Day 13 - Photography

I had plans to do a lot more on Day 13, but I woke up with a pulled muscle on my shoulder.  So I just went right out to the front yard with my camera to see what I could capture.  It's always amazing to me how much I can find right out there even when I think I know every inch of the yard by heart. 

 

This wee little butterfly was so tiny that I almost didn't see it.  It was less than half an inch in length and it finally settled down for a moment so I could get a shot... 

Soon after, it fluttered away, showing me it's beautifully colored wings... 

Day 12 - Faerie Altar

On Fridays, I host "Crafternoons" where people can come over to work on their arts and crafts in the company of friends.  My sister and another friend came over (Kismet's Web) on Day 12.  I flipped through my 365: A Daily Creativity Journal for inspiration and misread the word "alter" as "altar".  I quickly realized my mistake, but that was all the inspiration I needed.  I set out to make a wee faerie altar out of wood and stone. 

The most time consuming part was the wood burning of each tiny swirl on the wooden disks.  Each measure only 1/4 inches in diameter!  

The funny part was that I picked out all sorts of goodies to add to it and ended up only using a few of them.  Rather than force them to fit, I listened to my intuition and added only those things which truly belonged there.  This is what I ended up with.  

I love it!

Day 11 - Photography

I went with family and friends to visit the old town of Occoquan, VA on Day 11, and I took my camera with me.  I found a wee little yellow rose at the restaurant where we had lunch...

 

 It was only 2 inches around!

Along the shops, I found another wee flower still in its bud form...

This one was about 2 inches around, too!

Later, I found some spectacular snap dragons...

And finally, on our way back to the car, we stopped at some lovely Echinacea flowers that the bumble bees just loved... 

Day 10 - Illuminated Calligraphy

I finally finished it!  Yesterday's project consisted of adding flowers as the final step.  My original plan was to paint them on,  but I am not that kind of artist, so as I practiced (and my flowers continued to look like a child's attempt), I realized that idea wasn't going to work.  So while I was out running errands, I picked up that adorable grass as well as some lovely flowers.  I couldn't find the color I wanted, so I bought white flowers and spent most of Day 10 painstakingly adding coat after coat of purple paint to the tiny little things. This is what they looked like as I began the first coat of paint. 

I love how they turned out!

This is the final piece... Not what I had originally envisioned, but marvelous nonetheless.  That's what happens when you work with faerie.  They have a way of getting you to let go and follow your spirit.  

 

Love!

Day 9 - Illuminated Calligraphy

I missed a day because of a bad migraine, but I was right back at it the following day.  Despite my busy day, I managed to squeeze in a bit of time to add grass to the bottom of my piece.  Something I hadn't planned on doing until I found these adorable pieces at the craft store.  

 I love how it's turning out!

Day 8 - Illuminated Calligraphy

On Day 8, I finished the calligraphy and touched up the paint on the illuminated letter. 

Day 7 - Illuminated Calligraphy

On Saturday, I finished the green lines and began the illuminated lettering.

This was very fine detail work!  The whole painted letter measures about 2 1/2 inches!