Merrie Christmas from My Little Women and I

A Merrie Christmas to all Goode Friends and Family!

Thank you so much for the gift of you~ Whatever your celebration for the days of December, may you have great joy, goode health and peace in the coming year.

I'm On The Watch

It's almost time. I'm loving our little wood stove and all the memories it brings. There is nothing better than the smell of woodsmoke and the tickle of snowflakes on your nose as you step outside. It's snowing lightly now and there is more due tomorrow. The tree is up, most packages are wrapped and the hot chocolate is never far away. Tomorrow is the last day for school and then havoc will abound. We will all scatter a bit for a few days, as there is still a bit of shopping and a play to catch. With Tim, I have my own personal Santa. He keeps little ones in wonder as we shop. He loves to see the faces on children as they point and whisper to their parents. One wink can bring the most beautiful smile from a child.

The girls are older now but they keep belief in their hearts. They keep the magic alive, especially for their younger cousins. I like catching them at it and reminding them to keep the magic always, not just for the wee ones. The Holidays have been simplified for quite a few years here. We cherish family and each other as we remember those who are not with us any longer. We keep close family that won't be able to be here as they live too far away. A group phone call always helps. We will all be gathering with family and friends throughout the days ahead; knowing that no matter what is happening in the world, the gift of each other is the best gift of all.

Oh The Weather Outside Was Frightful!

I've been busy back and forth between two homes since the last post. With winter comes Virus Season and this one has been difficult for some to shake. Luckily, it hasn't found me and I have been able to help my family through it.

As you have seen on the news, the ice storm from Thursday hit the North East hard. Up North, in Granville there was a few inches of snow to make a crust on the driveways. Other than some good sized branches, we were spared from the hardships of others are still facing. Rotterdam where the Goode Comfort Cottage is located, was not as fortunate. On Friday, in spite of the town being under a state of emergency, Tim made his way up to get me and bring me down for the last show of the year. He was fortunate to have power and friends and family stopped in for showers, hot coffee and even a place to rest warmly for a few hours. We have watched long chains of power trucks (10-20 to a time) pass along the streets to their next destination. Some are from Michigan and Pennsylvania. The tv has been on and off and the Internet spotty at best.

Yesterday we spent the day in Williamstown, MA for a quaint Holiday show nestled in the town. They were spared from much of the ice, but browsers and vendors had stories to share! A beautiful Quilter next to me shared that they were still without power at their home and we both chuckled when she discovered that she had a shirt on backwards after dressing in the dark that morning. It was a beautiful day in a snow covered Williamstown and I can't wait to go back next year!

Today I have been finally able to upload my offerings on TDIPT. I have two new pieces to share with all of you. The snowman, Mr. Flakes, was from a sketch done last year. I love how fun he turned out. Christine, however is my new love. I searched and searched for just the right fabric to show her off. I can't wait now to start the new designs for next year.....

One of My Favorite Things This Year

I'm often asked, "What is your favorite piece that you've designed"? In true artist form, it is my next piece. This past weekend, I checked in on my Uncle's cat while he was away. I walked by a small Curio Cabinet that was my Grandmother's and I saw a piece that I had made for her about 17 years ago. It was a small colonial dressed mouse made from felt. I had forgotten all about her. She's tiny and made from grey felt, perhaps all of 3 inches tall. There were plenty of tiny details from her apron to her mob cap. All done without a pattern to guide me. I've never had much sewing experience before I started doll making about 11 years ago. In fact I did poorly at attempting a "V" neck on a shirt I made in Home Ec.

I look at Mrs. Bennet today and wonder just how the dear hen turned out so well after viewing my little mouse! Desire to learn is a wonderful thing to push you along and let you grow. Every year, I look back at my designs to see where they have lead me since I started my Folk Art path. It was amazing to find the little mouse, and have her remind me that I had it in me longer than I thought! Not counting however, the dresses and skirts made for my Barbies, or the frog Grandma and I made when I was young enough to have baby teeth still missing in front. The past has always been my keeper and still is today. Thank you Gramma for reminding me and showing me just how far I've really come in sewing my designs.

