//

Happy Halloween everyone! 

After some screaming and tears this morning, we managed to get out the door in time to get Wyatt to his first Pre-School Halloween parade.  I have always been a fan of the homemade costume, but this year I decided I was going to give myself a break and not stress out over making costumes on top of all the craft show stuff I’ve got going on.   That is, until Wyatt told me he wanted to be a mummy….

Sounds fairly simple, just rip up some old sheets and wrap him up in it.  I won’t go into details, but it was NOT that simple!  I was able to put something together last night, and wouldn’t you know it, this morning he refused to wear it!  Once I convinced him to try on the pants, he was more willing to put on the rest, and all was right in our spooky little world again.

Max:    “Dad, you missed the gecko.”

Bill:    “Huh?”

Max:    “You missed the gecko.”

Bill:    “I missed the…. gecko?”

Max:    “Yeah.”

Bill:    “What the heck does that mean?”

Max:    “Well, you see, me, mommy, and Wyatt are all wearing red shirts… you aren’t…. so you missed the gecko.”

Me:    “No, Max.  It’s memo…. you missed the memo.”

Max:    “Oh.”

Thanks to everyone who came to the craft show this weekend.   We had great weather, and sales were better than I expected, which is always a nice surprise.  The falling leaves were a nice backdrop, even though I did have to keep picking them off my display.  My little houses seem to be striking the right chord with people… now I just have to figure out a better way to display them!  I was happy to send this little guy, among others, off to a good home:

Next up is a home show on the 18th, and then back to Doylestown on November 7th & 8th for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s holiday show.  Busy, busy, busy!  I know I’ve been a bit slow in getting things loaded into the Etsy shop, but if anyone is interested in any of my products, please do not hesitate to contact me through the comments section or email.  Thanks & happy fall!

I think the chalk hopscotch only adds to their chick appeal…

new swing set · ambulance ride · x-rays · body cast · bubbles · sidewalk chalk · parade · scrambling for candy · firetrucks ·  frozen berry pie · baptism · ice pops · picnics on the front lawn · bee stings · 4th of July · backyard bbq · moon bounce · sno cones · baseball games · frisbee · swimming in mr. jones’ pool · collecting cicada shells · picking dandelions · neighborhood walks · wheelchair rides · stepping in dog poop · rita’s water ice · library books · zucchini · blendy paints · sleeping on the pull out · catching lightning bugs · s’mores · big wheels · couch cushion forts · razor scooters · birthday party on the farm · pony rides · pb&j · feeding the bunnies · down the shore · sandcastles · boogie boards · swimming at night · thunderstorm · torrential downpour · boardwalk · maui dog · log flume · sand rash · kohr bros. · miniature golf · salt water taffy · turtle birthday party · sunburn · crabbing · dilapidated screen porch · tanner’s · jackson stopped growing · poison ivy · slip & slide · abandoned breastfeeding · jackson started growing again · sketchbooks · paint · overdue haircuts · kindergarten camp · molting dog · I spy · cherry tomatoes · reflux · potty training · water guns · wet pants · spit up · throwing rocks · hopscotch · poison ivy · wrestling · sunsets · pirate ship playground · double rainbow · window fans · praying mantises · flashlights · sprinkler · airplane museum · ice cream party · playing tag · weeds! weeds! weeds! · broken oven · climbing trees · sibling rivalry · building dinosaur models ·  poison ivy · meltdowns · maggots! eek! · bothersome smell · new schoolbag · name tags · bus fumes · crosswalks · helicopters landing · first day of school · tears of nostalgia & pride

One of the reasons I’ve been so absent from the blog this summer is that every spare moment of my time has been spent preparing for the Doylestown Art Festival.  I did some smaller craft shows last season, but it’s been a while since I’ve done  an exhibit of this magnitude. 

Unfortunately, Saturday got rained out, but Sunday’s weather was fantastic, and the crowds did not disappoint.  It’s funny, over the years I had forgotten what it’s like to do an outdoor craft show: the set up, working through my outdoor display issues, hearing other vendors work through their outdoor display issues, cursing about outdoor display issues, trying to maneuver a van through a sea of artisans setting up, port-a-johns, booth sitting, live music, sore feet, funnel cake and general camraderie. 

A shot of my booth:

Thanks to all of the friends/family/neighbors that came out to show your support, and of course, to everyone who bought something.  I can’t possibly describe it, but it’s such an amazing feeling to make something, and someone out there appreciates it enough to spend their hard-earned money on it… I’m so grateful and blessed, really.

