Meet Toby

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

'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

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

The Royal Wedding, a National Holiday

Changes in Life

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

"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

Winter Days

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

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

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.

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.”