Lemuel is on his way to his new home today. He was sold on EBAY on Sunday night. He'll be joining his brother, Leonard, and the Santa holding the Hitty doll - all purchased by the same wonderful customer. I am trying to finish a patriotic Santa but his top hat is still in the design process - so I'm not sure how far I'll get with him before Christmas.
We are also working on getting the ground prepared for a storage barn that will be delivered in a few weeks. DH bought himself a garden tractor in the spring and needed a place to store it and all of its accessories. Here is where we are so far - the area is cleared of brush and sand is being spread. We need to start stacking the firewood that was just delivered, too. Too many chores! 
Storage Barn Progress Shot
This week’s theme was to post something from our stash for which we are thankful. I am grateful to have my mom’s old sewing box (rescued from my sister’s garage). It is full of old seam tape, rickrack, elastic and wonderful memories of my mom’s creativity. This little package of labels was in there, too (they say “Specially Handmade by Marjorie”). I remember when she ordered these from a magazine ad and how excited she was when they arrived. That had to be over forty years ago… 
DH and I have been vegetarians since our late twenties – that’s a lot of tofu, believe me. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the day with Stouffer’s Vegetable Lasagna (it’s tradition!) and a salad – and we will watch one of our all-time favorite movies, “Bernard and the Genie.” I can’t wait…
Father Christmas and Hitty were sold to a very lovely person on EBAY. Father Christmas was the only new doll I added to my Just Clauses web site this season. I had another one “brewing” but just didn’t get to it – the prim Santas took much more time than I thought they would. 
Father Christmas &Hitty
I finished my latest Santa, Lemuel, yesterday. His name means "devoted to God" in Hebrew. He is dressed in a gorgeous vintage drapery fabric given to me by my friend (and neighbor), Linda. I made him a tabard from a tea-stained vintage lace doily. A very old piece of bronzy gold seam tape ties front to back. His hat is trimmed with a vintage scrap of lace, a twinkle button and tassel. I added two antique black glass and gold (they may actually be real jet) buttons to his sleeves. He is holding a darling little prayer book (copyright 1936) with beautiful illustrations called The Little Keys to Heaven. 
Today, I need to really get down to some serious work on two brochures (in a rush, of course) from a major account. I hate it when work interferes with my play time...
This week someone suggested that we post something funny from our stashes or abandoned projects that we were gung ho on at one time. Years ago, I made a chicken doll from Miriam Gourley’s charming book, WHIMSICAL ANIMALS. I added long eyelashes in turkey (turkey?!) work. I was so delighted with it, I must have decided to go into the poultry business!!! What in the world was I thinking??? Here are three – and I know there are more around somewhere! I even made little dresses for them…sheesh…
No One Here But Us Chickens...
The temperatures remain mild (currently 70 degrees) – but more seasonably cold weather is predicted for tonight. Here is a large furry spider photographed on the front step the other day. I believe this is a forest wolf spider (Lyosa gulosa). The female carries her babies on her back until they can fend for themselves. 
Forest Wolf Spider
Zale was auctioned on EBAY Sunday night.
And I just listed my latest Santa from my Just Clauses site. I finished him last night and got him photographed this afternoon. He is holding my interpretation of a cloth Hitty doll (June archives). She can be removed from his arms for dollhouse visits. Here she is in her holiday dress...
This was the latest addition to my stash (a piece of kona cotton that I painted to use as a base for a monoprinting technique) - 
until I shopped at Michael’s on Saturday and bought this piece of (coordinating?) fabric for $1.00! 
The temperature has been unseasonably warm but the ground is littered with dead leaves – my favorite subjects for drawing… 
Nature Journal Sketch: Dead Oak Leaves
"Dockside Santa" sold on EBAY tonight. Here is a close-up view of his face which was needle sculpted on muslin, painted, antiqued and varnished. 
"Dockside Santa" (Close-up)
It's Stash Sunday time again! Here is my favorite piece of old lace. I believe this is point de Venise needle lace. All outlining of motifs and connecting brides are made entirely of buttonhole stitches. I bought this piece around twenty years ago at an antique show for just a few dollars with the intention of framing it. It has some rust marks and a broken bride but I still love it. 
Old Lace
It was just another gorgeous, sunny autumn day. The rest of the week will be the same - lots of sunshine with above average temperatures...
We found this little guy in the foundation plantings this afternoon - haven't been able to identify him. He is about two inches long.
Unidentified Bug
Leonard was sold at auction Sunday night and shipped off to his new home yesterday. Selling on EBAY has been a very pleasant experience and I'm meeting some awfully nice people. I am still working on two more Santas to add to my Shanty Claus site. Can you believe it is already November 1st? My Christmas trees go up Thanksgiving Day, that's the 24th… 
Leonard
