New Felt Fun

It's been awhile since I've worked with felt & stitchery and it felt good to get back into it a bit.

Here is my most recently finished lovely...isn't it pretty?

 

 

It can be put in a frame for the makings of a lovely little embroidered art piece,

or upon request I can make it into a one-of-a-kind brooch for you.

 

Felt Love

You know I can never stay away from my felt and stitchery for all that long...
There is just something happy & cozy found when working with felt, buttons & thread.

 

 

I haven't really found a market for them yet (any suggestions?) but I just gotta keep making them!
Almost done this sweet little lovely.

Black Bird on Pink Flower Felt Brooch

Another felt goodie just finished up by Yours Truly...

 

 

Interested?  Just email me at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com.

Blue Bird on Pink Button Felt Brooch

Just hopping in to show you a new felt brooch I just finished up.

This one is with a sweet little blue bird on a sweet pink button.  I just LOVE making these.

 

Once again it's all hand-stitched, one-of-a-kind & ready to funkify your wardrobe.

It's only $50.  Interested? Email me at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com

A New Felt Bracelet & A Bad Diagnosis

I just had to hop in today to show you a super duper cool new bracelet I just made for myself.

It's recycled felt with vintage buttons and is all hand stitched...

I am toying with the notion of opening a 2nd Etsy shop for my hand-stitched felt goodies,

But for now I may just start listing them in my original shop.

Would any of you consider buying a bracelet like this for yourselves if I offered them???

I've been having big troubles with my drawing wrist...

It's been pretty bad and has had me on edge for quite some time,

The doctors were hoping for Carpel Tunnel or Tendentious,

because those can be cured and treated with surgery and physio.

BUT, apparently I have 'Repeative Stress Syndrome'...

and I am told by the wrist doctor that the shooting pain that wakes me up from sleep,

the achiness & the yucky tightness and weakness (even when it's at rest!)

will only get worse and worse...

I am not a happy camper, not with this negative diagnosis...

And. I admit to getting teary in the specialist's office because the idea of more constant troubles,

when I already have severe migraines and a dislocating knee to always deal with, feels like too much...

UGH UGH UGH!

So I made myself this bracelet to kinda cheer up my own wrist, ha ha.

I am still trying to pin-point what is too much art making & what I can get away with comfortably.

Right now every little activity causes me discomfort

However, I refuse to not make artwork, it's who I am.

Though the idea of having this pain & trouble to worry about whenever
I do work on artwork is quite honestly sending me for a loop.

I am going to have patience & hope & seek a 2nd opinion because the very negative

'There's nothing you can do about it' attitude just doesn't work for me, certainly not as a full time artist!

and I am going to take extra good care of it, with heat therapy and more frequent art breaks,

and today I am seeking an acupuncturists help...

WISH ME LUCK!

XO Mandy

A New Felt Brooch

I was hoping to show you a new painting this week

BUT I am having some trouble with my drawing wrist and I've had to suddenly slow down this week

and was unable to finish what I wanted to show you (more on that later!).

But I do have a cool new felt brooch to show you...

Here are some close-ups...

It's a hand-made, hand-stitched, one-of-a-kind original.

It will be listed in my Etsy shop along with 5 others very soon,

I am just waiting on some new clasps to arrive.

If you want to reserve it for yourself, just email me at MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com

I am off to scoot around in our awesome brand new Jeep & to run some errands...I'll see you next week.

XO Mandy, whose listening to Au Revoir Simone in the studio today.

p.s. My next newsletter will be sent out in the next couple of days,
If you would like to sign up to receive them in your email boxes,
Just click and sign up right here, Thanks.

Coraline Doll

The other day I found myself making an impromptu doll with my 9 year old niece.

She said 'Auntie Mandy, do you think you could help me make a 'Coraline' doll...'

and well I did just happen to have some supplies with me, so I said

"I don't know but the only way we'll know is if we try"....

And try we did and success was had...I think our Coraline inspired doll turned out pretty cute, ha ha...

'Coraline' just happens to be one of my favourite movies.

And it's always a treat for me when my niece shows an interest in art and in my artistic abilities.

(She has already put in her custom & very detailed order for a painting for her room for Xmas, ha ha!)

So thanks for the fun idea and fun day of doll making my little munchkin.

(I know my mom will show her this post).

And thanks to everyone else who hopped in for a visit this week.

I am anxious to show you more stuff next week, so do stop by again...

Have a wonderful weekend.

XO Mandy & 4 happy bunnies

Another New Felt & Beaded Brooch

Just hopping in today to show you all another felt and beaded brooch I recently made...

