IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN...

Time for:

AN ARTFUL AFFAIR

FALL 2013

 

Saturday, September 21st

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

1104 Middletown Road

Greensburg, PA  15601

featuring jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media art, needlecrafts, baked goods, folk art, hand-made soaps, terrariums, chocolate wine drops...

Please join us for some shopping, noshing, and visiting...
See you there! 

 

On a current personal level, time for commission-work to come to a grinding halt (sorry, pineapples)... 

and for some new goodies to enter in...welcome "Pinstools"...

 

You've heard of "toadstools"? Well, these are "Pinstools", for parking your pins and needles (or to simply hang around and look cute). I've been wanting to make these for the past few years, but needed time to work through the logistics and the "ingredients". My definitive inspiration came from meeting new friend Debbie while in Scotland. Debbie, who lives in Australia, collects hatpins...wonder if she has any that would like to live on a "Pinstool"?

Back to the grindstone, er, punch needle...

The weatherman says it's to be a beautiful day...Star and I will be working in the gazebo (at least ONE of us will be working)...

Thanks for "listening"!

 

 

 

 



'TIS THE SEASON

It's a little warm and muggy out (but with beautiful blue skies)...ready for snow again? Probably not (-: But I did want to share one of my latest creations with you...SNOWEE JOELEE. Just finished all the writing & typing & photographing of patterns & stuffing & packaging of kits in time for the "Shop Hop" at QUILT PATCH, ETC. in Mt. Pleasant, PA. Have you been to their new shop on 806 West Main Street? It's absolutely lovely and chock-full of everything a quilter desires (and THEN some!) They carry a few of my designs and I've been invited to teach SNOWEE JOELEE at their Fall Retreat this October 1 & 2. If you'd like to participate, please contact them at this number: (724)547-5370. For my workshop, you must know how to do punch needle embroidery...this class is NOT for beginners! But it IS for fun-seekers (-:

And here's a peek into the "creative process"...our poor dining room takes a beating when I'm working!

 

And here's another recent accomplishment...25 ornaments for my friend Susie! Hope her friends will like them come Christmas-time (-: 

Star and I send greetings from the gazebo...thanks for "listening"...



SMILE...SOMEBODY LOVES YOU

Just got off the phone with my dear friend Kathy...been friends with her since first grade!!! She's going through some pretty difficult stuff right now and I wanted to send her a smile...hope these bunnies do the trick. "Mister Whiskers" and some of his same-named cousins will be featured at AN ARTFUL AFFAIR later this month (see previous blog for details).

 And no blog of mine would be complete without a visit from Star! Since Kathy is a HUGE fan of kitties, hope little Star makes Kathy smile, too.

As always, thanks for "listening"...

EXCITING STUFF

Ahhhhh...a bit of spring fighting with winter...my sunny bunch of daffodils laughing at snow swirling outside my dining room window...
Just wanted to share a couple of exciting things with you! My friend Patti (of the PATCHWORK PINE workshop fame) somehow convinced her husband Dave that I might be interesting podcast-fodder. Dave and Patti visited me at home a few weeks ago...we enjoyed conversation and cookies at this very table...the ensuing interview can be found by visiting this website:

www.OnTheWind.podbean.com

 

And, it's once again time for AN ARTFUL AFFAIR!!! This will be our first spring show...hope you all can come...here are the details:

 

 

 

    AN ARTFUL AFFAIR

Spring 2013

 Saturday, April 27

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

1104 Middletown Road

Greensburg, PA  15601

 

And little Star cares not a whit about ANY of this...she's content enjoying her newest cozy place to roost (-:

Have a cozy day!

Thanks for "listening"...

 

 

 

 



PATCHWORK PINE WORKSHOP

Recently, I had the pleasure of teaching PATCHWORK PINE to a lovely group of ladies who also happen to be dear friends. Patti, Esther, Pat, Linda, and I gathered on three separate days: first at Patti's home; then at Linda's hotel suite (that's a story for another day); and lastly at Pat's home. We shared fine food, fellowship, and of course, punching! It warmed my heart to see the trees "growing"...to see my humble design coming to life in their skilled hands. Take a peek...

 

 Awesome!

Gluing proved particularly creative...

...and fun...

...and just a wee bit messy (right, Linda?)

 

And I'm so proud to say all the ladies not only finished their PATCHWORK PINES, but also did a beautiful job!!!

 

AWESOME! 

Oh, and I had to bake special cookies...

 Thank you, with love and hugs to Patti, Esther, Pat, and Linda! And to everyone out there, thanks for "listening"!

Sent and Received

This posting is twofold: I needed to test my blog-site to make sure the "glitch" disappeared (it HAS!!!); and to show at least some of the recipients of my recent "sweet treats". Say hello to my brother's oldest son, Harold (I affectionately call my nephew "Jujee"), and his lovely wife Trish. Jujee reported that the spiced heart cookies do indeed taste like his Omi's (his grandmother, my Mutti). Awesome. Especially since today would have been her 89th birthday...have a Heavenly Birthday, Mutti!!!

