Hoppy Friday!

Hi ya and Hoppy Friday! For those of you who are new to following my blog, (hello and welcome) every Friday is Hoppy Friday. I list several things from the week that made me happy and I was grateful for. I invite you to share here too.

So, this week happiness was...

a really, really cool piece of original folk art!

My mom found this piece in an antique shop in NC. I loooooooooove him! He's made from some sort of paper clay or paper mache'. He's pretty big, around 17" long. I'm going to hang him in Bunnyville. I think he's pretty funny with his worried look on his face. Maybe he got stuck in that carrot because he ate so much of it his belly got fat. hee,hee,hee.

Next, happiness is getting Christmas cards from dear friends. I know many of us now send e-cards, but there are certain people who still send me real cards and it just wouldn't be Christmas without them.

Enclosed in one of the cards was this adorable handmade ornament from my friend, Sharon of Vroomans Quilts. Sweet! Thank you Sharon!

Mommy Syl, (Captain's mom) sent me these adorable dinner napkins! I love fun napkins and will use these for Christmas Eve dinner. I use to use cloth napkins all the time, but lipstick, olive oil, chocolate, spaghetti sauce, you name it was always making a huge mess that I could never get out of the cloth. I do put these in the recycle can when we are done with them.

Mommy Syl also gave me this adorable ornament and

this handmade ornament she found. I think this little lady looks a bit pouty. Perhaps she is worried she won't have any friends on the tree.

I shall put her next to Jingles. Jingles was made for me by my darling friend, Anita of Castles, Crowns and Cottages. Jingles is always smiling so I know he will make fast friends with our new lady.

Finally this week, I am happy because my two snuggly little bunnies love me so much. They always come up to me, put their heads together like this and wait for me to pet them. I usually lay down on the floor and we have a group snuggle. No matter what happens in the day, this will always make me happy and grateful. Pets have a way of doing that don't they?

So, what made you happy this week?

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies  

A little more from the Tree

As promised, here are a few more bunny ornaments from my bunny tree.

This beautiful ornament as well as

this one, were made by my very good friend, artist, and fellow bunny mama, Mandy Saile of Bijous Whimsy.

Gotta love anything made by Patience Brewster.

This one was in honor of mine and David's 20th wedding anniversary last year.

Not a bunny, but I just love this winged shoe. A gift from my best friend, Beth. We exchange ornaments every year. We've been best friends for over 32 years.

Baby Hares, made for me by my talented friend, artist and fellow bunny mama, Annette of Dragon House of Yuen.

This is an artist trading card made by my dear friend, Donna, of Brynwood Needleworks.

She also made this beautiful strawberry. Donna is very talented. She can make so many different things. Each more lovely than the next.

From my friend, Lydia. New addition to the tree this year. Just makes me smile big. :)

Vintage Hallmark. I was so excited to find it. I mean who wouldn't love an elf riding a bunny!

I'll leave you with this one. It's just so sweet in many ways.

I hope you have a wonderful day. Sending smiles to you! :) :) :)

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies

The Bunny Tree - Part One

Every year it truly makes me smile that you ask me to share photos of my bunny tree. My collection of bunny ornaments keeps growing and growing, so I decided to break this post up into a few parts.

Over the years, I have simplified many things and Christmas decorations were some of them. I focus mainly on my tree, letting the ornaments stand alone without lots of garlands, florals etc., as each of them has a special meaning. I do hang our stockings at the mantel and place two little woodland trees on top. I also have a small tree in my bedroom just because I like the cozy feeling of the lights.

This is how my tree looks from my living room. My living room, dining room, foyer and kitchen are all open to each other.

Last year I purchased this bucket for my tree to sit in. I love the rustic look of it.

Of course, my tree topper is a bunny. A bunny elf as a matter of fact. I purchased this handmade fella back in the early 90's. I simply adore him.

