My Nubbins Are Finally Out In The World...

I am excited and nervous to finally be officially introducing my beloved "Nubbin" art doll line to the world via my blog and soon my new website. Here are my first 6 dolls...I will introduce each one individually over the next 2 weeks or so and as I properly introduce each lovely lady, I will also let you know when and where they will be for sale.

I have been keeping them under wraps for awhile now, I don't know why...fear is a fickle but strong thing! I think I was worried about people ripping off and stealing my ideal...and I am sure those with no creative bone or talent will do so, but I am trying to keep positive and know that it's my illustrations and the unique little personalities I conjure up that is the most special thing about them and I am confident that that can not be copied. I hope they are as loved by everyone else as they have been by their creator/maker, little itty bitty moi, Mandy Saile a.k.a Bijou of 'Bijou's Whimsy'....may they enchant and delight as they are meant to do:D

The Art By The Bay Sale

The Art By The Bay Sale hosted by Art On Main and Books By The Bay was a success...though we were unfortunately forced from our large outdoor booths to a less desirable and cramped location the traffic wasn't bad and I think a good time was had by all artists involved... It was a test in remaining cool, and making things work at the last minute with half the amount of space I originally planned for...I think I made things look pretty decent with what I had to work with and my work was wonderfully received. I finally for the first time brought my beloved art dolls a.k.a 'Nubbins' out of hiding and introduced them to people, they were a hit even though some people didn't quite grasp that they were just art dolls and not necessarily useful...other than cheering ones spirits and looking beautiful, ha ha. My art cards are usually a successful item for these type of shows and I was happy to see them as such again...and happy that the card racks Jonathan and I conjured up worked quite well.

My colourful and unique illustrated bamboo necklaces were also introduced to the public and they seemed to be liked by most which was great to see...though some people thought they were getting miniature originals painted on the bamboo for $25! I had to clarify to a confused few!

I love making these and whatever doesn't sell locally in the next couple of months will eventually make it into my Etsy shop.

I also made other bamboo ones, which were about half the size of my 'normal' necklaces, and half the price because they had less beads and plain cotton cording.

I also made a slew of glass pendants with my illustrations, these came with hemp cording and I made quite a few of them so these also will make it into the shop I am sure.

Big thanks to Jonathan of course who helped me get a few things ready for this sale, who helped me lug everything in and out of the sale, unpack and pack everything, who brought me coffee and snacks, who charmed all around him and who kept me great company all day long...thanks babe:D XOXOXOXOX....

...and thanks to my mom and dad who popped over to see what their little entrepreneur was up to that day...and to a new friend who also took the time to come visit my table, Tracey Walsh, a lovely local aromatherapist, for anyone local who's interested in having this type of treatment do check out Tracey's info here.

I was interviewed by our local paper that day also, Jenny Potter from The Nugget is a sweet and pleasant reporter and it was fun chatting with her...I was happily surprised to see that some of our little chat made it into the article she put together for this event. Click Here to read the article.

Over all it was a good day, I met some new artists including a couple fellow Etsians, traded work, bought a new work and definatly consider the day a success.

Summer Has Arrived...

I just wanted to pop in with some new favourite photos I took recently in our beloved yard. I might not be posting quite as often over the rest of the summer as I am sort of on summer vacation, work will still continue of course, there is another sale mid-August I am taking part in. These days creativity is over-flowing and I definitely want to take advantage of that, but at the same time I am going to be switching gears and buckling down on 'more serious' work for my upcoming solo exhibition. I'll try to pop in 3 times a week but if your ever wondering where I am, I am just here...in our cozy little rabbit warren...hanging out with Jon and the honey bunnies...making some good food...enjoying some tube...listening to music...getting back into my yoga and pilates...taking bike rides...short and fun road trips...there is theatre going with my mom...cleaning and reorganizing of the studio...getting some house projects done and some yard projects too...working outside on my easel with some pastels...and just enjoying some simple and abundant days which is also helping me find me and my calm again because I got abit frazzled there for abit...so here's to summer finally starting for us, yahoo:D..

...and here's to you all and hope your having a great one so far as well. See you in a couple days...Be Well, Be Loved, Be Loving...XO Mandy of Bijou's Whimsy.

Happy Birthday To My Chicken...

My best friend and I call each other 'chicken'...we don't know why, we've just been doing it for years now...one of the many many things I love about our friendship. Today is Judits birthday...and I just had to do something special on my blog for you today Judit...so here are the photos of us from a couple weeks ago which you haven't seen yet...surprised? ha ha. Judit is by far one of the best people I know, she has a wonderful and beautiful spirit and a pure and kind heart and my life is that much more brilliant and warm and lovely because I have her in it...

Happy Birthday my dearest dearest chicken, I love you...I love you...I love you XO.

