Happy New Year!!!

(Photos taken in my backyard last Sunday - unbelievable!)
I truly hope that you had a marvelous holiday. And I am sending you very warm and happy wishes for a fantastic New Year. To 2008!!!

One Tiny Tree

I am back from New York! A beautiful trip with a beautiful traveling companion! And an amazing Neil Young concert in an old theater on Broadway. The architecture was breathtaking! I felt like I was in some kind of dream! (Thank you for one of my most favorite ever Christmas presents Ed!)

The picture above is of my special little tree. It is only about 1 1/2 feet tall and it is all decorated and lit up for the holidays. Yes, there is even a mini tree skirt on which there are mini presents. Oh my!

I am also in the process of making this tiny Frosty Village. As I was gluing a tiny chimney onto a tiny roof, I was thinking perhaps I should have some kiddies around for this type of arts and crafts? . . . hmmmm . . . well, I am perfectly kid-like excited about the upcoming holiday!!

Eight Jolly Skates

I think it is safe to post these little ornaments that I just finished. They are gifts, more like present toppers, but I just think that they are so adorable that I can't contain myself! I actually got the pattern from a Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Holiday Crafts magazine.

Yep, that's right, just a little wool felt and a couple of paper clips. Ingenious!!!

Ed and I are off to New York City for a few days. Upon my return, I will be posting some pictures of my tree (and my special secret tree!)

Its the Most Wonderful Time!

I am so excited about the holidays! I have been so fortunate to have had a weekend of just being at home with nowhere else that I needed to be. It's been wonderful! We have been having some snowy/icy weather too, so it has been extra nice to not have to be anywhere. So, what have I been doing during my days at home? Well, listening to Christmas music, sipping hot cocoa, and making all of my Christmas presents! These two dollies are from a pattern by oneredrobin. (Thank you for sharing your pattern!) I made two dolls for my two little nieces. Here is a full body shot:

I have been also making my nephews big stuffed animal snakes from fleece, I kind of devised my own pattern for them here:

They are going to be green with black spots, loosely based on an anaconda, but not nearly as scary and much more cute for the 3 - 4 year old set! All of the other presents, including my parent's, my boyfriend's and the little gifts for all the other special loved ones, I can't show you yet! Perhaps I will have pictures after the holidays! Hope you are all having a wonderful pre-Christmas time too!!!

On the First day of Christmas . . .

A (couple of) partridge(s) in a pear tree.

Ooooh I loooove gocco prints and really, anything by this talented artist (heatherjeany.) Please check out her "mixed tape" stationary. This goes under the category of "Why haven't I thought of this myself!?"

Brilliant.

Dear Santa Claus . . .

I feel like I have been pretty okay this year . . . I have tried to eat all of my veggies and say "please" and "thank you."

So I thought that it would be fun to post some of the items on my wish list. There are soooo many incredible artists on Etsy that I don't even know what to do with myself!

So here is the first item, it is an amazing felted necklace from pirilamporiscado from Portugal. I absolutely love their unexpected use of color, so gorgeous. I can REALLY see this lovely thing as part of my ridiculous necklace collection. It really makes my day!

Snuggle Buddies

That's about the size of it over here.

Yesterday was spent very cuddled, very snuggled and all around relaxing. There was a little bit of sewing that occurred, but mostly some tea drinking and reading of the new Adorn magazine that I just picked up (and hanging out with these two.)

I am very excited to share with you some other little things that I just picked up and that I am so jazzed about them that I can hardly stand it!!!

More on that later . . .

Ho Ho Ho

It's been sooo long since my last post! I would love to say that I have been so busy making lovely Christmas gifts and toys and decorations that I just haven't had time to post. . . buuuut . . . not so. In fact, I have been spending most of my time helping out my Dad who is a real life butcher. Yes, that means I too have been doing some butchering. Simply the most bizarre thing I could think of doing especially because I am just a tiny little vegetarian crafter. But, my Dad is a pretty awesome guy, so I love to help him when I can.

That said, there are a handful or so of some cute little Christmas pins and ornaments in my shop. I am also going to try very hard to get some more little stuffed toys up as well, specifically some little animals with pretty cotton dresses on. We shall see what happens!

I hope your December is off to a great start!

Owl Post

This post is to tell you about two very lovely things that came in the mail this weekend. First, this little bundle of wool felt was an order from Colonial Crafts. I absolutely LOVE the way that they bundled the felt and tied it with a pretty ribbon!

The second little box was from Etsy artist MacraMe. I had ordered two of their owl necklaces. Two because I couldn't decide between the white and the brown owls. So they both had to come to my house. Not only are the owls spectacular, the packaging is so beautiful, I hate to even take them out of their bags!!! See what I mean?

Gorgeous work MacreMe! And for those of you that are interested, they come in lots of different colors.

Don't you just LOVE mail!!??

