Headbands By Bijou...

Quite some time ago I designed 6 different styles of headbands and I finally got around to making the pattern and cutting the felt and finding the beads and buttons and putting it all together for the first 'prototype'...here is the finished headband...

I am going to making 5 or 6 at once very soon and put them up for sale in my Etsy shop, they'll be between $35-$50, because they are all hand-stitched/handmade made with care by me...the other 5 designs I've conjured up are just as cute...

...What do you think?

Illustration Friday "Atmosphere"

I usually like to keep the stuff I show you on this blog in the present tense BUT when I saw that this weeks' Illustration Friday theme was "Atmosphere" I felt I had the perfect image for the topic & it is still one of my favourite coloured pencils...so I didn't think you'd mind seeing an oldie!

(A print is indeed available in my Shop, click here if your interested)

This illustration was conjured up way back in 2004 when I read a national geographic article about how insects and especially bees can actually change our planets weather patterns & atmosphere, it was very interesting, slightly scary and defiantly inspiring read...

Have a fantastic weekend everyone....See you Monday.

These Days...

I am busy toiling away with a couple new projects...oh who am I kidding, it's not just a couple, it's more like 10, I've always been bad for that but I guess a surplus of creative activity is better than none & I know it slows some projects down but I eventually always get them all figured out!

Some of the projects I am working on this week involved Felt & Fabric & Buttons & Beads & other wonderful things like embroidery floss & cute pin cushions, breaks to read from my current book & snacks

 

....oh and most importantly, I am working on these projects mostly on the floor so I have the best company imaginable...

...so what if the furries interupt alot & make demands that I stop my work to give them parsley snacks & snuggles & so what if, occasionally Ella Luna will decide that I need to move out of the way and that she likes to expedite doing so, so she grabs my supplies & flings them far & wide, ha ha, these are co-worker demands which I can definatly and happily give in to...

....But ahhhh, days are feeling lovely indeed (despite much headpain)...lovely lovely lovely I must say. 

My mom & I even snuck out yesterday for a matinee of 'Eat, Love, Pray"...ahhhh summer matinees are one of lifes pleasures aren't they...that and just yesterday the finding of a fabulous comforter/sheet set for super cheap for some speacil house guests arriving soon....

I can feel summer slowing to a halt, but you know I don't mind...winter days means rest, hibernation of sorts & usually alot more artwork getting done than in summer...roaring fires, naps, more time to sink into books, even more bunny snuggle time (which is where my center & balance can usually be found), skiing & hot chocalate..I could go on but will just say whiles I am still basking in summer days & a couple more long weekends with my honey, I also find my soul already welcoming in the goods and coziness of the fall & winter fast approaching......ahhhhhhh........

So, that's it for today, thanks for hopping in everyone, your continued visits, comments & emails really do nourish this beloved blog of mine, so once again thanks a million times.  XO M & The Bunnies XO.

An Old Jewel Just Found

Long ago, I must have been 7 or 8 I suppose, my parents and my big brother went to Canada's Wonderland. At the time I wouldn't go anywhere without my best-est doll, which was a cabbage patch kid that I named Tia Celeste, ha ha...Whiles there at Wonderland on a hot sunny summer day with my doll, my parents paid a caricature artist to draw my portrait and my brothers...I remember thinking this was sooo huge, to have my picture drawn and I remember being so so pleased with how he drew me, ha ha...

This is that drawing....I just found it...

Abit worse for wear, abit crinkled and yellowed and faded but a fantastic find nonetheless...I still love it, ha ha...I don't know who the artist was, I can't make out the signature...but wow, what a wonderful treasure to have from my childhood...so I am sending out coodos to that long ago unknown artist and my parents who sweetly had their daughters drawing done:D....

Heh, if any of you guys have drawings, caricatures/portraits of yourselves, post them and then leave your link here in this post...let's get some good memories and heart squeezes going on:D

I have no new work to show you today for we are still on 4 day weekends so my studio time is much less lately and than lasts week we found ourselves happily back in Toronto for a short visit & than recently a bad headache knocked me out of the game for abit once again...I have alot to process, alot of exciting plans that I don't quite know how to go about quite yet, alot to get done, I think my creative engines have stuttered abit, but I'll be back with new work and new plans before probably even I know it, ha ha...have a wonderful day.  XO M.

