New PaperCut

Here is a new papercut of mine, #3 of 8... ...What do you all think?

Rabbit-isms

If you think Ela-Luna looks abit grouchy here that's because she is. It's been such a rainy week and sure they can hang out outside alittle bit when it rains but with the rain comes the mosquitoes and with that comes closed doors and mom and dad not wanting to sit outside with said buns...poor little sweethearts:C...

They all have their ways of expressing it. Ella is the most expressionistic, you can see everything in her face, that and she just gets extra naughty! Roo, he just gets really quiet and puts his head down more and the tilt of his ears tells you he's unhappy. Hazel and Jin just sit there looking ultimately bored but coming from a caged background before they got here, I guess they deal with being stuck inside abit better. Jaks, we don't know him super well quite yet but so far it seems that he hides in a corner under the couch where you can't reach him and digs at the floor for about a half hour straight!

I find it difficult, I assume it's much like this for parents of the human variety, you just don't like to see you little one upset or bored and you get frustrated that you can't do more...sigh!...for my fellow bunny owners out there...tell me how your buns express their boredom or dismay? and do you have any tricks to keep them entertained when the weather and elements keep you indoors for days on end? Please do share...

Well things in the studio still continue to be busy, so it seems it works best at the moment to post every 2nd day, hope yous don't mind...Please do join me back here on the 8th for a new papercut...which I am soooo loving.

Another New Paper Cut "Home and Heart 2"

As promised here is a new piece...another paper cut, the 2nd in a series of 8. I think the art of paper cuts is so very calming and relaxing because you have to a) concentrate fully on not cutting your finger off! b) concentrate on following your lines and not messing the design up and c) always applying enough pressure in the right places so the delicate paper pieces don't get torn asunder. Than when your done you end up with this really elegant looking piece of work that can take up as much time as you want it too and be any size you want it to be, etc...yeppers paper cuts is defiantly an art form for me. Not to mention that they are the perfect thing to work on during my Art Collective shifts because I can stop and start them at the drop of a hat and all you need is the design on paper itself, your cutting tools and a folder to protect the piece so therefore it's very light and easily transportable. Prints of this one will be placed in the shop shortly. Wanna see the 3rd one soon? It's coming as I am sure I can get it finished off during my next AOM shift. Did I already mention that these paper cuts look pretty fabulous on necklaces...I'll show you that soon as well:D! Anyhow...I don't care how tired I am tonight, I refuse to relent on my plans to crawl into bed atleast by 10pm, plug in the laptop and browse all my favourite blogs because I haven't had time for blog visiting and I sure do miss seeing what everyone out there is up to.

Art By The Bay

One thing keeping me on my toes these days is my involvement with Art By The Bay which is in conjunction with the already popular Books By The Bay. There are three parts to this event: 'Books By The Bay' is all hoopla to showcase and celebrate Canadian authors, 'Art By The Bay' is all hoopla to showcase and celebrate local Canadian artists, and coinciding is also an art exhibition at the Alex Dufresne Art Gallery also showcasing and celebrating local artists. There are few of us, like moi! who are in both shows.

The Gallery show is fine to get ready for, it was just a matter of framing up the pieces and delivering them once I found out I was accepted for the show. But for the outdoor sale, well I for one always find it quite stressful to get ready for these kind of sales. What do you sell? How do you sell it? For how much? How big should my tent be? How many tables do I need? What about wind blowing my stuff everywhere since we'll be right on the lakeside? What if it rains? How much of each thing should I make? Do I have time to make everything? Do I have bags, business cards, a cash float, etc ready? Will everything fit in the car?...These are just some of the hundred of questions running through my head in preparation for this one day sale...and I am possibly doing another 2 day and a 5 day sale later in the month! Yikes! We'll see about those because I am not sure at this point if I can get enough merchandise together. Oh I've done sales before don't get me wrong and even the tiniest ones stress me out because well I guess I want to promote myself and my work as sleek and professionally as I can which unfortunately and here comes the biggest stress point...it doesn't come cheaply! And of course at crunch times like these is when the printers decide to stop working, etc...Oh well...wish me luck, I know I'll do just fine, I always do somehow.

So if I am abit absent from my blog from now till the 18th you know why, ha ha. But do check back because though the posts might be shorter in the next couple of weeks, I do have some new work to show you. For now I am off...a coffee and some calming bunny snuggles are in order.

My First Paper Cut "Heart and Home 1"

Hi all. Well it's been abit crazy around here in the studio...lots to prepare for...so today's post will be short and sweet. I finally...FINALLY! did a paper cut and I love it, it's very addicting and I find very akin to the art of lino-cuts. Even the designing and making sure your contact points and stability are in the right places feels very relaxing and of a different challenge. I never paid much attention to paper cuts until I saw Elsa Mora's work, she inspired me to try my own. Here it is...the first in a series of 8 called "Heart and Home"...what do you think?

