A Cuppa......

Most things around here start with a cuppa. Earl Grey helps me greet the sunrise and the day ahead while dear hubby never heads out on his commute without coffee from Little Peach. Company calls for the kettle to be put on so as to commence our cozy chit chat while the kiddies clamour for cocoa to initiate their warm up after a romp in the snow. And when the cold season comes a knocking on our door nothing sets about the healing process better than an herbal with lemon and honey.

February seems to have literally flown out the window. . . . . hopefully taking the worst of the weather and persistent flu bugs with it! But now, with a mid March deadline looming and a nearly depleted Esty shop its time to dig in and get down to work and so I've decided what better way to start than with a "cuppa creativity!"

Snowed in.....

. . . . . AGAIN!!!

Although the sun eventually showed up the poor postman didn't.
Couldn't is probably more like it!

Missing...but in Action!

Was I ever surprised to pop on here and see I'd failed to post a single word since November! Boy did that time ever fly by. . . . with the days full of finish work, festivities, and feasting and the nights more of the same, sleep was minimal for a while there. Having now, however, granted myself a bit of a Rip Van Winkle respite I find myself awake and ready for action (or at least ready to share some tidbits of the activity that occurred in my absence!)

My exploration into the world of paperclay was great fun. Many different cat heads were sculpted and painted in the process. The whimsical and cartoonish ones were a blast but in order to best depict the features of a Siamese Snowshoe I decided to go in a different direction an thus ended up with a bit more realistic. . . . .

. . . . . Knittin' Kitten!

I also spent some time working with a feline of another sort. . . . . The Cat in the Hat!

The Dr. Seuss fabric line was a hoot to work with and simply hollered out for the fun addition of some red pom pom trim.

With orders completed and delivered it was finally time to welcome in the holidays and all of the goodies that arrive with them. The most frequently received gifts from under the tree this year were books (as usual) and Lego's. . . . . .which very quickly animated themselves. . . . .

. . . . . and took over the entire house!

Even the tree itself was stormed by a troop of Bioicles.

If only their forces could have been rounded up and put to use during one of the several snow events we've endured. With 15+ inches on the ground. . . . .

. . . . .all able bodies were needed in the shoveling department!

For awhile there it seemed if I wasn't shoveling, I was sewing and my project pile was about as deep as the snow.

So it was back to the ironing board in an attempt to fill a big ole basket up with some Itty Bitty pincushions. Enjoyable work though it was I found myself quite distracted by this. . . . .

. . . . . one of the more addicting books received in this year's booty. It's the first Bill Bryson book I've read but certainly not to be my last. You wouldn't believe how many tea time breaks I took in order to sneak down from the sewing nook and peruse a few more of it's pages. Until, that is, I came to his explanation of the phrase "room and board."

Apparently before dining tables were as we know them, meals were served from nothing more than a board of wood placed upon the diners' knees. Quite space efficient, the board could then be hung on a wall between services. To offer someone room and board therefore meant to house and feed them. My brain can't fathom feeding my gang from a plank of wood balanced on their knees but it did put the portable nature of a board to practical use.

And so my handy June Taylor pressing board went on a journey. Farewells were made to the sewing nook and we soon settled upon the dining room table. With such a wide open surface I was able to spread out my projects alongside of my book which allowed me to practically sew and read at the same time!

Before I knew it the tiny cushions were falling into place,

filling up,

and ready to head out to Candlelite Quilts where they'll happily await the delightful folks that pass through the doors. With their cheery disposition and shiny buttons I have no fear they'll do their best to entice someone sweet to give them a home, leaving me free to indulge in an afternoon "At Home" with Mr. Bryson!

Inspirations

It's that time of the year when I find myself hunkered down and working in production line fashion on special orders for the upcoming holiday season. A fair majority of them are based on previous creations which gives a familiar "old hat" feel to the process. The bits and pieces here, for example, went into making dear little. . . . .

. . . . . Lily Beth, a brown-eyed version of Lily Olive. Lily Olive is actually the only Pick-a-Lily doll I have kept for myself. Having been lucky enough to have herself featured in the pages of Art Doll Quarterly last spring, however, has made her the inspiration behind several requests for such kissing cousin versions.

Other times special orders lead me to discover new frontiers. A request for a "Pick-a-Kitty" inspired me to purchase my very first package of paperclay from which I'm now attempting to sculpt the perfect head for the job.

The stuff is actually quite fun and has me pondering a plethora of possible paperclay projects for the future!

Often times the receipt of something special inspires me into action. This sweet mini quilt and coaster set, gifted to me by my dear quilt swap buddy over at Humble Needle, was the motivation behind. . . . .

. . . . .the hosting of an Autumnal Tea Party!

