Winter is in the air....

If you receive Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine, you will see a full page AD showcasing many of the wonderful things that you can buy on Etsy.com! I was lucky enough to secure a spot in this Co-Op AD, and featured the piece above to represent my work. This feminine snowgal will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop this Saturday November 1st by noon Pacific time. So please check back then if you are interested!

If you live in Northern California you mustn't miss American Harvest's open house this Saturday and Sunday November 1st and 2nd! This will be a wonderful kick off to the holiday season where you will find fabulous artwork by many local artists including myself, and my good friend's Iva Wilcox, and Donna O'Brien. The open house runs from 10a to 5p on Saturday and 11a to 5p on Sunday, and people always line up early in anticipation for all of the new one of a kind delights that will be there. Below are just a few of the pieces that I have made especially for their open house, and if you are not able to attend in person, you can always contact the store by phone as they are able to ship items directly to their customers!





In addition to whipping some new holiday goodies, I was able to sneak in some fun family time at the Exploratorium. This is a fabulous learning museum with tons of hands on activities for children and adults of all ages. It was one of my favorite places to go when I was young, and so it was a joy to take my son Simon there for his first visit. Here he is making large bubbles....

And with dad watching gravity pull the metal marbles down into the funnel.
I also had the one of the most amazing experiences attending the Art & Soul retreat in Portland at the beginning of October with my good friend Teresa. Here we are out shopping after a day of classes...gotta get my shopping fix in! :)
I was only able to take pictures during one of my classes, and that was a class I took from Michael DeMeng. He is an amazing teacher, and I learned a tremendous amount of tips and techniques in his class! Here are a few pictures of his work...he was kind enough to let me shoot them. If you are not familiar with his work, please take some time to check out his book...it's fabulous!


Teresa and I stopped into a fun little shop called Paperdoll in Portland one night after class. This shop is filled to the brim with rubber stamps and supplies...I was in heaven!! If you are ever in the Portland area, take some time to visit this shop...the owner is a sweetie, and you won't be disappointed in their unique selection! Here are a few pics I shot of her shop....


I love this front window display!!
During my time in Portland, I spied a rainbow as Teresa and I were headed out to lunch. I shot this picture through the window, so it's hard to tell, but it was a vibrant and amazing rainbow! A treat for the eyes, and that was how my entire trip was...a creative treat for my soul. I am already looking forward to next year! I have more pictures to post from trip and will be back soon to share those with you. :)

A Fabulous Show filled with Fantabulous Folk Art & Friends!

It was an amazing day for all that participated and came to enjoy it! I met several new friends, and was able to visit and catch up with old friends too. We laughed and had a wonderful time, and the best part was being able to see all of the incredible art by my fellow artists! Please enjoy the pictures, and accept my apologizes in advance....my camera was giving me some problems shooting indoors yesterday, and many of my pictures did not come out good. Also, I was not able to take a picture of Connie's wonderful table of treasures, but I encourage you to pop over to Donna's blog where you can see much better pictures of the show, including one of Connie's table. Above is Iva's table....she outdid herself putting this show together, and still found time to make some amazing works of art! Below is a smaller table that Iva set up showcasing the latest issue of Somerset Studio magazine where she has a featured piece! Thank you Iva for all of the hard work and effort you put into Tinsel and Treasures....it was a huge success! :) Please click on these pictures....they all enlarge!

Here are some of Colleen's festive Holiday dolls and decorations! I just love her pumpkin gal in white with vintage orange trim!

Here is Colleen's other table....breathtaking!

More of Colleen's pumpkin head shakers and this amazing doll on top of a vintage pumpkin lantern! Too cool!!

These lovelies were jaw dropping...vintage trims, the tiniest details, and hand work all make these one of a kind dolls a must have work of art! My picture just does not do them justice.

Here is a shot of Donna's table...these pictures speak for themselves...delightful! It was hard to pick a favorite piece on her table...they were all amazing!

Her incredible crowns fit for a queen....they were all sold out as quick as you could blink an eye! I know all of the ladies out there will enjoy them.... :)

One of Donna's theaters....love the tiny details and trims on this one!

Some more beautiful pieces.....the wee silver boots are charming!

I love this piece too....wonderful colors and trims!

Here is sweet Ulla's display....I love her pumpkin headed mannequin, and the skeleton gal all dressed up was a creative touch!

Here are some of Ulla's reliquaries....each a lovely and unique work of art! Stop by Ulla's blog to see more of her one of a kind jewelry creations!

Here is Gina's table, and I am so sorry that I wasn't able to get better pictures of her work! Her girls are so fun and each has it's own personality....just lovely! Stop by her website to see more pictures of her art.

And last but not least, is my table display below. :) I still have a few new one of a kind pieces available for purchase and will be showcasing them for sale next Saturday September 20th at noon pacific time, in my Etsy shop, so please stop in and see what's new for Fall!

