Christmas for Kids in Hospital Project

Many years ago I was in the hospital 2 Christmases in a row. When I was 10 & 11. I recall the wonderful presents and decorations people brought to my room to give me some Christmas cheer. It meant a lot, and still does. There was the mini tree, the handmade stocking, the teddy bears, handmade cards, etc.

With Christmas almost upon us and a loved one in the hospital now, I have remembered those times and wish to brighten up the rooms of children here who will be in the hospital on Christmas. We have several hospitals here, including Driscoll Children's Hospital. My hope is to make and receive donated handmade Christmas decorations, ornaments, etc. to take to the hospital (or hospitals, if I can) so that the children will have a pretty room and some of that Christmas cheer we all enjoy so much at home.

If you can help in any way, please contact me at brandyinthesky@me.com. I am looking for fairytale, storybook style decorations, but any donation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God Bless!

Figgy Pudding

With the Holidays upon us food is on the brain...ok it always is, but now more than ever! ;-)
Thoughts meandered to "figgy pudding" (a.k.a. Christmas pudding or plum pudding), so I did a search and read a little about it on the net. What I found most delightful were the pictures! I think I will have to do some figgy pudding artwork.

And while I'm at it, I think I will start something new here at the blog. How about a contest?!
You artists and crafts persons out there, join us in making a figgy pudding for the Christmas season. Make a real one, preferably with an authentic recipe, or paint a picture of one, etc. Whatever your little heart desires.

Rules: the figgy pudding must be your creation,whether culinary, collage art, altered art, photography, drawings and paintings, ceramics and clay arts, ATCs or ACEOs, fabric and fiber arts, etc. Enter the contest by leaving a comment with your name (first name is fine) and your type of entry. This gets you into the contest, but a picture or link to your creation must be provided before the deadline for judging.

I am working on a panel of judges, so stay tuned!
I know it's a busy time of year, but if you are like me, the creative juices do not stop, so let's get busy and make that figgy pudding! Deadline to enter the contest is December 20, 2009. Judging will take place between Dec. 20th and Christmas, with winners being announced no later than New Year's day.

First prize is a print from our one of our shops. 2nd & 3rd prizes are digital collage sheet and set of gift tags from our stores, respectively. Use these images in your artwork, or for gift tags, postcards, greeting cards & stationery, etc. Great clip art for scrapbooking too! See our Etsy stores by clicking on the links on the left side of this page.

For more on figgy pudding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figgy_pudding
For inspiration, see Mrs. Beeton's book illustrations and recipes for plum pudding: http://www.fashion-era.com/Christmas/christmas_food_beeton_pudding_recipe.htm#Mrs._Beetons_Food_Plate_of_Puddings_-_1890s

Vintage Roses

In my previous post, I spoke of my Grandmothers, the color pink, and roses. Here is an inspired design of mine...Shabby Roses...that is a collage of many different elements, but most importantly, Victorian roses. I know they would love this print.

Shabby Rose Collage Art by brandyinthesky
See other Shabby Invitations

Pink Roses 1

Happy Birthday Rose tree by golden_oldies
Create design your own notecards with zazzle

Vintage Roses

Hello from Brandy, the other half of Fandango Moon! :-)

Today I will write about pink vintage roses...

I love roses--what girl doesn't!?--and especially pink ones because that is my fave color! I know it's in the genes because my great-grandmother (Granny) loved roses and the color pink and so did my Grandma. Our favorite shade is "cerise," a beautiful hot pink shade! As it happens, the meaning of these flowers is the perfect sentiment for this post: Love, gratitude & appreciation. They also symbolize grace and elegance.

(http://www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/rosemeanings/pinkrose-meanings.aspx)

Anyway, I can't help but think of Grandma and Granny when I see pink roses, especially like the ones on the Victorian postcards. I was close to these wonderful women...I miss them, but this is a way I connect with them, even now. In fact, I read a book once (Capt. Corelli's Mandolin) that talked about such things. The main character's father described how he took the time to stop and enjoy things that his deceased wife enjoyed when she was alive...things he didn't particularly care for, but he was doing it for her because she couldn't anymore. I thought that was sweet. But in my case, I believe that my Grandmothers are experiencing much more wonderful things in Heaven! I just enjoy enjoying the same things they did, ya know? In that small way, I feel like they are with me still. And I dedicate my vintage based designs to them. Granny was one of the best china painters ever. And her roses were exquisite! She collected postcards from the Victorian era to use as inspiration and for design ideas. Mom and I have added to that collection because we love them so much, but we are also now using them for design elements in our own work. Thanks, Granny!!!

So, dear readers, I hope you enjoy the beautiful roses I am posting here for you and my Grandma & Granny!

For the best vintage postcard digital downloads we have found . http://www.frenchkissed.etsy.com/ There are many favorites but I really love this one of a French couple from the 18th century.

This is a card I made using the postcard:

I added my own painting of the bluebird, a nest from an old print, my painted background and my hand made frame, French writing and vintage roses. I also added the pink roses to the harpsicord and some foliage in front of the lady.