Crane tattoo

The Crane Wife by theumbrella

Blue Cranes by Barbara Carter

These are two of the images that are really inspiring me in terms of my possible future tattoo. When my joint problems were at their worst and I was kind of freaking out, I thought that when I figured out what was going on and had it under control (I hoped) then I wanted to get a tattoo on the inside of my wrist of a flying crane. For me it would symbolize being free, living life, not letting things tie me down, restrict me, stop me from living the life I dream of...  that sort of thing :) It's freedom.
I am completely in love with the top illustration, I love the style. Unfortunately if it were to be a flying crane in that style I doubt it would fit on my wrist like I imagined. The bottom photo I love for the lines, the exquisite tail feathers and regal neck. Unfortunately I've realized that since the drugs I'm on kill my immune system and one of the drug sheets tells me specifically to avoid doing things where I might get cuts etc. (since I may not heal well) I guess this will have to wait, if I do decide to get it. Same goes for the ear piercing I've been wanting. Sigh.
Check out my Pinterest board for more crane and heron photos.

*images belong to the respective artists

Art Lovin

Have you entered the giveaway yet? You have a week left to do so! I'd love to hear what makes you smile, especially since I am having a hard time right now. I haven't really been able to make jewelry for 1-2 months now because of my joint problems and I feel like I am ready to lose it!
Anyhow, I had to share my newest favourite piece by Caitlin Shearer. It's so beautiful! This image isn't the actual artwork, it's a collage she made for the first image spot on Etsy. I almost like it better then the full image though! Check it out here.



artwork belongs to Caitlin Shearer

Little Art Giveaway!

I fell in love with Caitlin Shearer's art a few years ago when I stumbled across her old Etsy shop, pepperminte. My two favourites of her work live in a double frame in my office. They're sexy. The most similar thing in her shop right now is this piece called "Boudoir," although I prefer mine: they're kind of sly, I think. Anyhow, I have more art (and want more art) than my walls could ever hold, so I am giving the two prints above away! They are 4" x 6". Sorry my scanner messed up the first image, it is not actually crooked. To enter just leave a comment on this post sharing something that makes you smile or laugh and please be sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! The winner will be picked at random on Tuesday, August 30th.
Good luck!

Haunting Olivia

I've been joining in on the book club this summer with Sarah, Beca and Carla. This month was Beca's pick, and she went with "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" by Karen Russel. There's a story in it called "Haunting Olivia," where a couple of boys go looking for their sister's ghost underwater with a set of magical goggles. Through the goggles they can see ghosts, which glow. Shortly after reading the story I came upon this piece of art on Etsy and couldn't believe it - it totally looked like it belonged with the story! I love it, I think it's beautiful.


This piece is from the holli shop on Etsy.

the image belongs to holli

Tiny Confessions

I have a new favourite Etsy shop! Someone in my Etsy circle added an item from this shop to their favourites and I love EVERYTHING there!



How is this not awesome? The shop is called "Tiny Confessions" and that is what it is full of. You should definitely check it out.

I am away in Osoyoos right now but should be back Monday or Tuesday evening. But as you can see, I've scheduled posts, so you might not even notice I'm gone!
xo.

images property of tiny confessions

It will make their day

Found in Heidi Burton's Etsy shop.

Fables

I was getting lost in an image search for Fables while looking for something for my birthday post and thought I'd do a mini post to share a few with you. Not only does Fables have a great story which draws you in and won't let you go, but it also has some AMAZING art. I take a super long time to get through the books because when I come across images by James Jean (usually, sometimes it's something by someone else) I just stop and stare and get lost for a bit.


Isn't it beautiful? I wish there were posters of Fables art, I would cover my walls. This last one is the cover I saw in the SFU bookstore which immediatly drew me in. I didn't know anything but that the cover was gorgeous, there was a kiss and wolves and I had to have it! It just makes me swoon.


After reading this one I went back and started at the beginning. Now I have volume 14, Witches, just waiting for me to dive in and lose myself for awhile! I highly recommend this series if you like fairy tales, romance, war, art or good things.

[Fables and Fables art etc belongs to DC Comics, creator Bill Willingham, artist James Jean and any other artists or creators/owners, not myself, obvy!]

The Goods!

(from No Strings Attached)

Although I was feeling pretty terrible on my birthday (a couple weeks ago - I was sick on top of some other set-backs) I had a pretty great day and was very spoiled! I spent the day on the couch watching movies with my honey and our pups. We watched Enchanted, which never gets old. I never liked James Marsden until this movie, in which he is HILARIOUS! Now he's cute and entertaining :) We also watched Gnomeo & Juliet, which was cute, and No Strings Attached, which was GREAT! I have a huge crush on Natalie Portman, I'll tell you right now. But regardless, the movie was smart, true to life and made me laugh really hard. I strongly suggest you watch it. The carrots in the picture above must have you intrigued! It's a great moment. Anyhow...

Then I opened presents (and ate pie!). A lot of my presents were from Etsy - go figure :)

My mom got me this purse which I'd been pining after for months!


From infusion : it is beautiful and incredibly well made with great detailing inside, like the clip for my keys (which unfortunately I think my keychain is too big and heavy for - oh well).

Ben got me this completely amazing one-of-a-kind labradorite ring from my wishlist:


From Clementine (love the name!) : I can't believe this stone, I've never seen such a gorgeous labradorite before! It's a beautiful ring made with clean lines and like the listing said, looks like an ethereal forest with those lines in the stone.

And this print I've been wanting by Paule Trudel Bellemare (you may remember that I posted an adorable print of a girl holding a pug by her awhile back).


from her shop : I love it! It's so very pretty and I can't wait to get it framed and on my wall.

I also got the two new latest books from my favourite graphic novel series, Fables.


I am totally obsessed, they are sooo good. Not only because I'm a fairy tales addict, but that helps :) And my best friend Carolyn, who is the sweetest, just gave me a $100 gift certificate to the spa when I saw her today!! She figures we've known each-other for ten years now so she had to get me something special for our "10 year anniversary." She's the best! I am lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people.

Pug Love

I am very pug-obsessed these days and spend an inordinate amount of time online looking at pug photos, pugs for adoption on Petfinder, etc...
Anyhow, I came across this beautiful print the other night on Etsy and fell in love!! I want it hanging on my wall.



Artwork by the very talented Paule Trudel-Bellemare of Montréal, Canada! Check out her work at pauletrudelbellemare.etsy.com.