Simmering Soup and Sipping Tea

Anneliese

January is always exciting for me.

The Holidays wind down...

we rest up

and I pull out my notes

 from the year and start 

jotting down things

and 

making a basic plan.

A wink and a nod to an earlier time.

Early Work Mercantile

and EHAG

give me the ability

to create monthly offerings.

The Maker

and Artist

in me

knows that this 

keeps creativity rolling...

People have not been a comfortable subject for me...
I am more at home with bird and animal faces.

Bewitching Peddlers

gives me the 

opportunity

to create on

the level

that I have yearned for.

Whimsy is a good area to start the step...
but I wanted a little more realism.

In it all...

an outline

keeps everything

running well...

I am pleased with this group of ladies,
I have this thing about black hearts...

January

gives me the time

to create a workflow

and

a chance to 

see all of my notes and ideas

laid out.

Inspired by Mourning Art

I always 

make a challenge 

for myself...

I push myself 

to look at areas that my work 

needs to grow

as well as where I want it to go.

While

January brings 

bitter winds and snow,

I look forward

to cozy days

with a pot of soup simmering

and sipping

peppermint tea...

and as you can see,

I was 

excited 

to start creating

and challenging 

myself.

Comfort

A peek in my basket that hangs on my wall...
It shows a project for Early Work Mercantile this month
and a bit of a hint.

As the New Year rings in,

instead of making a resolution,

I will pick a word 

to guide me through the year.

This year,

I picked "comfort".

My trip to the Adirondacks this Fall
was a wonderful get away with dear friends...
and inspires my work.

At home, 

we will continue

to surround ourselves with that 

which brings comfort.

Embracing

Hygge (hue-guh)

From simpler meals that continue

our goals of 

cleaner and healthier

eating;

( I have lost 30 pounds so far,

just being more mindful)

The view of Main Street, from our hotel room in Lake Placid.
Love the view of Mirror Lake. This village holds so many memories for me. My year of art school was an amazing dream come true.

to enjoying 

gatherings with friends and family.

Somehow, birds are my thing.
In college, I had to pick out a filler course for graduation. I didn't have much to choose from in that time spot and Avian Biology fit. It wasn't anything that I was drawn to. Who would have thought, it would be so important in my work all these years after. 

Even in my work...

I am harkening back

to what brings me comfort and joy~

As an Artist,

I know that while comfort

can be nice to settle into...

I need to push that comfort level to grow.

so 

"Comfort"

will certainly be taken out

of its zone!

Oh those Sleepy mice! It is fun to see that they still inspire other artists! They are so fun felted

A new year

and a new trip 

around the sun 

is exciting.

I know it will fill itself as years do;

 a balance of good and bad,

happy and sad.

I will be settling into a coziness,

surrounded by what is important

and making it all

memorable.

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.