Peace on earth

I was saving this for nearer the Big Day but since I set the challenge at Inspiration Avenue this week as Peace - and haven't had a moment to myself to create an entry since - I thought I would share with you now.

The ornament I drew this from is sitting pride of place on my mantlepiece. A recent purchase, but I think it will become a firm family favourite - a bit like a cushion which my son pulled out of the decorations box last weekend announcing with delight "It wouldn't be Christmas without the Christmas pillow!" So cute!

Every year I delight in pulling old and forgotten friends from the box of sparkly bits and treasures. I usually find cards I bought in the sales last year - after I've just forked out for a new batch - and there's always a crumpled cracker or two that look like they've been sat on by Santa. This year's best find was the beautiful angel I bought last winter. She's next on the list to draw!

Coloured pencil sketch with the background added in Photoshop.

Peace and Goodwill wishes to you all this season my friends.

Flower maidens

 We've awoken to Christmas card scenes the last few mornings - just as the snow had melted, it has been replaced by the most incredible frosts. Silken spider threads have become ropes of ice and tiny, delicate whiskers of white grow out of every twig and leaf. It really is nature at her most creative and makes the frozen fingers and car scraping worthwhile just to see it!

I played with these frosty fushias giving them back some warmth with a few maidens. The ladies are from a collage sheet I bought on Etsy. A bit of a floral dance for my friends The Three Muses.

Wouldn't you love to watch a freeze-framed film (pun intended!) of how these ice whiskers form?

Monster Munchie

As a parent, don't you just dread the letter that comes home from school that details the outfit you are required to make for the school play - with just a week's notice too? Last year it was a donkey. I was stacked with work and in a panic... Until Tesco came to my rescue. There I was wheeling the trolley around stocking up on my veggies when there, hanging on a rack, with a very cheap price tag, was a donkey. I've never grabbed anything from that store so quick!!

Not that I mind making these things when I've got the time. I made a fantastic crocodile once for my friend who was going to a fancy dress as Crocodile Dundee (I went as Uncle Albert from Only Fools & Horses - a classy costume, I can tell you, even if the beard was a bit itchy).

Anyway, here's a little fancy dress whimsey for Illustration Friday's Prehistoric encounter and my Watercolour class homework - you know how I love to multi task.

My son has some slippers just like these; I'm surprised he can walk in them!

Highland fling

Before I begin this post I thought you might want to just gaze on this Highland scene for a while and take in all of its majesty. It really is quite something I'm sure you'll agree...

I'm standing at the gates of Torosay Castle on Mull. The battlements are blanketed in snow but the sweet scent of woodsmoke curls from the chimney pots promising a roaring log fire to warm the cockles indoors.

It is Mr Toast's annual Christmas tea and I have arrived. On one arm I carry a basket filled with Scottish delectable delights, the other arm is entwined in Hamish's brawny muscle. I found the epitome of Highland hunk lurking on the edge of the Castle grounds with a slightly bemused expression. He claims that when he took to his bed last night it was definitely the 15th Century and he had just returned victorious from leading a bloody battle with the Clan McDonald. Victory lasts a long time in these parts. I haven't seen any golden arches in many a mile I can tell you...

Well, it looks as if fate has provided me with the perfect date for a Scottish tea. He is a touch scruffy looking and slightly rough around the edges but frankly I wouldn't have a Highland hero any other way (unless he was Jamie Fraser* himself, but he's taken!)... I'll just make sure he wipes his feet before we go indoors. As if on cue, Hamish's flat stomach growls and I invite him to join me, Mr Toast and a host of international bloggers for tea - I'm there will be more than enough to go around. He gazes at my beseeching look and gives in "Aye lassie," he smiles and offers me his arm... That's the thing with fantasy heroes - you can get them to do anything you want (including bathe - phew, this one certainly needs it), what fun!

(Jamie Fraser is the hero of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander aka Cross Stitch series. A man if ever there was one!)

We crunch our way up the snowy path and in through the heavy oak doors. The party is in full swing - I spot my blog friends and dash over to compare outfits....

What do you think of mine by the way? The perfect dress for such an occasion - and Hamish seems to like it... I'm not sure how my hair turned blonde so suddenly. Surely it was a deep cherry red this morning? Mind you, I've also got a 500 year old date so who am I wonder about hair shades?


Hours later...

