Elsie and Henrie

Last Saturday in the wee hours of the morning we were on the snowy roads.

Driving almost 1000km once again to adopt two new bunnies from the shelter.

 

Long before Jinny passed, we agreed that we'd bring home a new little friend for Jaks.

So when looking at the adoption pages, we noticed that two older buns were still there

from over a year ago when we went to get Frenwyck and they called to us big time.

So we decided to open up a previously 'bunny-free' room to these 2 big bunnies

(On top of the little guy we adopted to hopefully bond with our Jaks).

 

Jaks's buddy was really sick and not cleared to go home with us but we couldn't wait to get

Henrie & Elsie, especially not when they've been there well over a year already.

We wanted the new babes home asap.

2 separate trips, even though exhausting, expensive & long is actually ideal in our minds

because it allowed us to concentrate on settling in Henrie & Elsie first. 

 

We are completely confounded as to why this duo was at the shelter for SO long.
They were apparently surrendered when their owners condo board changed the rules to 'no pets'.

They are beautiful rabbits.

But sadly it's probably a mixture of their older age (almost 4), the red eyes and the bigger size.
 

On top of an excited and super happy heart, I am admittedly struggling with alot of guilt,

that they were there this WHOLE time...

I remember seeing them when we went to get Frenwyck.

But Jonathan keeps telling me that it just wasn't the right time...

to be happy that we acted on it and that they are here NOW!

It's always SO insanely satisfying to see the adoption sign up on their pens.

(as you can see Henrie's name was Perry but we changed it after my favorite Aunt & Uncle)

We snuggled and feel in love with abunch of the other bunnies,

oh my goodness...it's so hard and feels cruel to pick & choose, but you just have to don't you!
 

 

We've been SO impressed & proud of all the shelter buns, because despite the long long drive,

they all do super super well in the truck.  And it's a great time for me to bond whiles Jon drives.

 

 

Although 48 hours prior and the whole entire day I had a super bad splitting migraine,

so it was difficult for me...my sweetheart was massaging my head any chance he had...

But I was too happy to let the pain stop me from going to get them or from smiling...

and the whole time in the shelter I actually completely forgot about the pain, ha ha!

 

Henrie & Elsie & I patiently waited in the truck

whiles Jonathan got us pizza & sushi for the haul back home.

Once the sun went down, the two feel fast asleep.  They were pooped.

But you could tell that they knew they were in good hands.
 

 

Elsie was out of the travelling cage within 10 seconds, ha ha.

They usually take longer than that.

 

Henrie was popcorning & zooming within 10 minutes, ha ha.  It was so awesome to see.

They are a super sweet bonded pair...brother and sister...awww.

Always snuggling & kissing.

They are our biggest buns yet at almost 10 pounds each (heavier than our Roo even).
 

 

They seem to LOVE their room.  It's pretty big and perfect for these big bunnies.

Elsie loves the couch.

It just feels SO perfect to have them here... 



and SO FAR they are so well behaved.  We are super impressed.

 

 

They seem to have settled in super fast and they seem to love it here

which makes my heart grow a million times.

I know the shelter takes great care of them

but there's nothing like a loving forever home for these beautiful sweethearts. 



 

The shelter said they were super snuggly rabbits and holy smokes are they ever.

Especially Elsie, she'll cuddle for hours on end.  It's really very very awesome.

 

 

We've been taking turns sleeping in the room with them at night...just for the first little bit,

to make sure they feel safe and also to see what they get up to,

incase we've missed anything in our bunny-proofing.

Who wouldn't want to wake up to these two gentle giants smooshed up against your pillow, ha ha.

 

 

So that was our big wonderful news.

Elsie & Henrie have joined our family.

And we could be happier about it.

They are awesome and amazing. 



Welcome home new babies...welcome home.  XXOO.

 

(p.s.  We'll introduce you to the new little guy as soon as we bring him home & he's settled in).

 

 



Sweetness

We have some wonderful news...

but in the meantime, whiles I compose the post to tell you all about it...

here's a sweet new inkling.

 

 

I just wanted to say Thank you SO much for all the kind words about our Jinny,

be it here on the blog, by email, through Twitter or by snail mail (love ya sweet Aline).

and for all your enthusiasm about my upcoming magazine feature.

Your messages are always a hug for my heart.  XO.

