Merrye Hallows Eve

The days are shorter...
and the smell of the fallen leaves
is just heavenly. 

I am creating 
but it is a very slow process it seems...
As I am recovering~
Some minor surgery 
and some seasonal
stuff that 
wants a bit more attention...
have made October
just a bit tough.




I won't have an offering for EHAG tonight...

I am an unwilling captive
to medicated rest!

I will be enjoy the day quietly
and I look forward 
to the children tonight.
...and while I may be held a bit captive~
I am working
 towards some 
goode news
and 
a surprise ahead.

October Surprise

Yesterday was simply glorious...

and today is no less.

We hit a record breaking 84 degrees

 here in our little spot, 

not far from Albany.

Just one last taste of Summer.

Today is just as glorious. 

It is not quite as warm however,

 gray clouds are dancing

 with cobalt skies 

and make the changing leaves

 look stunning.

Golden leaves have been dancing

 in the breeze this morning...

occupying my time 

as I enjoy their pretty dance.

Over the past two weeks...

Snowflakes have danced in my head~

as I prepare for the season ahead 

and one local show.

Sleepy mice

and ginger men

 have started to appear~

Along with an Angel theme...

I am wrapping up around 

Christmas Carols to guide me~

taking a cue from the wee ones 

that I loved last year.

While October 

may have given us a day or two of a surprise,

I am enjoying her gift~

as yummy wools

and pretty flannels

dance in my head.

Brown cardboard packages

may not be tied up with string...

 but oh how they hold

 my most favorite things~

there is magic happening 

with each stitch

and

 although this will be the last day 

of our

 October surprise~

there is plenty of magic

to be had at the Cottage.

October's Magic

Wee sleepy Spice is the last of two witchy offerings for Early Work Mercantile.

I love October.

 I keep it close to my heart throughout the year~

once it is here,however~

 it blossoms...

into afternoon mugs of Chai,

evenings of sipping cider 

...and nibbling a cider donut or two.

It holds memories 

of helping my Father make our own cider.

My Mother In Law 

making donuts on her farmhouse porch...

I love stitching up Cathedral Window squares...
and Pumpkin looks so sweet napping atop a Halloween themed one. 

and this evening~

a gathering of Tim's family.

We have an annual picnic.

That's right~ a picnic...

in the evening!

It is a wonderful way to gather 

and bring crock pots 

of comfort food...

hot dogs on the grill

 and groups of us

 huddled about fire pits to keep us warm.

This has become a beloved tradition!

As I enjoy time with both families...

a weekend in a cabin, deep in the Adirondacks...

and plenty of crisp mornings 

(that we have been waiting for all Summer)~

I am enjoying tiny stitches,

experimenting with my wee sleepy mousels...

and

designing for the next season ahead.

October is indeed magic for me.

In all that I hold dear

and 

I intend to thoroughly enjoy it!

Making Spirits Bright

A wee sleepy Angel mousel will be perfect for my Holiday offerings.
A sleeping cap Mousel is on the way also!

The morning and evening air has become crisp...
the leaves are turning
and falling.
The aroma of wood smoke weaves around it all.

The smell of Fall
 wraps it's arms around us
and welcomes us like family
 we haven't seen in ages.

In this heady mix,
I am working on different seasons...
The Thankful
and the Holiday Season.

Whiteface...

Last weekend,

we took some time away.

Rented a wee cabin in the woods...

and enjoyed an Adirondack get away

 in my beloved Lake Placid.

This stunning site always makes me catch my breath!

 This is the place where my dreams came true.

Where a bunch of us came together to create.

I learned so much 

about myself

and making art.

Our cozy cabin.

 We came here last year,

and loved it so much...

we decided to make it 

a yearly event.

Mirror Lake....you always hold my heart.

This year, 

we decided to come down with colds

while we were there.

Awesome, right???

It's okay though...

we enjoyed ourselves in spite of it.

I had time to just think and sketch...

and put together a plan for the Holiday season and next year.

I have spent this past week

recovering from that hanging cold,

packing orders,

and making a model or two for my next show.

It seems...

that it is also the season of

of coat tail riders.

All of us have them~

With my eyes opened even wider

 during my time away~

I am reminded

to:

keep my course

remember my gift

and keep giving it 

back to the Universe.

after all... 

no one can capture

or copy 

the spirit that is truly yours.

Readjusting My Sails

Thanks for catching my snafu!
here is the corrected version!

No matter how hard we try;

our days can get rearranged for us.

