Loving Pairs - Needle Felted Lion and Claire and Ice Queen and Polar Bear

 Some loving pairs have moved into McBride House.

 This is Claire and Leontes.  Secret friends that must hid their peculiar friendship.

 Both are fiercely loyal to one another, but alas, not everybody understands their friendship.

  They have a touching story to tell and you can read more about them here.

 This is Ice and Snow.  Where one goes, the other follows.

 Slender and dainty, Ice makes a wonderful friend for the lumbering and slightly clumsy Snow.

They too have an odd sort of friendship that you can read more about here.

Then there were these two!  What a battle before these two became companions... I won't go so far as to say they are friends though!

I'm still not sure if these two are friends yet, but I think they are working on it!

See these pairs and more at McBride House!

Year of the Dragon (Needle Felted).

"I desired dragons with a profound desire. Of course, I in my timid body did not wish to have them in the neighborhood  . . . .But the world that contained even the imagination of Fáfnir was richer and more beautiful, at whatever the cost of peril."   -- J.R.R. Tolkien

 Did you know this was the year of the Dragon?  Knowing that has inspired me to do a series of Dragons based on the characters of my childhood favourite, King Arthur's Court.

 This is the first of my series, a dragon called Emrys.  Emrys was actually the familiar name of Merlin.  He is made from a wonderful Bluefaced Leicester roving from Argentic Creations that was a Christmas present from my mother-in-law.

 Emrys is a solitary dragon who lives on the edge of the moors where he makes his bed on stoney plans of moss and rocks.

 He is a pensive dragon often found deep in thought but when his focus is on you, you feel his mighty power. 

One might think that he is named after Merlin the magician but I have a feeling Merlin is in fact named after this great ancient beast.  Click HERE to see more about him!

Bad Start to the New Year...

 

My New Year isn't starting out like I want it to.  I'm afraid I'm grumpy again.... as you can see from the above self portrait of me.

 I wish my rear view was as cute as this little Blue Bird of Unhappiness though.

 Yep, there is no doubt about it.... you are standing on my LAST nerve.

Actually I'm just kidding.  I'm not really grumpy, I mean how could you be grumpy while creating these little guys?  They are so much fun to make and until you get those final eyebrows placed just right you don't know just how grumpy each little bird is going to be.  This little guy is extremely grumpy... in fact, I think I'll just put him in the cabinet for the night while I go to bed.  Sweet dreams little guys!

A New Year....

What will the New Year bring?  It's time to reflect and think if there is anything different I want to do this year.  Things I want to change, things I want to stay the same.  Things in my business, things in my personal life.  "The unexamined life is not worth living" quote rings so true this time of year.  Any big plans or changes coming your way?  I know one thing I want to do... felt, felt, felt and felt some more!  Will there ever be enough time to get all my ideas out?

This shepherd is a special order for an Etsy customer who ordered a herd of sheep. 

Every herd of sheep need somebody to look after them, don't they?

Will your new year bring new friends?  How about a re-acquaintance with an old friend? 

Gargoyles are one of my favourite felted creatures to make.  Everyone of them turns out different and with their own personalities.  This little guy is called "Road Trip".

I don't know what the new year will bring at the McBride House but I wish you all a safe and healthy new year!

Boxing Day Sales at McBride House

Didn't get exactly what you wanted for Christmas?  Well how about buying yourself a little treat or start your Christmas shopping early for next year and take advantage of Boxing Day Sales at McBride House. 

Fighting Brothers are on SALE!!!

 And this smiley little snowman is on sale too.

 A touch of Canadian Winter is also on sale.
These are just to name a few!  There are still some Santa's, Christmas animals and even a toy chest on sale!  Get them now before these one-of-a-kind pieces are gone!

White Christmas...

They said is wasn't going to happen, but it did.... we actually had a beautiful White Christmas this year.  To all of my friends, families and customers, regardless of how or what you celebrate this time of year, I wish you all the very best now and in the coming New Year.  Happy Holidays!!

It snowed....

There really is nothing more to say... it snowed this morning.... sigh.... Christmas is now here.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Christmas at My House

I love Christmas decorations.  My house is just filled with little bits of shiny every where you look.  I tend to simply add my decorations in amongst my usual decor and it gives it such a full look. 

Starting in "my room".  My room is my sanctuary where I do my needle felting and simply go to relax.  It is filled from wall to wall with my favourite things.  I keep the Christmas decorating to a minimum in this room but I do have a little tree with some favourite blown glass ornaments.

I usually change these from year to year on a theme basis but this year is was simply a mix of favourites.

Then out of my room and into the main part of the house.  These little guys sit on my antique sewing machine (which was a gift from my parents when I was about 10).  It's one of my favourite treasures and will always be in a prominent spot in my house.  Two of these little dogs remind me of a long passed beagle named Biscuit.

I found this little chair in sofa in Winners years ago and they are one of my all time favs.  Aren't they cute?  I want a house someday where life size versions of these would fit in.

This collection sits quite comfortably on our dining room/kitchen table.  Above it is a simple black chandelier that is draped and dripping in crystals and snowflakes.  You can see our wood stove burning in the background.  Sigh... cozy!

Into the kitchen with a window sill covered in two of my favourite things.... animals and blown glass.

I could have added a dozen pictures!

The other window in the kitchen can't be left without blown glass!

Still in the kitchen.  Our house is open concept so the kitchen is a big part of our house.  This was a purchase at a charming little shop that used to be an old pharmacy.  Full of little shelves and interesting architecture.  In it is my Mom's holly.

Sitting on the island is a childhood favourite.  We used to have hot cocoa in these mugs after a day of skating on our pond.  These bring back soooo many happy childhood memories.  In the background you can just see a bit of the chandelier I mentioned previously.

Full circle heading back into my room (the door to my room is beside the pink china and behind the tree are the stairs to the studio and bedroom).  My Christmas tree!  Christmas is not Christmas without a tree... a real tree.  Cut and drug home by DH and put up that same night.

And that is just a small sampling of Christmas at my house!  Merry Christmas to all of my internet friends and customers!  I wish you all the very best over the holidays and the coming New Year!

Pink Christmas

Anybody who knows me knows I love pink.  It's not just a matter of liking it, it makes me happy!

It kind of makes my heart sing...

Like this little guy.  My heart was surly singing a happy tune while creating him!  All those pinks, mauves and purples offset by grey?  Be still my heart.  Click HERE to see this guy on McBrideHouse.

Now while the Santa and Reindeer are a favourite, there are certain shades of pink that make me sing different tunes.  This soft pink Santa is the perfect shade of pink.  I sing like a song bird!  Tweet, tweet!

Or this one... still singing!

See that's me singing away!

This kind of pink normally only makes me hum, but add the purple and the grey?  Singing loud and clear!

This one is more mauve and purple with my favourite grey.  But again, add the soft country blue?  Ta da!  Singing again!

 A Wise Man once told me... sing like there's no tomorrow.

Don't forget to check out McBrideHouse to see all these little guys and more!  What's your favourite colour that makes your heart sing?