Holiday Memories

I just couldn't do it. I had to wait until after Thanksgiving to put my holiday music up. Each holiday needs to hold it's own spirit and memories and they need to come in order for me. Each song was like placing a memory ornament on a tree.

My Uncle would play the Peanuts theme for me and never seemed to tire of me asking. Of course there were quite a few years that my Dad was gone, fighting in Vietnam or on assignment. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" has a deep meaning for my family. My Uncle Frank and I shared the love of Snoopy and the Red Baron. The beloved characters of several holiday shows kept the long wait until Christmas Day easier. As a teen, I was right smack in love with Kermit the frog and John Denver. During my High School and college years there was a tradition with the Hallelujah Chorus. In High School, our Chorus teacher, Mrs. Johnson, would have us sing it as a finale. Anyone that had graduated and was home for Christmas would be asked to come up and take their old spots on the risers to join in. How I miss that! Art School saw my friend Terry and I singing "Snow Miser" down the streets of Lake Placid as we walked to our dorm house in the snow.

These are but a few. I hope as you stop in here and visit, you will find your own memory within a song. Perhaps I will have jiggled your memory a bit with a song that you have since forgotten. May my pick of songs bring dear memories and smiles upon your heart this holiday season.

Be Ye Thankful

Another Thanksgiving meal has come and gone...well except for the Pumpkin pie. My ex-mother-in-law made me one as I have missed her pie dearly over the years. She cooks the pumpkins down and Ellen mashes it through a sieve. It is heavenly and I am so thankful for her thoughtful gift.

The Busy House has been going at full throttle. Jess is playing modified Basketball and was good enough to be asked to join the Varsity team. In true Jess fashion, she turned it down not wanting to leave any of her team mates and friends behind. She'll get there with the rest of them. Bailey and her boy friend Joe are having a great time cooking in the kitchen (Joe is taking Culinary Arts). We have been preparing for winter and have gotten the old wood stove up and running. What a blessing to have such a comforting heat source. There is nothing better than the smell of wood smoke as you step outside , or the warmth that wraps around you like a favorite sweater and brings childhood memories rushing in.

In it all, I have been busy preparing for a nearby show. It is the 23rd annual show and we have been happy to be a part of it for the past 3 years. If you are nearby, do stop in and say hello~ we'd love to see you!

November 28 - 29 Vermont Farmers Market Poultney Christmas Fair 10-4 Poultney High School Gym Route 140 Poultney, VT

Finally, I'd like to introduce to you, Murphy. He is 12 weeks old and keeps this house very, very busy. Molly is a wonderful big sister and they look like a tumbleweed rolling by most of the time. Rylie is ever watchful that her kids are behaving, and looks forward to escaping for a well deserved nap on my bed. We are all Thankful for so much this year. There are some family members that live far and could not be here, but we have everyone. This year we have faced hardships like so many. We continue to make changes to live a bit more simply as we have for the past couple years. I am Thankful that at a time when it is so difficult in the job market, my little business continues to not only be a joy for me, but for all of you as well. To all of my friends here old and new, Happy Thanksgiving and may the simple joys be yours.

Such A Busy Time of The Year

The Holidays are fast approaching and I have two more shows to do before the year ends. We have been having some work done on the house and chimneys for winter. This year, we will be burning wood once again. It's been quite a few years since we have done that, other than if the power has gone out. It's a comfort to me, there is nothing better than a warm fire on a snowy winter's eve. It's going back a bit, to a simpler time even if it's just the simpler time of my growing years. We are also preparing for something new at the house. I won't share until it's on it's way, but my heart smiles with it!

TDIPT has opened for the 15th and I have had fun with the White Christmas Theme. I love a mix of tones and textures, so this was great fun for the artist in me. I'm loving the little mice too~ they are so real looking. I love Miss Whisper, she was inspired by our own Miss Maddie. For me, Art does imitate life with so many of the critters that I do. I am certainly thankful to all of you that enjoy , encourage and inspire me to do what I love, even in these rough days we have had with the economy. As we come to Thanksgiving, I know how much I have to be Thankful for, but for some the days are darker. We are doing what we can here to give, be it an odd job, a hot meal and even a home. Just wait until the next post and you see our newest family member.

