Taa Daa!

Here he is! I was holding my breath all the way with this one, as I have ideas that don't always come to fruition but this little guy sure did.
I sure hope you like him!

Get a sneak peek......

Hee hee...... can't show you the whole creation yet.....he's in the final stages.....but, he's dressed, and looking quite dapper if I do say so myself. He's having an issue with his time piece, so we are waiting for that to get repaired, and then he will be ready to be on his way.......
This little bunny is another of my Go Green Challenge pieces. He was sculpted over a pimiento jar, so he is glass on the inside and clay on the outside. He would be a perfect jelly bean cup, or paper clip holder...or...well you decide. These will be up for auction on ebay starting Monday afternoon and ending Saturday the 28th. Check back for more photos......

White Rabbit is finally dressed!

It's about time! It was getting embarrassing having to make excuses for this otherwise dapper fellow! Now comes the choosing the colors for his suit. I'm thinking a light color for his vest, perhaps a soft yellow with a plaid design, but the coat I want perhaps a grey or slate blue color, and then the scarf perhaps red? It seems I always have to get red in there somewhere. Well, we shall see. Any suggestions?

It Finally Came.....

My invite to come back to the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts came in the mail last week and I'm so excited!!!! It was a dream come true to get juried in last year, and since I won a blue ribbon for my lemons painting I have the incentive to come back again. Isn't that a lovely lake setting? I can walk up there every morning when I'm in Oregon, and I love the peace, serenity and beauty of the place. My mom still resides in spirit there, so spending time in Wallowa Valley is a healing place for me, and getting to fulfill our dream of being a part of the art community in Wallowa Valley is so, well, wonderful! The folks who dedicate so much volunteer time to make this show happen are truly amazing, and such nice people as well!
The building you see with the red pick up and trailor in front of it on the left, is now a real estate office and has a restaurant where the tavern used to be, but the real estate office used to be an eatery called the Gold Room. Mom worked there for awhile and we used to love going there to get large plates of fries for 75 cents, along with thick creamy milk shakes. Yummmm! We have our home 2 blocks away, so we can walk downtown easily, and I often ride my bike there to get supplies at the hardware store. What a place that is! The clerks greet you and help you find whatever you are looking for, and are always good for a joke or tease. If they don't have what you want, they can order it. It's a home town hardware store, with a bit of housewares too, so if you need a bowl, or grater, toaster, you name it they have it. As much money as we spend there each summer we should own half the store by now.
Anyway, I have 2 months to put together 3 pieces for the art show, so I'd better get to it!

Eek! There's a naked rabbit in my studio!

The nerve of this guy! I've been trying to get him dressed all week but he just wont' hold still! He keeps looking for his watch and exclaiming, "Oh my ears and whiskers, look at how late it's getting!" Well if he doesn't hold still and let me dress him, he will miss the big event...whatever that is.....

What does Uncle Sam, a Bunny and a Witch have in common?

There's a lot going on in our neighborhood, with Spring just around the corner, "Go Green" challenges and as always what's the news of the good old USA today.

The witch you see above was created for the "Go Green Challenge we are having at AHA. She was made from a wood box I found at a yard sale, and her hat embellishments include a strip of a net orange bag, and a vintage button.
Uncle Sam was created from a chunk of closet rod, clay, tree branches and a small wood base. His arms are wired into place.
The darling bunny is created over a gourd, she actually opens for a place to stash wrapped candy. Stop by my ebay today to see more on these. They are 3 day auctions only and will end on Saturday so don't delay!

PFATT Marketplace for March

Here's a sneak peak at what I have for sale at PFATT this month. Catch them while you can!

More WIPs

This little bunny went to market.....oh wait a minute....lol. She's a topper, and you will have to come back to see what I mean.


In the mean time, my hubby bought me Les Miserables for my birthday, not the complete version mind you as he doesn't like really long books, but this one has at least 1000 pages with all the commentary. So far I'm enjoying it thoroughly! It really makes you think about people, situations; what's going on in the economy right now that mirrors the philosophy of Victor Hugo's writing. Life can really be as simple or as complex as we choose to make it depending on whether we base our lives on values and solid principles or living by a whim, and what ever makes you feel good at the moment.







I love the saying, "Let a smile be your umbrella." Smiles are a sure way to light up another persons life, and help chase the clouds of doubt and despair off to rain on another unwatchful recipient. So, in a good portion of my creations you will see a smile. I'm not into the sad and morose looking Folk Art, so artists like Suzanne Urban of Smirking Goddess Studios, constantly delight me with their fun and whimsical art. Visit her blog to see what I mean.


