The Briar Rose Gate

Our Christmas Decorations this Year

2011-12-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

Its been a busy time, lots of tests and hospital visits, I'm afraid my brain tumor has come back, we are just waiting to see the neurosurgeon on how to proceed. This post is also to let everyone know as well, relations and friends who I know drop by, hopefully I will get some treatment soon.
So I did feel a bit let down and not sleeping, so I really haven't felt up to much, but I thought as I've designed all these decorations I should jolly well use them, and I love to papercraft. This year we kept it simple, pastel baubles I rooted out for the tree, and a few of my paper hangers, a paper wreath, and a few paperchains, and lots of pressies under the tree hopefully, Prince has one from Bella already!!, and he knows its His. Linda :)x

Envelope Gift Wallets Step by Step

2011-11-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

Just in Artwolf on Etsy. Envelopes with Slip Cards and tags.
1a.. Print off your digital download on to light to medium weight white card. 1b.. Roughly cut out your pieces from the main sheet, so they are all separated. 2.. You can now carefully trim your envelope and message slip card, using scissors or if you prefer you can use a guilloteen on most of the straight sides. 3a.. The top side of the slip card has a centre marker to help you position your hole punching 3b.. Leave this attached till after you have punched the hole. 3c.. Then cut off. 4..Trim all the curved edges, first cut into the centre line of corners.
5.. Then cut from each side into the centre cut line. Large scissors are great for cutting straight lines, smaller for details and curved scissors
for round and curved shapes.
6.. When all trimmed and cut out, as indicated on the template, score the centre envelope line and the tab lines, and firmly crease both the tabs. 7a ,7b ... Fold into place.The envelope is now ready to Glue. 7c.. Cut out round tags with curved scissors.

8a.. Glueing; First place a blob of glue with your finger onto the area indicated with the arrow in the picture, on one side, where the two fold in tabs overlap. Firmly press together. 8b.. Spread glue onto the two folded in tabs, being very careful not to allow any glue to overlap into the inside edges, which would stick the inside of the envelope together. Carefully fold over the flap and pressing firmly together, minor adjusting can be made, before its completely fixed together. Sticky Fingers glue is super for paper crafting. 9.. Choose your ribbons. 10.. You could also place a paper sticker across the message card to hold a cash gift. 11&12.. Thes are very pretty decorated with glitter or other embellishments. Pictures and text on scoring and glitter decoration can be seen in previous step by steps, here on this Blog. :)

Christmas Heart Decorations

2011-11-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

New Christmas Heart Decorations that may be found as a Digital download via Artwolf on Etsy.
A quick Step by Step Picture run through.
They can be used as tags, or backed to each other with a ribbon loop in between the two as decorations hanging from tree, alternatively on a descending straight vertical ribbon hanger, or horizontal banner hung, or sandwich two together on a
kebab stick with ribbon bow beneath to decorate plants etc.

1..Print off your digital sheet onto card, smooth bright white card for the best effect.
Fit to page will cover all page sizes, and is the simplest option, but if you are computer literate you can take them up larger to your pages size limits.
2..Cut out the hearts just roughly, leaving some white surround to release them into individual pieces, they are easier to cut out now. 3.. If you don't want to make up the boxes or all the tags now, leaving a border of white surround around each piece will save the piece's edges in pristine condition, so you can safely store them in a box, until you wish to make them up.
4..Make a centre cut into the mid line of the hearts white excess, before cutting away the excess to the centre, this will stop you cutting too far into your heart's centre edge.
5..Then continue to cut away the white excess from the circumference of the rest of your heart shape.
6 & 7.. I lay out the cut shapes using the carpet (because I haven't a table at Present :),) as my mood board as a trial, laying different colours of ribbons and textures together, till I get an effect or marriage of textures I wish to continue with.
8..Gluing together hearts. I use catalogues or old magazines as my gluing board, turning the page for a clean surface between operations
Dab glue all over one back surface of a heart, spread over with fingers, flip magazine page and lay down on a nice new surface, Wiping fingers before proceeding. You can now either lay in a ribbon loop, kebab stick, or ribbon banner
depending on what you are making.
Now cover the glued side with another heart, arranging and pressing carefully together.
9.. Place a blob of glue on your magazine page and gently cover the outside edges with glue, applying with a fingertip(easiest) all the way around the heart shape.
10.. Glitter, Tear a clean page from your magazine fold in half and crease,this will help you pop your glitter back into the container when you have finished.
10B..Pour some glitter of your choice into the folded page
10A..Gently push your glued edge heart into the glitter.
11..Showing two finished Heart Hangers.
12..The double sided heart stick is made in exactly the same way, except that a kebab stick is inserted between the two heart shapes. The kebab stick is laid down on the glued heart, a small amount of glue added to the stick portion to be encased within the heart, before sandwiching gently together. I only stuck a small portion of the stick into the heart's middle line, less than halfway up, to make a secure fixing.
Double backed hearts look best with nice crunchy glitter on the outside edges, which masks any small cutting or gluing errors too, or you can insert stick crepe ruffle to one hearts outside edges, before sticking on the other heart, which gives a really pretty vintage effect, (depending how much patience you have, and of course if you have the time, and if you are enjoying it).
12.. A simple tied satin ribbon completes the Heart Stick.
Some other ideas, Below.
Click on pictures to view in a larger format.

Making up a Christmas Vintage Box and Tags

2011-10-21T11:49:00.001-07:00

New Christmas box Template and tags to be found on Artwolf on Etsy.
Just a quick zip through in pictures to take out the mistique of making boxes.
These boxes will fit together perfectly, just follow the very detailed instructions and diagrams on the Tips and Text sheet you get along with your digital template.

1. Print off your digital sheet onto card, smooth bright white card for the best effect. Cut out the box template and tags just roughly, leaving some white surround to release them into individual pieces, they are easier to cut out now. If you don't want to make up the boxes or all the tags now, leaving a border of white surround around each piece will save the piece's edges in pristine condition, so you can safely store them in a box, until you wish to make them up.
2. Make a centre cut into all of the corner spaces on the template before cutting into the corners, as in 3, this will stop you cutting too far into your box,when you cut away the rest of the whiteexcess from and into those corner spaces.

4. Cut out the rest of your box,from the white surrounding card,
as you can see completed in, 5.

6. Score lines indicated in your Diagrams, Tips and Text, sheet you received with your template, either using a board 6A or a 6B a ruler,with a scoring tool, carefully position and lightly crease score lines. Completed scored and creased box,7. Folding the box up together 8. Added glue to the box's side tabs and gluing, back two first, then front,9. The best Glue for this is Sticky Fingers, Crafters Glue.

Cutting the tags out 10, any rounded tag cutting is greatly helped if you have apair of curved bladed small scissors, not neeeded, but so much easier, you can usually pick up a cheap pair at the chemists counter. You can cut out tags with guilloteen, for straight sided ones or scissors, or try fancy edge scissors for some variety,11. Punching holes for ribbon when finished.12.

Decorating can carried out on a flat box or after glueing together, I prefer to glue together first before adding glitter etc. Ribbons should be the last editions.

The boxes and tags I completed while I photographed, have not yet been decorated with any extra embellishments or glitter as I still do not have full access to my craft supplies.

But I'm sure you get the idea.

Toby in Autumn Light

2011-10-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

After a long day with his rug off, Mark took some pictures of Toby just as the sun went down, before we popped his rug back on. Hes starting to grow in his own winter coat, definately looking fluffier. My attempt at getting the ears forward with the empty feed bucket failed, still Toby still trailed after me around the field waiting for his apple treats.

Christmas Vintage Postal Cards

2011-10-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Little Girls grow up, but we all love to believe in Santa Claus and Christmas,
Postcards digital sheet to be found in Artwolf on Etsy.

