Wishing My Sweetie A Happy Birthday

Today is a special day...it's my sweeties 33rd Birthday. A day to celebrate this most awesome, caring, unique, strong, intelligent, loving, handsome, giving, supportive, romantic, inspiring and wonderful person and bunny daddy who've I've been lucky and blessed to have as my partner for 15 years now. Ten lifetimes wouldn't ever be enough time with my special guy and I am just hoping that though this birthday will be a quiet one (at his request) that it will still be memorable and good.

I created this illustration a few years ago for my Jonathan, for Love, for Partnership, for the Beauty and Grace and Blessings such a complete love brings...Happy Birthday my love, from Your Bijou and Ella-Luna, Roo, Hazel and Jin...Happy Birthday.

Wishing You A Merry Day

Christmas time is usually very busy for me, I like to make alot of stuff for our own household and for family and friends too. Monday night, we finally broke out the xmas tree and ornament boxes and the house is now all sparkly and happy and Christmasy, alittle late this year but better now than never. It's always a trick to have the tree in an optimal spot so that not only Jonathan and I enjoy it but so that Ella-Luna, Roo, Hazel and Jinny get to gaze at it as well.

Yesterday was great it started off with a morning coffee with my mom and then I made my way back home through a snowstorm and for the rest of the day I was cozy inside the house as I spent the day gluing any broken ornaments, sparkling things that need extra sparkle and well just adding little touches to the house that I know we'll all enjoy over the next few weeks. And despite the snow storm the evenings agenda included a girls night out to see "Twilight' at the theatres which I have to admit that I loved. I have never been to a movie where you could literally hear all the girls in the audience, sign or gasp or giggle over how cute and wonderful 'Edward' was, it was quite humourous.

Today, I am just popping in to share this new photo..I just loved how the evening sun was shining on these ornaments hanging from door knobs in the living room. I never get tired of how delicious light can be.

I do want to mention my best friend Judit Gueth today....If you have a few moments, you should Click Here to see her lovely new silk pillows that just came in and which she's very excited about and rightfully so. I love seeing her designs on different things and they suit the pillows very nicely.

I hope to have something new to share with you tommorow...until then, Be Warm, Be Cozy and Be Well.

Something New & My Friend Vince Chui

I've really wanted to show you a project that Jonathan and I made a couple weeks ago. We got it done all in one day, which made us laugh because I've been dragging around these heavy wooden windows for years now! I saved them from the garbage depot and knew they'd have a good purpose someday and now I am glad that I saved them and have been dragging them around. This is after Jonathan and I spent a few hours in the cold garage....refinishing the windows somewhat, but not to much to still leave that 'old' look and making the nice sturdy shelves which the windows would attatch to to become doors. Here they are in the living room ready for the white washing.

...and here they are all finishing up and hanging in my upstairs studio. I love them.

They are the perfect place to store some of my paints and other little treasures...

Thanks Jonathan for these, they are great...we did a great job I think. I can't go further today without mentioning my sweet and talented friend Vince Chui. Vince and I became fast friends in college, he remains to this day to be one of the gentlest and sweetest souls I've ever met and I am happy and honoured to still call him my friend. Vince always blows everyone away with his talent. In school, in a class of about 20 students, there were only about 2 or 3 who could draw superbly straight from their heads and with no reference whatsoever...Vince was one of these people. Vince recently put a video on Daily motion and it's so neat to watch how he creates one of his characters from scratch. Click here to view the video. Vince also has a website here and a blog here.

(Vince & I, years ago...)

With Vince's permission, I leave you with his fantastic 2008 Xmas card image...until tomorrow be well.

A New Necklace with my Amaryllis Bird and Happiness

I am excited to show you a new product I've been working on lately...A necklace I made featuring my latest illustration of "Amaryllis Bird" mounted on a natural bamboo tile with glass beads, except for the red beads which are wooden. It wears very nicely, looks unique and bright and now that I've ironed out any kinks I am off to the races to make more of this one and of course with other illustrations and bead treasures of mine. I love making them and once I have alittle stock pile there will be a batch going up for sale in the shop, but I'll give you a heads up for that. I already have a couple stores that might sell them so that's exciting.

It's always so fun to see my imagery on a new product, espeacially when I've made that product all on my own and could pour love, hope, joy and good energies into them...

...and how could I not enjoy making anything when I look down to my right and see this gourgues little creature all stretched out by my studio chair...

