The Farmers Market

Yesterday Jon and I did a Holiday Craft show that was combined with the last day of the Farmers Market downtown in Bloomington. I was pleasantly reminded of the goodness this magical town holds. It is like no other when it comes to people meeting and greeting and authenticity.
We saw lots of people.
Smiles from strangers.
Holiday cheer!
The chilly weather had everyone donning coats, hats and gloves. There were horse drawn rides, holiday music, tuba Santa's, stop action models recreating holiday scenes, chestnuts on open fire pits, lots of greenery and home made wreaths, wonderful handmade crafts, a reindeer petting zoo, vegetables, honey, wool, and herbs being sold. People danced and sang to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and for a few brief hours, all seemed right with the world.

We sold lots of our Obama ornaments. Just having these out strikes up communication with like-minded supporters.
The desire for change is so apparent and the hope this Presidency offers is exactly what this country needs right now.

So once again, I (shamelessly) plug my Obama ornaments. Available on my etsy shop for 6.00 each or free shipping if you buy any six of my ornaments. Mix and match! Click on Obama's face to the right ---------------->>>>>>>>>>>

Here's to hope.
Here's to change.
Here's to supporting artists who make their livelihood from selling what we make.

Please support American made art and fine craft this holiday season.
The thoughtful nature of buying handmade and helping an artist, is a gift that translates volumes
when the gift is opened by the recipient.
It's a return to basic values that are simple.
America began by invention and making things.
Let's return to that spirit!!

Patricia


.

•• Baxter ••

A few weeks ago, Jon and I were ending a long day in our studio - our usual routine prior to a getting ready for a show. Working till midnight and dragging ourselves up the star-lit driveway. There could certainly be worse commutes. On this particular evening, we were met by a small 'galloping' tiger. He came running towards us. He fell at our feet, rolled and did the 'cute thing' extraordinarily well. Within minutes we decided we could make a box house for him by the back door near the spa. Within a few more minutes, he had a name.
Baxter.
It fit him well! He spent the night in the box and met us the following morning. After verifying he had no real home, he had one now! He's been living in our studio ever since! He'll be there until we can afford taking him to the vet. The weather here has turned to winter and it's cold. We've had several freezing nights. He has 3 'brothers' waiting to meet him inside ....hopefully with open hearts and warm paws.

Sometimes you don't expect goodness like this to arrive so unexpectedly on your doorstep.
Sometimes you don't know how much you love a little kitty until they arrive and suck you into their simple world.
Sometimes, you look into an animals eyes and realize you have given them a home at the same time they have
made you feel safe just by smelling their head or enjoying the fact they love so unconditionally.
Sometimes you don't know what you need until it jumps right in front of you!

Each day he greets us with hugs and meows and is the most affectionate little cashmere-coated- pajama-clad
tiger............a 'stray' who needed us as much as we needed him.

This is Thanksgiving!

You never know when you meet someone what they are going through.
We're all going through something.

Abundant blessings~
Patricia

Southwest Pattern Box

★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Southwest Pattern Box ! This beautiful box has a wonderful old world look. It's emblazoned with patterns and symbols of long ago. It's accented with stunning cream trim atop chocolatey brown feet. The top opens by way of a sliding lid which allows for full access. Inside, the bottom is lined with wonderful black velvet. Box is 6" wide x 7.5" deep x 6" high. A great gift for a man or woman.
Trinkets and treasures could find this to be a nice home.



On my etsy site for 60.00.

Patricia

Field Trip to Space and Beyond!

I went on a field trip in grade school to a planetarium. Little did I know when I went on this trip I would be exposed to some of the most powerful words I would come to live by. The dome of the planetarium went dark and stars appeared. Powerful music thundered overhead. The Desiderata was read aloud in combination with a great soundtrack. In the course of that hour the narration explained galaxies and constellations. To the ancient mariner these were their compass. To me the words became a metaphor of how to live. My compass of inner direction. I have never forgotten their power and importance and certain sections of this magnificent manuscript resonate deeper the older I get and the more my life takes the twists and turns it does.
I was about 10 when I first heard this and 38 years later it is the most beloved of poems I enjoy.

A portion of the verse is on my Butterfly Box shown here. I hope you enjoy both of these pieces on this cold sunny Sunday.

Blessings~
Pat



DESIDERATA

by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


Patricia

Chocolate Lovers Box

★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Chocolate Lovers Box ! Mounted atop this cute colorful box is a selection of primary colored faux m&m's. Each sensuous foot is painted a different primary color and graced with fun black fringe!
Also on the box: "With all my dietary restrictions, I'm left with water and lipstick"

This is a box you may want to hug!!! Trust me!!

