Random things....I'm scattered!

It has been beautiful out the last couple of days.  I love it when I can sit in my studio with the door open.  I DID have a hummingbird fly in the other day, but all in all, most nature stays outside. 

 I find myself a bit scattered lately.  We are heading out next week to go back up to NY so I don't really want to get started on anything new, but just can't help myself, so here's what we've been up to the last few days...

I don't think I ever showed you all four Game Boards in one photo.  They are exactly the way I envisioned them as I was designing them.  I wanted each one to be unique and individual, but to coordinate.  Great job Mom!!  The patterns and kits are available and we are selling the whole set of finished rugs (not listed yet, if interested let me know).  Here's the link to the pattern page:
The Old Tattered Flag Rug Hooking Patterns

Here's a really prim pattern Mom is going to bring with her on vacation.  My sister got it for her for Christmas.  That's right, even when Mom goes on vacation she hooks!!!  The designer of this pattern is Marie Lazzar....and I think my sister got it at the Dorr Mill Store in NH.

Check it out.......The Old Tattered Flag phone case!!!  I got it at Charming Charlies!!

Mom is battling with the weeds!!  There is this profuse weed that takes over everything.  The owner of the home told us to weed whack it all, put round up on everything but the flowers and cover with mulch and keep up with the preen.  So, Mom went to town with the weed whacker yesterday, but this guy survived.  I just thought it looked funny, one lone flower in the middle of all that chaos.....

When I have an idea for a new design I HAVE to get it drawn or it becomes a nuisance in my head!!  I just LOVE this simple little design based on the pottery cup I made a few years ago.  It's not too big, but so pretty and primitive!!!    Watch for it to be on the pattern page soon...

In the middle of everything I am still plugging away at both the punch version and wool applique version of my "Stars and Flowers" design.  Have patience with me.......they are both going slower than I imagined, but that's because I have a lot going on right now and haven't been able to devote as much time to them as I want to.  I am bringing them with me on vacation and will punch and stitch in the car!!  

Hand dyed and Hand Painted tshirts.....something we are working on.  Still tweeking, but coming soon!

Ok Lisa, don't read this if your going to get upset with me........My sister keeps sending me pictures of her fabulous folk art paper mache pieces.  She is trying to get her business going but having a hard time finding a place to actually sell them.  She has put some Christmas pieces on Etsy.  Etsy is great but quite honestly I think it's takes years to build up a following there.  So, she is also trying to get them on an exclusive folk art web site, but waiting to hear from them.....and.....alas, she is getting frustrated.  It's very hard as an artist to get your name out there.  You spend hours and hours designing and making your product, but then if you have no where to sell them, there lies the problem.  So, I am going to ask for your help in getting the word out about her great folk art.  These are EXTREMELY folky and primitive and HIGHLY collectible.  I know that once she starts getting them out there and people can see them in person she will get her following.  I truly hope none of you think I am pandering for business, it's just that I know a lot of you who read this are also artists, so you may have some suggestions/ideas, anything.  I'd love to hear your comments and so would my sister.  Her email address is lbkmt@hotmail.com
Thanks!

.....and lastly, poor Baxter is in the dog house!!!  I sit in the living room in the morning and have my coffee and watch out the window as birds fly by and see the beautiful flowers Mom has been planting and lo and behold here comes Baxter with a dead chipmunk in his mouth.  Ugh, the other day it was a very dead squirrel.  Well, the chipmunk was also dead, but not quite as dead if you know what I mean.  Well, his mouth was a steel clamp, he would not let it go.  So, we sprayed water up his nose until he dropped it.  That's not really why I was mad at him,  he's a dog and a pig, so he's doing what he does, but, when I was washing his face, he growled at me.  So, he's been in trouble all day!!!  Problem is I can't stay mad at him for long!!  Oh Baxter!!!!

Until next time......