Twigs

I found this twig arbor and fence online, somewhere, and I love it. Yesterday I pruned my daughter and son-in-law's apple tree so that I might have some twigs to begin creating some of this charming, old world rusticity. I love it!

If anyone has the know how for making twig things, please share! I just love twigs!

Never mind, for I have found a book on it and successfully made a twig arbor!

Spring is in the Air

I have been doing cleanup in my gardens, for the past several days, and it is so invigorating and satisfying to watch my compost heap grow as my grounds take on that of a cleanly swept home.

Of course, the pictures here are all from Colonial Williamsburg, so don't  give me credit for these wondrous sites. Just enjoy and be inspired!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ann, by Currier & Ives, is such a beautiful lithograph of which I am grateful to own a copy. Her rich, red dress and her delicate flowers, remind me of Valentine's Day, and so, Ann is greeting all of you dear friends who visit me. Happiest of Valentine's Day!

Many XO's ,Christine

#31!

It is an honor to announce that Country Living magazine invited me to be the 31st member of their Country Living Guild which is known for "honoring American artisans and craftsmanship". Read about me in the brand new, February, 2009 issue on pages 47 and 49. I am thoroughly delighted. For I have been chosen to be their first and only doll maker to be included in this guild.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It STOP!

The snow has delineated the odd curves of part of our yard, and that is due to the many rock formations that exist there. Basalt to be precise.



Although it is very beautiful and quiet, this has been going on a bit long for The Willamette Valley, Oregon. You see, this area is not equipped to keep the streets plowed, and so we get crippled. The ice has caused much loss of electricity and much damage. Many, many places are closed now for days, and this includes retail stores, antiques malls and of course many offices including the state and city offices.

I know this is lightweight compared to many other areas. I love my cake that the snow created out of the bird bath! This family is postponing Christmas celebration until Saturday the 27th., because we will be back in the 40's by then. Yay hooray!

Peace on Earth

Well, 'tis time again to concentrate on creating a time of peace on this earth, so let us all do our best to visualize through prayer or thought (whatever means works best for each of us). I have chosen a primitive theme for my Christmas/Hanukkah or just plain solstice this year and that is because it is so sweet and simple, plain and unencumbered. My lamb above is featured in my Christmas card next to my new Santa below.


Here is Santa holding his damask bag with a Christmas tree and of course a dolly! But the tree is hidden behind her, so alas, there you have it. But you can see a tree in the painting that I did below. (The real one is white and sparkly.)

If you wish to make some cards from my little Santa, just click on the link below it and print onto card stock. Cut a small piece of card stock as a back. I use a 3" wide by 5" long piece of it, and I fold it over, and attach it to the back of the Santa card with a piece of foam core tape. Then write in the body of it.

Click here for a PDF of this card.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving and My Beginning of the Holiday Season

I have loved this beautiful, serene card for years. It was made by dear friends from the Right and Propper company, back in 1992. Photography by the late Marion E. Hilton of the Von Der aye House in Molalla, Oregon, Assisted by Teresa Hilton



Edward Hicks paintings are so beautiful to me. Above is one called The David Twinings Farm, 1787, and I do see a couple turkeys in that charming yard. It is not a card, but a copy of one of his paintings that I found online.

Cozy Autumn in 1664

Oh happy times as I dream of The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts or even the oldest house in Salem, which was built in 1664, known as the Pickman House.

Welcome to my kitchen friends. The candle is lit and the teapot is simmering.

Somerset Life and My Slip-Ins!

I am so very proud and excited to report that my Slip-Ins are featured in the current and beautiful Autumn 2008 issue of Somerset Life magazine.
There is the story about them as well as more pictures of them and a how to make your very own! See them on pages 72, 73 and 74. I am SO happy!!! And I must point out that these little slip-ins are only 3 to 4 inches tall. They look bigger in the magazine.

Early American Art by Ladies

Here is more of my favorite type of art; the type that I would have in my home.

Above, Eunice Pinney's "The Courtship"

Above, Deborah Goldsmith painted "Sarah Stanton Mason Throop", 1830's

Currier & Ives

If I collect anything to hang on my walls, it is Currier & Ives, preferably framed in the romantic criss cross frames. These images I gathered from the Internet. Enjoy!

In Loving Memory of Dear Tasha

Our beloved Tasha Tudor and my ultimate heroine, passed away in her Vermont home, Wednesday, June 18. Visit this Memorial Website to learn more about this wonderful American icon. I have signed the memory book and donated to the Tasha Tudor Museum.

Here is the obituary from the New York Times.

Little Dolly in a Shoe

This tiny dolly in a shoe is seen in my previous post among other of my new miniature dolls. Recently Country Living magazine came to my house and photographed me in the process of making a doll. Among the many dolls photographed was this little one. I look forward to seeing if she shows up in the article which they tell me is slated for possibly their October issue! You see, I was invited to be a member of the esteemed Country Living Artists Guild, and I am still pinching myself!
Little dolly above was spotted by a friend and neighbor who wanted to purchase her, and therefore I consented. Today little doll in her shoe moves almost next door, and I am so happy to know that I may visit her occasionally!
I assure you, I will be announcing more on my Country Living excitement as soon as the issue is published!

An Unlikely Pirate!

Pirate Story
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing,
Three of us aboard in the basket on the lea.
Winds are in the air, they are blowing in the spring,
And waves are on the meadow like the waves there
are at sea.


Where shall we adventure, today that we're afloat,
Wary of the weather and steering by a star?
Shall it be to Africa, a-steering of the boat,
To Providence, or Babylon, or off to Malabar?


Hi! but here's a squadron a-rowing on the sea-
Cattle on the meadow a-charging with a roar!
Quick, and we'll escape them, they're as mad as they
can be,
The wicket is the harbour and the garden is the
shore.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy 100th. Post, Donna!

Dolly Pin or Brooch if you Prefer

This wee Queen Anne dolly was created in 1972 by an artist of whom I cannot read the signature, but it looks like Betty Arndt. I have to say that the dress is actually a very deep, hot pink, and that my photographic skills go a begging. I just wanted to share this exquisite tiny, hand carved, wooden dolly. She is all of one inch tall there under glass in her mob cap.