The Summer That She Was...DELORES...

I was going through some photos and came across this one. One of my very favorites of my two daughters. In a blink of an eye, they have grown so much! This was taken at my parent's house, about a year before we moved in with them. It was the summer that Jessie became her own person. Her big sister Bailey just loved mothering her and taking charge. Now Jess is a very independent child and this was her start. She was given a pair of glasses/sunglasses by her Grandmother to ease the unfairness of her big sister getting all the attention with her new glasses. Jess loved them and loved that she could flip up hers when they weren't sunglasses. I pretended that I didn't know who she was with this new look, and called her, Delores.

Funny how things stick! These are forever her "Delores Glasses" And she played the whole persona off. She loved denim and I found the cutest snap up pleated denim skirt for her. Most young ladies would wear it fully snapped as a skirt... not Delores! Delores wore hers with only the top snapped and shorts underneath. I asked her why."It's for when I run , Mommy, look!". The skirt peeled back as she ran, thus giving her a more, "super hero" appearance, she later explained in her 4 year old language. It became her daily outfit that summer.

Jess is nearly 12 now. We have to find a bathing suit that doesn't show her stomach and tank tops are too low cut. She still dresses her own way. We still hold dear the glasses... and I'm quite sure that she WILL be a super hero someday.

The Summer Begins....

It's official, Summer has begun for us. The girls are now out of school. Jess had her Moving Up ceremony on Wednesday night. It was moving alright! There is a sadness as your youngest child moves through different phases of life. Jess will be going to the Jr. Sr. High School in the Fall. The mornings will be very busy as two young ladies now share a bathroom before school....til then, it's a bliss full summer ahead at The Goode Comfort Cottage.


Tim and I sat in Church last week and listened to the message of all that God gives us. One of the things was , "good comfort". Tim has just gone through a very difficult year with no real work, or unemployment check to fall back on. Somehow he made it and is back to work. It looks like there will be a lot of work coming up for the Union Electricians. It was difficult and scary, but hand in hand, we both kept Faith. Going to Church last week was special, because we wanted to go and say "Thank You". In it I was drawn to the words "Good Comfort". Such a simple thing that can be difficult when you look farther than you have to. Good Comfort is the simple things that surround us.



We decided that it was a fitting name to Tim's small Cape in the village of Rotterdam. While the front of the house faces a lot more traffic than I am used to after living in Granville for most of the past 31 years, the back yard has become a sanctuary. There is a small but humble little garden, a pool, a patio area and a area that we have small "camp fires" to roast marshmallows and watch the stars. Along the fencing areas are solar lanterns hanging and candles here and there. Along stumps, there are little candle lanterns and greenery for the Fairy's to play. We have indeed found a Fairy Ring (a ring of mushrooms) every summer. We have faith that the cottage will host one this year as well.



I will be traveling back and forth this summer, but the days spent at each place, I hope will be balanced. As always it depends on the health of my parent's. The Goode Comfort Cottage brings us much peace within the home and backyard. Living simply and keeping the Faith.

Live Your Spirit~

About ten years ago I was watching Oprah Winfrey one afternoon as I sat drawing in my little house up on the hill. I had two young daughters, two ill parents, a marriage that I could find no way to fix ... and a love of Primitives. I'm not really sure what the program was about, but the backdrop behind Oprah and her guest stated simply, LIVE YOUR SPIRIT. It captured my soul. I knew that I had to make some very difficult changes in my life and it would not just effect my life, but all that were a part of it. I felt alone and unsure of it all, but mostly unsure of ME and my capabilities. I kept this message close to my heart and held it close for strength all of these years. The changes have long been made, and there has been a lot of healing for many during this whole process. In it all, I learned to find what was me and my life and make it happen in all that I do.

