Check this page often for news, updates and show schedules!
August 8, 2007
Christmas treats and news galore!
First the news, then the treats!
I am SO EXCITED to announce that part of my Christmas 07 collection from Midwest of Cannon Falls will be pictured in the holiday issue of Mary Englebreit's HOME COMPANION!
Needless to say I nearly fell out on the floor when I was first told it was a possibility. THEN, when I found out it was really going to happen, I nearly fainted dead away! After the interview with the writer for the article, I was jumping up and down!
MEHC is featuring River House, a beautiful old home, that the folks at Midwest rescued from demolition and then restored to use as a showpiece and backdrop for their for their products. Many magazines come there regularly for shoots, as well.
I've seen the layout and my things are pictured on the kitchen page of the article. I've also marked them on the sales page so you'll know which ones to try to spot in the picture!
As many of you know, I have licensed some of my designs to Midwest for several years. They really do an outstanding job with them and I couldn't be more pleased with this collection. I think it is my favorite one yet.
If you are customers of mine at some of the shows I do, you will recognize some of the pieces from things I've offered in the past, but with a few changes. These Christmas lovelies can be found by clicking on the PAST WORK button, even though they are currently availble for sale.
Please note: Orders will not be shipped until October, due to my need to receive them from Midwest.
November 7, 2006
Back from my show in Birmingham! WOW!!! What a great one it was! A huge thank you to all my WONDERFUL friends who added to their collections of the things that spring from my wacky mind! I had some fun new pieces, some of which got sold before I could take my "formal" pictures of them. I will be adding pictures from the booth later on, though, so you'll be able to spot some of those new faces.
One of the exciting happenings during the show was getting to meet Betty Bussey, wife of Bubba of the infamous radio partners "Rick and Bubba". She gave a "shout out" about my booth on the radio and I was overrun with folks after that! Thank you, Betty!
Also, three pieces will be appearing in the new release of PFATT MARKETPLACE on November 10. Please mark your calendars so you can check out ALL the great artists who are part of this group!
Unfortunately, due to my overwhelmingly successful show, I will have to cancel my visit to Charleston, SC the weekend of the 17th. I just don't have enough time to get new items made and don't really have many Christmas-y things left. I'm so sorry to have to do this but this is one of those unfortunate situations that has arisen out of a fortunate happening!
October 9, 2006
Well, do you think it is time for a little UPDATE? Not so much on the picture scene as I've just had the weirdest summer and fall ever. But, do know that I'm toiling away on getting ready for Christmas Village to be held at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, November 1-5. I'm working on lots of new ideas so please stop by my booth if you come to the show.
Two weeks after that I'll be in Charleston, SC for the Gilmore Christmas Classic to be held November 17-19 at their convention center. I'm very excited about coming to a new area and meeting new friends!
My weird summer....I think it was called total burnout or maybe being overwhelmed. My workrooms were knee deep in stuff left over from working on Yellow Daisy 05, Christmas Village 05, and Cottontail Village 06. Throw in nearly two months of hospital sitting with my mom and/or being available to drive her when needed until she was up and about again and suddenly it was summer and I needed to tackle the huge mess. After "studying" on the whole situation for longer than was probably necessary and then having to empty my main room to then fill it back up again with shelves and some sense of organization, I was ready to tackle the sorting of all my STUFF. Even THAT was overwhelming. I'm the type of person who hates to throw away ANYTHING that "I THINK I'll need later on and since it is vintage, I certainly can't throw it away", and "oh look, there's half a piece of a silver pipe cleaner...I might need that" (even though there are tons more of them at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.) So sad to be this way. But, it is 85% complete, I can work, and I've been able to separate the "messy" areas from the "finishing" area.
Also, I had new fall deadline for my licensed designs for Seasons of Cannon Falls.. I was so excited when they wanted to expand their offerings of my line. It is a spring line that I think you all will really like! Check with your favorite retailer in January, after the new catalogs come out, to see what will be available. The Christmas 07 line is just too cute and they are also doing Halloween again for 07.
Speaking of Seasons of Cannon Falls, I had the MOST INCREDIBLE experience this summer when I got to visit with the design team at their headquarters in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. It was so much fun to get to meet the folks I've only talked with via phone or email. Creative energy was flowing around the table and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had.
NEWS FLASH!!! I am honored to have been selected as guest artist at the Seasons of Cannon Falls showrooms in Dallas and Atlanta in January 07. This will be a one day event at each venue where I'll be signing a special new ornament for shopowners. I do hope you'll stop by to see me on Sunday, January 14 in Atlanta and Friday, January 19 in Dallas.
