rosieposie

for you...

"quack!" a new start

    Hugs to all you dear friends who have kept me going through some very rough times!  The little black cloud has faded a bit and I'm working hard to get things back into order.  So, some announcements...

   No. 1   I've decided to stop moping about and make life happen.

  No. 2    Linsie Woolsie is soon to be a reality!  I've purchased the inventory and will be  transporting everything to its temporary home on Monday.  The thought of all those luscious yarns at my fingertips has me worried that I will give in to temptation and  start knitting with reckless abandon rather than getting the shop in order!  Perhaps I should hide all the needles?  The target date for opening is July 14th.  I'll post some photos of the store's exterior as soon as I can.

No. 3    I'd really like the new shop to feature some of the beautiful items that you create! Not just knitted or fiber items - I'm interested in soft dolls and animals, quilting, sewing,  art, stationery, collage art, book arts, etc. as long as it is your original design and hand crafted (machine sewing is allowed :0).  So if anyone is interested in being represented please contact me by email with your proposals.  Please include product descriptions, availability, and wholesale pricing or consignment terms.  Rosie Posie and I will seriously consider each and ever one... there's so much talent out there in our little neighborhood!   Everything I've seen emerge from your heads and hands exudes such loving care, craftsmanship and quality... I'm convinced that our arts can make a difference.  Let's get it out there!

Hope to hear from you very soon!     (((((hugs)))))  

black clouds?

My goodness!  It seems that everyone in blogland is going through some very trying times right now especially those right here in our own little neighborhood.  I don't know about the rest of you but I feel like I have my very own little black thunder cloud pouring down rain directly onto my head.  Many, many hugs all my dear friends.  I'm sorry to have been gone so long.  You must have thought I had deserted you!

The fact is I have been trying my best to keep up with everyone by sneaking by to visit the blogs even though I haven't felt up to leaving many messages.  My heart and prayers have been with you all if that counts for anything.  And thank you so very much for all the kind words that you left for me.

Amazing Ulla, I just do not know how you do it!  I'm so glad to see that your husband is feeling better.  I haven't gone to check his blog yet but I will!  Anyway,  please know that I am thinking of you.

Dearest Lauren, where did your new blog disappear to?  It was just lovely and I so loved the new pieces you had posted.  I haven't forgotten you and all you've done.  Please don't leave us entirely... we will miss you too too much!

And Mrs. Staggs, I hope you are gaining some energy while you take this little break. May the blossoms in your beautiful gardens fill you with hope and strength so that you may return to Merryville soon.

Corey, mon ami, you continue to remind us all what life should be about.  It's so easy to get off track sometimes.  Why is that and how did you become so wise?

Amy ,you wee bunny, little maker of Lumplings, I missed the last herd ( Wow! They were gorgeous and the dresses - perfect!) but I've been spying those empty little lumling skins... I'm so glad you and Hans had good news on you latest trip to hospital.  May everything continue to improve for your wonderful husband.  Finn and Ella - there are no words for their adorableness.

Darling Heather, did you think I had forgotten you?  No, No, No...  I've just been bogged down in my own thoughts but it's time to get over that and back to life, right?  Thank you for all your good thoughts!  I'll be in touch soon, promise.

Miss Amy , always inspiring ;0).  If anyone hasn't seen Amy's new masthead do take a look!

Sweet Pea... I'm always looking for those illustrations. I don't know why but I'm particularly fond of the luggage tags.  Have you gotten that project wrapped yet?  Sometimes it seems to take as much time to pack the art for shipping as it did to make it.

Linda, Rosa, Liesl, CrabApple, Myra, Karen, Teresa, Ness, Ramona, Clarice, Trixie, Cookie, PaintGranny, Vicki, Barbara, Courtney, Anastasia, Sandy, Melissa, Kerry,  Tara, dear Beth, Jenny, Patricia, Joanna,  Erin,  Heidi, Dawn,  Helena, Natalie,  Caitlin, Annax, Enid (hope classes are going well), Susan, Lucille, Hulda, Marci, Michelle, Tammi, Robin,  Cassi, Samantha, Cally,  Debbie,  Claudia, and MissyMuh  [did you think I forgot you?]... you are each and every one a treasure to me.  What a collection of talent!  Thank you for being my friends!  Gosh, I hope I didn't forget anyone ....

Several have asked about the fiber shop... I'm not certain if that's going to work out or not.  We're still trying to agree on a fair price.  I'll let you know as soon as I know!  Which should be sometime this week.

I guess you've probably surmised that it's been a struggle here on many fronts and I do so appreciate all the support.   I won't go into it all the details now but  I will say that I hope things get better soon!  For all of us!

Here's a little photo of the one thing I've managed to make in the last few weeks, Little Finch and Duckling.  Hope they make you smile!

 

what have I done!?

Panic has set in here... It all seemed like a good idea - right up until the purchase offer was signed.  I'm fairly certain that I just purchased a yarn shop!  Please, please tell me....Am I crazy?   

This, a yarn shop, wasn't even  something I was thinking about only a month ago.  But I had been mulling over  putting some things in a local shop on consignment or opening a teeny tiny place myself when I happened to take a trip to the fiber shop for some roving wool. When I arrived the owner was just putting up some signs announcing that she would be closing the shop soon and the real estate agent was putting the for sale sign up in the yard.  It seemed like a sign from above... someone I probably shouldn't be second guessing... 

