Old Man Winter poem

"Old Man Winter" by Miranda Farrand

Old Man Winter has cast his hand,
Waved his wand and covered the land.

The trees are shimmering with an icy frost,
Falling from the branches like pixy dust.

Crystal snow flowers swirl in frothy scarves,
Around the trunks of slumbering trees.

Sunlight shines with a glimmer,
Making the trees sparkle, like millions of diamonds in the light.

Birds twit and twitter in the merry cold,
Enlivened by the gently blowing swells of snow.

Snow drifts high in frozen pillows,
Covering the ground with it's fluffy softness; awaiting a child's artful touch.

Up rises a snowman with a child's delight,
With a carrot for a nose and coal for eyes.

This thing called winter isn't as dreadful as it seems...
It's filled with wonders, as far as the eye can see!

New critters: Baby Bama & Sheep/Crow

Hi all,

I finally finished up the Baby Bama Elliephant that was comissioned by me for a baby shower gift. I also painted up the Sheep w/ Crow & Hearts yesterday. Sharing a few pictures of them here. More can be seen on my facebook page under: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49431&id=134880523190745&l=761cb3222e

Sheep & Crow w/ Heart Flowers

2011 Happy New Year's Baby. Placed 1st in the January http://www.polyclayplay.com/ challenge.

Baby Bama Elliephant commissioned for a baby shower present

Another poem...geesh

"Walking on a Winter Morn" by Miranda Farrand

Walking on a winter morn in softly falling snow
I chanced upon a huddled bird
Perched upon the lowest bough of a leafless tree
Feathers fluffed to harbor warmth against the freezing breeze.

I sighed forlornly at the fate of the tiny beast
Wishing when, in its winter fleeing
Had perched to preen upon a different tree
And then I sent a prayer heavenward
Asking for the salvation of an early spring.

But oh, how I wished I hadn't spied the woes of one so small
For in seeing it's misery I wished away
Thousands of unique icy sculptures shaped by God's hands
Lovingly sprinkled across the land.

Another poem: Forest Snow

"Forest Snow" by Miranda Farrand

Icicles hang from the trees,
Melting slowly, water drops gather like beads.

Snow drifts high around country mailboxes,
Shrouding from sight the roadside.

Fluffy flakes coat the branches
Of mighty oaks and gangly sycamore trees.

A gentle breeze lifts and swirls
Little eddies of wind-blown snow.

A squirrel dances in the unexpected shower,
A frozen concoction of crystal flowers.

Tracks intermingling on the frozen forest floor,
Where naught but the wild creatures have gone before.

Faint rays of sunlight glint off frost crystals,
Coating broken stalks of last year's wild wheat.

Tiny sparrows, feathers fluffed against the chill
Huddle beneath the snow-covered branches of a sheltering hedge.

Chirping happy songs, in awe of the beauty of the frozen 'scape.

Cute critters, weird critters

Sharing some pictures of works-in-progress. I have three pieces that are waiting to be painted and one creepy little zombie rabbit that I made last night that is almost ready to be baked. The zombie rabbit is based on a doodle that my son drew for me. He's talented with the weird little comic creatures. The baby elephant is a comissioned piece. The other two, the sheep & crow and the basket case bunny are just for the heck of it. Enjoy! I'll take more pictures once they are finished.

"Lazy Winter Morning" by Miranda Farrand

I think I'm going to share some of the poems that I've written over the last 6 or 7 years or so. I hope you enjoy them, let me know what you think!

"Lazy Winter Morning"

by Miranda Farrand

Hoarfrost traces tiny fingers upon the cold glass of the windowpane.

Minute crystal trees grow in forests along the wooden frame.

Sunlight breaks through in fragments of rainbow hues,

Spreading in patchwork patterns upon the carpeted floor.

A teapot whistle blows on an old cast-iron stove,

Sending off little jets of steam from the spout.

Fresh-baked sugar cookies cool on baking racks

Perched upon the Formica counter top.

Sounds of a newspaper crinkle and shift

As page by page is read and pondered

By an elderly gent puffing contentedly on a favored pipe.

A gray and black tabby cat curls in a snugly pose upon a crocheted afghan

That covers the back of a worn, cozy armchair.

Whiskers twitch...one, two, three...

Up he arches in a gymnast's stretch,

Turning around he lies back down and continues to dream.

A little mouse seeing his chance,

Dashes out from his hiding place amongst the potted plants.

