Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

As a thank you for a wonderful year, I'm offering a 1-day special:

Buy 1 print, get 1 print FREE...buy 2 prints, get 2 free! For each print you purchase, you get one free. Please put choices in notes to seller. Only those who mention their free print choices in notes to seller / contact me after will receive them. Expires at midnight on December 25th. Purchases will also be entered in the draw for a FREE original painting!

You can shop at: jellybeans.etsy.com

Want a FREE painting?

Until January 8th, 2010 - all orders made will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a free custom painting!!

Just make a purchase from my Etsy store :)

This painting could be a family tree, a family forest...or any idea you would like for a beautiful, colorful forest-like piece.

If you haven't been able to justify purchasing a painting, now you're chance to win one! All orders qualify, no matter how large or small your order!

Custom paintings are 9 x 12". I will work with the winner to create an individual piece just for them! No prints will be made of the painting, so it is a truly unique piece for your home :o)

The Big Move!

Orders made from December 14th - January 6th will be shipped on January 8th
or sooner :o)

My shop will be semi-closed after this weekend. I will still be accepting orders / answering e-mails and convos; as well as accepting new custom painting orders for the new year (to be started in January). I've never been a fan of 'halting' productions...but I have no choice.

Not only is it holiday time (gonna go rock around some Christmas tress hopefully!)...But I'm also doing a move to Orillia, Ontario - it's about 3 - 3.5 hours away from where I am now. I don't officially move until the 18th. But to prevent stress and order mix ups, I felt it was better this way. Then I can make sure all orders are out properly before I pack up all my supplies. And there's less panic with all the packing and final exam studying that I also have to do during that time.

I anticipate that orders placed during that time will be out way before the 8th of January...and that my store will actually be fully functioning before then as well. But to be on the safe side, and not disappoint I thought I'd give myself a few more days of 'grace' lol. But I really am hoping I'm back to normal set up by the 4th at the latest! :)

I will post again on the 14th or 15th with a special dealie / contest to those purchasing during that time :)

Cityscape

The cityscape painting for my older brother is finally complete - a few years later.


I ended up doing the bottom "water" part with a painting knife. It was my first real experience painting with a knife, and let me tell you: it's tricky business. But it was well worth it in the end :)

Best Friends Print

My "Best Friends" piece is now available as a print! Just in time for the holidays too :)
I've also posted Holiday shipping times under my shop policies (well I posted them a while back, but didnt' realize that I hadn't mentioned them yet).

Blooming Christmas

I love Christmas ornaments. I think it has something to do with something so beautiful being so small - making it that much more beautiful and intriguing.

I have fallen in love with these Poppy Ornaments by MarciG. They're perfect colours for the Christmas tree...but then, when Christmas is over...they're perfectly all-seasonal and can live on my wall as a decoration as well!

I won't lie...I have an all-year 'Christmas' decoration that hangs out on my monitor: dear ol' Rudolph from the Rankin stop-motion films. He's a couple years old, but his nose still lights up, and he still sings the snowman's songs lol. I just can't bare to put him away after Christmas.

Amusing Shipping Labels

These have got to be the best shipping labels I've ever seen. I'm particularly fond of the blue one, but I feel I would 'abuse' it - my whole apartment would be covered with blue labels. Ah, the life of a pack rat....but you never know when you might need... STICKITfileSMACK - reuseREDESIGN

Belated Halloween Post

Well, I have my camera back - Hurray! That means you get a peak at my Halloween costume from this year! Finally.


I was a bumble bee, and my honey-munchkin was a ghost-buster. The little trick-or-treaters were a little confused when he threw out his ghost trap at them, but the parents got a good laugh hehe.

And of course, here's my pumpkin I carved. He was a wee-little bit of a pumpkin, but I managed to get a goofy face on him! :)

Limited Edition Snowflakes!

Snowflakes - Limited Edition Print

After my sale, I really liked the adjustment that I had made to my "Circle of Friends" print, that I thought that I would make a limited edition print of it - Snowflakes

I don't do limited edition prints normally. This edition will be a run of 50 - and only 50, no 'sneak returns'. All prints will be signed and numbered accordingly.

The snowflakes just make me smile :)

Pre-Holiday Sale!!