Autumn Treats for Christmas-Sloe Gin

2011-10-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

A special request a repost of how to make SLOE GIN

You Still have time to collect the last sloes and make some wonderful warming liqeure drink in time for Christmas, and its really simple.
Don't be put off if you dont like the taste of plain gin, sloe gin tastes nothing like it.
First pick some sloes, fruit of the blackthorn bush, Picking late, in October means the sloes will reach their maximum ripeness - and flavour.
Sloes picked late rarely need pricking with a pin this is usually done to the early collected ones August,early September which are very hard and will produce a drier tasting sloe gin, which I did this year so after decanting I had to add another two desert spoons of sugar to the gin mix.
You will need.....
1 lb or 2lb of Sloes, depending on how much you want to make.
Granulated sugar
Gin
Funnel
Empty Bottles
Gather and wash your sloes remove any stems,leaves, and badly squashed fruit.
Turn out on an old clean towel or similiar to dry, (sloe juice will stain clothing).
1. Fill your bottle with sloes to half way up the main body of the bottle.
2. Pop a funnel in the neck of the bottle, and pour in enough sugar to come to the top of the sloes level.
3. Fill the bottle to the top with Gin.
4. Screw on the Lid
5. Give the bottle a shake to get the sugar disolving.
After care...
Recipe 1. Turn the bottle up and back gently a couple of times,just once a day, for a week with the later ripe fruits.
((4 weeks with the early(as they are more resistant))
You can decant now or carry on after turning just once a week for the next few months,Then a week or two before Christmas, Strain your sloe gin through a coffee filter into a clean bottle.))
My Recipe 2. Its just preference, but I have noticed if left that long, there is more pulp and residue to strain as the sloes will break down in the bottle, Clouding, thereby wasting Gin!!! so my choice is to decant after a month of turning just once a day,every day of that month whatever the sloes are like, there is no loss in flavour.
Decanting;
I strain my bottles of sloe gin mix through coffee filters which removes any residue of fruit pulp, and results in a lovely clear Sloe Gin. During the filtering I go through up to about 5 coffee filters in the process. It just takes time, have patience. Pre wet the coffee filters with water before pouring the gin through, (you can use plain white kitchen roll in a sieve, but be careful get the strong kitchen roll) pouring carefully, most of the sloes will stay behind in the bottles, and you can shake them out child's money box style to clear the bottles, once washed you can pour the decanted gin back into the bottles.
You can now taste the decanted Sloe Gin, adding a small amount of sugar to your own taste if necessary, if the gin being too dry for you. Thats it..

Label,Rest on your laurels, Keep or store to Christmas or beyond.Enjoy :)

Christmas Cat themed Postal set

2011-10-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

Snowballing kittens and Christmas cats curled up snug, new addition from Artwolf

Cardmakers Halloween Magic and Mystery

2011-10-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

MAGIC and MYSTERY, a Hooded lady waits by the stage door, nearly midnight, footsteps echo in the cobbled side alley, a Gunshot or Black powder?
Through the mists the hooded figure silently dissappears.
Hoots of Owls in the Moonlight, while the scent of roses perfumes the cool night air.
Ancient texts and cyphers in the glow of candlelight, all in the pursuit of the prize.

Latest Digital offering from Artwolf found on Etsy

Lounge Nearly There...

2011-09-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

We have Carpet,Lights and our Suite of lounge furniture back from upstairs, so I took this little pic as two of the residents are enjoying some of the seating and carpeting and one is about to shave his beard off, Shame....

Digital Christmas Instant Gratification by EMail

2011-09-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few of The new listings from Artwolf on Etsy

Reflections, on my Real Persona

2011-08-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day, inspired by changes in the music list, the two I mention, remind me of very different things. Yet they are somehow related in hiding and refelecting a different front to the world. The interview Rob Williams part of madonna (do watch the video)reminds me of myself hiding behind different personality traits. Going from a happy outgoing young child who would stand on a chair and sing to everyone to another just a few years on a very different 7 year old, made to feel self aware of all my supposed short comings and looks. This carried on into the teenage years to the fact that I would be physically sick at the prospect of going out and socialising, its always been there. I married a very well balanced super man who enjoyed life , I remember one evening coming home and trying to explain how I hadn't really enjoyed the evening as much as it appeared ( Life and Soul of the party Persona being Worn to full effect) and of course upsetting him, he really couldn't understand it. So I found its best not to confide,
as you usually upset people who matter, but you all now know and thats the truth of it. I'm very shy, I don't really enjoy partying unless I have the party face firmly grafted on, then sometimes I really do have fun, which is good, that I can shake it off now and again..
The Lola song reminds me of Danny, who was so shocked when I pointed out, what the Lola song he was merrily singing was all about, he still loved to sing it, a favourite song, good one Dan Williams. :)

Woozle, Wednesday's Choice

2011-08-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Woozle died a year ago today

She enabled me to have Fun and compete in a meriade of disciplines,and to a level I would never have aspired to without her.

Gentle spirit but full of fire and bravery.
RIP 17th August 2010

Never Forgotten.

Toby back to Work

2011-08-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

Tob'y leg has healed well, so we are giving him some gentle short exercise rides to get his skin used to the saddlery again.

We are fine don't need rescuing TY

wait for me!!

Beautiful Horse and Rider

2011-08-11T01:29:00.000-07:00

Please watch this is so lovely , Pause my music sounds the video has beautiful music to accompany it, just one of the videos Susan Williams has shared on Facebook.

Doma Vaquera • Dressage • équitation from Romain NEGRE on Vimeo.

Cardmaking, Altered art for Cat Lovers

2011-08-06T15:16:00.001-07:00

I spent a couple of days on and off creating this Cat and Kitten, Digital Sheet for Artwolf on Etsy.
Now I know why it takes me so long to make a card!!.
They incorporate two of my pastel drawings, Angel Feathers, and Peace to All.
Still now you don't have to, use them as they are, distress them, add Satin ribbons use as you will, to fire your creativity.

Its the Cowes Week Red Arrows Display

2011-08-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

What a treat on your own doorstep.

Fairy Digital Vintage Style Postcards

2011-08-02T23:30:00.000-07:00

Artwolf has just added these Fae postcards to Etsy, for all cardmaking and papercrafting fun.
Apologies also to everyones blog I usually visit. For some strange reason, I don't seem able to register any comments, just seems to take me around in a loop.
Ahh well, I'm still enjoying all your blogs and work. :) Linda

Digital Horse Sheet For Scrapbooking Cardmaking

2011-07-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

Theres a few more Digital downloadables in Artwolf on Etsy, heres one of them to view, Equestrian related in the Vintage Edwardian Postcards Style.
They incorporate two of my pastel drawings Unicorn Blue, and Faith & Hope(Rabbit & Pegasus Foal)

Hickstead Show Jumping

2011-07-30T04:43:00.000-07:00

A bevy of Show Jumping Stars were competing for the Prize honors but Germany's Marcus Ehning won the Bunn Leisure Trophy, claiming the £6,500 first prize on board Noltes Kuchengirl.
"She has a lot of experience and I've been riding her for a long time, so I know her well and what she's capable of," Marcus said of the mare.

Hickstead Hunters Classes

2011-07-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

Mark and I had a day out at Hickstead Royal International Horse Show Festival, here are some pics of the heavyweight Hunter Class during judging, and Champioships of the three weight classes 1st and reserve in each Light, Middle and Heavyweight.
The Heavyweight ultimatly taking the supreme title.
Photos Mark.

Susan Williams- Facebook

2011-07-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

I saw TV footage once of the round ups,wheeling helicopters, terrified horses, broken legs, dying foals.

Quote from Susan Williams-Facebook Page
"Today lets stop for a moment and hold the space for our wild ones as the roundups start in Nevada. The monstrous helicopters will begin removing 1700 horses from their range. It is difficult to comprehend how our efforts seem to fall upon deaf ears".

New Little Witch Halloween Digitals

2011-07-17T03:55:00.000-07:00

Here are two new Digital Party invites and Tags.
The invitation image is from one of my hand drawn watercolours, the original inspiration for this were vintage image cards I had owned, but which were sadly in too bad a state to use, so I redrew them and updated them, but I shrove to retain the charm of the vintage originals. I redrew six images in total, and created two new ones in the same style.
Tag Images are taken from actual vintage images, except the black kitten which is one of my own watercolours.
The white version was in response to saving precious printer inks.

Meet Toby

2011-07-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

I was kindly offered Toby on a summer loan from the local Hunt stables.
Toby is a big lad we estimate about 17.2hh at least, although we havent put a measure to him. Our first challenge was finding a headcollar and girth to fit, after scouring the Island's shops, we managed to find one headcollar large enough, and one girth 58inches. Woozles old bridle just about fitted, at a slight pinch (term of speech, nothing painful) and we purchased a larger bit, a bargain curtesy of Ebay, added a sheepskin numnah for comfort and a exlarge double bridle, yet to be oiled. After a period of adjustment Toby is settling well into a slightly more relaxed way of life, starting to trust me, and mind his P's and Q's, which for Toby means, don't tread on my feet, or shove me over.
We had had him reshod and were starting to ride him regularly when Toby stuck his leg through a gate in the field. Now both the gates are cloaked in tarps as Toby has a bad habit of pawing for attention and titbits from passing adoring fans.
Cut and badly beat up, hes been on meds antibiotics, and inflammatry reducers in his feed, for which we had to invent sneaky ways of making them taste better, and different creams for the wound on his leg. Hes doing well, and soaking up the attention.
Heres some pics of him before the accident.

Happy 4th July America

2011-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

'Happy 4th of July', to my American Cousins and Friends in the States.
Apologies for the dirth of posting lately, hopefully whatever I call normal life will resume shortly..
Linda :) x

Blue Butterflies in the Garden

2011-05-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

These lovely little butterflies have been flitting around all morning, enjoying the nectar.

