~A Santa Surprise by Johanna Parker~

Wow...what a great Christmas! I woke up Christmas morning to a wonderful surprise from my husband, Jeff. He asked Johanna Parker to make a vintage Santa for me. Along with her signature on bottom, she included a message from him. I was so disappointed I missed her web sale on December 14th, but this gift completely made up for it. Johanna is one of my favorite artists and I will cherish this Santa for many years. Thanks Johanna!!!

Here is a link to her website: http://www.johannaparkerdesign.com/

A Christmas Greeting!

Only 7 more days until Christmas! I love this time of year with friends & family. The Christmas parties this year and been so festive and full of cheer. I finished decorating the tree last night and wanted to share it with everyone. Also, I am posting "A Christmas Greeting" for one of my good friends, Amy. Walt Whitman is her favorite poet, so this one is for her. Enjoy the holidays!

A Christmas Greeting by Walt Whitman (1819 - 1892)

Welcome, Brazilian brother--thy ample place is ready;

A loving hand--a smile from the north--a sunny instant hall!

(Let the future care for itself, where it reveals its troubles,impedimentas,

Ours, ours the present throe, the democratic aim, the acceptance andthe faith;)

To thee to-day our reaching arm, our turning neck--to thee from usthe expectant eye,

Thou cluster free! thou brilliant lustrous one! thou, learning well,

The true lesson of a nation's light in the sky,

(More shining than the Cross, more than the Crown,)

The height to be superb humanity.

Madama Butterfly

I just finished one of my dolls from the Cloth & Clay Workshop by Jane DesRosier. I have decided to name her Madama Butterfly. The collage papers I used for the boxes were my inspiration.

I am anxious to finish my second doll. She has more of an Izannah Walker doll resemblance and I love the nesting boxes I made to match her. The collage papers are extremely Victorian and the boxes are bandbox shaped.

Happy Holidays!

November Morning!

I started the Cloth & Clay Doll Workshop taught by Jane DesRosier last weekend. I am posting a few pictures of my progress. These pictures show the muslin body, arms and legs painted with Gesso. My next step will be to sculpt the face. I will post more pictures as I progess.

We have enjoyed one of the most beautiful Falls in Tennessee. I posted a few pictures of the leaves at their peak on our farm at the bottom of the blog.

November Morning
by Evaleen Stein
A tingling, misty marvel Blew hither in the night, And now the little peach-trees Are clasped in frozen light.
Upon the apple-branches An icy film is caught, With trailing threads of gossamer In pearly patterns wrought.
The autumn sun, in wonder, Is gayly peering through This silver-tissued network Across the frosty blue.
The weather-vane is fire-tipped, The honeysuckle shows A dazzling icy splendor, And crystal is the rose.
Around the eaves are fringes Of icicles that seem To mock the summer rainbows With many-colored gleam.
Along the walk, the pebbles Are each a precious stone; The grass is tasseled hoarfrost, The clover jewel-sown.
Such sparkle, sparkle, sparkle Fills all the frosty air, Oh, can it be that darkness Is ever anywhere!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I thought I would share a fun Halloween poem...Three black cats, three black cats, in black hats, in black hats. They all jumped into the Halloween brew, they teased the ghosts and the goblins too. Did you ever hear such a hullabaloo on Halloween!

I signed up for the Gritty Art (Jane's) Cloth & Clay Doll Workshop which starts tomorrow, November 1st. This is Jane's second class...check out the great dolls made in her first class. http://grittyartsstudio.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/november-doll-workshop-sign-ups-start-now/

I have made several dolls with just paperclay or cloth, but I have not spent much time combining the two mediums. So, I am looking forward to her class. I will post my dolls as soon as they are finished!

Miss Buttercup

I just finished my latest folk art painting which I titled "Miss Buttercup." It is created with acrylic paints, collage papers and aged with a crackle and gloss finish! The painting is listed on Etsy. Here is the link:

http://www.theoldoakenbucket.etsy.com/

We spent the weekend in Asheville, NC at the 61st Annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. We found some wonderfully unique Christmas gifts for friends and family. In addition to great shopping in Asheville, we enjoyed some incredible meals at Mayfel's and Tupelo Honey. I would highly recommend Tupelo Honey when you visit Asheville.

Happy Halloween!

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."

I just finished decorating for Halloween! I was in the decorating spirit with such beautiful fall weather this weekend. Decorating for the holidays puts me in such a festive mood and I get a chance to enjoy some great pieces from my favorite artists.

The black cat painting was completed by Kim Skeen and the pumpkin gourd was made by Janet McCarter. I love all their Halloween creations.

Janet McCarter's annual Halloween Craft Fair is just around the corner and I am anxiously awaiting more goodies!