The top opens by way of a sliding lid which allows for full access. Inside, the bottom is lined with wonderful black velvet. Box is 4 3/8" wide x 8" deep x 5 5/4" high. Lots of fun images on this "sweet" box. Emblazoned with kisses, ice-cream cones, spoons, strawberries, ice cream bars and things that can be dipped or indulged in with chocolate! Bright purple trim and spirals adorn the top along with this important survival message:

•• Chocolate Lovers Survival Kit ••

At the first sign of anger
eat a RED one.
Eat a BLUE one to
minimize depression
To relieve stress,
eat a GREEN one.
If you feel a headache
coming on,
eat an ORANGE one.
To cheer you up
Eat a YELLOW one.
You can eat the BROWN
ones at any time.
If all symptoms occur a
at the same time
EAT THE WHOLE BAG!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This box is on my etsy.com site
and sells for 50.00. A smaller version is also
available one my etsy site as well.

If you have an m&m or chocolate lover in your midst,
this may be the perfect gift for them!
This is a MUST HAVE box for the inner child who lives within us all!!!


Santa knows how to find me and now you do too!!


Patricia

Cleveland - By Hand Booth #216

Tonight I blog with a certain feeling of exhilaration! After many months of stamping and sanding, what I show you here tonight is my very first booth showing my TattooDreams work. It all came together!! I'm at the IX Center in Cleveland doing the By Hand show. After showing fine art for 24 years, showing a line of craft is completely different. For one thing, when I show my fine art, I hang every piece I bring. With this work, I have many pieces tucked away..............I begin to wonder........did I show the 'right' ones..........too much second guessing.......you just have to carefully display enough work to make for a visually exciting booth. I did this with the wonderful assistance of my husband Jon. He built display racks for my ornaments and shelves to showcase my dream boxes. Friends having never seen this body of work did a double take wondering what we were doing with this work and not what they have come to know us for. That part was fun!
The show runs two more days. The weather here in Cleveland will turn colder tomorrow and there may be light snow in the forecast........it's beginning to look a lot like winter!

If you're in the gift giving spirit, please think about Tattoo Dreams and talk to Santa...........he knows where to find me!
http://www.tattoodreams.etsy.com
Happy weekend and to all a good night!


Patricia

••• Temptation •••

Okay, here's a tease......
Today I'm featuring my Chocolate Lovers Survival Box!
(not available on etsy!)
This is the cutest little box embellished with faux-m&m's, a sliding lid and
darling multi-colored feet! Perfect for any chocolate lover.
4 1/4" x 5 1/2" x 6 1/2"

On the top:
Chocolate Lovers Survival Kit

At the first sign of anger
eat a RED one.
Eat a BLUE one to
minimize depression
To relieve stress,
eat a GREEN one.
If you feel a headache
coming on,
eat an ORANGE one.
To cheer you up
Eat a YELLOW one.
You can eat the BROWN
ones at any time.
If all symptoms occur a
at the same time
EAT THE WHOLE BAG!



I'm taking this little gem to:
Cleveland By Hand
I-X Center, Cleveland
November 14, 15 & 16, 2008

http://byhandevents.com/

This box and about 60 others along with tables, gourds, crosses
hearts with wings, angels, maniquins, holiday ornaments and other TattooDreams ephemera
will be in my booth, #216.

Come by and say hi! Admission is FREE!
This box will set you back lots of laughter and $55.00

Patricia

Yessssssss

YES WE DID!

The eyes of the world were watching.
Waiting to see if we did the right thing - this time around.
We did!
As Charlie Gibson waited till just after the polls in the west closed and
quietly looked up and declared Barack Obama the winner, I cried.
No, actually, I sobbed.
I have hope and my vote counted.
It never felt so good as to cast my vote for Obama yesterday!
It was a clear and thundering victory!
This country has the opportunity to return to the honor and prominence it once had.
To be admired not joked about.
To be whole and not fractured.
As Obama said, we have placed our hand on the ark of history......
Oh to have been in Grant Park last night............
I woke up today, slightly hung over, but with hope.
A feeling I have not had in a very long time.
For all who have felt cast aside,
this is your moment.
For all who felt like less than equal,
this is your moment.
For all who had lost hope America would ever begin to heal,
this is your moment.
For Barack and Michele Obama and Joe and Jill Biden,
you have all worked so hard and sacrificed so much,
this is your moment.
May you shine!

I'm tired, but proud to be an American!!!!!!!!!!

Patricia

YES WE CAN!!!

Go VOTE!!!
Let's take our country back!!!!!

Patricia