Tree Hunting In LBL

So, I am still on cloud nine from my Etsy featured seller last week! Not to mention all the "made to order" stuff I am working on too! I feel kinda like a little elf......but, at the same time I have not been able to get any Christmas-ness going on in the Duffy house. This weekend we (I) finally made time to go get our tree! We live near Land Between the Lakes (it's a National Park) and drove out to the Welcome Center to get a permit to cut down a cedar tree. This is a program they offer free to the public! Santa just happened to be there....my daughter told him she wanted a "movie theater" popcorn popper and my son told him he wanted to be surprised. He has decided this year not to ask for anything and just see what he gets! The weather was beautiful that day..... as we were driving we saw deer grazing in the forest, red tail hawks swooping over head....pretty amazing! We eventually found several up on a hill near the lake. Amongst those trees was the perfect tree! A little big but we trimmed until it fit. I'll let the pictures tell the story..........

I'm the FEATURED SELLER ON ETSY!!!!!

I am so excited today! I have been working like a little elf these days trying to get my shop stocked up for this featured seller day! It has arrived! Go check out my interview..........I tried to keep it short and sweet, because I am known to be a talker! Thank you so much Etsy, I heart you!

Campfire Tote featured on Sew Mama Sew Blog

Thank you so much for featuring my work on your wonderful blog.........seriously, if you have never visited sewmamasew.com you need to check it out! They have tons of fabulous fabric, patterns, features and free tutorials! Lucky me!

Winters Land Tote in the Etsy Gift Guide

Halloween 2009

Here we have one Luke Skywalker.......specifically from the movie "Return of the Jedi". Which I believe is the only movie he wears all black. Then we have little miss "Snow Princess" or "White Kitty" or "Lamb"......she kinda morphed from one to the other. I like a versatile costume that can be worn for years to come! It was so nice having it on Saturday and the help of a bright sky with the full moon. Although, I noticed that L scored much more candy than K.......I guess the "cute" factor is an advantage when it comes to portions on Halloween. Last year K told everyone he was allergic to nuts and made out pretty good.....receiving money at some houses. This year he had a different strategy, he traded his "contaminated" candy with is friend for stuff he could eat. Clever Kid. Hope you all had a good one too!

Hand Felted Acorns

After all the hikes we have taken the last month.....well, lets just say I have at least 5 pockets worth of acorn hats. So, I decided to teach my kids how to hand felt wool roving. I tried this last year but, it seemed their attention and hand strength just wasn't there yet. This year we had a blast working on this project together! Of course, they had a hard time giving up the felted ball to the acorn hat. We used them on our fall nature table so they can visit them when ever they like.

I am teaching myself how to needle felt for some of my toys that I make. With the help of Youtube and blogs I think I got it! For this project I am using black wool and was able to find some from an etsy seller that lives here in KY. The wool came yesterday.......sheared from a black sheep but has some white strands mixed in because of the sheep's age. Much better than dyed wool. Can't wait to get started!!!

WOW.....

I was a little confused when I received a number of "convos" today in my etsy store. I was getting these really awesome compliments and wasn't sure how they found me? After some checking a craftcult.com I found that I was on the front page of etsy today. It has been a while since I have been there so it was a nice surprise!! The treasury was really beautiful.....fall colors perfect for this amazing fall day! Thanks for all the thoughtful compliments!

Fall Break at Cumberland Falls : Kentucky

Loving the spectacular EARTH!!!

Hematite Lake : LBL Kentucky

These are some shots from a recent visit we had with my friends Patrick and Tonia plus Adrian their sweet boy. We spent a day out at Land Between the Lakes, which happens to be in our backyard! Before our hike at Hematite Lake we spent some time driving around the elk and bison range. It was so nice to catch up with old friends........we went to grad. school together in AZ and have not seen them in about five years. Can't wait to visit them in Alabama!!

Update on the Crafty Bastards Show

Week late but, I have tons of excuses.....I will get to them in the coming days. For now, I should say that I (we) had an amazing time in Washington, DC at the Crafty Bastards Show and more! Couldn't have asked for a better day! There were clouds in the sky and the sun was shining in and out through the day. The show was very very busy.......I was excited to meet Jen from indiefixx.com and Daniellexo from the Etsy Admin. plus all the great customers and admirers of little ol' me. It was actually very amazing to meet so many people who had already checked out my work on etsy! Everyone helping out the vendors were so nice and helpful and made my day when they brought me lunch by Whole Foods, delicious! My only regret.......since I was working solo all day I didn't have a chance to walk around and met other vendors or check out all the cool stuff--bummer.

Feature on the Crafty Bastard Blog!