Scurrying quickly across the floor he makes his way to the kitchen door,

Off it sample a fresh-baked cookie on a lazy winter morn.

Ellie's Bathroom Art Fresco

I think I have another little budding artist in the house. Yesterday, while I was drying my hair, my 3-yr old found a set of watercolors and proceeded to finger-paint the half-bath wall. It was so cute that I ended up framing it after taking some pictures of course. Her words to me after I discovered it and asked her what it was, "Are you mad at me? I did it myself!". How in the world can a mother resist that. Made my heart melt :) Thought I would share a couple of the pictures with you all.

Polyclayplay challenge voting has begun

Hi everyone!

Whether you are a polymer clay artisan, curious onlooker or family or friend, please visit http://www.polyclayplay.com/ to vote in this month's polymer clay challenge. This month's theme is *2011*. Please click on each entry to see the full picture before picking your favorite as the little icons don't show the full effect. I, myself, have an entry in the challenge & I know of several other artists that do as well. We all appreciate the opportunity to promote our pieces and also the added benefit of possibly winning some great prizes.

You do need to be a member of the yahoo group but it only takes a second to sign up & there are no fees involved. Thank you for your time & vote, it is much appreciated!http://www.polyclayplay.com/

Commissions coming in

Commissions seem to be jumping up everywhere with the new year I'm happy to say. The best part is that I have plenty of time to get them done so I can goof off in between with the projects that I have in mind. Last night, in between bouts of cleaning up sickness from my 3 yr old who caught the flu, I doodled up some pictures for my Elliephant line. I've decided to do an Elliephant for every season (and major holiday). So far, I've come up with ideas for an Ellabunny Elliephant, an Elliecharm St. Paddy's Day Elliephant & was working on a doodle for a Ellielove Valentine's Elliephant when I had to drop everything & run with the Lysol.

*Fingers-crossed*, we've woken up sickness free, just tired & droopy today. I've worked a little bit on a Baby Bama Elliephant for a commissioned piece. He/She is coming along just fine. I'm down to adding the arms & ears & accents as well as all the detail lines & Alabama gear. I haven't decided yet if it will be holding a football or not. I'm picturing a binky in it's mouth & a clay knit hat on it's head with the Alabama *A*.

Happy claying ya'll!

progress or lack of it

Hi! I would like to say that I've been busy the last few days claying away but that would be a lie. I haven't sculpted anything since sometime last week but I did manage to get most of the herd's patina painted on. The little bunny that was supposed to have paint drips decided he wanted to be paint speckled instead...go figure! I did tell you that my ideas tend to morph into something else just as soon as I decide on something.

I just entered a piece in this month's 2011 clay challenge on http://www.polyclayplay.com/ . I'll let you know when you can vote on all the wonderful entries if you are so inclined as soon as the contest goes underway. I can't wait to share with you the pics of my little critter being born as well as next month's challenge entry piece. Have to keep them under lock & key until the contests are concluded though!

Critters

I've been busy lately sculpting new critters when I haven't been feeling under the weather. Yesterday I baked some leftover winter pins that I had made a while back & had sitting around. A creepy santa, a reindeer and a snowman head await painting.

I also made two more bunnies. I love how cute & simple the white bunny turned out with this carrot snack. I have high hopes for the other one holding an egg & paintbrush. I'm going to try dripping paint down him from the tops of his ears to make it look as if he was being painted himself...we'll see how my vision turns into reality. Usually, there are wide swings in there between what I see and what actually comes to life..hehe.

I really, really wish I could share pics of my creations for New Years & Valentines day. I love them...especially my little love dude. I guess you will all have to wait a while longer until after the contests are over :)

Make it a happy clay day!

Bunnies everywhere!

The new year has been a creative one for me so far :) So far this weekend, I've sculpted another bunny, a valentine critter and a new year critter. I'll show pictures soon of the other bunny. The Valentine & New Year critters have to remain unrevealed until after contest periods. I hate waiting. I really do plan on putting the patinas on the small herd that I have waiting in the wings soon. Maybe someday I'll stop putting it off and get them done.

Hope to be listing some items on Etsy soon. I met with the lady that owns the gift shop in town where I currently have some items on consignment. Unfortunately, she is raising the consignment fee starting this month so I'll have to rework some of my pricing :( Hopefully I can generate some sales online at a more affordable price and still make a little profit to support my poly-clay habit :)