Not so many years ago, Netty and I set out for a fall day of adventure. The big white van as our trusty steed, led us to Cooperstown and fellow doll makers for a visit. I was thrilled to meet the Loadwicks, Cheryl and her daughter, Emily. I have found through time that the whole family is not only warm and loving, but they fully embrace life with what captures their spirit. Emily is pure fascination as I have stated in an earlier post. I wanted to show you exactly what I ment. Cheryl and Emily so bravely put together pictures for me to share. Emily makes her dresses herself and does most all of the stitching by hand. When most young ladies of this day spend time having fun with different hair colors or beautifully painted nails, Emily holds dear the times of old and lives HER spirit. Now, if you think that her dress is wonderful, you should see her dolls!

There is a link in the Goode Things section, and if you go to Crow Soup and look under "Cotton Dolls" you will see a sampling of this Mother/daughter team.

Do you ever wonder....

Do you ever wonder just why we are here and now? Placed in this time and not where our hearts draw us?Lovers of the past, a time that is not ours but pulls us close? Are we drawn upon so that we may sing it to the future.....

The pull has always been there for as long as I can remember. Caught in the fondness of old cemetaries and early tombstones for me... visions of history as passed on by my family of our own family heros. Drawn to images of horsedrawn carriages and button up shoes.. or yes.. a love of old gloves, that once perhaps held the hand of a true love? A mix of time periods at least one hundred years prior.

As lives touch others I see that I am not the only one.. and kindred hearts do share. .. but I wonder do we share because perhaps we were all once there???

The Glory of Spring

Spring continues merrily here! The garden is about set, the herbs are doing wonderfully and we were rewarded this year with a gift from Mother Nature. We are lucky to have a couple Jack-in the-Pulpits on my Father's property. They were a protected species here...not sure if they still are. These were a gift from a friend many years ago. Most years we do get a bloom, but last year they did nothing, so I thought that perhaps we lost them. I have been patiently waiting for them to bloom and was rewarded a couple days ago. Such a beautiful flower!!! I love the woodlands and so they are a favorite, keeping close memories of traipsing through the woods with my best friend and her Mom in the nearby Vermont woods. We would go in search of fiddleheads, wild onion and violets. The fiddleheads are the beginning shoots of ferns and they taste very much like asparagus when steamed. We would also collect enough violets, so that her Mom could make a violet jam. It isn't too bad...but the fiddleheads are wonderful! In it all , we would look for treasures.. the Jacks-in-the-Pulpit and May flowers. My May flowers haven't survived over the years, but my little treasure has!

We have just finished putting the garden in. Tim actually does the planting there.. and I do ALOT of the eating! Smiles. I wanted to share with you the Potting Bench that he made. We came across the treadle machine cabinet alongside the road one rainy day. While the veneer couldn't be salvaged, I did envision a table. This was perfect, using the old stock fencing and giving a new and purposeful life. I love that I can enjoy the bee skep and the little candle lantern that we use for the Fairies to dance around and swing from the creeping Jenny in the shoe. All such a simple blessing from Spring!

Golly~ I've been Tagged!!!

And it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.. well, except I have to find 3 others to do a hit and run on. I am still quite new here so I hope I can find someone not already tagged. Till then~

1. I was born in California~everyone else in my family was born in NY or Ct....nanner.


2. I was real good at twirling a baton and did some quite large parades before having to retire at 12 for medical reasons.
   
3. I'm a good Italian cook, as taught by my Grandmother. I also know the secret to her family famous meatballs. She taught me so much about unstaggering Faith, the strength of family and fidelity~ all while teaching me to cook with simplicity.


4. I knit the Continental way.


5. I'm deathly afraid of bridges and now I have everyone in the car with me yelling "AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" the whole length of any bridge that we go over.


6. I was able to fulfill a childhood dream and pet "Little Joe's" horse from "Bananza". I spent the rest of the day hoping to find little Joe on the set.. I was 9 and he was CUTE.


7. My HEROS are my 2 daughters. Bailey who is 14 and just had scoliosis surgery. She also has Asperger's Syndrome and is the most forgiving person I have ever met. People that don't understand can be very cruel, and she' still there for them. Also, my daughter Jesslyn age 9. She's the little sister that has to be the big sister. She is also the family comedienne and the reason I will need to wear "Depends" .

