Christmas Craftsaganza already?!




IT's here again, Christmas. WHAT? seriously, i don't know where the time has gone - it's speeding up, or i am blacking out or perhaps some universal mystery is playing tricks on me.  I love to make things and have lots and lots of ideas....i think i can pull off each and every one of them in extremely unrealistic time frames.
I go for it....and whatever gets made is what makes it to fair.
lots of exciting things are happening in my life - so busy , as you've all gathered, that i don't even post anymore! i've been off the farm more than ever - not here, at my desk, in the kitchen, wandering the countryside. i miss that but times a flyin' so i've got to strike while the iron is hot! Art shows in other towns, products created at other's studios...oh, and then those kids! ;) sports, sports, sports, homework, field trips, volunteering, meetings...yikes!
anyhoo, I miss communicating with you gals, across the ethers, my fine feathered kindred spirits.
come back, come back! xoxo


Tis the Season!

to look for these guys under the great pine

and wishing Santa brought fine handpainted toys such as these

Add caption

Keeping busy crafting gnome villages in a friend's shop window

while planning a party by candlelight

i ask myself " why this lazy looking cow?"

as the good old troll laughs

"because you are still 8" he says barely chuckling out the words

Grandfather Stag agrees with a hmmphh!

as i fish some for some hidden memory

of being little myself

when Christmas was so wonderfully exciting.

Still working on that!

xo milady

ps Merry Christmas!!

pss all images (except for my friend) where plucked off the web. Please forgive me!

Let The Festivities Begin!

In an effort to whip up some holiday delight

I made up a plan to craft up some light

with hot chocolate smiles old new years' glory

I waved my snowflake wand and told them a story

about light in darkness and a wish for an answer in snow

They all took off into the darkness while i yelled NO!
(or rather, wait for me!!!)

Some stayed up late like this darling little boy




while others were tuckered out from eating the carpet
instead of his chew toy.



























And then the most magical thing of all...when we returned to add our paper lanterns to the fire, it started to snow! Just like we desired. :)





This little boot construction makes me smile.


Cheers!
xo milady
           

New Productions Debut!


Another show under my belt.
This one made me focus on Christmas waaaay before i'm used to.
Glad though, because you know, it's my favorite!
It's a full on craftstravaganza around here.
And that makes me happy.
Have a look at my goodies

Vintage Swedish tart tins

begged for a little glass and sparkle and a tiny little painting


to then be hung Mardi Gras style on wispy flocked branches

with bleeding hearts and crocheted pearls

royal birds and doves offering olive branches

crisp tea and finger towels ready for guests

next to  some of the old stock awaiting to be discovered by choosey fingers


while the new, and i must say, handsome art blocks await their new homes patiently.
not one sold.

So strange to guess what people you don't know would like to buy. It's such a gamble, these shows. But exposure and momentum have their own.

Tomorrow i will reveal Milady's jewels and a surprise!

Now, off to feed the horses, looks like snow and the husband is still housebound recovering from knee surgery.
I am the one woman wonder at this farm...the Art Farm!

xo milady


The Heart of Childhood

Its Christmas Eve day ...things are changing around here.   My children are growing up and the sparkle becomes harder to polish  We are moving into an age  of understanding, deepening the faith in things unseen, realizing that we make our own magic.  But they aren't totally grown up, just on the verge of dashing their hopes because of some dumb kid at school who hasn't had the pleasure of knowing the true tummy tickling spirit of Christmas.  I read the classic story "Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus" to the boys lastnight.  The real article that inpsired the whole thing spoke louder than ever this year. Whats life without a little mystery and magic? Whats life when growing up means you know all your stuff comes from China? A big grown up sad one.
Here's to the kid in all of us...Santa lives!...making glad the heart of childhood.

XO enjoy the spirit of giving and receiving.
       Love and Blessings
Milady - yep thats me on the left!

p.s. my kids and I agree that is the REAL Santa in this pic. :)

p.s.s. and just cos its hilarious , an e card of us

The Pile and the Glow

see the advent "tree?"
we had our party this weekend. christmas doesn't seem complete without a house full with lots of food and children running about - not to mention the motivation to finish painting walls and clean the floors.
I suddenly become Scandinavian during this time which makes me so happy.
meaning, all things elvish and vintage white come out and wrap the house with a big hug from Carl Larson.
I bring out all MY toys.
 and while i happily glitter and glow, the advent pile just grows and grows...
As we desperately await the long overdue snow.
This is totally unacceptable for Colorado mountains.

 But the Cheer was on full blast as we gathered to watch the teenagers do the "robot" in front of the fire
and stuffed ourselves silly with delectable food from my dear friends i so admire!

I promise...advent will be done by Christmas...so come back for a big "present" from me!

XO milady

I'm Dreaming of a ....

Halloween...check. October...check. I'm a little groggy from being a Goth Hannah Montana ( husband was Goth Billy Rae complete with saggy wide legger pants with tons of chains on them) lastnight but am finding comfort in surfing etsy for cute weird little things like this to get me in the Christmas spirit. Anyone who knows me knows it don't take much. I think this little pinecone elf ornament is a possibility for myself and the chittles. Mom, don't look!
have a lovely Sunday.
Milady