The Royal Wedding, a National Holiday

2011-04-29T11:41:00.001-07:00

Changes in Life

2011-04-12T03:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry about my lack of blogging lately.

Since the demise of my beloved mare last August, I can honestly say I still really do miss her, and also just not having a horse in my life, is weird. I rented fields, so at the moment its tenuous, as I do not feel entirely secure in pursuing another equine, with a long term secured environment future, but I am still looking. My heart attack last year put a real damper on things in general, dying really does make you feel very mortal, and as I'm an Eeyore in life's Winnie the Pooh's adventures, it did nothing to lighten the mood!!, So when I found I was wheat intolerant, which sucks if your'e already a vegetarian(I do eat fish,eggs) it pulled another sigh from the Eeyore in me, being told I was probably Fibromyalgic as well, another blast. It explained a few things, it is not life threatening although can be painful, and you just have to pace yourself, whoopee... that was sarcasm. But the Good News is I'm finally getting the lounge done at last. It had a lot of problems, so we had to go back to the bare walls and replaster, and a miriad of other different other jobs to boot, its still work in progress and while its going on, we are sharing a bar stool and an office chair between us, with Prince's bed in the tiny kitchen. Theres no access to my art supplies except for a jar full of brushes I kept out, with a few watercolours, which was fortunate as The Aceo group on Ebay are in the process of completing another playing card set, which I got in on again, the Jack of Diamonds was my card. He ended up as a Jack Rabbit as you can see. Mark is in workman mode, so I had to take a picture, he was so engrossed he didn't even notice.

Year of the Rabbit, Chinese New Year

2011-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

"Kung Hei Fat Choi" (or Happy New Year).

The Year of the Metal Rabbit will officially start tommorow, hopefully bringing a more peaceful year. For Feng Shui devotees placing a round metal object,silver or Gold in the East aspect of your House will deflect any Negative energies.
Rabbits are a favourite of mine, here are some of my previously made works.

These Little Bunnies are in An Etsy Treasury curator extraspecialwishes titled 'Can anybody tell me'
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d51d53073bf8eef9aecd8ab/can-someone-tell-me

A Sprinkling of Snow

2010-12-21T02:30:00.000-08:00

Winter Days

2010-12-08T03:14:00.000-08:00

Apologies for lack of posting, life, commitments, and random happenings all took their toll for my absence.
I will be closing my Etsy shops for the Christmas period soon, but you can still order Digital supplies and digital Christmas tags by contacting me via this blog, as Digital doesn't have to Bend to Post Office last posting dates.
Most of my art supplies are packed away along with my large drawing board, as I was hoping to get the lounge re plastered before Christmas, well you still never know!!.
So I am playing with the computer digital designs, and feeling a little like an old toy maker, sat in my armchair in the warm and making models, of animals of course:)
Here are a few pictures of finished works The spotted Piggy hanger was a gift for Helen my friend, who loves pigs, you didn't guess that did you.
I made the Fox hanger for our home, its Hopalong, a fox who was friends with my horse Woozle. He was injured one autumn, hence his name. He was very gentle and would sit down beside Mark, and gently take dog treats from his hand.
The Bunny/hare and cat I am still working on,carving and sanding.
I find I am enjoying the modelling, more than the painting as I find detailed work a bit of a strain on the eyesight at the moment.

Halloween boxes and Christmas Tags

2010-10-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

More Digital Templates to make Halloween gift boxes from Artwolf on Etsy, and a sheet of Christmas Themed Heart Tags.

Digital comes to Artwolf on Etsy

2010-10-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

A New Range of Digital fun is coming to Artwolf's Shop on Etsy, here are some of the first.

Alice in Wonderland/Looking Glass Image Tags, and Party Tags, such as Cheshire Bites, Snickersnacks, and Candied Hearts.

Horse Vintage image Collage postcards with a bespoke feel, for posting, card making and crafts.

Many more, Halloween, Vintage, Art, Faries,Horse, Cats,Dogs, Christmas, Vintage Ladies, in tags, Templates Boxes and decorations.

Tennyson, did these views inspire him.

2010-10-07T01:44:00.000-07:00

Tennyson the former Poet Laureate lived at Farringford in Freshwater for 40 years, during which time he hosted a string of distinguished guests including Lewis Carroll, Charles Darwin and Edward Lear..

A small extract from our poets Lady of Shalott

Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
Down to tower’d Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers “ ’Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott.”

Newfoundland Rescue Dogs at Folly

2010-09-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

A Fun day for the dogs who are part of the team at Newfound Friends and who enjoy every moment of the day while raising much needed funds for the many charities who benefit by their wonderful displays.
Meet the dogs at their website see video and check out forthcoming events..

http://www.newfoundfriends.co.uk/NFF_events.htm
Sunday they were raising funds for The Earl Mountbatten Hospice situated on the Isle of Wight. The Hospice is the Island's centre of excellence in caring for people with life-shortening illnesses and their families and carers. They care for around 800 patients each year, absolutely free of charge. Patients are referred from their GP or the hospital. Macmillan nurses and the hospice home team help with care at the hospice and in the home environment, providing much needed support for patients and their families. The hospice needs over £7000 a day to function and carry on its work, £4000 of which each day has to be raised by volunteers and the public's charity contributions, volunteers in many areas are always needed and appreciated. see their website..
http://www.iwhospice.org/default.aspx
http://www.iwhospice.org/the-mountbatten-nurses.aspx

Goodbye to Woozle

2010-08-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

It is with great personal sadness and grief that I and Mark mourn the passing of our dear 'Woozle', who at 35 yrs young, was still full of good nature and sweet disposition, tinged with a good sense of horse humour. She maintained a happy aspect to the last, her back legs just weakened, making it difficult for her to move about safely, fearing that she would have a fall and damage herself badly, she was sent to sleep this evening after her favourite teatime feed, carrots, hand feeding of grass and much grooming and petting.

I stayed with her throughout smoothing her neck and talking to her.

7/8 Thoroughbred cross Irish Hunter, Bay Mare, she and I used to compete in Eventing together, She was very brave and bold, and beautifully mannered in and out of the Stable, and a firm favouite with the small children at the playschool next to one of her turnout fields.
Her name 'Wednesday's Choice',came about because she was bought at the Hereford Bloodstock Sales on the Wednesday Sale Day.
Her Stable name is 'Woozle' from the Winnie the Pooh Story about hunting the woozle.

Whoa Sketchbook Auctioned, Ends on Ebay August 20th ..TODAY

2010-08-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Whoa Sketchbook was auctioned on Ebay, starting August 10th a 10 day auction period ending on 20th August, by Jennifer, the well known artist of Gypsymarestudios, proceeds will be given to benefit a horse welfare charity.

Shiloh Charitable Trust

Many well known artists have contributed sketches and art for the sale. see link to view all ttheir works...The Sketchbook started off in England with Danielle Barlows wonderful sketches from Dartmoor , Just click on this link... below..
http://whoasketchbook.blogspot.com/2008/04/danielles-sketches.html

Danny

2010-07-17T10:56:00.001-07:00

OK I never have much luck photographing work, on angled drawing board, light issues, the work is very detailed which is not coming up even when I tried a macro shot, me wobbling, even tripod useless too as board too high!!, and the camera has pulled out all the red/chestnut tones hair work and not the rest of the hair work, strange. But it will look much better in real life Sande.

WIP Danny.

2010-07-15T05:30:00.000-07:00

I don't usually do Work in Progress on paintings as I found I over analyse everything and ruin it, so this will be the only one till I've finished.

This is Sande's beautiful foal Danny, born to her lovely mare Mouse.

This is after the first pencil sketch was down and I'm filling in background with pastels which is why it looks very soft at present.

ADO Alice in Wonderland Challenge

2010-07-08T17:26:00.001-07:00

Well Here you are, you have seen a sneak preview and WIP through the last couple of weeks, Dahdah The reveal:) It was hard work, but fun thank you ADO for another great challenge. There are a few models and the rest are batons.

The White Rabbit
Blue Frock Coat, Mother of pearl Buttons, with handmade Lace collar and Cravate, and Golden stock Pin, and Fob Watch.
Beribboned with Blue, Pink and
hung about with Tiny Rabbit Glove, Peony Fan, Teapot, Teacup, Red Rose ,Cakes

The March Hare,
Old School Tie attire with
Red and White and Blue Ribbons
Spotted Teapot, Tea Cup, Cup Cake, Cake Slice

The Cheshire Cat,
with his Leafy Vines, and Turquoise Satin Ribbons,
Teapot, Cup, Cup Cake, and Cake slice.

