Full Circle

December is

a time of reflection.

As I look back 20 years...

I see,

not just how much my life has changed,

but also 

how it has circled around.

I remember a little

catalog~

Holly Berry Hill

It was all hand drawn.

Full of dollies that were inspired 

by

yesteryear...

and the patterns~

oh my goodness!

It tugged at my heart

and made my soul smile.

In that tug 

and love

of yesteryear;

 of Thomas Nash

and 

Little Women...

Dickens and Austen~

my head swirled...

and has continued to.

The things that hold 

the art of my heart~

are never 

in front of me,

but always behind.

And so...

Emily 

is 

my soul

answering back

the echo 

of

 Holly Berry Hill.

From her poke bonnet

to

the fabric of her dress.

I am so excited

to explore

and create more...

but first,

there are the holidays to enjoy

and projects that call.

Time with my beloved...

and with our family.

This December

has come

around

full circle

in a way

that I never expected...

but reminds me

to keep

the past

in my present.

New Patterns!

Heaven and Nature Deer

Early Primitive Angel

Olde Primitive Angels

Wee Witcheries

I imagine that you have been wondering ...

where did she go?

Let's just say 

that life sometimes can 

throw curveballs.

I feel like,

 I am finally moving forward~

It's always hard to 

pick out 

what designs to release.

I have a bit of a formula

and

the Collector's mice

along with the Art Doll sculpts

don't fit the formula.

This time, 

I picked some of the most popular 

in feedback 

and a couple of classic primitives.

Each one has been selected 

from their

popularity at shows as well.

Those little witchery boots

and shoes?

squeals of delight

and are often the first ones gone.

The rest 

are favorites

at Holiday Shows,

for gifts and home.

I keep my Primitive Angel Ornaments out year round...

because,

primitives...

As with all of my patterns,

no release would be without a good sale...

especially on 

Black Friday,

Small Business Saturday

AND

Cyber Monday

The sale ends

Saturday, December 1st.

Wee Witcheries Pattern

A click on the picture 

or the Etsy banner 

located on the sidebar,

 will take you right there~

lickety split!

Thank you all so much.

You allow me to keep doing what I love!

Hiccups

A view of the line up in the big dollhouse.
there are still some ladies that would love to be adopted.

Last night was my Picturetrail sale.

I want to thank everyone that stopped by.

no matter if you

adopted

or just stopped to see all of my lovelies;

you spent time in my

little corner of the world... 

I appreciate that.

Pumpkin Ladye, always in my heart...

they are bigger and nicer this year

with weighted fannies!

There were some hiccups 

along the way.

By hiccups, I mean that

my Yahoo mail server

had "technical difficulties"

throughout the day and evening.

I did get word that 

some of you had difficulty

getting to me.

(UGH!)

I loved sculpting her...
she just blossomed to life. her birdcage skirt
holds a battery operated flickering candle.
she makes these cold and overcast days of Fall
so cozy.

 There are still some wonderful 

friends that would love to be adopted.

...and if you had 

problems last night as well,

please do let me know.

I have lots to share and catch you up to speed on

and I am excited to be back to blogging to do just that!

See you soon!

....aaand We Are Home.

It's been a whirlwind,

but we are home and settling in.

I have much to share!

I will be posting more about everything in the days ahead...

but first

I need to let all of you know 

the information 

on my annual Fall Picturetrail show.

There are fewer offerings,

but they are better.
I repatterned, weighted

 and 

made them a bit bigger.

The Dollhouse display

had some changes...

and filled up rather nicely.

You may have noticed that I had a thing about owls.....

My smaller poppets

are on cone bases so that they

may sit upon a 

Hallows tree.

I am also honored to be published

 in the last

Art Doll Quarterly magazine

as well.

After the online show, 

I will be making 

more posts here.

Sharing news and offerings...

I think it's just a nicer place 

to show who I am and share.

I already have some exciting news happening for next year...

but that is for another day!

Slacker.....

It appears that I have been a slacker...

But only in keeping up with my blog.

I have been fast at work...

