Eureka!

The last few months have been a blur of adventures and illnesses it seems. One of our latest adventures was a spur of the moment trip to the beautiful Victorian town of Eureka Springs. My husband is from near there, so we've visited many times. We even drove over there to purchase my autoharp in the spring. But this visit was, by far, the most beautiful one we've made because the fall foliage was at its absolute peak.









Thank you for stopping by.

Little Red

Here's Little Red in the costume I made for her. I modified an online tutorial I found for a lined hooded cape, and embellished a two dollar Goodwill dress with vintage velvet ribbon and trim.


The finishing touch was a fifty cent garage sale basket for carrying food to grandma or holding the spoils of an evening of trick-or-treating, as the case may be.



What a stinker.

Deluxe Craft Weekend

I'm very, very excited about an upcoming event I'll be participating in September 25-27 in Oklahoma City. Deluxe Craft Weekend is brought to you by Sara and J.D., hard working directors of Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar and all around art and craft ninjas. This unique event features 36 solid hours of social crafting including nine meals from some of OKC's finest eateries. On top of a dedicated, secure workspace, the chance for crafty fellowship with other creative people, and three squares each day, those dollfaces are going to give attendees coffee, drinks and snacks all weekend too! Mr. Sweetheart and I will be celebrating his birthday and our soon to follow wedding anniversary there.

In addition to the 36 hour craftacular retreat, 20+ workshops will be offered on everything from applying to major craft shows, with the directors of The Girlie Show, to whittling to knitting. If you can't attend the whole weekend event, you may choose one or more of the workshops which range in price from $15 to $45. What a great, hands on introduction to that new skill you've been
dying to learn, and an excellent way to further your crafty business skills!
I am so thrilled to be leading an "Embroidery 101" workshop which will cover everything you need to learn to get started in hand embroidery. The $30 class includes practice fabric, a hoop, needle, embroidery floss, a booklet with stitch diagrams and tips, and a tea towel. You will leave armed with knowledge of the basics and your first project in progress.
So if you're anywhere near Oklahoma, I invite you to register for this one-of-a-kind weekend retreat or stop by for a workshop or two. I can't wait!

My New Ride

Needing a distraction, Sugar Pea and I hit some garage sales on Saturday as part of the second annual Kan-Okla 100 Mile Sale . I came away with quite a few treasures, but the best find was this 1960's Schwinn American complete with a headlight and baskets on the back. It's pretty much my dream bike, second only to Pee-Wee's, of course. I've been wanting a bike for some time, and I was just waiting for the right one to come along.


This new set of wheels was just what I needed this weekend, after a very stressful couple of days. Last Wednesday night, a pick up truck on a flat bed trailer came loose from the truck that was pulling it down the street on the south side of our house. It flew through our back yard, slamming into my beloved minivan which was thrown into our other car parked next to it in the driveway behind our house. My van is totaled, and our other car is in pretty bad shape.


The bright side (because you know there always is one) is that none of my loved ones were in the yard at the time. Also, had the cars not been parked behind our home, the trailer would have crashed into our back bedroom, taking out our home's electrical system, not to mention ruining a whole lot of vintage fabric and craft supplies. Thank god for insurance!

On The Road To Chouteau

South Tulsa Music Festival

This Saturday, September 5th I will be at the South Tulsa Music Festival with the lovely Heather of Audrey Eclectic. The free festival features six local bands, as well as a market place of talented local artists and crafters, all coordinated by my dear friend Marissa.


In addition to Heather's beautiful paintings, prints, postcards and fabulous new lapel lockets, we will have my Beauty Buttons, tote bags, hair ornaments, and these limited edition kitschy Bouffant Beauties for your purchasing pleasure.


What could be better on a Saturday evening that good local music and handmade art? Oh, and I'm fairly certain that there will be beer.

Ridiculously Exciting Kicks on Route 66

After being cooped up in the house with colds, Sugar Pea and I were ready for some fresh air yesterday, so we hit the open road bound for one of my favorite local attractions, Totem Pole Park. We hadn't been since she was a tiny baby, and I was eager to take her now that she could appreciate the excursion. It was a perfect late summer Oklahoma day, just right for driving with the windows down and the bluegrass turned up loud. When we arrived, I was a bit surprised to see that the largest structure was being repainted.

The initial restoration, done by the Kansas Grassroots Art Association over a seven year period, was begun in the early 90s. Therefore, some parts of the structure haven't been touched up in nearly twenty years. I struck up a conversation with a lovely lady perched on a ladder, paintbrush in hand. It seems that Ginny was chosen to spearhead the latest restoration of the park, but was coming up short in the volunteer department. Without a moment's hesitation, I asked if she could use my help. Secretly, I expected her to politely decline my offer. I thought her answer would be something along the lines of, "Thank you, but we only allow professionally trained artists and conservationists to touch brush to cement in this most holy of holy Folk Art Environments." To my great surprise, her face lit up and she asked me if I lived in the area. I said I most certainly did and that it would be my absolute pleasure and a great honor to play a small part in the conservation of this national treasure. And, just like that, my day took a turn I would never have predicted in a million and four years. I'm going to get to paint Totem Pole Park!


Ginny's been working from the ground up, so the giant bird and tortoise that form the base of the totem pole are sporting freshly pedicured toes.


Inside the Fiddle House was one of Mr. Galloway's beautiful fiddles that had not been on display the last time I visited. Many of his fiddles and other works of art were stolen or otherwise lost after his death, but some are slowly being returned to where they belong. I can hardly believe my good fortune that, at least for a few days, I get to belong there as well.