Welcome to 2012 and so far this year we have had nothing but rain here in the west of England!
The garden has moss and wild mushrooms growing on the lawn. It has been very mild weather for January and I saw the first few snowdrops growing in the nearby woods, so I'm asking myself, is it winter or spring?
I found this lovely image of a Horned Owl, also known as Bubo. I have been obsessed with drawing these beautiful creatures in my sketchbook.
Valentines Jewellery and paintings...
Talking about inspiration, I was going to do less jewellery making this year and more illustration work, but it is Valentines Day next month and lovebirds with glass beads have inspired me to create a new jewellery collection, with a fairy gypsy theme! The red necklace and earrings are made from Bohemian glass and Garnet stones. They will soon be listed in etsy, along with a matching brooch.
The results of the giveaway draw!
Thank you to everyone who entered the draw and for leaving kind comments here and on facebook. It has been a great result. I will be sure to have a another giveaway later this year as this one was really successful.
Have a great week blog friends and thanks again for stopping by. I hope your New Year has been good so far! xx
Yay! I love seeing a new post here Joanne!
ReplyDeleteThe drawing is wonderful and magical!
... and that owl! I am sure the snow is on it's way but I love the tones of the moss and fungus and Zigsa is a sight to behold! Those eyes!!!
Happiest of New Years to you!!
Oh my gosh! I'm so excited! I forgot all this.... what a pleasure to receive a piece of your beautiful work! I'll email you details.
ReplyDeletexoxo
dulcy
We have been having the same weather in Pennsylvania. I wouldn't mind seeing a little white stuff. I have been seeing lots of owls, love them!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winner. Love the pictures and the drawing. The love necklace is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get snow soon. We will be getting some this week. It may finaly look like Winter.
Blessings, V.
Hi Jo - We're having the same, warm and dry weather. One huge blizzard in October, and now springlike weather mixed in with a few nights of frigid. Its a strange roller coaster. Ziggy looks greatly animated in that shot! And I think we've shared our owl/cat musings before.... Pasha definitely has his owly moments... same color as a Great Horned Owl, which looks just like the owls in your photos, maybe just the British version of our Great Horned. Are they enormous?
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed the last post, sometimes I have issues getting new posts for quite a while on your blog, wonder if anyone else has that issue? Often when I click on your blog I see only the previous post. However, it didn't happen today, so that's good! Happy New Year and much inspiration and abundance to you, Valerianna and Pasha
It is such an English thing to complain about the weather, but it is very weird at the moment and it's interesting that some of you who live in the US are having a similar climate.
ReplyDeleteCobalt Violet, I love all the earthy colours too that are around and from an artistic point of view it does provide a lot of inspiration.
Thank you for your thoughts and nice compliments. Have a wonderful year ahead!
Dulcy, Thank you for your email and I'm glad you are thrilled about winning the fairy brooch. I hope you will enjoy wearing it! ;-)
Jennifer, I know how you feel! Winter does not feel right without a bit of snow. Maybe we will get some in March. ;-)
I have not seen many owls, but I do hear them at night outside my window, hooting and screeching in the trees!
Vivienne Moss, Thanks for your kind words and by the way, you have a great name! ;-)
Good to hear that somebody is having a bit of snow this year. Enjoy making snow angels!
Valerianna, Lovely to see you back again!
I don't know if anyone else has had problems with seeing my posts, nobody else has said anything. ;-( Thanks for letting me know!
I think the owls are quite big and there are quite a few different varieties of them around with long ears and yes, Pasha and Zigsa are definitely owly kindred spirits. ;-)
Seeing from the lovely collage and your description, it’s like early spring or late autumn. Our weather has been cold and sunny. Now the biggest cold wave this season is hitting Japan, however, unfortunately no snow in my place. The shivering cold without snow is unfair! Your illustrations have mysterious, magical, and wondrous atmosphere, full of fantasy... I love them. The necklace looks exotic with the passionate red of bohemian glass and garnet. Wish you, Jo, a year of good health, creativeness (as always), and prosperity!
ReplyDeleteYoko
Bright wishes, dear Jo. 'Tis indeed a time of strange seasons. Lovely to read your latest post and see your magical work. Wishing you all that you wish for in 2012. xx
ReplyDeleteI had not thought about the connection between owl and cat. “An owl cat” is a wonderful expression and it will be your original and special character. Both are beautiful and mysterious creatures.
ReplyDeleteNara City where I live has snow scarcely, and so I long for snowfall. If I see snowy scenery when I get up in the morning, I will jump out of home grabbing my camera! But northern Japan or the areas facing Japan Sea are struggling against the heavy snowfall.
I am interested in that you mentioned about moss. I love moss which is one of characteristics in Japanese garden. I once wrote about moss in my blog, it has myriad of phases.
Thanks a lot for your inspirational blog, stunning photos and introducing your works of art.!
keiko
Beautiful post as always Jo. I am so captivated by your pussycat and so is my Daughter. If you have time check out our boy in my latest post.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Blessings
Julie x
Always a pleasure to come and read your posts:)The photos a amazing and your cat is fantastic:)Beautiful illustration,love the bird colors:)
ReplyDeleteWow..gorgeous post Joanne..and such beautiful art..the faery warrior is divine! Such gorgeous creations! Congrats to the lucky winner!
ReplyDeletebeautiful jewelery too! Magical! Beautiful photos..thanks for this wonderful visual journey today!