Snow Play

Weekend time is here meaning a bit of time outside with the buns hopefully.

But it's been such a cold winter, we aren't out as much as usual nor for very long.

Not that they mind much I don't think, this new group of ours are definitely house bunnies, ha ha.

But they do get some snow play in now and then & Jonathan is still making his yearly rabbit forts...

 

They mostly stay to the shoveled pathways but once in awhile they'll go off into the deep snow.

Teela never fails to find something to eat that she shouldn't leading us all off on a chase!

If Yuuji doesn't quite like the snow fort he'll take it upon himself to make some architectural changes!

I think however, despite the chilly fun, we're all getting ready for summer & green!

 

Have a great cozy and warm weekend...see you next week.

Off To A Good Start

another new little inkling.

 

 

Hope your having a great day.

To Be Featured

I am insanely excited.

 

The lovely editor of Coloured Pencil magazine asked tiny little me

if I would like to be featured in their awesome publication.

 

 

and not only is it a feature about me & my coloured pencil work

but about the bunnies, our recent adoption from the shelter and how they inspire the work that I do.

 

It's suppose to be in the Spring edition.  Ahhhhh!!!

This is what I was preparing last week, getting the article & images ready.

I just had to tell you!

 

On My Desk

A sneak peek at what's on my desk this week...

 

 

I really hope she turns out!!!

Just Gotta

I always find it so difficult to keep moving forward normally after a long-eared love leaves us...

BUT my sweet honey and 5 sweet bunnies keep reminding me that it's okay to be happy & laugh...

 

Life is short...you gotta find beauty in every single day if possible.

 

I just gotta appreciate...

The Cute as pie bunnies that are still with us...

 

The giant white bunnies that jump on the couch to watch tv with us...

Yummies for the tummies like tea and scones hot from the oven in the middles of the afternoon...

Bunnies who wait for you at the front door...

 

Lovely beautiful exotic fruits that can be had even in the frozen North...

 

 

Bunnies who sit on your shoulder and keep you sweet sweet company...

Bunnies who wait to help you with the groceries...



 

So whiles we miss our Jin desperately & will be lost without her for a long time,

and I'll for some time cry at the drop of a hat....

there's still so much beauty and happiness to be had.

 

FINALLY I've learnt that it's okay to concentrate on all the good stuff to get through the bad stuff.

 

So Jinny is gone...but today I am back in my studio (keeping Jaks company) & having a good day...

cause if bunnies teach me anything...

it's the simple beauty of each and every day.

RIP Jinny

Hearts are broken in the Saile-Peterson warren...

Our beautiful sweet Jinny has flown away.

She died in my arms at 5pm yesterday evening.

 

 

She passed away of old age.

She was 10 years old.  Her passing was difficult but very quick.

 

 

She was one of the founding members of our 'Tough-Nut" team.

She was simply amazing & awesome.

 

 

She not only leaves us but her best buddy Jaks who will miss her madly.

 

 

She spent most of her last days on her beloved window bench watching the snow fall,

soaking in the warm rays, and taking in sunsets and sunrises.  She really loved that bench & it's view.

 

 

Jaks gave his girl abunch of kisses just minutes before she passed, he got to say goodbye.

 

 

We are going to miss everything about our beautiful blue-grey digging queen.

Especially her summer time pop corning and zooming around the yard.

Watching her dig her burrow for hours on end.

Seeing her rush to us every single morning for her breakfast.

The way she'd push Jaks out of the way to get to her daily orange juice treat.

I can't imagine looking up from my desk and not seeing her sweet little face.

 

 

I am going to miss how she would grab the bottom of my pants

and pull on them when she wanted attention.

Or when she would strongly nudge me when apparently I was in the way.

How when I would be squatted down, she'd sneak underneath me

and push up with her head knocking me over...that was a special game of hers.

I am going to miss watching her take care of her Jaky boy.

 

She was sweet, she was gentle, she made us laugh...she filled us with joy.

And she sure did love her Daddy.

 

 

We're going to miss her so much.

There's going to be a very empty place on that window bench of hers...

under my coloured pencil desk....

stretched out in the rays of the sunlight...

by Jaks's side.

 

We love you Jin Jin....we'll take good care of your buddy, we promise. 

We hope your with sisters...don't be too bossy this time around with Noodle!