Thank you for everyone who participated in my sale!! :o) It's over now, but great prints are still in shop! :o)
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That's right it's my Pre-Holiday Sale in my Etsy shop! This way, you can enjoy a sale and have enough time to have your items shipped to you to give away for Christmas!

Here's the low down:

* Regular size prints (8x10") are now $12, regular $15
* Large size prints (10 x 15") are now $20, regular $25

As well! Free gifts will be included in every order regardless of what you purchase!! The gifts are surprises - like little gifts to you, and can include Christmas stationery, Christmas gift tags, Spring gift tags, regular stationery, and a few pocket mirrors will be given out to some lucky Etsians as well.

I will choose your free gift based on what and how much you purchased. I hope everyone will enjoy their lovely surprises!

On top of that! I have a stationery design, with a glittered bow which was not released - and will not be released in my stores. Some lucky buyers may receive that in their package! They only way to get this design is to participate in the sale. And you may request this as a gift, otherwise it's a surprise!

I will be posting a picture of it later today...it was posted, and then I realized the typo in the design - don't worry, the cards won't have it! :o)

Bye Bye Camera

Update: They FOUND my camera!!!! Yippppppiee! Turns out someone who had the same one as me picked it up. And once she realized the pictures weren't hers, was kind enough to return it. Phew!! But, the sale will continue, because now there's something to celebrate!!!!
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I'm sorry to say I'm not sure if there will be any pictures of my Halloween costume as promised. My camera - along with 2 others - got stolen that dear ol' Halloween night. I was quite upset about it - it was definitely a good night for pictures, had an amazing 100+ taken...and then poof! It's all gone. Not to mention, I must go out and purchase a new one, frowns.

I'm thinking of possibly holding a "new-camera-sale" in my store. It will be most definitely posted here - as well to my mailing list when it does happen. You can sign up to my mailing list on the right side >>

Meanwhile, two paintings sold this weekend - that means two new prints are available in my shop!

Bird Watching - Watercolor reproduction

Tree Frost - Watercolor reproduction

My Buzzin Tutu

For my Bumble Bee Halloween costume, I decided to have my 'bottom' represented by a tutu.

This was actually the main idea that the bee idea stemmed from: I wanted to make and wear a tutu for Halloween, but I didn't want to be a ballerina. My solution: bumble away!

I won't be wearing those tights for Halloween - I found some awesome bright yellow fishnets that will go amazing with it. I just felt a little bare in this picture without them for some personal coverage :)

I love smelly mail

I got these lovely package in the mail on Sunday from SoStinkingSweet (well, really Friday but I didn't check until Sunday, and now I'm sad I didn't know about it sooner...). Getting Etsy packages in the mail can make any dull-study-filled day wonderful! And in this case, smell so delicious!

I've started with the pink one with starts - Liquid Crack. The rest are still in my office, making it smell wonderful.

Sorry for the bad picture quality, I took it right when I opened it: at night, so there 'had' to be a flash :(

Bundle Up!

Winter is just around the corner for us Canadians....those a little further South might be a bit more time out of fall. Up in Northern-ish Ontario (Sudbury), we've already had a couple snow falls. I enjoy snow...it's pretty and it's fun.

But it is cold...I dislike cold a little...so I've been thinking warm thoughts lately. I also wanted a 'stress-reliever' project, since school is busier now, and sometimes I just want to do something that doesn't have to do with anything else.

So, I started crocheting a blanket! It's a pretty simple pattern - but it's nice and relaxing. :) I wanted to make something really colourful too, if you couldn't tell from the colour selection!

Bee Head Gear

So I wasn't able to find anything to 'model' these head piece on - you get to see me wearing it later in the Halloween pictures!

It didn't quite fit on Oreo's head, but he didn't mind it so much around his stomach. I would have to say my favourite part about these is how big the 'bobbley' ends are :)

Bzzz Goes the Bumble Bee

Halloween has got to be one of my favourite 'holidays' - hands down

I thought I'd be more creative this year than usual and make my costume! (versus the costume in a bag). I've always wanted to be a bumble bee, and this was as good of a year as any to be one.

Now...I'm not going to give it to you all at once. And you're actually not seeing much of the costume today either. What you do happen to know now - is that there will most definitely have some sparkle to it :)

But you do get to see my cutie pie - Oreo - and now you know what's coming! And no - I didn't stage this picture...as I was working with the sequins, he got jealous, and wanted to don some sparkle too.

