Sprucing up my nest

Hello Lovelies! 

 Hope you have all had a wonderful week. 

I am into my second week of working again, and I must say, I am loving it!

And at the end of the day, I would like to think that when I lie in my bed at night, reflecting upon my day, it's the small things, like giving a  compliment, or a smile. Lending a welcoming ear, that somehow may make a difference. 

You never know how some one's life is, and what they are going through, and to think that I, could provide some sort of sparkle to their day, is very rewarding. 

I even got a nice compliment from my boss, as I left for the day. She told me that I was picking up on things better than most people that have been in my position before me. Oh my, that meant the world, as I have been hoping that I would be good at my job.

 I somehow have to feel, that, as smooth of a transition as it was, to be hired, it must have been meant to be for a reason. And that makes me feel good.

I have had a few days off, to recharge, and do some spring decorating, I just love sprucing up my nest! 
Especially for spring.

That's when the faeries re-appear you know?

I took a fabulous trip to the craft store yesterday, for restocking on supplies, made a few home cooked meals for the man, (which he greatly appreciates), and, have even squeezed in some time for ArT!! 

All of My favorite things!!! It's been a great week!

Spring is almost here!!!

For spring time decorating, I like to add lots of nests, incorporate birds,eggs and faeries, into my little vignettes. 

It's fun for me, and you know I am a faerie lover...

Glass cloches are filled with nests and faeries

And lets not forget the butterflies, gotta have lots of those fluttering about too...

And Mushrooms and mosses sprinkled around, for a woodsy feel.

I know I have mentioned before, about gathering mosses from the old tree, when my niece comes to visit. So I thought I would share a few photos of the old guy I have been referring to.

This guy has warty bumps all over him, I just love this old tree...

And if you look close, there is an all mighty eye staring back at you.

I am not certain of it's age, but it's gnarled branches and huge trunk tells me he's been around awhile. This house was built in the 40's, so it very well could be that old. 

If I were 80 + I would be a little crooked too!

I started taking a class before I started working again, and I have just been dying to start on it. This process is so much fun, it's collage work, and mixed media. I pencil colored the eyes, and I painted the  background with acrylics, then added some textures with bubble wrap, and some varying stamps.

It's actually been quite therapeutic for me, to spend hours cutting out all these flowers. 

I added words from a Country Home advertisement...

And cut out the butterflies from this fabulous wrapping paper I stumbled across the other day. Don't you just Love Love Love? 

And Here It Is!!! 

I just love how it turned out, so bright and fun!

It was just the kind of art project I needed. As a matter of fact, I had so much fun making this, I woke up early this morning and made another one too!

I could just keep going on these. 

They make me so Happy!!

The Perfect project for a gray rainy day, here in Oregon.

Thank You for stopping by, and don't forget to leave your comment below, if you would like. :) 

Til next time...

Have a Beautiful Day!

~Susan

Potted Faeries

Hello again everyone! 

My first week of training had me feeling a bit overwhelmed, and excited at the same time. I have been blessed to have had several months of being wild and fancy-free. No set schedule, up late in the studio when the mood struck, and sleeping in if need be. Now... however that has changed. Set bedtime, and alarm clocks singing and ringing  in the new day. I know this is all good for me, however, I am adjusting to this all familiar old routine. lol! 

It is a great feeling though, to be back to working a "real" job. I still have my second job, which is my etsy shoppe, that of which, is creative and fun, and the best job of , being an "artist."  I'll get adjusted in a few weeks,I am certain of that.

I spent a few hours in the studio last night, and that felt soooo wonderful!

 I had gone in there, the day before, only to find myself tired, and a bit non- creative. So, I just did some reading, and looked through some old papers, and books, and enjoyed the feel of my space. I gave myself permission to be tired, and not feel guilty, after- all I am changing and with change, I would expect to be tired. Right?  

Anyways, I had a bunch of faerie stuff left on the work table, so I ended up doing some more potted faeries.

  I just love faeries!!!

Here are a few of them, that I finished up. They turned out so cute! I will try and get them listed in my shoppe this week.

I love the winter whites, and gold sprinkled magic, in this one!

Vintage millinery leaves, and velvet soft sparkling flowers were added. The white velvet flowers, were a gift from a friend, and they are so much prettier in real life. Gold sparkling acorns and mosses gathered from the old tree were added at the base, for nesting.

This little pixie, is really cute! Holding out her little dress, as if she is introducing herself to you!

Aqua feathered butterflies, and blue and yellow millinery flowers were sprinkled around the base, and I couldn't forget that little magic mushroom, that has sprouted out of her nest. I love the way this one turned out, super cute and whimsical.

I also love her little antenna's peeking out the top of her hat.

Well, that's it for today, hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Until next time...

Hugs.

~Susan  

Potted Faerie Magic

Hello Lovelies. 

It's been a bit since I last posted. Been busy, and getting adjusted to the new living situation. Well, at least trying, anyway. 

I just got a new part time job this week, and am really excited to start this new chapter, it will be wonderful to have an escape a few days a week, and I am looking forward to meeting the new people that will be there, to greet me. 

Trying to make time for art too! 

I once read an interesting statement somewhere... When asking an artist,why do you create art? Is like asking someone, why do you eat or drink? 

I thought that was perfect!!!

So true!!

I am planning to get involved with some swaps, here in the near future, as I do miss them so. In the meantime here's a little something my niece and I worked on, over the weekend. 

Faeries!!!

She did a remarkable job on her potted faerie on the right. We had fun gathering mosses from the old tree, and incorporated flowers and hand spun cotton mushrooms, that were made in Germany. They really add that little magic touch to the piece.

Here is a closer look... I admit I didn't do a very great job of vignetting for the photos, as I snapped a few shots quickly, while we were working.

And of course lots of faerie glitter magic too! We were both covered in faerie dust by the time we were finished! It was so much fun!

I used a Vintage tart tin for the base. It has a great weathered patina.  I then added a little sparkling nest,vintage millinery, and a pretty paper butterfly, made of German Scrap.

These were just too fun, to make. I want to make several more!!!

Hope you enjoy them.

Wishing you a wonderful week! 

Until next time... 

Create your own magic!!!

~Susan Xo