Santa's Workshop

Here is the scene at my work table. The first picture, I love so much. It is all reds and candy canes and pretty buttons and wrapping paper! This was while working on the Christmas cards for the shop. They are available here. You might see some little gift tags in the photo too! Those are going to be in the shop as well, but are not quite finished.

The second picture is a basket full of dress up dolls waiting patiently to be put together and dressed. It is a real Santa's work shop around here!!! (Yes I too have caught the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas bug!)

Felt Family

I have been juggling making Christmas-y things and also making things that would make nice Christmas presents. I am not sure, do people want Christmas-y things as gifts for Christmas? For some reason I tend to think not.

Well, anyhow, this little family was made awhile back and I finally got around to putting it in my shop. Tomorrow I am the guest artist for Lunch a la Art and the local art museum. I get to talk about wool and felt and hand sewing and all that good stuff. Am I nervous? You bet! But I think it will be fun.

Right now I have a pile of dolls that need some outfits - back to work!

It's alright to look . . .

This is actually somewhat embarrassing . . . yes, this is the current state of affairs at Pea Soup Studio. I just keep thinking about that old saying that your desk is a mirror of your mind. If this is the case, certainly I am in some kind of trouble here. There is a kind of vulnerability in showing this to the world, but here it is and it is now ready for a complete organizational clean-up. Yep, I am going to dive right in . . . as soon as I get back from meeting some friends at the tavern . . .

A Sweet for My Sweets

Some exciting Pea Soup news, I just finished designing a new series of cards, this time around they are all things sugary and sweet. This little cupcake is the first in the series and it is available here. There will also be some stickers to come and another little special dessert project. More designs and items to come!

Now it is off for some veggie sushi and movie night! Happy Friday!

Welcome Fall

Just thought I would share a few of my fall photos with you, the one above is from a hike to Wolf Rocks. A nice long hike that includes an absolute gorgeous view of the forest covered mountains in Southwestern PA.

This is one of my parent's barn. It looks pretty anytime of the year, but especially in the fall. It was once an old stage coach stop that they numbered and dismantled and brought to the farm.

And this is of course my absolutely ridiculous miniature dachshund relaxing with Ed. Totally adorable.

Harvest

Hello Everyone!

I am back and semi rested from the show this weekend. It was super fun, super fall-like and so great to see so many old friends. These are a few photos from my booth. I have a few fall items that were left over from the show. I am thinking that Halloween stuff is probably a little past its purchase date, but there are other fall-ish things that can go right into November and Thanksgiving. These of course being pumpkins and leaves. Thanks to all of my wonderful customers for supporting me and making the big fall show so great!

Beauties

Oh to everyone that has been kind enough to stop by: I am really hoping I will do much better and more interesting posts. You are all tired of hearing how busy I am! More to come I am hopeful. The days are counting down to the big show. After the show, next week, I am going to begin posting my Christmas items and other good stuff left over from the show. Christmas items will include lots of snowmen, elves, Santas and reindeer pins. As well as ornaments and dolls. So, hopefully the blog and the shop will get a little spiffed up once the big show is under my belt. See you then!

Trick Or Treats!

I try to have lots of different pieces as well as the old favorites for the big show coming up next weekend. This year, I am a little behind on the brand new stuff. But! There are new "Spooky Kitty" Pins and Halloween stickers that I really love. They are also available in the shop. I get such a kick out of these stickers. Hope you do too!

Creepy Crawlies

EEEEK!!!!

.......To the spiders and also my general mood! I am totally buried under a pile of Halloween, fall and Christmas pins and ornaments. Its a good place to be, but I am feeling the "Big Show" Crunch. The "Big Show" is my biggest show of the year, Fort Ligonier Days, and it is next weekend! (Yikes!)

I have been very busy getting ready for that. I have been hoarding some stuff, but there is also plenty of cute Halloween stuff in the shop, including witches, scarecrows, and pumpkins. And there will plenty more in there after the show as well. But I suggest getting your favorites will they are there for the taking! Okay, back to sewing a batch of little woolie mitten pins and ornaments. . .

It's All You Need . . . .

Yes.

This is real.

As I was taking a walk in the woods today, I just happened to look down on the ground and there it was.

It truly made my day.

Happy Friday Everyone . . . back to making stuff now.

Extra Special!

Okay, so I am not computer savvy enough to have a little screen shot to accompany this post but, I will tell you the story anyway! So, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I was most excited that I was featured on a very cute treasury by Dottyral. Last night, while sitting down to post some things in the shop, I log on the Etsy and lo and behold . . . . there on the main page is . . . . the treasury! I made the front page!!!! There were many squeals and jumps for joy to follow. And many minutes of just staring at the front page.

Yeah, that meant a whole lot to this little wool-sewing gal.

Yeeaay!