Real Living Magazine

I got a lovely message from fellow Etsian gretchenmist the other day giving me the most wonderful news!

My work is in the Australian 'Real Living' magazine!!!!

(now that explains a few trends I've been seeing)

She was the most kindest, and sent me the article (I'll still be checking my Chapters just in case they do carry this magazine).

A bit of a shopping spree

I've gone on a bit of a shopping spree on Etsy this past week - I just couldn't help myself! It was like another person took me over!

So these are my spoils - traveling through the postal system as we speak!

Lemonade Tote - bayanhippo

I've been searching Etsy for a long while looking for a new tote, and I have a friend who made a recent purchase from this lovely store and had nothing but great things to say about her. So I take a look-see...and this yellow tote just steals my heart! It's nice and big - perfect for school stuff, and it has an elastic outside pocket - perfect for all the little things I loose in my big bags otherwise! Those features, along with the fact that it's yellow...it was a sure thing the moment I saw it!

Seasons Greetings from the Squirrels - farouche

I've been looking at holiday cards on Etsy for a while. I saw these lovely squirrels in an Etsy Finds e-mail, and I was just smitten over the entire idea of the squirrels, and of the illustration technique used. I can't wait to send these out to all my friends! :o) I can't send out my own Christmas cards because my mom and boyfriend get them off me and send them out lol

Tale - Telling Tropical Fish Mini Cards - Papervictory

I always try to send special thank you cards for my custom painting orders - since they are generally larger orders, and there has been a lot of communication with the buyer that I feel that I'm starting to know them, and so I can write more to them in my thank you note. I love these little mini cards with the speak bubbles! I ordered three different sets, and I can't wait to start filling them in!

Liquid Crack Soap - SoStinkingSweet

I bought three bars of soap from this lovely seller, and a bar of shaving soap. Her soaps sound like they will smell delicious!This seller might become a new favourite shop! I'm also quite excited to try the shaving soap, since I never have before and I'm really not fond of the cans of foam (right now I just use my hair conditioner, which gets pricey).

So this was my shopping this week. There was tons more that I saw...but I am moving soon, and need to save a little mullah for expenses which are sure to arise there. What I do know though: is that I'm going to be smelling awfully awesome when I do move! Hehe

Tree Frost

Tree Frost - 9 x 12" watercolor

I thought I'd start the week off with a new painting!!

Tree Frost is a painting of that first darling frost of the year. I was at my parents in the counrty this weekend, and I woke up to a beautiful slight covering of all the outside landscape. It was just so pretty with little bits sparkling in the sun, and a crisp outside smell. Mmm...I love the county!

Here's a closer look:

Happy Thanksgiving!!

For those residing in Canada:

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It's Thanksgiving in Canada this upcoming weekend. For those who are not in Canada or the US, the US Thanksgiving is later in November (I'm not excactly sure why they're different). Regardless of where you are, have a safe and fun weekend!

On another note, are these cute little felted acorns byt Fairyfolk on Etsy so adorable, and completely festive!!

I've been getting a lot of custom painting orders in - the Christmas rush is starting to pick up!!

Here are two custom paintings that I did this past week:

A custom family forest, autumn-themed, 9 x 12"

A kitty in a lovely tree, 12 x 16"

Those wanting to put custom orders in for Christmas should do it as soon as possible. Whether I am able to have it complete in time for delivery by Christmas depends on how many orders have already come in.

And they must be shipped out by December 10th (to US address, to make 100% sure they arrive in time), and December 16th within Canada, and December 1st (and possibly earlier) for all other countries.

Christmas Sparkle

First off I apologize for not writing more often. Custom orders and school has swallowed me alive, twice! Not that I'm complaining about the custom orders...but the school can tame itself down a little I think ;) But I have been busy in the studio, so I have lots to share with you!

The things I love most about Christmas is all the sparkle. I'm a sparkly type of gal, and thought that I might incorporate it into my Christmas card line this year!

These lovely cards are handglittered by me, so each one is special and individual in it's way. They are printed on luxurious watercolor paper, and come with beautiful 'brown bag envelopes' - they're nice and think, and a perfect touch! Best yet: they're 100% recycled!

These cards are only listed in singles, but sets can be made available on request (discounts may apply).

Painting Commission Video

I have posted a new video!


