Pixie Hill - A Journal of Proof

Making things simple

2012-02-15T06:21:00.000-08:00

I usually post everything that I put on this blog on my other blog as well. As much as I am a fan of the ridiculous as I am (and I am) I've decided that it's rather too silly, even by my standards, to double post everything. So I'm simplifying, I'm streamlining and I'm putting everything in one place.

And so, if you please, you can join me HERE where everything will live in one happy home :)

xoxo

A Red Spotted Faerie House

2011-11-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder how nature manages to create such vibrant, magnificent colours?
I bet the faerie folk have a hand in it :)

Total overall size (including bell jar) 8" tall.

On display at the Pixie Hill Studio Christmas Open House
December 3rd & 4th - 134 Bullis Rd. Brighton, Ontario

Just one week! Eek!

2011-11-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

There's just one more week to prepare before our Christmas Open House.

I'm not ready.

But, hey! At least we have a sign :)

If you happen to be near Brighton, Ontario next weekend (December 3rd & 4th) stop by. We'll be sipping mulled wine and eating cookies like crazy and I'll probably be painting some zombie shoes.

CHRISTMAS STUDIO OPEN HOUSE
December 3rd & 4th • 10am - 4pm

134 Bullis Rd. Brighton, Ontario

We'll have this place filled with so much Yuletide goodness even Santa will be green with envy :)

First Snow!

2011-11-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

7:23 am

"Mum! Mum! Look outside"

Everything covered in the most perfect layer of ice and snow.

xoxo

Lovely things for the nicest people

2011-11-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

Brand spankin' new just for our Christmas open house December 3rd & 4th! The teeniest handmade faerie specimens. Measuring just 1.75" tall these tiny bits of wonder are perfect for putting in pretty stockings.

The mushrooms, houses and ladybirds are handmade from paperclay. Each specimen is numbered and has it's own unique description.

xoxo

The Storyteller's House

2011-11-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

I've been feverishly plugging away to make absolutely certain this was done in time for our open house. It is! Now I can show off The Storyteller's House.

It's actually quite small. The base measures just 10.5" x 7" and the house is around 18" tall. I can't wait to see our visitor's reaction to it as it's quite a lively little thing :)
You can see more pictures on the Pixie Hill Studio facebook page.

xoxo

New Moons and Tiny Critters

2011-11-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

Two teeny weeny happy moon shrines to share today. The moons, toadstool, cottage and critters are all hand sculpted from paperclay. Each measures just 3" tall and 1.5" wide. Very little indeed, but you know what they say about small packages :)

Teeny tiny mole shrine now on etsy.

Teeny tiny mouse shrine now on etsy.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

From our creepy family to yours, Happy Halloween :)

Be sure to leave treats for all the faerie folk, ghosts, ghouls and goblins too. Have a fantastically fun and spooky day.

Friday's Stroll

2011-10-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Poor Padfooot has been a bit stir crazy this week. After dropping the kiddo off to greet the school bus, we usually go for a bit of a stroll. This week however I've been a bit out of sorts and haven't had it in me to take him for long romps.

But today, being a pretty damned perfect fall day with the just the right amount of cool in the air, frost on the ground and sun peeking out, we did our romping and saw loads of lovely things around the hill.

Last, but certainly not least, the remnants of a faerie ring. I've known it was there for a while but didn't take snaps because it wasn't as pronounced as it is now that the wee toadstools and grass have died away.

I do love knowing those cheeky creatures are back there.

xoxo

The next wee house

2011-10-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

I've been working on another little house. Like everything else in my life it's a mish-mash of styles and influences. It's still a work in progress but here's a sneaky peek at how things have come together over the past little while.

Milkweed

2011-10-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Today has been dreary and gloomy. I've holed myself up in the studio to work on the newest little house, with a small radiator to keep me warm. We won't be able to put off turning the heat on for much longer. Until now snuggling under blankets hasn't been half bad :)

It's been quite damp... nay, wet. The homey place underneath the coop is slick with mud and our hens are not at all pleased. The milkweed fluff which should be floating about, granting wishes, is matted to the stalks and grass.

Pity. The floaty bits are always so pretty.

A rustle in the tall grass

2011-10-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

Behind our property is a field of long grass.

