Magical White Unicorn Paintings

Unicorns are what Fairy Tales are made of, I love these magical creatures. The Unicorn is often used in heraldry on coats of arms and flags around the world.  Did you know that the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland? The unicorn was chosen because it was seen as a proud and haughty beast which would rather die than be captured. The Scottish and the English Coat of Arms are quite similar, but the Scottish Unicorn is on the Left and the English Unicorn is on the right. You can read more about it here at wikipedia.

White Unicorn on Canvas

This Unicorn that I painted on canvas  is neither haughty nor proud, I'd say that she is more playful and whimsical.

Unicorn painting on wood

This White Unicorn is a little more regal. He has been painted onto wood.
He has a lovely silver mane and a pretty ribbon to hang it up.

Unicorn Painting

Or if you prefer, it can popped onto a stand and displayed on a shelf.

White & Silver Unicorn Plaque

I'm joining in with Handmade Monday over at Lucy's Linky Party

Wishing you all a magical week


Jan x

A Bumble Bee Outdoor Plaque

I had a lovely commission via my Wow Thank You Shop.  It's an outdoor plaque and a bit of a rush order but hey, that's how we crafters do things. I even managed to get it finished on time.

 Plaque Ideas

I done a couple of quick sketches and sent them over for my customer to choose, she favored the bottom one so I made a start on the painting. 

Outdoor Plaque

The choices given for hanging the plaque was wire, twine or screws, as you can see from the photo, the screws were chosen. I prefer brass screws for outdoors, they weather well and look good.

The Bumble Bee Plaque

I hope you've all had a good week, I'm popping this post over to Lucy Blossom's Craft Blog Link Up I love to see what everyone else has been up to and it's great to leave and receive comments from the crafting community.

Ta Ta for now..

Jan x

Little Wooden Houses and Beach Huts

I do like it when I'm cutting wood, I don't have a fancy workshop, in fact I don't have a workshop at all. I cut all my wood under the gazebo in my garden. Great in the summer but I have to wrap up warm in the winter. Although by the time I've sawn, whittled and sanded I'm wiping my brow and removing the outer layers.
I've been making Little Houses & Beach Huts on Stands, some of you may of already seen them on my Facebook Page

A Village of Little Houses

This little 'village' has a Cottage, a couple of Tudor Houses and even some Beach Huts. They have been given a distressed look, the green bases have little ladybirds on them, you know I like my Ladybirds. The Beach Hut bases have been painted yellow and blue for the sand and the sea and there are 4 little fishes painted along the edge.

Home Sweet Home Tudor House

The Tudor Houses have signs reading 'Home is Where the ♥ is' and 'Home Sweet Home ♥' These signs can be changed around and can even be personalised. These look really pretty sitting on a shelf or mantle.

Love Shack

I made this Little Love Shack ♥. This and all the other Little Houses have been painted on all 4 sides and as you can see in the photo the house isn't attached to the base so it can be facing any way.

A Heart for a Love Shack

I've also been playing around with little fimo clay hearts dangling from wire, these could be used with the houses or even as bases for my Peg Dolls. I could use different charms or fimo shapes, maybe a sun, a cloud, the moon or a star. I'm enjoying playing.... ahem... working hard making these and have lots of other ideas in mind. As usual, you'll find these in my online shops (links up ▲ and to the right ►)


I'd like to thank everyone for leaving your great comments last week, I loved reading them, it looks like most of you put the writing after the photo you're talking about and I learned a few things about Ladybirds too.

I'm linking this post over to Lucy Blossoms link Up,   pop over to see lots of other great blogs.

Jan ♥

Ladybird Peg Dolls for Valentine Gifts

I've been painting Peg Dolls again, these are great for Valentines Day but as love is not just one day specific these are equally ideal for any time of the year.

Ladybird Love Bug with Wings

Ladybirds (or Ladybugs) are one of my favorite wee creatures so make perfect little Love Bugs. The wings are made of felt, I painted the black spots and added lots of sparkle. The antennae are made from wire. 

Peg Doll with a painted cloak

A little Love Bug doesn't have to have felt wings, this one has a painted cloak instead.

A Couple of Ladybird Peg Dolls

This pair are really cute and would make a lovely cake topper for an engagement or wedding.
These can be found in my online shops (links up and to the right) or you can contact me if you want something similar.

OK so I have 3 'ickle diddy Questions for you.....

1.. Do you call them Ladybirds or Ladybugs... or do you have your own name for them?

2.. What do you call male Ladybirds?

3.. When you're writing about a photo do you place the writing BEFORE or AFTER said photo?


Jan x
Don't forget to pop over to Lucy Blossoms blog  it's her first birthday of hosting Handmade Monday and you can see lots of other great crafters over there. 

Sketch Books, Love Potions & 2016

I know we say this all the time but I've got to say it again...... Wow, how time has flown, I can hardly believe another year has gone by and it's 2016 already!!!!!!

Like every New Year I like to plan on doing and making new things, for inspiration I've been looking through my sketch & idea books...

Pages from my sketch books

....they are full of things I can expand and experiment with, I'd like to do more work with polymer clay with a bit of paper mache thrown in.

I've been having fun with my miniature bottles so I'm planning to do a few more, my Christmas ones were a huge success so I thought I'd move on to Valentines Day themed bottles....

A Miniature Bottle for your Valentine

I've also been having a little play around with a logo for my Etsy Shop

Playing with Logo's

These are some of my works in progress, still lots of sketches and jiggery pokery to do but I'm quite liking this style and it's been great fun playing around with coffee and ink stains. 


I'll leave you all with my best wishes for a wonderful 2016

Jan x

The linky party over at Lucy Blossom Crafts  is still open so I'm popping this post over there, why not wonder over and see who else is joining in.

Star Wars Christmas Decoration

I believe that lots of us 'crafters' make some of our own Christmas Decorations, have you made any? either for yourself or as a gift for someone?
For the past few years I've made my 6 year old grandson a decoration to hang on his Christmas Tree, this year he asked for Darth Vader from Star Wars, he had to be wearing a Santa Hat too.

Darth Vader

 In previous years he's been given Creeper from Minecraft.....

Creeper

and the Tardis from Dr Who......

The Tardis

I've also painted him a Spiderman in a Santa Hat but can't find the photo for that one.

I've written on the back of each decoration, 'From Nanny & Grandad' and the year. Because they are made of wood, painted with acrylics and varnished they will be used to decorate the tree for years to come.
I think this has become one of our 'family traditions'

Do you have a family tradition? I'd love to hear about it.


Best Wishes

Jan X


I'm popping this over to Lucy Blossom Crafts Link Up  if you want to pop over and leave your own blog post it will be open all over the holidays.

A Beautiful Sunrise

I awoke yesterday to the most brilliant sky, the colour was so dramatic it filled the house with a brilliant light. I threw my coat over my pj's, grabbed my camera, ran outdoors (still in my slippers) and managed to take a few photo's. The sky changed so quickly, each of these pictures were taken less than two minutes apart.

A Fiery Sky

I haven't used any filters or enhancements,  this is exactly how it was.

The Morning Sky turning Purple

Within minutes the light changed completely....

The Sky becoming Paler

...it paled and turned lilac, then within minutes the colour was gone. Nature can be such a wonderful thing. 

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As everything I'm doing at the moment is either a Work in Progress or can't be shown yet I'll leave you with this one little Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

A pretty little painted star for a shelf in the nursery.

Do You Know How Loved You Are?

Can you believe that I picked those daisies from my garden this week..... daisies in December!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful week

Jan x

This post is linked back to Lucy Blossom Crafts Linky Blog