Very Sweet Things

Today I have probably made the most sweet sickly biscuits ever? ;)  It all began with glitter you see. Edible glitter that I had my eye on getting for a while now. A wonderful idea drifted around in my head. Sugary starlight heart and moon biscuits for Valentines day covered in constellations and the deepest indigo icing sounded wonderful.
So this morning with oven on I proceeded to begin.

All seemed to be running smoothly...

Until it was time to ice them.
Where was the icing sugar? Just a dusting remained in the bottom of the box. How silly of me, I had forgotton that yesterday afternoon my littlest also had the same idea and made biscuits covered in pink icing. So down to our village shop I walked on this beautiful Spring morning and bought the only box they had. Natural sugar that turned a golden colour rather than the icy white that I needed for my moons and stars!

Carrying on I mixed the colour. Plenty of blue colouring but the black that I thought we had left over from Halloween a couple of years ago had disappeared? So, no indigo but peacock blue it seemed. And the silver tiny balls? Oh, there weren't any of those left either.
Hmmm... As you can probably guess they didn't turn out 'quite' as I'd imagined.....

But I'm sure they will get eaten regardless?
Hope your Valentines day is sweet too.
x

Beautiful And Magical

Something beautiful and Magical
Happy Weekend x

 

Pinch, Punch, Rabbits! And Some Hares

 'Pinch and a punch first day of the month!  

                                           Rabbits!
Do you ever say this to each other on the first of every month? We often do.
Apparently it originates from when people believed that witches existed. It was thought that salt would make a witch weak, so the pinch part is pinching of the salt. The punch part was to banish the witch. The witch would be weak from the salt, so the punch was to banish her.
How many times do we say things and not really know the fascinating story that is behind them?
Must go and research what the 'rabbits' mean now! ;)


I can scarcely believe it's February already. January seemed to whizz past in a blur. I've been busy with some wooden things.

With Valentine's coming up, I felt the desire to use some red.

How could I not make some 'love' inspired hangers.

And hearts...

Outside I can hear Spring in the birds song. Yesterday I glanced up from my work and saw the most beautiful green woodpecker swoop past the window. Birds are indeed looking busier out there. I must remember to get some of my hair out of my hairbrush and begin putting it on the hedge. It's a magical feeling to think that the hair would be used by birds for their nests.
In the garden the snowdrops are up and I was inspired to make a 'Snowdrop Hare'

In my little book 'The Language of flowers' it says Snowdrops symbolize 'Hope'

 

With the hope of the new year and Spring  fresh in my mind. Like many people I am hoping too that our goverment will change their minds on the decision to sell off our publicly owned woods and forests.

 On Wednesday ( tommorow)  there is going to be a vote in parliament regarding this. If you haven't already done so, please sign this petition and let them know that we want to keep the small amount of public forest and woodland we have left, public for future generations. You can sign here. And go to the 'Save Our Woods' Website here.

I will be listing the hangers in my Etsy shop today, so if you are interested in any of them, keep your eye on it. :)

Finally, I would just like to thank every body for all the kind, generous and encouraging comments that they leave here I really do appreciate them and read them all. I don't always get chance to answer, but am so grateful for all of them and that also goes to everyone that follows too. Thankyou!

See you soon!
x

Between Earth And Water. Selkie

I very rarely have pieces of work that don't want to be finished. But a canvas I began over a year ago has been one such painting. Several times I've settled down with paint brush to it, but something didn't feel right.? Something nagged me that it wasn't ready to be completed. It wasn't yet it's time? Can a painting have a time? Anyway, so back it went into my big tin chest out of the way and pushed to the dusty corners of my mind, while I carried on with other projects and ideas.
That was until last week when I placed it on the easel again.  This time the cogs of creativity creaked and turned, quite slowly mind, it still being January and me still with my hibernation tendencies. ;)  Eventually it began to turn into a glimpse of a story.  This is how it looked  way back in 2009. Yes 2009! I can't believe it's been that long!?... take a look, it's at the end of the post....  here
And here it is now. Somewhat changed, but I think it works?