Some new items that I debuted this year were my pillows, of which I only sold two, but one of them was my all time favorite, would’ve totally kept it for myself, and of course I didn’t take a picture of it, bunny pillow.  If you look closely, you can see it in the picture, it’s the blue one with the white/orange polka dot fabric on the side.  You can’t see the bunny, but it’s in the lower left corner.

Anyway, some other new things I’ve been working on are these little wooden tiles shaped like houses:

You can hang them on your wall, or set them on a ledge.  People seemed to like them.  They are a combination of recycled wood, paint, fabric, vintage storybooks, paper, and reproductions of my own artwork.  Each one is one of a kind and tells its own story.  So here I am, back to painting and wood working.  I guess it’s in my DNA somewhere.  I’ve found that collage really works for me, because I have such A.D.D. when it comes to art/craft.  And the small format has always called to me, it’s so much more intimate somehow, like you have to get up close to it to really appreciate it.   I’ll be listing these in the Etsy Shop starting tomorrow.

And hey, now that some of the kidlets are back to school, I might even find the time to post to my blog again this week!  Shocker!

Wow, I didn’t mean to be away that long! Sorry, to anyone who is still checking in on me, I guess the days have been filling up, it’s difficult to find the time to write. A short update:

Max’s cast is off, has been for a couple of weeks now. He is getting around amazingly- he has a limp, but it doesn’t hold him back from doing much. I’m sure his doctor would be thrilled he’s back to climbing trees and various playground equipment. He should have the limp for a few months. If he still has it by Halloween, I’m thinking of dressing him up as the Hunchback of Notre Dame…

Throughout this ordeal, I have been both amazed and at times overwhelmed by the kindness of others. So many friends, family, and kind people who care about us checked in on Max, brought/sent him wonderful gifts and things to keep him active during his healing process. Melinda even sent him the most amazing books from across the pond! Thanks, Melinda! (Dr. Dog is now a part of our daily repertoire- perfect for boys).

Anyway, this experience has made me realize that kindness is really something that the world needs more of. And it’s something that I need to work on, because I really think I’ve been more of a taker lately, and it’s time to switch gears and give a little back. I’m not talking about giving things so much, but giving of myself & my time.

Speaking of kindness, check out this absolutely gorgeous pin cushion the sweet and multi-talented Elizabeth from Creative Breathing sent to us:

Is this not the sweetest thing ever??? The detail is exquisite. Elizabeth, you are an inspiration on so many levels. If you’re not familiar, she has the sweetest blog chock full of the most fascinating, well told stories, beautiful photos, and amazing projects.

The inpiration to blog hasn’t been there very much as of late, but I’m going to make a much more concerted effort to blog more. It’s been difficult, but I can feel my focus starting to return a little. Thanks for the kindness, the inspiration, and the concern. I will do my best to pay it forward.

Oh, there’s the doorbell
Let’s see who’s out there

Oh, it’s a seven
Hello, seven
Won’t you come in, Seven?
Make yourself at home.

Hey, who’s that other guy?
Is that your friend there?

“Oh, that’s just Seven”
Another seven
Hello, Seven
Won’t you come in as well?
Now who would like some cake?
(“I would like some cake.”)
(“Me too!”)

What’s that at window?

A whole bunch of sevens
They’re coming in now
And there’s a lot of them
And down the chimney too
(“Hey guys, come on in!”)
I bet they want some cake
“We want cake! Where’s our cake?”

My house is full of sevens
They’re filling up the living room
Sliding down the banister
Talking on the telephone
Inviting over more sevens
(“It’s a green house at the end of the block”)
I’m running out of cake.
“We want cake! Where’s our cake?”

My house is full of sevens
“We want cake! Where’s our cake?”
Lots and lots of sevens
“We want cake! Where’s our cake?”
Many more are stopping by
Sevens add and multiply
There’s only way to subtract them:
Let them eat up all the cake

A fun morning was inspired by this song and spawned by my husband. Seriously, if you don’t already have this album, I highly recommend it, whether you have kids or not… I do find myself listening to it even when the kids are napping… but it has inspired many a silly moment while they are awake, too!

Just happened to snap this at the right moment, I suppose. Although after about the 53rd meltdown that day, I probably would’ve let them carry him away…