I know , I know....no time for bloggin' for me lately! I have been working hard on trying to get my stock up for the Crafty Bastard show in D.C. on Oct 3rd. So, excited to go to Washington and do this show! There are going to be some really happenin' people there that I have admired on Etsy this past year. It was such a honor to get invited to this show !! Now, I have been featured on the Crafty Bastard Blog... WOW! Check it out here. I promise to catch you up to what I have been making in my studio soon!

Oh, and don't forget to vote for me as the craftiest bastard!

Goodbye Summer

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall, Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Goodbye flowers

Hello Acorns

What cute little hats!

by Lyra, age 4

Thrifted

About a week ago I was in Murray signing my daughter up for a dance class. Her class is taught in the Old Fine Arts building right on the very campus I attended. It was very bizarre walking into the Fine Arts building after so many years. After registration we did a bit of visiting and ran into one of my favorite people Dale Leys. He got to meet my amazing daughter and we had one of those disjointed conversations you have with someone you have not seen them in ten years. It was nice to have that moment. After, we drove around, ate some lunch and stopped into the local Good Will. I totally scored! I found bags full of felt board materials typically used in a Montessori classroom. There were about 6 sets of two inch alphabet letters, 3 sets of numbers 1-10, tons of different shapes of all colors like pumpkins, apples, ginger men, ice cream cones that are perfect for counting. Plus, two sets of felt stories including the written story and songs. The entire lot cost me around five dollars, I kept half and gave half away. Even though I choose to send my child to public school.......I like to home school in my own style while we are together.

Cinnamon Bun Bun

Okay...Okay....I admit it. I am a big push over when it comes to adding animal members to my family! This time we have adopted a Velveteen Lop we named Cinnamon Bun Bun. He is so laid back and sweet, nothing like I remember my childhood rabbit being. The breeder we purchased him from said these were one of the most lovable rabbits to have. So the story goes, we were going to purchase two bunnies but my daughter fell in love with the Flemish Giant. This particular rabbit was the buck and lucky for us his "wife" the doe was preggo! She is due next week and we have to wait for six more weeks to bring home the bunny. These rabbits are huge, they get to be 12-20 pounds and have a sweet personality much like the lop. I was amazed because I really thought L would go for the miniature breed. She always surprises me!

New Work: Commissions

These "Secret Keepers" just shipped off to South Australia! These little babies helped the push to get my metal working space carved out here at home. Granted it is in the garage which can be hot at times but, not as many spiders as one would think! I am loving metal work right now. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder even when it comes to making art. More to come....I am planning on making some new work for the Murray State Alumni Show coming up in October.

Project Handmade House

Long ago when I was just a wee one my parents befriended a crafty couple while we were living in Texas. This doll house was built by the crafty couple and then gifted to me! Those of you that don't know....I grew up in the military. My dad was a helicopter pilot and his course of duty lead us to a new place every three years. So, you guessed it, the doll house was moved from here to there and everywhere. The couple must have had great impact on my mom because we didn't hold on to lots of things. After my daughter was born in 2004 my mom passed the doll house to me. This is what it looks like now......half of the roof is missing and there are quite a few dings. Forty years of existence and the doll house has never been painted or finished. I have decided to take on the project with my children. Passing on my passion for handmade to my children in the process. My idea is to paint and finish the interior of the house then make all the furniture and objects on the inside. All the while keeping you updated here on my blog under the label Project Handmade House.

Day One

Today was the day......day one of school! The night before I stayed up late to bake chocolate chip cookies by request. K wanted to give some to his teacher on the first day of school. Last year we were able to walk to school and he picked his teacher a flower on the way. I tell ya....sweet boy! I was so relived that he was excited and eager to go this morning. Unlike last year where we had some separation issues.....me included. So, today we walked in the door and he walked away with a smile...... I walked away and cried. I'm OK. I felt a little empty today but, I had my bugga! I said to her "what will I do next year when you go off to school?" she replied "you get to make your art, silly mommy!" That put it all into perspective....thank you wise four year old, my love.

Flying......

Honestly, I don't know where the time has gone? As I am writing this and realizing my doodle (son) will be starting school a week from tomorrow. My stomach is turning and I am really really sad. I love hanging with my kids and not having him for six hours out of the day is hard. At least I get my bugga for one more year! Since I have become a parent it seems like time just flies by and I seriously feel like weeks are like days. This summer has been pretty crazy for me.........

husband getting a new job in a different state
selling a house
packing a house
saying good bye to friends and family
moving to a new place
unpacking a house
finally.....setting up my studio
finding my way around
making memories with my family

The summer is over and I'm just feeling settled......