OnceIt

If you have not been introduced to the fantastic sales that appear on Onceit, you might like to join up as some cute and quaint things are about to emerge on there.

They specialize in designer brands and fabulous artisans whose wares include jewellery, fashion, accessories, home wares and more

I only have a limited number of invites so . . .

Invitation to Onceit

 . . . and I hear there might be some manu on there too.

Road Trip!

Yay! So excited! ellaQuaint will be venturing outside of Auckland and joining the handmade, crafty fabulousness that is The Little Big Markets. 

That will keep me busy over the next week or so, trying to come up with some fresh visual treats to bring with me as well as some of the old favourites. I will try and keep you posted on new items as they are completed.

For more info on The Little Big Markets click on the name to follow the link to their facebook page :)

Latest Hi-Jinx

It has been a wee while but finally life has settled down again and I am able to get caught up on things. ellaQuaint has been busy creating new designs for handmade cards. The 'Warm Fuzzy' range has expanded to include robins and cats.  They seem to resurge when the weather cools, something about the association of warmth that felt brings with it I think.

Some of these have been sent off already :)

Some fresh colours have been added to the ellaQuaint palette which has worked wonderfully with some old favourites. There is something rather meditative about the process of hand embroidering things and the contrast of the matt card against the lustre of embroidery silk is very effective.

Chevron Hearts in fresh hues.

Part of the reason I have been focusing so much upon cards lately, as well as the advent of Mother's Day is because I intend to put together a catalogue of some of my favourite designs and go and attempt to sell them to stores.

I love masking tape. 

Sometimes you have to fix or even remake old templates. Today I got to make some new ones which was exciting also. The perfect activity for the shocker of a day we have had in Auckland.

I really love masking tape.

The old maps that I use can be problematic to cut so lining them on the back with tape allows for a cleaner edge and makes them less likely to disintegrate.

A fresh design and one that I think is pretty special.

Maps are so evocative of travel and that sense of freedom and adventure that comes with it, which is why I have been so selective with the imagery that I have chosen to collage on the cards. Many folks think that it is bordering on madness to hand-cut such intricate designs but when you end up with a result that you are happy with and that people might treasure for sometime to come, then in my belief, it is worth it.

Two old trusty designs one of which has had a bit of a make over.

Some of these are already listed on ellaquaint on felt or ellaCute on etsy should you be interested in seeing the designs in better detail.

Oceans

This Friday at Silo Night Markets and Cinema, the stunning eco-documentary Oceans is playing.

I had a quick peek at the shorts for it and I just can't wait. Should you want to have a nosy click here Oceans

Just wild, a sea of jelly-fish

I think that after all of this oceanic inspiration I will definitely have to paint some more creatures of the deep.

A pod of dolphins

Rug up, bring a blanket, come on down while the weather is still lovely and enjoy the fabulous food and beverages on offer, peruse the talented stall holders and catch a sublime movie on the big silo. It screens at 8

ellaCute sale!

Sale now on at our etsy store ellaCute. Just add the code 'surprise' when purchasing your visual treats and receive 10% off until Friday the 13th.

Also for those of you within NZ there also a free shipping code too 'shipfree' which is valid until the end of April. I am not sure if you can use both at the same time, it would be interesting to find out though :)

Only 55 Left

of the world's smallest dolphin. Our rarest sea mammals are in the very real danger of becoming extinct. Hector's and Maui's dolphins are also known by many other names including Tutumairekurai, Aihi, Papakanua, Upokohue, Tukuperu, Tupoupou and Hopuhopu. Both the Maui's who number just 55 and their relatives the Hector's dolphins are rapidly declining in numbers. Additional facts on both dolphins can be found at the Forest and Bird site.

Image from Kaitiaki Our Dolphins

You can have your say and help encourage the government to put through legislation that would give them larger areas to inhabit that are free of gill nets, allowing them a better opportunity to replenish their numbers. Submissions can be made here, on the Forest and Bird submission node.

Image from Liz Slooten's article on Scoop

Please support this worthy cause by addition to submissions that will be presented to the government. Remember forever is forever, future generations will want to be able experience these treasures too. Submissions close on the 11th April.

Image from The Winter Dolphin Chronicles

More Wee Beasties

I so enjoyed painting the first lot of Timorous Beasties that I decided to paint some more.

Standing Fawn

Standing Fawn had the cutest pose so I just had to paint him. I think that I might have to have paint some more deer as their coats layer up so nicely with watery washes then textured brush marks layered up over the top.

Little Lop

Little Lop, well lop bunnies are pretty delightful but this guy took the cake.

Sparrow

Sparrows are one of my favourite introduced birds. This guy looked so sweet all fluffed up into his feathers. Should you be interested in purchasing any of these cuties, you can find them on our ellaCute store on etsy. Ooo there is a sale happening there also!