...our little black pud...our shiny and squishy little cub...our clusty and goofy Hazel who rolls over when she's happy...our bunny and sweetie pie who cheers our heart and lives, ohhh love love love her... ...and our Jinny, who choose the window bench to be her prime spot for today. Our serious and gentle tookey...our caring and thoughtful and alway observant Jin...our bunny who has more fun in the snow than anyone....our fast as can be zippy sweetheart, we are so very glad we brought her home.... Also today, I was happy as pie to see Rudy make an appearance as we were cooking up our dinner. Jonathan made him a cool and snug as can be house and I think it's so cozy that he barely leaves it, ha ha...but we love thinking of him being just abit warmer in these chilly days. We rushed him his order of seeds and peanuts and just seeing his cute little self made my day perfect. Happiness really does lay where ever we choose to pluck it from....wheather it be from a newly made thing, created from our heart and made with pride, or happy rabbits...or squirrels...or a delicious pot of homemade lentil soup....or a nap with my honey, or a good workout whiles listening to a good audiobook, a long warm soak with coconut bubbles then cozy pajamas, or a good episode of The Office....My day was full of these happy things and more and I am currently feeling very blessed and happy and relaxed. I am letting go of my fear that too much happiness brings turmoil and bad luck! and I am just sending out this happy surge out to you all and into the void knowing that all is well and good....and happy. I won't be posting on Monday but please do pop in Tuesday. Until then Be Well and Happy. XXOO

A Lovely Lunch

The other day I spent the day with my mom and I loved it because I haven't done so in awhile and well I am just very cozy and content at my parents home and having my mom all to myself for abit. Not to mention the wonderful lunches she always conjures up for us. I know I normally don't show food on my blog but I couldn't resist snapping a shot of our lunch...

It was shrimp with a cream sauce in a dill pastry...yum...avocados in a sesame oil, lime, balsamic dressing sprinkled with sesame seeds...yummm...A big salad with pecans, baby tangerines, apples, poppy seeds and a homemade honey orange vinegrette...yummmmmmm....oh yes and hazelnut coffee and dessert too.

My parents cat Maggie was sitting beside me eyeing my shrimp pastry...

But I had already shared with her half of my breakfast yogurt and figured she had enough milky goodness for the day, ha ha...

And I couldn't resist snapping a few shots of the backyard...usually when I go to my parents we all congregate to the big dining table which is surrounded with windows and sliding glass door and here's the view.... I loved the icicles on my mom's summer wind chimes... It's not uncommon to see red foxes, blue jays, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, cats or sometimes even a bear or deer on their way through the woods...

This afternoon however we were 'only' graced with 5 or 6 black squirrels bounding around the deck....I am always abit naughty and empty my parents peanut bowl because I throw a handful out every 10 minutes, I just can't resist watching the little sweeties grab and stash their peanuts...

I wish I had brought my big lens with me because the little buggers kept crawling up this tree so I couldn't get a real proper shot!...

So yes, we're in a winter wonderland and it could snow everyday for the rest of winter as far as I am concerned...because with our new cross country ski's I think winter is going about to get all that much lovelier.

Thanks for popping in and letting me share abit of my day with you...come back tomorrow and I'll show you something creative. Be Well.

A New Furniture Project

I love painting old furniture...I don't do it too often because they can be time consuming projects, but when I do get to it, I really get into it and the thought always pops into my head that "Yep, I could do this for a living...this and paint carousel horses..." ha ha. It completely lets me diverge and break from my usual work but still feels very creative and therefore freeing. I saw this lovely old writing desk at a thrift shop for no more than $20. Without question my honey helped me load it up into the car and we brought it home only to sit in a corner for a few years with not real purpose and looking pretty hideous (but I bought it because I knew the shape and style was lovely).

Jonathan helped me immensely by spending 3 hours on it before it passed off into my hands. He worked off the old cracked and bubbled veneer on all sides, cut new pieces for the backing, reinforcing weak areas, completely rebuilt the legs, filled any cracks and holes and sanded it beautifully so I had a nice smooth surface to refinish. I forgot to take a shot of it before Jon worked on it unfortunately...but here it is looking much better than before...

And voila...here it is after 7 or 8 hours of my hard but fun work...

A lovely and new and unique desk for our den which is decorated with blacks, reds and golds...I am very pleased with the outcome and was happy to surprise Jonathan with the finished project when he arrived home from work. Now Jon wants to go thrift store hunting for more furniture for me to paint, ha ha...he says this every time I finish a piece.

