Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third :o)

Can you believe it's the end of the month already?!

As promised here's the little oddball which was hidden behind the EHAG poster ;o)

The challenge was to create something from the word 'SCREAMPUNK'...kind of Steampunk meets Spooky...so as usual mine decided to do its own thing and become an Elf!
If I'm honest, I think he's rather odd looking (and from me that's saying something!)...but when my clay and oddments start to go in a direction on their own, I let them...it makes creating something a happy experience and not a chore :o)
This is little Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third, from the back...(I could just bite his bottom). He measures a whopping 3 inches high!!!

Here's a little I wrote about him for Etsy...Kestrel, The Steampunk Inventor Elf

 *This teeny little elf was created for the EHAG member's challenge entitled 'SCREAMPUNK' 

He's my humble offering and as you can see, he is a little oddball ;o)
His full name is Kestrel Sparkplug Sprocket the third, (I know that his name is bigger than he is, but he has been steadily growing into it)
I believe that he was born with only one arm but being born into a family of inventors, his grandfather made him a little replacement from stuff the big Human Beans leave lying around.
He has never known anything else, so does not feel in the least bit disabled...and being an Inventor Elf himself, he has updated his arm over the years as more useful items have been found, he even made his own little hat (you would never believe the amount of good stuff folks throw away!). *

I have no idea why he ended up like this but there you go...

If you would like to see what all of the other EHAG members came up with for the challenge, pop over to the Emporium and take a peek :o)

And now, as it is almost April...I think it's time for someone to play the fool ;o)...put your hands up if you're with me! :o)

Spring is in the air...

Spring time...although looking outside up here in dreary Snowdonia, you would think it was Autumn!
Ah well...that's Mother nature for you!
I've been playing around with something for the EHAG Screampunk challenge...but it's still a secret, (so don't tell anyone, okay?)
This is a little sneak peek...

Can you tell what it is? :o)
It looks kind of cute from this angle but it isn't from the front!
I've not been doing much in the form of 'Arty' stuff for a while as we have to clear the HUGE brambles and bracken out of the fields, which is an horrendous task which creeps up on us, much like the brambles ;o)
It was nice to have an excuse to not stick my wellingtons on and be able to sit at my table trying to remember where I'd put the one tool I really needed and which I couldn't find amongst all of my mess!

So...how are you all then...enjoying the Springy-ness everywhere?
All of the little yellow daffodils are smiling outside, which makes your heart feel all bouncy and renewed...just what we need after a long winter.
I might actually pull my wellies on and tramp through the mud to take a big sniff of Spring...after I've had another cup of (nettle) tea though...it's still a bit chilly after all ;o)

EHAG sneak peek

Hi folksies
Just remembered that I forgot (?) to pop a sneaky little peek at my EHAG thingy for the Emporium this month!
Oopsie!
Never mind though...it isn't quite the end of the month ;o)
So here's my offering...can you tell what it is yet?
He he he he he

A Familiar Spell

Hi everyone :o)
I'm peeping my head around the 'sick room' door for a bit as I wanted to show my piece for the EHAG challenge 'Familiar Friends'

I have always had a soft spot for toads, all kinds, I love their warty backs and the way they walk... And we are very lucky here that they find their way into our greenhouse and bury themselves in the plants, as they are incredibly useful creatures for the garden.

Not to mention their magical connections...although I do think they have been given a bad press because of all the licking that went on in the Dark Ages (toads have a secretion on their skins for protection, which someone found could make a person have hallucinations if they licked it...just how anyone ever found that out in the first place, I have no idea...but it was a while back...!)

So anyway...back to the challenge...I'm waffling again (I blame the bug ;o))...
Most folks think of Cats when they hear of a Familiar but my first thought is always Toad...so here he is...his name is Touchwood...and I have to say I'm glad that I finished him well before we caught this lurgy as I would have been sorry to have missed him...

So...now it's your turn for a challenge...
What do think of when you think Familiar Friend?

And on that note I will vanish in a puff of smoke *******

Introducing...Ms Cassandra and Miss Rowan

Ms Cassandra and Miss Rowan (Take a walk in the Dark Woods)

Don’t be scared sweetheart,
You know it isn’t real,
It’s just the shadows in the wood
Which gives the creepy feel.

Don’t be shy my baby,
Don’t hide your little face,
It’s just the whistle of the wind
Which haunts this lovely place.

Don’t you fret my darling,
Your mummy has you tight,
I’ll chase away the spooky things
Upon this moonlit night.

Don’t you worry honey,
Don’t listen to their plea,
I’ll keep you safe from all things scary;
Bug-eyed Monsters, spiders hairy,
Ghosts and Ghouls and Goblin Faery
Do not frighten me!

This creation came about after thinking how much our children rely on 'Mummy' to be a big, strong, safe image.
I love the way which very young children see their parents...as though they are invincible, that they are never afraid of anything…that they will always be able to protect them.
Although as they grow older, sadly they realise that this is not always so…

This creation is my offering for the March EHAG Emporium...if you would like to see more of the artists of EHAG do pop over to their site...it's always Halloween there...what more could you want? ;o)

Ms Cassandra stands at 5 1/2 inches to the top of her head and 6 1/2 inches to the top of her pointy hat.
Although it is difficult to see Miss Rowan (she's hiding), I can assure you that she does have a full face and both her eyes are there! (Even though I then hid one on Mummy's shoulder)
I also thought it would be cute to dress Rowan in bright colours as a contrast to the more sombre garments which adults (witches ;o)) prefer.
Although most of my figures can be gently posed, because of the nature of this pose I have fixed the two figures together...they are, therefore, not pose-able and Mummy can keep hold of Rowan forever...that's love for you...
These figures are completely One-of-a-kind and no moulds have been used or taken from them (so you will have the only ones ;o))

Sorry folks if this sounds like a sales pitch...I'm not after your money...I'm just trying to promote my EHAG friends :o)

And look at me...two posts in two days!
I must be feeling ill ;o)
He he he he he

What a rotten Tease!

Hello there everyone...can you believe it...it has been sunny for two whole days!!!
Won't last...

This little picture is a sneak peek of my offering for the March EHAG Emporium
I haven't made anything for a while...been drawing mostly and concentrating on my Faery Book
(You know...the one I've been working on forever ;o))
So I thought that it was about time I did some 'proper' work ;o)
And, surprisingly for 'proper' work...it was great fun...if a little awkward!

I'm not saying any more about it for now...
It is only a tease after all...

So...how are you all?
Is it sunny for you?
Anyone been up to mischief?
Do tell...

Old Jack...The Caretaker

Well my pretties...are you all enjoying the lovely Spring weather...yes?
Well why on earth are you sitting in front of your 'puters...reading this rubbish?
Go on...go outside and breathe in the lovely fresh air...instead of this stale stuff hanging around your rooms in which you keep these beasts that sap our lives...;o)

Before you do though...as I haven't been blogging for a while...I thought I'd show you Old Jack...he's not my usual scale but he was fun to do.

I've been painting loads too...when I photo them...I promise to show you...as you actually take the trouble to come and read this...(when you should be outside getting some fresh air!)...I must remember to put something pretty up for you when you visit...a bit like putting a doily out on your cake plate I know...but hey...call me old fashioned!
(I don't really use doilies...cake doesn't last that long around here!)

Well then my lovelies...time to venture outside...into the light...and leave this gloomy...sap-sucking machine...have a lovely day...

Well...go on...off you go...see you when it starts raining...again!

Happy Halloween!