Most mornings I take my son to the bus stop and then take the puppy, dear little Padfoot, for a walk. Romping through these tall stalks is one of his favourite things. The crunchy, rustling sound as we make our way through is wonderful. He bounds around like a baby deer, and has a grand time. Padfoot loves being a dog.

My son and his friends like to stroll through there too. They take a walkie-talkie with them and call me every 45 seconds, giggling about something or other. Then, inevitably, I'll hear "Mum! We heard something! We heard something!" and they come running home with a tale of some huge creature that must have been lurking in the grass ready to pounce on them at any moment because they heard a rustle in the long grass.

I don't entirely dismiss those boys because I've heard things back there too. When I'm by myself, puttering quietly in that back corner, I've heard children laughing and a little voice call "Mum" in a sort of sing-songy whispery way. But there are no children back there, just long rustling grass.

Bees Knees

2011-10-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Okay! okay! they're wasps but we'll keep that just between us.

Our budding photographer, 8 year old Dante, took this shot. He went to work with his dad and found these fellows making a nest in a little nook.

Wasps make the most wonderful papery nests. Absolutely fabulously crafted things.

My newest aquisitions

2011-10-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

My own art collection is in it's infancy. It's rather lucky that I'm quite poor because some days I'm certain I'd spend all of my pennies on art and candy. Still, this weekend was the perfect opportunity to buy one or two little things from fabulous local artists.

3"x4" Oil on canvas by artist Fay Gee

"Sun Kissed"

4"x4" Oil on canvas by artist Joanne Carlen

The pictures really don't do them justice (darned lighting!), they are lovely pieces. Little works of art are fabulous because they tend to be priced really reasonably for the budget challenged and have the added bonus of being absolutely darling :)

Lions Art Show

2011-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend we'll be participating in the Brighton Lions Art Show and Sale. The goodness starts off on Friday with a gala event 7pm - 9pm at the King Edward Park Community Centre and then through the weekend at the Terry Fox Auditorium at ENSS 10am to 4pm.

I'm thrilled to be taking part my first Brighton Arts Council event and can't wait to see what other goodies the other arty folk are showing off :)

Here's a peek at some of my newest work I'll be bringing along.

xoxo

New work - Mystical Nature Shrine

2011-10-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited about this newest piece. It's a re-purposed vintage cupboard that measures around 8"x13" (closed) It is covered with old book pages which have been hand painted with birds and other delights. At the very heart of the work is a tiny ladybird painting.

This work will be on display at the Brighton Lions Art show this weekend.

It is currently listed on esty here

A note on goblin behaviour

2011-10-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

It was a bumpy start to the day this morning. We slept in. We slept so much that the school bus had passed before we even woke up. Missing the bus means a 30 minute walk to the school. Really, it's not all that bad when you consider this is what the walk looked like today...

When the pooch and I got back to the hill we took a stroll to the clearing we made where the goblins dwell. This is the path looked like...

Holes. All in a neat row. This isn't the first time those creatures have left a neat row of holes. Back then I was quite sure they were bite marks. Now I'm not sure what to think. I wonder what secrets these hidey places hold? I'm afraid I'll never know because there is no way I'm poking around in those dark spots!

xoxo

Goblins

2011-10-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

We spent the morning in the goblins grove, carving out a trail to the waters edge. Isn't it gorgeous!

BTW This pic was taken by my son who is 8 and has a brilliant eye!

The dog and kidlet romped through the water and had a grand time, while I cleared some stuff and began plotting gobliny things. At the waters edge I erected some stone towers. Ruins? A ritual place? A monument to an otherworld battle?

I'm not convinced this will stay. I've other plans for this spot. For now it'll do. At the very least it was a grand way to spend the morning. That is until we all started getting grumpy and shouty. Must have rubbed off on us from those dastardly creatures hiding in the brambles and dark spots.

Frost

2011-10-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

I really wish we had a proper fireplace, or wood burning stove, in the house. We had a frost last night and I'm hoping we don't have to turn the heat on just yet. I don't know, it looks pretty darned chilly out there...

The prickly plants that dot our lawn look even more menacing than usual. I'm sure the goblins are delighted.

Patches hiding in the trees shadows will take longer than the rest, leaving pale patterns on the grass, but in no time at all the sun will melt it all away.

