"White Rabbit"

Well sometimes one gets on a roll, or I should say I get on a roll. This is my latest roll"White Rabbit" 100% needle felted wool sculpture. He has been on my mind of late and while I was busy making Easter Bunnies I thought why not? So meet the Man or Rabbit. Just in time for Easter!
And speaking of Easter I will be writing and adding pictures in the near future here on my blog of my many Bunny gigs and Bunny outfits from over the years. We are doing another Bunny Gig this Easter on March 30th in Pine Grove park at 11 AM . An Easter Egg hunt for the Kids. This will be the 2nd year for this event ,organized by some great community active ,busy Mom's.We have out grown many Bunny outfits and Easter bonnets over these years but our ears and feet have kept on ticking and as long as we do we will again next year adorn our furry outfits to bring a smile to faces young and old. Yes I am sure some of those smiles are darn right laughs, people wondering why in the name of all that is Rabbit  would we do this , well because we Love the Kids and having fun!! Why not ! Our way of keeping young.
So yesterday we had a late change in plans so I worked until late in the evening for me finishing up "White Rabbit" and I am so happy with the result.
There is talk of snow in the next few days, I do hope this is just that (talk) and doesn't come to be. My bike has been calling me, even though I will need to add a lot more air to my tires this Spring ,just to hold me up. Unlike the past couple years I didn't ride all winter . And It shows if you get my drift and I don't mean "snow drift".
Not sure but maybe today I will start another needle felting, I am thinking fisherman, standing beside a barrel and net. I love it when I can just take the thought ,find something mindless on TV and sit and needle felt which for anyone who doesn't know this medium is poke ,poke and poke a lot more with a bard needle and a large sponge and raw wool. I will share here when finished.
Oh and by the way"Happy St. Paddy's Day " to all out there who celebrate the green!






doing wha tI refer to as a gig again this year at Pine Grove Park here in Liverpool, an Easter Egg hunt for the Children. A lot of these children know us so when i get that

"A pain in the Butt"

It may have sounded by this title that I was about to complain . Not the case .This is my latest needle felting, She is a pin cushion and what better title but "A Pain in the Butt" for her. She is made with 100% needle felted wool besides her glasses and pins. She has a felt covered cardboard base which keeps her erect waiting to be pinned. I think she would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift for a special Mom who sews.This sculptures whole body front ,back,  head and arms and of course butt can be used for pins.

No pins in this guy, meet Louie who was our house guest today he is the sweetest puppy. Some of you may have met him before at"The Moss Pot " here in Liverpool on Main Street and those who haven't been in should. You not only will be greeted by great tasteful , unique products and art but will see Louie who I would say is the shops Mascot. He is a gem indeed and it was a privilege spending time with him today. When I have a new house guest such as Louie I tend to get  a lot of work done inside in my  studio because I want to watch and make sure he is doing OK and not getting into anything, which he didn't , a very laid back puppy. He even caught on to using the dogie door, he is a smart little guy. He was a treat. So thanks Louie for being the reason I finished this piece today instead of outside doing something else which probably needed to be done as well:-)
  I have been busy thinking of  getting ready for our Summer Season. Liverpool and its interesting history as well as wonderful beaches hopefully will be a bustle again this Tourist season. We don't do but maybe one show yearly anymore, very unlike past years, we wore ourselves out all those years of being on the road travelling from one show to the other.
So anyone looking for me ,and wanting to see any of my works or have a request. By all means drop me a line.

"Needle Felted House Guest"

 Meet Moka above and Needle felted Moka below. Moka has been spending a few days with us while his Mom enjoys sand and surf in a  warmer climate . During yesterdays snow   storm I decided to do a needle felting for his Mom to take with her on her next trip so that she has this little sweet heart with her at all times. We have been enjoying his lap dog energy and he is the right size for our little house. We also have another house guest, our adopted dog daughter Laura who stays with us quite often. Moka loves Laura if you get my drift? But they have been working things out and respecting each others space. So yesterday during the snowstorm I stayed busy making Moka in Wool and even though this picture is blurry I 'm sure you get the idea. I do and have done all breeds in the past and these little terriers with their long straight hair are the most difficult. But feel the Love even though.