although we squeezed in a little vacation

~~~~~~~~~~

 I will catch you up!

The Hawthorne Hotel.
The most haunted Hotel in the US.
We were on the top floor, and yes, we were touched!!

Near the end of May, 

we took a little trip with our friends,

Pete and Gail.

We had the opportunity to visit Salem!

An awesome adventure

packed with history,

architecture, window shopping

and eats.

The house of Dani and Max,
from the movie, Hocus Pocus.

The Clue Mansion.
The Parker Brothers'
based their game from the murder here.

The Witch House~
we didn't get a chance to tour it
this time.....
there was so much to do!

The House of The Seven Gables~
my favorite tour.
The paint color came about in the early 1900s.
before that,
 the houses weren't painted.
The oak simply ages
and blackens with time.
The paint color was intended to mimic it.

Gail and I did this tour~
It gives the history of the Witch Trials.

Proctors Ledge
where 19 accused men and witches were hanged.

You cant have a Dinghy
without these two Dingies...

I rest my case....

You can't visit Salem without
enjoying great food.
Turner's Seafood.

I learned the hard way.
Be careful what you ask for.
After a day of walking,
we stopped at the Tavern in our hotel...
 for just a little snack before bed.
"I'll just have a pretzel."

On our last morning,
I decided to
enjoy a pancake.
Red's doesn't fool around and as Gail found out on our first morning...
one is all that you need! 

We walked miles and ate lots. 

Salem is in our hearts forever 

and we will

return next Spring.

To say I was inspired,

seems to be an understatement!

I know that I will

create  with Salem

firmly

wrapped in my spirit and soul!

...as my feet start touching the ground again

I am fast at work for Bewitching Peddlers,

Early Work Mercantile...

and my Etsy Shop.

Upon our return, 

I found that 

Etsy was rolling out changes.

I'm not a big fan of change,

but it needed to happen

I have not changed

the price of my

patterns for 10 years.

A modest price change 

now will reflect 

 the cost of selling 

through Etsy.

 The Patterns are still

a great deal at 9.50 each.

 With that

you get a package in the mail.

A real package~

something to eagerly await,

tear open and treasure!

Whew...

That wasn't so bad.

As May Settles In

Willow

The days are getting longer.

I enjoy the cool morning breezes

through the window in the morning, 

The breezes carry 

the sweet song 

of hedgerow Sparrows with it.

Sometimes, I just lay there;

longer than I should...

not wanting to

let go of dreams and start the day, 

just yet. 

Instead, I prolong

the remnants of my dreams

with the sweet serenade,

until I feel the nag to get up

or the smell of cawfee brewing.

A Skelly Ladye for Bewitching Peddlers

 My days are busy 

and seem to pass by so quickly.

I have immersed myself in a big sculpting mission. 

Before you know it, 

Bewitching Peddlers will be here

and I have new ways 

that I want to grow my work.

I can see

possibility

within my grasp

as to just how

to

create the characters

in my head

and give them life.

Willow is finished and ready to travel to her new home.

 I have a set weekly work schedule

for patterns and sculpting.

We are also squeezing in 

a big change in the rooms upstairs.

I don't need such a big room

 to sew and pattern in.

With the help of my Step Daughter,

I have a brand new studio in the works.

The room has a fresh, light and serene

look to the walls. 

As it comes together, I will be showing you!

Willow and Marie
It isn't often that two Early Work friends
have time to get acquainted.

Til then,

There are Bewitching friends

meeting Early Work friends.

It is getting a bit noisy

with so many chattering and vying for attention.

 My beloved

We spent Mother's Day on the road,

spending time with my Mom.

Mother's Day spent up North

 My Mother wasn't feeling the best,

but did engage in the usual Shenanigans

before we had to leave.

Our time is always too short!

Lily of the Valley
originally from my Granma's garden.

The gardens are getting green and filling in. 

The blooms are late this year,

but we enjoy them 

whenever they choose to appear.

It is certainly a busy time for us,

but we find it all

very blissful.

The Magic of Circles

The day is damp at the cottage 

and there is a chill in the air.

Outside the rain has stopped for now

and it is slowly warming up...

allowing the thin layer of ice 

to melt away.

Inside, it is dark.

A light or two

and a couple candles

make a warm glow.

As I sip my tea, 

my memories float about.

Days like this, 

spent with both parents

are treasures now.

I would make us tea.

A spoon of sugar for my Mom,

a dash of cream for my Father.

I would have both

and he would chide me...

"That is the Welsh in you"

I smile now,

as my last name 

is Walsh.

My husband, 

a proud Irish Man

with the last name

meaning

Welsh.

Funny,

the circles

that come round

in life.

I am 

enjoying clay works

more and more.

I worked in clay

quite a bit growing up.

Minature mice were

a favorite subject.

I have one piece that I saved...

but,

I wonder if the others 

are still treasured

 among friends and family.

My wee friend 

Pip Squeak

is also 

a circle 

come round.

A blend of then and now

and I am ecstatic

for adding textiles

to my now.

I have always loved cloth.

Colors, pattern, 

and textures call

my heart.

The world of Dollmaking 

opened my eyes

and I know I am exactly

 where I belong.

Both of my pieces 

for 

Early Work Mercantile

bring 

the memories

of past works

and 

connect to the present

technical abilities,

 that I am still 

learning and exploring.

Life certainly circles

beautifully

in 

wonderful ways.

It is when you sit back

and really see

what has come around,

that 

you realize

that magic

has happened.

Glorious Spring

Yesterday was a beautiful, blue sky day.

We rode North with the car windows open.

Spring can take it's time to appear here. 

The mountains still have snow.

Time spent with family

and checking out the changes 

of my beloved sleepy little village

were in order.

Today is quiet...

the smell of fresh ground coffee

fills the tiny little cottage.

Gray clouds, 

giving way to a blue sky.

It is colder than yesterday, 

but no less beautiful.

The mornings are filled 

with birdsong once again, 

as the Hedgerow starts budding

and nests will be built.

A couple of friends and I

are welcoming our first

April day.

 Perhaps a nap for some will be in order, 

For me, 

it is time to clear the work area

of threads and fabric snippets...

It is time to

break out a fresh block of clay.

For all the beauty 

that Spring brings,

there is much to be done

beyond the usual Spring endeavors.

Halloween friends 

and a new 

studio area is in the works!

My two wee friends

are available

~~~~

The Starling Hedge Witch

is at

EHAG Emporium.

She is a more petite sculpt,

but full of simple details

and 

stitching full of love.

My wee mousy 

still wants to nap

away a lazy afternoon.

She can be had 

through

Early Work Mercantile.

There are links to each 

on the side bar.