My Garden Fairies

I am so close to finishing my first book. Every day I am inspired about the next and future books. If you have met me you would know my favorite thing to say about creativity is "If you don't feed It, It won't grow".  Lately I feel like creativity is growing in big waves. Yesterday, Doug and I did our usual meandering through an antique store on his day off. I came across these pitiful dolls. Normally I think old dolls are "creeeeepy"! But these dolls looked like lost unwanted puppies. They touched my heart. I have been looking for fairies to put in my new fairy garden next spring. These dolls are getting a
make-over this winter. They are going to be reinvented to garden fairies and will become "The Seven Gypsy Fairies of Tree Star Hollow." There are seven dolls yet to be named. I will keep you posted on the progress. A little hint: I stopped by my local JoAnn Fabric store to pick up a few pieces of fabric. Look out Project Runway!

A Bag of Art

It occurred to me that my very artistic grandchildren did not have a studio for their art. Who does at a young age? The next best thing would be a place to keep supplies and finished art.  I came across these bags as I was shopping this summer at a craft store. I could certainly make bags, I mean I have yards of remnants. However, these finished bags cost $10.00 (less my %15 coupon).  They have a zipper to close the top and two long handles.  I figured the girls could have them well into adulthood. But they needed my personal touch.

1. Print letters in the size to fit the front of the bag.

2. Iron the letters onto Wonder Under fusible web in     reverse. (After you cut out the letters and fuse them to the bag they will in the correct direction).     Follow the directions on the Wonder Under.

3. Cut out the letters and iron to the bag.

4. Use your sewing machine to sew the letters on. Try different stitches for fun effects.

The kids love the bags and I have fun buying art supplies for them.  They like to take there bags everywhere. They brought their bags to my house during their Thanksgiving visit. We had non stop fun coloring and painting and gluing etc.

my weekly Walk About

I try to walk into town once a week.  I was really looking forward to today since I have been patiently waiting for the White Rabbit Cafe and Patisserie to open in Greensburg. It was worth the wait. I ordered the most delicious Cappuccino. It was the perfect ratio of espresso and froth. It was also beautiful. I can't wait to go back and try the food. There was a spinach, feta and sun dried tomato cup cake that looked mouth watering.
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon an Artisan's shop. Today I was told there was still a few spaces available. Hummmmmmmmmmm. Took the picture with my phone, not so clear but the Cappuccino yummy! 

Outdoor Decor

Every year around my birthday, Doug and I would visit our vacant land parcels to collect greens and other items from nature to decorate with for the Holidays. We no longer have any of the other parcels. This house is it!

Lucky for me there is much to choose from right here.  We cleaned out the window boxes and added 5 different types of evergreens and rose hips from the yard.  I still need to hang garland around the front door. Lights and I am done! This Sunday it is going to be 70 degrees in Greensburg. I hope I can convince hubby to put up lights.

Garden Clean Up Finished!

What a beautiful day it was. Wednesday November 6th and it was 70 degrees and sunny in Southwest Pennsylvania. It is one of those days you notice and say to yourself, "This is it. The last day of beautifully weather for this year."

I took advantage of the day and finished bringing all of the garden items indoors for the winter. As I was cleaning up the Fairy Gardens I noticed how wonderfully the entrance at the Oak tree had weathered and looked like it became part of the tree. This is the only place I will leave untouched.  Remember only the Fairies can open the door! I also want to see how well things over winter. I know the tiny clay pots will most likely crack but the Granddaughters will be visiting this winter and I want them to find the fairy entrance.

Cleaning up the Fairy Garden

Today is a beautiful day in Greensburg PA. The sun is shining and it is a great day to start bringing in all of the fairy garden furniture and supplies.  Best part of Fall clean up is looking forward to next Spring. I will be moving and expanding the fairy gardens.  I am considering starting at the front door of our house and having a continued path to all of the fairies favorite places in the gardens. I have collected supplies for build many pieces of furniture and houses. Winter is great for hibernating and building fairy crafts for the garden.
I will be collecting fancy china tea cups all winter to prepare for the "Tea Cup Swing Tree" in the garden next
year.

Fairy Halloween

The fairies have decorated the fairy door at the entrance of our house.  Only the fairies can open the door!

Fairy Furniture Book

The move is completed.  I am getting familiar with Greensburg PA.  I like living in a small city.
I spent most of the summer cleaning out and cutting back the gardens. Fall has arrived and I have put the gardens on hold until Spring. I have all winter to adjust the new landscape design. I am sure it will change many times on paper.

I have had so many requests for a pattern to the fairy furniture. I have decided to put the pattern

and step by step instructions into a book. Writing the book has been fun for me. There are many 

photos of fairy furniture and other fairy garden crafts. I hope to have the book published by mid 

November. A great Christmas gift for the Fairy Gardener!

We are still moving but the Fairies need furniture

Moving is really a chore! High stress levels and surprises around every corner. But sometimes you just have to sit back and relax with a craft.

I trimmed a few branches off my crab apple tree and made this beautiful "Fairy Queen Chair". This chair is a real show stopper! My sis gave me some feathers her Peacock "Petey" had lost. I used some broken jewelry parts and sea shells to ad bling. The tiny pillows are made from felting fiber.

House Hunters

Wow! I guess I am really moving.  We listed the house on Thursday, had 16 showings over the following three days. Got an offer on Monday.

Whats next?
I have not spent any time in the Pittsburgh area. I don't think I have even driven past it on a long family road trip. I did find a house I like on the internet. (what did we do before the internet?) I hope the house meets my expectations. Could this be a future home to my garden fairies? Of course they are going with me.

We are going on an adventure

I find my life changing with the start of spring. 

We are relocating to the Pittsburgh area this year. 

We are getting the house ready to put on the market.

Here we go again!!!

Easy Terrarium

I hunt thrift stores for glass containers. This is preserved moss and an air plant. Easy easy!

Winter Projects

I adore the promise of Spring. Only one more month of Winter.

I am lucky to be spending 5 weeks away from the midwest winter and

enjoying sunny Florida. The sunshine and solitude has been just what i needed to

complete the illustrations for my farm fairy book. I have a good start on making 

fairy furniture and built a new fairy house today.