Season's Greetings

For those of you still out there following my blog... I want to say thank you! I realize it has now been more than 4 months since I've updated anything here. :( We did get all moved back into the farmhouse, and we're just now about completely settled. We had some renovation projects to wrap up... and let me just tell you, we have been going like the Energizer Bunny!!! We are finally winding down and nestling in for the winter. As I type, we're having a Lake Effect Snow event that could dump as many as 12 inches of light, fluffy snow on us over the next 48 hours! The wood stove is stoked and I have a few holiday decorations out now, too. It's feeling more and more like home every day. :)


We see some really spectacular sunrises and sunsets here, too. The following photo was taken on a chilly morning very early in November... the sky looks like it's awash in flames!


I hope to get back into creative mode soon... though I will likely only be creating for myself and my family for a while. I'm signed up with Gritty Jane to take a Clay & Cloth doll workshop as well as with Dixie Redmond for her Izannah Walker style doll workshop. Sadly, I've started neither project yet... but my hopes are for some long days to play now that winter has come upon us and we are mostly house-bound for the next couple of months. I'll be sure to share some photos of the things I'm working on and perhaps even some recipes as I've also recently rekindled my passion for cooking healthy foods, too!


Our family has some traditions for celebrating Yule that I will post along with some pictures soon. Our Yule celebration begins on December 21st and runs for 12 days through January 1st. We have a special activity we do each day during this time. When I reflect on my own childhood, it is the time I spent with my family and our friends during the holidays that come to mind... those are the most precious gifts... especially as we remember those who are no longer with us to celebrate. We have chosen to forgo the exchanging of gifts beyond anything simple and handmade in favor of doing things together to build relationships and lasting pleasant memories. This tradition began out of necessity for us when we were extremely limited financially while my husband was a full-time student. We've continued to celebrate in this way because we've found the holiday season is more pleasant, less stressful and more meaningful to each of us.

It is my sincere hope that you may each be blessed with family, friends and good health, and that you will spend the holidays making many happy memories to treasure for years to come. I'll be back again next week with those Yule activities and some recipes for you.

Until then, Blessed Be my friend!

Peace,
Dana

Land of the Lost

Hello out there... hello... ::echo::... ::cricket:: LOL!!!

I know I've not been very good about maintaining my blog this summer. Truth is, I've been neck-deep in so many other things... I just have not had much time to be online OR create anything new in months.



Some fun news... we are moving next weekend back to our old farmhouse. This great place was built in 1881 and is just an amazing home... we've been working very hard to get it all cleaned up, freshly painted, replaced broken fixtures, new carpet and sanding down the original maple floors in the dining room and living room. Kind of a long story on how and why we left and are now heading back three years later... but we're very excited to be moving back!!! We'll be sharing the home with my in-laws who are now both retired and looking forward to spending lots of time with our children on the farm. :)


I did a swap with a dear friend, Pam of GoldieLoo Woodworks for some of her AMAZING wood signs for our new "old" place. They are on their way to the farmhouse now... I hope to take some pics to share once we're moved in and settled. I made her a Pumpkinhead dude (we can't decide on a name for him, LOL) and I hope he arrives at her place today... I can't wait for her to meet him in person.

That's about all from the Land of the Lost... hope you are having a good summer... and are staying cool, because it's been a scorcher here in the Great Lakes!

See you in the Fall...

Peace,
Dana

Halloween Witch Kitty on Etsy

Hello & Happy 3rd Day of June!!!

I have had a bit of a lull in the whirlwind of my life, and I snuck out to my little creative space to weave a bit of magic. :) Sometimes, these projects whisper softly to me for a long time, and sometimes they bellow loudly and make a lot of noise in my head until I bring them to life. This little sweetheart has been whispering softly for several weeks, I'm so excited to share her with you!

This is Samantha...


She is just a tiny thing at 8 1/2 inches tall... I opted not to give her eyes because I'm a fan of simplicity with my cat faces.


You can see more about here in my Etsy shop if you desire...

We're enjoy a good bit of summer weather here... including some great thunder storms and warm temperatures. My youngest sister is graduating from High School this evening, and next week is her graduation open house (read: PAR-TAY!). :) We're looking forward to celebrating with her.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead, thanks so much for stopping by.

Cheers,
Dana
xo

Been a BUSY bee...

Hello everyone!

It's been a long time since I've updated... my family and I have been super busy fixing up a great little get-away we purchased for recreational use in the warm months of the year. It's 2 hours north of our home, and since there was a lot of work to be done, and no good place to sleep while working, we've been commuting. We get up EARLY, drive up, put in a good long day and then drive home. This has been going on since the beginning of the month. Today I'm home with most of my tribe while my hubby and my oldest son head up to put some new flooring down. It's going to be a busy day here because laundry has seriously piled up, LOL!

I have not had time to spend out here in my lovely creative space... and it looks like that time will be very limited most of the summer and early Fall. I hope to get back to creating again when we lock up the little north woods retreat for the season and are home more.

If I do get a chance to work on anything, I'll be sure to share some pics with you all... I do hope you're enjoying the lovely Spring weather wherever you may roam!!!

Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

Win this lovely doll!

Please stop by Miller Campbell Designs for a chance to win this lovely doll!

Happy Spring!!!

Peace,
Dana

Thoughts on Collectible Dolls?

Hello friends, and TGIF! I've been rather quiet lately... lots on my mind but not really much to say. ~smile~



I did create this fun little fellow last week. His name is Milton, he's from a fantastic pattern by P.K. Gracia of Soft in the Head. I've put my own little spin on him and dressed him up for Halloween. Isn't he cute with his pumpkin bucket of candy corn and peanut butter kisses? He's going to reside here in my creative space... he brings me so many smiles.

I've had the itch to create dolls again. For me, dolling is different that creating characters. The challenge I've been up against is developing one pattern for a doll base for which I can come up with numerous possibilities in costume design.
I think there's something special about creating a different spin on the same basic pattern each time. It creates something "collectible." I'm not sure which size to go with for starters. And round head, or flat body? I dread those round heads as much as I love them when they're finished. LOL! I've worked from very small on up to relatively moderate in size. I must admit, I tend to prefer working with a smaller scale. So it's off to the drawing board for some experimentation.

I have also decided to give good ol' eBay a try again. I have a few auctions ending soon on some of the finished pieces I have to offer. We'll see how well that venture goes. For now, it seems like it is the place where I get the broadest exposure.

That's about all I have to offer today!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead... I'm so thankful for the arrival of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather and return of all the beautiful foliage on the trees.

Merry Wishes,
Dana
xo

I know it's *almost* spring, but...

I have two sweet little snow fellows who would love to find a nice home before being packed away in a tote for the warm weather season...


SO...

Here's what I'd like to offer:

Original asking price on both of these pieces was $75 (each). I'm reducing the price by $25 each and they will go for $50 plus the cost of shipping to the first two folks who request them.


:~)

Email me to request them, please let me know your PayPal email address for invoicing.

Here's to the coming of SPRING!!!

xo,
Dana