Safe (Fox Love)

© Sybille Sterk

Do not copy or publish this in any way, shape or form without my written permission.

I have a real thing about foxes at the moment. I've always liked them, but suddenly, I don't know, they just make me smile. This is a fox I made from fimo and then placed in  his own little nest to take pictures of. There are a few more shots of him which I will show you soon.... 

All images/textures/brushes my own or bought. Edited with Photoshop.

 All my images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes, Society6 and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas). You can now also get most of my images on cushion covers (go to Society6 for these).

All available through Society6

I am so busy with all the crochet, painting (yes, on real canvas) at the moment, it's difficult to keep up with everything. 

  

Wildlife (and not so wild) in the Garden

Four little black birds in a nest...  

 ... and the bucket cat. LOL 

My cat loves sleeping in a bucket in this heat. Seems to keep him cool. 

The little black birds were so noisy, that's how I knew there was a nest and found it.

Girl with Bird's Nest

Sub Title: The Clock is Ticking

A suitable image for Easter you may think, but not so, this image is in fact about the body clock most women hear ticking away in their heads. I think women are more aware of their own bodies and also of the fact that their child bearing years are only for so long and that at a certain age having a child may be difficult if not impossible.

This is not to say that all women want children, but even just the possibility of still being able to have them if you want them. Hence the nest, which sits squarely on her head with the eggs prominently displayed the same way the idea of maybe having children one day is squarely in many women's heads.

However, nowadays having children also has become a 'fashion accessory', which is why the nest is shown like a chic little hat and why I've chosen a fashion style portrait for the model. Having children, self esteem and career are all intertwined if you are a woman. Having children often means a break if not a stop to a career, which changes your view of yourself. Suddenly, after being a woman with her own career and own 'life' you become a mother and nurturer, which changes relationships and your view on life.

The pocket watches symbolise the body clock ticking away inside...

Credits

Model

• Anya stock II by DxlogicL

Stock

• Egg nest by Basically-Birds
• egg stock 3 by hatestock
• Steampunk Objects 17 by pinkpaint-stock
• Stock 198 by sophia-T
• watch 5 by Luna-8-stock
• Stock- Dragon Pocket Watch by idolhands
• Stock- Gold Pocket Watch by idolhands
• Bows PNG by AWorldOfMagic by aworldofmagic

Backgrounds, Patterns and Textures

• Floral pattern by Snufver
• two week heat by CKdailyplanet
• Backblech 01 by sundel
• grunge textures 01 by buzillo-stock
  
• Daguerreo Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• 6 Faves Of Mine Texture Set # 3 by Shadowhouse
• All Hallows Eve Texture Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes and Actions

• 17 Grunge Border Bars Brush Set by Shadowhouse
• Feathers Brushes Set 1 by Falln-Stock
• Mesh Lace and Fringe Brushes by Falln-Stock
• Ropes n Chains Brushes by redheadstock
• 5 Floral Ornament Brushes by idealhut
• Perfect Portrait 3 Action by TheCoffeeshopBlog

All other images,textures, brushes etc my own.

 MCN: CNLHA-SBTTY-2PB6J

Sleeping Beauty

 Illustration for my poem of the same name.

Detail 1: Tag - Do not disturb By the order of the Princess

Detail 2: Sleeping Beauty

Detail 3: Sky with geese

 

Credits

Model

• Sleeping Angel 9 by Sitara-LeotaStock

Stock

• Grunge Hang Tag by RapidYak
• Napoleon's Crown by xangelsxflightx
• Sunstone72-Stock 227 by Sunstone72-Stock

Brushes

• Brush Pack - Crowns by MouritsaDA-Stock
• Hair brush set by para-vine
• Cloud Brushes HiRes Nr.2 of 5 by leboef

 All other textures/images my own.

The bokeh texture was created by using this handy tutorial:

How to make a Bokeh by whatsoeverprojects

MCN: CCXJK-DDWRP-75E7F

Nest Brooch

I definitely had fun with this! I have been admiring the 'nest jewellery' I'd seen on Etsy, but something never felt quite right. Nests are supposed to be messy, there needs to be camouflage, something to soften the twigs, and something to keep the eggs warm and cosy. But all the nests I saw were bare and cold. :-(

So here's my take on a 'nest'.


I wanted it to be as natural as possible and to fit right in with it's surroundings, hence the pictures of the brooch on some bay leaves (above) and some rosemary (below).

And here it is again on my garden table:


I've used lots of different materials. The nest itself was made from antiqued copper wire, which I have combined with green Habu steel yarn (100% wool over steel yarn), Habu paper moire in a mossy green/brown colour and teeny tiny guinea fowl feathers.

The eggs are freshwater peals which have been threaded into the nest, so they won't fall out. The nest has been placed on a brass filigree (which you can't see unless you're looking at the back of the brooch). There are more guinea fowl feathers on one side and a black marabou feather on the other side.

The nest and feathers sit securely on a brooch pin, which is just under 4cm (1.5"). The brooch itself is 12.5cm (approx. 5") wide and the little nest is 2.5cm (1") in diameter.

Despite the amount of wire I've used the brooch is still quite light. I wouldn't use it on your best silk shirt, but it's fine on something a little more substantial.

Nest and Spring in Paris will be available in my Etsy shop later this week. I am determined to upload some more items to my Etsy shop this weekend. However, if you can't wait, the brooch is £15 + P&P.