 I just organized a nice big toolbox for my beads, felt and stitchery goodies so I can just grab the box and get to work wherever and whenever the mood strikes me....usually it's during movies I just can't get into but still want to 'watch' or when my sweets wants to watch one of his gory zombie flicks. 

Today however my fingers are itching to work with coloured pencils, I have several pieces on the go and I am anxious to finish at least one of them and my back is feeling better...so I am off to do just that.

Have a wonderfully cozy day.

We're a little off schedule this week, so I'll be seeing you all again on Saturday.

XO Mandy whose love love loving this week of constant rain

New Felt Bunny Brooch

Happy Friday all.

I am hopping in today to show you my newest felt and stitched brooch.

Doesn't this white rabbit have on the cutest sweater, ahhhh I love it, ha ha...

I don't know if this one will be for sale.  I might just have to keep it for myself, ha ha.

If your interested in any of the felt brooches you've seen here on my blog but don't want to wait

until their listed in my online shop, just email me at mandysaile@bijouswhimsy.com

XO Mandy, Ella Luna, Roo, Jinny and Apple-Jaks

White Bunny Brooch

I just have to say,

Thanks so so much...

Thanks, to all of you lovelies who have been joining me here on my blog in the last few weeks. 

It still amazes me, all of the lovely friendships and connections with people from all over the world

that I've made because of this blog of mine....what a joy, a surprise and an honor.

I do put lots of work into this blogspot of mine, and I do take alot of pride in it. 

I can't tell you how much your visits and continual kind comments and support mean.

It all means the world, and I thank you all oodles.

Okay, I am done gushing...and wanted to hop in to show you another felt brooch I recently made.

What do you think?

Is it sweet?

Do you think it's worthwhile to list them in my Etsy shop??

I was planning to, I just wanted all of your opinions...

Yesterday I picked all of the tomatoes in the garden and chopped the plants down for the
compost heap...it was a pretty good harvest and I can't wait to grow more next summer.
Today the agenda includes:
Coloured pencils outside with a big pot of peppermint tea
as Ella Luna and Roo romp about the leaf covered yard...
and likely I'll have a hot water bottle or two with me since I am nursing a
tender head from 3 previously awful headache plagued days, ugh!
The last couple of weeks Jon and I have been nursing nasty persistant colds as well
so I feel like I am still recoup-ing from that as well,
some time in the autumn sun will be just what the doctor orders I think...
Perhaps a bowl of lentil soup and some cucumbers grown in our garden will accompany me as well...

XO A Fall Loving Mandy & Her Fall Loving Bunnies

p.s. Join me here on Wednesday for some favourite shots from a summer biking adventure.

Bird On Flower Brooch

I woke up and looked out the window to see grey skies and bright yellow leaves doing a lovely spiral dance around each other as thy floated to the ground...ahhhh, it's feeling like a very cozy day.

The perfect day to show you another felt brooch I just finished up.

Isn't it sweet sweet sweet...
I conjured up several designs in the summer & it feels great to see them come to life.
I am having so much fun with them and they let me indulge in my felt obsession.
They don't have to be worn, one could put them in a frame as lovely little originals.

On the agenda today:  
Tend to a very sore head
Get a coloured pencil finished up (Which I can't wait to show you)
Finish up a smaller 2nd image which just needs a smidge of paint added
Make a big pot of cabbage soup
tidy my forever messy house
but mostly...
the plan is to sit on the floor working on another felt brooch besides 4 sweet sweet sweet bunnies.

Hope your having a great day...thanks for hopping by.

XO A Stitching Bijou XO

Bunny Brooch

I just wanted to hop in and show you all a little felt, stitched & beaded brooch I just finished up.

I've made 5 of these little cuties so far and am having a ball with them.

I'll let you know when it's available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Thanks oodles to everyone sending us and Jaks well wishes & healing energies...

it means so much and touches my heart warmly...hugs to you all. 

Jaks is abit better today...another positive update will follow soon hopefully.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I hope you can hop in for a visit next week.

XO Mandy, Ella Luna, Roo, Jaks and Jinny

February Blog Giveaway

I think February's Blog Giveaway is an extra special one...

It's your chance to win one of my super sweet, hand-made felt rabbit ornaments...

AND because I LOVE LOVE LOVE these little guys of my so much & I want to share their sweetness I am going to give away TWO...that is I'll draw 2 names.

So Here's How You Can Enter Your Name For The Draw:

You can do 1 or all of these options it's entirely up to you...