                                                              'Between Earth And Water' 
                                                                          Selkie                                                         

A selkie ( as most of you probably know) is a seal that can shed it's skin to become human. It is believed that the legend began on the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland where selch or sel(kie) is the scots word for seal. ( from old English seolh )

I'm not sure why this painting suddenly took on the selkie theme? Selkies, Kelpies and Mermaids have been swimming around in a sea themed room in my mind for a long time now though, so they will make an appearance from time to time, in fact I'm already thinking about the Kelpie for a painting. :)
                                 ****
The painting is now available to buy as a print in my shop here

A few years  ago I had a video cassette of a beautiful film about Selkies. You may have seen it? The Secret of Roan Innish. if you haven't it's well worth looking out for. Sadly my video wore out. One day I will get hold of the dvd and enjoy owning it again.

Here is the trailer....



There is also another film which is on a similar theme that I must confess to not having seen yet. But one that will be definitely on my list to watch this year.
Ondine.

Some Days A Little Light Is Needed

The day has been grey here, so I thought I'd share some light that I captured earlier in the week.

 Sometimes we need a little extra light in our days.

To lift our spirits that can sometimes feel worn out or a little deflated in January.

There are days when some things just don't go the way we expect.
But tommorow is another day and in the meantime we'll gaze out of the window.

And of course, a cup of something always helps matters.

 Enjoy your weekend.
x

Beginning Of The Year

New pages, an empty book. What will we fill our brand new year with?

I have set myself a little challenge this year. A sketch a day. I often don't make time to just sketch. Normally I only roughly draw out the designs for a painting. So each day I will draw something large or tiny depending on how I'm feeling and what time is to hand. I think it will be a useful idea  as a warm up  exercise in the morning and it will spark fresh ideas as it can be drawings from life or my imagination. So by the end of the year I should have a book filled with 365 pictures which will be very interesting to look back on.

Yesterday while I was out walking, a willow tree had fallen down in the wind. I picked some branches and brought  pussy willow home (the vase in my window sill above) Spring is already on her way and soon the snowdrops will also be showing their pretty faces.
I've been day dreaming about trees and snow, foxes and bears. I 've also been watching bears on tv as many of you probably have? The Bear Family And Me with Gordon Buchanan if you missed it it's well worth catching it on BBC iplayer here.   I'm  feeling a little as if I'm related to them this winter. I'm sure I do have that hibernating gene in me somewhere!
Here's my first painting offering of the new year.
                                                                  'Across Silver Fields'

 This was actually started in late December when snow covered the ground and was inspired by our Christmas day walk.
I also have been painting some pendants. This little collection are named 'Love Trees'

They will be listed in my Etsy shop over the course of today.
I hope 2011 has begun well for everyone?
A warm welcome to new followers.
xx

Time A Strange Thing

Time is a strange thing. Where does it go? Slips through our fingers like silken cloth.
It only seems a moment a go that it was Christmas eve? The presents were wrapped beneath the tree and there was magic on the icy night air. Then in a fleeting moment it goes...
The snow has disappeared. Green has returned and I'm sure this morning I heard the tiniest hint of spring in the birdsong?
 I've been wondering what to put on here?  Searching inspirational poems or words, and how to wish you all a Happy New Year? I have one of the lurgys that are doing the rounds at the moment. A cold and cough and my mind couldn't settle on anything at all. That is, until today. I saw this video by the wonderful people at Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue and it put a huge smile on my face. So I thought I would share it with you.
Lets help make 2011 a good year for all.



Happy New Year everyone! May it be peaceful and filled with joy! xx

Old Tales On This Magic Night

There is a legend shared by many countries that animals talk at midnight on this special night, Christmas Eve.

 Some tales tell of the animals being given the power of human speech for one hour. Others say they can speak until dawn. God was so grateful for their help in comforting baby Jesus in the stable, he gave them voices for a short time. Bees are said to gather to hum hymns and oxen and cattle rise in their stalls or kneel in adoration of the new-born king. Since childhood I have loved these tales. One of my favourites has to be of the spider.
When Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus were on their way to Egypt, the story tells, as evening came they were weary and sought refuge in a cave. It was so cold that the ground was white with hoar frost. A little spider saw the baby Jesus and wished so much that he could do something to help keep him warm in the cold night. He decided the only thing that he could do was to spin a web across the cave entrance, a curtain to keep the icy wind out. Along the path came King Herods soldiers seeking to carry out his bloodthirsty order. When they came to the cave, they were about to burst in and search it to see if anyone was hiding there, but their captain noticed the spider's web. It was covered with the white hoar frost and stretched right across the entrance to the cave.
'Look,'he said, at the spider's web there. It is quite unbroken. There can't possibly be anyone in the cave as anyone entering would have torn the web'.
So the soldiers passed on and left the holy family in peace.