The Unicorn,
Tapestry Collar, Beribboned with Purple, Black & Cream
with His Crown and Plum Pudding.

Hedgehog, a lucky escaped Crochet Ball

Looking glass Insects,
1 Bread and Butterfly

3 Rocking Horseflies ,
2 Adult with full grown legs, off their Rockers for years,
1 tiny nymph with fly legs just off his nursery Rocker.

The Dormouse,
sat within one of The Hatter's old discarded Top Hats,
Stuffed with multi coloured Ribbons.
Hung about with his prize Hazelnut, Hatpin,Teapot,Cup, Cup Cake and Teaspoon

The Hatter,
Beribboned in
Top Hat, mad Red Hair, 10/6 label, Scarf, Feather and Hatpins, Cravate,
Hanger Charms include, Thimble, Cake Slice, Fairy Cake,Teapot,
Cup & Saucer, Reel with green silk Twist.

apologies about the text being all over the place, I just can't get it right...
Click on pics to get a bigger image.
Well What a weekend dropping down all those rabbit holes...Thank you everyone that was kind enough to take the time to drop by, and leave all those encouraging wonderful comments. Linda:) x

Williams and Wonderful Mail

2010-07-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Williams are our words for bills that arrive through our letterbox, The latest was a whopper from the Vets for Woozle's treatment, not in the least begrudged, we love the girl to bits, but we still have to pay them.......
But there was a lovely sweetner,
This wonderful 'Sleeping Hare' watercolour from talented artist and friend Danielle, arrived today also.
Her Etsy shop (daniellebarlowart)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/daniellebarlowart
holds many other treasures to drool over, and purchase, as does her Blog
http://daniellebarlowart.blogspot.com/
Thank you Danielle, I'm so pleased with him.

Peaceful Sunset

2010-07-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

Cow Parsley Versus the Refinery

2010-06-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I love the way nature puts things into perspective. The way this humble Cow Parlsey dominates the distant Refinery with its Chimneys.

No 6 Dormouse,small bits & WIPs Rocking Horse Flys,March Hare and Hatter

2010-06-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting for ages, I have still been busy working quietly away.
I just had problem with my camera lead, the connection that downloads from the camera to the computer had decided to go defunct. Well a new one was received in the post and we are back on song, so here are the newest additions, and the works still in the rough, in progress.

No 5 Bits and Bobs

2010-06-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

A few of the little additions to add to the batons.

Woozle in The Wars & Updates

2010-06-03T00:36:00.000-07:00

Spent yesterday up and down to the farm, re vets visits to Woozle, she had a big lump come up under her cheek. To me it looked like a black thorn puncture gone nasty, blood puss, etc. The Vet ,Floris arrived from our Island's Liphook Practise, and was very thorough, after a complete check over he flushed & drained out the affected area many times, gave her penicillin, antibiotics etc. Shes still eating, and noshing grass, which is a good sign, as its keeping the jaw active too, we will have to see how it goes today.
He checked teeth etc, took samples and swabs, so far was non plussed too, suggested could be a puncture or an adder bite, they are a mildly venomous member of the viper family, I hate them. Although they rarely kill large animals dogs etc, they will have a bad effect on older, ill health animals.
She was very pleased to be turned out this morning and did her usual nerve racking woobly canter and attempted buck. :)

UPDATE.. Thursday, Floris came back at 4pm examined,squeezed and flushed through the affected site again. She has always been so well behaved with this sort of thing, it was obviously very painful, shes such a little trooper, I felt so sorry for her.
Still I popped her out in the small orchard from 5pm till about now 8pm ish its cool in there , already in tree shade, she was happily chomping away at the grass, when I left her, I have drugs etc to add to her feeds tomorrow, and she was much improved from yesterday.
Floris had to take another set of swabs etc as the first were no good they just set!!.
Friday; Swabs in lab, first tests showed a mixed bag of contradictions, further tests being done today to identify which anti bacterial treatment will be best for specific bacteria present. She is on a broad spectrum one at present added to her feed with an anti inflamatory mix too. The swelling is no worse, just cleaning and treating topically, several times a day.
Saturday: Bright this morning as usual kean to get out in the field,ate her feed well, I cleaned up and treated her face, before being literally dragged along to the field, she is taking great advantage of me not being able to put a headcollar on her, which is really quite funny. :)
Sunday; Swelling going down well.
Monday; Looking better all round, fingers crossed. Vet very pleased with the progress.
Tuesday: Almost looking back to normal, just a bit of residual damage to skin in the area, healing well, nice and clean.
Thank you for allyour good wishes. Linda x

No 4, A little Paint

2010-06-01T01:03:00.001-07:00

Batons cut and hot glued in place, acrylic paint applied.
The Cheshire Cat, caused such self doubt when I was painting him as I find it very hard to position the brushes on 3D objects, with my loss of vision and subsequent perspective, but got there in the end.

They will be a lot more colourful, once I've added their ribboned collars and charms. I was working towards creating a whole bunch of these on The Alice in Wonderland theme, with a larger model for the reveal for The 2nd ADO Challenge( Sign up Today, and runs till July 8th, reveal then through the following weekend on all the participating blogs. Sadly I had forgottened how long these little guys take to make. Still, I will try and see what and Who I can make before the challenge runs its course.
http://artdollsonly.blogspot.com/

No3 WIP Alice's Characters; Unicorn's mane

2010-05-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

I made the mane from 2 pieces of fine white cotton material from which I removed the cross threads, making two fringes of different lengths. I then cut back the material to leave each fringe with a remaining 3mm piece of weave, which I laid and glued each strip into place along the forelock and crest line. Then modelled paper clay on top to hide all joins, so as the mane looked as if it naturally grew from the neck, I added a few golden threads in later, and did a similar process with the eyelashes except on a much smaller scale.

Don't forget the 2nd annual ADO Event sign up is the 1st June, Blog link in the lists down on the left.

Seabreezes

2010-05-24T02:39:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos, we are having a spell of hot weather at the moment, cooled and made very pleasant by our sea breezes.

No2 WIP Alices Characters

2010-05-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ok Here is the next bit, They are made from Eberhard-Faber White paper mixture, which is lovely to use, air dries and can be added to, at any time, helping with the modelling process, well it does suit my funny ways, anyway.:)
I drilled holes for eyes, set and modelled round them, & drilled holes for the wooden handles.

WIP Characters from Alice's Adventures

2010-05-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

I modelled these three before my trip into hospital, they are at the first stage of becoming batons. They are the Unicorn, from the Unicorn and Lion fighting, The White Rabbit, and The Cheshire Cat, Next step is find appropriate eyes to set and drill holes for them and the wooden wand handle.

Q&A on Artwolf on Nakisha's Blog

2010-05-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

Nakisha a multitalented artist who has a wonderful blog called
'Nakisha is Blue Dog Rose'
http://bluedogrose.blogspot.com/
and was generous enough to write a Q & A piece on myself.
Thank You Nakisha, I really appreciate your time.

Nakisha herself sells her art on Etsy under the seller name bluedogrose
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluedogrose
She is a popular artist with a healthy following, Bunny fans in particular will be over the moon to visit her store, don't forget to check out The Rabbit Tarot.

Her store houses a huge wealth of artworks, sculpture, jewellery,gifts, and even 'do it yourself',projects suitable for all tastes, and skill levels.

Blossoming Hedgerows

2010-04-30T02:56:00.000-07:00

Missing in Action

2010-04-16T02:59:00.000-07:00

Explaining my Absence...
I was feeling tired and unwell for a few days prior to the incident, the Friday evening I felt unwell with chest pains walking prince around the fields, but I put that down to having a rib out, very similar symptoms. Saturday morning was the same only the symptoms were worse with a feeling of nausea,. So I phoned the ambulance, a first response first aider arrived, then the ambulance ladies, I was vomiting and feeling very unwell. I was taken to hospital, during treatment I arrested and was shocked several times and finally brought back, with work, more shocks, and CPR. I was then flown in a military helicopter to the mainland cardiology wing at Southampton hospital, where they preformed an angiogram, and ascertained one small area was restricted, which they rectified by inserting a stent. Although the rest of my arteries were completely clear, on performing echo sound, they found weakness to the heart muscle in several areas, which they didn't know was due to the resuscitation, or other problems. They hoped this would heal itself if due to the aforementioned, 3 days later, another echo, showed no improvement, they were non plussed as my arteries were clear with minimal damage in the area that was affected by the blockage. Virus and stress were the only other possibles. The solution could be a back up fitted pacemaker device, that just will work and click in if there's a problem, the only downside would be, I could no longer have MRI scans, which I need to monitor my on going Brain tumor problems, which after conferring with the neurosurgeon, they were keen to retain. Good News 3 days later I was sent for a MRI on the heart, and everyone was shocked to find My poor little heart was getting back to normal, which was confirmed by another echo sound a few days later. So the upshot of all this is I'm taking many pills to protect my heart and the stent they have put in, and will be monitored with MRI, 24 hr hook up, and echo some time in the near future, and I am at Home,with Mark and Prince, Thankfully and gratefully sleeping in my own bed.
Thank you for all the well wishes sent, and apologies to those dear friends we didnt inform, we didnt want to worry you untill there was some good news.
Lindax

Henry Reed, The Naming of Parts.

