Merry Christmas to All!

Light a Candle in Remembrance

I will be lighting a candle for our daughter Brianna, who died in June 2007 at the age of 17 due to bone marrow failure. Please join me as thousands of people around the globe light a candle Sunday, Dec. 13, at 7 pm, in remembrance of the children who died and touched their lives.

A Remembrance Book will also be available on The Compassionate Friends' website on that day to post a message or tribute.

We miss Brianna every moment of every day. If you'd like more information, please see  my mixed media blog: My Birdsong.

Handmade Hullabaloo

Head on over to the blog of  Tracy Nuskey-Dodsen, Vintage Sister, to find out who is offering free shipping on items in their Etsy shop just for today! Look for my Etsy shop banner among the list or head there now! The Second Red Friday sale is on. See you there!

12 Days with SpookyTimeJingles.com

The creative folks at SpookyTimeJingles.com are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas starting today on the website with special goodies created by some of my talented fellow artists. Watch for an ornament from me in the mix!

     Each day a few new pieces will be added to the website to help countdown the 12 days of Christmas! Look for the button above on the site's home page. Be sure to check back each day leading up to the big update on the 13th of December.
     I'll have some more Christmas goodness and maybe even a Halloween piece or two ready for the 13th release. 
     Enjoy the fun and happy holidays!

Happy Holiday Handmade Shopping with Free Shipping!

I've got a sale going on this weekend in my Etsy Shop through Monday as part of an Etsy wide "Free shipping" promotion. Several of my Halloween pieces, including the above beeswax collage, and some of my Christmas ornaments have free shipping. The sale lasts through Monday, Nov. 30 - yup, that's tomorrow! This is a great way to support individual artists and give handmade gifts for the holidays. If you use search terms, "etsyfreeshipping" or "etsyholidaysale," you'll find thousands of items offered under the promotion. Happy Holiday shopping!

A Time for Everything

I created several of these Halloween themed aprons and kept one for myself. I have worn it many times over the last several weeks and may even don the simple, but colorful apparel during the big feast! As we all know, the holidays can be a time best described by the words across my apron's  waistband, "Spooky, Trick or Treat, Beware." But for the most part, they are a time of gratitude and giving.

I wish you all a grand Thanksgiving shared with those you love.  Thank you for your support and interest in my art. Enjoy your holiday, spooky or not!

~ Iva

Celebrations Abound

It's been several weeks of celebrations, including our son's 18th birthday in mid October, a Halloween party with friends at our home the day before Halloween, and then my birthday this past Saturday. Can you tell what we dressed as for Halloween? It's hard to make out my costume, but I made it from a Martha Stewart project some years ago. I was a raven, complete with iridescent black coque feathers around my neck, wrists and on my bustle, and my hubby was Indianna Jones, with a whip and all! It's been a whirlwind of fun!

And amidst all the festivities, I'm working on Christmas and a few Halloween pieces. I'll have some new offerings on SpookyTimeJingles.com, which updates on the 13th. Or, you can visit me at Pfattmarketplace.com for sweet holiday ornaments and everyday gift items. Of course, my Etsy shop will be filling up as we get closer to the holidays, and still has a few Halloween goodies!

Don't forget, I'll be having my second web show and sale on Sunday, November 15, at 6 pm Pacific. Hope you can join me! I trust your celebrations were spooktacular and wish you a happy fall this week! Cheers!

Wishing You a Most Happy Halloween!

Have a great Halloween weekend! ~ Iva

October Magic

It's been a magical week in October around the Wilcox household. We began with an indoor skydiving adventure on Sunday, that has convinced me there is no need to put myself in danger by actually jumping out of a plane! My husband and I and our son and one of his friends all donned our jump suits, helmets and ear plugs and individually dove into the iFly wind tunnel in Union City, CA.  Of course, we had a little help from a flight instructor who was by our side positioning our hands and legs and giving us hand signals as we floated in the 60+ mph winds that kept us afloat. It was exhilirating, so say the least!! I loved it and am ready for more!

On Monday and Tuesday, I had the wonderful privilege of taking classes from Michael DeMeng. What a genuinely nice guy and such a talent! We created some "Demented Toys," on Monday that were truly eclectic. I created a serpent-like mermaid using a vintage China head and a Barbi torso. Yes, it is quite a sight. I've got more work to do on it, but I learned so much.

Tuesday, Micheal took us through the process of creating framed images with layers and layers of color. He is a real genius when it comes to Golden paints and the sublte nuances each adds when mixed. He gave us the recipe for painting creepy babies, serial killer red, vertigre and gothic black. My cup runneth over with Halloween ideas.

However, that wasn't the best part of Tuesday. It was also our son's 18th birthday. I can't believe my sweet little shy boy has become a man and we couldn't be more proud. I made his favorite breakfast, dinner and dessert, and later this week, we will head out to a steak house on Friday for more celebrating. Of course, just beneath the surface are my thoughts of our daughter who never reached the age of 18. Each celebration is bittersweet knowing that one of us is no longer here. I felt her spirit as my husband and I sang happy birthday to our beaming son, and I feel her presence as I sit in the backyard and watch fall's splendor around us.

So the magic continues as October progresses to it's ultimate culmination - Halloween - a family favorite.  I will be listing the beeswax collage pictured above on eBay later tonight for a 3-day auction. I hope October's magic is casting it's seasonal spell on you too.

Stop in for A Spooky Time!

A sneak peek at one of my three offerings this month on SpookyTimeJingles.com.  Remember, it updates on the 13th of every month and there are always Halloween and Christmas delights from the many talented artists. Grab a ride from the Halloween Hot Air Balloon and zip on over. Up, up and away!