Also on the design front...
I was THRILLED to be asked to design and submit a needlepunch project and pattern to Linda Repasky, editor of a new punchneedle book called A PASSION FOR PUNCHNEEDLE.
My project, though hard to see in the above link, is the Halloween pumpkin purse in the top right corner of the cover! This book won't be available until December but you can place an advance order for it through Amazon. I may be ordering some of these to sell on my website, as well. Stay tuned.
My other project this summer and fall has included re-vamping my own health. After letting myself get run down, out of shape, and overweight again, I rejoined Weight Watchers and am doing the CORE plan. Down about 23 lbs since June 20 and have been going to water aerobics to start the "getting in shape" process. I'm feeling better in ALL areas of my life since I've started eating healthy again. My husband says this is the BEST TASTING diet I've ever been on!
Oops...almost forgot!
One of my Christmas pieces in pictured in the new PAULA DEEN'S CHRISTMAS, a collector's edition, put out by Hoffman Media. It is 148 pages of SCRUMP-DIDDILY-UMPTIOUS looking recipes! I have a small Santa on an ornament pictured right beside Paula's favorite bundt cake! (See page 83) This magazine is only available at newstands so check it out! You DO NOT want to miss this incredilby wonderful collector's issue!
April 25, 2006
New punchneedle piece added on eBay! This one is for my Americana Angel. It is a one of a kind piece and an original design! Click on the EBAY link to take you to the auction!
April 23, 2006
Finally back home and ready to sculpt! Meme's surgery went well but other complications kept her in the hospital for two extra weeks for a total stay of three weeks. After that, I stayed with her for another week so was totally out of pocket for about a month. She's doing great now, though...get a woman to a hairdresser and it is the better than any medicine she could take! Now, the end of April if just around the corner...Time is passing MUCH too quickly these days! I finished up several pieces of punchneedle while I sat at the hospital. I'm SO THRILLED that I have learned how to do this. Not only because it is fun but because it can really occupy your hands and mind for a good long while! If you click on the News and Updates button you can see the link to my punchneedle album where I've added some of the things I finished. Some are REALLY embellished...very fun to do!
Also, while at the hospital and at Meme's house I started reading a great historical time travel romance series..Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I'm a latecomer to the these books. Mama read them years ago and tried to get me to read them. Then she turned my daughter on to them. While watching my oldest DEVOUR them I thought I should give them a try. Totally addicting. I have to leave the book in the car so I can have it when I take Mama to a doctor's appointment and NOT read it at home. I must confess,however, that I spent one whole day after I did get back home reading the third one. If you like men in kilts and the sound of a Scottish brogue, this is the series for you!
March 19, 2006
Had a great time at Cottontail Village in early March..Great to see all of you that stopped by my booth! Easter is still a month off and I have some cute things ready to ship! Click on the words "VIEW ALBUM" in the box below to go to my PictureTrail album to see more info about them. Also, please write to me at penpaloriginals2@aol.com to check on these pieces. My other email is down due to having to get a new computer. Also, if you signed up for my mailing list in the past, you'll have to ask to do that again.
For those of you who have stopped by my booth at various shows I've done, I wanted to update you on my mom or "Meme"
as she is known to everyone. She's having some major surgery tomorrow, March 20. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers this next week!
January 15, 2006
New punchneedle piece added on eBay! It is a wonderful angel for primitive doll makers and/or collectors and is an original design of mine. I'll be providing an e-pattern on this site within the week.
January 11, 2006
Let me know you've been to my website! Add your name (first name will do) and your zip to my FRAPPR map below.
Please remember to click on the NEXT buttons on the bottom of my pages! You will end up at new thumbnail pages on the Menagerie and Christmas sections. I will be gradually adding more to these page, as well as adding more OF these pages to other sections. These thumbnails are of things I've made and sold at shows but will take orders on. Also, check out the NEWS and UPDATES page regularly. I'll be switching the info on this page to that page in a few days.
I'm so excited to be a part of the PFATT Marketplace, a monthly site that features incredible art by an incredible group of ladies. It comes out on the 10th of each month so please mark your calendars!
December 31, 2005
Happy New Year! Look for new goodies this next week! I will be starting a "Buyers Club" for 2006. Sort of a "lay-by" or "lay-away" plan. I created some pieces for my November show that were BIG hits, along with being BIG in size and want to offer you the opportunity to place your order now so you will have them by next holiday season. The buyers's club will allow you to buy a group of pieces but have the purchases/deliveries be spread out over the year. It will be limited to some specific designs that I know you'll fall in love with!
