More work included in the giVeaWay

Sheep on a Ball 12X12
Kids in a Box, collage on a 12X12 canvas
#4 Stamps, on a 6"x6" canvas


Circus tent, 6"X12", collage on canvas, coated in bees wax

"Cake the Best Reason for a Birthday" 6"x6"
Butterfly Circus, 18"X18" canvas

Robot Queen (big) 25"X12"
Home 5"x7" frame
12"x18" collage on paper
I always meant to add these things to my Etsy shop, but I never did. As part of the giveaway you can choose from any of these items too. The are mostly collages on canvas coated in acrylic sealer.

hO hO hO: A Give Away

Sooooo, I made this Etsy shop, but I never really liked it and I mostly avoided it and never really finished it. I'm planning better options to sell my work later starting in January.

I would like to make your Christmas Merry and Bright by giving you your choice of work from my Etsy site.

Check the site, http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluefoxstudio , pick something you like, and leave me a comment telling me what you like and why. The winner will be chosen Monday, Dec. 21st at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.

p.s. we are celebrating Christmas today! I stayed up way too late making Noah a "creation station" and adding a pink sink to Ellie's kitchen, but they loved them this morning, so who cares if I feel like I could fall over. I'll take pictures sometime.

Traditions: Introducing the floor picnic

Now that things have calmed down a little I'm starting to get excited about Christmas, and since Christmas is tomorrow I better be excited. Sorry, I should explain....we are one of those uprooted families with no extended family within several hundred miles, therefore on holidays we travel. Therefore, we pick a convenient day and call it Christmas. Therefore, we have our own crazy traditions and our kids are a little confused why other people only have one Christmas day and we have 3.

Introducing the floor picnic! Years ago, in our prechildren era, my hubby and I would go to the grocery store and purchase whatever food looked delicious and could be eaten immediately. We would come home with cheeses, crackers, fruit, yummy deli things and probably a tube of refrigerated cookie dough to be eaten raw. Once home we would park ourselves on the floor with wine and a movie and have our floor picnic. These days floor picnics have moved to the table (3 year old + raw cookie dough + wool rug = not a good idea) but they are just as festive.

So, tomorrow night rather than slaving over a holiday meal I will be dining on sushi, cookie dough and whatever else suits our fancy.

MeRRy ChRiStmAs!

oUr cHriStmAs

Our nativity does contain a knight and a few pirates...
Our advent calendar is made of tags that get clipped to treat filled "take out" boxes....
And even though you can't tell by the picture, my kids were very afraid of the fake and aggressive Santa I made them pose with... you can tell, I'm starting to be Christmasie. It is a slow start, but maybe my heart will be ready by the 25th.

tHeRe muSt bE sOmEtHiNg oFF...

More animals in transportation....I just can't stop.

But that's not the thing that's off.

I'm just not feeling Christmas this year, actually I'm dreading it. I am a holiday girl. I love making, buying and wrapping just the right gift for everyone. I love making the holidays fun a special for our wee ones. I love sugar cookies and egg nod.

But this year something is off. I would be ok with skipping Christmas. Don't get me wrong I still want Jesus to be born, but do I really need to exchange holiday cards with the garbage men?

I guess it all feels like too much work. What do you think?

salt and pepper

"Just like Salt and Pepper... we are better together"
I vote for renaming December "Fast and Crazy" month, because boy am I feeling it. At least we are in this together.

Happy Friday,
Jill

Drive on Birdy

This is a present for a new baby I know. I just love the idea of animals driving cars lately.

hAppY BiRrtHdAy to yOu

For some reason way too many people I love have birthdays in November. So, I'm spending a lot of time on cards. These are three of the cards I've made for some kids I know and love. Yes, they are created on Bear Paint sample cards....I can't help myself....I try to stay out of home depot, but I just love the colors, the lines and the matte finish. Bear makes the best paint and the best sample cards.

Halloween

I love, love, love Halloween! I mean, I would probably love Columbus Day if everyone dressed up. The Halloween experience is even better here in my tiny town because we have a parade. The whole town shuts down for kids in costumes and marching bands to parade past. And even though it isn't openly discussed there is a costume competition. Well, since I love Halloween and have a son who picks crazy costume choices like sting ray, scary crab with lights, and robot shark I must make costumes. Sadly, my sweet daughter wanted to be a garden fairy which is way too easy, but Noah asked for a spider.

So, Noah's spider is bike helmet covered in trash bag and styrofoam eyes. With a backpack base to hold his pipe insulation arms and giant trash bag abdomen. I loved it, he loved it, the less than creative college student judges did not love it, but it is o.k. I'll have my husband fail them :)

I was a queen bee, but I didn't have time to make the elaborate crown I had planned because I was sick. I was indeed sick, but I wouldn't think of wearing a coat over my costume during the parade and I actually landed up very sick. So, I had a high fever during the after party and for the next few days, but Halloween is always worth it.

New Hair

Life is a circus as usual around here. Ellie has been sick most of the fall, this week it is pink eye. We are gearing up for Halloween and as you may have noticed I have new hair. My hair has always been blond so this is all new. I suppose people will assume I'm smart now, I hope strangers don't come up to me in the store and ask me math problems. I better start carrying a calculator just in case.

Have a great weekend!

Bye Bye Birdie

The little Tufted Titmouse has a new home.
Which leaves me thinking about the birdies in my nest.
I savor the quiet moments while I can.

Princess Cheese Drives a Car

Happy Sweet Sixteen Birthday to my favorite (and only) niece Alyssa. I was there when Alyssa was born and have always loved teasing her about how she looked like she was covered in cheese when she was born, but now she is 16. Wow, I must be old. We love you Princess Cheese!

Ruby Dinosaur Bones Wonder Pants

Ruby Dinosaur Bones Wonder Pants is a big name for such a little kitten, but it suits her perfectly. Last week the kids and I were in a park in Youngstown when a cop pulled up and started talking to a business man who was eating his lunch. The cop opened his cruiser door to and kitten mewing could be heard for blocks away. Someone had put a box of three week old kittens under a bridge in the park.

Ruby was the first one I grabbed and the one we immediately decided to keep. She is a lot of work being so small, but we love, love, love her.

Robot Queen

Soooo, I'm trying to make Art everyday. I started yesterday and I haven't made anything today, hmmm.

Anyway, the Robot Queen is fun and bossy and you have to love her. The other robot girl is balancing work and personal pursuits with babies and family life. I fight this balance and the guilt that goes with it all the time. Speaking of which I need to go pick up my son from school, but I'm blogging. Gotta run.
JP