A Season of Change

I thank my Grandparents for making us sit with Walter Cronkite during our evening meal every night when I was growing up. The nightly news of the world sparked discussions, debates and learning. I still enjoy dinner and the news, even when my kids roll their eyes about it as I once did. We don't always appreciate the lessons until later, do we?

I have voted in every election since I turned 18 and strive to learn more with each one. Not not only the process, but the importance of learning about the candidates and domestic/world matters to make the most informed decision that I can. I am teaching my daughters the same and we have had a house election every election, since they were in school. We all take fun in discussions and thoughts along the way. This election has been so much fun because they are older and know more of the process, candidates and issues. They have learned that no matter what view they have, they can talk about it and share. We all learn in that. In the end, we all come together better for it. No matter how you voted yesterday, I think we have all come far these past two years. I am simply amazed at the response, the excitement and the coming together as a country. It is a season of change. God Bless America.

My Studio Tour

Take a stroll into the Goode Comfort Studio~ It just may surprise you! Click on the picture.

Boo! It's Halloween!

It's here at last~ my favorite day. I will be on the road most of this evening for a little weekend get away at the Goode Comfort Cottage. We don't get little ones knocking at the door,dressed in costume at either place. I really do miss that. I will celebrate just the same. We have an array of Tim Burton movies as well as Practical Magic. Some popcorn and candy corn and I'm all set to wrap myself in my little studio in Rotterdam. I will be taking some pictures to share with all of you, it's still in the beginning stages, but it is a studio and computer room. Tim surprised me with it in mid September, and slowly, we have been making it a creative work area. I'm so fortunate to have someone beside me that loves me and my work.

Now... it IS Halloween AND the last day of the month, which means Lemon Poppy seeds!!! Yes, I will have some items up for all of you. I'm not sure just when DJ will upload it all, but if I don't get my skeletons moving, I won't get good pictures!!

A Little Adirondack Surprise

Okay, I do love that we have all of the seasons here in Upstate NY, and I am always trying to work ahead of the holidays. I keep candles and music as I work, movies to inspire....but I'm not quite ready for snow yet. It's tried a couple of times here just lately. Sneaking in and trying to blend in with the raindrops, but not covering the leaves with white just yet. That could all change by morning. Insert a big sigh here.

Fall is my favorite Season and so much of my Halloween stays up year round. I continue designing for Fall, sneaking in sketches while I'm drawing bunnies. It's just who I am. Tomorrow night, we will all await The Great Pumpkin in front of the television as we have for most of my 46 years. Sometimes you just never grow up. I will be working on my projects, Santa's, snowmen and ornaments. Hopefully by then the wet, slushy white stuff that is supposed to start the day will be gone. Only just a gentle reminder that those Santa's and snowmen need to get going. I'm not trading in my Pumpkin Spice coffee for Hot Chocolate just yet.

Madre Stagione

Madre Stagione is the Mother of the Seasons. She is as old as time itself . Madre Stagione carries the whispers of the winds that bring each season, within her feathers. She walks carrying her all knowing Spirit Stick.

Madre is my artful journey offering this month on TDIPT. She is more a fantasy piece and as her spirit took hold, she changed a bit from her sketch . When completed, she looked like something out of the movie, Dark Crystal. I haven't seen the movie in ages, but how fun to see that influences can spring forth while we are so unaware in creating our art. So much of my art through High School and Art School was embracing the wee folk of fairies, gnomes, dragons and mermaids. Madre was a project whose emphasis was on the feathered wing work more than anything. She clearly went beyond a study as her Spirit whispered to me and I listened with my hands. She taught me more than I expected to learn.

