Pansy Basket Welcome

I have been trying to have one complete day to do some clean up in the garden. Either I have had orders to work on, family commitments, or it's been raining. It's a beautiful morning in Maryland, a bit cool right now but by the time I package some orders to be shipped out today it should warm up a bit. I plan on playing in the dirt for the rest of the day.

Yesterday I painted this Welcome sign with a basket of pansies in pinks, yellows and purples. A way to have spring come into the studio. Today I can play with the real thing.

I need more room!

Just thought you might like to see where I work. Years ago my husband built a garage/shop for his woodworking business. On the first floor is his workshop with his woodworking tools, spray booth and a bathroom. Upstairs is an office on one side and on the other side is my studio. The best thing I ever did was move my operation from the house to the shop when the girls didn't need to have constant supervision anymore. My goodness...that was over 20 years ago.

Looking out my window is like sitting in a tree house. The squirrels run through the branches of the old oak trees on either side of the shop and you can hear them scrambling over the roof.
Sometimes a large hawk sits just outside my window.

I started hanging my stencils on the walls as they are easier to find. Most of the smaller ones are in folders but the longer ones get taped to the walls. Most of the wall space is covered with them and they are now going down the steps.

I really do need to go through the shelves below the table top and toss lots of stuff. I probably have painting books and magazines that are fifteen years old and I keep saving them because there might be an article or pattern I might use some day. I have glass Christmas balls still sitting in the corner needing a place to be put away until fall.

There is also a large drying rack with shelves out of view in the room. Downstairs my husband built a wall of shelves for the finished products. I would love to have more room in my studio but I guess for now I need to live with organized clutter.

Missing Friends from The Basket Accessories Roadshow

For quite a few years my husband and I participated in the Basket Accessories Roadshow which had vendors who made and sold items for Longaberger consultants and their customers. We traveled the east coast from MA to FL. As times changed, some vendors retired and there weren't so many "crazy basketladies" anymore, we slowly stopped doing the shows.
I really do miss many of the vendors who became wonderful friends and also so many of the fabulous customers.

Some of our old friends do have stores and websites...

http://www.basketgypsy.com/

http://www.basketaccessories.com/

http://www.rainbowengravers.com/

Watching it Grow...Spring Time Sproutings

I am always thrilled to see little green shoots poking through the leaves in the spring... First the crocus...then the daffodils and then everything else starts starts to green up. My hydrangeas now have leaves shooting up from the bottom. The Secret Garden is still one of my favorite books.

Several years ago, my girls gave me a surprise birthday party and two dear friends gave me a saucer garden as a gift. It was filled with springtime goodies. I replanted these in my garden and now every spring miniature daffodils and primrose plants are some of the first to bloom. When I see these it always makes me think of Ann and David, who have their own wonderful garden in their yard in Perry Hall.

My daughters each have their own homes, and I am so glad to see that they too have put in gardens. Is it a learned thing or is it in the genes? Many of their plants are from my garden, either by cuttings or by separating. Holly and Meagan have both asked,"Are you sure you want to give that to me?" I explained that it is one of the joys of gardening...sharing. Then you always have a memory of the person who shared themselves with you. I hope that they continue to share their gardens with friends and family.

Springtime in Perry Hall Maryland Craft Show

For over 20 years, there has been a consignment craft show at the Perry Hall Community Hall. One in the fall that usually runs for 4 weeks before Thanksgiving and one in the spring for 2 weeks before Easter. The spring show is going on right now. It opened on Friday, March 20 and runs through Palm Sunday, April 5. There are 40+ vendors...woodworkers, photographers, painters, sewing, bakers, candy makers and more. There is also a room of antiques, glassware, dishes, and other to use again items. If you're in the area you may want to stop by.
































Went today to see all the goodies since I had an early set up time and didn't get to see what all the other vendors were offering. The show is restocked everyday so there are always new things to see.



Directions to the Perry Hall Community Hall
From I-95, Take Rt43 west to 1st light, HoneyGo Blvd, make right
Continue to Joppa Rd, make right
Go through traffic circle and make immediate left onto
Gerst Rd Community Hall is on the right.
For info call 410-382-5142

Home Again.........

After my visit to Ocean City I am looking forward to adding beachy things to my listings. I already have a few but will be adding more in the weeks to come.

My Friend and Fellow Painter....

My Friend and Fellow Painter....Dee of Icehouse Crafts told me...You need a blog!!! So here it goes.

I am at the beach, Ocean City, MD, with my friend Bonnie. We have been friends since we were 4 years old. We grew up in the same neighborhood and were best friends all through school. She was my Maid of Honor and I was hers. She has two daughters close in age to my two daughters and they played together when they were little. She has been a dear friend all these years and I am a very lucky woman to have had her in my life.

We have been trying to have a Girl's Getaway for over a year and I finally decided I could take a few days away from the studio. It's a beautiful day here in OC, although still a bit brisk. The view from the hotel window looks out over the Assawoman Bay and there should be a wonderful view of the sunset this evening. We are hoping to do some antiquing, maybe in Berlin or Snow Hill, take a stroll on the boardwalk if it's not too cold, and of course get a vanilla milkshake from Dumsers.

Going to get ready for dinner...