More later...for today, thanks for "listening"...  

Art Follows Life Follows Art

 My day began very early (uncharacteristically early for me), since I promised to bake and send cookies to family down south by a certain date, and that date was fast approaching. I wanted to try a cookie that my Mutti (Mom) used to bake around the holidays for kids, grand-kids, friends, Vati (Dad)...an iced, spiced sugar cookie topped with an almond slice. Sound familiar? Yup, it's one of my "Sweet Treats" trio I've written about before...and here's the inspiration. I lamented that I had neither my Mutti's recipe nor the crinkle-edged heart cookie-cutter she always used...but I managed. As I rolled the dough, cut the hearts, laid them on the cookie sheets, etc., etc., etc., I thought back on all the times I watched Mutti do this very same thing. I thought back and regretted not having asked enough questions. What was it like doing this with YOUR Mutti? How was the kitchen different? The stove? The baking utensils and tools? How about, "May I have this recipe, please?" Better yet, why in blazes didn't you write it down yourself, Helen? Mutti left me over eleven years ago and took all those answers with her. And the other person whose brain I should have picked more, my brother Harald, has joined Mutti and left me alone with even MORE unanswered questions.

My point? Please, ask away. Ask your Moms and Dads, your Grams and Grandpas, your aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., etc., etc. ASK them! Ask them whatever! Life is really too short...ask them NOW.

I have more thoughts bouncing in my brain and photos to share, but my blog site is not cooperating. Hopefully my "glitches" will pass and tomorrow will be another day for me (to write?). The cookies are traveling as I pen this...may they arrive safely and bring great joy (-:

Art (loosely speaking, my edible interpretation of Mutti's cookies) follows life (my Mutti's wonderful iced, spiced ones) follows art (loosely speaking, my punch needle "cookies"...which actually, originally, followed life). Enjoy! And, thanks for "listening"...  

 

 

 

HARALD'S ENTE

.

In honor and in memory of a very great and wonderful man, my beloved brother Harald, I'm posting "Harald's Ente", Harald's Duck, a keyholder I designed especially for him for his birthday a few years ago...you are in a better place today, Bro...pain-free, worry-free, soaring somewhere above the clouds. My heart is breaking as I type this. I love you. I will miss you. I will always be your littlest sis, Helen.

Godspeed, Bro.

TREES AND STARS

While the trees outside began to pop with CRAYOLA "Spring Green", I began creating trees of a different sort. Faced with having to design a project for the Fall workshop sponsored by KATE AND BECCA'S QUILT PATCH, ETC., I came up with what I call "Patchwork Pine".

My students will get to play with a variety of fibers, two punch needle sizes, some embroidery stitches, and a few other fun things.

Smaller versions of the "Patchwork Pine" (cleverly named "Trees") will be available at our Creative Collective's AN ARTFUL AFFAIR this September.

   In honor of my new kitty "Star" (she's been pictured in earlier blogs), I've become obsessed with...you got it...stars. At first, I simply needle-punched a bunch of stars in different shades of gold, intending them to become wool-felt-backed ornaments (I still plan to do this). But then my friend and colleague Nan of FANCY WOOL FLOWERS (check out her blog and brand-new website!) sent me off on a tangent. She asked if I could experiment with her beautiful hand-dyed wool strips, to see if I could incorporate them into my punch needle creations. Voila, my "Starry Night" banner was born! 

Here's a close-up of one "Folk Star". When friend, colleague, and beach-enthusiast Merriann saw the little banner, she commented that the wee stars looked like starfish...cool! So now I have ordered aqua-dyed wool from Nan (-:

If my friend Susie is reading this, don't worry, I'm still working on your commission as well, and am enjoying every moment of creativity!

Well, time to take the "Pecan Diamonds" out of the oven...

...oh, and Star says HI...

...and Helen says, "Thanks for listening!"

  

I'M BACK!

Sorry I've been away from the blog for so long! Between commissions and traveling and coming up with new ideas, I've been mighty busy.

Before I get too crazy, I'd like to extend heartfelt and gracious thanks to all my buddies who came to visit us at AN ARTFUL AFFAIR!!! You know who you are...

Unfortunately, I was unable to photograph all of you; but here are some of you... 

Thanks so much for coming...hope you had as much fun as I did!

With the holiday season fast approaching, I find myself steeped in baking, Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping, shipping, freaking (a little)...you, too? Somewhere in there, I created a few "treasures". Let me know what you think...

Holiday Swirls Ornament

Peppermint Swirls Candle Lids

Holiday Wreaths Candle Lids

Mug-Rug  

Mug Rug

Mug Rugs

Oops! Dinner's about to burn...promise to return soon!

Thanks for "listening"...

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"...