Wheels and carts, some say we may end up back in the horse and buggy days, which will really put a cramp on internet sales don't you think?! But seriously, being down to one car since our roll over has me really thinking about transportation and whether we really need to get another car to replace mine. I'm a tad selfish in that I really don't like a manual transmission or a car as small as a roller skate, so I'm having a hard time with the idea of not getting a car for myself. But we will have an excellent opportunity to pay off the roller skate. I'm thinking we teach Annie to drive the roller skate, and let her buy it (well sort of, she is a starving student) and then get us a slightly larger vehicle with all wheel drive for winter driving and hauling things around. Something used and cheap, but still running . :-) No need to decide now though and in the meantime I'm getting ready for this months PFATT Marketplace.

Going Green!

We are going green at AHA for the month of March so here's a little preview of some of the re-purposed items and their partly finished creations. My little bunny will actually be on PFATT this month, but he will be utilizing toothpicks.....

The taller bunny will have a covered jar lid for a base, and his neck was a cork.

The man in the moon will be a candy container created with the gourd head, and a tin can for a base. The top hat I will create for him will utilize an empty shampoo bottle and toilet paper roll. I will continue to take photos as I go so you can see the steps and how I recycle throw away items into my work. We don't have a recycling center here so for me, the queen of recycling, this is an extra fun challenge. Oh, the challenge will start on the 8th of March and run through the 31st. We will be featuring the winner on our AHA blog. Stay tuned for more info!

A new Bunny in town....

Meet Bernard P. Wigglebottom, a rather dashing and distinguished rabbit. Bernard is a professor at Hassenpfeffer University and chair of the department of antiquities. He has recently acquired for the universities collection a rare signed set of the Beatrix Potter series. Proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather, his progeny looks up to him for his wisdom and wit. He's the newest of my one of a kind creations found on ebay.

Featured on Layers Upon Layers

Nancy Malay of Vintage Whimsy and Folk Art Originals shared with AHA artists a way to be featured on Layers Upon Layers, a blog devoted to mixed media art, so I thought why not try it?
I sent off an inquiry with photos and a couple of paragraphs of my work and association with AHA and she was very happy to add me to the snow art features. A big thanks to Nancy! So, head on over to Layers Upon Layers and see all the wonderful artists and articles. I'm heading back myself as there are things to be learned and seen. P.S. I still have that secret something waiting to be unveiled.......

I have a little secret.......

A little birdie sent me a note today to share a little exciting news, but until I see the proof I am not telling, nope not gonna do it, but! it has something to do with this little guy. Check back to see.......

Signs Of Spring

What do you consider a sign of Spring? Is it the crocus peeking up from a blanket of snow, or the pussy willows fluffing up on their branches? How about robins seen pulling worms up from the yard, or daffodils happy bonnets waving in the breeze? It's coming, I've seen the signs, and with all this new life comes Easter and the glorious message it brings. Bunnies are always a symbol of Easter so I painted this sign as a sweet and gentle reminder of what is to come. Find this lovely piece on ebay now!

Bunnies are hopping through......

You would think it was Easter already as the bunnies are hopping through the neighborhood, trying to find goodies to nibble on. I haven't shown them where the daffodils are peeking through yet as I love their sunny faces and bright green leaves that stand at attention as ensigns of Spring.
These bunnies might find their way to ebay soon, am still deciding on when though. Stop by again and see what's a poppin around here.

Stand up for America and Freedom!

We as Americans are facing a tough time. But, with our usual grit and backbone we can get through whatever comes our way. I love to create Americana figures, especially out of things found in nature.

This Uncle Sam is created from a Y in a tree branch and detailed using air dry clay. He stands on an old cedar plank and is 19" tall. All my own design and work, he comes signed and dated. Have a peek at him on ebay.

A Valentine Treat.....

Chocolate is such a fun food! You can do so many things with it so I thought I'd share one of the ways I spoil my family. Here I melted one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 bag of milk chocolate chips in a double boiler over low simmering water. You don't want to go to hot. While this is going on put 8 oz. of cream cheese in your mixer bowl to soften. You will find out later.
Next I lightly oiled, and I do mean lightly as the chocolate will slide down the sides if you over do it, my favorite vintage sand tart molds. With a spoon I spread some of the melted chocolate in and around the mold to cover the bottom and up the sides. You want it thick enough to not break as you take them out of the molds but not too thick as they will be filled with a yummy treat. Next I put about a 1/4 of a cup of the melted chocolate in a squeeze bottle with narrow tip.
I then piped out the chocolate onto wax paper and went over the designs twice to make them stable. The photo above is the heart shell inverted to show you the pattern. I actually put all of these in the fridge to set up. I took them out and tweaked the molds until the chocolate shells pop out. If they don't pop out fairly easily put them in the freezer for a few minutes.
Place the shells on a nice plate, you can line it with a doily or whatever suits your fancy.
Back to the cream cheese. Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and beat on low. While this is going on melt 2 T. butter and add. Now add the leftover chocolate and beat one to two minutes. Add 3/4 to 1 cup of heavy whipping cream and beat until nice and thick. You can add 1/2 t. of vanilla as well. I used a cake decorator bag but you can just spoon the mixer into the chocolate shells. I added the little heart decorations I'd made earlier and then piped whip cream around the edges. Chill covered until ready to serve. Delicious. This recipe will make about 10 cookie size shells and filling.
Enjoy!

