Awake Asleep Gnomes!

A fresh batch of Awake/Asleep Gnome dolls are ready for play. They are made of pre-washed all cotton fabrics, with organic cotton batting. Safe for chewing babies and a very cute gift. Fabulous for preschoolers who love colorful, versatile play friends, with real pockets for tiny treasures. And of course fun for kids of ALL ages!

The colorful "day" striped side of the gnome has the awake face,, and loves to play hide and seek in the garden. Flip gnome over to play with the cool colors and gently snoring face. Did you know gnomes can sleep anywhere!

This is my own pattern and will soon be for sale so you can create your OWN awake/asleep gnomes with the fabrics of your choice. If you would like a note from me when the patterns are ready for sale, please leave a comment and I'm happy to write you back.



Here's my own Mud Slide Sydney, soon to be eight, modeling with the new gnomes. What did he have to say, "They are soooooooooo cute! Can I have one?"

Rainy Day Treasury

Cute Rainy Day Treasury on etsy that included my Sunny Bunny. I just love the colors and theme. Click here if you need to jump to the live treasury page and capture of those offerings for yourself.

Favorite July Blooms

Summer schedule: 7am hop out of bed, smoothie for me and the kids, start outdoor watering, make coffee, get in the studio as fast as possible! I love my early mornings in the studio, door open, cool July air, surrounded by flowers and garden, pets and kids.



I've recently realized how important it is to spend the first few hours of the day in the art studio, when it's cool, and I'm fresh. Why didn't I learn this before? Afternoon hours are for office time, shipping, playing with the kids, going to the pool, running errands, and if I'm a lucky girl, also sipping iced latte and reading or drawing all together.


Over the last two years, I've developed a deep love for flowers. I am a little in awe and in love with them. It's a joy to water each morning and see what has bloomed.



Volunteer squash blooming prettily. What will it be? Wanna take bets?

I left some flowers in the garden over last winter, and this is what turned out. So pretty and bright, it's worth devoting a little room to them.




The OMG Clematis outside my art studio window. Wow!!!!

Ms. Grace enjoying her princess hut on the patio.

Project of the day: find a flower you are attracted to. Sit with it. Take a series of photos or sketch or water color your bloom.

The Friendly Kitchen Dishcloth

Crochet or knit yourself a stack of pretty dish cloths out of colorful cotton yarn. Relaxing project, cute in the kitchen, very clean to use, work great for dishes and counters. Kinda old fashioned, kinda hip style for your kitchen.

What? You got some homemade ones from Aunt Nelly and they got all smelly and gross, now you'd never use them again?

That's so sad. HERE'S the secret you need to know: Dish cloths are good for one day. At the end of the day, rinse well, and hang to dry overnight. Pop them in with your regular laundry. This makes them the cleanest thing around for wiping cutting boards, counters and dishes. Now who wants a yucky old sponge?

Tip: make a basic set of seven for your dish washing, one for each day, then make a second set in another color that will be just for wiping counters. Makes a great kid project!

Hawaii Bliss Bags - art for your life -

The summer Bliss Bags are in! The Hawaii bags were inspired by a series of dreams. They combine all my favorite things: color, free motion quilting, hidden messages, raw edge applique, and functional art.

One bag, two looks. STRIPES SIDE: Each stripe is free-motion quilted with abstract Hawaiian designs (flora, maps, waves, earth, sky, water, sun), and the word "Hawaii" is hidden in quilting somewhere on the bag, as are hearts (because you are loved). Raw edge applique finishes the top edge of the bag - shabby chic look. It will fray slightly, giving the bag more texture, as you use it.



SIDE TWO: Flip the bag over for a second look. Fabric print with art pocket feature - perfect for cell phone or camera. (On this bag, the flower is the pocket.)


Top edges are finished with a raw edge applique technique of overlapping squares. These are so much fun to stitch up. Lots and lots and lots of thread!


Your perfect bag for summer, or to keep up your sunny disposition all year long. Interior fabric is a bright orange print of sliced oranges.


Organizer zippy pouches, in matching colors!
cosmetic
money
clutch bag
camera bag
tunes
receipts or punch cards.

NEXT UP: Same style of bag in Oceania blues and blue greens!