Some things to smile about today:

1. The weather is beautiful, warm and sunny.

2. The miniature wiener dog curled up on my lap asleep.

3. A successful batch of homemade tomato sauce on the stove.

4. Lots of little pins and cute holiday stuff is getting made in the studio.

5. Most exciting . . . I am in a treasury on Etsy!!! (Here it is.) I am thrilled!

Hope everyone else is having a swell Monday!

More of This Please!

This picture was taken on a recent hiking excursion to a local state park. You are just walking along in the woods and suddenly . . . TA-DA! You have this, which is extraordinary!

So, right now, I am getting ready for some more fall shows and am doing so many different, unrelated projects at once that I didn't even know which to post about! For instance, there are both snowmen and pumpkins hanging out on my work desk as we speak! Okay, back to it!

A little bit early . . .

I know, I know . . . it is JUST the beginning of September. We JUST celebrated Labor Day! It is STILL warm and sunny outside! Why on Earth are there ghosts with pumpkins on the screen!?

Well, just planning ahead. I have been making fall leaves, pumpkins, and ghosts for a while now and you can start picking up these halloweenie items in the shop. In fact, there is this little guy that is lurking in there right now!

As for the show this past weekend (The Log House Arts Festival in Westmont) it was a success!!! The weather was perfect, the customers were wonderful and I picked up a beautiful antique spoon ring from a delightful couple who have been making jewelry for almost 40 years! I love it. Thank you to one and all! It was a truly wonderful weekend and a fantastic Labor Day by the pool with a glass of wine and great live music . . . hope your Labor Day weekend was just as fine!!!

Is My Tie on Straight!?

That is what I think these little fairies are asking each other. As I was packing them up for the show this weekend, I couldn't help but take them outside for a photo shoot. These are some of my calendar girls that I am going to be offering in the shop each month. From the left, we have January, March, April, May, June, July, September, November and December. They are marked on the bottom indicating their month! Perfect for a little shadow box or shelf.

Although I have posted a few little things in the shop. I am hoarding some things for the show this weekend. (I think all of us craftsters do this.) So, as I typed last post, stop in the shop next week for some new things.

PS Thank you to all of my wonderful customers that have made this a great week and thanks for the great response to my little greeting cards. I am sketching out new designs, so more to come!!!

Three Lovely Ladies

Just a few cuties that are waiting for this weekend's arts festival. (That's the Log House Arts Festival in Westmont, Pa.) I made up these gals and a little miniature family for the show. I had an idea to offer these little dolls as custom orders, meaning you pick their specifications (hair color etc.) This is, of course, another great idea from one of my great customers! (Thank you by the way!) I am so lucky to have some very clever customers. So, a special custom doll listing is here in the shop.

As for these dolls (Fiona, Garnet and Sadie) if no one snatches them up at the show . . . they will also be making an appearance in the shop. Okay, back to work for me. Have a lovely evening everyone!

Already!?

I honestly cannot believe that it is already time to go back to school. Even though I have been out of school for some time, I still get a little bummed when summer is over and school is back in session. I will probably be 80 years old and feel this way I suppose. Anyway, I have added a couple of school-themed designs to the shop. This little gal and a little pencil pin. There will be more to come as well. Right now, I am working on a pile of little dress-up dolls and miniature families. They are in preparation for the show next week. (The show by the way is the Log House Arts Festival in Westmont, Pa. Stop on by if you are in the area!!!) I will be posting some dolls in the Etsy shop too. Now it's back to work!!!

Harvest Time

Those beautiful, long days of summer. The BEST fruits and veggies . . . what more could a girl ask for? How 'bout some "Produce in Love" cards and stickers? You are just in luck, they are available in the shop. Check them out! (The picture above is everyone hanging out, waiting to be made into a card or sticker.)

A Sticky Breakfast Situation . . .

Lots of the things that I have been making lately are for orders or are in preparation for the fall and winter holidays - so I can't really post my progress on pumpkins and ghosts when it is 96 degrees and the month of August outside. I did, however, sneak in these cuties . . . I love them! They are stickers I made and are available in my shop.

A New Beginning . . . (whether we want to or not.)

One Sunday morning a few weeks ago, while having coffee on the porch; this little guy appeared.

Well, we heard his little chirps first and those of his little birdie Mama squawking encouragements from a nearby tree. At first we thought that there was something wrong with him, but it turns out he was just learning how to fly for the very first time.

Yes, we got to witness a brand new little birdie learn to fly!!! Before there was even an attempt of flying though, he was just hanging out right in front of the porch and he was very photogenic as you can tell. Then there was a whole bunch of attempts for lift off, lots of little hops and little runs until finally some short little flights and then - - - off he went!

I wonder where he is now?

One Handed Gocco Print

Finally (and I am going to try to contain my excitement about this) I busted out my new Print Gocco!!! Oh man, I love this little gadget! There are a ton of very cool and friendly Gocco fans out there too. It's like a lovely little family.