Prepare for a beanstalk

2011-10-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

I found this on my driveway yesterday.

I'm happy to say that I am absolutely the type of person who believes wholeheartedly that this MUST be a magic bean deliberately left near my right foot by some cheeky imp who knows for certain I will plant it in the ground next year in an attempt to grow a beanstalk.

Any alternative to that just won't do at all.

xoxo

The Feasting Table

2011-10-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I think the changing weather excites the wee folk. A chill is slowly settling in, misty autumn rains falling, and I am certain the fae are celebrating. The lazy days of summer are finally over and the harvest has begun. The veil between our worlds is slowly thinning once more.

Preparing a faerie feast, I pluck a bunch of wild flowers to set the table with and find this fellow hiding in the petals. Perhaps it's the buzzing of the mating wasps that awaken the fae this time of year. On these last few warm days, the those wasps become tiny drunken sailors, flying about, bumping into everything in their path. They are constantly tapping at my window, as if to say "Woo hoo! Look at meeee! I'm in love!"

A feast is prepared of simple treats and set upon a pretty plate. An apple, bread, jam, honey and sweet wine. I have tried to leave chocolate and candy, that sort of thing, but they really aren't bothered and leave them untouched.

An occasional treat, a token from us to them, an acknowledgement. Never, ever too much, too often.

Fall arrives on Pixie Hill

2011-09-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's damp and perhaps a little bit dreary outside but I don't mind one bit. Fall has finally landed.

Mushrooms and toadstools are popping up everywhere. Giant puffballs are growing at the bottom of the hill and look like wonderful moons rising out of the ground. When we went to examine them this morning, my son swore he saw something green leaping into the bushes. Hmm, very pecular.

Mushrooms of all shapes, sizes and textures are sprouting all around the hill. I even detected a couple of rings starting to form. I wonder if the wee folk will troop and dance in the same spots they did last year.

There is one bit of lovely strangeness here. Our foxglove and bergamot are blooming again! We've never been able to grow foxglove so have a second bloom is absolutely fantastic. I know some folklore insists that the fae do not like foxglove but I have to disagree.

I'll put out some sweet wine for the folk tonight. Hopefully they have a grand time dancing about. Hopefully we can sight evidence of their magic making tomorrow.

xoxo

Make a Mess Monday - A give away

2011-09-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying not everyone gets it. Not everyone appreciates the sort of art work I create. Some are downright befuddled as to why I make what I do. Some even ask "but what does it do?" Ha! I've found it best to smile and say "What doesn't it do!" and leave well enough alone.

Luckily the vast majority of people DO get it.

It is absolutely brilliant seeing faces light up and smiles spread across faces when people look at my work. It's the very best thing you can imagine actually. And so, this week you're going to make someone smile with this weeks make a mess prompt.

We're going to make something for a stranger.

You can make whatever you like but I'm going to suggest a simple little charm. Try to use what you have on hand and limit your time to under an hour.

Here's what I whipped up.

You can make your charm specific, like one for finding lost socks, or a lucky penny charm, or you can just make one that feels sort of magical. When you're done add a tag that says what it is or with a sort of inspirational quote. Mine says "That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you." Just remember that this is an anonymous gift... no signing or self promotion!

When you're done place your charm somewhere that it will be discovered by a stranger. Hopefully you'll get to see someone smile at your work when they stumble across it. If not, you can rest well knowing you've done a kindness to a stranger and earned a few karma brownie points :)

Good luck & enjoy making a mess

xoxo

See you Sunday!

2011-09-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

I've been prepping all day for the Applefest Craft Show on Sunday. Here's a sneak peek at the goodies we're taking along...

Make a mess Monday - Simple Joy

2011-09-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

The past little while I've been thinking a lot about the simple things that bring me joy. When things aren't going swimmingly and I worry too much about this or that, I do my best to think about the positive, about the loveliness in the world, and use that energy to create.

When I lived in the city I was totally unaware of how brightly the moon could shine. Away from the lights and street lamps a miracle hangs in the sky! I'd like to think that because it is overflowing with compassion and kindness, filled with so much magic, that the moon cannot help but smile down.

