The artists of the Greater Westmoreland Creative Collective (GWCC) are pleased to announce the grand opening of their online gallery, Spoonwood. Spoonwood is a juried marketplace (named after Mountain Laurel, Pennsylvania's state flower) that provides a new venue for GWCC members and guest artists to showcase their work. It also serves as an adjunct to their annual Fall trunk show, An Artful Affair.

The GWCC is a Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, group of artists, craftsmen, designers, jewelers, and growers working cooperatively to promote quality and excellence in products crafted for the public. Our members, and their areas of specialty, include: Merriann Grant, fine jewelry; Nan Loncharich, fabric arts; Cia Williford, mixed media arts; Katie Resch, painted woodwork; Helen Stetina, needlecrafts; and Lisa Hertzog, country decor.

The Gallery is located at www.spoonwoodgallery.com. Interested visitors are encouraged to register (no financial information is required) in order to receive the GWCC newsletter, sales notices, etc.

Keep us in mind for your holiday shopping!

WELCOME AUTUMN!

In honor of the first day of autumn, my most favoritest season of all, I present my 'KINS. These small pumpkins are knitted, stuffed, felted, and adorned with punch-needle-embroidered leaves. I wish I could keep them all myself, but it's good to share. May they put a smile on your face, as they do on mine.

HAPPY FALL!

And,

thanks for "listening...

HAVE A SEAT...

 ...at least let your pins and needles have a seat, on one of my HAVE A SEAT PINCUSHIONS. A few months ago, I stumbled upon these great little chairs (like my colleague Cia of BRIARWOOD STUDIO, I am entranced by and a collector of, miniatures). Originally, I only wanted one for a stuffed bear to enjoy. But the more I looked at the chair I bought, the more I realized it was missing something. And then the brainstorm hit. Have a seat, needles and pins!

 The floral design on the white chair mirrors the rounded posy adornment seen on the chairback. The blue chair, with its more angular features, wanted spiky blooms. I enjoyed experimenting with knitting wool in my punch needle for the cream-colored background on both chairs. This "Alpaca Lace" punched so well that I purchased more of it in several colors...you'll be seeing it in future "treasures"...  

Of course, if you have no tired pins or needles, these little seats are just plain cute sittin' around as decoration.

 In my travels, I was only able to acquire five of these chairs (3 white, 2 blue). I'll be on the lookout for something similar (?), something new (?), something completely different (?) in the future.

As always, thanks for "listening"...

WHAT'S COOKIN'?

Well, cookies are cookin'! Sorry, these are not "eatin'" cookies...they are some of my SWEET TREATS magnets that I'll be offering at AN ARTFUL AFFAIR. But I've always loved baking "real" cookies. In fact, some folks call me "the cookie lady" and ASK me to bake. Baking for two family reunions, a wedding reception, and several care packages to family members recently inspired me to display my magnets on a cookie sheet. Come sample some!

My little gingerbread boy magnets will also be available...


Many thanks to my dear German Mutti (Mom), baker extraordinaire, who inspired the whole cookie theme. She's probably baking for the angels now...


As always, thanks for "listening"!

WHERE DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

Many folks have asked me if I have a studio. I smile. Well, yes and no. Yes, my entire house is my studio and my dear, sweet husband (so far) doesn't mind. The dining room has been taken over. The family room couch is "unsittable". The sewing room (hah!) is packed. No, I don't have "a" studio...I actually have...many!

My latest, most favorite place to work is our new gazebo. I'd been earnestly desiring one for years and now, voila! It became possible at last. If you desire a beautiful studio/haven/getaway like this one, check out Joe Barcus of Barcus Construction, Inc. on Face Book. Joe is a master! 

Best of all, little Star loves the gazebo, too...

Well, it's back to work! AN ARTFUL AFFAIR is just around the corner...

Thanks for "listening"...

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY...

...to think about Christmas! And gifts and decorations and ornaments...

My friend Mimi expressed an interest in the WEE TREE ORNAMENT and I promised to share with her (and all of you), the rest of my Christmas ornament offerings.

BAUBLE ORNAMENT

BETHLEHEM BAUBLE

STAR OF WONDER

 I have made the BAUBLE ORNAMENT in red and green as well (the multi-colored thread pictured is not always available to me); BETHLEHEM BAUBLE I like to keep blue (in honor of the little town of Christ's birth AND the actual color-name of the thread!); STAR OF WONDER will always be in shades of purple (please humor me); and WHERE'S SANTA, the wonderful chapeau of Father Christmas himself, must always be RED! 

WHERE'S SANTA

I'm due for a new ornament design...I'll keep you posted! Until then, thanks for "listening"...

An Artful Affair 2011 - Save the date!

The Greater Westmoreland Creative Collective is pleased to announce its second annual trunk show, "An Artful Affair 2011", on Saturday, October 1st, from 10 to 4 p.m., in Greensburg, PA.

"An Artful Affair" is intended to celebrate local artistry and to honor Pennsylvania's long heritage of fine handcrafted goods. In a world filled with "fast, cheap and disposable", the GWCC and "An Artful Affair" are dedicated to providing only quality, high value, and unique creativity to those who can truly appreciate them.

Our artists also have a strong commitment to the three R's (Reuse, Repurpose, or Recycle) and you will find that many of their works reflect this important environmental sensibility.

Please join us for a day of tantalizing tea, delightful delectables, and amazing art as we showcase local artists, craftsmen, designers, jewelers, and organic products.

Come join us for a delightful afternoon celebrating creativity!

Artist members who will be spotlighted:

Merriann Grant - fine jewelry
Nan Loncharich - fabric arts
Cia Williford - miniatures and mixed media arts
Katie Resch - painted woodwork
Helen Stetina - needlecrafts
Lisa Hertzog - country decorating

Additional guests will be announced prior to the event.

Location:
1104 Middletown Road
Greensburg, PA 15601