Some of my Creations from 2009

I had a ball painting this large tote bag with a design from Shari Reiner, the other side is loaded with her funky angels as well. It was sold immediately at my home show.

I thought some aged primitive stuffed stars with a variety of sayings would be cute, they sold well. I added some sweet anne, berries, baby breath, and status tucked inside of each. I stuffed them with rags, polyfill & sawdust, to add a great smell then brushed them lightly with some cinnamon.

My Santa was a doll I designed myself, he has a sweet old face with great big eyes. He sold the day after my show, someone called & asked if he was still available...The prim angels in the basket advertising that "Angels Gather Here" also sold well/ I painted their little eyes & they had twigs & cinnamon sticks for arms and legs. I included some old keys hanging from their necks, some had little charms encouraging, "strength, hope, and faith"

I painted my pickle jar with a design from "Barb Jones" who I also adore, but didnt like the first bow & removed it & added a plaid homespun, torn piece of fabric, and it sold right away.

I added a glass voltive with a tea light on top, they look so pretty lit up in the evenings. Another Barb Jones design was a pillow below with a snowman celebrating "Oh Tannenbaum" her snowfolk are the sweetest & so much fun to paint. I was secretly happy he didnt sell, so he sits on my sofa, embracing winter.

I found the pattern for Black Sheep Wool Co. from one of my favorite magazines "Create & Decorate" I am so sorry I cant think off hand what the artists name is, I will find out & make sure to let you know.

And of course my other absolute favorite is "Renee Mullins" on the last pillow. I have learned so much from these wonderful women artists & was completely knocked out with excitement when Renee added one of my pillows I had painted with her design to her website, where she encourages others to "Show Us Your Work" Shes a kind woman who I follow on Facebook. "Hi Renee"

So many of these women who do what they do...just dont realize how they inspire so many others to pick up a brush, a needle, a piece of fabric and go for it. Embracing the journey rather than the destination.

I dont ever want to forget these women... or take what they do or who they are for granted. Some dont even know how they touch us with their art, their voices, their own personal journeys. I think its so important to celebrate each other. Tell each other while were here..what they do for us....what we do for each other.
I remember finding my dear friend Stacey "The Goode Wife" on a private forum, I was so stinkin brand new, open naive, unprepared for all the "crazy" that happens when you put yourself out there.
I remember the first time I began this blog...she was the first person to see it..I was such a wreck, had only been on line for less that a month or 2, and as busy as she was, always made time to celebrate whatever I did...if it was good, bad or indifferent, she was my best supporter and still is.
Another s/hero in my life is "Pam" from "Soft in the Head".....This woman is a published designer...making time in her hysterically busy life of order filling, designing & full filling her several titles of wife, Mother, Grandie, daughter, etc... to make sure she always brightens my week by encouraging me...Thanks Pam...you are indeed a Softee...

"Peanut" from "CountryFolk Keepsake" is another of my kindred spirit sisters...This woman is certifiably sweet, & I wished I lived closer cuz Id be her number one stalker(shed need a restraining order to keep my away)....Cookie, from "Curds N Whey" just lifts me with her creativity, beautiful spirit and love for Harleys & Christ...
Then there are others who just sooth my soul & ignite my own creativity with their blogs.
So thank you ladies for all of your gifts of time, never giving up on who I am, what Im trying to do...you will always be a part of me. I dont mean to imply I want or would ever try & "copy" your work...but absolutely try to emulate your contagious passion, your gifts of inspiration, your beautiful feminine energy that surrounds you & touches so many. Yeah...That I could only hope to incorporate into my own spirit.
So back downstairs to finish the apple/peach pie I promised my poor husband who complained last night that this house has no "goodies" in it.....yeah, all 219 lbs of him whittling away close to nothing! LOL. & then off to make cheeseburg casserole, salad and italian bread for this cold New England weather dipping in the single digits...I think I should try to sew my lil chubby squirrels some sweaters & bloomers...poor lil guys!