This weeks challenge is to think of a simple joy and make it real. Begin by making a list of the simple things you appreciate. Consider memories, scents, textures, emotions, time, visions, nature, colour, objects, tasks. Next, create a shrine to that joy and put it in a small precious space, big enough to hold in your hand.

Good luck and happy mess making!

xoxo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last week I gave a romance prompt. My work still isn't completed but here's what's going on so far...

It's still got some work to go (and words to add) but it's on it's way. When it's complete I'll share the in progress work and techniques used.

Little visitors

2011-09-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

After a game of "fetch" (where in I was the one fetching and the pup looked on amused) I was headed back to the house and heard a noise in the trees. There seems to be a new batch of visitors to Pixie Hill.

I noticed this fellow a few days ago on our garage door. I'm pretty sure he's settled right in to start the chrysalis point of his journey though I could be entirely wrong and often am.

xoxo

Make a Mess Monday - Romance

2011-09-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm trying to get back on track with Make A Mess Monday's. I will continue the project that we started a while back in a couple of weeks. (Shame on me, I know!) Until then, I thought it might be fun to share the themes that I'm working with in my own work and, if you like, you can play along too.

This week I'm working on a commission with a sort of romantic theme. Your challenge is to create something that commemorates an engagement (or other romantic type moment). The work needs to include a place, a couple, and words. The work can be in any medium, but the size should be smaller than 8x10.

If you decide to make along with me I'd love to see your work! I'll post my finished project next week with some chatter about techniques and in progress shots.

xoxo

Strange Happenings and Spoony Wands

2011-09-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

I found this in the little patch of dirt under my hanging tree. It was just sitting on top of the soil, right in the middle of a bare spot. Strange things have been happening here lately. There are more bumps in the night than usual. Last night I was so certain that someone was knocking on my back door at 3 am that I woke the mister up. He rolled over and went back to sleep. God help me if one day an ogre comes tapping at the windows... I'll be left to fend for myself!

Ah, well if something does come out of the shadows for me I'll promptly bonk it on the head with one of my new spoon wands. That'll teach 'em.

Springing into September

2011-09-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

We have a tall branch tee pee in the back garden that we were hoping our kidlet would use as a fort. It's smallish inside, but the perfect size for a boy to slip inside and read or get away from his nagging mum for a while. The plan was to grow climbing plants up the outside but nothing has grown until very recently. Now, suddenly at the very end of summer holidays, these lovely blooms are blooming.

The Little Things

2011-09-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

I discovered some of the teeniest snail shells imaginable in the back garden, hiding in the pumpkin vines. I thought they'd be a perfect addition to some of the thimble gardens I've been working on.

Slowly but surly the studio is getting set up and will be visitor friendly in plenty of time for our open house. We've been giving thought as to how to display the little things in the studio. My kidlet found this old bit of wood and it makes a lovely little shelf for the thimbles but might end up being a wishing wand stand ;)

Fall Show

2011-09-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

We drove into lovely Port Hope today to drop off some work at the Journey Through the Arts Gallery.

We've got a few things lined up over the next couple of months and it's both daunting and exciting. I've updated pixiehill.com and have been making business cards and ordered pretty packaging... but mostly I'm just running around like a crazy lady in 3 million directions :)

Next up will be the Applefest Craft Show and Sale in Brighton on Sunday September 25th. If your in the neighborhood stop by and say "Hiya!"

Buried Treasure

2011-08-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

Last week the kidlet and I build a fairy spiral for our garden. Here the fruit of our labour.

While preparing, digging and weeding, we found some buried treasures.

Three buttons, an iron square headed nail and a shard of pottery. Payment for all of our hard work I suppose ;)

xoxo

Today's Gifts

2011-08-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Today the kidlet and I picnicked in the back garden. Despite being terrorized by our new pup, Padfoot, the wee folk left us some small treasures.

I'm happy to say that we've started setting up a proper studio/gallery space for peeps to come and visit. It's all quite a disaster area at the moment but, fingers crossed, every thing will be in it's place on December 3rd and 4th for our first studio open house.

It's full steam ahead as we'll also be participating in a number of local art and craft events. We'll keep you posted as soon as everything is firmed up.

xoxo

A Goblin Bite?

2011-07-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sadly, posts have been far and few between here. Today I discovered something that I had to share...

