Bieron Boletus and his grand adventures...

Books are full of surprises!

Today I spent the majority of my time perfecting a prize for the staff version of the Calgary Public Library's "Just for Adults - Read All Summer!" contest. I'm so excited! I hope that whoever ends up winning enjoys it! I may have been a bit of a bully telling everyone that they had to read, read, read - for the contest and decided that I ought to supply the prize for their efforts. The children's version this year had an "Eco-Heroes" theme trying to get them thinking of ways they could reduce their carbon footprint and go green. It was a cute story - the Superhero Captain Capable was... a bit of a doofus. Luckily he had two super kids, Clay and Terra (I may roll my eyes just a wee bit here...) to help him right the evil doings of Doctor N. Danger! (he he). Anyhoo that made me think that instead of going out and buying a prize for the adult contest I would make one with the Eco-Heroes theme in mind.

Meet Bieren Boletus! His clothes are made form reclaimed fibers and his accessories are a collection of found objects. I painted a book-box (appropriate for the library I thought!) with a miniature nature scene inside, and some seeds collected from my flowerbed (columbine and a blanket flower) to dry and use next year. Also, I made a batch of ginger sparkler cookies with cream cheese icing topped with golden raspberries from my garden. I'm pretty proud of how it all came together!

Bieren Boletus is a faery fellow who loves long walks, the mushrooms he collects on his long walks and the possibility of serendipitous adventures along the way. Bieren is prone to loosing himself in his adventures, he can be mesmerized by tadpoles for hours or in finding the most perfectly shaped leaves – he plunges himself into the world whole heartedly and appreciates every aspect of it. So, if you are out admiring the beauty of nature and the world around us, look closely… you may not be alone!

I took Bieren on a mushroom hunting excursion before he was cozied into his book - watch for his adventure album!

Ginger Sparklers: 2 1/2 cup flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, 3/4 cup butter/margarine, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/4 cup molasses. Bake @ 300F for 8-10 min

FaerieCon 2008 - The First Grand Adventure.

FaerieCon '08 was a wonderful, magical, experience into a world that you just can't quite believe really exists. All of the Authors and Illustrators we have admired since we were introduced into the realm of books and literature and art as children were there. The event was absolutely amazing. There were vendors, artists, authors, actors, storytellers... a faery fashion show. Bands whose music vibrated magic into your bones. Everyone at the even was like you - wrapped in wonder and radiating friendliness and warmth. As a parting gift everyone was given a moonstone that had been soaking up all of the positive energy at the event to take home. I carry mine with me wherever I go, a link back to faeryland and the perfect sense of belonging.