Monday Tag Giveaway.

Okay I know I missed a week but I'm going to pretend I didn't. What can I say it's December and my body decided to take a much needed physical break so my blogging didn't happen. Enough said on that, on to the good stuff.

Since it is December now I thought I'd get into the Christmas tags for my giveaway. We've had a few snow flurries here but nothing that stayed for long yet. I'm one of those that is happy if we just get a little snow for Christmas. I can dream can't I?!! Any who, to enter to win this snowy tag leave a comment anytime this week and I'll pick the winner next Monday.

The last tag giveaway winner is Peggy. Congratulations Peggy I'll send the tag out to you as soon as I get your info.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Christmas Open House

Dragonfly Dreamers

Each year on the last Sunday of November I host a Christmas Open House where I invite a few fellow Artisans and open my home to those who like to shop handmade in a relaxing no pressure environment. I think there are more and more people wanting to do this. Wouldn't it be nice if we could do all our Christmas shopping this way. A cup of coffee in one hand, a little something sweet in the other and wonderful local handcrafted items to admire. Above, as you can see, is my display.

This is Clare from Clare's Old Farm House Soap with her wonderful selection of handmade soaps and body products. It smelled wonderful in my house that day!

Here is Sharon who is my favourite knitter. She makes the most awesome socks and scarves. I have a few of her scarves and always get lovely remarks when I'm wearing them.

I thought I was doing so well, remembering to take photo's the day of the Open House but then when I went to post them I realized that I forgot to get one of Sheila Cain-Sample. So here is one of  her display at a previous show. She does amazing graphite and colour pencil work. You can find more of her work in her Etsy shop too.

So how is your Christmas shopping coming along? Are you buying handmade this year? I've bought a few handmade things. If only I could figure out how to make Xbox games!

Don't forget to leave a comment anytime this week for a chance to win Monday's tag giveaway.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Monday feature and tag giveaway.

This weeks Monday Handmade Goodness feature is Amber Campbell of Dizzy Girl Designs. As you will see from her creations, Amber is a fun loving inspiring Artist who works with a wide variety of mediums.

Owl stuffies

These owls are just some of the many Stuffies she sews, with a multitude of found and upcycled  material.

Upcycled hat

I love her hats made from upcycled sweaters and clothes. You won't find anyone else wearing the same hat as this.

Mixed media

Her wonderful whimsy comes through in her mixed media art as well. To see more varieties of each, click on the photos to get to her great web site gallery.

I like Amber on facebook so I can keep up with all the new designs she's always coming up with. 

Well that brings us to this weeks tag giveaway. You know the drill. Leave a comment on my blog over the next week and you will be entered to win the "A little birdie once told me" tag. Don't forget to leave your e-mail address or a link to get to your address so I can find you to let you know you've won.

Now for last weeks winner. I'm reaching into my vintage mason jar to pull out a name...and the winner is Brenda. Congratulations Brenda!

If you were at my Christmas Open House yesterday you can check out the winners of the door prizes over on my Facebook page.

Well that was a inspiring creative start to the week. What are you creating this week?

Happy Creating!

Wendy

How's your weekend looking?

So what are your plans for the weekend? For me it's all about shows. I have two shows I'm participating in. They're both small home based shows that are going to be so much fun to do and oh so tempting to buy some handmade goodies!

First off, on Saturday from 10am- 3pm I'll be at Handmade Here Ottawa. This is in the Westboro area of Ottawa at 516 Brierwood Ave. Click on the photo to get to the event page for more information. There will be 9 vendors with quite a selection of unique creations. I can't wait to see what the other vendors have.

And then on Sunday I'll be having my Christmas Open House at my place at 3557 Munster Rd. from 1-4pm. This year I have 4 vendors. Click on the photo to get to the events page for more information. We've made a few changes this year to spice things up a bit. Each vendor has donated an item for a door prize for each person to enter to win.

 But even if you don't win a door prize everyone will go home with a little something handmade. Sheila who will be here Sunday was nice enough to help me make these cute little tree ornaments for everyone that comes to see us. Well until they run out that is!

So I hope to see you this weekend, maybe a few times!

Don't forget their is still time to leave a comment on any post this week to get in on Monday's tag giveaway.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get out there and buy handmade.

Happy Creating.

Wendy

Metal embossed book workshop

I had another great group of creative women in the studio for a workshop last weekend. This time they made metal embossed books. Just take a look at all the variations.

Charlotte

Louise

Janice

Julie

Lucie

Pat

It was very motivating and inspirational to teach such a creative group. I wish I had more time to play with my metal but times are busy. A few more shows to get ready for this weekend.

Remember all the comments made this week will be added to the Monday tag giveaway. So let me know about what inspires you today.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Blizzard ATC meeting

I have to admit when the theme for Blizzard came up for November, I was a little worried we may be cursing ourselves. I mean you never know when that white stuff is going to start flying around here. But it turned out the blizzard stayed on the cards. We even had a wonderful sunny day for our meeting. And as usually the variety of cards was amazing. Just take a look for yourself.