Now, tis time to have an internet tea with 3 fond Ladye friends, with whom I hope will find pleasure in this as much as I~

Christe'

Katie

Deena

Goody Two-Shoes

Art is such a neat journey. I love to research and in that, sometimes the road that you take for something specific takes you somewhere else. Sometimes it is a little treasure or gift. I am drawn visually to certain things and shoes is just one. I was researching early shoes as seen in the above mid 1600 sample. Along that path, I found the story behind the name,"Goody Two-Shoes". I just had to share. I love to know how sayings got their start and this was PERFECT for this blog!

I love old woodcuts also and so it was such a joy to find a 1700 woodcut image of Margery Meanwell, also known as Goody Two-Shoes. This was a childrens story that was published in 1765. The story is attributed to an Irish author, Oliver Goldsmith, but it is not clear that he is the true author. The story itself is a fable. Margery was a poor orphan

girl that went through most of her life having just one shoe. A rich gentleman gives her a pair of shoes. She is so elated that she shows everyone and points to her feet, saying "two shoes, two shoes!". Her kindness and hard work pay off later in life, when she becomes a teacher and then marries a rich widower. The name Goody we already know is the shortened addressing of "Good Wife" or in today's term....Mrs.

Eggs......we've got EGGS!

This picture is for my dearest friends~ Netty of course, Christe', Katie and the Loadwick's; Cheryl and Emily. When looking very closely one can see that what sits upon my head isn't the latest style hat, nor a pill box....even something of a colonial bonnet. This is Dearie, the chicken. The last time Nettie and I went to Brimfield, I awoke early the next morning and did all my Mommy duties before heading off to Netty's to do the paperwork from the show. Still tired from the trip, we unloaded the Van and went to Netty's kitchen to do the paperwork. Poor Dearie was a chick that didn't quite fit in with the rest of the brood, so Netty and Dearie spent quite a lot of time together~ Dearie even kept best manners when inside the house. Being curious of me, she hopped right up my lap and onto the table as I wrote out the figures. We enjoyed quite a conversation and I guess that Dearie figured that any friend of Netty's was hers too. How fun to have this chick walk up my arm and hop up on my head for a NAP! Yes... a nap! Netty made us lunch and I ate with Dearie sleeping quite nicely the whole time. Thanks Netty for taking the picture! Dearie is passed now, but the memories and the laughs are still with us. Now for all of my friends that I have shared this story, a picture to really give you a laugh. For those of you just stopping by, Dearie did have one accident, but thankfully it was of a rolling nature!

A couple days ago I needed to stop by Netty's for a photo shoot. Besides the work photos, I did take the picture of some of the chickens just outside her window. What a wonderful opportunity to really see through the glass which is original to the house~ 1812. There is such a warm feeling to living simply. It's not easy, but there is much to be said for putting in a honest day in the garden and living far from prime time TV or rushing to bring back videos that are due.We've been working in the flower beds and the vegetable gardens the past couple weekends. It's been so warm and inviting in the new green of Spring. I am joyful to grow sunflowers again and excited that my Sweet Annie seeds are nicely sprouted. The Hollyhocks aren't co-operating well, but I haven given up. Spring is certainly all around us!

After taking the photos, Netty sent me home with a few fresh eggs. They are a wonderful treat! My daughters keep some chickens at their Dad's house. A couple given to them from Netty also. They have such a good time with them and I do love to visit them! They do hold some wonderful conversations if you really listen close. Now after the passing of winter and as we move on into Spring fully, the chickens are enjoying all the new grass and bugs too! Of course in it all, this means an abundance of eggs! If you have never had a fresh-from-the-farm egg, put it on your list of things to do! Yes Virginia, there is a difference! Although I can't keep chickens living here in the village, I do try to simplify and teach my daughters the same. They will be faced with a world of technology, but it doesn't mean that they can't balance life with the simple goodness of fresh eggs and a garden.

