Accomplishments

The beginning of a new year, a new decade and always a time to reflect back. Instead of thinking about what I did not do or thought I would do, I made a visual report card for myself. Here is a sampling of some of my work for 2009.

Working outside my comfort zone with metal and wood on these found object icons

Having fun with whimsical pom pom creatures

Topsy Turvy Dolls

Workshop doll with Katie Estvold

Art Journaling this summer

Look forward to exploring further in 2010!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you Happy Holidays from New Hampshire. Oh my... how my puppy has grown. That's Flynn on the left. Where has my puppy gone? Time flies in people and dog years so make the most of it!

Surprise Visitor

Look who showed up on my doorstep yesterday. It is the handywork of my good friend Carol who makes the most beautiful holiday arrangements. I usually give the containers back for her to reuse the next year but I think this little doe is staying with me!

Walpole Artisan Tour

Just finished the 7th Annual Artisan Tour here in Walpole, New Hampshire. There was a nice steady stream of folks all through the weekend, some new and some returning. I was delighted to have one of my angel dolls featured on this year's brochure. Now that this event is over, I can focus on making things for gifts, decorating the house for the holidays and baking! Ahhh... big sigh.

Mrs. Claus II (too)

I am definitely on a Mrs. Claus phase because I've made another one...Santa can have his pick. She is a little more grandmotherly looking than my previous missus. I made her from papier-mache and cloth. Her skirt is a wonderful vintage holiday print salvedged from a ruined tablecloth. Her shawl is an embroidered eyelet dresser scarf. She has an angora cummerbund accented with a vintage fabric button that I embroidered (although not very well...need to work on my embroidery skills).

Here she sits in front of my holly bush..lots of berries this year compared to last.


A detail of her handmade tag.

Did you know that Santa is very forgetful so Mrs. Claus keeps the key to the workshop handy.

Her fuzzy angora leg warmers because it gets cold up there in the North Pole!

A bit of Holiday...early

I have made a fair amount of Santa dolls in my day but just was not in the mood for the old guy this year. My daughter suggested Mrs. Claus and I thought it was about time Mrs. Claus got her share of the spotlight...all that waiting up for her husband and all.She was lots of fun to make. I found a great vintage holiday hanky which I cut in half for her apron so I still have half left. She sports a beautiful vintage mother of pearl belt buckle which I have been saving for something special.

Of course a little whimsy... bells on her toes. She jingles softly.

Little Autumn Friends

It's the time of year for owls..some of my favorite creatures. These are made from linen, cotton, wool and leather and lace. I had these old crocheted shade pulls and found they made perfect owl eyes!

Poor Mrs. Golly... the first Mr. Golly was sold and went off to a new home so I made a new husband and Mrs. Golly happily accepted the replacement. He was a little taller and slightly better looking. But alas, Mr. Golly II went off with a satisfied customer. So, Mrs. Golly sits alone in the gallery wondering what happened to her men. Those pumpkin men really cannot be depended upon.