Year of the Snake Print Exchange

Well hello there! How was your Christmas? Hectic? Fun? Relaxing? I hope you're ready for the new year because I can see it's around the corner. 

For the past few years now I have contributed to an annual print exchange through PROOF Gallery and this year we'll be creating images to celebrate the Year of the Snake.   Below is my submission which is a drypoint created on a plastic plate and then hand-colored with watercolors. Below that is the artist proof in straight black and white and I think I prefer that version. What do you think? Which do you prefer?

Do you ever create a drawing and then regret coloring it?

You can view all the snake print submissions from around the world at the Year of the Snake blog

Illustration Friday: Snow

Why hello there! Christmas is almost here and there is still so much to do! Here's much submission for today's Illustration Friday subject: Snow. I created this little guy as a Christmas card and as a silkscreened ornament. He's cute don't you think?

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I will see online soon. : )

It's Christmas cookie time.

Sorry it's been so quiet over here but I've picked up a second job and the blog has gotten demoted for things needing my attention. I've been made kitchen manager of a fledging bakery and cafe so I'm going to be able to make wonderful tasty treats this Christmas. I've toyed with the idea of having my own bakery but I'm not prepared for the immense amount of capital and hours that would be needed. With my current situation I'll be able to dip my toe into that dream and get a wee taste of what it could be like.

Source: JustB

I'm pretty excited about it and I've been working on developing recipes. As we're into the Christmas cookie season I'm trying to think of what treats we can offer. One of the items at the top of my list is a mini-gingerbread house that can be customized with someone's name. I have plans to make them hangable for the Christmas tree but that requires testing. 

In my research today I found some gingerbread sources for you. So many great designs. I love how creative Christmas can be. Check out Cute Food for Kids and JustB for some great ideas.

I'll be sure to take a picture of whatever house I create and post it. What about you? What Christmas cookies are part of your tradition?

How the show went at the Steveston Christmas Craft Fair.

It's almost been a full week since my show at the Steveston Christmas Craft fair but I finally have some pics for you. I haven't changed up my table too much from last time but I did add new things into the mix. This year was one of my best at this show and although I had told myself I wouldn't be doing next year, I just might. I have to say that attending is so much nicer when things are actually selling. Some items sold really easily like my napkins while my tea cups stayed idle. There are lessons with each show, aren't there?

A birthday cake for a musical 70 yr. old

Last week I sent out another birthday cake and I now have some pics for you. This chocolate devil's food cake was filled and frosted with Italian buttercream. Sized for 40 people, the cake was pretty substantial.

The "birthday boy" has always been involved in music and theatre so his wife requested a musical theme. Music notes and piano keys were to be included but I was careful not to add too much mouth-staining black icing. The letters were done in white chocolate with a mould which made it possible for me fit all the wording in properly.

The characture portrait was adapted from an image of  Mr Magoo. I like how he looks as though he's singing happy birthday too. The technique I used for the portrait is called Frozen buttercream transfer which is a fantastic method for getting a very detailed or specific image onto the cake. I did use a different  type icing for it though and you can find the recipe here.

  Speaking of birthdays......today is my birthday! It's kind of a big one...as in the big 4-0. How did that happen? Stop by my shop and wish me a happy birthday and I will give you 20% off anything you purchase. This is valid for November 22nd only and it does not include shipping. Next year I think I will be 40 again.

Where to find me this season

Oh boy the time is just flying, isn't it? I'm getting kind of nervous about all the things I need to get done. Why isn't there 36 hours in the day?

Today I thought I would let you know about where you can find my work this season. Just in case you needed some awesome and cute gifts for your family and friends. *wink*wink*.

From Nov.15-Jan 15 I will be showing some original monotypes and a series of encaustic   paintings at the Langley Centennial Museum. The theme is moons and mushrooms and I have numerous pieces there under $100.

One November 24th I will be back at the Steveston Christmas Craft Fair 10am-4pm. I will be selling one-of-a-kind prints, ceramic tea cups and saucers, silkscreened napkins sets, magnets, tree ornaments and more.

If you're out in Coquitlam I have some silkscreened onesies and t-shirts, Xmas cards, napkin sets and some really cute polymer clay bird ornaments at the Place des Arts  Christmas Gift Boutique.

If you can't make it to any of those events you can always get up-close and personal with my work at Bird on a Wire on Main St.

As for my own Christmas shopping I will be checking out some of the local craft fairs in the neighbourhood. Time to see what kind of creativity is hidden in Langley.

It's Movember

November is a birthday month in our house. This year along with celebrating our birthdays my husband is fundraising for Movember. This fundraising campaign for men's health uses the multi-stylish moustache as "the ribbon" for the cause. This month you may notice more than a few staches sprouting on the faces around you. If you would like to get in on the fun, feel free to donate to my husband's campaign and maybe take a few pics of yourself with your own created moustache to put on the Movember and Sons website.


Here's  a picture of my daughter sporting a moustache of her own.

Just in case you absolutely needed to buy something to celebrate Movember, I found a few fun items on Etsy. 

Withay Drawings

CJay's Modern Barber

Print Royale