Something New

Recently I bought a magazine while at the craft store. It had tutorials in it. Most of them were dolls. One of them was an art doll called stick in the mud. I decided I'd give it a go.

My stick in the muds are a little different from the designer. I didn't use a branch from outside for fear of insects, etc.  I bought a dowel. And rather than hobbies I decided mine would be careers. Each one  has a hand molded face and bodies wrapped in fabric. Their arms are wire and  they hold charms that relate to their career. The dolls  have the definition of their career decoupaged to them.
Around the bottom brown fabric is wrapped and around that is brass wire with a shell bead that I've written MUD on.

Here is the first one. Meet  Willow. She is a "Natural Scientist: a person who is trained or works in the field of natural science.  She holds a tree (because she's a Forester), acorn and a green gem (because you know she's also green).  Her hair is a bun in the back.

Tomorrow I will introduce you to Paris. He is a travel agent.

Punky & Funky

I love this crazy steam punk vase.  I painted it and then applied a green luster around the gear & along the edge. This photo doesn't do it justice. I love the look of the lusters in general. 

It's not my usual style. I really liked it but apparently others didn't. I have painted other steam punk porcelain pieces which sold immediately. Not this piece. 

So I'm taking a chance and reinventing it. Sometimes things just need a little touch of something different.  I've wired it with various pieces of metal hardware giving it more of an industrial look. We will see how it goes. What do you think? Even if you aren't a steam punk fan. Hardware or no hardware?

It's even funkier looking and I still like it. I'm thinking I need to sell this so I am not tempted to change my cottage style over to steam punk. My kids will think I am suffering from mid life crisis if I do that! LOL

Here's the  link on Etsy if you like it. LINK TO VASE

Spring is Coming and It's Our Team Birthday! Wooo Hoooo

Most people get a gift for their birthday right? Well we at the  Folkart and Primitives Etsy Team
are having an early jump start to Spring celebration for our second birthday!  It's a time for you to shop and receive spring creations in time to decorate for the change of Season's and as a part of that, YOU could get our Birthday Gift.....a little squirrely I know, but you benefit in the deal!  Stay Tuned!

 

 

A Sad Day

This photo was taken at the Yori Cousin reunion at the club in 2013.  In the photo L-R are my some of my Yori cousins: Nicky, Sandy and Phil and then me. The photos on the chair are my Aunt Esther and my Dad. Both were planning to be there but died in June 2013 just prior to the reunion. The little boy is my 3rd cousin Nicholas.

 

My cousin Sandy shared this photo today because last night we lost our cousin Nicky. He is the first of our Yori cousins to leave this Earth. As I was looking at this photo I was reminded of how sweet Nicky was when my Dad died, sitting beside me at the funeral mass holding my hand.. Even after the funeral, he would call me from time to time or drop me a message on Facebook, inquiring about how I was doing. He was one of a kind, a sweet, caring person with a strong  love of family that was passed down to us by our grandparents and parents.

My Dad was next to the youngest of his family so many of my Yori cousins were a bit older than I was. When we were younger we of course spent time together at family functions but I didn't have the pleasure of hanging out with them. It makes me sad that I missed those times with Nicky and didn't get to know him better.

 

As I look at this photo I think of all the other Yori family on the other side, Grandmom, Grandpop, Uncle Vito and Aunt Esther, Uncle Goody and Aunt Lucy, Aunt Phil, Aunt Nat and Uncle Carmel, Mom and Dad and now Nicky. Well cousin, you are in good company. I can imagine the laughter and hugs that are being shared there on the other side. And as Sandy said, there's probably a card game going on too.

 

One day we will all be there together.

And it's off....

Thanksgiving is over. All that's left is the memories and left overs. For many, it's off to the malls early today for Black Friday. Most of my shopping is done. Sunday the tree will go up and the gifts that I've bought will be wrapped and under the tree. I can enjoy Advent and the real meaning of Christmas. Let's not loose sight of what the season is all about! Getting ready for Christmas is getting ready for the birth of Christ! Slow down a minute, take a breath and remember.







Available on Etsy...click here.

Happy Veteran's Day

Available on Etsy

Today I reflect on those who served our country. From the Revolutionary War to present day wars in the Middle East.

I'm thinking of the sacrifices they made, risking their lives, being away from family and friends, living in uncomfortable conditions, missing the comforts of home and life in general.

It makes me thankful for those who have made those sacrifices so that we may have the lifestyle we have and freedoms we enjoy.

So, if you are reading this and you have served this country or are presently enlisted, or if you are a wife, child or parent of one who has or is serving, thank you for your service to this country and God Bless You.

Election Day Memories

I don't believe there are that many undecided voters. Most folks have an idea who to vote for in the major races. When I was a new voter my Dad would make me up a list of people to vote for when I said I didn't know who to vote for (that was before internet). Dad was always in the know because he worked on campaigns and belonged to the Democratic Club. Now it's so easy to go to places like Vote411.org to research people and positions.

This started as a facebook status and then I started thinking about all my crazy election day memories of childhood:
Signs in the yard....Brochures and buttons all over the house... My Dad campaigning for close family friend John Pica for City Council in Baltimore. Dad pulled a little merry-go round from the back of his truck which had large signs on it "Pica for City Council" and a speaker in which Dad would pipe out music or periodically say Pica for City Council. I loved driving around with Dad, listening to the music, watching as the other little kids would get on the merry-go round. As they were spinning around, Dad would be passing out the brochures and campaign buttons to all the Moms and Dads. I wish I'd saved all those buttons. This photo that I found online reminds me of them.

When I got old enough to vote, I said, "Dad I don't know what to register as." and he said "Democrat, they are for the working man." (He was very disappointed in later years when I switched to Republican).

And then there was the list I'd receive on voting day with all his top picks. The candidates would come to the club and Dad would size them all up making his notes.

He formed many long lasting friendships working for candidates. Til the day he died he was friends with 2 former local former state senators. This is the first election year since Mom and Dad died that they won't be here to vote. But something tells me Dad's making his list on the other side and whispering names in my ear.