I have no complaints~

Don't get me wrong.
I have been

VERY

blessed,

more than I ever could have imagined.

However, 

in these blessings,

I came to realize

 that I had to reschedule

 my 

Picturetrail show.

Wednesday...

Sunday Evening

will mark the end 

of this year's

 Hallows Eve offerings

with the exception of

EHAG Emporium.

Wicked Goodes 

will host 

olde friends and new;

a collection of smalls

that 

make a heart smile...

as they give a wink and nod to the past.

Ruth's Shoe

After,

I will be turning to

 the Thankful Season...

All that comes with 

Harvest Blessings,

snowy days

and 

Himself,the Elf~

Oh how I love this time of year!

So Much To Do......

It may seem

 that all you have heard

 from me 

is 

the sound of crickets lately...

I have been 

crazy

busy.

Squishing everything in...

a pattern sale, 

a online show soon~

and 

my Early Work Mercantile offering.

I cram a lot of day into my work,

or 

perhaps I cram a lot of work into my day.

I will get to recharge soon

and travel up to the mountains.

I can't wait to see that wee cabin in the woods.

but first...

I need to get patterns 

to the many customers 

that blew me away with the orders.

finish some Fall lovelies

for a Picture Trail show..

and introduce 

you to Gracie~ 

My Harvest Angel...

She is on Early Work Mercantile this evening.

Oh yes...

those wings~

those lovely wings, 

are a start for me.

because 

it's 

time

 to

grow.

September Goodies

Mrs. Munson (left) & Harriet Lurvey
fun little shelf leaners or tucks.
they have their eye on you!

Our few days of cool, September weather

have drifted away. 

Even yesterday's storms and rain, 

did not make a dent in the heat and humidity.

Summer; it seems,

does not want to let hold of her grasp.

Peanuts!
He is inspired by our back yard hooligan's and named after a beloved.
Sometimes, they just capture the spirit of someone I love. 

My head has been in Fall

since January.

 when I decided that it was time...

to step back in to the memories of my beginnings.

Memories of magical days, 

drawing and dreaming 

in an old 1812 House

and a wonderful friend.

I don't see enough of her,

now that I have moved.

Miss Brimfield.
When she first appeared,
 she was an instant hit with her touch of realism
 and Deer mouse markings.
She takes some fussing with,
but oh so worth it!

It was at that time,

 that we spoke of our love of Halloween.

Of old cemeteries...

and skeletons.

along with the time period of those early gravestones.

Folky Gloves
Fun and unusual...
perhaps they will spark your imagination in other ways!
Always the first to go at shows.

So you have seen,

the wink and the nod.

Squeezed in between 

the whimsy .

It just seems to come out, 

no matter how hard that I try to 

put myself back.

Edna Nettle's Shoe
A fun pocket hanger.
let your imagination run wild
with the possibilities of what to tuck in her show.
At Thanksgiving,
 it is also the perfect Pilgrim's shoe.

It's all goode, though...

The whimsy makes for goode patterns.

and so...

a couple months ago, 

I started work on a pattern release.

The Kiss
He is a fun fellow and much belated
 as many of you have asked for his pattern. I love him propped on a shelf.
perfect for a Princess' bookshelf!

 It takes awhile as I balance it all..

but when it finally comes together~ 

What fun!!!

However,

no goode pattern release,

should be had without a sale.

You can hop over to my Etsy Shop by clicking on on any picture.

once there,

remember to use coupon code

FALL16

when you check out.

just like magic

you will receive 20% off.

(Goode until Sunday, September 11 at midnight EST)

Harvey WallBanger
last...but not in anyway least!
He has given us big chuckles here!

As Autumn Slips In...

A wee mousel napping after a long day of practicing spells

I have been noting
the subtle change of the leaves...
and our usual busy back yard,
 full of robins and butterflies..

             Today brought milky skies...

and a touch of coolness

 that promises to stay awhile.

As we went to do errands, you could see it fully~

a quite noticable change in the leaves...

and the smell that is so intoxicating.. 

of leaves

 and 

earth 

dancing on the wind.

 Each day now, 

as the days get shorter...

the air will smell stronger and stonger of Fall. 

What could be more perfect?

Why, EHAG Emporium of course.

What better way to celebrate~

Not only is this wee mousel an offering, 

but there are many more

wonderful works!

It's The Little Things

Ruth's Shoe

I love little things~

When I first started sculpting,

 it was miniatures that captured my heart.

I had a whole series of white mice, named after cheeses.