Today we need to venture out and shovel the car out. Unlike our last snow storm the snow drifts aren't near as bad this time thank Heavens. As much as I love snow and building snowmen I must confess I have had enough. I hear the song birds singing from my open bedroom window mornings and feel so bad for them when we get these last kick at the can near spring snow events. For many years now I have found our Summers so very hot and every year I find shade where ever I can and have been known to complain but this getting older I believe I will prefer the heat to the shovelling and try and not  grump so much about the dog days of August this year. For years we floated and played in the Medway River not even thinking about the heat except on the hay fields but since moving to town  we no longer have that pleasure of the cool fresh clean Medway River waters.We tried a kiddie pool the first couple of years since moving to town and found that it was more work then worth. A larger pool would be an option ,only if we had a "pool person" to look after it for us. Again I believe more work then worth. Maybe this Summer I will gear up an outdoor shower, and we can cool off in that. Sounds like a plan. I am a believer in making light work, why punish ourselves. Make and keep it simple.  Now to warm up the shovel.

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"Drummers meeting"

I have been so busy of late. With my 60th birthday just gone by ,which turned out to be a huge surprise, a gathering given to me by a few great friends. And I mean surprise! for they totally got me off guard and I am impressed for sure as well as very grateful I have mailed off a yearly commission to a professor client /friend who I have been supplying wizards to for years now for special graduates of his.
Doing my art classes and volunteering at Wickwire . Then today Feb 28th I got to be entertained at the Dr. John C. Wickwire school by a talented and interesting African drummer/dancer "Mufaro Chakabuck" . She was amazing! We were thrilled to have been invited to the festivities  and being drummers ourselves and having done workshops in the past at schools and nursing homes it was a pleasure to be there to watch and enjoy Mufaro do what she does so well.  Thank you Mr. Stewart for the invite. The sound of all the drums in the Audtorium was wonderful.The smiles on the Kids faces was heart warming.
I hope to enjoy Mufaro and her drums again someday soon.
Even though a threat of a snow storms hangs over our heads for March 1st, I believe Spring is in the air. We have our Bunny suits nearby and ready for Easter. Those who know us know what I am referring to. Pictures again this year to follow . I have had my Bunny outfit since 1986 and have worn it to many places. I will share this year a bit of History as to when and why and where it has taken me. I have over the years out grown many of my Bunny dresses but the ears and feet always seem to fit. Why not I say, why not!! I LOVE what I do, maybe it all keeps me young in a tired kind of way:-)





 

 can.

