When Amanda was about 2 years old I gave her a Gingerbread Man. She was delighted and asked for another "Ginger Boy". So in our house this is how we refer to these yummy Christmas must haves.
Here is this year's collection of ginger boys and girls....ginger babies, hearts and stars! xo
While I was waiting for little Liam to be born.....he was 2 weeks later than we expected him.....
I was helping my dear friend and designer Stephanie Ryan, whose first line of beautiful fabrics were about to be previewed to the public. MODA is the manufacturer......and they were unveiling Steph's maginficent collection of fabric at the International Quilt Fair in Houston.
Stephanie asked me to come up with some "projects" to show folks how her fabrics could be used.
So we talked .......and then I drew and sewed .....and this is some what happened!
Funny longlegged dolls and bird mobile (it's hanging in Liam's room now!)
It's one of my New Year's resolutions to better keep up with my blog......and there has been a lot going on......in the studio and in my life.
The most exciting thing was the birth of my first grandchild. Liam Harrison Clancy was born on November 12, 2012 in Sleepy Hollow, New York. ( Sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale...right?)
Liam was born to my beautiful daughter Amanda and her wonderful husband, Steve.
I am over the moon! And when he can speak he will call me Zaza!
It's a real Santa's workshop in my studio this week! I am creating a new collection of Christmas Stockings....just in time for Santa's arrival!
It's so much fun to play with the felt....the colors.....the texture!
The Peony design is inspired by my table linen designs.....pieced and appliqued.....so fun to see it in 3D!
The Little Red Birds with holly leaves.....was a joy to make......love those little birds!
And.......as always......I add pom poms to everything.......xo
I am very excited to announce my new hand painted pillows......to the public. I have been creating them for many years for friends and family......as gifts and love tokens.
Now,
I have decided to share them with the world......after many many requests.
These pillows are the combination of my two greatest loves.......my painting and my gardens.
So here they are......all adorned with my favorite pompom fringe!!
" Bring the garden inside"!
You can see my new creations on my Etsy site
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolMaguire?ref=si_shop
I hope they make you smile!
xo
This weekend we ran a booth at the Vermont Flower Show in Essex, Vermont. This was our first show like this. We had a great time, and met lots of happy folks!
There were flowers everywhere. Seminars and workshops were going on all weekend on topics ranging from saving your own seeds to canning and preserving your harvest.
Folks stood in line to walk through the big display, featuring a larger-than-life birds nest, a hobbit's home, and of course - lots of flowers!
Our booth was next to the Vermont Natural Ag Products group, makers of the famous "Moo Doo" compost.
Our bestseller at the show was our Sunflower Persimmon Totebag...I think folks were looking forward to spring!
And the best part of the whole show? We were all in denial, avoiding the blizzard going on outside...
Lucky us! Looking forward to Spring, a little more greenery and a little less snow...
xo
What a busy day! I got up.....went swimming..... then to the market for some new painting "inspiration".....a lovely bunch of daffodils. Went to the studio, set up my painting.......I sat down and painted away!
I ate lunch, showered, changed and headed down to visit one of my galleries, the Somerville Manning Gallery in Delaware. Raced back from the gallery to finish my painting.
I was so thirsty.....ran back to the kitchen for a glass of water....grabbed a glass......but then I spied a full glass of water on the counter.....so as not to waste a glass of water.....I grabbed it and gulped it down.....the whole thing. It left a funny taste in my mouth.....what was that taste? It was familiar.....oh no......it was daffodil! What? How did that happen?
Oh, now I remember....when I returned home from the store I put my daffodils in water before I arranged them. In a drinking glass? Yes, I did.
I did a quick google search. "Are daffodils poisonous". Yikes. They are. There was lots of information. The bulbs are the most dangerous.....both the stems and flowers are too.
But what about the water? I soon found out. My stomach started rumbling, followed by a sharp pain and an emergency run to the bathroom. I felt like a small child.......on the floor thowing up. I felt terrible but it was amazing to think of my body's natural reaction to get it out of me!
So, there you go......a word to the wise......Don't Drink Daffodil Water!
P.S. I feel fine now!
On a recent trip to Italy I noticed that all of the curtain panels in the house we stayed in were suspended from the curtain rods with clips attached to rings. So I thought......What a good idea! When I got home I went to my local Bed, Bath and Beyond......and voila......there are many styles and sizes of these gizmos. I bought a couple of sets and......
One hour later I had turned my Persimmon Sunflower Tablecloth into a beautiful curtain!
!
And then I added the chair I upholstered in the Oaisis Hydrangea.....I love these two patterns together
The blues and the oranges make a vibrant combination.
And then I played with the Peony Fern......first as curtains.....
And then the napkin stretched in a shadow box......the perfect addition to this grouping in my dining room!
Stay tuned......I am not finished yet! xo
Last weekend, Amanda ran a Carol Maguire Home booth at the Richmond Holiday Market in her hometown in Vermont. Her friend Caitlin (also a redhead) helped her staff the booth, and they met lots of wonderful people!
Our booth at the market.
Caitlin (left) and Amanda (right) smiling at the booth.
The big man, himself, showed up for a few hours - and the little ones lined up for hours just to have a few moments with the magical Santa Claus! The pictures are a little blurry because - as you may know - Santa is very elusive!
There were also sleigh rides, courtesy of Santa's stable. Bake sale yummies were being sold, and wreaths by the boy scouts - it was a true small town holiday event!
Some folks brought their plates to figure out which tablecloth they wanted...and decided that the Peony Fern tablecloth was the best choice.
Caitlin modeled yet another way "how to wear a scarf"...wearing the sunflower persimmon scarf!
And can't forget the Camel's Hump Middle School select choir that serenaded the shoppers with carols!
It was a positively magical day, filled with happy shoppers and lots of holiday cheer! Can't wait to do it all over again next year! Happy Holidays! xo