I am quite sure that this must be the work of goblins who are well known for their sharp pointed teeth.

xxx

Celebrating Mid-Summer

2011-06-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

The summer solstice is the perfect time to celebrate (or spy on) faeries. The veil between the worlds is thin and magic abounds. The fireflies were more like fireworks tonight :) Devine.

I've have a plan for a rather large on-going project this summer and there is no better day than mid-summer to get things started. My kidlet and I have kicked it off and I'd like to share the beginnings of our makings.

The lofty dream of the moment is to get ourselves on the local studio tour list and show off our little village in September. We'll be positively perfect carpenters by then :)

Spring

2011-05-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Please pardon the hiatus. Life got a little bumpy on Pixie Hill for a few weeks but Spring has pushed ahead and so will we.

The buds on our lilac trees are gorgeous and robust. I can't wait to see the flowers blooming on them. I can't stand lilac scented things but branches dripping with sweet lilac flowers are a whole other thing entirely. Is there anything better than a house filled with lilacs and open windows?

There are a few patches of fairy grass dotting our grounds right now. I'm waiting patiently to see if the faerie trooping will form rings. Just look at that lush clover packed lawn. I bet rolling around on it would make all my woes go away.

And these giant droplets of morning dew will surely be put to good use by the wee folk, little creatures and feathered friends on the hill.

Thank the gods for Spring and the absolute goodness it brings.

xxx

Make a Mess Monday No. 2 - Word Association

2011-03-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Last week's mission was to grab a 'tear me up' book and cut out some words that you liked. Easy peasy.

This week we're going to revisit those words and do some word association.

Select some of the words that you chose and write down the colours, sounds, textures, memories and imagery that come to mind when you hear or think of them. Don't get too deep on me... this is just an exercise to get the juices flowing. Think of these as your seeds of inspiration.
One of the things that I cut out last week was "oatmeal and cream". My list went something like this... soft, warm, squishy, sweet, sugar, beige, tan, lumpy, kitchen, bowl, spoon, morning, comforting, comfortable, homey, old fashioned, sunlight, sunrise, table, cloth, cotton, oats.

Try this with a few of the words you chose last week. Don't worry about right or wrong or if other people will relate to your list or question your choices. It's your list and it doesn't have to mean one bit to anyone else!

Next week we'll put these exercises to good use and start making a real mess :)

xxx

I do! I do!

2011-03-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

I found this today, sitting on the driveway, after picking the kidlet up from the school bus.

Seriously, what are the chances?

xxx

Goodnight Sweet Prince Warning, death ahead

2011-03-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

The faeries here have been in quite a state over the past few days. They keep knocking things over and moving my scissors. I thought they were frustrated over the last round of snowfall, anxious for Spring to get underway (we all are) but I think it's something else.

We have an intruder.

My husband took a hike last week and noticed some large tracks on the property behind us. Today I saw those tracks on our toboggan hill. A coyote perhaps? There had obviously been a bit of a kerfuffle in the snow so I followed the tracks to a shady spot where pixies like to dwell. That's when I saw the fallen prince.

I love the frogs on Pixie Hill. They leap out of the way when I mow the lawn. They climb up to our second floor windows to eavesdrop on bedtime stories. They've even gotten so excited about our campfires that they've leaped into the flames, requiring a quick rescue. I am sure that each one is a frog prince.

Just look at that poor fellow. It looks as though they toyed around with him and then just left him. I know about the cycle of life but this seems so senseless and mean.

If it were warmer, and the ground soft, I would have buried the sweet thing under the hanging tree.

xxx

Make a Mess Monday No. 1 - The Power of Words

2011-02-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

Pixie Hill is about more than just faerie sightings. I'd like it to be about encouraging others to join in the creative process, and exploring and appreciating the wonder that exists in the world around us. I figured the best way to do this would be a weekly post... let's call it "Make a Mess Monday". Here we go!

The Power of Words

Some words and phrases catch my imagination just right. They stick in my mind for days and conjure up wild images, they stir deep feelings and set moods. Words are great prompts. Sometimes when I can't set my mind to anything, or I'm feeling a bit unfocused, I collect words. I grab a 'tear me up' book and just look for words or phrases that interest me. I keep the words in a plastic container and when I need a tiny push of inspiration or focus, I sift through them.