The Mad Dash

It was the mad dash this weekend; well through out the week for us. Home was a flutter of activity getting everything settled after the show and getting some crows off to a lovely shop in Greenwich, I will post more on that later. My TDIPT offerings are finished and pictures sent (and quite late, sorry Jan). My Dad did give us a scare and went to the hospital again, but hopefully this infection was caught early. I am catching up on emails, packing summer things away and making leek soup for our dinner tonight. The leaves are almost at peak here and the air smells beyond wonderful. I wanted to share our Saturday "Mad Dash", which was to see Jessie and the Granville Cross Country Modified Team do their "Mad Dash". Dash they did! It was held at Saratoga State Park. Jessie is the second from the right. They all did well~ congrats Granville!!!

Introducing, The Goode Witch of Washington County

Click on the witch to take you to the newest blog, The Goode Witch of Washington County. When you are done, come back and take the link to Lemon Poppyseeds. Even though I don't have anything to share this time, there are many wonderful artists that do!

This Good Wife is Pooped!

At least right now. It was a wonderful show despite the rain and we all had a great time. Such a beautiful time of year, as the Berkshire Mountains were showing their Autumn skirts and the misty rain just added a "Sleepy Hollow " touch to the show.

The Goode Wives are at work on our art daily in some way or another. Even with this show now behind us, there are a couple more in store, before the New Year comes forth. Today, I am back in front of the sewing machine with my beloved raven patterns for a last Hallow's Eve hurrah of orders. I will continue to make all goode things Halloween for upcoming shows and orders, but they will take a slower pace as Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching. There is nothing like a show however,to let you know just how truly your work touches another person's heart. There is no better sight for me, than to see someone approach our booth and light up from heart to eyes with our creations. It is this simple joy that makes all the late nights and sore fingers worth it.

Lemon Poppyseeds will open tomorrow without me, as I will be taking some time off to complete some special friends. It looks like a new studio area for me is also in the works, (not to mention the one at The Goode Comfort Cottage). I will be getting fabrics and dollies in order as their new home awaits. I can't wait to share this special place with you.

I will also be on TDIPT with some new friends on the 15th. The clock is ticking and there are new friends and old here waiting to show their spirits. I may be pooped today after a show, but there is excitement in the air for The Good Wives ahead!

Come See The Good Wives!

Yes, it's true, the Good Wives will be at a most wonderful Show this weekend! If you are in the area, do stop by and say hello, we'd love to see you. This year we have decided to try The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield MA. Fellow vendors and customers have suggested this show to us, so we decided to give it a try. Being lovers of history, we think it's perfect! For more info, take a little ride on the link above. Tim will be with us also, as he is our "Good GUY of Washington County", and can be found doing the "Wrappers Rap".

Sharing

Tis a goode Monday here this crisp day that will soon change to Autumn. The leaves are changing nicely and the smell of leaves and woodsmoke in the mornings is just this side of heaven.

First, I would like to share our weekend with all of you. You may have noticed that the music has changed a wee bit. Saturday was Jessie's 13th Birthday and we celebrated with a day out, at the Irish 2000 Festival. Just outside of Albany, in a little sleepy village of Altamont, a festival has been held for 12 years now. It is a rather full day of music, as two huge tents and a very large pavilion hold many a music lover and bands play continuously. We saw my favorite, Seven Nations. They played at the torch lighting ceremony at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Also, local favorite, Hair of the Dog brought huge smiles to all of us. You may hear a familiar tune from the movie, Titanic. Yes, Gaelic Storm was there. We had a wonderful day and were all exhausted when we closed our eyes that night. As many of you know, my daughter, Bailey has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Going to an event like this is a big ordeal for her. She did well, the crowds made her a little antsy at times, but we were able to redirect her so that she was able to enjoy herself and be just like anyone else.

