A Walk in the Woods...

Complete with a bug (euh), these beautiful white wild flowers are everywhere in our woods. Just taking a photo of one alone can make the best shot, but this clump was too full to resist.

This is a viola (which grow everywhere on our property up north in various color combinations), that illustrates just how much pollen was in the air. Sinus headache, anyone?

Also in the woods, was a wild iris similar to the domestic one I've pictured in a previous blog. What is that creature checking it out?!












As soon as our hobby farm sells in IL, my husband Mike, my doxie "Teddy", and me will be moving up to the woods of WI where I took these pictures. Right now, I'm traveling back and forth with my developing creations for Poladora (my sooner-than-you-think-to-open Etsy boutique), which is not all that fun! Some things are in IL - some things are in WI - the piece/part/supply I need is always in the opposite place that I am in...I know, I know, I'm whining.

But, it's all good. Until next time...

A Glimpse Now & Then...

Of the type of work I do and a few sneak peaks will be coming your way as I ready myself for going full-time to my Etsy shop Poladora.

One of the things I enjoy most about my design work, is that I have a rare diversity in the different mediums I can use. For example, I really enjoy mixing mediums you wouldn't normally think to put together in one project. How about a one-off hanging quilt that combines hand and machine quilting, along with all pure cottons in both batting and fabric, with a touch of hand embroidery and hand beading? I'm currently working on such a project called "Veggie Pizza". Of course, all of my works of art are named. That way, when you adopt one of my creations, you'll have a name for something you can think of as something you'll be giving a good home to. It's very important to me that the people who purchase my art enjoy them as much, if not more, than I do. And I promise you, I will not create or offer anything for sale that I do not love myself.

Custom work is my favorite and I can do anything from create jewelry to match an outfit (I do weddings), bead a jacket or piece you already own to add pizzazz, or create the custom pieces of the SISSY line.

More on the Poladora to come...

Take Care - and smile. There must be something that is a blessing in your life.

More Peonies!...

Be patient with me...I couldn't wait to get out and take a photo of the first peonies. Well now, we've got different colors (yes, I should have waited). I can't help ,myself - I just gotta share!

I know the first one is a little dark but thats how I found it this morning and I wanted to get it in its natural light.

Notice the ant is still hard at work - probably trying to find nectar now...

Next time, more about Poladora, logos, sneak peeks and more...

Just playing with the camera...

This is the inside of an iris I inherited with my property. This is courtesy of a "camera 101" lesson from my daughter Jen.

Thanks Jen!

Ahhhh...Peonies!

Everything happens in an order when you have four seasons. Peonies are now beginning to open. And, the ants are working hard to help them open!

More Iris...

Rain usually "melts" iris blooms - but not in this case. I was lucky enough to get this shot right after it stopped raining.

Ahhhhhh, summer...

What you CAN Expect...

The birth of a logo...soon. I've been working with a dear friend of mine and her colleague in business (they too, are dear friends), on the look I want for Poladora, my new Etsy shop. It's been a complicated project because Poladora actually has three different boutiques within it.

The first little boutique is called S.I.S.S.Y. and will be primarily custom work on an as-ordered basis. I'll list different items, their purpose, and price points on the site. The waiting time will be 4 to 6 weeks. From time to time, I will make something that I am inspired to create within the SISSY family and offer it up for sale on a buy-it-now basis.
SISSY stands for Sensory and Immune System Stimulating Yarns. After much research, the publication of numerous studies through the news outlets, and plain old grandmotherly wisdom, I've come to the conclusion that our kids today are not being exposed to enough germs to allow them to build healthy immune systems during the ages of birth through seven - which is when this typically occurs. With the explosion of childhood illnesses such as ashma, multiple allergies, and worse, I am convinced that earlier exposure to some "normal" environmental fibers can only help.

SISSY products will typically be made of every natural and synthetic fiber I can get my hands on (from all over the world), in the color combination that you order. (You pick the color palette, I get to design it.) With a line of approximately 8 different products from birth through adulthood, SISSY's primary item will be the "SISSY Smart Start", Tummy-Time Play Blanket. This blanket will be meant for use on the floor, used by the baby for tummy time play (with sensory and motor skill stimulation), shared by the entire family (including the pets), and seldom washed. That's right - seldom washed.

I'm not a doctor (and, I don't play one on TV), but I do have kids and grandkids - lots. I've read the studies, I've heard the reports, I've seen it first-hand. But the bottom line is that I'm simply using my grandmotherly intuition and offering up something my own friends and family children have thrived on. It is patent-pending but comes with no medical guarantees. I do guarantee the feeling of a soft, cuddly piece of learning and stimulation that you can enjoy watching your little one (or big one), grow up with.
Remember..."I'm a SISSY so you don't have to be." And, no two SISSYs are alike...


More on SISSY and the other two "boutiques" as we go...


Have a wonderful weekend. Do something fun!