If you see the magic . . .

I have long wanted to explore my inner fancy and paint Little Red Riding Hood. Yesterday I did just that . . .



I think I did an ok job. I rather like her I think. Available as a greeting or note card, or as a small print. Message me on mariealicejoan at aol dot com to find out more. Thanks!

January Brings the Snow

Illustration Friday for this week. Word prompt Winter.
An oldie but a goodie, with words added.

The Princess and the Pea

Sometimes it's the little things that get under our skin and irritate us the most of all . . . little niggling things like somebody (who shall not be named) leaving the cap off the toothpaste, or the seat up on the toilet . . .


Oh, yes . . . these things are sent to try us . . . and yet at the same time I am cognizant of the fact that blessings also come in all shapes and sizes and sometimes the little things are the biggest blessings of all!!

The Princess and the Pea. I've had her on my drawing board for over a year and was able to bring her to life yesterday. I do believe I have fallen in love.




Available as a Greeting or Note Card or as a small print. Message me at mariealicejoan at aol dot com to find out more. Thanks!

Time Spent With Cats

I wanted to make something for my mom. She has a real penchant for ginger cats, as do I . . . (Don't you love those shoes??? I want a pair! Those trousers too!)



Kittens are so loveable and adorable. I don't think anyone can look at one without falling in love . . . especially when they are ginger cats . . . (I want that shirt too! I just love daisies!)






Altogether I think it's very sweet. You just can't go wrong with daisies, cute shoes and kittens I always say!



Available as a Greeting or Note Card or as a small print. Message me to find out more.

Christmas in the Heart

I think you would have to say that Christmas is my favourite holiday. I was always called The Christmas Kid by my family! I didn't mind. I think this little gal is a Christmas Kid too!




Just look at those shoes and stockings!! You can tell she is getting into the season in a really big way!! I wish I had some of those!



And look at that sweet little jumper and heart she is hanging on to!



And then there were words! The perfect sentiment for the perfect Christmas card!

May Peace Be Your Gift

What a sweet little face . . . angelic . . . and those curls!



Oh, she is an angel for sure. Just look at those wings. She brings special Christmas wishes!





She makes the sweetest Christmas Card for those special friends and family in your life.

By the way I am selling my handmade Christmas Cards again this year. All hand printed drawings, mounted on quality scrapbook papers, which are then mounted onto quality cards. Hand decorated with German Glass Glitter and left blank inside for your own inscription. I'll be selling them at 4 for £10 plus postage, which will vary according to where you live. I will ship around the world. Just leave a comment or e-mail me on MarieAliceJoan at aol dot com and we'll talk turkey!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do,
The joy of enjoying is lessened for you.
For we rob our own lives much more than we know
When we fail to respond or in any way show
Our thanks for the blessings that daily are ours . . .
The warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers,
The beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn,
The coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn,
The kind little deeds so thoughtfully done,
The favours of friends, and the love that someone
Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways,
Expecting no payment and no words of praise.
Oh, great is our loss when we no longer find
A thankful response to things of this kind.
For the joy of enjoying and the fullness of living
Are found in a heart that is full of thanksgiving.
~Helen Steiner Rice

One of my favourite talks in last weekend's October conference was the one given by President Monson on cultivating an attitude of gratitude. It really struck home with me. Todd and I have experienced so much loss in the past year . . . my job, our home, our beloved Jess, our car . . . but still amidst all the loss there have been great pockets of joy and blessings too numerous to hold. An attitude of gratitude . . . that's the secret to a happy life!



Available as an A4 sized print or as a card, or as a digital stamp (Black outline) Message me to find out more on MarieAliceJoan at aol dot com!

Winner of the Giveaway!

Many, many thanks to those of you who signed up as followers of this here new art blog of mine! I wish that I could send each and every one of you a set of cards, but alas . . . I must pick one. After putting all your names into a hat and pulling one out I can say that Sybil is the winner of the cards! Thanks every so much to each of you for joining in on the fun and Sybil, I'll have your cards out to you as soon as you let me know which ones you would like to have! Have a great weekend everyone!!

True Love

Know what? It's true!




I really, really, really, really DO love you!!