HUgs
Victoria
Lucky Dulcy! The new jewellery you've made is so beautiful and so is your cat!
ReplyDeleteJess xx
It's pretty springlike here, I have snowdrops, pulmonaria and odd primula flowers in the garden and this afternoon I found the first blue Algerian iris flwer. Tonight is a bit more wintry though - 27F at present and definitely a blanket evening:)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say how beautiful Zigsa is!
ReplyDeleteI think the frost last night has killed my little tree in the garden. I have just put a plant cover over it and the pot. It might survive the winter.
ReplyDeleteI'm still hoping it will snow, Ziggy would like to play in the snowflakes.
It's lovely to catch up with you all and read your thoughtful words.
I'm off now to my studio to sketch some owl cats!
xxxxx
Always such a fun time to see what you are up to and all the magical creations that come from your hands and imagination!
ReplyDeleteI tell ya, Zigsa is such a handsome boy. Truly one of the most beautiful cats ever!
Looking forward to spending this year together in blogland and having a fun adventure. A dragon year! ;)
Hugs!
such a lovely post, overflowing with beauty, spring indeed. last night we finally had snow, so it is most certainly looking like winter here! funny how when the weather is not what is usually is for a season it can seem a bit confusing.
ReplyDeleteYour art looks beautiful as does your jewelry. sending a warm wintry smile.
We're having the first snowfall of this winter today so I know how you feel. Still, those are winsome images of wood and owl. The garnet and bohemian jewelry is also brilliant! And I'm wondering, what breed is your cat? He's just enormous! All the best.
ReplyDeleteAh, hugs to you Shell, Tammie and Della.
ReplyDeleteZiggy must know he is handsome because he's told often enough by us! ;-)
He is a big Bengal cat, about the size of a small to medium dog and he seems to be still growing!
Winter blessings and all the best this Dragon Year.
xxx
~this morning i will blow a wee bit of snow to head off your way...as much as i adore enchanting walks filled with moss and fungus and green filled paths...a bit of white beholds a certain magical feeling...the snow is ever so softly falling...so tucked in we are and i am savoring your pieces of spring filled wonder in this post you have shared...always a wondrous adventure when one stumbles over...each piece you have created is beautiful my friend...congrats to your winner...a piece i am sure she will simply adore...much love light and blessings shining brightly upon you and yours~
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne,, Thanks for stopping by:) I love your beautiful cat. He is amazing.. I will definitely keep you posted on how the harnesses are coming along. The owl is a beautiful bird. Your new jewelry pieces are so pretty! Have a pretty week and happy creating!
ReplyDeleteGail
Hi JoAnne! I love this post with your mix of illustrations and jewelry. Oh, and your pictures of your handsome cat! He's so striking. A Bengal eh? I have two lovely kitties... a black and white tabby, Gilligan and a blue girl named Una. Both sweethearts and very good friends. I look forward to visiting your Etsy shop soon. Thank you for visiting my blog this week and saying hello. It's really nice to make more of a connection! Be well...
ReplyDeleteKim
Here too we have spring weather, but today has dawned cold and rain, finally!.
ReplyDeleteWhat precious are your jewelry and your drawings, always so elegant and delicate. and the photos of your garden, with an owl as impressive, it seems that is thinking about important things, hehe.
All your blog post has been a delight, as always!. Thanks for giving us so much beauty.
A big hug
Hello dear friend, thanks for your words, you're absolutely right there is always motivation for an illustration, was very rich but little taste, I saw so many birds but could not find any owl, a kiss and beautiful week.
ReplyDeleteDear Jo, it has been wet hasn’t it! we have lots of moss too & the grass actually squelches when we walk over it! My snowdrops have been out for ages, they think its Spring for sure. I long for snow to, with all its magic!
ReplyDeleteI love that you think of Zigsa as an owl cat, how sweet. We think that Poppy is just like a wee lamb ;-)
I adore your fairy gypsy creations and can’t wait to see your new pieces in Etsy.
I don’t know how I ever managed to miss so many of your posts! I must have been deep in hibernation over the winter. Lovely to catch up on them all. X x Keep cosy treasure x
I like the owl and moss collection photos! Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHello, joanne May.
ReplyDeleteEven more severe in winter, but.
Your work is embraced in your gentleness.
Thank you for the warmth of your heart.
The prayer for all peace.
Have a good weekend. From Japan ruma ❃
This was precisely the site I have been searching for. You have an amazing blog. Incredibly artwork and so inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYour posts are very informative. The links that you feature are very useful too!
Thanks a lot. :)
This was precisely the site I have been searching for. You have an amazing blog. Incredibly artwork and so inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYour posts are very informative. The links that you feature are very useful too!
Thanks a lot. :)
Hi Joanne,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the lucky winner!
Dulcy will be thrilled.
I enjoyed seeing your beautiful photographs, the Horned Owl is so gorgeous and also love the sweet photo of Zigsa.
Your painting is fabulous too.
Have a happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
Your Valentine inspired necklace is beautiful. Hope you get the snow you are wishing for, but I love your green inspirations too!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography
Hello dear Jo,
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on my favourite blogs after my enforced illness hibernation! I hope your New Year is blossoming. Gorgeous, beautiful and inspiring post - as always, and I love the new blog title, just perfect! I shall be popping over to Etsy to view all your latest creations. Hope the stitching is progressing well- you will have to let me know what you are doing.
Much love and hugs to you.xxx