Favourite New Photos

I just had to show you these new photos, I just love love love them. Jonathan and I were out pruning some trees the other week and I noticed this fantastic yellow beauty on one of the branches.

...I set him safely into another tree but not before snapping abunch of pics:D...

And this brings me to the part where I need your opinions. I've been wanting to open up a new online shop just for my photographs. I have an Etsy shop for my illustration as most of you probably already know, but seeing that I am not happy with my sales there...do you think I should try Etsy again for my photographic prints OR do you have any suggestions of some other online marketplace I can try???? I am thinking of RedBubble perhaps, or trying to hook up to Cosa Verde...Do let me know if you've any thoughts.

With the insanely hot humid weather finally breaking on Monday I am feeling energized and refreshed & my creative spirit is indeed sparking like crazy.

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies and I'll see you back here next Monday with some new stuff.  XO M.

A New Under Glass Pendant

New to my Etsy shop today is another under glass pendant, this time featuring one of my favourite lino cut images...it is of our very first rabbit, Beanie, the one who started my love affair with bunnies and it is called "Solitary Watcher"...

...Interested in purchasing 1 of the 7 pendants I have with this design, just click here.

Join me here Friday for some favourite new photos of a brilliant yellow beauty...

Missing Hazel...It's Been A Year Today

...Oh Dear, Sweet Hazzy...our funny, silly & precious Pud...I can't believe it's been a whole year today that you've been gone...

...It feels like so much longer that you've been gone. It astounds me that a single heart handle missing somebody so much.  365 days sounds short but feels huge when it means you haven't been here with us...

...But we're doing good, Hazzy...Jinny is well, she misses you but she & jaky have bonded perfectly...he'll keep her good company until she's with you again, her most beloved sister...

...I hope your with Beanie, Thodan, Gimmley, Hobbs & Noo Noo, keeping them good company & teaching them to be sweet & silly like you...

...We think of you everyday & how having you in our lives blessed us and made us better...this is a special post for you my angel girlie...We miss you Hazzy...We love you still & always. XXOO

Enjoying Summer...

I am so enjoying this summer...I admittedly sometimes have to force myself out of my cozy & safe little warren for I am not an introvert but any stretch but I can keep myself content and busy & do I have a tendency to find most of what I need right here in our cozy, safe, warm warren...but I have been popping out in the world alot lately and enjoying time and events with family and friends...like a visit with my niece, Karly last week...

...she is so goofy ha ha and loves to make people laugh so when I brought out my camera and was silly right along with her....we had a good time as you can see, ha ha....

I am sort of on holidays with Jonathan and though I am still getting work done it is at a much slower pace/rate...thus the lack of new work being shown...but I never show you photos here unless I think they are worth seeing or ones that aren't among my favs, so I hope your enjoying the photography as well. Tomorrow is a post for Hazel, our bun whom we miss dearly, I couldn't let the day go by without proper homage, so pop in for those, they are sweet sweet bunny shots that will make your heart melt I am sure:D...and after that who knows...tis the loveliness in blogging of sorts though isn't it:D

Some things I MUST mention before I go & I hope you'll check out:

1) my friend Michelle May over the the wonderful "Tales of the Raspberry Rabbits" blog has a whole new layout/plan for her blog, so check her out. Actually I see that she also just posted photos of her & her niece, ha ha...great minds think alike indeed:D....Tell her Mandy & the Buns sent ya over.

2) Is this very touching & interesting talk by Elizabeth Gilbert (the author of Eat, Love Pray) & hitting the walls of creativity & moving past them.

OH AND 3) but not least, the very sweet Amy Friend over at 'Cypress Sun'  featured my work in a post recently & I was tickled pink, surprised & very very happy for the inclusion...I love her blog, so do hop in for a visit & again tell her Mandy sent ya;D

Thanks everyone, your time is precious & I am honoured that you spent any little bit of it here on this blog of mine.  XXOO M & The Buns, Ella Luna, Roo, Jin & Jaks:D

...Lessons From Rabbits...