Add yourself to my FRAPPR map! No personal info other than a user name that you choose and your zipcode will appear on the map. I'm sort of a geography nut and love seeing where folks are from! Just click on the link below to add your name!
Check out the NEWS and UPDATES page to take tour of my Christmas decorations! Scroll down on the left to get to that button!
In the press...
I had the honor of being one of "Six Intriguing Elves" in the December issue of Tuscaloosa Magazine. Read all about it before the next issue comes out!
Seasons of Cannon Falls has published a new book called CELEBRATING HOME. It is a wonderful coffee table/decorating ideas book and features one of my Santas in the Christmas section. The will be available for the '06 Christmas season so check with your local retailer if you would like to add it to your collecton. Click on this link to order a copy of Celebrating Home from Amazon!
Also, in the January/February 06 issue of Southern Lady (on the stands now) is an article on using black and white to punch up color in your home. Within the article are two of my papier mache black/white polka dotted boxes that I make and take to shows. They will be available for order this year and have been BIG hits! If you are a fan of the Mackenzie-Childs look, you will LOVE the home that is featured in this article! If you have the magazine, look on page 69. I will post a picture on here this weekend.
A little tease....coming out late in 06, another book featuring one of my designs.....SHHHHHHH, you'll have to wait!
January 11, 2006
My newest passion (for late night, after I'm cleaned up from doing my papier mache work) is punchneedle embroidery! Check out my album to see what I've been working on!
December 31 and I still haven't gotten the Christmas decorations down. Today is the day and I dread it! Before they are gone for this year, I'll let you take a little tour of my home decorated for Christmas. Ok, who am I kidding? I always put the same stuff up in the same places, even referring to old photos to make sure I've done it right. My most spontaneous thing this year was adding vintage mercury glass ornaments to my garland over some pix in the foyer....Now for the tour....
Welcome to my home!
Just a little peek into my home!
Christmas Tree 05
Complete with droopy paper chains, my tree is one of those eclectic mixes of old and new. My favorite ornaments are the handmade ones but I do love plain round glass balls, too. My faves of those are these weird yellow orange (think TENNESSEE orange) that when put on the tree just bring it to life, imho. My most prized things on the tree are some old figural chistmas lights that were my mom's and dad's. We light them for all of ten seconds every year, just so we can say they still work!
Den Mantle
All handmade Santas I've collected over the years, plus a couple of mine. Hard to name a favorite because I love them all.
Katie's Stocking
Stocking for my daughters...I have to get MK's up or she will kill me! Made from McAllister tartan that happens to be red, green and navy. I needlepointed the top and added old lace from my grandmother's stash.
Prim Tree
Great stick tree covered with ornaments I made. Stars, watermelons, flags...all a recurring theme in the house.
Top of Bookshelves in Den
Top of bookshelves in den which houses my angel collection. The angels watch over us all through the year. I just stick greenery up there for Christmas.
Kitchen chest
Snowman collection in kitchen. Messy looking placemats and napkins..sorry about that!
Kitchen Table close up
This was from a couple of years ago. I sold those snowmen! The tablecloth is an old quilt top. I got IT on ebay!
Kitchen Table
Another view....Oh, did I say I LOVE blue and white china?
Top of cabinet in Kitchen
Another snowman collection on top of an old piesafe in the kitchen. Actually, this picture is from a couple of years ago, too. I've added more of my own snowmen up there, now.
Chandelier 04
Dining room chandelier, my new favorite thing. I did this in 04 for the first time. Bet you didn't know I love polka dots...DUHHHHHH.....
Dining Room Centerpiece
Ok, so at Christmas (well, truth be told, ALL THE TIME) I have this plaid/dot/stripe thing going on in the house. The tablecloth is Martha's from 04. The runner was done by my mom's mom "back in the day". The centerpiece is an old german bread board that I fill with old ornaments, Santa lights that don't work, bottlebrush trees and old garland.
Another close up of centerpiece.
Just a closeup....
And another....
And another!
Welsh Dresser in Dining Room
Remember I told you I LOVE blue and white china? Also that there are watermelons in the house? More Santas I've collected, not all of them handmade but things I've had for years.
Foyer 05
The foyer is painted a delicious red and always looks so fun at Christmas. The big painting is of my great aunt as a child, done by another relative from Ireland. The other two pix are done by the same artist but these are copies of the original paintings.
"Faux" feather tree in dining room
Some fun red/white/blue old Shiney Brites I got from ebay. I just LOVE ebay.....
Folk Art Nativity
Folk art nativity done by the late Tubby Brown of Georgia. Map picture is done by the late Rev. B. F. Perkins of Fayette, AL.