It doesn't seem real yet and I hope I'm doing the right thing.  Maybe because so far all I have to show for this life-altering move is some paper.  I still have to come up with the purchase price and move it all to the new location which is currently a large almost empty space.  The investment will definitely have things stretched a little tight for a while  - which has me terrified... but it's also true that if you never take a risk you often miss a lot of positive opportunities.  And I have a habit of playing it safe.

I haven't even settled on a business name yet but this (see above) is what I'm bouncing around in my little head tonight.  The shop's owner wants to hold onto the rights to the current name as she will probably open another shop when they get settled in Atlanta.  If anyone has any ideas please don't hesitate to send them this way!

The shop's current owner is moving along with her husband who is being transferred out of the area so the opportunity arose to purchase her inventory.  She has some wonderful fibers and a has built a nice client base... (just hope I can keep them!)...  and it seemed like a pleasant way to earn a little extra income in a creative atmosphere.  I'm considering moving my studio into the new store space too so I won't waste any time during slow retail hours but, and this is going to sound strange, I'm not certain if I would like not being able to get up and paint if I can't sleep.  Some kids have security blankets; some have their precious paintbrushes!

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks... it's still not too late to reverse things!  I've been agonizing over this for weeks now... along with all the other things going on... oh, woe is me (and on forehead)!

strength

  -Grandmother 1935   

Mothers have the most important jobs in the whole world... and by far the most difficult...

My grandmother, who cared for me almost from the moment of my birth, passed away almost two years ago and yet not an hour passes that I am not thankful for having been her child. 

Just yesterday I found this photo of her.  It is dated 1935.  She was only fourteen years old when this picture was taken - the very same age as my niece, her great-grandaughter, is this year.  How odd it is to think that only five years after this photo was taken she gave life to her first child.  Of course, things were different then... a girl was labeled "spinster" if she wasn't married by the time she turned twenty. 

My grandfather was... well, abusive to my grandmother. [Yet somehow she never seemed to let it defeat her... amazing!]  I used to ask her why she ever married him and she always said the same thing, "That's what you were expected to do back then - get married." 

For all those wonderful mothers whose supply of love and devotion never seems to wane,  "Happy Mothers' Day!"

~~~~You've probably noticed that I've been away for quite a few days and am very behind with my blogging responsibilities.  I've had a lot going on here at home and just haven't had the extra energy to post anything.  But don't think for a moment that I haven't thought about each and every one of you every single day...  just knowing that your kind souls were out there in the world has kept me going.  I'll tell you more about it all soon... if I ever get it sorted out...   Thank you for standing by me.  ~~~~

fish words

Una was alone in her bobbing boat-home but outside feather-finned birds swam through the air and water-winged fishes flew about the ocean.  They would rise to the surface and blow silvery bubbles full of salty fish words.  As the bubbles jumped into the air they popped and words scattered.  Una would catch the words sometimes and toss them around, string them on seagrass and wear them on necklaces.
"Una, a Love Story" written by Larissa N.

spring babies

This morning my little black Cochin hen, Inky, presented me with these downy surprise cuties.  Thirty-five days ago she decided she wanted to hatch some eggs... so I gave her a few of the duckies' eggs to set just so she had something to sit on.  I never really expected them to hatch!  But here they are at less than twenty-four hours old!  They will probably weigh at least 12 pounds when they grow up.  Their hatching momma, Inky, weighs about twenty-two ounces!

I wish I could get a better photo!  I haven't been able to get my camera to cooperate for weeks now and I can't figure out why.

ocean-garden salt

Una loved her island.  When she grew hungry she went to the sea, sighed, and dipped her delicate fingers in the water.  The ocean answered,  "Take these shells.  I have washed them clean and filled them with my ocean-garden salt."  Una ate the salt, white and shining.  Days passed and she grew flowers in her hair.

from Una, a Love Story

bumblings?

Just look at what flew out of my linen cupboard today! 

I'm not certain what she is or where she came from but now that she's escaped from the cabinet she's flitting all about the house!  Things keep appearing in the strangest places - not at all where I left them.  And there are a few chocolates missing too!  I'm a little worried about where she will sleep tonight so I'll leave the linen closet open for her.

I can't identify her with any of the usual reference books.... do you think I should I call an entymologist or a psychologist?

Oh... there she goes again.... it's too dark to see her very well but it looks like she has a little friend with her!  My goodness!  I wonder what else is hiding in the cupboards...

Maybe tomorrow I will be able to get a better photo of these two .  It's been raining all day  so the light is a bit gloomy for capturing funny little bumblings on film.  I had to try though so you could see them too!

If anyone knows what they are please  let me know!

          ~~~~~~~~

a bluebird told me

Some darling little bluebirds flew into my yard today to tell me of Mrs. Staggs' birthday!  They joined me in the kitchen where we baked some  yummy birthday cupcakes that we hoped to leave on Mrs. Staggs' porch as a little surprise.

What do you suppose happened while we were having tea?  A birthday fairy and her fuzzy friends flew through the window and ate all the cupcakes!!!!  I guess she thought they must be for her.  Doesn't she look happy with a tummy full of sweets?  The bluebirds and I captured this picture just before they darted away.

I'm sorry we didn't have a single cupcake left to bring to Mrs. Staggs but I'm certain that this little fairy flew right over to the birthday girl's house and brought her all sorts of goodies, hugs, and birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday, dear friend!