It's of a commissioned tree - the video was requested along with the commission. It's a larger piece (12 x 16"), and took a few 'sets' to complete, but it's done!

Ocean painting update

For those who have been following my blog for awhile will know about this painting. No, it's not done yet hehe...but it's getting there.


And a detail shot:

Yup that's right! A seahorse is starting to make it's home in here :o)

I'm not 100% sure abaout that light blue / pink anemone. I might change it's colour or get rid of it. Let me know what you think!

Print Alert!

This lovely painting is now available as an equally lovely print.

Enjoy :o)

Shop at your choice:
Etsy
Artfire
Supermarket

Cupcake Week: the painting

The texture in this Cupcake painting by Rozart is unreal!


I'm a real sucker for paintings with texture. This one makes me wish that I could do into the screen and feel it...or better yet eat it! Could those sprinkles look anymore delicious?! The brushwork with the oil paint is beautiful, and all of Rozart's work has the same sort of feel / brushwork and very distinguishable - something that's hard to find within yourself as an artist sometimes.

It's my Birthday!

I turn 23 today. I won't lie, turning 21 was more exciting...hehe.

Cupcake Week: the t-shirt

I love this Pirate Cupcake t-shirt by Dogboneart.


The whole idea completely cracks me up. For all those who cant' do "cute", I think that this might be for you :) The design is also available as a tote, apron and stickers.

Yellow Wildflowers

Yellow Wildflowers - Original Acrylic Mini Painting

I love wildflowers. This was painted based on those cute little buttercups. I was one of those kids trying to get the tiny flowers into a little bouquet. They just had the most adorable petals, they were like little pieces of sunshine. So perfect.

Available in my Etsy shop.

Cupcake Week: the bubble bath

This is my birthday week! :) So, I thought it perfect to host a cupcake feature week.

These delicious bubble bath cupcakes, by Mugsy, are as cute as I'm sure they are bubbalicious!


I am a bath guru in the winter - not so much in the summer with the heat. And I cannot take a bath without delicious bubbles. I'm amazed at how close these cupcakes look to the real thing! I think I'd maybe be too hesitant to left my bath water gobble up these beauties.

Mom's Garden II

Mom plants lots of wildflowers in her garden this year, and some not so wild - it was really a mixed packet of seeds. I took some pictures a few weeks ago, and thought I'd share.

She had a lot of poppy seeds in the mix, and they came out just gorgeous! Some of them were even double blossomed.




I love poppies - I'm sure you can see what influenced my last painting!

Poppy Fields

Poppy Fields - 12x12" Acrylic Painting

I love using red in my paintings, but sometimes it can be overwhelming, and draw attention to a detail when you want the whole painting viewed as a whole - my high school art teacher told us once, that red is strong and hence should be used sparingly. And it does make sense.

But that's why I loved painting this landscape so much - I could use as much red as I wanted - Because poppies are so red!! It was hard to capture the beauty of this painting. It's is definitely a piece that would brighten any room, while maintaining sophistication.

The original is available for sale :o)

Back To School Week: The Apple

Back to school means teachers, and teachers mean apples - or it used to way back when people travelled across the country with horses and wagons hehe. This silver red delicious apple necklace, by A.N. Original Jewelry is the perfect way to hold on to that old-time bit of symbolism, but with a modern twist.


This beautiful necklace, created from sterling silver, is perfect for both child, teen and adult alike. It's timeless, just as the age-old symbolism is - so you'll grow with it, and carry it with you through all those years of school - maybe it will turn into a good luck piece for tests and exams? One thing for certain - this will be one apple you might end up keeping for yourself! Or, get a second one for your favorite teacher :)

Like Father, Like Son

Like Father, Like Son - watercolor painting on watercolor paper, 9 x 12"

It was brought to my attention by a lovely lady that I didn't have a father - son piece. It only made sense to make one :)

Then I thought about the saying, Like Father, Like Son - the perfect title for the piece! The two trees mirror in 'shape', going a long with the saying. I know I cannot personally connect with this piece, as I can with many others I have created - since I'm not a boy - obviously lol - but I can see it in my brother's (all three of them) all the time, and how they're like my dad in so many ways.

