Monday, January 3, 2011

Monday Meetings - Mandy Saile

Good morning staff! Welcome back from vacation! Did you have a good time? I sure did! Is it just me or did 2010 fly by? I am looking forward to all the fun we will be having in 2011, "The Year of the Rabbit!"  In fact, I'm going to start off our first Monday Meeting for the new year with a very dear friend who is not only an incredible artist, but is also a mama of 4 bunnies!!

I'm delighted to introduce you to my good friend, Mandy Saile of Bijous Whimsy! Mandy's art is full of color, magic and indeed, whimsy! Just look at what she sent me for Christmas!

A fabulous wool bunny ornament and one of her illustrations made into a card!

This incredible bunny necklace and a print made on the most beautiful textured paper! She also gave me some fantastic little stickers featuring her artwork. I think I will add them to my journal for 2010!

But...then I saw her post on these...The Ghostly Girls!




Let me tell ya, it was love at first sight! Mandy's work is always full of gorgeous color, but as most of you know, my house is "void" of color. So when I saw these, I just had to have them!!! They are perfect for my home and frankly, I'm sooooo bored with all the same old, same old, poorly made, crapola in the big box stores! I've decided in 2011 I will make all my gifts or purchase them from friends and artist's. It's going to be a handmade year around here!

Hop over and visit with Mandy, her bunnies and visit her Etsy shop. I know you will be happy you did!

Have a magical week everyone! Laugh lots, that's an order!
Meeting adjourned.

xx, shell, sugie and harrington

14 comments:

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

AHHHH, Sheet music!!! Very talented lady and I'll be sure to visit her...Thank you for sharing. I LOVE hand made gifts!!! They are the most thoughtful! I'm SO anxious to see "What you are up to with your sheet music"!!!
Hugs to you,
Donna

Allie said...

Wow - Shell, you know the most interesting and talented people!! I LOVE her work!

Carolee Crafts said...

Handmade rules! join the handmade pledge, like you I now only give handmade gifts and cards, so much better and individual. Love your blog this week, thank you for sharing.
Hugs xx

Unknown said...

Great idea about having it be a handmade year! Hugs!

Annette Tait said...

Mandy's work is gorgeous! your gifts are lucky Shell!
and nothing beats handmade :)

you have some fantastic art to place around your home!

Katie :o) said...

Love, love, love the card! 'Course, you know I am a brat and love anything with so much COLOR :o) And I do love Mandy's work! Y'know, 'cause most of the time it is so colorful :o) I love her animal paintings! Happy Year of the Bunny to you!

Jillayne said...

Wow - beautiful art is right! I especially like the card, the colours and the expression on the rabbit's face.
I did about 50% handmade this past Christmas and I'm with you for this year, 100% made by me or other artists. It's a great idea shell!

Kris said...

Shell - I too love Mandy's work!! I have purchased a necklace and a print from her this past year!! She wants to start a santuary for abused and forgotten bunnies!! Thanks for supporting her efforts!! Kris

The Fab Furs said...

What lovely presents! Handmade can certainly bring out individual creativity.

Barb said...

What a talent, thanks for introducing us to her!!

Mandy Saile said...

Oh my oh my. Shell I am sending you the biggest of hugs and thanks right now. Here I was, just hopping into your blog to see what my lovely friend has been up to and was completely suprised to see a post all just on me, wow...I am smiling so big right now, thank you so so much. I am so glad you love your little gifties:D and I am honoured to have some of my illustrations in your beautiful home:D

Thanks also to all the lovelies who also left comments. (I do want to open a rabbit sanctuary someday with my studio smack dab in the middle...that dream feels very far away at the moment but I'll get there:D Thanks for that mention Kris:D)

XO M & The Buns (Ella Luna, Roo, Jinny & Jaks).

RG said...

Yup - there's a great place and a hard workin' one too. (Golly all you artist types work so hard at it.)

Got Dang Seattle Seahawks had to FINALLY win a game and back into the playoffs so we all here have at least one more week of tattered hopes.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Shell:
Such beautiful gifts, my friend. Oh, oh!!! I'm in LOVE with your new header, too! Hope you have a great week.
Love,
Donna, Kes and Fezzie

Sparklyjools said...

Wow, you know so many talented people. I love those illustrations. Will be sure to check out Mandy's work.x

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