Killing time on a rainy day,

I have nothing new in the line of product to share with you  since Leonardo De Mousie. Not that I haven't been busy ,I have been dashing to shady areas on these hot days. Finding appropriate work during the hottest hours. Finishing up some sewing for a friend and today waiting on my first of the week Art Students. So ,I decided to write a tad and kill some time. Speaking of writing, I sat the other day and wrote some more on my next Children's book. I won't get into what it is about right now, but let me tell you that I can see most of the art work in my head and when this happens it all begins. I smile to myself . Almost like a cartoon moving in my mind I see this one particular painting over and over again and it just may be the cover painting. All I can tell you right now is that it is about a very dear ,sweet mouse.
    I have been writing my story on my new used lap top and was going along in the early Spring with such enthusiasm when all of a sudden I lost everything I had written. I somehow ended up deleting it all. Why of course I know and remember my story but sometimes the words or the way it was first written may never return in the same way it was first time. So I was thrown off my so called pins for a bit but feel I have returned and am happy with these latest writings. Hopefully it, my next book will be received as well as my first "Lu Lu Belle the Happy Puppy" I was told just this morning by a friend of how her little Granddaughter who has just turned 1 year old enjoys being read my book and how she gets excited looking at my art work, which so inspires me to do even better next time.
Since I have been volunteering with the school reading program and working with younger Children I have been reawakened to Children's books and how to keep young Children focused and interested in books.
  So hear I sit at the computer on this lovely much needed rainy day, listening to far off thunder. Hearing the grass and gardens  grow after so many overly dry hot days.The farmers are breathing a sigh today, Thank you to the heavens.
  So looking at the clock, I want to share with you one last thought . I received an email this morning saying that my only 4 yr. Art student would not be able to make it to class today . So I emailed back and of course said that's OK I will see her next time. Then I received another email later saying that there again was a change in plans because when she woke this moring her first words were "This is the day I go to Debbie Doodles" So, she will be here today after all. That's my girl, I am Happy she is having a good time and can only again as I have said so many times in the past"inspire them" the World is theirs.

Leonardo D'Mousie (needle felting)

Introducing Leonardo D' Mousie...

My latest needle felting.

 I Love needle Felting!!!this guy cracks me up.He stands on an Antique Oak board which I painted to look like slate stone flooring. His easel holds his painting of a sailing ship while he glances your way for approval. He is 100% pure wool with one wire up one leg for standing.
It has been so hot that the past few days besides an early bike ride mornings I have been sitting in the shade of our pergola and working on Leonardo and as always am amazed with the end result. Like a lot of things in the beginning you would never guess that the finished product is anywhere in there. Like woodcarving ,working with wool is somewhat similar but instead of removing to find the character inside you add wool and sculpt  like you would working with clay but with only a barbed needle poking the wool adding character as you work along. Same with my needle felted dogs, they look like nothing and then all of a sudden there they are. I Love what I do and hope that people feel the Love in the finished product.
I look forward to introducing him to my Students this week. They get a big charge out of the feltings, as I do.
 Today I was going to head to Lunenburg Festival of Crafts with a friend but after getting out of the shower and starting to ready for a day away, I find that yet again today my belly is upset. ?? beats me what I have if anything, but I have decided to stay put and feel better. YUK!!!!! Maybe it has been this heat!!! of late.

Privateer Days and Canada Day weekend!!!!

Wow!! the older I get the harder it is to do what I love to do ,even though we make sure we get our sleep . It still takes me days to get over having so much fun and dressing up . Seeing again People we don't see all year long to again greet them with a smile, handshake or big hug as we meet again year after year on our fine Town Streets during our fun times during Privateer Days/Canada Day. Again this year all was wonderful and hats off as usual to those who work so hard at getting things in line for a great weekend. If only I were a tad younger and could help more, but not the case, so I will continue doing what comes natural to me and that is just what you see in this photo and as always the Man who Loves me( the poor dear at times) he always as you can also see here stands by me and rides the wave with me. Thank you Chuck!!! So here we have Chuck offering his silhoeette for a Little Girl to trace on Friday when we were doing sidewalk chalk with the wee ones. The photo of me was taken by a Friend while I was tending our Basket Maker Friends baskets while he was away for a bit. His name is Cyril Mooers and his baskets are wonderful!! Anyone interested in a basket from Cyril can email me and I will be happy to direct you to him. On Saturday we set up and sold and Sunday the same but with an outdoor Church service in the morning in Pine Grove Park, which is a beautiful hike through the woods to the Mersey River, if in the area I would suggest you partake of it's splender. Well, Chuck and I were to be Pirates and steal the collection plate and then be arrested by our King's Orange Rangers. We kept to ourselves in the back ground as if we were just attending a lovely Church service with the rest of the Dear folk's. After the collection and Thanks was given I was to hold all at bay with my two big fake guns whilst Chuck was to steal the coin, well never leave a big job to two old Pirates because instead of stealing the collection plate he stole the Eucharist, yup, he did. OK, never have I said we were the brightest, but by golly we try . We and a few other's are still laughing about this. But not to worry we were stopped by our Ranger's and the bread was returned. All was well in the funny end. The weather over this glorious weekend could be no better, yes hot ,very hot but considering the storms and rain showers with thunder and lightening we have been having as of late , we have nothing to complain about.
I have started some new classes with Summer Art Students and they are so incredibly enthusiastic young People. We are having fun and I hope to continue inspiring them. I look forward to watching these talented young People grow into fine young adults and I can only wish to leave them with good memories and confidence . My motto is always there is no wrong and everything we create no matter how small is our Art. Never say never, never be afraid and never say "I can't do that" you can do anything you put your mind to.
I am dragging my simple sewing machine out of the closet and will be making my Basket maker friend a couple of new Reenactment shirts in the next few days and thought I would make myself a new circa 17th century dress ,why not? Sewing for a bit instead of needle felting and painting is a change and what is it they say? "A change is as good as a rest" The shirts won't take so long, but the dress will, so I will take you with me on that journey as it begins and finishes.
Enjoy your Summer to all out there. Make hay while the sun is shining!!!