Swaps

Hello,
hope everyone is doing great.
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that left me a comment on my last post, you all make blogging so worth it.
Before I get to announcing the winner I'd like to share a few pretties with you.
The Tucson Swap Queens had an envelope swap, the one I received was stuffed full of amazing goodies, from the lovely Alex Hardy but I opened it before I had a chance to photograph it....this is the one I made.

I also participated in The heart and flower Valentine swap hosted by Wendy from Bliss Angels and my partner was WENDY!!!She sent me one of her deliciously magical creations:

The beautiful card she created...

this is the tin I sent her,
The lid...

the inside,

Then!Linda from Olde Baggs 'n stuft shirts sent me this beautiful sweet smelling little sachet she made!For no reason, other than she's just an awesome lady, thank you so much Linda!

Once again I used a random number generator to choose a winner for my 2 years of blogging gift and the winner is #16...Kristin from Twinkle Twinkle.
Have a great week and thank you for stopping by.

Two years old!

The 30th of January marked two years since my first blog post
Thank you to everyone!You have been so supportive and kind.
I've having a give away to show my appreciation.
Just leave a comment and on Friday the 10th I'll pick a winner.

Mushroom Fairy

Once upon a time, in a tidy little cottage, there lived a woman.
Every night she would sit at her window and gaze up at the glittering heavens and imagine her true love. Night after night she sat hoping he would appear, but to no avail.
So one rainy afternoon, she made a decision. After digging through a beautifully carved trunk of books, she found the one she needed.
Armed with a cauldron filled with roses, candles, herbs and her magical book, she set off through the damp, tangled woods.

In a grove filled with wild flowers and poisonous toadstools, she cast a love spell so powerful, even the predators of the forest felt no animosity in their hearts when they spied her amongst the trees.

Once the moon had risen, golden and ripe, she carefully poured the elixir into a vial for safe keeping.
Not noticing the single drop that fell silently to the ground, she packed up her cauldron and headed home.

From that errant drop sprang a beautiful fairy, so tiny, the wildflowers towered over her.
Her small heart was overflowing with love, and everything she touched felt the power of it.
Birds sang sweeter, wild beasts grew tame and human hearts beat faster.

She lives among wildflowers.So remember next time you are out walking on a trail or camping in the woods, if you happen to see a flash of bright red or feel a fluttering in your heart, it could be her. To actually see her, means true love is near.

As for the lady that cast the spell, well that's another story.

The End

Happiness!!!!

a few years ago, while at the bookstore, I happened to find an amazing book...I fell in love with the inspiring images and the whimsical projects.

I couldn't stop looking through it! Of course I purchased it.
I took it everywhere with me.... doctor's appointments, DMV, the airport to drop off Paul....any place that made me nervous or sad...it made me feel better, it made me feel safe somehow.
It wasn't until I looked up the author Lisa Kettell, that I decided to start a blog.
So you can imagine my absolute delight when she used some of my art...

in her newest printed zine Piddlestix!!!


I'm so, so excited!!!!!
If you get a chance please take a look at this kind-tireless-multi-talented-faerie-woman's blog...you will be completely enchanted!!

And please don't forget that in eleven days i'm having my 2 year blogiversary and giveaway!

see you soon.

Little surprises

Hi everyone!
what do you get when you combine glittery stars and polka dots?? Well, I'm not sure either, but I'm know it's going to be something fun, especially when the stars were only fifty cents.

I love finding magical little treasures on a regular day. Look at these adorable cupcake ornaments that were 75% off.

And this kitty...he's perfect, no knocking iphones off the sofa and shattering the screen...no jumping up and landing in the toilet...no smacking you as you walk by..

And who else has seen the glittery bunches of daisies at Walmart? So cute!

It was a day filled with little surprises, the perfect kind of day to have I think.
And speaking of surprises....I have one for you, My two year blogiversary is on the 30th and I'm working on a glittery give away just for you!
Now to finish off the day I'm off to have a freshly baked brownie:)
see you soon!

A new year

Now that the dust has settled, and the party goers have gone home...

We move on to sweeter holidays:) I don't know about you, but I love January and February...the air seems sweeter, almost like you can smell candy wafting in the breeze.

This of course, is inspiring to me, I can imagine fairies whispering from the branches of trees, crystals sparkling in the sunlight, goblins selling their enchanted wares...they're there, we just need to look


It's a new year with so many amazing possibilities.
I hope you find much happiness, magic and inspiration.
Happy New Year!!

Glitter and stuff

Hello!
I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas! We had a great time...watching a four year old zipping around preparing for Santa is very funny and a little sad at the same time, I know it wont be long before she outgrows this.

we tried to create something festive every day.
Some salt dough and cinnamon ornaments,

Felt gingerbread boys,

Glittered paper trees,

cotton beard Santas,

An assortment of oddly decorated cookies,

More cotton ball usage,(remind me next month when I rant about how we've run out of cotton balls)

I also made a sugar plum fairy mobile to hang over Helena's bed, which was so fun to do I am going to make some more to hang out in my fairy garden in a few days.


Have a wonderful evening, take care this weekend and I'll see you next year:)

Candied Oranges

Candied oranges!
They're delicious and easier to make than you think.
I followed this recipe from food network
All you need is:
6 thick-skinned navel oranges
4 1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 1/2 cups water
Directions
Cut tops and bottoms off of the orange and score the orange into quarters, cutting down only into the peel and not into the fruit. Peel the skin and pith of the orange in large pieces.
I got Paul to help me cut the peel into strips about 1/4-inch wide.

Put the orange peel in a large saucepan with cold water to cover, bring to a boil over high heat. Then pour off the water. Repeat 1 or 2 more times,this helps remove the bitterness.Remove the orange peels from the pan.

Whisk the sugar with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 9 minutes (If you took the sugar's temperature with a candy thermometer it would be at the soft thread stage, 230 to 234 degrees F.) Add the peels and simmer gently, reducing heat to retain a simmer. Cook until the peels get translucent, about 45 minutes. Resist the urge to stir the peels or you may introduce sugar crystals into the syrup. If necessary, swirl the pan to move the peels around.

Drain the peels, then roll them in sugar and dry on a rack, for 4 to 5 hours. Return to the sugar to store.

Once they are dry you can dip them in dark chocolate but I like them plain.
Enjoy!

A composer & a circus act

Thank you to everyone for their lovely birthday wishes!I had an incredible birthday this year, with good food, great company and beautiful gifts.
My daughter, Gabriella made this for me using products from my favorite artist Lisa Kettell.
I LOVE it!!!

And she made this ring for me too!


We have a winner for the birthday giveaway....
Random number generator chose comment five, congratulations to Ann from tin and sparkle.
I'll be back soon, I'm off to make candied oranges:)

Birthday Giveaway

It's time to make a...

blow out the candles...

And have a huge chunk of gingerbread cake...

it's also time to leave a comment so you can win a little gift.

Thank you everyone!