Winter has arrived

Here is a photo of the latest painting I have just finished for a client.  Winter here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia has been late joining us as has been the case for a few years now since we moved into town from living on the Medway River. I will admit I miss snow for Christmas, many don't but it just seems that much more magical in a cold white way.
 I have been busy starting up my art classes again in this New Year and when not busy preparing for classes I have been working on this painting. Staying warm inside but really wishing for sticky snow so that the Child in me can build a Snow Person with no luck so far. The canvas size of this painting is 3x2' and is oil .It was challenging with all the green but I am happy with the results.
We have been helping with reading mentoring at one of our local Elementary schools again this year and have offered to help as well with their breakfast program a couple times a week. Enjoying doing this,one because we love the Kids and two, we miss our days in Mill Village where we worked with the Village school for I believe twenty plus years even before our son started school there. These smaller schools need so much help ,Teachers at times are stretched thin and any help with anything one can do is much appreciated as well so much needed. Just a simple background check and you too can find a smile appearing on your face from working with some great cute ,funny Children. Days when I return home after having the Children read to me I get inspired to sit down and work on my already started next Children's book. I see the art work in my head and I know it will be a great book for them of elementary age. Even if I must say so myself.I feel it. So saying that and now that I have my commissions finished and Christmas on the back burner again for another year , I will be getting down to writing and sketching and will share more on this in the days to come. I am excited about the illustrations I see for this book. Oh and yes I am practicing with my new Ukulele,but we will leave it at that, I could be doing better.
Here in Liverpool our local Theatre group "The Winds of Change " are now beginning to work on their next production "Les Miserables" yes a full blown Musical with almost ,if not forty people in the cast and even way more behind the scenes. Auditions are about to begin and by the beginning of March the cast will be chosen and things will start . With many Months ahead of hard work which I know will pay off once it hits the stage next November. Stay tuned for more on this as things roll along. I have offered again to help paint the set, which will be yet again another big one as in many plays before but this one may even be more involved. Mark your calendars and visit Liverpool to witness a great play.
Someday I would like to audition for a fun Character part again like in the last play I did. "Riches and Honor" written by Beth George a local playwright from here in Queens County. But to jump with both feet into this play would surely be way too much for a newbie like me, better to leave this one to the pros but I will do what I can to help.
One last thing regarding my art students before I leave you today. We work in many mediums and rug hooking will be one of those mediums coming up . My plan is to have the Children design their own images on the burlap . I was given a large rug hooking frame and am considering having the Children work together in groups  on one long table runner and when finished ,if everyone is in agreement we will then auction it off to raise funds which are very much needed for our local SPCA to help all the dogs and cats out there who are in need. As we did this past Christmas with the children's Santa painted mussel shells and raised almost $100.00 . This way they learn how to hook but I don't need to find more then one hooking frame and the kids get to learn about giving of their time for others in need. I will be sharing more on this as well in the Months to come.
So you can see I 'm not busy enough, but I sure am having fun!

Happy New Year

Well today is the last day of 2012. It was a great year .And, I believe everyday is a great day if we try hard to make it that way ,so today again will be  another great last day of  of a good year. Bring on 2013, I will be fast asleep when the New Year rings in ,wanting to wake to a good first day of another super busy year .

I bought myself a ukulele for Christmas, arriving right before Santa came down the chimney. I got to work on my cording , fingers are getting toughened up and practicing is easier. Sound is good, but my playing leaves much to be desired, I will confess. But at least I am working at it. I painted flowers on my Uke and since have given her the title of "Daisy" Meet "Daisy" above. Over the years since a young Child I have always had a passion for stringed instruments as well of course my many drums. With no great success in playing many of the stringed instruments. I have given up on my Banjo and ended up selling it,but have kept my Auto harp and Dulcimer and now have added my new Ukulele to the list. Being only 48 days from turning 60 years old ,I believe it is time to master at least one of my stringed instruments ,so the Uke will be in my hands as much as possible so that once Summer joins us again for those wonderful not always great hot days I'll be able to share a song or two in the shade of a tree with Dear friends who also play, wish me luck.

I finished my Christmas commissions well before Santa arrived , not being one to procrastinate . I haven't been needle felting over the Holidays but practicing my Uke instead. But right before Christmas I accepted a commission of a King Gnome and here he is. These past storm days with no snow for us but heavy rain and blowing wind  I have been inside watching old movies and needle felting instead of being outside building Snow Persons. Here is King Gnome on his Throne with a Chickadee on his lap. He will soon be on his journey to his new home in a few days.
Well we all survived the threat of the World ending, until next time that is. The World is going to end for all of us soon enough, so seize the day everyday I say!! Ones work never ends.
So tomorrow New Years Day is my Families tradition day ,to get together at my Sisters cottage to ring in the New Years first day, celebrating with much food, cheer ,family and friends. I will awake from a good nights sleep all bushy tailed and ready to have a fun afternoon looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean with waves pounding the shore, it should be another great day in the Maritimes Happy 2013 to all and may you work hard at making your dreams come true this new year. May you sing on a sunny day. May your Hearts flutter with beauty and Love all around, may you heal from your pains, no matter what they are. May you put smiles on faces that need and may those smiles come back to you ten fold. Happy New Year!!!