So, here's a challenge for you. Find yourself a 'tear me up' book. Go to a thrift shop or garage sale and grab yourself a beat up children's book. Kids books have great words in them and the type is nice and big. Also, I always find that the worse shape it's in the less guilty I feel about ripping the thing apart :) The very best books are the ones that are free, and are already beat up.

Now, when you're sitting and doing nothing in particular take a few pages out of the book and just cut out the words and phrases that appeal to you. They don't have to be important or meaningful... just ones you like.

Keep your words in a jar, envelope or container and we'll do something with them next week :)

Here are some words I collected the other week. Click on the image for a high res version you can use in your art and crafts.

xxx

Spying your own faeries.

2011-02-25T06:19:00.000-08:00

Here's the little bit I wrote for Danni over at the Whimsical Cottage. Hop on over there to see all the faerie goodness :)

If you're interested in spying faeries but not having much luck, you might want to try your hand at making these Faerie Spying Stones.

Faeries are a sly bunch. They are quick as a wink and well camouflaged to boot. It’s difficult to get a good look at the wee things. I often catch a fleeting glance of them while I hang my laundry on the line. While daydreaming they dance in my peripheral vision.

There are a number of ways to get a good look at the wee folk. One of those ways is by looking through a Faerie Stone (also called a hag stone, witch stone, holy stone, holed stone).

It is said that a true and proper Faerie Stone is a natural stone in which a hole has been formed by the elements. The stones should be found by the user, not purchased, gifted or traded for their true magical potential to be realized. But there’s a great deal of power in your thoughts and the energy of making. I say you might just be able to catch a glimpse if you create your own.

In Raven Grimassi’s book “Hereditary Witchcraft” he gives instructions on making a sort of Faerie Stone called a Faerie Sight Stone. Flowers, leaves and pollen are added to clay, a holed disk is made, and when ready, it is painted black with four white lines. “Legend says that Fairies can be sighted by looking through such a disc.”

Make your own version of a Faerie Sight Stone by adding faerie flowers, good intentions and charms to your own hand made holed stone. Wear it around your neck on a length of ribbon or hang it by your front door so that it’s always on hand for peeking at the fae.

Especially good times to try and spy faeries through your stones are: noon and midnight, mid-summers night, twilight hours, May Day, Halloween. Some say that you need to walk backwards and recite a specific chant too!

For specific instructions on how to make these, you can skip over to to this page at Pixie Hill.

** Please remember the spirit in which these are made. Sharing with friends, giving as gifts, making as a group project, leaving for strangers to find is absolutely encouraged. Selling them is not so nice and may just irk the faerie folk into pinching you in your sleep and tripping you up as you walk along. Don't say I didn't warn you ;)

The Goblin's Grove

2011-02-24T07:31:00.000-08:00

There is a spot at Pixie Hill where you are more likely to encounter a goblin or troll than an elf or pixie. It always seems just a little cooler there, even in the heat of summer. Little boys are inevitably drawn to this spot, never failing to return to the house muddy, wet, or in very big trouble.

The trees bend here forming natural arches. Are they portals leading to goblin lairs? Whatever lives beyond may be hibernating at the moment for I can hear the rumblings and grumblings like that of sleeping giants. Perhaps those arches lead to an otherworld cave filled with a brood of sleeping, snoring trolls! Oh, you could not pay me to go through that passage.

Some kindly, softhearted souls, might worry that those creatures may be vulnerable in their winter nap. Don't worry about them. The grove is well defended. Sharp thorns bite and scratch at intruders. The snow is booby-trapped and gives way under foot. They've also enlisted the help of some other faerie folks (Nixen's perhaps) who guard the area by pushing and tripping any trespassers.

But even these old grumps have a place here. It can't always be rainbows and four leafed clovers after all.

xxx

A Tale of Two Pests

2011-02-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

Cluster flies and ladybugs are common country pests. I'm sure they engage in some sort of war, in the dark, while we sleep. Ladybugs and flies doing battle on our window sills in the moonlight. Fighting the good fight. Fallen soldiers strewn across the window's ledge in the morning.