Thanks for your help babe, it would no doubt look quite as sharp without all the fine tuning you put in. As for everyone else, I hope I've inspired you to break out the paints and varnish and perhaps tackle some ugly or tired piece of yours and have fun and breathe new life into it. Happy Creating and perhaps old furniture hunting.

Christmas Time...Happy Happy Joyful Time...

Good Tuesday all. I have to admit to missing Monday's post because I was too busy refinishing an old desk which I am excited to show you for tomorrows post. For today, I thought we'd celebrate the official beginning of Christmas with a Christmas Illustration I created last year for my greeting card line. It is called "May the Spirit of Christmas Find You"

I have to be realistic and most likely will not be getting the xmas cards or prints in the shop or onto the new website in time for this holiday...but the good news is that there will be a good assortment ready and early for next season!

Admittedly as I get older, Christmas and the holidays takes on alot more melancholy, reflection and naturally some sadness...but I think that luckily and thankfully most of us can feel these things grow and learn from them hopefully and that they only help to lend to an even more wonderful, festive, happy, joyful and appreciated holiday season. I am proud and happy that Jonathan and I are learning to adapt and move ahead more heartily every year despite missing the ones who had to leave us during these months.

I am glad that this year finally we've gotten it through our heads that presents are the last important thing and just being together and perhaps going out skiing together than coming back to our cozy home and settling in with a roaring fire, wine, good food and healthy bunnies will indeed be enough for us this year.

I hope you enjoy my holiday illustration...until tomorrow, be well and happy creating...and happy holidays too.

My Fish Collection

Today I wanted to share with you my collection of fish...I snapped this shot of them last weekend when I had just come in freezing cold from a couple hours in the garage with my honey, I was fumbling with my big bulky winter boots and as I straightened up, I was struck by how perfectly and warmly the evening sun was setting on the fish and I think I actually gasped and said 'Ohhh wow...' before running for my camera. So now whenever I see this photo, I remember that delightful and delicious but fleeting moment of perfect warm happy lighting and it just makes me feel cozy and content all over again.

I don't know what it is with me and fish but I love drawing them and as pictured here I obviously love collecting them! I have a fish wind chime in the kitchen and 3 scattered about outside....much of my imagery includes fish...oh, I can't forget my 8 years old real live goldfish! But really I don't know why I love them so much, perhaps the roundedness about them...and there's something otherwordly, something quiet and calming about them. Rabbits and fish, my two mostly drawn things I think. In our home, it's fish, rabbits and birds scattered about here in there in sculpture, paintings, etc. Anyhow, these fish I've gotten from different places, a couple right here in town, one in Halifax I believe, one in Cape Breton perhaps, I can't really remember but they are ceramic and hand made and shiny and whimsical and I just love them.

So with one of my favourite things shared and by way of a photograph that makes me feel happy and cozy...I wish you all a wonderfully cozy and joyful weekend. Until next week...be kind to yourself and to others and of course...Happy Creating:D. XXOO, Mandy.

An Old Illustration "Bunny Christmas"

Hi all, I am sorry but with the horrible week I've had thus far with migraines, posting an older image is about all I can manage for today's post.

We've been getting alot of snow though so it's defiantly feeling like Christmas around here. This is an older coloured pencil illustration of mine and seems to be one of my best selling holiday cards so far. The cards are all hand made, hand glittered and sparkly and if I must say so myself....fantastic.

I plan to put some holiday card sets in the shop early next week but for now I must be off and get some work done whiles there's a lull in the constant pain....until tomorrow, Be Well and hope your feeling better than I am! XXOO Mandy.

My New Art Card Nook

So, I've had this little corner planned out in my head for awhile now. This little corner is just as you come down the stairs from our main entrance and just before you go through the door into my main studio. This weekend my sweetheart got busy and created this for little itty bitty moi...

We decided to leave the shelves the natural pine to tie in with the other pine features in our home....and yes those are clouds and sky and little ladybugs I painted onto part of our ceiling a couple years ago (as per Jonathan request believe it or not, ha ha...)

...and voila...a perfect and beautiful little nook just for my art cards, hooray...I am so excited to see what was in my head finally come to life and work so perfectly...thanks Jonathan XXOO....