The original is for sale on Etsy :o)

Back To School Week: The Plaid Piece

I am loving the fact that plaid is in for fall again! I love plaid! Maybe it's just the farm girl in me hehe. But not all plaid screams farm or private school. This silky plaid dress by Amanda Archer is a perfect example that it can be dressy.


The silk adds class and the neckline ruffles feminize the plaid pattern. The plaid patter is nice and neutral - perfect for those who might be a little afraid of the old-time pattern, and perfect still for the long time lovers of it - like me. It would be great for that first day of class, paired with a cute cardigan or light jacket - and still perfect for Friday night school-dance-dates.

I want this dress. Plain and simple. :)

Romance is in the Air

Romance is in the Air - 9 x 12" watercolor on watercolor paper

And those may have seen in my weekend post, my contribution to the Feed Your Soul project with two little birdies. Well, I also said that I had ideas for another piece - so here I present to you "Romance is in the Air", the original is for sale on Etsy :)

Everyone has their 'romantic spot' - whether it's where you first hung out, or had your first kiss. This painting plays on that ideal romantic concept - with a touch of cute. I haven't had much use before for the green - Emerald Green - so I thought I'd try it on this tree, and the results...well, you can see for yourself!

Back To School Week: The Lifesaver

I live by my planner when I'm in school. If I loose it - I loose my life - I blame my bad memory on having to write everything down. This is Come Along Weekly planner from publisher Little Otsu / artist Lart C. Berliner is so cute and perfect dabbling your life in.

First off, the landscape of this journal is so original - it's the first planner I've seen like this! Beside the weekly pages (undated, so it lasts until you're done with it!), there's tons of fun and important pages throughout the planner: address pages, reference, things to do, events. No two pages are alike either!

Each is printed with a rich, soy-based, pumpkin orange ink - gracing each page with fun and artistic illustrations to keep anyday bright and cheerful. The entire journal is made with 100% post-consumer recycled materials. You definitely have to check out the listing to see more fun pages!

Purple Wildflowers

Purple Wildflowers - 2.75 x 3.5" Mini Acrylic Painting with Easel

I've really been liking painting these blue-sky pieces. They're like a perfect day at a perfect place, captured forever on canvas. I love painting these mini paintings so much!

When I was on vacation a month or so ago, we (me and my honey) were driving through Southern Ontario to Toronto, and we came across a hay field, or a 'grass field', and it had tons of purple flowers / plants in it. So many in fact, they just looked like fields of purple. They were so pretty - I actually gasped, "Ohhh soo pretty!" and my boyfriend laughed at me hehe. So that's where this idea came from :)

This little mini-painting can sit on your desk too, and cheer you up all day long! The easel comes with this tiny art - you can prop it up right out of the packaging :)

Back To School Week: The Bag

I haven't been using a backpack for school for sometime, except when I bike to school. I've instead opted for large messenger bags to stuff everything in to. I love this bright red bag in Fall Perry in vin rouge velvet by bayanhippo.

There were so many excellent bags in this shop, that it was hard to choose the one to feature. But the red caught my eye. I'm a strong believer of bright accessories highlighting an outfit - owner new bright yellow wallet and three bright red sets of heels.

This stand out piece adds some class and romance to school. Being out of highschool for some time, I like to learn towards sophisticated school apparel - and this fits just right! The velvet would be so luxurious and add a vintage feel to any outfit.

Weekend Studio Wrap-Up

Lots of painting got finished in my studio this weekend. I've been doing 9am - midnight painting sessions (don't worry, lots of breaks in between) trying to get pending summer projects, commissions, and random thoughts and ideas out onto paper and canvas. I've also been working on the larger ocean painting, adding new plant-like creatures to it.

So first for commissions: I did a family tree, and a repaint of my seedling painting (a larger version)
Now for the new stuff, you only get sneak peaks as it will be slowly all released and listed online this week:

Here we have some acrylic landscape paintings:


And here we have two hints at my new watercolor trees:


So as you can see - lots of new stuff this week! :)

Back To School Week: The Notebook

School starts again for me after this week (Sept 8th). I'm enrolled in my second year Medical Radiation Technology course at Cambrian College - love, love this course!

I'll start off this back to school week with the most essential - the notebook! And this cute deer notebook by Cabin + Cub Design is a must-have!


The gocco-printed deer motif on this journal is splendid - a touch of vintage feel with complete uniqueness. It's the perfect size to fit in a backpack or large purse!