The Scoop on Paul's Show...

Hello again....I have been slow to update you on my latest adventure as I have been down for the count with a bad cold and cough...Ugh...This is Paul Gordon, artist extraordinaire...in front of his charming home in Martinsburg, WV. When I say charming...I mean very charming.  He was a gracious host to all of the gang that gathered to celebrate the holiday.

Here is Paul in his studio standing proudly in front of his artwork. I sadly neglected to take a snapshot of his picture window with a magical snowman. Oops! You would have enjoyed it. People came from near and far for the opportunity to view and purchase his works of art.

What is Christmas with out a warm and fuzzy teddy bear...fortunately for us Pat Murphy brought some charmers. As usual. We all need a teddy bear or two to remind us of the child that lies within us all. You might want to put a MurphyBear on your wish list.

Leslie McCabe pulled the wool over our eyes by hooking some beautiful pillows and Christmas stockings. Leslie paints with colorful wool...she must find the wool from rainbow sheep. You just want to touch them to feel their warmth.

Meet  Allen Cunningham...yet another famous artist. His dolls are famous and his holiday figures are a sight to behold. He is as charming as his artwork...plus he looks just like Johnny Depp. As you can tell...I think the world of Allen.

This is Dara DiMagno ...a very talented jewelry artist. She makes one-of-a-kind pendants with vintage photographs and findings. Once you start to look at them...you will become enchanted by her wit and talent. You can't help but smile and giggle when you start to explore her work.

 And here is Stacy Bear a multi-talented artist. She is a painter and a soft sculpture artist. Whatever she makes is so full of whimsy. She has been featured in many magazines over the years...so she may be familiar to you.

And finishing up as we went around the room is Deborah Hartwig...a charming and colorful soft sculpture artist who makes the most clever pin cushions out of velveteen and creates the most imaginative little works of art.

The next day we went antique shopping in Hagerstown. Here is Jack, Allen, Fred, Nancy, Dominick, Pat, Leslie and Paul. We were good little Americans...as we stimulated the economy that day.

I know that I prattled on and on, but it is hard to compact a magical weekend into a few paragraphs. The word "talented" was bandied about...but it was true. Paul's studio was filled beautiful artwork and the nicest of people. Truly. A wonderful way to let the holidays begin. So Merci Beaucoup to all of you who "decked the halls" with all of us.

Nancy Michler, Pat Murphy, Leslie McCabe and me after a tasty breakfast. When in West Virginia...enjoy the biscuits...it is an unspoken rule.

Have "comfort and joy" fun,

Jody

Going on Ho-Ho-Ho-Holiday....

Hello....Oh my gosh...Here it is...the holiday season. I will definitely get in a jolly frame of mind this weekend at Paul Gordon's Christmas Show  ...we hope that you can come and visit all of us. It is a friendly group and like I said last post...there will be tasty party snacks and snappy punch.  So waddle on over to Martinsburg, West Virginia...

This Mr. MacScottie....He just got the memo on the tasty party snacks...

"Stroodel-Doo" and I are all packed up and ready to go...well...actually I am still organizing my stuff...I don't manage my time the way that I should...

It is nice to get together with friends....just like these fellows....I am flying to Michigan to meet up with Pat Murphy and she and I are motoring our way to the shin-dig...I am sure that we will giggle, listen to snappy music and we can always play a rousing game of Car Bingo.

I will be sure to bring my winter coat...as it will be chilly.

Have "It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas" fun,   Jody, your Fa-La-La-Lah friend

If you need directions....www.friendsinchristmas.com 

You Are All Invited...

 

Hello...Tis' the Season...to be jolly...so please come to Paul Gordon's Christmas Show 

 I promise that it will be a magical day. Come to spend the day with us in Martinsburg, WV. Paul Gordon has the most charming studio I have ever seen. When I attended last year I was overwhelmed by his antique trims, textiles and antiques of all kinds. If you love Christmas...and shame on you, if you don't...you will be so happy if you join us.

I will write more about the other artists in a few days. I just wanted you to mark your calendars. Plus...there will tasty party snacks and flavorful punch. So do not delay!

Have "won't you join us" fun,   Jody, your friend who is humming Christmas Carols in her sewing room

Gidget Grows Up....

Hello...I have been in Chicago again visiting my family...so consequently I haven't been able to post. My apologies. As you might surmise from the snapshot....something BIG has happened here in FunTown. I got me one of them fancy magical typewriters. An Apple LapTop. For those of you who don't know too much about me...this is a huge undertaking... as I am almost computer illiterate...but I am determined to change.

So...I need to go to classes and try to join in the 21st century parade that has passed me by. Hopefully I will be able to manage my web site.

I will be able to make some snappy CD's for Pip and I to dance to. Oh this will be so much fun.

So...as I fasten my seat belt and put on my space suit for my rocket ship adventure...wish me luck.

There is rejoicing in FunTown...the pressure is on.

