Spring in it's glory!!

This has been a beautiful sunny Iowa day--warm and sometimes sunny! ( I just heard our high was 86º!). The trees are beginning to look a little "pregnant" with their buds expanding. It's good here, but I'm sorry some other parts of the country are having bad weather.

I have one more day to have the use of both arms until my right arm heals after the rotator cuff and bone spur surgery on Tuesday the 5th. I think I'm pretty well prepared, but there are obvious problems ahead as I deal with the use of my non-
dominant hand. I've had time to plan ahead a little about meal prep, and pre-signing checks, getting very large shirts, and my left-handed mouse practice is actually helpful!

My family has laid plans for helping me, including Katie arriving from PA!! I feel well looked after, and with a competent surgeon I trust all will be well.

A few of you have visited with me about Driftwood Rabbits, as Easter approaches. I just took a photo of the ones that are left as of today. Feel free to come over and check them out.

With thoughts of Easter coming, I was inspired this morning, to take a photo of the Cross and Spire at St. Andrew's which I'm happy to share with you.

Thank you all for your prayers and concern, and your offers of help!

I"ll check back with you soon.

So till later...........
Marge

Spring....You're here!! Come out, come out!

These chilly days, as we approach the end of March, are OK as long as we remember there have already been some warm days, and to remind ourselves that we have lots of nice days ahead. And......... the sun is shining on and off today to remind us it's still there waiting to come out !!!

I've been trying to finish up some folk art projects, and to get as much ready for next week after I have surgery on my RIGHT shoulder. I've heard enough stories about the healing process that I'm trying to prepare mentally as well as practically. I'm hoping I'll at least have my fingers to use for bracing or balancing against. I'm blessed with thoughtful children who will be here to help with my recovery. Katie is even coming from PA for a week of 'in-home' care!

This week I let my beloved LIBERTY pontoon boat go to a new owner after having 25 good years of work and play on her. There's a lot of up-keep that was about to get ahead of me. It seems that a quarter century is a good milestone time to let her go. I have lots of good.. even GREAT memories of times shared with friends and lugging driftwood home so I could keep creating! Friends have been understanding in helping me decide to let go. I'm sure her new owner will be tender with her. AND I will still have kayaking days to look forward to! It IS possible to gather driftwood from a kayak!! And lots of pieces yet to be made!

That's enough with words. I wanted to show you what has happened with the rabbit population since I last posted here. Note how the last group of driftwood rabbits has some new 'friends' in their midst! They are all up for adoption if you want to inquire, feel free to e mail me at .

Lets keep looking for those sunny days, and enjoy each day till then.

Till later.........
Marge

A Spring Break!

It's been a long Winter! Signs of Spring are in the air this week, and I'm moved to get back here with you!

February was a sad time for the family. The children were all here to say farewell to their Dad, Bob Mable. He was a
fine father, and left his mark on us all in many ways.

The time for creating Driftwood Rabbits has begun, and I've made a few of them to date. I'm soon going to be
one-armed for awhile, with Rotator Cuff Surgery in April. It's my right arm, so I've been practicing doing such things
as using the mouse, combing my hair, writing, etc, with my left hand. Not good!! But I expect to survive the
"immobilization" and re-hab and be better than I have been for awhile.

So, I may decide to use lower case fonts and do less on the computer for awhile. I may even try painting
left-handed!! But I'm counting on kayaking this summer! And by the way. I'm about ready to put my pontoon boat, LIBERTY
on Craig's list, if you know anyone who needs a much loved boat!

The Spring Valley Junction Art Market will have be on hold for me this year in May, but I hope to do the Fall Show and the
Art on the Prairie Show in Perry in November. I also hope to have some pieces in The Peterson's Perry Art Galley on and off.
We artist's don't retire!!

Thanks for being patient and "stay tuned" for the next entry soon!!

Till Later.......
Marge

Another good year ahead!

Resolution # ?? for 2011 ? Spend more time here!

This is a good way to keep in touch, and I've been remiss
in keeping it up as I'd hoped.

Usually I spend part of winter by getting back to
paint and canvas. Not that I need any more paintings to
add to the years of paintings I've done and stored though
the years!!
My dream would be to frame and/or mat them all and
put them out there to be shared ....... seems like an over-
whelming project! Meanwhile I'll keep painting on paper,
canvas and driftwood or whatever is beneath my loaded
brush!