Now, I'd like to present to you, the latest and most requested pattern I've ever been asked for, Jake. A little about how Mr. Jake came to be.... I had just gone to visit Netty one early Fall day last year and was greeted by Ted Turner, the Turkey. He announced my arrival and we had a short conversation before he continued his day, protecting the homestead and eating. Later that afternoon I sketched a bit, hoping to come up with a somewhat funny looking, skinny mouse. You've met him already as Seth Warner, my little Revolutionary War mouse. As I drew these angular lines, I thought one looked a lot like Ted, so I continued until the full body was drawn. It's one of those drawings whose spirit is fully shown in a matter of minutes. I chuckled and thought to myself, "now that is something Tim, my hunter, would like". It wasn't until a whole month later, that I did him up for "To Dwell In Primitive Times Mercantile". I thought to myself that no one would want such a lanky Jake when there were so many nice looking turkeys to be had out there. I could have not been so wrong. Jake was sold in minutes and there were requests for more of him...more than I could keep up with! So many of you have asked for him to be a pattern.. and I mean MANY. I am truly humbled with this guy, whose spirit was born in a few quick gesture lines and whose popularity has been unsurpassed in my pattern journey. I want to thank all of you for your request for him and taking the time to let me know how much you enjoy the patterns . This one is for all of you.

****To the right side, you will find ordering instructions. Happy sewing to all of you!****

Jakes on Parade

I just had to let these guys out for a little stroll and stretch their legs before they began their journey to Georgia. I thought you would enjoy the sight. When we lived up on the hill, Bailey would use her Dad's Turkey call and call the summer brood down the back meadow and into our back yard. She was quite good at it. What good memories they bring! Ah, you can almost hear them talking to each other ....wait, they are! Just listen in closer.Closer... that's it, can you hear? They are saying, "Stop by Monday for an important post that many of you have been waiting for!"

September Offerings

There has been a bustle of activity for several weeks now. It will continue until the first week of February and then I'll take a week or two to recoup before diving in for local shows. A local paper has been interviewing me for a piece among other area Artisans. I'm hopeful that I will be among those picked for the final write up.

Tim had a wonderful surprise two weeks ago as I was able to stay for a weekend at the Good Comfort Cottage. He took a room at the cottage and made it into a computer room and studio for me. He worked very hard to have my favorite "schmarm" table, sewing table and treasures set up to inspire. Molly and Rosie are content at our feet as we worked along this past weekend. Bobo the cat was very happy when I arrived with a new box of stuffing. She likes to curl up in it and check out it's loft.

I was only able to put up two offerings on TDIPT this time. I'm busy finishing an order for a dear loved one and getting ready for a show at the end of the month. The postcards have all gone out and it will be nice to say hello to friends that visit the blog and live nearby. Netty and I are looking forward to this adventure and both of us are at full speed in creating.

I wanted to share pictures of my two TDIPT offerings. I had such a good time with them. Durell was a celebration of my continued love of wire.. and Mrs. Brimfield well, she was my heart's surprise. An artists work is bringing what is in the mind and soul outward. Sometimes the idea takes a little trip and weaves itself in an out. What you have pictured exactly in your mind, may not quite match what your hands have done, but it happily speaks what the thought was. I enjoy realism, but whimsy generally takes over and sometimes all realism is lost in the final piece. Not this time~ Mrs. Brimfield surpassed what I had in my minds eye and joyfully surprised me with her outcome. She is one of those pieces that you shed a tear over as you pack her for her journey to her new home. I know without a doubt that the person adopting her feels the same and she will be treasured. I realise in it all, how blessed I truly am.

Silence, Prayer and Remembrance

It is a day for all of us to reflect and never to forget. All of us remember what we were doing when our world stopped. I do not know who to give thank for this wonderful piece of artwork, so if anyone does know I would be grateful to give credit.


I would like to take a moment and give thanks to all who served their country so well and gave so unselfishly during this time.

• To my little brother Steve who was serving Air Force 2, I'm glad that I was able to be with you in the days following. We all grew up a little more, and I am so very proud of you for ALL of your service.
• To my cousin , Brett. We did not know until many weeks later how you took it upon yourself to make your way to Ground Zero and look for survivors. You gave, so unselfishly. I know that you now have respiratory problems as many others do. I pray that others such as yourself can receive the care that they need so badly and insurance companies come through for all of you.
• To my other family members that served alongside their brothers in the Fire Department and National Guard. We are ever thankful.

These men and women are but such a tiny part of the many that served and continue to serve. They are all the heartbeat of our country. I ask that all of you take a moment to say a prayer for all of those that lost their lives seven years ago, and for the men and women that continue to serve our country, military or not and keep us safe.