Have silly "jumping into the deep end" fun,   Jody, the shiny new Apple girl

The credit for the illustrations goes to Charles Twelvetrees...one of my favorites. The bear picture is from "The Story of Bad Little Billy Bear" by Mrs. H.G.C. Marsh Lambert

Jody...the name dropper

Trick-or-Treat...and a howdy-doo to all of you. "Oh-My-Pumpkin-Pie" and I would like to invite you to peek in my window and view some of my friend's spooky artwork. I am going to use this opportunity to boast of my worldly buddies. This may come across as boastful on my part...but...I do think you will enjoy them. I have cool friends. So grab your Loot Bag and follow us....

I keep these dancers on my wall all year long....hmmm...I bet that their little feet hurt by now...this mischief making pair were created by Leslie McCabe...a famous textile artist. She is a Master "Puncher"..."Rug Hooker" and jewelry artist. Plus, she is my good friend.

This little Squirrely fellow was needle felted by my good friend Pat Murphy of the internationally famous MurphyBear Company. She not only makes beautiful bears...but now she is having fun sculpting charming little characters, also. Take a peek at her birds...you will be glad that you did.

Paul Gordon, a very famous Folk Artist made this lovely Harvest Lady. My good friend Dana Wade gifted me with this heirloom treasure several years ago. Imagine my delight when I spied her the first time. She is a tree topper that is sculpted and painted by Paul and he has the very best of vintage trims. Aren't I lucky?

This mystical Fortune Teller was made by Jami Santos. My sparkly friend in California. This Madame has a faraway look...I wonder what she is thinking. Is it possibly a mysterious secret or is her crystal ball getting too heavy? Jami is a very special woman...she often has this same expression. Come to think of it...she may have a little crystal ball in her pocket.

Speaking of expressions...look at this mischief-maker. Scott Smith of Rucus Studio made this nodder. You may be familiar with his work as he is always featured in the best art magazines. I treasure all of the pieces I have accumulated from Scott over the years.

David Bruce of Acorn Cottage made this sparky little spooky lantern. He definitely has that grin that makes you wonder what he has been up to. I haven't seen David for years now and I miss him...luckily I have many of his Halloween pieces that make me smile.

We are busy making caramel apples, popcorn balls and treat bags for all of the tricksters that are going to ring our doorbell on Halloween night. So now that I have invited you to peek in my window...I would like to extend the invitation to my doorstep.

So...do not delay...Put on those dancing shoes and party hats and get ready to make some mischief.

Have silly loot bag fun,   Jody, the proud friend

P.S. I hope that you all get many tasty treats...especially the chocolate kind...

                                                                    BOO!

Off We Go to The Atlanta Country Living Show

Hello....Y'All...In am off to the Atlanta Country Living Show to play with my Earth Angel friends. My friend Leslie McCabe has arrived here at my home and we are packing up to go to Stone Mountain to join my friend Jen O'Connor's Earth Angels tent for our fun weekend. The above piece is "Oodles and Doodles" a one-of-kind that I made especially for Earth Angels.

This is ButterCup...an edition of 6. I really enjoyed making her...a real design challenge.

"Boom-Boom" a funny little fellow. Noisy but he loves to dance...

Chilly-Willy Wiggly...talk about dancers. He can do the Hula like no other...

May I introduce you to "Justine and Ducky"...

Another Angel for Earth Angels..."Goodness-Gracie"...

"Charley-Buttons" a one-of-a-kind...a fellow that is going places....

And to say good-night and farewell...here is "Wee-Winnie-Winky" an edition of 6...

Off I go to enjoy the weekend. If you are within shouting distance...I do hope that you will come and visit us at the Country Living Show in Stone Mountain, Georgia this weekend.

Have silly harvest moon fun,   Jody

A Jolly Farewell...

Cheerio...Yes, I am in a jolly mood today, as I have finally sent some of my special little friends on an international adventure to Teddy Bears of Witney...a magical store tucked away in a charming village in Jolly Olde England. I have been honored for many, many years to be included in his infamous catalogue....and I do mean honored. I do special editions for Ian Pout, the owner, every year...as he puts out an annual catalogue that those of us in the teddy bear collecting world look forward to each fall. It is chock-full of wonderful toys from all over the world. Above is the "Prince of Whales"...he is expecting a royal welcome once he returns to his ancestral home. I do hope that he is faring well on his journey...as he prefers traveling on his yacht...he is a white knuckle flyer.

This is "Hoot" and "Annie"...a jolly pair. Once again...England is the place for them. So many British children have grown up with Gollies. They will have many friends to get acquainted with upon their arrival. I sent them with their whistles in case they need to hail a taxi.

"Tiny Cupcake" is a tad nervous herself...as she has repeatedly heard that in England they enjoy "tea and crumpets"...she hopes that they enjoy her sweet disposition. I reassured her that everyone loves cupcakes.

I was sad to send them on their way but I am having lots of silly fun making new funnies for the Atlanta Country Living Show on October 21st, 22nd and 23rd. I will be under the Earth Angels Tent with all of my fellow artist friends. You really should attend as it is a phenomenal show. I will let you know more about it this week.

Have "I love apple cider" fun,    Jody