 

Love you baby....our Jinster.  Love you forever.

Another Rabbit Inkling & 6 Years

On top of my exhibition, this week I am preparing for something huge...I can't wait to tell you.
 

I am enjoying more time with my ink pens & more little inklings...doesn't this one look like our Jin.
I just love it and can totally picture it on a tote bag.

Today marks my 6th year of blogging.  Wow.

 

 

I remember my very first post,
I was so nervous, tentative, unsure of who in the world would care about anything I wrote or showed, it took me hours to hit the publish button, ha ha.
I wasn't quite knowing what my blog was about or would become or even if I'd keep it up.
Now 6 years in and almost 1000 posts later, it feels like a cozy home and a labor of love,
a beautiful space for show and tell, a meeting place for new friends,
a gentle spot to lay open my heart and my tender soul...knowing I'll be met with kindness & support.
Well now 6 years down the road, I am planning on blogging for atleast another 6, ha ha!

On Being An Artist

I've been busy busy busy

(except for the last week and a bit due to this nasty cold)

but I still fear I won't get all that I want to get done for my upcoming show.
It's like this every time!  I stress out even though I know I'll pull something together in the end!

 

Aside from all of the hours upon hours of colour work that people get to see...

they don't get to see the hours upon hours of sketching time I put into each piece.

 

 

I love the drawing part...the tiny detail part...perhaps just as much as the colour part.

I do it in waves, I won't sketch for months at a time and than suddenly 'it's time'...

Time to do nothing but draw, get new ideas roughed out & get old ideas drawn out for the finals.

 I'll have my head bent over sketchbooks & tracing paper & reference books for hours upon hours.

When I am working with coloured pencils,

I have to take frequent breaks because of my wrist & neck...

but when I am drawing and sketching it's the opposite, the longer I am at it, the more fueled I am.

My honey knows I am in 'the zone' and he never complains that he's barely sees me but instead

he brings me food and hot teas and takes over the laundry etc, (he's so awesome).

 

I love that I've been doing this long enough now to know that I never have to fear.

I have no fear of my creativity drying up or just not being there.

I am now comfortable in my creative cycle.

I know that I may not get any ideas for months on end BUT in a flash every few months,

I will sit down and get enough drawn out to last me until the next creative burst.

 

 Here's a sneak peek at a new piece I am currently working on that I am excited about...

 

 

Often what's in my head isn't necessarily what I end up with...

which is disappointing and frustrating yes but it fuels me to make the  next piece better.

But sometimes, like with this bird filled one, it turns out better than I envisioned

and it's a piece you can come back to again & again with a whispered 'Wow...I did that..'

and there's such joy in that whispered moment & realization. 

For me, it's one of the best things about being an artist.

 

Coloured pencils are a tedious, unforgiving, super slow medium but I don't care...I've never cared.

Even when my professors scolded me & said to stop using them, that they weren't a viable medium!

Like my honey and the bunnies...they make my heart tick happily.

 

Tick Tock...Tick Tock...happy happy happy!

2013 Book Pile

It's that time of the year...

a glance at my book pile for 2013.

 

 

The pile is sadly a smidge anemic.  (Last years book pile was much better, in volume & likes).

You see, I had gotten myself a subscription to 'MacLean's' and most of my morning reading time

went to keeping up with those magazines, which I didn't really enjoy...
so this year I am back to my usual reading.

 

I absolutely loved only two novels this year...these two.

 

 

These four I liked a lot...

 

These 7 were just okay for me...

 

and this one I despised, a completely horribly depressing story.

I actually burnt the book instead of paying the vicious story forward!

Definitely a time when I cursed my solid rule of

'If you spend your money on it, you have to finish it, no matter what'!

 

So there you have it, my 2013 pile of books.

 

How was your year for reading?  Do you have a reading routine or yearly book goal??

What were your favorite books???



Giveaway Winner

The winner of my February art card giveaway is...

 



 Yayyyy Michele, Congratulations.  I'll be in touch shortly.

Another Tiny Inkling

Another teeny tiny inkling.
(I just bought the most delicious sketchbook to do more of these simple ink drawings in. YAY)
 



 

Tell me...would you be interested in small 4 x 6" prints of these guys if I were to offer them?

They might make lovely little notecard sets too don't you think???