Jumping Jackie No. 1

Jumping Jackie No. 1
Originally uploaded by fairyyellowbug

She learned how to crochet recently and is wearing the hat that she made for herself. These jumping jack style of dolls will be available on my etsy shop www.fairyyellowbug.etsy.com

Jumping Jackie paperdoll

Green Jumping Jackie paperdoll
Originally uploaded by fairyyellowbug

How have you all been? I've been thinking about you lots and lots these days and so I popped in to say hello. I've been preoccupied here in the fairyyellowbug studio--playing with paper and scissors and up to my elbows in glue. I came across an article that I'd photocopied and filed away for a rainy day read. Well it rained and I read. The article featured 'jumping jack' style dolls and while I was completely convinced that my version would suck badly, I discovered that it didn't! In fact it was good enough to give away! So here is a picture of my first doll in this style; quickly thrown together; experimental and a complete surprise to myself. I loved, loved, loved, loved making her and I'm going to make more! Somehow it freed me up to not worry about making things match or having fingers exactly in proportion. There's a whole new world out there for me.
So, this day, in the forest while I listen to the spring birds chirp and claim their space, and while the late afternoon sun finds its' way into my studio, I am especially happy.

Fairybird #11

#11 fairybird
Originally uploaded by fairyyellowbug

House sparrow.
This wee fellow is happy to sing to his hearts' content. He is #11 in the fairybird family from the fairyyellowbug studio in the fairy hedgepig kingdom. No other bird is quite like him...not fairybird no. 10, nor fairybird no. 12. He wears his tag no. I.D. on the band on his leg, and also another tag which reads FLY. He does like to soar. He is available on my etsy shop now.

Awake

Awake, O, north wind;
And come, thou south;
Blow upon my garden.

February came and went in the forest. Buds have found their beginnings on shrubs in my garden. Birds sing. Yesterday I set up the garden fountain just outside of my door and today I am doing a bit of clean up of decayed vegetation. The world beckons me outside. Dreams call.

Snowman with metal heart

Snowman with metal heart
Originally uploaded by fairyyellowbug

Well it seems that just as we'd thought that there'd be an early spring around these parts, a heavy snow fell last week. So what to do but make a snowman! I found an old aluminum pie tin over at the dumpground and it was so rusted and split that it couldn't be made new again so I just went at it with a scouring pad and cut it into a heart. I think he looks fabu. if I must say so myself. Oh the whole neighborhood has had something or other to say about it. I shot this photo only a day before the sun came out and melted him away into the magic realm of memory.
Also at the dump I found an old Nabob coffee container. It's glass and has a lovely red lid. I'm just going to clean it up and use it for my new/old cookie jar. Then what is a Queen to do but to fill it with cookies. Let's see...sugar or gingersnaps? I'll let you know. Ta!

Winter fairy birds

Winter fairy birds
Originally uploaded by fairyyellowbug

A photographer I am not. These paper birds are made of layers of collaged tulle, music paper, quotes, text, calligraphy done by me, goldleaf punch outs, petals from a 'money' plant, stamped images, and sequins. They have bead eyes and wire feet. Beaks are wrapped string painted and highlighted with acrylics. Buttons sometimes hold on wings. Tails are layers of tulle from old wedding dresses combined with a touch of pale blue fine tulle. A frosting of the most delicate of sparkle finishes them off along the back and top of their heads. Some have images that have been applied with a gel transfer technique. The quote on the small bird reads: We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. KENJI MIYAZAWA~ Each bird has a different quote. Birds have a stuffed layer in between the two sides to give them a sort of 'body.' Shown here are a large size and a small. I am working on a medium size bird and then I plan to list them for sale on etsy. Meanwhile, I am giving one of these types of birds to the first 3 people who sign on for the PIF post on my blog.

Pay It Forward

The Altered Diva http://alterediva.blogspot.com/ has invited everyone to take part in this Pay It Forward challenge. I too think it is a great idea and am willing to play! I will send a handmade gift/thingy/something to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this "Pay It Forward" exchange. I don't know what that gift will be, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! And truthfully, it will probably be later than sooner! The only thing you have to do in return is "Pay It Forward" by making the same promise on your blog with a link back to me. So basically, if you comment I'll send you something crafty that I'll make! Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be the recipients of your handmade work. You must post this on your blog to be eligible.