2010-03-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

This poem has always really stuck in my memory, war poetry is very emotive.

I. NAMING OF PARTS

To-day we have naming of parts. Yesterday,
We had daily cleaning. And to-morrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But to-day,
To-day we have naming of parts. Japonica
Glistens like coral in all of the neighboring gardens,
And to-day we have naming of parts.

This is the lower sling swivel. And this
Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see,
When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel,
Which in your case you have not got. The branches
Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures,
Which in our case we have not got.

This is the safety-catch, which is always released
With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy
If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms
Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
Any of them using their finger.

And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this
Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it
Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this
Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards
The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers:
They call it easing the Spring.

They call it easing the Spring: it is perfectly easy
If you have any strength in your thumb: like the bolt,
And the breech, and the cocking-piece, and the point of balance,
Which in our case we have not got; and the almond-blossom
Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards,
For to-day we have naming of parts.

Clocks Change to British Summertime

2010-03-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening, we took part in the Earth Hour at 8.30pm we lit candles around the house, and I enjoyed a relaxing candlelit bath. Prince our labrador slept all through it, blissfully unaware of the peaceful protest.
We remembered to change most of the house clocks to British Summertime, for us here in the UK that means putting the clocks forward 1 Hour; Spring forward 1 Hour, Fall/Autumn back 1 Hour.
I guess that means Spring has officially arrived.

Saturday 8.30pm Switch off, WWF’s Earth Hour 27th March

2010-03-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYHguBEXkac

Switch off and support WWF’s Earth Hour
On Saturday 27 March 2010 at 8.30pm, we want a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour – WWF’s Earth Hour. Show you care about climate change, support people and wildlife threatened by climate change.
Why WWF cares
Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing people and nature, and demands urgent global action. Unless we prevent average temperatures rising 2°C above pre-industrial levels, we face a high risk of severe and irreversible changes in the planet’s natural systems.
Global impact
Watch the video,on this site below
http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/about_earth_hour/aboutearthhour/
to see how Earth Hour has grown into a global event and hopes to be even bigger and better in 2010

UPDATE....Earth Hour's success was down to people like you - individuals and families switching off at home, or companies large and small, local government, schools and community groups.
Over 3,400 cities and towns in 125 countries took part in WWF's Earth Hour 2010. Global landmarks switching off included Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great Pyramids, Rome's Coliseum and Forbidden City in China.
In the UK, other landmarks included Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, the National Gallery and National Theatre and Wembley Stadium Arch in London; the Senedd, The Wales Millennium Centre, and Millennium Stadium in Cardiff; Stormont, City Hall and the Wheel in Belfast, Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, Wallace Monument and the Falkirk Wheel, to name just a few.

Sunshine Award

2010-03-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

I was honored to have received the Sunshine Award, such an upbeat blog Award,
A big Thank you to Dale Ann,who is a talented artist, writing and sharing from her own blog spot 'Chronicles of Whimsy', which is always a source of constant inspiration, and a pleasure to read and view.

http://delarenaissance.blogspot.com/

In return I pass on this uplifting award to the blogs listed below as a thank you for sharing the Sunshine they create for others.
~And now, Sunshine Award Guidelines
1) Please thank the person who gave the award to you.
2) Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3) Link the person who nominated you.
4) Name 6 things that no one would really know,about yourself.
5) Nominate 6 bloggers, or more, or a number 1,2,3, etc of your choosing
6) Post links to the blogs you nominate.
7) Leave a comment on each of those blogs letting them know you have nominated them for the Sunshine award.
Here are the nominees
http://artbygail.blogspot.com/
http://wildhorsemoon.blogspot.com/
http://firstdraughtfarm.blogspot.com/
http://buttonfloozies.blogspot.com/
http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/
http://celticcatphotos.blogspot.com/
http://tapestry316.blogspot.com/
http://naturevisions.blogspot.com/

This could have been a huge list, but time and tide...a lot of blog friends have already received this award,Congratulations to you All, or have tributes to Renee, or pressing issues on their own blogs at the moment...so straight on to.....
Six things, about me....
1. I had a bowl of Trifle for Breakfast Yesterday
2. I have so many projects and art things going on, Prince and I are being surrounded by boxes, as I have been working on altered art, and paint effects,and drawings of the white rabbit, which ended up in the WR wearing a harlequin suit, jewellery ,tags, and computer arting.
3. I prefer baths to showers.
4. I enjoy food flavoured with cinnamon, or rose, taste and fragrance.
5. When I read a book, I see the scenery, the characters,the smells, just as you would viewing a film, but more so, as you are there, when I am reading a book, I will not hear you, if you speak to me.
6. I really don't like being mortal.

Beautiful Letter

2010-03-19T02:06:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely surprise, (as I've been away from blog hopping for a while) to receive this wonderful letter from Nancy, one of my winners in the OWOH Event.
Nancy a great blogger, with plenty of heart for all to share.

http://herartnest.blogspot.com/

As Nancy's letter was shown on her own blog, I thought it not inappropriate to show it here too, and its such beautiful work.

Included was a great Chocolate coffee cozie,like the one pictured above, which I'm using it in a very unusual way as I've hurt my wrist and thumb, so its my little piece of woollen wrist jewellery at the moment. I'love it, Thank you so much. Your letter is beautiful too, as was all your packaging, a real treat.
Lindaxx

Karen's Studio

2010-03-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, The Postman rang again, I know, I fell out of the lucky tree at the moment!.
Karen's beautiful frame necklace from The OWOH event, arrived safely in the post.
Karen Ellis with her own blog, Go Scrapping which is also the name of her working studio in Kitchener, Ontario, that offers flexible classes, workshops and special events, hosting retreats and day crops for scrapbookers and card makers.
Even you aren't in travelling range to attend the wonderful courses and love all aspects of papercraft, a visit to her blog is fun and informative.
Tim Holtz fans and scrapbookers are in for a treat.

http://goscrapping.blogspot.com/

Nancy's beautiful Print....

2010-03-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Nancy Donaldson's beautiful artwork....The cone flowers were a real treat I received today in the Post, along with 24 other lucky followers of Nancy's blog. Beautifully wrapped and packaged with a lovely card.

Beautifully presented and Titled 'In The Garden' , signed and ready to frame, and quite unlike any artwork I have seen before.

The enchaustic technique really adds a whole new dimension.

Nancy is a talented Mixed Media artist, and Photographer who mixes her camera talent, with enchaustic techniques. Her Blog, 'All Pulped Out' is an amazing journey, Please check it out,
http://allpulpedout.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Nancy its very beautiful, and will be treasured.

More of Nancy beautiful Photography can be seen in her Flickr Albumns.

Just a sample.

Busy Day..

2010-03-02T13:47:00.001-08:00

Life has a way of filling up days with a montage of useless things one has to do, household chores just being one of them, but there are good days too.
One of the highlights of today was turning around at with surprise as galloping hoofbeats came tearing up to me in the field. Followed by a semi rear, a squeal and a buck, I was very pleased, and just a bit worried as my 34 yr old mare tore up to me, to tuck into her lunchtime feed. It was lovely to see a bit of the old spark still alive and well. Although a bit worrying, sort of like if your 90 year old grandmother jumped up and started dancing the Can can..

Another Treat well actually two arrived in the post as well, OWOH two videos from Wendy,WW, a mixed media crafts gal in Iowa, from her blog 'The life of Me', see http://weinkswonders.blogspot.com/
, to visit. She also has several Blogs including the Frog Palace, and an Etsy Shop, (thefrogprincess), do make sure to visit. Here is a piece of her work for sale on Etsy.. Sewn Heart..

The second was from Linda, a potter and sculptress living in the UK, with her Blog Rediscovering Art, See
http://rediscovering-art.blogspot.com/
,to visit, and she is literally doing what her blog title suggests, in a big way.
Here is one of her pieces in the making...

Thank you for the beautiful tiles Linda, They arrived safely, well done Royal Mail.

The Post Lady smiled

2010-02-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

A knock on the door, and on answering I found a smiling Postie holding a beautifully wrapped box, "Hmm", ventured the Post Lady "looks like someone has a Present". Well It Was, an adorable little Snowman, sent by Cathy, all the way from USA. He is such a happy little soul too, hes not getting packed away till Christmas. Thank you so much Cathy.