Celebrate~

I'd like to take some time and space in my blog to celebrate the life of this young man, Bryan Tressler. Bryan lost his battle with Cancer on Tuesday, May 8th. We received a call from the school to tell us of Bryan's passing and I had the difficult task of telling Bailey.

Bryan and his family moved here three years ago from down state. I remember Bailey telling me about him and how much she enjoyed him in class. She had a hard time understanding how someone her age would have cancer. Bailey has enjoyed watching Bryan and all he has done these past three years. She came home one day and told me that her classmates were collecting money to buy Bryan a snowboard and that they were all going to sign it. Bryan LOVED snowboarding and I have found out that he was a junior Instructor at the local slopes this winter! Bryan wasn't in school a lot but when he was, he made an impact. Bryan truly lived life. He walked his own path. He taught the kids at Granville High School to be exactly who they are and not worry what others may think.

Bryan's classmates and the community were has been devastated to hear that Bryan lost his battle. The school had counselors for the kids. Bailey asked me to go with her to the calling hours and asked her Grampa to go with her to pick out flowers. When we arrived at the funeral, the line was way down the street! His classmates along with parents, most of the school staff and so many others from this town. I was amazed at just how many people this young man had touched! As Bailey and I introduced ourselves, Bailey started to get teared up. Bryan's father told her to CELEBRATE his life and try not to be sad. We went through the memorial that Bryan's family had put together.. and yes, the snowboard with many signatures was among pieces and pictures of a young man that loved life!

Afterwords, we went across the street to the Church basement where everyone was having some refreshments. Not to long after we arrived, you could hear it start to thunder and rain. It poured so hard and then... it hailed. The hail came down sooo heavy that the lawns were white! Bailey and I looked out and I told Bailey that I think this is Bryan! He made it snow, the best way he could so that we would all know he was near!

Bryan's funeral was lively and musical. A town came together to celebrate a young man's life. I am adding a link in my "Eye Candy" section called the Caring Bridge with his parent's permission and also, if you would like to go to "My Space" and do a search for Bryan Tressler, you will see Bryan. Both of these places will tell you Bryan's Story in his words and the words of his family and friends. Bryan Tressler~ you rock!

Brimfield Is In The Air!

You can smell it even. Brimfield MA. hosts the largest Antiques show in New England three times a year~ May, June and September. It boasts 5000 vendors~ that's right! Tent city! Whether you are a vendor or a buyer, it is an adventure.

I heard about it during those early years with Netty. Now, if you know Netty, you know she has quite the mischievous sparkle in her eye when she has something good to share~ and sparkle she did. Netty shared this wonderful place that we could go and sell our things. A day to drive, set up, and camp in the van til the next morning. We would then sell our things, pack and leave. It took a little doing for me to do this. My girls were still little, 5 and 7 years old. I never knew for sure if both of my parents would be OK with me gone. I still worked a 40 hour week, and still had to make a inventory. It was tough, but it did work out. We packed my parent's van til it was about to burst. Netty drove and I was the co pilot. We have learned a few things with our adventures~

1. Maps don't tell you everything you need to know, when you NEED to know it.
2. Always plan extra time to visit a couple of different exits along the way.
3. The van wants to go to Chicopee every time....we don't.
4. Police cars do drive in your lane----in REVERSE!
5. Good bladder control is a must.
6. The co-pilot needs to have a Lamaze breathing control lesson under her belt.

We have arrived safely every time. Spent the afternoons browsing through Sturbridge "musts" such as, The Seraph, Colonial Crafts and Old Sturbridge Village. The Village is the largest outdoor museum in the Northeast. Here you can see and be a part of Early America during the years 1790-1840. They have the most wonderful bookstore also, we spend hours there!

