Summer's end

There is a definite change in the air.  I am looking forward to Fall.:)

Something Olde is something new.......

Coming soon............ "Forgotten Friends"..... stay tuned for time and place......

Happy Second Birthday Ethan...:)

Can't believe our little guy is two!  We had a little party on his big day with neighbors out on the front porch.  Thanks for your creative cupcakes Ellory!

Organizing...(or The Battle of the Clutter Bug!!)

We are in the process of working on the house.  One of the projects we are finishing up is Ellory's room.  It is a little "bitter sweet" as I painted over her "little girl" furniture.  It's not that my paintings were that great, but it's more that I am sad and happy at the same time that my little girl is growing up.    We are having fun decorating together.  We ordered some new furniture pieces, new carpet is ordered, and we are looking for some accessories to help her organize.

I am busy fighting the "clutter bug".  I am trying to create in a very small area and  trying to keep it neat and tidy at the same time.  I finally gave up and moved back to the basement once again.  I am busy mixing my paints and experimenting with mediums.   ONE OF MY EXPERIMENTS HAS BEEN WITH PAPER.  I have been "distressing" it many times over, using various techniques until it is as soft as fabric.  On the little "pillow" in the picture, I painted it first and then distressed it.  I did this with several samples.  Although the paper is soft and pliable, it's hard to see the composition.  Some were really bad.  Sooo back to the drawing board.  This time , I will try to prepare the paper fisrt, THEN paint on it.

I am still targeting for a "beginning" of September re- opening of my etsy shop.

I am so enjoy browsing everyones' blogs and am spending way too much time on Facebook.

We have been having computer problems all summer.  Hopefully, this will be the last fix.:)  AND i will be able to blog more.

Speaking of bugs,  Ethan and I are the only ones who have, (so far), "skated" from a summer cold.  Yikes.   

Well, our warm weather has arrived with a vengeance.  I think we will head to Grandmas and swim....:) I will probably take some projects "to go" as well.

Sneak Peak

Last parties of the summer in Folk Town before the Fall Festivities begin.........

Summer Happenings and Fun FOlk

OMG!!!  It has been SO LONG since I updated my blog.  We have been busy taking some "mini trips" and working on doing  just a bunch of "chores" we have been dragging our feet on.  We our going through our storage items slowly and trying to "scale down".  I guess we have about 70 crates of books alone to go through.  The last few days I have been busying myself, (with the help of Ellory..) with the painting of her room.  From little girl pink and green to the bright colors she craves.  Right now I am in the process of priming her "Peptobismul" pink woodwork.  Ughhhhh.... what a job that was.  I also did a very poor job of plastering some of the walls as well.  I started stripping the paper two years ago when I was a week from delivering Ethan...poor girl lived on that "awful"  room for two years.  I will take pics when we finish.:)

We attended a Celtic festival and Feis in June.  We drove to the hills of Tennessee to visit Ryan's sweet girlfriend Haley and just busied ourselves with activities around town.  We also performed with Tim at our friend's farm as a family for  the first time.  I snagged some cool pottery and plan to return.  Sadly, this will be the last year for "Art on the Farm" as Dan and Geeg are both retired and just want to enjoy life and of course, grand kids.  They just bought a new camper so I see a lot of traveling in their future around the US.:)

I am still working on my new Folktown dolls and have discovered some really cool , new techniques along the way.  I am planning on making many more and my sketchbook is jammed with tons of ideas.  I am SO CLOSE to finding my niche...I am still experimenting and perfecting.  As you can see from the pictures, I am still working on putting pieces together, but wanted to "Show and Tell a little" as I have no one here to share with.:(  Ethan is into everything and going through a terrible bout of separation anxiety.  I have a small table I work from in the family room once again.  I have abandoned they idea of having my own studio for a few years.  

Well, I am home alone with "the boys" as Ellory and Tim head out to Dublin...Ohio that is, for another Celtic festival and dance competition.  Ryan plans on showing me an anime movie and we are ordering Chinese.  It will be a good night for it as it has been raining here for two days.

Lastly, I am getting my house straightened and doing a lot more cooking.:)  Tim and I were able to "steal away" for an overnighter at the Dillweed Bed and Breakfast which is owned by our dear friends Cindy Gilmore(mom) and Corey(son) and Kyra Gilmore.  We had a nice trail ride on our bikes..I  packed a picnic to share (most recipes from the New Moosewood Cookbook)  and Tim provided a nice bottle of wine.  We had a really nice evening together.  We had run of the B and B and it was fun doing some "midnight shopping" in their wonderful store.:)  I have to figure out how to hyper so I could send you there for a virtual visit.

OH, AND I finally joined facebook!:)  Would love to have some new kindred "friends" over there....:)  Hope to hear from some of you soon to see how your summer is going.:)

PS  Am having some MAJOR camera problems and will hopefully have a new one real soon.:)

Roses: OH, I Love a Parade!

I am so behind posting my Memorial Day pictures.  We always try to spend Memorial Day in my little hometown of Armagh PA.  I actually don't live in the town of Armagh...but around the outskirts of town.  I can't believe that such a small town (population is about 40ish)  would  have a parade.  AND growing up we actually had a summer parade as well which was the start of our annual carnival.  As you can see from the pictures, this is small town Americana for sure.  Ethan loved it!  Mitch was the only one who cooperated with a pic...oh I did sneak a pic of Ellory with her cousin:)... can't believe he is graduating in less than a week... so proud of him and all he has accomplished already...:)  I had a nice visit with my family, including my cousin Anita who is also one of my best friends...:)  All in all it was a beautiful day and it always is on my heart how much I miss living there:) OH, and there was a parade in Fokltown as well.  The mayor's wife was present.  There was a parade and a picnic afterward for all the residents.  Wish I could have captured some more pics:) but most of it was in my imagination!!! heehee Please stop over at one of my dearest and oldest friend's new blog... the link is on the right, under "Barnflowers".  Lani is actually like my adopted cousin as our families are not blood related, but we have been and raised as family.:)  LOVE ya Lani!!  She is amazingly talented and her house sits on their families' farm.  Her mom is also an heirloom seamstress and Lani has been sewing all her life.  Her house is to DIE FOR....I will have to take pictures.  Lani does everything... paints, quilts,draws,sews and is an avid gardener.  Oh, just LOVE the hex signs she is making.  Her craft is authentic and true... she is new to the internet, so PLEASE drop over and say "hi".  If she could I know if you visited she would brew you an amazing cup of tea or a home made lemonade.  (Now if I could only get my other friend,  Ruth to start a blog. hint hint) Well, I enticed Ethan with a fruit roll up while I typed and well.... my time is up!!:) PS... notice the wonderful needle case that I was gifted by Viv of Hensteeth.  It is by the little Folktown , seamtress elephant. PPS Would love some feedback on these creations.  Etsy is not the best venue for me and I am looking for a show to do that these little guys might fit into.  I am also open to doing workshops as well. As sharing with others is my main goal of why I "do what I do"  :)  Love all you wonderful friends out there.:)xxoo

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