So, this is the first attempt at a print and I am happy with it. I have lots of other ideas and experiments I want to try. I was a little chicken on the first try because I was thinking I would do something wrong and mess up the whole thing - but I didn't!!!

So, because all of these artist were very helpful and inspirational for me, here is a list of places I visited to get me geared up to use the Gocco -

I actually bought my Gocco from this lovely Etsy artist and her great tutorial on how to use it.

Also this tutorial from The Small Object.

While you are at it check out this for some serious Gocco inspiration!

Oh, and by the way . . . this little print is available in my etsy shop!!!

Now I Know . . .

Well Folks, Now I know and I am going to impart my newly acquired wisdom on to you all - - -

While cleaning a drinking glass don't put your hand in it, just don't do it.

I ALWAYS did that and last Sunday evening . . . well let's just say it was my very first emergency room visit and my very first set of stitches (6 to be exact.) The good news is, the doctor that stitched me up said that I earned a gold star for being the bravest and most well behaved patient of the day. I told him a gold star would be lovely, as long as it was followed by a nice chilled glass of chardonney. Which it was. I think Ed deserves a gold star too - he watched the whole thing!!!

I have to say that I have been really enjoying my vacation from all things domestic, no cooking or cleaning for me until I start to heal. The only thing that is driving me a little batty is - no sewing or drawing or painting or anything artsy!!! It's downright torture!!! (Although, I have been caught sneaking attempts at drawing and sewing. . . )

So, now we (meaning me) all know, get yourself a bottle brush and keep your hands out of the drinking glasses!!! (That's enough left handed typing for one day . . . )

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Before I head off to the big family picnic, just a post-show update . . . the show this past weekend at Twin Lakes was great!!! The weather was absolutely beautiful and everyone was so friendly! Our spot was deep in the woods and so, it was a lot like camping for four days. I loved it!! The photos are from my booth, the first one is just me being corny. They were taken yesterday, last day of the show, and I was feeling kinda silly. A big thank you to all who stopped by and a big thank you to all of my wonderful family and friends - I couldn't do it without you!!!

Hope everyone has a great day, eats lots of good food and watches some sparkly, loud fireworks tonight!!!

Eggs-One and All

This is the scene at my work desk. These eggs are drying and waiting to be packed CAREFULLY and taken to the show this weekend. I am going to be at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, if any of you locals want to come out and say "hi!" I will be selling and demonstrating Pysanky as well as selling my wool felt goodies. It is a really nice show if you haven't been. Lots of great artists, food, and lots of great local musicians. It runs Saturday (the 30th) to Tuesday (the 3rd.) You can learn more about the show here. I set up my tent today and appropriately enough, I am situated very close to the llamas and the wine tasting tent. . . . heaven.

Belle and Popsie

Hi Everyone. Just a little post to tell you that these two beauties were added to the shop just now. I really love them and think that they look especially cute together! The bear's name is Belle and the pig is Popsie. They make me smile. And a little note about the fabric that I used for their dresses. I bought these two big bags of vintage fabric scraps from this sweet older gentlemen at an antique show in the little town that I live in. (He couldn't believe that "young people" sew anymore - he should check out Etsy!) Anyway, the bags were marked "Fabric from the 1940s." And so you can't help but wonder, what was the rest of the fabric used to make? Curtains? Dresses? I love thinking about the story behind a great piece of vintage fabric and the hands that made something beautiful with it.

Anyhow, hope you are having a wonderful Monday!!!

Toys in the Attic

Trying to run a webshop AND do shows AND make stuff is incredibly fun and crazy and exhausting!!! The good news is, more toys to come, like this little lady. I have a photo shoot scheduled with a little bear and a pig tomorrow. Then, they will both be ready for the shop and ready for purchase!

In honor of the beautiful summer weather that we have been having here in PA and the little spider that has made a fine home for himself in the corner of my studio (I don't have the heart to kick him out, he is working harder than I am in there!!!) It is bug week in the shop. Yesterday, I added this little lady and today this little sweetie. There are more dragonflies, butterflies and spiders to come!

The Ostrich and the Studio Clean-Up

As I type, my partner in crime is on his way to Brazil. And so, I have found myself with a lot of quiet "time to get some work done" time. This is where the ostrich and the clean up come in . . .

The ostrich is referring to the large ostrich egg that I am currently working on. (Yes! amongst other things, I am an egg decorator!!!) This little baby (and sometimes I do feel like it is a baby) has been a pet project of mine for quite some time. I have been photographing it's progress and now that it has a bright shade of orange, I thought it time for another photo shoot.

The clean up came when I went to take said ostrich baby pictures and could not find a clean spot anywhere in my tiny studio. That prompted me to take everything out, clean and do some major reorganization!!!

Now, back to work!