An Afternoon On The Cranberry Trail

So I am going to do things abit out of order here and share with you today some of our afternoon out on the Cranberry Trail last Sunday(a newly discovered location which is currently one of my favourite places). Ready with our bikes, backpacks, camera, my amazing guy, a very sore throat, some dizziness and a slight headache! we ventured out for a lovely afternoon...

This pond was so beautiful and cozy to me...it brought back childhood memories of growing up wild and carefree in the forest and spending hours upon hours by a pond much like this one watching a family of beavers do their beautiful natural thing...

...Jon likes to get up close and personal when the lens is in his hands, ha ha...and usually it irritates me but I quite like these two shots he took of me...

...though I could have laid down in the cat-tails and happily dozed and watched whatever might transpire...we had to move onwards so back on our bikes we went...

...but first a shot of my honey...

...this little thicket caught my eye and my heart leap and I must admit to believing the slight possibility of faire folk hanging out in this cool delicious little spot, ha ha...

...the first look out was a calming and serene view which doesn't quite come across in the photos. There was a 2 tiered deck where one can the natural beauty and I am quite sure spot a black bear, moose, or raccoons make their way across the vast fields...or perhaps a giant porcupine which Jonathan and I happily met slowly lumbering across our path when out at the trail the weekend before...

...at this location was painter/artist Nancy Dewar Stenning...I really liked her colours and textured paintings...

...and Jonathan waited patiently as I photographed this and that, sat in awe of our beautiful land and chatted with the artist...

...before long we were back on our bikes zooming along to this gourgues point...

....and to these lovely creatures...Jonathan will atest to the fact that I am obsessed with ducks! and I could sit for hours just watching them...they are so very very peaceful and somehow knowing....

...at this beautiful spot were two more local artists at work...here you see Edna Scott working on a watercolour of the vista...

...and Robert Smith, a talented wildlife artist...

...working with charcoal to create this lovely little squirrel...(both artists being my fellow Art On Main Members).

It was indeed a beautiful day, very relaxing for the soul and defiantly uplifting for the creative spirit....

Thanks for sharing some of our day with me...come back and visit again soon as I have shots to share of the Art By The Bay Sale, my Nubbins and of course some new work from our little rabbit warren in the North:D...

In non-artistic ventures...yesterday my mom and I went to see 'The Proposal' and I loved it, it's the best romantic comedy I've seen in quite some time. We saw 'Ice Age 2' the week before and to me, it is by far the best installment yet. I've been craving to buy the 'Twilight' series, but don't know if that will ruin the movies for me, hmmm...and Tonight is SYTYCDance...and if it's in anyway as good as it was last week, we're all in for a treat tonight...hoorah:D...now I am off to enjoy the rest of this sunny day and to make a puff pastry-asparagus-goats cheese-tart! wish me luck! and Be Well all, Be Well....

Art By The Bay Gallery Exhibition

Hi everyone...I've missed my blog and posting over the last week...but now things are calmer, our little 'stay-cation' somewhat beings...and I have time and lots to catch yous up on...firstly being the juried gallery exhibition called "Art By The Bay" which I am currently in at the Dufresne Gallery, a little gem of a gallery somewhat hidden in the sweet town of Callander. Here are the two pieces I put into the show..."Weather Patterns", an older coloured pencil... ...and "State of Mind", a newer coloured pencil...both in beautiful frames that my honey made for me, thanks Jonathan, your a life saver.

The exhibition opening was two Saturdays ago and the turn out was good and the exhibition wonderful in my opinion. Every piece in the show was strong and it is an excellent representation of some of the local talent. I thought I'd share a few shots...

...and here's me with my mom outside of the gallery... ...and my honey with my mom...two people I can always count on for support.

Well that's all for today...more in a day or two. Thanks for popping in and again I am sorry for being away so long...but I am back and though still pooped, the creative spirit flows strongly and surely...Be Well all and Happy Creating...

A New PaperCut and Busy-ness

I barely have time to pop in lately but I did want to just long enough to atleast show you all my latest papercut... I've been getting some great new cutting tools/pens but I have to say that the $13.00 Martha Stewart one found at walmart with the light green mint handle is by far superior to everything else I've tried. I gotta run, life in and out of the studio has felt very crazy the past month and a bit and I feel like I've barely been able to sit back and enjoy any summer and today being cool and only +11 it's feeling like summer has already come and gone! My heart is happy however just coming from a much needed two days away in the big city with my sweet guy and best friend. And on Saturday there was a successful opening for the group juried exhibition "Art By The Bay" out at the Dufresne Gallery, which my honey and mom were kind enough to attend with me (some photos to follow soon). Until next post, be well all and happy happy creativity and being...

...Good Things...

...some old new found buttons can make a girl so happy...

... a beautiful and sweet card from a friend, to make one smile...

....a good book recently finished (or rather devoured!) and enjoyed...

...a sweet little bun who doesn't ask for much just love and lots and lots of food...

...and some beautiful new magazine/book racks for the living room which the above sweet bun is nice enough not to chew...

...Indeed, all good things currently making this little blogger/artist happy, happy, happy...