thursdays are for winners or the name I pulled out of a cauldron

 I've always liked Thursdays. I suppose it's because it's not quite yet the weekend but it's sort of a precursor to it (since Friday is the weekend in my book). I've always been partial to it. Maybe because I like the way it sounds, the way it is spelled. Today is also the day I randomly selected who will have my littlebigDead drawing. I wrote all the entries on the same paper type as the drawing, folded them up and tossed them all into Natalie's little plastic cauldron. I sang Mary Had A Little Lamb (true story) while the pieces tossed and when I was finished reached in and pulled out a name...

 Lela!!! You have won the darling skeleton girl! I will be emailing you today for your address!

 In other news, this week has been a trying week in several different ways. At the moment I am battling a nasty cold that delights in keeping me up at night, imparting aches in my body and making my throat and voice scratchy and gross. I'll load up on some tea and perhaps a hot toddy later. I'm working on sketches for a commission and I still have a ton of different ideas of things to do. It just always seems like something gets in the way and believe me, this cold thing is not helping.

I've also realized that Natalie and I haven't done any Halloween crafts this year. I can't believe it but I know why. This year is the busiest we've ever had now that she is in Fall Softball and in Girl Scouts. Oh, and let's not forget that she has homework too now. Hopefully we will have a chance to begin on her Cemetery Scene in a box that I already painted all black in the inside. She wants to make graves, zombies and mummies. I have a few ideas but the rest we will have to wing it. I also painted another box all black inside for when I create our little home theatre in it but more on that later.

I've revised the look of not only The Black Hare but of Magpie Apples too, now. I have a few updates for the Hare and eventually at Magpie too but I can't over do it. Too many other things to get to along with not stretching myself out thin while my body is weak...

Until next time....For Lela, I am very excited to be sending a post to you, all the way in Estonia!

what october has brought and a small giveaway

october month has brought these things...

• updated the black hare with a new look, new links and several posts; motivating myself to continue to make the black hare an active place
• reviving my listography to keep track of things like remembering graces both small and great
• feeling good about finally sending mail off to drucilla, helena and mathyld
• halfway through october and we haven't made any halloween crafts; thinking of ideas to do with her
• happy that the weather has finally cooled with a few good days of gray, rain and a bit of thunder and lightening
• working on my cursive, it's a dying tradition but I will try my best to keep it up with writing letters, cards and such
• really enjoying the new HBO show Boardwalk Empire and loving all the inspirations it is bringing
• remembering how I use to draw littlebigDead stuff during the months of September and October and drew a new one today
• thinking of all my favorite halloween photos of Natalie and how I need to gather the last seven years of her costumes photos to compile in one place

Lately I've been drawing on kid's kraft papers that offer the kind of look I've been wanting in some of my drawings. The only thing is the paper is not quality stock paper and it's a bit thin. I think I have found my solution in another stock paper that I have yet to purchase. Until then, I have the kraft papers for some nice illustrating time.

I am going to do a giveaway of the above drawing to one person who comments here with their email address by random selection. I'll keep the commenting open until Wednesday October 27th. I will include a few other things as well so it will be like a tiny care package. Spread the word via twitter or on your own blog for additional entries. Just please sure to leave the link so that it can be verified.

what was left there

Wednesday morning and the girl and I are doing much better since we caught a little summer bug of a cold (and a bit of a fever for her). The camera I had been so graciously loaned I think really did breathe it's last and I finally uploaded the last few pictures that were still on it. I don't know what I will do with out a camera, especially because I like to remember things and share things. Hopefully I won't suffer too much and hopefully this blog won't either :) With that said, the last photos from the little red camera that I would like to share :)

I won a great blog giveaway a few weeks ago from Karen Davis, the wonderful and magical mind behind her Moonlight and Hares artwork. She has such a lovely blog and I couldn't believe I won! She sent delightful cards with wonderful storytelling art from Roger la Borde (and I like that his cards are printed on paper from managed Scandinavian Forests) along with this beautifully made wooden polar bear hanger complete with little buttons and bells. It's perfect for my little bubelah who of course, is my little polar bear! It is in her room now :)

I also made a little purchase last week from The Social Cellar and I was so pleased with their presentation. I absolutely love my necklace and earrings and have been wearing them both since!

I wish I had better photos but maybe another time :)

And last, a few drawings I have done as of late. The first is the moon, playing with her dear animal constellation friends.

This has been tea stained and fire burned around the edges. I really enjoy the effects it makes. The second piece is a little summer sprite. I think she is sweet faced and would make a cute little doll, if only I really knew how to sew! I would whip up one of these little fairies right away! This is a close up of the drawing, which is also fire burned. Both pieces are in the etsy shop.

I've also started up an artfire shop, to see how it is. I've put up several of my first postcards there. If you are interested, it is at littlebighead.artfire.com.

home again and a winner

Back home from a nice respite up the coast of California. I miss the ocean, the breeze, the mountains and the trees already but it's always nice to be home too. I have photos to share and other things too but I did want to announce the winner of the White Owl feather earrings giveaway today like I promised. I used random.org to help me find my number and the winner is Kristen Spickard/One lonely Apricot! Congrats Kristen and please email me (hellosparrow at gmail) with your address so I can send out your little giftie, or just leave your email and I will respond back :)

visit from a white owl...

I recently did a lovely trade with the sisters behind White Owl. I love the look of their handmade jewelry, as well as a few other great things combining natural and natural looking elements with great style. Here, a beautiful handmade garland that my photos do no justices too (I am still trying to find just the right place for it). Maybe I will ask them for one of their photos of it so you can see how pretty it is. For now, I have it wrapped around my lamp.

And now me with my big smile because of my lovely feather earrings!




Now the sisters happened to include a second pair of earrings. I was thinking of making a little giveaway and I would include some things from me. So, if you would like to participate, leave a comment here. To double your chances, tweet about this post onto your twitter and leave another comment saying that you have done so (with your twitter name too!) I will randomly select a winner on Thursday, June 25th! :)