Thank you again to Iva, and to Colleen for helping to make this a special day for all of us! :) I am already looking forward to next year's show!

Pfreaky PFATT Pfright in June.....BOO!

The piece above is available this month on PFATT Marketplace. I designed it especially for the annual Halloween in June celebration that we have...it's always a lot of fun! Be sure to stop by and throw your name in the hat for the wonderful door prizes that we are giving away too.

My very talented friend Colleen Moody created the lovely doll pictured above....isn't she stunning! Colleen has tagged me to list 6 Unimportant Things about myself. Thanks Colleen! ;) OK here goes....I hope this doesn't bore you all....

1. I love the ocean. Someday I hope that I'll be able to retire there with my husband...buy a little house on or near the beach and be able to enjoy it every day.

2. I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I especially love ice cream, and cheesecake..anything chocolate..YUM!

3. I only get my hair cut about twice a year. My hair grows pretty fast, but I hate having to go and get it cut, so I always put it off until I just can't stand it anymore.

4. I secretly enjoy playing video games with my son Simon. We have fun playing together, but sometimes I find myself enjoying it more than him, LOL!

5. I sleep in whenever I can, which isn't very often, but I try just the same. I love not having to wake up to an alarm clock, and usually only set one if I absolutely have to.

6. My favorite vegetables are green...artichokes, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans. In fact, I like the color green a lot I guess, as it shows up a lot in my house, and my art!

Here are the rules of the Tag;

1.Link back to the person that tagged you.
2.Post these rules on your blog.
3.Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4.Tag six people at the end of your entry.

So Tag "You're It!".....here are my six participants;

Jamie of Peach Street's Blog
Lorraine PieCake Primitive's
Elaine of Artful Spirit
Sue of Tinsell and Whimsy
Michelle of The Blackberry Briar
Lone Pierett~ Dollmaker Extraordinaire!


Below are new pictures of the mural...still in progress. We had hoped to have it finished up by the end of May, but things were very busy for everyone in May, so we are still working on it.





I am almost finished with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat!
Doo, doo, doo, da, doo...Inspector Gadget......

And here's how it looks so far.....
This is a picture that I snapped on one of my recent trips to the flea market. I just love these vintage finds mounted under the domes...so interesting!
Thank you again to all that wrote and left comments after my grandfather passed away last month. It has been a slow healing process for myself and my family, and I appreciate so much all of the kindness that you shared from your hearts. :) Thank you.

PGKS Autumn Launch on eBay this week!

I belong to a wonderful group of gals called the Primitive Gathering of Kindred Spirits on eBay and we are doing a fall launch this week listing fall and Halloween items for sale to kick off the fall season! I have three new mini collage charm necklaces offered, and there are many other fantastic pieces from the other members of the group. Click here to see the complete list of items. Here are my three necklaces....
Speaking of charm necklaces...I just finished several new ones, and will be offering them for sale here on my blog, and I will also have a few special ones for sale on the Primitive Gathering site on Saturday September 1st....so stay tuned!

I have been nominated to participate in a name game by my two friends Elaine and Lorraine. It goes like this....I am suppose to use the letters from my middle name to describe my characteristics....well gals, I do not have a middle name! So, Elaine said that I should pick one that I would have liked my name to be. Honestly I can't imagine what my middle name would have been, so I will just list a few words to describe myself. :)

Creative
Organized
Thoughtful
Smart
Dependable

It doesn't seem like those letters make up a name that I know, but what the heck....thanks just the same ladies! Here are my nominee's;

Steph
Lana
Wendy

Thanks for participating in the fun!

I Love The Mail!

I admit it....I am one of those people that looks forward to the mail! I can hear the mail truck drive by my house each day as I am working in my studio....the truck has a very distinctive sounding motor. I peek through my blinds and spy, and I wait until my mailman has finished placing the mail into each persons box (we have a large community box on the corner) and then I go out to retrieve my mail. Many days it's loaded with junk mail and bills...but every now and then, I receive a special treat in the mail...and yesterday was one of those days! :) I received an enveloped marked air mail from South Africa. It was from Lynda, and I had recently won a drawing she held on her new blog Wednesday's Wanderings. The envelope contained a wonderful set of postcards with images from the town of Howick taken in the early 1900's. I just love old photo's and the history that they share with us. Thank you again Lynda!

Here's a sneak peek of what I have been working on for The Primitive Gathering site. I will have these items and more available for purchase on September first, so please check back soon.

We had a great time at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom last weekend, and here are few pictures from that day....This butterfly was HUGE!!! Bigger than my palm spread apart....just amazing! Notice how his colors seem to blend in with the surrounding tree?

Simon had fun feeding the giraffe's......