Well darlings there's so much been happening I don't know where to begin. Highland hospitality is definitely everything it is cracked up to be, make no mistake. Hamish caused quite a stir and has been regaling us with his wild adventures from a seat by the fire. Quite a storyteller, I can tell you. He's the Clan Chief from Castle Duart which rises from the mist and snow across the Loch from us. Apparently my painting opened a time portal. It closes again at Midnight and he needs to go back and sharpen his claymore so we'd best make the most of him while he's here...

All the stories from the Christmas Tea can be read and enjoyed on Mr Toast's blog - don't miss the excitement...

Handsome men in kilts

I bet that title got your attention didn't it?

Afternoon tea in a Scottish castle? What more could a lassie ask for? Well... A handsome Scotsman resplendent in kilt; a triumphant march of the pipes; snow; a ceildh; a spot of sword dancing... Quite a lot when one's a greedy gal that's for sure.

An invitation to Mr Toasts 2nd Annual Tea Party came late (an oversight I'm sure), so it was was bit of a mad rush to get so far North in such a short timeframe. I'm not talking about the miles, why that's but a 7 hour drive or so. No, remember, I am a female heading to the seat of a handsome Laird. I had to pack... purchase... pack again. Tiresomely time-consuming I have to say, especially when one expects a bit of time travel. I mean we are stepping across the threshold of history after all. I've read all those romantic novels where our heroines find themselves the objects of lust of strapping men with flaming red hair and big swords... I feel it's only right that I prepare myself for every eventuality so whether I find myself at a table of Jacobites or some warring clans, I'm ready...

I might pack my paints too, especially the titanium white... there's an awful lot of snow covering the landscape where I'm heading. See you there tomorrow and save me some clootie dumpling.

Oops did I ask for something?

Watching The Apprentice yesterday when the contestants were required to use their best buying skills was a wonderful demonstration of the differences between the sexes. Now don't go shouting at me because, of course, not every woman can be tarred with the same brush; but let's face it how many of us ladies are any good at ruthless negotiating? How many times have you attempted this task by starting with an apology?

It was a simple case of girls v boys last night. Buy the 10 things on the list for the cheapest price possible. Boys ran out of the door with little planning or forethought but began their negotiations at 70% below asking price and didn't back down. Girls meticulously located items, tried to knock down the vendors by about 20%, gave in really quickly and actually said "sorry for asking".

Boys got 7/10 items, girls 10/10. Boys won the task despite incurring hefty fines for the failed purchases. Girls lost because frankly, they were far too nice!

Yep, that's me alright. However, future employers, vendors and anyone else I might have to lock horns with. Be afraid, be very afraid because I am learning. Oh yes, I am taking heed of those that tell me off for selling myself short. I am learning to value myself higher (my inner niceness is screaming NOOOOOOO, but I am not listening!). Come join me ladies. It's time to look at ourselves in a new light because we are so worth it!

No more will I be selling original artwork for £10 (yes, I seriously did that last week...). No more will I think "I can't do it". No more apologetic tones when stating my consulting day rate.

(I am fighting some serious inner turmoil here - there's a whole pantomime cast and audience having a whale of a time... I can't possibly post this! Oh yes, you can. Oh no I can't.... Eek. What happened to 'She who Dares?'

Oh, whatever, here we go...

By the way. Painting finished from sketch posted earlier in the week. I rather like this. She is going to be a Christmas present for a friend... if I can bear to part with her...

Impossible things before breakfast

Once upon a time there was a weary young girl who had blogged and painted her way through the entire month of November. Yet, despite such daring accomplishments, she still faced many challenges. How would she make it to the weekend in one piece? Would she wake on Saturday and find a paintbrush surgically implanted in her index finger? Would she cry paint? Would she make it to the ball on Friday or would her Fairy Godmother be rquired to make an appearance?

It turned out that someone far more formidable would grace the young lady with her presence. The Queen of Hearts herself who pointed out that it is quite feasible to do more than six impossible things before breakfast - all one needs is a little practice.

So, that dear readers, is what our weary girl did (but more by accident than intent - a true moment of serendipity!).

It turns out that indulging in the whimsical and painting Red Queens from movie adaptations links nicely to Once upon a times from Storybooks. Who would have thought it? One clearly can, and indeed should, believe impossible things!

And after that bit of nonsense, perhaps you're in the mood for a proper story? Seek and ye shall find... Travel to the Healing Woman and read a tale of reincarnation, Egyptian Goddesses and magical charms... an art and story collaboration by me and Cheryl Dolby.