Snow Business

Today it snowed, in the Midlands, in England and yes before Scotland.

I’m not sure how long it had been going but one of my friends had mentioned it on their Facebook status. I looked out of the window and then rushed to the front door where Brett and I observed the fluffy flakes falling from the sky. I text several friends and left a comment in reply to my friends status and headed back to the front door and called my husband to let him know. It wasn’t snowing in Milton Keynes, not even wet which we had already had. I tried taking pictures but snow moves quite fast so I’m not sure it did it any justice.

For a time there was an element of excitement and anticipation. Quite a few status messages appeared reflecting the change in weather. Would it settle, for a time it seemed possible but eventually it slowed and turned.

I do love snow. I’m not entirely sure why, I can only think it’s some childhood memory that sparkles along with the flakes. My thoughts turned to snowmen, building them, drawing them and then to ‘Shivery Snowman’, ‘Cringle Christmas Tree’, and ‘Mistletoe Mouse’. Three imaginary characters that came to be maybe even twelve months ago while doodling with Brett. Very quickly these three characters came to life, in words at least. I need to practice more with my pencil before they come to life in that form but I unleashed another future publication or another story to add to my growing collection.

Will share my first adventure when I get a mo!!!

Warwick

Last Sunday my husband, son and i went to Warwick. We have been to Warwick on several occasions but usually for St Nicholas's park where there is a big play area, a mini fun fair and a huge amount of grass for the children to run about in as well as a coffee shop. Our visit was as much about having a good look round as entertaining Brett.

My impression had always been that Warwick was full of antique shops but much to my surprise there seemed to be a large number of beauty shops and several bridal shops for what seems to be a small town. We wandered round and found ourselves at the entrance to Warwick Castle but we will save that for another day.

The colours of autumn were everywhere and so i was constantly snapping away with my camera. Brett enjoyed a bit of freedom and i enjoyed a change of scenery.

Happy Halloween

Last Friday I went and spent the morning with the ladies of Lilac Ladybird, our only ‘local’ craft studio. When I say local it’s a fifteen-minute drive away at least.

Brett was at Pre-school and mum was picking him up. As it turned out it was only a small gathering, two of us infact. Me, Delia and Maria, the tutor for want of a better word. We were to explore the world of die cut paper dolls using various pieces of equipment. I think I reverted back to my childhood. It was such fun cutting out bodies and choosing different papers, I was in my element.

I have never felt any enthusiasm about die cut machines but in a very short space of time could see the potential. Delia was exploring all avenues, male and female, jeans jumpers etc etc. I was quite happy with my girl dolls and dresses. Infact in the hour and a half we mass produced many items and never actually completed a project but went home with some cards, a wardrobe of clothes and hair and some inspiration. Good fun
:-)!

The Enchanted Wood - Enid Blyton

"The Faraway Tree!" said Bessie, in wonder.

"What a queer name! Why do you call it that?"

"Its a very strange tree," said another brownie.

"It's top reaches the far-away places in a way we don't understand. Sometimes it's top branches may be in Witchland, sometimes in lovely countries, sometimes in peculiar places no one has ever heard of. We never climb it because we never know what might be at the top!"

Withdrawel Symptoms

So what couldn't you do without?

It’s been three and a half days I’ve been without my broadband. One minute I had it the next I didn’t. My PC and Internet is my lifeline to the outside world. My time is spent flitting backwards and forwards, checking my messages, on Facebook, updating my blog and taking time to admire other people’s works of art or reading their thoughts. Quite honestly some of he nicest people I know are or were complete strangers I’ve met on the net. I wouldn’t be without them or my connection to the WWW!

Moominland Midwinter - Tove Jansson

'This is snow,' Moomintroll whispered to himself. 'I've heard about it from Mother, and it's called snow,' and off he plodded, making his first little tracks into this strange new world where nothing moved and there were no living sounds...

Practice makes better, not perfect!

Having spent many a minute or two or three admiring peoples work on the net i took it on myself to buy a book on drawing. I have always been into artistic, creative things but to be honest drawing hasn't always been my thing. My mum on the other hand has a wonderful folder full of drawings.

I asked my mum to get me this book for Christmas but yesterday could wait no longer and bought it myself. It is called 'Funky Things To Draw' and covers anything from fantasy to animals. Anyway this afternoon i got to play after i had got some more important things done and Brett was asleep.

This is my first serious attempt at a bird and a bunny and i can see that with practice i can only get better...

Once upon a Fairy Court

Please take a look at this fabulous photo book by Alexandria LaNier. Alexandria has given me permission to share this on my blog and i feel very privileged. I have been enjoying her wonderful fairy photos for some time now on Flickr and now her collectors edition is finally available for all fairy fans to own and admire.

It can be found at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/372047 Please take the time to go and have a preview and maybe someone will treat you to a piece of fairy magic for Christmas.

Enjoy and thanks to Alexandria.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

"PRINCESS PINK"

Her name is Princess Pink

What else could it be?

She prefers the color pink

In everything she sees!

No matter where she's going

Or what it is you think

One thing you can be sure of

She's always wearing pink!

Donna "cookie" Gotlib

I have Donna to thank for this wonderful print and poem. Always a sucker for anything pink or girl and love poetry as most of you know. This print is up for grabs as part of a give away Donna is running. Please enjoy the picture and quirky poem and take a look at Donna's blog which can be found at http://cookiesunshine.blogspot.com/2008/10/give-away-for-breast-cancer-awareness.html

'Magic'

Magic (IMAGINARY POWER) noun [U] 1 the use of special powers to make things happen which would usually be impossible, such as in stories for children:

This is a word, amongst others that I came across recently when reading a new blog http://fanniecarte.blogspot.com/2008/10/magical-wip-completed.html
It’s an interesting word ‘Magic’, what is the first thing you think of when you hear the word ‘Magic’?

For me it’s about fairies, wizards and sparkles, beautiful Christmas lights on trees, snow laden trees that sparkle against cold wintry skies, intricate snowflakes that dance out of the sky.
There is also 'Magic' in the bond between me and my son. An invisible cord that binds us. The 'Magic' when he gives me a big hug or tells me I have ‘beautiful hair’ or plants a kiss on my nose

At the beginning I included a description of the word ‘Magic’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary ‘The use of special powers’, maybe it takes special powers to see the ‘Magic’ in our surroundings. ‘to make things happen which would normally be impossible’, I guess almost anything is possible if you truly believe. ‘such as in stories for children’. Well as far as I’m concerned ‘Magic’ in children’s stories is crucial as is ‘Faith’ and ‘Hope’. The world is full of scary things, things I’m sure I didn’t worry about as a child. I loved nothing more than visiting the lands at the top of the Faraway Tree or following Moomintroll as he investigated Moominland during the depths of winter.

Where is the ‘Magic’ in your part of the world and what can you benefit from observing a bit of it?

Countdown to Christmas part 2

2) Now is the time to sit and write a Christmas card list. You may have two lists if you choose to buy special cards for family and close friends but atleast once you've written it you'll have some idea of how many cards you will need.

If you like to get special cards for family and close friends you can of course buy them individually from the card shops but invariably you find a card with a nice picture but inappropriate words or vice versa.

You could of course have a go at making your own.I as a card maker have even cut up pieces of Brett's never art and laminated them and added one or two accessories for last minute cards and there are lots of craft books with simple ideas involving your children if you wish!

Or you could speak to someone like me for individual cards and boxed cards for that extra special someone in your life. See my boxed Fairy Day.

Whatever you do don't let it become a chore!