And that, so they say, is why to this day we put tinsel on our Christmas trees.
It is said that every tree should have a spider ornament to acknowledge the generous spirit of the little Christmas spider.

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.
xxx

 

 

While We Slept

Silently in the night, they came. Each tiny little snowflake a work of art in itself, falling secretly in the dark while we slept.  When we awoke, winter the enchantress had us captivated and under her spell once again.

We walked early and caught the aroma of Saturday breakfasts on the icy hush. And down by the stream I was blessed to  glimpse the shining blue of a beautiful Kingfisher. Alas not on camera, it was far too quick!

The snow has stayed and the children come in every day with rosy cheeks and sleep well each night from days of sledging. Presents are wrapped, mincepies baked and tommorow my little girl will be a teenager.

Dream Of Snow

Back again as I've finished the painting!  Here it is....

                                                                    Dream Of Snow

We had some snow this morning, but now the sky is clear and the moon is bright. The light has been amazing the past couple of days. I do love the winter light.

 

And the light inside is just as pretty  too.....

Have a lovely weekend!

x

The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

 Step into Narnia this winter....



I did the other day and enjoyed it very much!
  x

A Painting Waits...

"Love awoke one winter's night
And wander'd through the snowbound land,
And calling to beasts and birds
Bid them his message understand.

And from the forest all wild things
That crept or flew obeyed love's call,
And learned from him the golden words
Of brotherhood for one and all."
-   Author Unknown

Above..  the beauty of ice and natures mastery taken in the cold spell last week. For now the fields have returned to a  faded palette of greens and browns. But not for long.... The forecast is a return later this week to snow and ice and a wind that bites.

 A painting waits patiently, half finished on my small easel. I am impatient, but at the moment my mind has been whirled off in other directions. And, there are Birthday and Christmas presents to hunt for. 
Try not to get too whisked away your goodselves. 
x

 ( Please excuse the small type. Blogger is playing up! ;)

The Winner is.....

Well the snow came and kitties did venture out. Here is a paw print to prove it! :-)

It has gone now, but ice has returned and everything is a frosted magical world.

So to the giveaway!...
Thanks every one for taking part and leaving comments. It's so lovely to read them.  :-)
Because there are alot of comments I used the random generator rather than do it the traditional hat method. There were 77 comments plus I added one by hand so to speak for Julia because Blogger was being silly and wouldn't let her comment.
The number chosen was: 

Comment 15
Mermaidsdrown you are the winner!
Please email me your details  (my email on the contact tab, left hand side of blog) your address details and I will send the toadstool to you.

Right, time for a hot chocolate I think?
x

Winter

Winter has come.
Tapping at our window panes with frosted branch like fingers. Laughing her freezing north wind breath. Was she  impatient to shake out her snowy cloak and air it of last years remains which Spring prevented her from emptying? Or does she have a new cloak to show off with?
We have only had sprinklings of snow here, but the wind has the bite of an ice dragon and the ground is as hard as stone.

I think Jasper has glimpsed that ice dragon ?
Willow is not that bothered, she just wants to sleep until Spring.

   Ice is too cold on paws.

 A glimpse of Autumn not so long ago. A leaf trapped in Winter.

 (In case you are wondering, I did put fresh water in for the birds after I took this photograph of the bird bath this morning.)
                                                                  ***

Now, because it is the first day of December (officially winter in my eyes)  and because I promised one not so long ago. .... it's time for a giveaway!
 Among making other bits and pieces, I made a special mini hanger. Ideal I think to hang on a Christmas tree?

 The toadstool measures 10cms x 6cms  and has sparkly beads and bells hanging from it.

To win this, all you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment. I will send this toadstool to anywhere in the world to the first comment out of the hat. I will draw the winner next Monday (6th)
Good luck! :)
                                                                         ***

PS: I forgot to mention before. I have an original painting 'Wearing A Robe Of Gold' for sale in this open exhibition here. It's still on until mid December so there is time to pop along if you are in the area.