After a bit of a breather and a Sturbridge fix, it's on to Brimfield and Hertan's Field. Hertan's Field opens on Wednesday, and we choose to sell on Thursday. We have always gotten the same spot, and a few of the vendors near know Netty. As we unload and set up the tent, there is some catching up to do. Darkness comes fast, and sunrise faster it seems. We are always up when the birds first start to chirp and it's still a bit dark out. In no time at all we are dressed and eating while we finish marking. As the sun rises over the fields and the mist of morning still lingers, you can see people starting to make their way to their favorite booths. Many of them pulling little handcarts to hold their booty. By 10 am, most of the serious buyers have come and gone. At about 4 we start packing anything that is left, and we are on the road. It is indeed exhausting, but it is such an adventure that I really do miss it. Yes, there are Porta-Potties to deal with and sleeping in a van is not always warm in early May or September. It's been a couple years now since we have been, but it does still call. Who knows, maybe next year the adventure will continue.

aoi a bhfuil fáilte roimhe

I imagine you must be thinking , I'm a wee bit snockered! Instead I would like to welcome you in Gaelic~ it simply means, "a welcome guest". Welcome to my humble little blog once again. This weekend was a special treat for me. Bailey was able to spend a couple nights with her Gram and Poppa and all of cousins up at the old farmhouse. She celebrated a belated Birthday there. Tim whisked me away for my belated Birthday gift~ tickets at the historic Palace Theater in Albany and Riverdance!

It was indeed a chance of a lifetime. The seats were perfect~ five rows back~ we were just above stage level. If you have a love of any thing Celtic or mystical, music or dance, you will enjoy this! Irish history and ancient Celtic mythology are perfectly woven. Riverdance is not just about dance, it's about history. Not just the history of the seven nations, but history since the dawn of man. History of the river and the life it gives as it flows. They also touched upon how in the mid nineteenth century, Irish immigrants came to the new world, leaving loved ones, family and community behind. We saw the blend of of immigrants and their struggles in dance. One fascinating part was a scene called "Trading Taps". Here we are told,"the wealth of the poor is in song, dance and story." It was a riveting performance as we watched young men, Irish Americans and Black Americans, dance pridefully to their heritage and then come together and blend. There was so much~ the Russian Dancers, a beautiful display of Flamenco dancing and the songs...all of it was amazing.

My head is still spinning with it all. There is nothing more perfect a gift, than one that touches your heart and soul. I am at the time in my life where there isn't too much I need; I have that close to me every day in family and friends....some of the best gifts are still the things that my daughters make me and leave hidden for me to find... but this was perfect. This was a memory.

There Is Much to Learn~

For many of you, the movie, Last of the Mohicans was a love story set during the French Indian War. The scenery and music were memorable~ as was the insight to just how hard life and death was for our ancestors as they headed to the Revolutionary War. For me, it is history in my backyard. James Fenimore Cooper wrote several "Leather Stocking Tales" and "Last of the Mohicans" is just one... but alas, it is fiction set in history.. but good fiction neverless!

In this story, James pays homage to his own sister, Hannah and a woman named Jane McRae. These two characters are Alice and Cora, respectively. Jane McRae was a Loyalist who later became a Revolutionary War heroine. She was living in Fort Edward with her brother. On a visit to her friend, Sara MacNeil, both were captured by Indians, and Jane was murdered. Col. Munro had two sons in real life. He did not die in the historic August 10th Massacre as depicted in the story and the movie, but rather dies suddenly, perhaps from a heart attack about 3 months later and is buried in Albany NY.

Disheartened or intrigued??? I personally became intrigued! All of this has given me hours of research and learning about my backyard. This is some of our finest American Folklore! It has given me chance and purpose to explore. Last summer, I did make a visit to "Cooper's Cave". It's not far from here and located in Glens Falls NY. There was a plaque there stating that James Fenimore Cooper visited the same area, and it was suggested to him that the cave would make for a good story. How great to know that I walked the same footsteps as he... and now I know his inspiration!

