I am so ready for Fall





Yes I am!!!  I went into summer with  somewhat of a plan to get a fare amount of product completed by September 1.    It is never enough.  I feel good about what I have done so far.   This scary, kinda cute, Pumpkin Jack  was a  pleasure to make.  Lucy Rox has done it again.  The pattern is excellently written.   The result is a unique fall friend.   Jack is not up for adoption yet.  He reminds me of the lighter side to life.

I am now on facebook. ....not exactly thrilled with the idea.  But I am there....why remains to be revealed to me!  I am a blogger fan!  Makes more sense to me!

Remember to join all of the ladies of Prim Chat tonight  8pm EST.  See (hear) you there.

Happy 8th of July!

G.O.P. Ella
(Grand Olde Pachyderm)

Just got back from our vacation and was it a jam packed one.    On our way home from Minnesota we  stopped in Tomah, WI and visited with Lucy from Lucy's Lazy Dayz Primitives.  I  met Lucy for the first time 2 years ago.  On Thursday  we  picked up where we left off two years ago.  Lucy's space at "The Cranberry Country Mall"  is just prim perfect!  Lucy's work is displayed  so you can see everything, and  each piece stands out and speaks for itself.   Her patterns are also for sale and I have 2 new ones to work on!   It is always inspiring to talk to Lucy.... and see Lucy's masterpieces.    Make sure you  join Lucy, me and all the Prim Chat  Ladies for Monday's show .... p.s. Lucy rocks!
G.O.P. Ella is one of several Elephants I completed just before vacation.   This is a pattern by Brenda Sanker of The Vintage Polka Dot.  Brenda's  patterns are beautiful, thoughtful and extremely comprehensive....try one soon.
Hope you had a great Independence Day and I will be back with more pictures of my completed dolls and let you know what is on  my work table.  Till next time......

My First Time......A Honeymoon Memory

Our eighth anniversary is fast approaching, and I have several dozen stories I could tell.   "My first time" is very pertinent to the art that most of us finds ourselves immersed in; I just did not realize it at the time.
We started our honeymoon in Duluth. We would travel the Lake Superior Coastline stopping at several Bed and Breakfasts along the way  headed to our destination of Mackinaw Island.
Our car was packed to the radiator with gifts.....  The front of the car was aimed for outer space..... the trunk toward hell.  I had to stop at this rock shop and I found a fifty pound amethyst rock that "I just have to have  it Tim"!  ( I knew he would never say no to his new bride).
Next door to the rock shop was  a small old factory building that is now an arts and craft gift shop.
Walking into this high ceilinged  room, I never to this day have ever seen so many of the signs that are popular to hang in your house...you know....All BECAUSE TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE.   Floor to ceiling every wall.  Nuggets to live by.  Then I saw it....I was shocked!!!!! What in the world are they selling  a doll like that for....I don't know what that is but it was  wrong on so many levels.....!!  I turned to find Tim and sure as heck there is another one!!!  The two ladies at the counter were jovial lassies...."What kind of people are you?"  I thought.
 With my devilish red tail wagging like a cat's ....I wanted to ask them if I could take a closer look at the sign nearest to the ceiling in the far corner.  Tim then reminded me to be nice to the ladies or they may turn you into one of those UGLY DOLLS!
 We were smelling pizza in the establishment... so we asked were the Pizza was sold?  The ladies looked puzzled and said, " no pizza here".  "I 'm smelling Pizza" , I commented....."OH NO that's a skunk under the building!!".   Tim we are so out of here.!!!  I think we were in the twilight zone episode.."When Skunks are Pizzas".
Fast forward to 2006....I am searching e-Bay for a customers request for a primitive cloth strawberry.
 I was seeing a lot of dolls that we had seen at "THAT SHOP".   I spent the next 8 months researching, trying to figure out this style.   I remember seeing Olde Homestead Barn,  Lucy's Lazy Dayz, Tennessee Ridge Primitive, Moonchild Primitives....many  patterns were available and I bought one that was a strawberry garland....and the rest is history and a future....in folkart!  
This past Monday I was a featured guest artist on "PRIM CHAT"  with Lucy and Vicky....Just goes to show there are so many first times!

Lucy and Lily and Liberty!

Tim and I vacationed in Minnesota, near the Boundary Waters. Tim's family is from that neck of the woods. We had an excellent time, celebrating with family every night at a different cabin. Food, food , family, food , family, family! You know what I'm talking about.

This vacation started with a visit with LUCY!!! Lucy of http://lucyslazydayzprimitives.com/ How that much energy and creativity can be in one little body, I just don't know.....I am inspired.

I was so honored that she and her husband took time out of their busy day to met Tim and me. Thank you Lucy and Tom.

If you are near Tomah WI stop in and see" Counrty Spirit Shoppe" it is beautiful. Lucy rocks!!! (I bet she hears that alot)

We made the 820 mile trip from Chardon to the Twin Cities in 14 hours. The next day was final leg to our destination. With sister-in law Terese and her husband Lawarence, in from San Fran ,we traveled three more hours straight north to Lake Vermilion.

Happy July 4th to all!!

"Will you be at the parade in town?" "Meet us at the usual corner by the bank". "We have a lot to do before the after-parade-reunion party". " Can we pick anything up at Zup's Food Store?"

"MOM!!! Carol and Tim adopted a puppy at the parade!!! "

Yes, there is the pitter patter of new little paws in our lives......Lily!

Let me tell you about the greatest puppy dog in the world.....I know your dog is better than mine, but just give Lily a moment.

Lily is a Cocker Spaniel/Bassett Hound mix. Big eyes, big ears, big feet, little legs.

Lily loves everyone and everyone loves Lily! She was a favorite at all family gatherings.

Detente pact with Lily, Ming, Max, Su and Mia being worked out as I write....Updates to follow!

Peace and liberty to all......man and beast!