It will be available as a print very very soon but today I just don't have time to do the listing, but I'll let you know as soon as it's available in my Etsy shop. Until next post Be Well...I am off to finish a hundred tasks and to listen to the fantabulous Michael Buble whiles doing so (who's sooo not crushing on him after the excellent Madison Square Garden concert? which I just saw on tv but still, ha ha...).

A Studio Honey Bunny...

For a bunny update; The bonding between Hazel, Jinny and Jaks goes very slowly (but still hopefully), I've been bringing Jaks down in the studio with me on occasion and he seems to like it very much. I just had to snap a shot and share it because I thought he just looked too cute sitting on my studio couch.

...I can't say I mind the furry little sweethearts company one little bit...and I am pretty sure he likes jazz too, making him the perfect studio companion, ha ha...Right now, I am off to play (but more so listen to as I work) some summer time favourites like "Tuck Everlasting", "Practical Magic", and "Somethings Gotta Give". P.S. If you've yet to see 'Coraline', I highly highly suggest it, it's a brilliant and unique piece of artwork indeed. Until the next post, be well all and happy creative days to you.

Libby-Loo...My First Stuffie

So I've been wanting to try making 'stuffies' for some time now. Actually way before they were even a hot commodity on sites such as Etsy. Than I saw them all over the handmade indie online shops and I didn't want others to think I was following suit or copying, etc...But finally I thought 'Enough, if you wanna make stuffies, than make some because they will turn out differently than anyone elses anyhow...". So during my last AOM shift, I worked out my pattern, cut the material from an old skirt and mans dress shirt, already had the face and belly image painted from months prior...and alas over this past weekend and Monday morning my first stuffie was born...Her name is Libby-Loo, and she is a 'Lagamorph Lovelie'. She sits at 13" and from feet to tip of ears is 22"...she's going to be great company as she sits sweetly and serenely on my studio couch...inspiring me and propelling me towards better versions.

...She is just a prototype for myself...the next doll will hopefully be worthy of being adopted into someone elses home, I already know what to do differently, what I enjoyed and what was a royal pain in the butt...so keep your eyes open if your interested because more of my unique Lagamorph Lovelies are soon to come...if all goes according to plan anyways, ha ha.

What do you think of her?...She was complaining about being alittle chilly and not having any accessories so I crocheted for her her very own little itty bitty scarf and though it doesn't match 100%, I thought it added to her charm...and cause I never quite match either.

Today is the perfect day for a day in the studio, with the jazz blasting, my prop fans on high and the occasional jaunt up the stairs for some bunny snuggles, who are all currently very unhappy with not being able to go outside due to the heat wave...Happy Creative Day it shall be...

Happy Fathers Day To My Dad & My Bunny Daddy

If I can help it, I can't let important days go by without some form of mention on this dear old blog of mine...and today it's Fathers Day. Today firstly, I must send out a big shout out to my sweetheart and honey supreme...one of the best bunny daddies out there in the whole wide world...Happy Bunny Dad Day to my love, Jonathan. Also of course today Jonathan and I are wishing my big, sweet, softie, strong dad a wonderful and fantastic Fathers Day...and it's to perfect day to show off some of the beautiful wooden bowls that my dad turns...

...I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree...Happy Fathers Day Dad, we love you XOXOXOX Mouse and Jonathan and Ella Luna and Roo and Hazel and Jinny and Jaks.

Jaks Update...

Our Jaks wanted me to pop in and do a special post before the weekend hits to let everyone know that he's better and doing just fine and loving the yard... ...he gets to stretch his cute little legs almost everyday...and hopefully soon I'll be posting pictures of him in the yard with the two girls, Hazel and Jinny, we tried it but it was bit too soon for that!...

He loves to explore and rub his little chin on everything, which in bunny language means 'MINE'.

He's eating like a little monster...and actually gets 5 or 6 meals a day...not including the grass and dandelions he gorges on whiles outside, ha ha.

....I am sure here is he saying "Look mama, aren't I just so darn cute...", ha ha...

...He's also trying to woo the local 'others'...

...we think him and Chapman, our grey squirrel will get along just fine.

...and with that from Jaks and myself, we bid thee adieu and wish you all a fantastic weekend.

Virtual Labs On Etsy

In the past week, thanks to the Modish Blog, I've been 'attending' some virtual labs over at Etsy and I must say I am soooo enjoying them. The smaller classes are nice because you can really strike up some good convos and meet new people. I've yet to really take advantage of the Etsy community and forums but I think I am going to start leaning more that way than the way of Facebook etc...that's the plan anyhow.

