Summertime....and the livin' ain't easy....

 It's not like I'm complaining.  But this has been a super hot couple of weeks.  Working in the garden, which I normally love, has been really difficult because of the heat.  So I have been spending some of my time indoors ghost writing blogs and neglecting my own.  

We have had more company than usual this year.  My sister and her husband have been here twice.  I wish they could come more often, but they have been cooped up long enough and want to go other places than Missouri.  My grandson made a surprise visit.  I miss him so much!  This isn't from this visit but it is recent and I had to show you just how handsome he is.

We went to Illinois for a wedding a couple of weeks ago.  We had a great time visiting family...and acting silly in the photo booth.

This time of year in Missouri is a busy season for gardening.  This morning I spent a couple of hours working on pulling weeds.  I did manage to harvest some beans, pepper, and potatoes.....yum..potatoes and green beans for dinner tonight.  

My Etsy shop has been going crazy the last couple of weeks.  I got four orders for lighted swags

and another order for Annie and her bestie Westie.

If you want to order either of these items, check out the links.  I usually quote a two week lead time and you can customize either with colors or personalize the puppies tag with name or date.

Our goats are scheduled to be picked up on July 13.  I am so excited!  If you want to check out our preparations, check out my blog:  https://livingonthecheep.blogspot.com.  

Time to get back at it, my peeps!  Stay cool and happy!

Show Season...Yay!

First two shows of the season are in my rear view mirror.  The first show was a tough one, in Colorado Springs.  It was a first year show and I think the promoters have a few bugs to work out.  Colorado Springs is a two hour drive from here which would normally be dreadful, but my sister and travelling companion, Susan, was also doing the show so we were able to carpool.  We did not travel the interstate but rather a scenic windy road with beautiful sights of fall colors and wild turkeys.  Yes, I said wild turkeys!  We saw flocks every day.  Nature at its finest.

I took my photo with my phone.  I think it looks like the trees are full of glitter.....and you know how much I love glitter!

This weekend I was at the Simply Vintage Fall Market.  This takes place at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo.  I love this market except for the fact that it takes me nearly 3 hours to get there.  I went down on Saturday with my mini van packed to the gills and went back on Friday morning to finish set up and take a few extra pieces.  I had a huge booth, compliments of Nicole Jones the promoter.  And I sold ALL of my furniture.  (Except for the two white chairs that I scratched up on the way there and had to bring back home.)  There is nothing more satisfying than having someone love your work.  I met so many amazing vendors and customers.  But the one drawback was that my helper and sidekick, Skylar was not there.  She is up in Montana studying to be a great artist at MSU. 
 I sold a couple of my insulator lamps, this one was my fave.

And though I love this desk, I was glad to see it go to a great home.  Note the chalkboard on the desk part....And I chalk couture'd it up on the back.....

My white table was snatched up and I even had a bidding war on the little red table.  

My booth was HUGE!

Maybe next time I will have to do like this vendor and drive a tractor trailer....lol....not!

  

There were beautiful things, vintage treasures, and handmade items.  But there were some weird things too.....like this rocking animal....horse?  dragon?  donkey?.....for sale for $275!

So I am home and today I am hibernating, watching football and working on a special order for a doll.  Next week I am off to the  Sugar Plum Festival in Colorado Springs at the event center.  Come see me!  You can go to their website for discount tickets!  http://sugarplumgiftmart.com/  

And watch my facebook page for more info!

Wendy Witch

Happy Tuesday, Y'all~!   I am excited to show you Wendy, my new witchy doll.

Wendy is a 17" doll I made from a pattern from Chestnut Junction.  She really turned out sweet.  She holds a little stuffed ghost, wears a "boo" tag and has a tall hat that I wired so it can be positioned however you like. I have two of these done and for sale on my Etsy site.  And don't forget, I have a 20% sale going on!  Spend $25 or more and include the coupon code SCHOOL20. 

I also have some more of my Westie ornies.  I sell a ton of these.  They come with a tag for putting the puppy's name or date or whatever:

I also have these in black and black and white houndstooth.  Cute, huh?

I bought a used van to use in my shows and I am excited about that.  The little Jeep just could not haul enough stuff......and think of all the Christmas shopping I can do with it!  Well I am off.  I sold a couple of dolls and I need to get them in the mail!

Breast Cancer Awareness

I think all of us have been touched by breast cancer.  My mother in law died from breast cancer and one of my sisters-in-law fought this disease and has thankfully triumphed over it.  So, in my own little way, I am trying to increase awareness by introducing my newest raggedy:  Hope.

Hope is about 18 inches and as you can see, is pink, pink, and more pink.  I love this fabric with the angels and pink ribons.  I have her for sale in my Etsy shop.  I have a second doll in the works, with diffent facial features.
I thought that this would be a great gift for someone struggling with a new diagnosis, a family member who is being supportive, or someone who has fought the battle and won.

In December 2009, I lost my daughter Brandi to cancer.  She fought bravely for nearly two years before the melanoma took her.  I miss her every single day.  I hope if you have a loved one that is fighting their own battle, that you will be supportive, loving, and compassionate.  It is a fight that no one should have to face alone.

Christmas in July!

It is the middle of July and I am working on Christmas items.  This is a new item that I just finished.  This first one went a bit slow, but that is usually the way.  This is from a pattern from Sparkles and Spirit.  He is called Sleepytime Santa and is approximately 21 " tall.

His legs are wooden dowels and his feet are cut from plywood.  I changed him up a little and I love the way he turned out.  I cut out two of these but I am going to have to redo one of the feet.  Let me know what you think.

 

Its been a busy week.  Yesterday my grandson took me to lunch in his own car!  My best date ever!  Tomorrow I have errands to run, some shopping to do, and a minor medical test.  I guess I had better hit a couple of craft stores as well.  Running low on a few items........not really, but I had better check out what is new anyway.  Have a great weekend, my friends!