A most lovely surprise!

Never did I imagine I would receive such a lovely surprise in my mail yesterday. It was a thank you gift carefully wrapped in pretty yellow tissue and tied with soft, pink fuzzy ribbon. I carefully unwrapped my gift and simply could not believe my eyes. A handmade tabletop quilt!!!! Yellow and pink with lace inserts and a sawtooth edge!!! Oh my!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather!! What a treasure.....and all mine!!

If only you could see the detail in this most marvelous quilt. Each corner exact. Each sawtooth, perfect. The textural element of the lace. All hand tied with pink floss. It's a work of art!!! Oh my gosh, you should see the itty bitty hand stitching on the back. It's simply stunning!! I'm absolutely over the moon!!

This most glorious gift given with such a generous spirit. For now, it is topping the desk in one of my guestrooms. It looks as if it were made just for this desk, doesn't it?!!

I believe there are Earth Angels. Theresa, you are one of them. Thank you so very, very much.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Works in Progress

After just having spent the better part of an hour typing away about these works in progress, Internet Explorer decided there was an error on the page and deleted everything!! Ooooooh, that makes me crazy!! I'm beginning to think Halloween gremlins have invaded my computer. In reality though, it's probably operator error. I am, by no means, a computer whiz. It's amazing even to me, that I can even manage this blogging thing!!

Now about these works in progress....

The first picture is collage on canvas waiting for a good dollop of beeswax. I was really nervous about the whole idea of painting beeswax over my little masterpiece! *wink* That was until I found the recent issue of Somerset Workshop has a whole section on applying beeswax. How did they know? Those little mind readers over there at Stampington and Company!! Love them!!

The second picture shows six original collage charms waiting for soldering. These are the six gifts for the REALLY patient ladies who's names were drawn for my birthday celebration. Bless you ladies!!! I hope to have them finished and on their way this week. :o)

Have a lovely autumn weekend everyone! Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Lost Files!

There will be a one hour delay for the Halloween Spooktacular due to operator error. I lost, and I do mean lost, my picture files and had to re-photograph all the Halloween goodies. I think Halloween gremlins ate 'em! Anyway, I'm busily downloading and uploading pictures..... I'm terribly sorry for the delay!! The adjusted time will be 1pm Pacific.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

The Great Pumpkin Caper!

One of my recent artistic journeys has led me to collect antique photographs and postcards of children with their teddy bears. I've amassed a goodly sum of them now and have been photocopying them for use in my mixed media/altered art projects. The picture to the right is one such project. The little girl reminds me of myself......determined to go the distance with her teddy bear in tow. My family will recognize the teddy bear as my husband Bill. Bless his heart!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

A beaming mom moment!

Allow me a little beaming mom moment, won't you? My sweet girl, Brittany, gave me her first knitted dolly!!!! How cool is that?!! I'm honored and thrilled and have already named her Molly Dolly. She's funky and colorful and sweet and wonderful just like my girl!! That's her first little felted purse pictured too. She didn't give me that one. I'm okay with it though. You see, I've already picked out some lovely pink wool yarn for her to make up a larger felted purse for me!! Yippity skippity!!!

As for the last few days, preparing for guests and getting ready for the bear show....I'm still sorting out my thoughts. Wildly fun. Overwhelming at times. A wee bit of disappointment thrown in for good measure. Life is all about balance, isn't it?

For today though....I'm doing laundry, stripping guest beds and getting last months giveaway goodies finished up and ready to ship. That bear show sure did get in the way of things didn't it? Oiy! I'll get back on track.....soon! Really!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

P.S. Didn't I mention a little Halloween giveaway? I'd better set a date for that!!

Halloween Art!

I'm down to just three more days before showtime!! Eeeeek! I've been in the studio since 6:15 this morning and am just now taking a much needed break before I start stitching noses. It seems like the perfect time to share a little Halloween art created by another fabulous artist!!

I've just recently stumbled across this artist on eBay while searching for Halloween dolls. Imagine my delight in finding this scrumptious dolly with her wide set eyes and curly red hair!! Absolutely funky cool!! Not your typical Halloween doll. Love, love, love her!!

I thought, "Okay. Let's see what else she does?" Oh, oh, oh!! Just look at the amazing canvas art!! And Halloween too!! It's not scary and the colors are perfect. Hippety skippety!! This gal has awesome style. She sells by the name Danita Art. I'll be adding a blog link under Artsy Mamas over there to the left. Be sure to peek in to see what other goodies she's creating!!

I suppose I'd better head off to the studio to stitch bear noses now. My little break is over. Perhaps I'll just step into the kitchen for a slice of peanut butter toast first! Now that's what I call a delicious idea!! ha!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Is it really October? Already?

I can't believe it! October? Really? I look out the window of the office. Yup, it's raining. October....and the leaves are beginning to show their autumn glory. Beautiful reds, oranges and golden hues dress the trees where once shades of leaf green ruled in the splendor of summer. (sigh)

Well, if it must be October, then let's roll out the pumpkins!!! It's time for apple cider, crackling fires, woolen blankets.....and Halloween!! Oh goodie!! Halloween is my second favorite decorating season!!

Mind you though, I don't do scary Halloween. No skulls and bones and gore for me. Ick. I like mysterious witches, funky old paper mache pumpkins and artist made Halloween lovelies. In the coming days, while I run around like a lunatic finalizing details for my show this weekend, I will post pictures of some of my favorite Halloween goodies.....old and artist made. You're in for a Halloween treat!!

Warmest autumn bear hugs, Aleta

P.S. A Jolly Halloween sign was made by Martha Kohley, Vintage Trifles. I have a link to her website over there to the left.