I'm team ladybug. Who wouldn't prefer to stumble upon one of those wee polka-dotted insects than those dastardly bastards who circle your head and buzz in your ear. Bah!

The Pixie Hill site is slowly coming along. You can go and have a peek at her now (though she's not completely decent) at pixiehill.com

xxx

Appreciating small things

2011-02-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

Never underestimate or dismiss even the smallest signs of gratitude.

xxx

Faerie Feasting

2011-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if you wake up early enough, and the sun is rising just so, you can see faerie trails in the snow? Even those light footsteps leave their mark. I spied this trail in our back field this morning. This is the very spot where rings of toadstools, and circles of green, green grass appeared this past fall.

Despite being rather silly humans, we took notice of those rings. In a shaded spot, underneath a lovely big pine tree, we placed a stone table. Here food and small gifts are left for the faerie folk. We are careful never too leave too much, too often. A bit of string and a snip of ribbon, some bread and honey, and thimble full of sweet wine will keep them happy today.

xxx

Diamonds in the Rough

2011-02-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

I was going to take you on a jaunt over to the pixie feasting spot today. The moon is filling quickly and I thought the wee folk may like some sweet wine for their revelries. Unfortunately the weather has turned sour and the whole of the place is wet and grey. I'm crossing fingers and toes the rain takes a lunch break so I can make the walk over this afternoon.

Instead, I offer the gifts of yesterday. The 10 of Diamonds and a lovely lucky penny. Perhaps I'm in for a bit-o-luck ;)

xxx

A Word (or two) on Squirrels

2011-02-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Squirrels are excellent watchmen. Hiding high in the old Black Locust trees that pepper the grounds, they keep their round eyes wide open for any signs of trouble. From that vantage point they can spy hungry foxes, bullying black crows and (worst of all, in their opinion) snooping humans. Their loud chattering and agitated tail wagging announces a warning to the wee folk when something is amiss.

I am quite certain that these bushy tailed creatures are also the work horses of the faerie world. Their well trodden trails a sign of important, industrious, activity. And because not all faeries are capable of flight, or fleet footed, it bares to ask: what better ride than the back of a fast and furry beastie?

In return for their dedicated service, the faeries ensure their friends are well fed. They enthusiastically tip all of the bird feeders just so, spilling the seeds and meal to the ground, becoming the benefactors of a squirrel feast.

xxx

A Gift

2011-02-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

While I scurried down the hill this morning, doing my best to hurry the kid along so as not to miss the school bus, I spied a wonderful gift. Directly in my path, laying on top of the trodden snow, was a sweet little bouquet of dried flowers. "How thoughtful!" I thought to myself and cradled them carefully in my mitted hands.

On my trek back up the hill I found a few more faerie treasures. A broken stone, a sweet little seed pod and a stick had all been carefully placed upon the trail.

Yesterday the robins were hopping about, the sparrows swooping excitedly. It seems the faeries too are delighted that spring is on her way.

xxx

Pixie Hill - A Journal of Proof

Making things simple

A Red Spotted Faerie House

Just one week! Eek!

First Snow!

Lovely things for the nicest people

The Storyteller's House

New Moons and Tiny Critters

Happy Halloween!

Friday's Stroll

The next wee house

Milkweed

A rustle in the tall grass

Bees Knees

My newest aquisitions

Lions Art Show

New work - Mystical Nature Shrine

A note on goblin behaviour

Goblins

Frost

Prepare for a beanstalk

The Feasting Table

Fall arrives on Pixie Hill

Make a Mess Monday - A give away

See you Sunday!

Make a mess Monday - Simple Joy

Little visitors

Make a Mess Monday - Romance

Strange Happenings and Spoony Wands

Springing into September

The Little Things

Fall Show

Buried Treasure

Today's Gifts

A Goblin Bite?

Celebrating Mid-Summer

Spring

Make a Mess Monday No. 2 - Word Association

I do! I do!

Goodnight Sweet Prince *Warning, death ahead*

Make a Mess Monday No. 1 - The Power of Words

Spying your own faeries.

The Goblin's Grove

A Tale of Two Pests

Appreciating small things

Faerie Feasting

Diamonds in the Rough

A Word (or two) on Squirrels

A Gift

Goodnight Sweet Prince Warning, death ahead