Happy New Year 2014

Happy New Year postcard from 1908.


Hope you have childlike joy and anticipation as you greet each day of the new year. Find happiness in the small things, solace as you need it and beauty in the fact that you are here, that you are you.
Be well all of you dear people. Thank you for making the outgoing year special.
I look forward to this new year of creating art.

Merry Christmas 2013

Wishing all of my family, my friends, fellow artists and everyone a warm hearted Christmas!


My mantle minus stockings that have gone MIA this year. I gave our tree away couple years ago to a day care that needed one so the stockings are kind of my tree. I made them one year when all we could afford were handmade presents for each other. Best Christmas ever and we have hung them every year. Must be a reason I can't find them this year. But the spirit and joy of Christmas is still here. Love to you all!

Trunk Show on Saturday

Heading to the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery to set up for the Holiday Trunk Show I will be doing tomorrow.


The Gallery is on First street in Sanford Phone is (407)323-2774 if you need directions. Or check out their website, www.jtfolkart.com.

I will be there from 10am-4pm. If you are in the area, stop by and see me!

Happy Thanksgiving and Chanakah 2013

I am sure most people would look at me and see a stern person, but I am so thankful that I get to let that giggling child inside of me out in my bear making and creating other art pieces. That child got closed off early in life. But I am joyful and thankful for all those around me that allow me to be by letting that child in me feel welcome.



This time of year it's so great because we all become children again as we come together and remember old stories, old friends and family we love and miss. We are all angling for the biggest piece of dessert, the best seat at the table or in front of the tv. Kids looking up to the ones we love for the reassurance that we matter and all is ok.

I am thankful for you, for those who are here and those who aren't , for those who would love to be here and can't. Be blessed, feel joy and laughter in your heart and let it out, let it spread.

Jeanine Taylor Trunk Show

Allison Stilwell and Midge Baudouin were the featured artists at the gallery's trunk show today.


This is Midge working away and talking to her audience.


One of The collaborative pieces by Midge and Allison.


I got a art doll pin and photo with Allison who is also a very sharing artist, willing to tell you how she went about making her pieces if art.


More of Allison's beautiful art. It's always a great experience when the art matches the artist. Both were fun, inviting and interesting. Great show.


This is darker photo than I wanted, but wanted to let you see some of the gallery.

Upcoming Holiday Trunk Shows at Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery:
Darlene Allen 11/30 10am-4pm
Melissa Menzer 12/7 10am-4pm

Info. jtfolkart.com

Check it out online or come to the show! And to my collectors in the area, there's new pieces to see.

And if you missed Allison and Midge, you can see what pieces they have in the gallery available for sale.

Renningers extravaganza November2013

Went to Renningers in Mt. Dora yesterday and had such fun. So many people were there. Shopping, eating having fun with friends. Me, I was on a mission. What could I find to help me create my bears and other animals? First stop, the button lady!


And look at the teddy bear button I found, I have one but this one is in great shape. Yes it is original.


Mini buttons for clothing on small bears. The larger ones are metal and jewel.


Feathers from 1920's Paris. Great for hats.


The same dealer with the feathers had these old small bears,


And these old dogs, the one on the right is German.


And after all that walking this old sitz bath tub could have been mine for just $1300. What do you mean it's not for soaking your feet?! Hehe!

They will be there today and tomorrow. If you are close go find your own treasures.

Hunt Valley Review 2013

There was a great turnout for the show. Tables dressed for the holidays and many artists were in costume.


I was dressed as Scrooge. Penny French dressed as Marley won collector choice for best costume and best table decorations.


Snowman by Art Rogers


Candy Cannavino in costume at her table.


Bears by Ingrid Schmid.



My table at the show. Well part if it hehe!

Next years show will be November 9, 2014 next year! Make your plans to attend.

Veterans Day 2013

No pretty picture to post. Some people find who they are when they enter the service and find who they don't want to be. Families are made stronger and some are torn apart under the weight of their service.
Yet when they are called they leave all they hold dear and put life, limbs, mind on the line in the belief that they are protecting that this is good and right and fair and worth protecting. They do their job to the best of their abilities.

So when do we do ours? If we really want to thank them, saluting them, clapping and parades are not enough. Give them a proper pay for their service, give them the mental and physical health care they need. Don't lock their families out of their benefits on a loophole just because you can. They did the right thing, they served no matter what it cost them, can't we do the right thing no matter what it costs us? Let's really thank a veteran this year!

To my husband, and all the men and women who have served I humbly and gratefully say thank you for your service.


From the bears and me:0)

Hunt Valley Show

This is one of the bears that will be at the show. Brand new pattern.


And this is a new series if angels that I will have available too!
Which is why you haven't heard from me, busy with new designs and getting ready for the show which is on Sunday at the Embassy suites Hotel in Hunt Valley. Sure hope you will come by and join all the fun! I will be in costume hehe! So will a lot of us artists. Ah well back to packing :).

Spirits of Sanford review

Went to the 5th Spirits of Sanford art show today that is put on by the Jeanine Taylor Art Gallery.