Angelia the Angelic

The name makes me want to have another child, just so I can use it....hmmmm I have a grandchild on the way...I could talk my daughter into using the name if she has a daughter....lol. Today as I was putting the finishing touches on this piece my grandson and I went through the button box together.
Emmett was having great fun taking the buttons out of the cigar box and putting them on the paper plate with me. I had to run in and put more flour in the mixer for the bread, and got caught up in something else and before you know it.....

The living room was covered in buttons of all sizes. I walked out and he, in his cute little way, with arms outspread and hands facing me, told me in Emmettator speak, about his reason for decorating the carpet, the couch, and hallway with buttons. He's a good boy though, and helped me pick them all up.
Angelia is my newest creation up on ebay. Take a peek at her auction if you get a chance.

PFATT Marketplace...It's Official!

It's official! I'm so excited to become a part of the fabulous line up of artists on PFATT Marketplace. Many of my friends are there, and folks who's art I've admired for years. I feel like I've finally grown up....lol. My first piece is the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
***********SOLD!*************
I love Americana and with the inauguration of our new president I'm sharing by creating some Black Americana pieces. These have been very fun for me!
Who doesn't look forward to Spring this time of year and Easter is just around the corner. I used paper doilies pressed into clay to provide a lacy look to this darling bunnie's collar. Check out the slideshow below to see more detail of all these pieces, and then scurry on over to PFATT Marketplace for some fabulous eye candy.

PFATT Video Thanks for stopping by!

Angelica the newest angel on the block....

Though Angelica has fire red hair, her temperament is sweet as can be. She's a combination of sugar and spice and everything nice. Created from wood, with soft wool hair, homespun fabrics, vintage buttons, and scrapbook papers, she's the perfect guardian angel to hang up by your bed, or in your favorite sitting room. Angelica is 20" long from the tip of her halo to the tips of her toes. She's simply sweet!

And the winner is.......

Judy! Congratulations Judy, I will send you an email to get your address so I can get these out to you. To everyone else who took the time to stop by and enter, thanks! Come back again, as there may be more give away fun to come.

Sneak Preview!

Well I can't say Lions and tigers and bears...oh my! But bunnies and a Sam, oh wow! They will soon be found on PFATT Marketplace, and I'll be sure to send you a note to share. This is just a sneak preview of what's to come...and there may be more!

A Rabbit....I saw a rabbit..... WIPS

Oh, yes....he was announcing the Queen of Hearts and then getting ready to run..... Where is he going you ask? Well, you will have to check back and see, I will be announcing that soon. He will also be joined by a few of his friends, including Uncle Sam. History and Bookland Classics are just a few of the places my creative mind wanders. So stop by again and lets wander together. By the way, if you haven't done so yet, scroll down to the announcement of our AHA Valentine Give away and get your name in, and then click on the banner to the right and follow the links to the other give away opportunities. Have fun!

Angelique ....Angels are among us....

Sweetness and light are emanating from her face as she looks upward with hope. Angelique was created using acrylics on heavy watercolor paper. The painting was mounted on layers of papers, embellished with lace, beads, feathers and a brass locket. She comes ready to hang and has a scripture verse on the back ... And when we cried unto the Lord, he heard our voice, and sent an angel.....Numbers 20:16. Stop by my ebay auctions to see her today.

AHA Valentine Give Away!

At AHA our hearts are all a flutter because we are hosting our first Blog give away! Several of our artists have created lovely goodies for you to try and win. All are celebrating Valentines Day so share the love with your friends and tell them to stop by our main AHA blog, and see who all is participating. All you have to do is leave a comment here and your email address and you will be entered to win my two "love note" cards with matching envelopes. These were created with graphically altered prints of a new angel painting I will have up on Ebay starting tomorrow. I added layers of scrap book papers or doilies, and sweet little Valentine stickers, glitter, and lettering so that each one is an original. I'm off to see what my fellow artists have listed on their blogs so drop me and line here, then follow me to the AHA blog by clicking on the banner to the right. Oh, the give away ends on Saturday the 7th so you will by notified if you win and asked for a mailing address to send your gift. Thanks for stopping by, and have fun!