People often ask me why I love rabbits so much...These recent photos we snapped during some of Jin & Jaks time outside just perfectly captures what completely & totally captures our hearts about bunnies...

...They are not just wise & serene, familiar & beautiful...they are their very own little creationists..they don't have a bad day unless theirs something to be upset about & they enjoy each & every beautiful day right down to every single moment as fully as they can...if only people could learn how to do this with more ease & regularity...

...They love hard...they play hard...they are brilliant...they are pure...they are such a big part of the beautiful essence that makes up my life...thank you honey bunnies, thank you XXOO

Whenever I hear this song (which is almost everyday cause I have it right on my computer desktop) I think of the bunnies...

(p.s. some of these photos will be in my new photo shop.)

Have a great weekend.  XO M & The Buns...

Another Under Glass Pendant Design...

Hi lovelies...just popping in quickly to show you another 'under glass pendant' design I just listed in my Etsy Shop...

I currently only have 2 of these left and I am still yet unsure if I'll make more once they are gone...I guess it depends on the interest and demand or if I just want to move onto making more under glass versions with new imagery, etc...click here if your interested...be well and thanks for hopping in, have a lovely, creative & inspired day...see yous tommorow with a bunny post. XO M.

Introducing Glass Pendants...

For any of you who have followed my blog for awhile now, you've probably seen these little lovelies in my photos of different sales/events I've done locally BUT NOW I am finally getting around to putting them into my Etsy Shop...This lino-cut bird of mine is still one of my favourites so I thought I'd show you all this design first.

...as you can see the backs of the glass pendants are sweet also with a fancy little dragonfly as the clip ring/bail, each is signed to show you they've all been handmade by me...and each shipped in a lovely organza bag often with special treats from me to you...

If your interested in purchasing one of these necklaces they are now in my shop for only $10.95u.s.d or you can email me directly & we can do a pay pal transaction, whatever is easier for you. I made about 10 of them and there are only 4 left, grab them whiles you can because at this point I am unsure if I'll be making more. I am listing only 1 at a time over at the shop, so click here or visit there for more info.

Cheerio lovely blog land peeps:D

Our Lady Peace Concert Photos...

We went to this fantastic rock concert a couple months back.  I just got around to fixing up the photos & I am so in love with some of the shots we got, I just had to show you all, just like I show you all of my other favourite photos here on this beloved blog of mine.

The concert was 'Our Lady Peace' & though not one of my favourite bands, I bought the tickets as a gift to my sweetie...by the end of the 1st set I was thrashing & jumping about as much as the die hard fans around me...I love love love live music & great concerts, the energy of the artists & the crowd just gets right into your center & pulsates long after the music has ended & the crowds disperse...it's a feeling like no other & I love it...

We took tons of pics but these are my very favourites... 

I try to keep posts on this blog of mine related to my creative journey mostly so I thought for a few minutes...'maybe I shouldn't bother posting these...' but I decided to because a) music does play a huge part towards my inspiration and b) I love taking photos & though I won't go as far as calling myself a photographer, I am indeed day by day grower prouder  & stronger in my photo taking skills (hence the photo shop "Bella Bijou", opening soon, I just have to find the perfect place to host the shop..any suggestions since Etsy just doesn't seem to be working for me!???)...hope you don't mind seeing these.  We'll be back to some art work next post.

A Weekend Festival

Last weekend, Friday through to Sunday Jonathan and I enjoyed a little festival that happens every year in our little city that is only a 20 minute walk from our house...

...Fairs & festivals are an odd mixture to me, one of excitement and a lovely buzz of bodies, lights & movement but also I always find an air of eeriness floating about and sometimes there is a hint of desperation, especially when the carny folk start beckoning & taunting you to play their games...

...I wanted to share some of my favourite shots from the weekend...

It was a good time including a concert by David Usher & my favourite part of the whole thing, an outdoor movie showing of "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs", complete with a handsome sweetie beside me, a cozy soft blanket to keep warm and hold hands under & of course a whippy:D....

Hope your summer weekends are finding you amid oodles of fun.  XO M & The Buns.