I'm going to post a painting or 2 here, to get me started.

Thanks for this visit!

Till later............
Marge

Advent: Nine Days and counting!

Today I was called on the carpet for letting so much time go by since writing on my blog. (And I deserved it!!!) So I would like to say hi and explain a little about the delay.

I enjoyed a couple of weeks visiting my family in MA and Vermont. They all managed to take time to get together one weekend, and we had such a good time. My Niece and Nephews, Bother and Sister-in Law are all leading interesting things and are great fun to be with.

When I got home, I had the Art on the Prairie show in Perry to prepare for. It was such a great show!! It was fun to visit with friend, old and new.

Artist-Daughter Betsy Peterson and her husband officially had the Grand Opening of their shop, just east of Perry on 141 on Nov, 20th, and I was with them to welcome folks Some of my Santas are in the shop. (First place after the radio station, going east)

I've been busy creating and have had folks come to the house to get their driftwood Santa. )Maybe I should have a Christmas Open House next year!??)

I have a "driftwood folkart" site on facebook, and that's had some activity recently.

In order to keep connected to you, I'm going to close for now, and promise to be back soon!

I hope all your Christmas preparations.......... in ALL areas of your life!!.......... are accomplishing what you HOPE for!

Till later...........
Marge

Sun Shine!

What a beautiful week we've had!!! It's been warm and sunny-- a welcome change from the very wet summer we've had!

The Valley Junction Art Market was mostly fun. Setting up and taking down is the hard part. The drizzly rain slowed down everyone. One of the best parts was seeing folks we hadn't seen since closing the FOLKART shop! Jill, Leyria and Jackie were so much help and moral support!! I would have had a difficult time trying to do the show alone, and was/am grateful for their help. It was an invigorating day!

After a much looked-forward to trip to visit family in New England, I look forward to doing a show at the HOTEL PATTEE, in Perry on November 13-14. The show,"Art on the Prairie", (see their website www.destination33.com/artonthe prairie ) promises to be special, with an interesting variety of artists. This is their first annual show, and I look forward meeting other artists, and hopefully meeting new and old friends and customers.

I also have santas, and lots of other pieces in Betsy and Eric's Perry shop, on Rt, 141, east of Perry. They are planning 2 open houses around each side of Thanksgiving, and they will have their newly and beautifully built shop open for these weekends.

These days of dry weather have given me time to get the boat ready to float again, and it's all snuggly covered, ready for Winter and perhaps, a new life with a new owner in the spring!??

Your inquiries are welcome, and I hope you will contact me by email or phone if you have special requests or ideas.

So till later........
Marge

Jumping into Fall!

It's been a busy, wet summer, and I've left this spot without writing for quite a while.
I sense Fall in the air today, as the leaves begin to cover the patio and trees turn a little color.
I've been keeping up with Santa-creating, but have added some new Fall pieces:
some driftwood scarecrows, as well as pumpkins, witches, loons and jack 0'lanterns.

Gathering driftwood has been difficult this year. The lake has been too high to get to
the wood, and I'm almost ashamed to admit, that I had enough collected from other years to get
by. Except for the wonderful opportunity I had early in the summer. A wedding reception
on the shore of the lake, provided a beautiful batch of wood, and I was blessed to have a
group of faithful friends help me fill the bags FULL!

Last week the Marina called to say my boat was listing to the starboard, and
investigating, proved there was a leak in the pontoon. It took 2 days to get it to the trailer,
drained, and back on dry land. And the generosity of a good friend who helped at every stage.
Boating is over for this year, and maybe for a long time. I may decide it's time to pass the
boat, LIBERTY, to a new owner. It's been part of my routine and pleasure and work for 25 years.

Facebook has provided a spot for setting up a sort of website. I"m using it these days
to let folks see what I will have at the Fall Valley Junction Art Market on September 19th, 10-5.
Maybe someone who hadn't known, would like to come and see all that will be there. I'm looking
forward to being on 5th Street again!

Please check out the spots set up to share the 2010 folkart pieces I've created to brighten
the busy days ahead.

Till later........
Marge