Available as an A4 sized print or as a card, or as a digital stamp (Black outline) Message me to find out more on MarieAliceJoan at aol dot com!

Your Christmas Heart

Here is my newest 2010 Christmas Greeting! She's just the first of a couple that I have in the pipeline!




I just love her little corkscrew pig tails and the holly detail on her dress, and of course her Christmas Message!




She makes the perfect Christmas Card.

By the way I am selling my handmade Christmas Cards again this year. All hand printed drawings, mounted on quality scrapbook papers, which are then mounted onto quality cards. Hand decorated with German Glass Glitter and left blank inside for your own inscription. I'll be selling them at 4 for £10 plus postage, which will vary according to where you live. I will ship around the world. Just leave a comment or e-mail me on MarieAliceJoan at aol dot com and we'll talk turkey!

The Witching Hour and a Giveaway!

With autumn comes falling leaves and temperatures . . .



Dry sunny days, and cooler nights . . .



Shorter days and longer nights and . . . Halloween!! I painted this cute little witch yesterday and she just makes the perfect Halloween Card or print! I just fell in love with her little boots, candy corn socks and spider wand . . . not to mention her lovely pointy hat! What do you think??



I have decided to give one of you readers a set of five of my hand designed cards, both to celebrate the starting up of this new Art Blog and to show my appreciation to my followers. To get in on it, all you have to do is to sign up as a follower, over there on the right hand side of this page! I'll be picking a winner from all of my followers next Monday! Good luck!

Nobody Can Be Uncheered

So Winnie-the-Pooh went round to his friend Christopher
Robin, who lived behind a green door in another part of the Forest.
"Good morning, Christopher Robin," he said.
"Good morning, Winnie-the-Pooh," said you.
"I wonder if you've got such a thing as a balloon about you?"
"A balloon?"
"Yes, I just said to myself coming along: 'I wonder if Christopher Robin has such a thing as a balloon about him?' I just said it to myself, thinking of balloons, and wondering."
"What do you want a balloon for?" you said.
Winnie-the-Pooh looked round to see that nobody was listening, put his paw to his mouth, and said in a deep whisper: "Honey!"
"But you don't get honey with balloons!"
"I do," said Pooh.
~A.A. Milne



I am finally working my way around to painting some of the sketches I did when I was on holidays in Canada in July. I just love this little girl and her balloon. It seemed to go perfectly with this Winnie the Pooh story don't you think?





I find balloons quite cheery myself! They do make me happy.



Prints available. E-mail me to find out how you can get one for yourself at MarieAliceJoan at aol dot com. She looks rather lovely framed if I don't say so myself!

Personality May Open Doors

I found this quote the other day and I really fell in love with it. I could hardly wait to put a picture to the words.





This little lady has plenty of personality!




But, I think she also has plenty of character! I just adore her!




She has a sweet little face and is a little bit demure . . . but at the same time . . . you know she knows what she wants and just how to get it.




Plus I just love her dress and stockings. Sigh . . . I wonder if I could get away with it myself?

Sunflowers and polka dots are two of my absolute favourite things, along with cheeky little girls!

Some Cause Happiness

I just love this quote of Oscar Wilde's. When I sat down to paint this little girl, it immediately sprang into my mind!




I'm sure that you would know someone who makes you smile! I know lots of people who make me smile, and who bring happiness to all who know them.





People like my oldest daughter. There is nothing spectacular about her when you look at her, but she just makes you smile and brings joy to everyone who knows her.





I think it's an extra special spiritual gift, don't you? Prints are available. Just message me to find out more.

She Believed in Celebrations

I started painting this little one yesterday, but I didn't like the way the dress turned out. I decided to cover it with some scrap book paper and I love how it turned out.




At first I wasn't quite sure and then I covered her hat with some more paper and added a few scrappy butterflies.



And then I gave her scrappy stockings and some little pansy flowers on her shoes and . . .




I fell completely and totally in love! She has a bit of an art deco feel to her don't you think?




Someone on Facebook suggested that my drawings would make excellent cards. The good news is that I already do make some lovely cards with them . . . now if only one of the card companies would get on the bandwagon and discover them! That would be great! I can see them as unique little figurines as well. I have vision . . . it is only a matter of making them see the same vision I guess!