winners type of thing..my prints will easily fit in.

(Visit my Etsy shop here)

5 x 7" prints AND my popular paper greetings will be available soon in the new year too, yayyy again!

Today I am sending an extra big hug to my mom & dad...

who popped in yesterday just in time to help me blow-dry a
very wet Ella Luna after a very yucky poopy incident!...XXOO.

It's the simplest of things that touches ones heart isn't it.

See you all on Friday lovely peeps...

XO Mandy & Ella Luna, who was an exceptionally good girl at doctors today.

Arroway The Rabbit

My head hasn't been super duper happy with the constantly changing weather...today was a rough one.

But between massaging Ella Luna's tootsies, wonderful bunny snuggles, Sex In The City re-runs (a fav)

and quality time with my heat packs! I did manage to finish off a playful watercolour...

"Arroway The Rabbit"



I felt the need to do something extra bright and sweet.

I wouldn't say watercolours are my strong suit...but I do love them and they provide satisfactory play

for achy wrists that need abit of tlc and a break from coloured pencils (which is why my wrist is so sore!).

Prints will be hopping into my shop shortly.

Hope your all off to a wonderful week.

XO A Bunny Snuggling Bijou

Jesse Cook

In October we saw the amazing Jesse Cook & his band.

We've seen them once before and they were just as great this time.

Let me share some of my favourite shots from the evening...

What beautiful & amazing artists these guys are & what a treat the concert was.

This was the Rumba Foundation Tour, if you have the chance to take it in, I highly suggest it.

(I'll be putting a few more shots that aren't posted here, into my flickr photo stream)

Thanks for hopping in lovelies.

XO Mandy, always inspired by music & often blasting Jesse Cook in the studio

p.s. The awesome Jesse Cook has granted me permission to sell these photos (Huge YAYYY!)
So if anyone is interested just email at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com