The past couple years, I have visited Cooperstown, NY. Founded by James and also home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, this is a great place to visit and spend some time. My personal love is for the Farmers Museum. It is here that I met fellow doll maker Cheryl and her daughter Emily. They make all sorts of dolls, and are inspired by this time period also. Emily is pure fascination with her handsewing abilities in dress making and her love of pirates as shown in her dolls. I hope to visit you both again this fall!!! The rest of the museum features the knowledge of trades and crafts people during the mid 1800's. One can watch and ask questions all along this area. We learned how wall paper was made, apothicaries , printing, hearthcooking and even how flax was readied to weave. They also have a Seneca Log home that captured my interest and my heart. You can peek at it by following the link, Harvest of History in the Eye Candy section of my blog.

In all of this, there is so much that I couldn't write everything. I am cautious to say what is real and what is not, there are so many versions and it can be difficult to sort the truth. This is because many things were not documented, but passed on by word of mouth. I hope I have inspired you to continue looking. Perhaps the story is fictional, but the history remains. There is alot to learn about the real people and events. They will take you on a marvelous journey if you let them. There is a summer of history ahead in the Glens Falls and Lake George, NY area. If you have never gone to a Revolutionary or Civil War Re-Enactment, it can be a powerful learning event for everyone. The encampments hold many knowledgeable men and woman who LOVE to share everything from the way people dressed and what they ate, to buttons that could be melted down to make a bullet if needed (the insignias on the buttons also hold a lesson to be learned!).

My daughters will tell you that summer outings were always outings that were learning events. It wasn't until they were learning American history that they were eager to share that they had seen a real Long House and talked with real Native Americans about how they lived. A trip to Plymouth and Cooperstown made more of an impact on them than any amusement park. This year we hope a trip to Sturbridge, MA and their Living Museum. It is my hope that it will continue to keep a spark within them and these things will be passed on to their children. Make history matter!

Timeless Words to Live By

What words or phrases capture our hearts? I love to try to figure out how sayings may have come about over time and circumstance. Some are fun, some of a serious note, and still others capture our hearts and we keep them close over the years.

I am enclosing a picture of a sign with a saying that stays with me and my children. Netty has had it on and around her porch for as long as I can remember. I asked her once if she knew just where that saying came from~ she thought perhaps an old English rhyme. I loved it so much that I painted it on a piece of garden fence and hung it in my home. When I left, it went with me. I made a few more and I have sold a few over time. I love just setting it out in front of the booth and seeing the reaction. While most do get it's meaning, many women love to get a little man bashing in!(easy, ladies!) For my daughters and I, it is our words to live by.

My daughters have been beside me through good times and bad... in all that touches my life. I have always been their constant and always been honest with them, (even if was something painful). They help put their sweat and tears into Raven's Haven and The Good Wives, knowing that it is theirs as well. They know everything that it takes to make patterns and dolls. They know how much work even small shows can be and how to treat everyone that walks into the booth, whether they buy something or not. They are patient and listening and answer questions with great pride and joy. They see the good, the bad and the ugly. They understand that sometimes you can't please someone no matter how hard you try. They know that sometimes people are nice for false reasons, and those will show in time. They realize that these are the exceptions and also bring balance to our lives. Some would say that I should not let my children be privy to it all, but they are farther ahead in life if they do.

In it all, they have found that there are so many wonderful and caring people out there and we are blessed to have so many touch our hearts and our lives. We see that putting our best forwards and doing a bit extra brings us the most special people. We are certainly blessed by all of you. We are, "The Three Amigos" and we put ourselves front and center and know that it is our word and our actions that define us in life. We try to grow a most beautiful garden.

My Greatest Works of Art

It is good to be back, and there is no place like home. Enclosed is a picture taken of my two daughters the weekend before last. My oldest had surgery to correct her scoliosis on the 28th of March. I drove both of us up to Burlington, VT~ 2 hours away. I stayed in the area Ronald McDonald House. They were so kind, and such a Godsend to us.

Bailey's surgery lasted about 11 hours. It was the longest day ever~ even longer than my 21 hour labor to have her! The first couple days were so hard to see her all puffy and medicated. Soon she had control of the Peds unit, tho and in true Mead form was up to some good April Fool's fun. Her nurse helped her fill her urine catcher with purple grape juice for the day Dr. and blue tempera paint for her night nurse!