Anyhow, it completely made my day when I logged into the 3rd of 4 labs I participated in this past week and 2 other attendees liked my work so much that instead of advertising/posting their own item images, they picked two of mine....I was so excited I had to get a screen capture, ha ha...what can I say, it's the little things in life...

In other news, I've been having a rough past few days with head pain. I did go a fantastic and enjoyable 13 days straight with no head pain whatsoever but then the weather decided to bounce all around and the past 6 days have been no party...it leaves me feeling very irritated and somewhat frustrated because it really slows me down and mostly it just makes me very very tired...hence the lack of posts and posted work this week:C So tonight we are taking it easy and will kick back and watch our favourite show "So you think you can dance'.

Otherwise though, I did have my very first studio/working shift at the Art On Main gallery/store today and I had such a great and positive time....I am really looking forward to this new little venture of mine and I foresee nothing but good things coming from it over the next year. Even the walk to grab a croissant and coffee before heading into work seemed like such a treat, just to be out of the studio/house and amongst the bustle of everyone else...again...it's the little things...but I must say that coming back home after a few hours to the bunny babies was lovely as well.

Okay, so I'll be back on Sunday, to do a special Fathers Day post for my dad, about his wonderful woodwork...cause yeppers, my dad is a creative soul as well...until then, be well and thanks for your time.

Welcome To My Main Studio...

It has naturally changed abit since I took these shots because I am forever moving things around but I was waiting and waiting to show you my studio and finally the time has arrived...so welcome to the studio of Bijou's Whimsy...this space is in our basement (which I occupy half of)and I call it my 'main' studio because it is where I do most of my work and where I welcome people in to see my work. I am lucky to have a secondary space upstairs which is about 3 times smaller where I do most of my painting and pastel work but this space few people really see...

The desk to the left is where I do all of my coloured pencils...I love this cozy little spot. Behind me are storage shelves (which have yet to find their happy purpose!) and shelves where I display books that really inspire me...usually children's books...or my latest little paintings.

In the middle is my little garden table which is so wobbly but so loved, ha ha...I've made quite a few things at this trusty little set of mine...and to the right on the long blue table you'll glimpse my computer/business area...

...I have rabbity things ALL over my studio...like this cute guy to hold some pencils...

...I have a 'thing' for bell jars, Oh I just love em...here's some housing one of my most cherished possessions...my late grandfathers paintbrushes and some of his oil paints. Another favourite spot in my room is this wall for greeting cards...I adore cards, sending them, receiving them and sometimes just buying them for myself as sources of inspiration. I always felt bad tucking them away in boxes so my solution was to string ribbons and hang my most favourite cards from them, which I then cycle every few months... ...and if you look closely at my plants you'll see rabbity things even in them, ha ha... ...so this is my studio to the left side...

....and this is my studio to the right looking out towards the door...

My little studio couch...I've always wanted a studio with enough room for a couch and finally I have one and I feel so lucky for it...I love sitting here and relaxing when I have a headache, or with a tea or coffee whiles sketching or planning...or kicking back to watch some tv or movie on my computer...ahhh blissful. Behind the white curtain is my messy area..which will at this time remain undocumented, ha ha.

This is my big worktable which it's awesome, custom built in light-table. Underneath has tons of storage and also houses my wheelie-paper-tray which was also always a 'studio want'.

As you can see, for a basement, I am lucky that this room gets pretty good light. And when I don't find the light suitable for working, I have two tracks of delicious full spectrum lighting that I just flip on.

Image rails run the length of two walls and the images on them are always moving and changing. I find surrounding myself with my work like this pushes me to work harder and make that next picture better, etc...plus it makes for a decent display to possible clients.

By my computer desk I have these lovely paper tole's that my mom made for me...a piggie one because the movie 'Babe' is one of my all time favourite movies ever and when I look at it I think of that movie and my heart feels lighter...and a chickadee one because they are one of my favourite birds.

...yet more rabbity things...

...on both sides of the mirror of course...

My studio rocking chair...people seem to gravitate towards this chair the most it seems, I guess it has good and relaxing vibes...

People are always shocked to see that beautiful quilt in a studio, but I remind them that I am a pretty clean worker and when I do pastel and painting I do those upstairs...so no worries that lovely quilt is quite safe, ha ha.

...and swinging from my rocker are some sweet little rabbity necklaces that Jonathan surprised me with a while back...

...I have little empty frames all over the house, I just love empty frames, I don't know why...sometimes they look just as great empty as full with art...I think it's the possibilities that could fill them that makes me happy to have them hanging around empty!...

And lastly one of my favourite rabbity things...the rabbit couple cruising in their blue and pink cadillac, ha ha...

Well, that's about all for now...I could go on and on but I think this is long enough already. I will take you on a tour of my upstairs studio at some point in the next couple of months hopefully.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of where I work and create...Be Well and Thanks for popping by.