Fairies, Gnomes, mushrooms and mice were my favorite subjects...

It does explain the love affair with my mice 

40 years later.

Pip ~ She is always a cutie!

As Early Work Mercantile opened,
I was still in a fuss.
It has been extremely muggy and rainy~
making things take
days to dry...

My wee friends made it though~
 and in a flash were adopted.

Nellie...She carries a ditty bag of Sweet Annie.
my favorite...

As they get ready for their 

journeys home,

It is the little things that make my heart smile...

Marty~~~ Such a hoot!

There is a wee little girl here most days
that Grampa cares for and adores...

Two wee doggies that are happy
to help Grampa
with anything
 Miss Mackenzie may need...

and in my work...
well...
 as you can see,
 I am enjoying  a little research
 and
tiny, time period shoes
have captured my heart for now.

Wicked Goode News!!!!

a new tiny witches shoe ~

It's another hot, muggy morning. 

What I call a Sleepy Hollow morning...

The fog makes a pale gray background. 

I can see the pumpkin vines...

so green and lush. 

The orange of blossoms and fruit,

  reminding me that the leaves will soon be changing to match those colors.

My work has been in this mode....

and I haven't peeked to my end goal until a couple of days ago.

I noticed the dates had issues....

Earlier in the year, 

one can only guess and try to make plans based on years past.

It doesn't work this year and so there is conflict....

I had hoped to do Sharon Springs Harvest Festival, 

but we have made plans for that weekend......

well, you know that just won't do!

and so,

 I have decided to do an online

 PICTURE TRAIL SHOW!

* If you would like to be on my email list for a reminder,

please email me at:

thegoodewife@yahoo.com

put "picture trail shows" in the subject line

US and CA only please

Candlelight, Cranford And Tiny Stitches

My sewing companion, keeps watch over my stitches.

 We have been waiting for rain...

the kind that takes all day.

The rain that awakens you

 with it's soft pitter patter...

I love these days, 

they break up the hot and humid 

Summer waves.

They beg for candleglow...

and

BBC series to work by.

Nellie Rat

As the last day of July makes it's way to the evening hours,
EHAG EMPORIUM
opens...at 9 pm EST.
I have only been with this group for a few months,
but I adore it!
So many talented Halloween Artists have gathered and offer a one of a kind piece.

There, you will find my Nellie Rat.

As you know, 

They are always limited...

because, well...

there are always a bunch of inspires trying to get out in time for

Halloween!

The Things We Do For Love

Bella Donna

I am enjoying my Firefly Summer...

The past week or so has been very hot, 

but as a whole...

We have enjoyed concerts in the park,

ice cream with friends,

lots of time with family~ 

both up North and here.

Morning Coffee together on the "veranda",

the soft, coolness of clay between my fingers...

tiny stitches

and

garden goodies for dinner.

Kelly and Mackenzie Rose

As July ends it's waltz, 

it is time to pick up the pace a bit.

The dance of August will have a faster beat...

Wee Mackenzie will start her time here

with Grampa Daycare....

Miss Jessie will be spending time with us 

as college begins.

She brings with her,

 a couple of fuzzy kids to spend the week days.

This wee Jack O' Lantern belongs to a new friend...

EHAG is this Sunday at 9 pm EST

We live as my Grandparent's taught us...

there is always room.

A full house is a house full of love.

We have it here 

in all we do and all that we are ...

to the brim!!!

This Magic Moment

Charlotte is such a gentle soul.
Her smile and twinkle remind me of her namesake.

The EHAG Emporium 

has opened once again 

and I am so excited 

to show you Charlotte 

AND 

see what everyone else has made!

You can bet,

 I am right there taking a peek

 with all of you.

I love the twinkle in her eye...
she is a merry maker!

My Blue friend 

had magic in her

from the start...

It started step by step.

First,

 with those beautiful eyes,

 that seem to look right at you.

That fabric...
has been in my stash for over 2 years.
I knew it was perfect for a Jarrahdale as soon as I saw it...

Then in her finish...

which is new for me ~ 

and I adore.

It opens the possibilities for more sculpts that need this look

to complete my vision.

The fabric itself went through a process...
not just the usual for a little aging.
It had a sheen to it,
that just did not work for her.

And finally~

Her dress.

I LOVE not just the color,

but the style

and 

the bustle.

I am not a fancy patterner

by any means.

I adore simple,

with clever details...

but, 

this was 

my personal challenge 

to myself.

The final part

that added up to

 one

 magical 

Pumpkin Ladye!