And this purchase of a vintage address book, in such perfect condition only its lack of notation columns for cell phones and e-mail addresses shows its age. . . . .

. . . . . is proving to be a wonderful incentive to get my Christmas cards out on time this year!

One of my favorite spots to visit for inspiration is over Flutterby Patch's way. She has always got something creative up her sleeve and is such a dear to share all the delightful details of her endeavours with us. Most recently she offered up a free pattern for a wee topsy turvey doll. Being that she designed it with the beginning knitter in mind and that I happened to have both the yarn and the needles required. . . . .

. . . . . how could I resist giving it a go? And with a bit more perseverance. . . . .

. . . . . I have no doubt I'll soon have a new dolly to hold up in my hands as well!

Painting in Progress.....

. . . . . .of one sort. . . . .

. . . . . .and another!

Weaving...

My favorite poem of all time is most definitely "The Lady of Shallot" by Tennyson. During my college years I took a class in Victorian poetry where this was but one of many that we dissected into bits and pieces. Lucky for me all that dreadful analyzing failed to burst the romantic bubble I'd created in my own mind concerning this piece. I first saw reference to it in the pages of "Anne of Green Gables." Then, several years later, when Keven Sullivan's adaptation of the book came out I was giddy with delight to see he chose to have Anne reading the poem in the opening scene. What a great job Megan Follows did in this role!

All romantic notions aside, however, I do believe it is the aspect of weaving in "The Lady of Shallot" that has made the most indelible mark on me. Now aside from childhood hours spent with my potholder loom and loops kit I have never in my life actually woven anything. I've drooled a lot though. . . . . especially in school where my adviser's office was at the back of the textile room. Walking through that sea of floor looms to meet with her made my head spin. Needless to say, when it came time to sit down and plan out the direction of my own future my focus was shot. For five years I floated through the studies of graphic design, illustration, and art education before finally settling myself in the field of art history. But not once did I ever consider Textile Design. And so I don't weave. . . . . but I love anything woven. . . . .things like gingham and baskets especially. Which must explain why I head directly to the pile of baskets first off at each and every yard sale I attend.

It's quite good when you find one to your liking with a handle because then you have the perfect tote for all the other goodies soon to be discovered.

Goodies like these for the making of a tea time get together. . . .

. . . . or these for the making of some dolly's wee wearable.

This item, however, stumped me. Being a basket, of course I loved it, but the color was what made it a must have! Unfortunately I was having difficultly reasoning out it's purpose...to find a way to weave it into the fabric of my days if you will.

And then I found treasure!

Now I really didn't need another sewing machine but oh that color! Combined with the fact that. . . . . .

. . . . it was made in England. . . . .

. . . . . in the year I was born. . . . . and cost only $25. . . . .SOLD!!!

In my excitement I made the purchase without a thought as to it's working condition. Once home, however, I set up shop only to discover it performed beautifully! I've since named her Bluebell and can't wait to dress up that little basket into a pincushion for her.

Maybe it's a good thing I'm not a weaver. Squeezing another Singer in the sewing nook is one thing, a floor loom on the other hand. . . . . I'd be hard pressed to even squeeze it into the house!

And so I'll stitch by night and day

A magic quilt of colors gay.

Farmer's Wife Follow Up.....

I had such high hopes of playing the roll of Farmer's Wife in our yard this year. Endless days of weeding, transplanting, harvesting vegetables, and decorating the house with flowers from the dooryard stretched before me. Then, however, the heat arrived. . . . . . . .and never left! The much anticipated summer rainstorms were few and far between so while I languished in the house like a limp rag everything outside burnt to a crisp. Apparently my endurance level is nowhere near on par with that of Willa Cather's Antonia Shimerda, although I've often wished it were so! But no, I'm afraid my gardening endeavours this year consisted in not much more than the creation of endless Bitty Blossom Pins while planting myself directly in front of the fan!

Looking back, the only task I actually completed was that of cleaning up the shed. (No comment on the red gingham curtains.)

Oh well, maybe I'm more of a "Cowboy's Wife" like Grace Snyder. Probably not but I'm still looking forward to hunkering down into the long winter months with a quilt project and a good book!

Treasure Hunting

I attended the Southern NH Doll Show and Sale today with my mom. We go every year and always discover the sweetest treasures to bring home. Today was no different. . . . . . just look at this amazing nursery rhyme cup and saucer from England! I'm still pinching myself to make sure I didn't dream up this lucky find.

My mom found quite a sweetheart in this wee wooden "paper dollie." I just love her sparkly eyes and rosy mouth. I also love the fact that mom gave her to me as an early birthday present!

And who could possibly resist a miniature village? Not me!

As if all this wasn't enough. . . . .

. . . . . there was even a bitty baby house just right for Lily Red!

Home Sweet Home!