And with that I've shared another little corner of my enchanted little world, thanks for tuning in and join me tomorrow for new inspirations, aspirations, illustrations and creations.

A New Illustration "Amaryllis Bird

So after a night of getting at least half a foot of snow, I thought I'd reveal this bright red bird to add to the Holiday Cheer. I created this image primarily as a Xmas card (hopefully on Thursday, I'll be showing you the finished product).

This image "Amaryllis Bird" was created with acrylic, coloured pencil and ink on paper. The original is indeed for sale, I'll let you know at a later time when and where it will be available outside of this blog.

Until tomorrow...where I'll have another exciting new project to share with you. Be Well.

Shadowy ART for a Shadowy Planet

Good Monday everyone. I have quite a few things which I am excited to share with you, but I am trying to pace myself to 'reveal' them slowly over the next couple of weeks instead of all at once, ha ha.

I really wanted to share with you my photos from the Shadowy Art for a Shadowy Planet exhibition/auction. Jonathan and I went to the preview last Saturday and had a good time. There were 30 artist created original shadowboxes...here's a sampling...

...and of course, as you know by now...here is mine "Earth Intruders".

Let me show you some of my favourites...here is one by Alex Maeve Campbell. She is now the gallery coordinator (in my old position) and she's doing a great job as far as I can see. Alex had brought me into her office to give me a sneak peek at the other boxes when I went in to drop off mine and I saw this one and said "Ohhh, I love that one..." and she said with a happy smile "Thanks, that one is mine..". Love it when that happens. Another Favourites of mine was actually Alex's dad...the ever cool and amazingly talented world-reknowned potter/sculpture Keith Campbell (check out his website, Keith makes great pottery). I took some classes with Keith and he's also an amazing teacher. He is also a fellow chronic/acute migraine sufferer so it's always nice to chat and complain with him because we know we totally understand what the other is going through. Now, I am against guns (except for law enforcement) but I just loved this box. It is all created from Porcelain I believe, even the gun. I just find it so strong graphically and therefore beautiful. I also really liked the minimalistic colour and of course the craftsmanship.

And I have to show you Arlie's box. Everyone was so thrilled with Arlie's box because it was so very cheeky and such a departure from Arlie's usual work. Whenever someone would see Arlie's name on the tag they'd go "What....I love it..." ha ha...

The guest support artist for this whole exhibition/auction was local artist Betty Sager. I never get tired of looking at Betty's work, she makes these incredible little self-contained worlds, each one so different then the other. I would like to have one of Betty's pieces someday. I had the pleasure of working with Betty abit when I worked at the Gallery and I remember her being a very nice and warm person. Her shadowboxes are so crowded with doo-da's one would just have to wonder where in the world she gets all the teeny tiny stuff. Apparently she has a group of family and friends who help her collect, they find stuff for her in their basements, at thrift stores, at garage sales etc and pass it along to Betty for her collections and art...I'd love to see her studio. I know that Betty lost her son a few years ago...and well I was happy to see all of these new shadowboxes and to see that she is indeed still creating despite her immense loss.

This was my favourite one of Betty's. I think it was called "The Underground Woman". Some thing hit home with me in this piece. The streets above seem abit cold and full of people and bustle, yet ultimately full of nothing-ness...yet below is this sweet and endearing old lady, cozy in her little crowded abode...the place is full of cats, one sleeps on the bed...there is a photo of a boy hanging on the wall (I assume it's her son) ...I just could have looked at this piece for hours and still find something new.

Here is a detail...

So the big auction night was this past Friday. I did not go as I wasn't feeling well but I hear from a few people that it was a great evening. Sales were abit slow apparently but there were a few boxes that harnessed bidding wars and I was happy to hear that mine was indeed one of them. I know that local artist and metal smith Peter Sloan won my box and I really hope he's happy with it. It always strikes me as funny...just when you think you know who likes and who doesn't like your work, someone new pops in the mix, it's a delightful thing.

So with all that shared I must go. A busy week is ahead of me I think. Jonathan and I are unfortunately starting this new week quite tired from the crazy weekend we just had with house/studio projects. As mentioned before, with the increase of snow and lowering temperatures we're in a race against the clock to get projects in the garage done.

Until tomorrow, be well and Happy Creating.