My younger daughter Jess came up 2 days after her surgery for a visit. For as much as these two argue over EVERYTHING, they are as close as ever now. Jess has been such a help to me during this whole ordeal. I know Jess that it's no fun being a "Gopher", but I want to let you know that I really do appreciate all that you do. You are the self appointed keeper and caretaker of us all. I worry at times that you have taken on so much for someone so young, but I know it's who you are and that you do keep balance in your life. Both of you are night and day~ each has such wonderful and special gifts. I can't imagine how colorless my life would be without you both. You two ARE my greatest works of art!

Ode to My Micron Pen~

As my deadline has come to an end, I wanted to share with you the joy, found along the path.To sit and draw more complete drawings and to make a study from them has been long awaited for me. To be able to go beyond thumbnails and gesture drawings that make the journey to pattern world has brought me such happiness. I was able to research and study to bring everything to life.

Years ago as I graduated High School, I was given a Rapidograph Pen to take with me to Art School. Needless to say, it was not my best friend! Beyond it's permanence of mark, I disliked the ink clogs and cleaning. Technology has now given way to a non refillable pen and once you take the time to dance with it, a beautiful partner awaits. This dance takes much practice. My partner's steps hold permanence in his wake; one wrong move, or distraction can ruin the dance. I was aware every step of the way that perfect sync was needed, and I loved the challenge.

Monsieur Micron .005 has been a debonair partner these past few days. He has brought out some of the best in me. A difficult teacher at times. He has also brought out the best of my gift and I am glad to be able to share it with you. The notepads will be available in the fall and I will pass along the information as I can. For now though, I shall be taking a little rest from my art as my daughter has scoliosis surgery this coming week. I am packed and ready to spend the hours waiting through surgery with my other favorite dancing partner, Monsieur Mirado Pencil HB.

I am enclosing a favorite woodblock print to share some of my inspirations. The image is copyright free and a interesting study of Early American Folk Art. A few months ago at the Heritage Show, I had an opportunity to learn needle punch from Mary Jo Wylie. Mary Jo's work was featured in Early American Life Magazine, in their Artist issue. I hope that she gets a chance to see this.I'd like her to see that she continues to inspire me also. I have been studying to bring to life designs resulting in the study of that time period. Thank you Mary Jo for showing me another path along my journey, I'm very excited about it!

~A Chance to See My Passion~

A peek of sorts~~~

I'm presently entering the world of licensing. There are many pros and cons as with anything and I looked at how it worked and those that do it. I took their feedback with me as I made my decision. I have much to learn in this area and given time I know I will have ups and downs. It gives many people a chance to own one of my designs. I hope that it speaks to their heart. It is a humbling thought to think that my work can touch so many~ perhaps with a smile or a memory.

I am presently designing notepads. It is an opportunity to put aside the world of dolls and patterns for a wee bit, and enjoy my first love, drawing. I can't share the work with you just yet. Very soon it will be sent back to the company They have a group that will pick and choose what they think best represents their company and what they think will sell the best. Generally, there are a few things that just don't cut it.

In the meantime, I thought I would put up a picture from a couple years back. It is painted tin. The notepads will be ink and watercolor, and the subject matter is a clue. I love the study of Puritan Graven Art from the 1700's and 1800's. I have always been fascinated with old grave yards. I just love the sight of an early cemetery with tilted stones and wrought iron fences. They are best on what I call a "Sleepy Hollow" day. A day of milky skies and skeletal trees that have lost their leaves til Spring. I love the epitaphs. So many stones of this time period tell the story of what happened. Some are funny, some are serious, some bring a tear; but all touch us some two to three hundred years later. It makes me wonder if perhaps my work could stand the test of time?