A little about his creator. Cathy from Snugglebug Blessings sells her work in several sites, see her Blog; http://snugglebugblessings.blogspot.com/
She is a multi talented artist producing soft scultures, art dolls, primatives,miniatures, figurines, vintage Christmas Halloween and Holiday animals,and OOAK's.
Too much to explain, so Just go look for a real treat.
Linda :)

I was Lucky Too

2010-02-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

As well as the OWOH giveaways from our Blog here, I was also lucky enough to win beautiful gifts too!, The first of which, from England, arrived today,wrapped in lovely pink Tissue.. a Beautiful Forest Heart from these creative jewellery makers.Thank you so much.:)

A little about its creators....BluMoon- Jackie and Laura
Please visit their site www.thesilverlodge.co.uk

They are mother and daughter; Jackie and Lara, both multimedia artists. It is their intention on their blog to share some of their work with you. These two creative girls have a web site called The Silver Lodge which is full of their jewellery designs including polymer clay and art jewellery. They live in a beautiful spot on the south west coast of England.

One world One Heart Drawing...Winners Gifts all Now Posted

2010-02-16T01:34:00.001-08:00

The Flying Time has passed, I managed to visit so many creative blogs along the way, and hopefully I will visit the ones I missed in the future, A big Thank you to everyone who dropped by and left such wonderful comments,
I will be drawing the winners Today, and will then contact the winners, once contacted, I will give you my email, please contact me through the email address within 24hrs, leaving your name and full postal details for mailing your art print.
Linda :)
The 1st winner to be confirmed is, Nancy a great blogger with her blog;
http://herartnest.blogspot.com/
The 2nd is, Annette another wonderful blogger with her blog;
http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/
The 3rd is, Tara and her needleworthy Blog,Sew Gorgeous;
http://sewgorgeous.blogspot.com/
The 4th and final winner is, Tanya, with creative blog 3 Cats Creations;
http://3catscreations.blogspot.com/

I found out that Yahoo has been directing a lot of my normal emails I should have received into a spam folder, I would have never have found them without help... as I have to log on to yahoo separately as its not in my regular email home box.
BIG APOLOGIES to anyone who emailed me, and thought I was being rude and not answering, the program also deletes everything that folder after a month, so I cant even back track after that......

One World-One Heart

2010-01-25T05:19:00.000-08:00

Hi I'm Linda, and welcome to our Blog...Please come in and stay a while.

One World – One Heart, a global giveaway that has been running annually for the past4 years! It’s a giveaway that was originally created in 2007 by Lisa, author of the blog 'A Whimsical Bohemian', to bring together bloggers from around the World, the event runs from January 25th through February 15th.
All you have to do to be a part of it and eligible for the giveaways is to visit the particpating Blogs, and leave a comment in their OHOW, One Heart One World Post, leaving a Blog address or email so we can contact you if you win our giveaways.

I do Wish you all the very Best of Luck, and
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us here at The Briar Rose Gate.♥♥♥

Our Briar Rose giveaway is a Print of an Original Miniature watercolour; The Foxcub waiting at The Briar Rose Gate portal,that enters into the magical realms of Avalon. His mother is just about to catch up with him, and he is surrounded and protected by Elevish fireflies.
As There are Lots of comments already,I've added another 2 prints, this print of 'Solomon ' a little Prince is born, the storyline:
' Solomon' has just been born a few hours ago, his long awaited birth has caused great excitement throughout the woodland animals, as his mother 'Golden Dawn' has been sheltering, in the last few weeks under a young Redwood Tree. 'Chatter' the Chipmunk, is especially proud, as the Redwood is his home, and he is the first to bring a gift for the little Prince. He holds in his paws a tiny rare blue starflower, renown for their hypnotic fragrance, that causes only the Sweetest of Dreams. He has arrived just in time, as little Solomon, is falling asleep.

and The Nobel Gwynan, Raven Queen of The Dark Woods Clan, ACEO

I've been having such a treat visiting all these creative OWOH blogs, and I am very grateful to all those wonderful artists who found their way here, so as a big thank you Here is another giveaway I will be adding.,(4 Winners each will get a choice).
Angel Feathers..This Little Kitten has just become an Angel, and doesn't know he can Fly yet. He senses there is something different and fluttery on his back, but isn't sure what it is. The other Angels are calling to him and playing, by dropping feathers down on him, to try encourage him to reach up, and fly.

I Like to Believe all our beloved animals, when they past from this Earthly realm are rewarded for their life and kind service, by being gifted with their Angel Wings. Angels come in many Guises. LMW.

St. Mildred's Church, Whippingham

2010-01-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

Whippingham Church with its Royal connections to Queen Victoria, and her family has always been a pretty church, full of beautiful stained glass windows and gothic revival treats like its turrets and gargoyle waterspouts.

Other little treats are its lovely details in iron and wood, and old postal boxes ,still in use set into neighbouring stone walls, The botton row of red brick buildings opposite and just across the road from the church, were originally alms houses for the poor.

Sadly only pictures of the outside as our churches now have to be kept locked unless hosting a service.

To see more info on St.Mildreds Church, click on this link.
http://www.iow.uk.com/whippingham-church/contents.htm

Etsy Finds Capricorn vs Sagitarius

2010-01-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to be featured in the New Etsy Finds 7th Jan, Gifts for Capricorns vs Sagitaruius, as my birthday is tomorrow 8th Jan,( Yes,Capricorn) its an early birthday treat, Thank you Etsy
Click on The link to read the article The Arab Painting is under Decor and Sagitarius.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-sagittarius-vs-capricorn-6680/

Vintage Gate Houses

2010-01-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

These two Gate houses I thought looked very picturesque this afternoon.
The one that looks very much like a little cottage, was the gatehouse or lodge to the now non existant East Cowes Castle Estate, built and designed by John Nash and a later residence of Lord and Lady Gort.
The Tower Gatehouse one of the original gatehouse lodges on the bondery exit/entry roads to the Norris Castle Estate, which still exists. Both Lodges are within half a mile of each other.

click on the picstures for a detailed view.

Feeding all the Birds..

2010-01-06T03:23:00.000-08:00

After the chores were completed, I ventured out to feed the wild things, put out fresh water,refilled the bird feeders with seeds and peanuts, put down small wildbird mix for the ground feeding birds, and jumbo sized treats for the larger seagulls and crows. So many hungry beaks turned up, that I eventually put 4 huge bowls out for them.

Then Prince and I had a quick play in the garden , before back indoors to dry off, and a cup of tea.

loads more Lab pictures on Poppys Blog.

Snowy Night

2010-01-05T15:42:00.001-08:00

The Poor Bamboo in the garden was bent double, but after a quick shake, shot right back up to normal, hardy stuff. The half a pound of snow that went down my neck, did wonders to wake me up too.

We took Prince along to the Green, and he ran everywhere at top speed, having a great time, as this is the first snow, he has ever seen.

Frosty Morning

2010-01-04T02:20:00.000-08:00

Cowes Harbour Early Morning, before the Moon departed from view.

Woozle enjoying the Sunshine, but probably not the frosted grass.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T01:28:00.000-08:00

What do you do to cheer your lounge up when its ready to decorate, but still has only its bare plaster walls.
Well you get out the scrap paper, and start snipping, cover the walls in Paper snowflakes.

Count your blessings

Dress the tree, and remember what a joy those handmade decorations were to make

When its all finished, turn off the main lights and admire the twinkling tree,

whilst sipping your glass of sloe gin.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmastide, Happy Holidays, Yule, Winter Solstice, or for the tardy Scots Hogmany.

Vines turn to Art

2009-12-18T00:10:00.000-08:00

In the past I painted a lot of ceramics in ' Clarice Cliff' style, I couldn't help but think that these vines as they gradually shed their leaves, were very reminiscent of the Art Deco stylised trees of that era, more often depicted on china wares.

Cowes Revisted

2009-12-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

Sunday last we thought we would take a little jaunt over to Cowes, the other side of the river medina we have to take the 'Bridge', as we locals call it, which is confusing to non locals as its actually a chain ferry that draws itself across the river on very heavy chains with much clanking and grinding noises. We thought the trip would be a good education for our young labrador 'Prince'.

The base of the bridge is now all metal but when it was tarred wood we would ride our ponies on the ferry to cross over the river. I have done the crossing twice with my mare, on the newer version. She is rock steady, but I made slip on overshoes in a rubberised fabric, as the metal on metal would have been dangerous.

As you can see there have been earlier versions crossing with horse and carriages, The wooden bridge crossings were much less noisey, the chains made an almost pleasant clinking compared to the modern version.

Prince took the chain ferry in his stride, the noise must be quite horrendous for a dog's ears.