Just Popping In

Hi Everyone. Today I am just popping in for a quick visit and with a new photograph. The past couple of days have been rough for me, a mixture of a bad, consistent migraine and a flu at the same time just kind of knocked me out of commission there and I fell behind schedule. So I really just want to get myself back onto the treadmill and back to my exercise routine and then to my desk where I plan to ignore the business side of things for a few days and just finish off a couple pictures and begin some other ones.

But for today, here is a recent favourite photo....I LOVE bell jars and whenever I see one I want to buy it, ha ha...but I refrain because well I am simply out of room. Here's a small collection filled with apples which I had arranged on the fireplace mantel (and one of my favourite little hand carved wooden birds and right off to the right side you can see the little glass ladybugs my mom gave me ages ago but which I still adore).

Nothing too exciting today sorry all. I'll see you all here on Monday with new things to show you and hopefully no migraines or headaches or flu-ish-ness! Have a great day and a cozy Friday night.

An Interview at WhoHub

So I am off schedule for the posts I originally planned for the rest of this week...reason...a badly timed migraine setting in last night and still present.

But please do check out an interview with me over at WhoHub. They sweetly asked if I would provide an interview and I was honoured and happy to do so.

Hopefully we'll be back on track tomorrow with that new picture!

A Favourite New Photo

Hi everyone, firstly I wanted to thank everyone who left such wonderful comments about my new wooden dolls. I am working on another batch this week so please do keep your eye open for I'll be putting some into the shop shortly. The past week and for the next couple of weeks I will mostly be concentrating on new Christmas imagery for my greeting card line. For today let me share with you a photo I took recently of a favourite corner in our bedroom...books books books in every room in almost every corner, I can't help it.

I have admittedly been fighting off many smaller headaches over the past week and also some weird infection which is leaving me feeling far from top notch for the past couple of weeks also, so I am looking forward to banishing whatever bug this is and getting back to my normal self. It's difficult to push forward and be 100% creative and productive when your not feeling 100%. So everyday I do accomplish something creative or productive I give myself a pat on the back, an inward smile and I've been letting myself take the evenings off where I would normally get some work done.

Tomorrow I'll show you a new illustration/card design. Thursday I plan to feature my friend Vince Chui and Friday I plan to share with you some shots of the "Shadowy Art for a Shadowy Planet" opening we went to last Saturday. So if any of these things interest you, do tune in.

I also wanted to send out a quick thank you to Susan, who left me a lovely and sweet message recently and I just wanted to say I am so very glad your enjoying my blog and your comment made my day...thank you.

I am off for my bi-weekly tea/lunch date with my friend Becca. I do wish a lovely afternoon for you all as well. Be well, be cozy and be creative. Till tomorrow XXOO Mandy of Bijou's Whimsy.

"Marlie" our Carousel Horse is Complete

Our journey to bring Marlie to life began quite a few weeks ago....just a blank horse, beautifully carved but awaiting it's colour, life and character...

Diligently working alongside a handful of other talented and local carousel painters who were a complete delight to spend time with every week...our carousel horses, one by one came to life...

After a month and a half, the carousel horse that Arlie and I have been working on is pretty much complete. With a suggestion from my friend Maria, we have called it 'Marlie'.

We met at the gallery for pretty much 2 days every week, sometimes 3 to get it done during the carousel art exhibition.

Our time at the Alex Dufresne Gallery and Museum has been a great one. I want to send out a big grateful thanks to Carol and Christine, who welcomed us in warmly every time, fed us and warmed us up with coffee's and hot chocalate, and who forgave us when we destroyed their light grey carpet with a big pool of dark blue oil paint! Thank you so much for giving us a cozy and relaxing place to work on Marlie for the past month and a half. I will miss seeing everyone there every week, I truly will.

The horses are now on their way back to the carvers, to have the manes and tails attached. Then they will go into storage until sprin. In the spring they will receive any necessary touch ups, they will be 'antiqued' and than receive their final coat of varathane.

It has been a spectacular project to be involved with (again) and I am proud to have this 2nd carousel creation done along side my dear friend, mentor and adopted grandpa, Arlington Hoffman. We put much thought, love and good creative energies into these carousel creatures we help bring to life and we are proud that it's part of our legacy to our beloved city, North Bay.

Until we see you again in the spring Marlie, rest peacefully and happily in the creative enjoyment you were made with. And my thanks to Arlie for asking me to be his partner again.

To the beautiful and enchanting art and world of the carousel...may your live on and enchant the world forever...

Until tommorow....Be Well and May you find inspiration in everyday...such as in a carousel:D