David and I started dating in 1989. That very first Christmas we purchased an ornament together and have been collecting them ever since.  We were married in 1991 and last year I found this vintage Hallmark ornament on ebay! How cool is that?

Every year, in addition to the ornament David and I purchase, I also purchase a new bunny ornament. This year it was Jingles. He is handmade by my wonderful friend, artist, and storyteller,  Anita of Castles, Crowns and Cottages. I looooooooove him!

Below are more of my beloved bunny ornaments.

I hope you enjoyed this visit. I'll post more bunny ornament photos next Monday. Until then, we'll see you right back here on Wednesday. I'll have one of my original Folk Art Fusion pieces for sale.

Have a fun day! We love you right up to the moon and back!

xx, Michelle and the Bunnies

The beauty and love in handmade

There's just something so wonderful about things made by hand, especially when those things are made by the hands of people you find incredibly magical, beautiful and oh so fun.

My friend, Anita from Castles, Crowns and Cottages, is one such person. One visit to her blog and you will forever be enchanted with her. She is an incredible paper artist and storyteller. Oh, and she plays the harp too!

Every year I purchase a rabbit ornament for my Christmas tree. This year I found the most wonderful addition. This is Jingles. Anita crafted this handsome fella with her own two hands. The minute I saw him, I knew he must come and live with me.

Jingles arrived in a beautiful handmade traveling box, with a handmade card and some lovely, lavender, handmade soap. The older I get, the more I cherish things that are unique and handcrafted. I find myself being so worn out and utterly bored with anything "made in China." I prefer to connect with a person rather than a factory.

Anita's card read, "This item is made with a lot of love for art, whimsey and Bunnies." I too share those sentiments and I'm so very happy to have this piece of art for my tree. I will cherish Jingles always.

I encourage you to create your own handmade pieces and also purchase handmade things from others. There is so much beauty and love in handmade.

Hugs to you!
Michelle and the Bunnies

Natascha's Inspirations

I must say, I am having the best time purchasing art from artists and friends this year. It's nice to know who actually made the piece and think of them every time I look at it instead of seeing a label that says, "made in China."

Natascha Rieper, is a friend, artist and critter lover. She is yet another person I wish I lived close to. Recently, I purchased a white, plaster, fruit swag from a thrift store for $10.00. The minute I saw it, Natasha's face popped in my head. I knew she could use her magic brush strokes and transform it into something perfect for me.

Well, this is what she did! Hellooooooooooooo fabulous!! Perfect for my Dining Room!!! Isn't it gorgeous?! I'll show you how it looks in the Dining Room tomorrow as I continue my before's and after series.

Now, ding dong me forgot to take a before picture, but I found this one to give you and idea of how booooring it looked before. (yes, it would have matched my all white decor back then, but you know I've moved on and added color. hee,hee,hee).

Then, Natascha created these!  She asked me what I thought of them and I said, "Sold!"

They are handmade paper that she puts in a mold and then carefully paints all the beautiful details. Each one takes over 2 hours to complete! Well, I just had to have them being this is the year of the rabbit! I'm on the lookout for something perfect to display my collection of bunny ornaments. I want to enjoy them all year, not just at Christmas.

Natascha has more of these beautiful ornaments for sale in her Etsy shop. She also does pet portraits and special orders. Check out her Blog for more details and tell her Shell and the bunnies said hi!

I truly am enjoying seeing these kinds of labels this year. :)
Have a fun day and visit me tomorrow for the Dining Room reveal.
xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Lady Sophia Snowflake of the White Forest

Lady Sophia Snowflake lives in the white forest. She is the beloved pet of Old Man Winter. He carries her around in his coat pocket. All you can see of her is her head that she pops out occasionally to take a peek at the visitors from the wood.

Lady Sophia Snowflake is my special ornament for this year. She is made of white velvet. The trim on her neckline is vintage and her eye is a Swavorski glass pearl. I made ten for the show and there are two available in my Shop. This is all there will be for this year.

xx, shell, sugie and harrington