Cowes and East Cowes being hubs of marine building and Ports of call and industry were literally full of public Houses, many have closed nowadays, but many of the old favourites survive, The Anchor being one of them.

The church is one of many nested between all the buildings, I thought it a shame all the windows on churches have to be covered in mesh to prevent vandals smasing the windows and in many cases priceless stained glass.

There is a nice little view looking back to East Cowes through a gap in the buildings, by one of the many sailing Clubs. At the top of the picture you can see the fields those green spaces between the tree lines where my horse is kept.

Click on the pictures for a better look.. :)

Saving Wildlife Habitats

2009-12-15T03:26:00.000-08:00

World Land Trust are the inspiration behind perserving habitats and living space for endangered species, perserving rare ecological habitats and putting the land forever beyond the reach of potential developers.
I was first alerted to this wonderful project , supported by their patron David Attenborough, through a group of artists in an Ebay Aceo art group, they banded together and raised enough to buy over 50 acres.
As I wasnt selling on Ebay, I bought One acre for our family,which is proudly displayed in the kitchen. Drinking my Tea and gazing up at the certificate, I wondered how the fund was progressing.
Good News; Since its foundation in 1989 supporters of the World Land Trust (WLT) have helped fund the purchase and protection of over 400,000 acres of threatened wildlife habitats, working through their overseas project partners.

But as you can imagine there is still so much more to try and Save.

You can help Save even more by supporting World Land Trusts further land purchase & protection projects.
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/projects/index.htm
You can make a donation or Purchase a half an acre for £25 or one acre for £50

Our London Ice Bear

2009-12-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

See The magnificent life-size Ice Bear in Trafalgar Square.
It’ll be there from Today Friday 11th December, gradually melting as a symbol of the threat of climate change and the plight of the Arctic in particular.
slowly melting over that time to reveal a bronze skeleton.
Inspired by the Arctic landscape, it’s a life-sized ice sculpture of a male polar bear in hunting pose.
The public will be invited to touch the ice sculpture. Artist Mark Coreth hopes that by touching this sculpture audiences can become sculptors themselves and make a direct connection with the bear and its icy Arctic kingdom, now under threat from man-made climate change.

to see videos,how it was made, more info, check out, and see the finished Bear in the Square
http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/tackling_climate_change/the_london_ice_bear.cfm

Ice Bear Project Fundraiser

2009-11-27T04:57:00.000-08:00

Ice Bear Spirit"
11 x 7 1/2 inches
Original Watercolour painting
A Posting from Artists Danielle Barlows Blog, 'Notes From The Rookery' http://daniellebarlowart.blogspot.com/
Here is Danielle Barlow's finished painting, completed today. Its Framed and goes up for auction at the Fire and Ice fundraiser at Castle Drogo. This is in aid of the Ice Bear Project, UPDATE>>>The night, and the auction, was a resounding success. The 'Spirit of the Ice Bear' print went to Cat of Darkling Woods.

Decant your Sloe Gin....

2009-11-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

Update; 7th November, I strained my two bottles through the coffee filters which removes any residue of fruit pulp, and results in a lovely clear Sloe Gin. After a bottle slipping out of my hands and covering me, and the kitchen floor, in pink sticky gin, I still managed to have 1 .1/3 litres of Sloe gin decanted and safe( probably would have been 1 .1/2) if all had gone to plan. During the filtering I went through about 5 coffee filters in the process, wet them with water before pouring the gin through. By pouring out the gin slowly, most of the sloes will stay behind, jammed in the bottles, you can then shake them out 'childs money box style' to clear the bottles. Once washed you can pour the decanted gin back into the bottles. I have it on good authority this year's Sloe Gin is definately up to standard, so I had better hide the full bottle, for Christmas.
A word of caution, if you have never partaken of homemade Sloe Gin before, it is nothing like Sloe Wine or Sloe Gin you can buy,..in strength or taste.
Its really just neat fruit flavoured Gin, so small tot glasses is the order of the day for drinking.

Folk Art Hangers

2009-11-04T01:48:00.000-08:00

I couldn't believe how much time this little hangers took in painting and sanding, but it was a pleasant change to do some different work.

There are Three, all made of birchwood, and painted in white and black with gold accents.

Songbird, Mistle Thrush and Raven/Crow. (see Etsy)

Hare Preservation Trust

2009-10-20T02:54:00.000-07:00

If you care about our wildlife, and our Hare Population, take an informative trip over to Annette's Blog,
http://dragonhouseofyuen.blogspot.com/
its well worth the trip. :)
There is also a link far left sidebar below in the Blogs List to Dragon House of Yuen Annettes Blogsite, don't miss out on The stunning art photography of Sean Hunter and Annettes own Artworks.
Image available as card set in Artwolf on Etsy

Pyewacketts Halloween Party Giveaway

2009-10-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Just pop over to Pyewacketts to enter the giveaway to celebrate Fanciful Twists Halloween Parties.

and The winner has been drawn.......

Autumn Treats for Christmas-Sloe Gin

2009-10-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

You have time to collect the last sloes and make some wonderful warming liqeure drink in time for Christmas, and its really simple.
Dont be put off if you dont like the taste of plain gin, sloe gin tastes nothing like it.
First pick some sloes, fruit of the blackthorn bush, Picking late, in October means the sloes will reach their maximum ripeness - and flavour.
Sloes picked late rarely need pricking with a pin this is usually done to the early collected ones August,early September which are very hard and will produce a dryer sloe gin.
You will need.....
1 lb or 2 of Sloes, depending on how much you want to make.
Granulated sugar
Gin
Funnel
Empty Bottles
Gather and wash your sloes remove any stems,leaves, and badly squashed fruit.
Turn out on an old clean towel or similiar to dry, (sloe juice will stain clothing).
1. Fill your bottle with sloes to half way up the main body of the bottle.
2. Pop a funnel in the neck of the bottle, and pour in enough sugar to come to the top of the sloes level.
3. Fill the bottle to the top with Gin.
4. Screw on the Lid
5. Give the bottle a shake to get the sugar disolving.
After care...
Turn the bottle up and back gently a couple of times,just once a day, for a week with the later ripe fruits.
((2/3 weeks with the early(as they are more resistant))
Then after that just once a week for the next few months.
A week or two before Christmas, Strain your sloe gin through a coffee filter into a clean bottle.
You can now taste the decanted Sloe Gin, Keep or store to Christmas or beyond.
There are recipes on the internet to use the decanted fruit waste too, but only with the late ripe gathered fruit, the early is far too dry.

Note; If like Jen you live somewhere that doesn't have sloe bushes,
You could always this quickie Recipe by trying flavoured vodkas, a Polish Favourite.
One Lemon or orange peel, The coloured zest part only, none of the white pith. Popped into vodka to seep away for 24hrs or 36 at most, leaving longer will make it too strong.
(You better taste after 24hrs,! its a tough job but someone has to)
Then add a small amount of sugar to your own taste. Thats it..

Update; 7th November, I strained my two bottles through the coffee filters which removes any residue of fruit pulp, and results in a lovely clear Sloe Gin. After a bottle slipping out of my hands and covering me in pink sticky gin, I still managed to have 1 .1/3 litres of Sloe gin decanted and safe ( probably would have been 1 .1/2) if all had gone to plan. During the filtering I went through about 5 coffee filters in the process, wet them with water before pouring the gin through, pouring carefully, most of the sloes will stay behing in the bottles, and you can shake them out childs money box style to clear the bottles, once washed you can pour the decanted gin back into the bottles. I have it on good authority The Sloe Gin is definately up to standard, so I had better hide the full bottle, for Christmas.

Halloween Cat

2009-09-17T09:57:00.001-07:00

Sneak Preview of latest Halloween Wand, Witch's Cat.

These are all lovingly sculpted, sanded,painted and sewn, and a true OOAK (One Of A Kind) pieces of Art.

They all come signed Thrice, for Luck,underneath the head, and down the wooden baton and on their own unique label Tag.

Vintage Halloween Greeting Style Art

2009-09-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

I was given the opportunity to view some of an elderly friends postcard collection, along with many local vintage views were some charming Whitney little witches, these were beyond cleanups, so I decided to redraw them trying to keep to the original style as much as possible. After going through the Kate Geenaway style redraws, which is much similiar to what I would probably do, I think I managed to 'get it' right. They are bit different, but hopefully not too much. I hope to do tags and maybe cards for Etsy with them and possibly sell the originals eventually when I've scanned them to satisfaction.

Two new Batons, Wands

2009-09-16T03:30:00.000-07:00

Two new batons, or as it says on the vintage emphemera reference I found (after I'd made them), Witch wands.

The text reads;
Ride a Jack Pumpkin at Twelve-O-Night,
with a Witch's Wand as a Horse,
The Wicked Creatures Flee at the Sight,
and Die, of sheer Remorse.

