VALENTINE PAISLEY HEART

I have packed up all my Christmas decorations
and have moved on to valentines. My first new
item is a Paisley Heart plaque and I am really
thrilled with it. It actually was my husband's
idea and a good one at that. And he says he
isn't artistic. Hopefully I can come up with
a couple more for this year's holiday.

ALL THE TRIMMINGS HOLIDAY SHOW - DEC. 3

Hope you all can make it to our All the Trimmings
Holiday Show this Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10-4,
at Chelsea fairgrounds, 20501 Old U.S. 12,
Chelsea, Michigan 48118. It is a wonderful
artisan show featuring antiques, collectibles,
pastels, jewelry, handmade bears, rug hooking,
woodcarvings, counted cross-stitch birds, fiber
arts, bread boards, tiles, photography, folk
paintings, honey, cards, Christmas houses,
punch needlework and fresh greens. Free
refreshments, free parking and free admission.

SANTA'S ON HIS WAY!

I have been working hard on carving new Santas for

my upcoming show - All the Trimmings Holiday Show

on Dec. 3 at the Chelsea, Michigan, fairgrounds - and

finally finished enough for my postcard. It was a

choice between this one and another one with a white

background. I chose the white one for my postcard

and decided to put this one on the blog. Too many

items for one small postcard, even though I like that.

Last year I didn't have enough Belsnickels for my

show, so this year I am determined to have a much

better assortment! I am off to a good start, but need

to make many more, as well as all of my other new

Christmas items. As I finish more, I'll put them on

my blog. My Christmas trees are new this year,

too. I designed a simpler version, much like

bottle brush trees, either with a base or without.

Got to go! I just got another idea! I'll post it later.

FRAKTUR BIRDS

I had so much fun designing and carving my new

Fraktur birds for the open house! I have wanted

to carve them forever and finally decided to get

them done this year. They were a success, (yea!)

so I plan to carve a few more styles and paint them

in different color combinations for the Christmas

show. Luckily, I am in the mood for holiday

carving now! I already have carved more

Belsnickles than I had for the show last year!

FALL OPEN HOUSE - SEPT. 17 & 18

I have been so busy getting ready for my open house
that I have forgotten to post my information!
Several customers have asked me about it, so I
guess I had better get on the stick and post it.

Join me on Saturday, September 17 from 9-5 and
Sunday, September 18 from 10-5 in my home at
5465 Conway Road, Chelsea, MI 48118. I'll have
my regular goodies to eat, lots of birds and new
fall and Halloween items. Everyone who attends
will get a free windowsill series (mini) bird. Hope
you all can come. I so look forward to seeing all
my friends!

THE AMERICAN SAMPLER

I just added a new dealer and is it ever a gorgeous
shop! My sister and I decided to take a road trip
and show Betsy of The American Sampler some
of my carvings and she chose a nice assortment
for her shop. I am so flattered that she wants my
pieces. They are in the company of many wonderful
artists. Her place is all decked out for Halloween and
fall. You must take the time to visit her at 2915
Thornapple River Dr. S. E., Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
It's definitely worth the drive. I wish I had taken
some pictures.

THE TIN RABBIT FOLK ART SHOW

I am madly getting ready for a wonderful
folk art show at The Tin Rabbit in Labadie,
MO, this Saturday, May 21, 9-4. Since I have
never been there before, I am trying to take
an assortment of carvings so that they can
see a little bit of everything I make. My
sister is going with me so that we can have
some rare sister time and a road trip. Can't
wait! If you are in the area then, stop by
and see me, and Barb's wonderful shop,
at 2733 Highway T, Labadie, MO 63055.
Check out her website at www.thetinrabbit.com
for the list of all the artists and details.