1- Leave a comment on this post = 1 entry

2- Visit my Etsy Shop or my ArtFire Shop & tell me what your favourite image is = 1 entry

3- Sign up for my monthly email newsletter = 2 entries

4- Follow me on Twitter = 1 entry

5 - Join my Fans of Bijou's Whimsy on Facebook = 1 entry

6 - Become one of my blog 'followers' = 1 entry

7 - Place either of my blog buttons on your blog(they are available on my sidebar) = 2 entries

8 - Mention this giveaway on your blog = 2 entries

Many ways to win...just don't forget to tell me which ways your entering for I know many of you but not all of you lovely peeps & I sometimes forget who's following me where etc...Thanks.

The Winner will be announced on March 1st 2011.

 

See I told ya it was going to be an extra special giveaway...

 

XO M & The 4 bunnies who kept the little artist company whiles making these felt sweeties



New Baby Bunny Stuffies

I recently designed a new little stuffed toy with the intent of sending one to my best friends little bean.  It turned out so sweetly & well I just adore working with felt so I made a small batch to put in my Artfire Shop.

They are made from recycled felt & recycled stuffing...100% Eco-Friendly. 
It felt weird not to adorn them with beads or buttons but then again they are meant to be baby friendly...


The blue guy is available Here, The beige one Here & the grey one is Here...grab them if your interested because there are only 3 currently made & I am not sure when or if I'll make more.

Do you think their as sweet as I do???

XO M & My Snow Romping Bunnies...

p.s. Don't forget to enter your name for my December's Giveaway.

New Bunny Ornaments

I've been stitching away here in my studio & admit to being  head over heels for these new little rabbit ornaments I designed this year...


Aren't they so so sweet & adorable???

They will be making their debut at a Xmas Sale/Show I am doing this weekend.  I made 23 so far & besides 1 or 2 that I'll put aside for our own tree I am really hoping they are all adopted into new homes.

I off to the dentist again!  Have a great day lovelies.

XO M & The Buns, who are currently  basking in the sun.

My Great Big Postcard Swap Sweetie...

I wanted to hop in today to show you the sweet little piece I just finished for The Great Big Postcard Swap hosted by Beth over at the Do What You Love blog...This is the 2nd year for this swap and there was quite a turn out with 85 people from 13 countries on 5 continents participating.

...most of you know that bunnies make up a very very big part of my home...physically and spiritually...having a home full of bunnies fills me with love and helps me grow and be more loving to the rest of the world...so a bunny full of nurturing love sprang forth when I conjured something up for the postcard swaps theme of 'home'.

...I made this stitched postcard with black, light blue, cream and red coloured felt, which I added some floral stamens to, than some red and white glass beads, some green and pink silk ribbon and a sweet singular pink button...all stitched by hand with black embroidery floss...

... I am hoping the person I send it too loves it & appreciates the time put into it and I am hoping they'll want to display it, so I also added abit of ribbon on the back so it could be easily hung.

So what do you think???  not to bad for my very first postcard swap...I admit that I'd kinda like to keep it, ha ha but tomorrow I am going to wrap it up sweetly and safely and mail it off to the recipient in Michigan USA...I am anxious to receive mine..I wonder which one I'll get.  I am so so glad I got it done because my head was just pounding the whole day but I knew I had to get it finished and I did, wohoo:D Now I am off to upload these photos to the flickr group, pop on by to see what everyone else has done if your interested.

Sweet dreams all and wishing some lucky bunny love to you all as well.

XO Mandy & The Bunnies from felt & stitching land.

Felt Fun & Whimsy...

I love this time of year because it means the making of items which include delicious coloured felt, buttons, beads & baubles, oh my...

I am in the middle of a few projects but I get so blissed out making my felt stars every year. (you can see some of last years batch here) They are one thing that I don't care if they don't sell...if they don't sell I happily hang them around our house/studio.

Here is my first batch...I made 25 so far (my sore & numb fingertips are being ignored!)...

Every single star was designed & hand-stitched by moi and I made no 2 alike, every single one is unique...I sell them as xmas ornaments but I have mine hanging up all year round, they really add abit of charm and whimsy to any room....

They might make it to the shop, but I must hang onto them for now to fill up my table at an upcoming xmas art and craft sale & possibly for the Art On Main xmas tree, though I have another little project in the works for that bit. 

(Please excuse the darker photos, it's been raining here constantly and I just didn't want to wait for some sunlight to shoot the photos).

I've designed abunch of paper dolls, a new felt doll design to use some of my fantastic antique laces on, AND  I am finally getting to my sewing machine for some more Lagomorph Lovelies....

See you tomorrow for the winner of my October Giveaway. 

Thanks oodles for hopping in.

p.s. I just discovered the music of "Camille", I've no ideal what she's saying but I love love love her sound & style...I am blasting her in the studio today, espeacially this song:D