' Goody Witch Raven' & 'Nevermore Raven',

both on Etsy soon.

Ice Bear Project, Art in The Service of The Environment

2009-09-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

Now back to more serious stuff, but Art raising conservation awareness in the form of a melting ice sculpture of a Polar bear.
Danielle Barlows Blog where was where I first saw this fantastic project highlighted
http://daniellebarlowart.blogspot.com/ Please pop over to her blog and read her post too, its a great blog too..

Renowned sculptor Mark Coreth is creating a life-sized sculpture of a polar bear out of ice for Trafalgar Square this December and then for major cities across four continents.
As each Ice Bear melts it will leave a skeleton, a pool of water and a powerful environmental message.
The Bear will be exhibited at ground level, so that everyone can reach out and touch this inspirational and iconic symbol of the Arctic. The Bear in the Square events will have a lasting impact on whoever experiences them.
FIND OUT MORE,On the Art and The Expedition Clips etc. on The Ice Bear Project Site
http://www.icebearproject.org/index.html
Sculptor, Mark Coreth will finish carving the bear from a huge block of white ice during the morning of Friday 11th December.

Byzantine Raven ArtDoll

2009-09-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here he is all Finished ready to go onto Etsy in the next few Days.
'Byzantine Raven' , resplendant in lusters and metallic Golds.

This little thief of time was inspired by the Martin Brothers Grotesque Pottery of days gone by.

Three Jesters Batons,Snowshoe Hare, White Wolf, & Digger Dog

2009-09-03T15:29:00.000-07:00

Here are The Three Finished Jesters Batons. You might have seen them in the early stages on The Pyewacketts Blog, any way ....UPDATE 8TH SEPT; They are all up for grabs on Etsy,... Now.

They are a One of a Kind OOAK, made in a modelling medium are completely 3D, and have delicate details and shading that unfortunately shows more in real life than in the Photographs, (Bright Sunshine didn't help). They are all mounted onto wooden Batons are signed underneath the heads and down the baton handle. They all have removable jesters beribboned collars/ruffs, and of course will bells on !

Snowshoe Hare, White Spirit Wolf, and Digger Dog

Raven Pastel Mixed media ' I Conjure Thee'

2009-08-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

'I Conjure Thee '
Summoned through the Mists of Magic, Time and Space pay their obedience and homage to the Spell. The favoured Raven starts to assume his earthly form once again.

Mixed media, and Pastel work, complete size 11 1/2 square, framing to approx 9 1/2 inch square

Now available on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29691621

SORRY CONJURED AWAY TO A NEW ROOST

Raven, Magpie Cartoon Art

2009-08-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here are three new mixed media bird cartoons
'Raven Time'

'Raven Air'

'Friends'
All three are now on Etsy, and will frame (visual area, showing) to approx 5 by 6 inches

Update these three are now on Etsy. 21st August

Wild Horses and More Blog

2009-08-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Carrols Blog 'Wildhorses and More' raises important issues of welfare and care of duty to the wildhorse herds in America Please pay a trip to her Blog and lend support with comments clicks and any way you can.

Update; Carrol has just left a comment that they are in the process of fighting to save 120 of their own wild horses from being sent to the slaughter houses, Thank you for the update, the more people know the better these practises should be exposed.

Thank you Carrol for the piece on Whoa Team and my Welsh Stallion Painting.

Carrol...PhotographingNature.etsy.com

http://wild-horse-and-more.blogspot.com/

Jersey Tiger Moth

2009-08-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

This was the first time I had seen one of these, and have found it to be a Jersey Tiger Moth, The photo one of many I took with its wings closed it refused to open them except to fly away, it was a chilly day,. The colouring was very beautiful on the upper side of the wings a pretty Light Burnt Orange with creamy spotting. This was the info I found on it....

One of the most attractive of the Tiger moths, this species was until recently restricted in distribution to the Channel Islands and parts of the south coast . On the mainland it is commonest in south Devon, but colonies have recently appeared in Dorset and the 'Isle of Wight', and it has also been found in other southern counties. It now seems to be expanding its range quite quickly.

It flies both in the daytime, ( I took the photo at lunchtime) when it can be found feeding on various flowers, as well as at night, when it is attracted to light. The main flight period is July to September.
The hairy larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants including nettle (Urtica)... (probably why it likes my Garden!!)

Cowes Week's Friday

2009-08-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Cowes Week's Fridays Attractions include a free display from the Red Arrows,we are fortunate as we live in the Area, and able to get stunning views of their Displays. With even more thundering fly pasts as they line up and fly low right over our house top roofs, heres just one of many...

As you can see, some are so close you can see the pilots..

Fireworks later tonight, when darker, after 9pm...

New Treasury on Etsy PORTRAIT of FOUR PAWS

2009-08-02T02:54:00.000-07:00

Many Artists/Artisans and Creators of works that are members of The Etsy Whoa Horse Artists Team, will happily accept commisions to create a piece of Original artwork of your own pets, and animals.

This is a commission I completed many years ago of a 'Fishtailer' dog, I was told they were American/Canadian dogs originally used by the native americans for helping them catch fish. The lady who owned the one in the picture later commissioned a double portrait of her daughters two dogs, also Fishtailers, they had their Mountain rescue red official crosses on their collars as they were both used in mountain rescue on Mountains and Moors.

SARDA Search and Rescue Dogs Association( A Registered Charity)

A job which they loved and were very good at too.

ADO Challenge Art Doll Revealed...

2009-07-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well Here He is, 'Pyewackett' ,The Raven.

His body was modelled on a wire armature. His neck ends in a dressmakers dummy type peg, and his head is modelled in polymer clay, then painted and feathered, and in the best traditions of skeletons of course comes off, and just pops back on , so you can turn, or angle it.

This allows you to hang his Travel bag,(without ruffling his feathers) inside which are his stones he dropped to create Land(Earth), Drops of(Water) to make the fresh Lakes, Moon, Sun, Stars, he flies to up to hang in the sky(Air),to bring Light, and His firebrand(Fire) to bring heat and warmth to the World.

Inspired by The Native American Creation Stories, there are some beautiful versions of this story.

His head is decorated with Jesters ribbons and bells, as Ravens are also known as Jokers, with a wicked sense of humour. Pyewackett has a red feathered Carnival collar, a Christmas wreath necklet with hanging heart. 2 Inspirational hangers to hang inside his body, Dream & Inspire, and of course his Heart hanger. A Olde Worlde Map, and a Raven quill pen.
He carries along his journey a beribboned and decorated Dream Book ready to fill with ones desires, inside 6 tiny flip envelopes, and course the Treasure or Heart key hung around his neck.

Oh I nearly forgot, Pyewackett has a reversible satin feathered capulet cloaklet, feathered and jbells on one side to wear about his shoulders, or the plain feathered side out to wear as a Tail fan.

More Photos of his accessories (much better) on the Pyewackett's Blog ..

ADO Doll Challenge

2009-07-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

Art Doll Blog Event invited members and non members to experience the world of Art Doll Making by joining in their creative challenge.

The guidelines was to make a doll incorporating one or several of the 4 elements Earth, Air,Fire and Water.

I will Pop back Later today to post pictures of the Art Doll I made.

Just a hint... he is from the Animal kingdom, not a Pegasus or Unicorn!. With a touch of magic in his story, but of course I'm sure you guessed it would be something like that.....

Poppy's Portrait Arrives from Sheila

2009-07-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

My very own Portrait of my dear Poppy, arrived on wings from Sheila today!!

I cant tell you how touched I was that she has painted this for me, Its Stunning.

Here it is.. a picture paints a Thousand Words, ...Lindax

Sheila has some amazing blogs, and does great works for animal charities too, Please check them out.....

http://sheilatajima.blogspot.com/

http://artsavinganimals.blogspot.com/

http://artforshelteranimals.blogspot.com/

The Virtual pARTy

2009-07-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Here is my offering for July's Virtual Party

Its a mixed media, Hard pastels, Derwent soft pencils, and Watercolours on Pastel Paper. 9x12 inches

What's a Virtual pARTy?
A "pARTy" is where artists create work from the same reference material.

A "Virtual pARTy" is when this happens via the internet.

http://the-virtual-party.blogspot.com/

The Hosts of this innovative idea are

The wonderful Artists

Linda Shantz http://www.lindashantz.com/

and

Kimberley Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/

who was also the Photographer who provided this months reference photograph for July

Breakfast on Rose Petals

2009-06-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

One of Woozle's favourite breakfast snacks on her meander down the lane on the way to her field are the small white roses growing in the hedgerow. She absolutely insists on a mouthful or two, and who am I or Mark to deny her that small pleasure.