This is who met you at the entrance! Set the tone for the wonderful artwork inside.


Art Rogers was there from Missouri with these fun pieces and the ones below.


Just love that big pumpkin character, such a great face.


This piece is by Jorge De Rojas from Florida who was very delightful to speak to and very imaginative.


I bought this vegetarian character from him and day it on my sewing machine when I got home do it can watch mr work lol ! There were little vegetable character baskets too that held candle votives , electric of course.

Other wonderful artists were, Carly Smith (Florida )
Iva Wilcox (Florida )
Debbie George (Indiana )
Mary Bell (Florida )
Robert Brawley ( North Carolina )
Dani Nelson (New Jersey )
Jamie Moore (Kansas)
Minnie Brocco (Florida $
Adriana Esqueda (Texas )
Margo Nochese (New York )
Kim Brown (Florida )
Melissa Menzer (Florida )

These artists presented work that put a smile on your face and lots of people went home happy with their artwork.

If you get the chance try to attend next year. They even have a preview party and reception the night before the show!

Hmmm..... I should have taken more pictures lol! Guess you'll just have to go yourself! Hehe.

September 11 Remember

New York a place people from all over the county gravitate to and people from all over the world congregate.

And despite the events and because of the events of 9/11 it and we still stand and the lights burn bright, the memories hold strong.

Blessings on us all as we continue forward.


From the bears and me:0)

Left out

My apologies to artist,Judy Eppolito who was also a winner in the gallery exhibition at TBAI this year in the 8" and under category. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of her wonderful bear and she was left off the list of winners. Congratulations Judy!


From the bears and me:0)

TBAI 2013, part two

Waiting to see gallery pieces.


The line is always long!


Dessert at Fridays Feast!


Gallery winner Cindy Malchoff


Winner, Cindy Cannivino


Winner, Stevi T, who was also overall artist winner for the TOBY awards.


Winner Sue Van Natton


Winner, Katherine Hallam, who also won a TOBY award.


My fox


My wolf and a leery hare.


Me at my table.

The show was great fun. Behind the scenes we had secret service staying at the same hotel(President Obama was in town for a speech) and Mike and Frank of the American Pickers tv show also stayed in our hotel!

But we managed to enjoy great friends and great bears in the midst of everything going on. Lots if bears found good homes. First time to the show artist Lynn Bowie from Scotland sold out quickly as did Katherine Hallam.

The art of these bears just keeps getting better. Next year is the 20th anniversary ! The theme is Rear View Mirror...looking back on themes past. What a celebration it's going to be, will you be there?!

Calling all past artists and attendees, this is the time to come home, see family, friends and rock this celebration. I will be looking for you!

TBAI 2013 Review

Well finally had some down time to let you know how the show went.


Just imagine...the stage


Penny French, just ducky!


Enjoying the reception.


My class on making slippers





All the bears went home with new slippers. Everyone did such a good job.


On Stevi T table


On Diana Ursurry table


On Cindy McGuire table.

Part two coming up!

TBAI this Weekend!

I'm not ready!


Bears not packed and I am still working, like on this one who has no eyes or detailing yet. There are button holes to be made, things to be dressed ... So just another rush for a show lol!
Will give a review later.

Sorry to say only two people guessed (wrong hehe) about what I was making on my last post. So will have to wait to try to give a surprise to someone a other time. :( Guess I should have said it was a give away.

Back to work, I'm out of here in the morning. Hope to see many of you at the show!

Working, Honest!

It's been awhile I know. But I have been busy. Went to Atlanta, saw my daughter run the Peachtree road race on July the fourth. Was gone two weeks. But I've been busy working on orders and new pieces. Yes at the same time!


Guess what this piece is going to be. I will have a surprise for the first person to guess it and no daughter you don't get to guess or tell, lol!
Well back to work, I will let you know who gets it right first. Ah, summer fun. Heh heh.

Happy Fathers Day 2013

That's me on the left, my Dad and my sister Gaye on the right. A rare picture of us with our dad. I have one of my sister Tamara with him, but don't think there is one if my brother with him.

Some families just didn't take a lot of pictures back then. A shame. So it's very nice to look back on this photo though I don't need it to remember him.

He loved his grandkids very much, they made him smile all the time. And he had a great smile.

I loved my dad, still do, he died of Parkinson's when my daughter was two and my son not a year old. He only saw a photo of him.

He could be a silly man, making the car dance at stop lights ! Or very serious when talking about how We should conduct ourselves.

He is always missed. God bless the fathers, the dads, that do their best, that miss the mark, that are there, that want to be there, that wouldn't be anywhere else. Happy Fathers Day.

And thanks to the men that step up to fill that position where needed!

Memorial Day 2013

Thank you and bless the men and women that serve, have served and died serving this country. You are not forgotten. Your sacrifices are not forgotten. And our freedoms because of you, your service, will never be forgotten. Thank you all. And bless all those that are missing their loved ones, friends, family members.