~Happy St. Patricks Day~

"Men are like bagpipes - no sound comes from them until they are full." Happy St. Paddy's Day, Irish or not! It was indeed a memorable one here in Upstate New York. We celebrated the day with about a foot of new snow to dig out from. It seemed that we would not have any real snow this year until the Valentines Day Blizzard. Now most of us do wish for snow on a holiday, but by the time we get to these two, we are hoping more for Spring! After the digging out, Tim put together a wonderful Irish meal with his special corned beef and a loaf of soda bread that he made using his Grandmother's recipe. Of course no St. Paddy's day would be complete without green beer. Not being a beer drinker myself~ my ginger ale was green instead.

The doll pictured is Tim's Grandmother, Maggie Byrne. She came from Ireland by ship with her husband Andy to make a new life in America. This doll is my tribute to her as well as to her family. The family has received me with open arms.. and good Irish humor ~ I am blessed to call them dear to me.

The week started out so warm and Spring like~ and then ended with a snowstorm. It was not too good for those making syrup, but hopefully this was but a wee setback. I'm anxious for the syrup jug to be full again. My cousins Mike and Laurie have been making syrup for twenty years now and they have about 2500 taps that keep their family busy. My girls love to stop in and see them at the sugar house and then in the summer at the local fair. A small piece of maple candy is such a treat every year and brings back with it memories of childhood winters spent here.

The days are getting longer, the Robins starting to appear. If you listen carefully, you can hear a Red Winged Blackbird calling for a mate. The new snow melt in the days ahead and the days will be greener. The St. Paddy's Day celebration draws to a close but gives encouragement that Spring and all of it's wonders awaits us.

“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

Evolution of a Crow

Every journey begins with a first step. I tried to find what was Folk Art, what was Primitive? It all seemed so open to interpretation.

The first step... what is Folk art to me? To me there were some classic symbols such as heart in hand, pineapples and ahhh... the crow! Next dilemma, was sewing. Was there life after a "D" in Home Ec? I looked to Netty for some kind of answer. You have to love the Old Vermonter Spirit! Her answer was simple, " you draw it out on muslin and sew it. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't." I was doomed! My next question... what kind of stuffing? "If it falls on the floor, it's stuffing." As you can see, my work evolved and with only a wee bit of direction, but lots of encouragement, I was on my way.

It took months for all the concepts to come together, especially the wire legs. I was and still am very timid in trying some things, but I'm finding my instincts are generally right on target. As you can see, the crow originally had little button like stabilizers as I was afraid to poke the wire up through the back and glue it down. I felt it would be too bulky and you would feel the wire. Thank goodness for that brave friend that tells you.. "what is the worst that can happen"? A visit with my little crow to another friend and a professional crafter resulted in success.

It Feels Like Home

So many of my friends and family have asked how I found the primitive dolls. The answer is that they found me. I was working in the Craft Dept. of a discount store in town. I had worked there for years, nearly 20 by the time they closed their doors in 2002. On occasion, this tiny and whimsical little woman would walk into the department; looking for paints most generally. She was a lot of fun and I always enjoyed seeing her. We would talk of different things such as chalkware. One day she had noticed some drawings and paintings that I had on display for the holiday season. She asked if I could do some drawing for her. She was an artist, but didn't draw and needed some of her work drawn up. I said sure and we exchanged numbers.

Pulling up to her house brought the biggest smile to me. I had often passed by her home just a few years earlier on my way back and forth to work. I had always wanted to stop, but never quite did. Her home was built in 1812, a wonderful old Colonial home. She has lived there for sometime, on her own and yes repairs and paint were needed, but the house had a voice beyond that. There is a charm and a homey feeling that rules. I walked in through the door and I felt like I had just come home. The house inside was warm and cozy, yes very primitive with wooden tables and chairs that had stories to tell under ancient layers of chipped paint. In a back room, a wood stove heated us and cooked our lunch. She brought out dolls, pin keeps and little treasures such as old scissors and spools of thread... could I draw them? YES!!! I was in love with the dolls, so ancient looking, and yet the humor of a mouth that went straight across! I joked with her that I often looked that way upon waking up! I left that day with a whole new world spinning inside my head...I wanted to make these things as well as draw them. They spoke to my heart as no other media had. I had come home......