new true love

Today I was at my friend Cheryl's house 

and she showed me this incredible little 

puppet that she found many years ago 

at the Folk Art Market here in Santa Fe

 front

 side view

 back

 ...and the hands....

I have completely fallen in love with her.

Her little wings and her delicate features

are completely endearing

I hope to work on a pattern to make some

small puppets like her...new friends...

I'll share them if I do.

xo

Kipper Calebonia

Three weeks ago tomorrow, I lost my closest companion and soul mate of the last 11 and a half years. It has been a rough month all 'round, loss of many kinds, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel now. The monsoon season has begun and the afternoons bring rain showers that cool the air 10 to 15 degrees and freshen everything up - make things glisten.

Jack, our lab, has had a rough time, too. He and Kipper were constant companions and it has taken him some time to understand that she is no longer around. He's not getting quite as much exercise as he was, playing chase with her every morning....but IS getting to spend a lot more time with me in the studio and in the car running errands. He carries his "baby" around with him all the time and is making the best of it. I will post photos of Jack next time.

Kipper was one of those four-legged's who knew me inside out. I have not had many...in fact only one other.... but it is as if a part of me is gone. I miss her so much, but life continues and memories of her antics make me smile, even as the tears well up in my eyes. I feel her spirit occasionally and that, too, makes me smile.

Cheers to those self-less beings who live to please and support and comfort. They expect nothing in return, but how can we resist? We love them dearly and they know it......xo

finally....

Shawna has been asking me for weeks to finish up some of my little boxes for Curiosa.

Here are just three of the ones I took over there this morning, though she was not there.

She'll see 'em tomorrow........

 I think this little nest is very sweet and

definitely something that would catch my eye somewhere

....and the "piece de resistence"  that I have been dreaming about and never could quite put it together

....until now

It is coming along and I will try to share the progress.

For a few more of these "lovelies" just click HERE for a peek.

xo

Something Special

Grayson had the most wonderful advisor this year.

I made her a little something:

Patient - Accepting - Thoughtful - Tender - Youthful

 I think that the back looks pretty cool, too......not too messy

This is how I wrapped it up for her - dear Patty.

We learned so much from her this year.....

She showed Grayson and Cullen and myself

such patience, wisdom, love, intuition and

guidance.

She supported all of our concerns and helped us

figure out our challenges.

We are blessed that she has been so devoted to Grayson...

..... and he to her, as well.

whew - junior year is OVER!

ps. There is a little something over at pantry violets, too

COOL stuff

When I visited my mom over the weekend, 

she told me that she had had a BIG surprise a few days before.

She had opened a box that had been packed up back in December (for her move) and found a package of these napkins, along with a letter and a check (!) from Caspari - a card company she has designed cards with for years. Turns out they found, in a drawer, these little images of soldiers that she had done many years earlier and wrote to ask if they could produce them. She said, "Of course"....so they did.

These little soldiers were printed up to go to The Royal Wedding!

Imagine her surprise - and thrill!

I think they might be available in regular stores now,

just in case they are calling out to you.

I LOVE how special things seem to come out of the blue sometimes.

CONGRATULATIONS, Mom.

love you.....

the FULL Prince

Here he is 

What a doll.....

It was a fun time!

Prom Prince

yes, it is true

Grayson was elected - and crowned

Prince of Prom

last Saturday night

My friend Jodi took these photos before he left to go to dinner 

and I love them

I will show more later...

....but how cool is that?