Louise

Lucie

Marie

Sarah

Olive

Veronica

Wendy

Virginia

Nancy

You just gotta love the DQ Blizzard!

Don't forget if you leave a comment any time this week you will be eligible to win Monday's tag giveaway.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Handmade goodness and tag giveaway.

Kobo Touch case

   Good Monday morning fellow lovers of handmade. I'm glad to see you're back for some more handmade goodness. Today I'm featuring a lovely lady I met through Twitter and became friend with over coffee.
     Rosa Yorke sews the most amazing goodies as well as creating with other mediums. She is the owner and creator at Gabry Road over on Etsy where she sells a wide array of  unique sewn items such as Christmas stockings, aprons,  bags, etc.

Utility half apron.

I have to admit that although I think some of these items would be great for people on my Christmas list I've kept a few for myself. I have a Kobo case like the one above and I own the most beautiful  full apron that hangs in my kitchen. I think it's just so lovely though that I haven't been able to bring myself to wear it to cook in. I know Rosa I'm suppose to use it and one of these days I will but it looks so nice just hanging there. It makes me happy even if I don't use it!

Shabby and Chic stocking.

As you can see on this stocking, it's the attention to detail that Rosa puts into her creations that make them so special. I love the little extra things, like extra trims, buttons and lace. I'm thinking it may be time for a few new stockings on the fireplace this year!

Rosa also has a great blog where you can follow her creative pursuit at Gabry Road.

In keeping with Rosa's beautiful sewing, I chose this tag to give away this week. Sewing's not my thing so this tag is inspired by all the wonderful sewers in my life. I'm so grateful to have you in my life so I don't have to sew any more. 

If you want a chance to win just leave a comment any time this week and the winner will be drawn next Monday.

As for last weeks winner, sorry I'm a little slow at the draw since it was suppose to be Friday. You know sometimes life just happens and it gets away from you. Hence the reason for changing the draw time for this week. No excuses you have a full week of chances to win this tag.

Okay enough already. The winner is Liddy McLaughlin. Congratulations and thanks for playing along. I will get the tag sent to you as soon as I get your info.

So there's another Handmade Goodness Monday. Have you started your Shopping yet? Any handmade items chosen for those special people on you list?

Wendy

Handmade goodness and giveaway.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Do you buy or make all handmade gifts? I'd like to say that I do all handmade but I think realistically that's not possible although I would be happy to receive all handmade gifts I don't think others in the family are willing to go that far. I do buy and make as many handmade gifts as I can. It's so wonderful to get such unique and creative things and feels so good to support other artists. 

I find this time of year I come across so many talented people, that I would like to share some with you. So each Monday I'm going to feature some handmade goodness as well as doing my tag giveaway.

Kettle

My first featured artist is a very close friend of mine, Sheila Cain-Sample. She is a graphite and colour pencil artist who does amazingly detailed work. The "Kettle" above is my favourites. I never get tired of looking into her kitchen from days gone by.

Baby Shoes

These baby shoes are a drawing that Sheila did earlier this year. She has a special feature on her blog called "Draw with me" where you can follow along with her creative process and see this picture come to life. It's so interesting to learn what tools she likes to use and watch the creative process along the way. She also does custom Heirloom drawings of your own special items. What a great way to display an heirloom or give as a gift!

Sheila's prints make a great present for the person that is oh so difficult to find something for. She has a great selection of items in her Etsy shop to chose from. I know I've given a few of her creations to people and they're always greatly appreciated.

So that brings us to this weeks tag giveaway. This tag is full of texture and layers. The clock is a shaker I made by sandwiching some packaging together with beads inside. It reminds us to enjoy the journey which is what really matters in the end.

For a chance to win this tag leave a comment on this post or on my facebook page and the winner will be announced on Friday of this week. Good luck!

Do you have some favourite handmade goodies you'd like to share? Add them to your comment for us all to enjoy.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Angel tag giveaway.

This weeks tag for the giveaway is this lovely angel and butterfly. She's one of my fav's so I hope she finds a wonderful home. I'm going to change up the drill a little bit. Leave a comment here and/or on my facebook page and you will have a chance to win this tag or two if you do it both places. Good luck and pass on the love.

Happy Creating!

Wendy

Tag Giveaway

Don't walk in front of me
I may not follow
Don't walk behind me
I may not lead
Walk beside me
And just be my friend.
                       -Albert Camus.
 

This weeks tag giveaway is a tribute to good friends. When making this tag I was trying out a new style for me. I follow a number of scrapbookers and think one of these days I will find the time to add this to my list of things I do. So this is a mini scrapbook page. 

If you would like a chance to win this tag all you need to do is leave a comment below. I will draw for the winner on Friday of this week. 

Wendy