Ever since I was little, I used to play Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on loop all the year through… Things haven’t changed much since then.
Little Drummer Boy
Little Drummer Boy
A tribute to one of my all time favorite Christmas songs… May we always offer the best of ourselves, and that our gift would be received with warm hearts and gratitude.
“I played my drum for him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pumThen he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum”-The Little Drummer Boy
St Lucia
St. Lucia
Kindness & Cocoa
Kindness & Cocoa
This thoughtful little boy is offering a friendly snowman a cup of kindness in the form of hot chocolate. And the snowman is almost considering it, even though it may come with some consequences... it IS hot chocolate after all! And you can hardly refuse such a sweet face.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This event is always the official start to Thanksgiving morning and the holiday season! There’s nothing better than spending time with those you cherish most watching giant balloons, cheerful clowns, confectionery floats and ending with Mr. C. himself.
Macy’s, I do indeed BELIEVE!
Warm Wishes From a Snowman
Warm Wishes From a Snowman watercolor on paper
Just one of the friendly faces you might meet if you happen to go a-walkin' in a winter wonderland!
And so like this frosty gentleman, we are tipping our hearts to the old year, thankful for sharing in its joys and days, and greeting the new year at the same time, hoping to be dear friends soon! For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne
The Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant watercolor on paper
The cast of the children's Christmas Pageant has two unlikely roles who are the best of friends. Peace on earth truly resides over all at this magical time of year! This is when the lion and the lamb truly come together.
Are you beginning to feel the Christmas spirit yet? It has taken me over, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head!
The Caroling Troupe
"The Caroling Troupe" watercolor & ink on paper
Spreading some much needed holiday cheer in a forest near you.
Fox Mitten
Fox Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
This little guy wraps up my series, Smitten with the Mitten. It's probably no secret, owing to my deep love of foxes, that this is the painting I am the most smitten with in this set. Gingerbread men dancing above his head, and soon sugar plums will be dancing in our dreams and hearts.
We're getting so close to Christmas, I can barely stand it! The jolly old elf himself is probably making his list, soon it will be getting checked twice, cross your fingers that you make the list. I know this little fox has most certainly been good all year, he's a definite add to the nice list, if you want my recommendation Santa!
Bear Mitten
Bear Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
Our bear friend has quite a large sweet tooth, he's a gentle giant and will never turn down an opportunity for candy. He's one of my favorites from my series Smitten with the Mitten.
Confession: I'm a bit jealous of his red mittens, and I'll admit that I wish they were real so I could snatch up a pair for myself! I can picture a jolly elf sporting a set of those mittens as well.
Deer Mitten
Deer Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
Next in line of my series Smitten with the Mitten, is this little deer. Those big ears of hers are just right to hear the ringing of bells from Santa's sleigh. She may not be a reindeer, but she has some Christmas bells of her own.
Her favorite song is Silver Bells. Here's a few lines in case you'd like to sing along:
Silver bells, (silver bells) silver bells (silver bells)
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, (ring-a-ling)
Hear them ring, (hear them ring)
Soon it will be Christmas day
Bunny Mitten
Bunny Mitten 7"x7" watercolor on paper
The beginning of a little set of animals with Scandinavian mittens. I almost want to knit a few sets of these myself to supply our woodland friends with some winter warmth.
The first installment of four knitted friends, in my series Smitten with the Mitten. These little woodland critters will be helping us count down the weeks to Christmas!
Visions of Sugar Plums : Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments
My original set, Visions of Sugar Plums, is still available in my shop for a limited time if you want to buy an original piece of my art. The ornaments available in the series are:
Hop over to my shop to make these a part of your holiday decorating and let them help you celebrate a woodland Christmas for years to come!
Visions of Sugar Plums: Jackalope #1 (ornament)
Visions of Sugar Plums: Jackalope #1 gouache and acrylic on glass
What is more wonderful than a bit of make-believe and magic at Christmas time! And so I couldn't help but paint a Jackalope, which is just a beautiful and magical creature. I am painting three original Christmas ornaments and calling the set Visions of Sugar Plums.
- This second one I am offering is a woodland Jackalope, a mythical creature, painted in Scandinavian color palette, acrylic and gouache on a glass globe. Each ornament comes ready to hang from your special tree with a gold ribbon, and arrives with it's own cardboard box for storing and display. Each ornament is hand-painted by me, Gretchen Ellen Powers, and is completely unique and one of a kind. I am asking only $100 a piece for them + S & H. Available for a limited time only in my shop.
These would be the perfect decoration to help you trim your tree, and deck your merry halls!
Visions of Sugar Plums: Fox (Ornament)
I am painting three original Christmas ornaments and calling the set Visions of Sugar Plums.
- This first one I am offering is a woodland fox painted in Scandinavian color palette, acrylic and gouache on a glass globe. Each ornament comes ready to hang from your special tree with a gold ribbon, and arrives with it's own cardboard box for storing and display. Each ornament is hand-painted by me, Gretchen Ellen Powers, and is completely unique and one of a kind. I am asking only $100 a piece for them + S & H. Available for a limited time only in my shop.
Happy Holidays and jolly thoughts my little rabbits!
Sneak Peek: Visions of Sugar Plums
A progress shot and sneak peek at some hand-painted Christmas ornaments. I will be offering these for a limited time only. Each original painted globe is one of a kind, and will be available for $100 + S & H.
I am enjoying this process so much, and I imagine that this is what it must feel like to be an elf at the North Pole. Fa la la la la la.
A Hand Sculpted Fox
My hands have been working in a bit of clay this past week. Amid my festive fa-la-la-ing, it's been a tradition since I was a child to make a new ornament to adorn the tree each December. So I decided that our tree was severely lacking a Vulpes vulpes presence. But no longer!
Say hello to Thaddeus Fox.
He was crafted in the following way:
- Handsculpted in polymer clay,
- Baked in an oven,
- Lovingly painted by hand.
The final touch was the thin piece of rope to hang him by.
He definitely has made the tree extra spiffy.
Christmas Cards: Bob Cratchit
Christmas Cards have arrived back from the printers!
Each card comes with a matching envelope of the lovely kraft paper variety. They are standard A2 size (measuring 4.25"x5.5") They are blank inside for your own personal messages.
It may not be a winter wonderland outdoors yet… but in case you’re like me and can not wait to begin decking the halls, fa-la-la-ing and generally elfing about, I have made these cards & prints of these Christmas pieces now available in the shop!