The Furminator...

"Maybe it will get me a treat...
I don't know what mum is up to~
She has that look in her eyes..."

"I tolerate her and I love her..."
a quote from my favorite pup

Our pup Valentine will be getting
a thorough brushing today with her new,
favorite---MEGA awesome brush
"The FURminator"
That's the real name!
This brush is amazing at taking out
the undercoat & reduce shedding.
LOVE my pup...but the tumbleweeds of
fur when the furnace clicks on...
Ughhh....
Thanks, Lisa! What would we do without
your vet-ability & rescue missions?

...she must know something is up...
She isn't following me around...
Tubby time, soon!

Valentine for Mom...

When my mom was here for a visit she loved
seeing my needle felts start as a puff
of beautiful wool...watching the step by step
details take shape after hours of
constant felted piercing~
A finished design would emerge!
She was amazed~

This one's for mom...she loves my painted birds
and enjoys seeing the songbirds at our feeders.
The pins make the design perfect for
Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day!

Do what you love...love what you do!
Unknown...

Love with all that you are...

Today...
Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Five...

I have binders...sketch books...journals...folders!
PILES of papers needing filing...
***sigh***
Up there with my kitty whiskers...
I can't throw paper "stuff" away!

I have found the easiest way for me
to store ephemera, postcards, how-to-pages
are archival clear sheets & clear pockets.
I put ring clips in the holes...easy enough to
add or remove pages....
When I'm looking through, the pages fold to
each other instead of a book/binder laying open.
Keep the pages in labeled boxes...

This may not look organized...
When I'm trying to think of colorways,
different design approaches,
I can spread some inspirational papers out
much like an interior designer putting a carpet
square next to the curtain fabric, paint swatches etc.

Sometimes...(for example)
A fresh idea pops into my head
simply from seeing a red polka dotted dress
with aqua blue base! Those colors would look SWEET
with some new designs I'm working on right now.

See the DEAR Pussy Willow branches postcard?
An elderly neighbor scolded me for trying to
grow a Pussy Willow tree here in our yard.
I'm semi-quiet & semi-gentle...but I dug my heals in
that my willow tree was gonna grow!

EVERY SPRING I am thrilled to cut fuzzy
branches and share them with friends...
When we moved here~ not many people had heard
of the sweet trees...they do tend to love moist soil.
Growing up they lined the
dirt road I considered my playground.
I planted mine down flow of one of our drain pipes.
:)

The little bunny head moves back n' forth
nodding, YES! YES! I do love you~

Valentine Four...

When people ask me,
"Who would you love to meet...
more than anyone else in this world."

I smile...and they HAVE TO ADD...
"A LIVING person!"
(I've shared my fondness of B. Potter)
I longingly respond...
Marjolein Bastin!

I've treasured her art & words
from the day she was introduced to America!
I have over 50 pages from Libelle Magazine
filled with GORGEOUS images...
It doesn't bother that they are
not written in English...words are not necessary.
A shelf in my studio is dedicated to her books,
journals, date books etc. I have a box of her
greeting cards~ during college they were
all that I could afford...I've selfishly kept them!

I have two prints of hers...
My favorite, an image with two wheel barrels,
"The garden is calling..."

Professors would have us researching famous
artists and have us describe what moved us
in their works, style, concepts, design etc.
I like some of the masters...but RELATE to MB.
We find beauty in the same things~

I love what I know.
I love what is directly in front of me.
Everyday moments that I LOVE to paint.
It is a joy to see the way Marjolein
brings nature to life!
Inspiring and treasured~

Valentine Three...

Valentine Two...

Valentine...

Sweet Valentine...

Treasured friendships...

I love life's journey.
When you think you have your day
planned and something wonderful (sometimes not)
pops in and turns your plans a little...but for the better.
Even difficult events can affect us in
a positive way if we're willing to hope and trust.

When we meet people along the way
that impact us...stick out...share heart strings!
Diane Knott is one of those treasures!

In the art field...
I've met artists that are joyful, eclectic, creative
to the core...teach, have mounds of talent, semi-talented,
trying/learning-but LOVE what they do!
I've also met the opposite...protective artists,
arrogant, self-serving...guarded & prideful.
Both sides exist in every career pool...
~BUT~
When you find artists that share, communicate,
guide...teach what they have learned, give,
receive, encourage & inform...WITH EACH OTHER!
You have an amazing friendship!

Diane Knott is a fantastic artist & friend!
We met through our agent via email...
I shared a small piece of business info. with her...
Then I found her web page, that led me to her blog...
My daughter & I took a road trip one sunny afternoon
to meet her daughter Holly & her at their book signing.
Conversations started & haven't ceased!
Treasured.
Shared.
Trusted.
When artists/creative folk build friendships it goes
so much deeper than a handshake...
If you're willing to share~

Thank you, Diane...for ALL that you share!

The above photos are of a
sweet handmade Valentine
I received from Diane this past week...
The words on her gift are perfect...
She listens with her heart~
She shares with her heart~

"I didn't belong as a kid,
and that always bothered me.
If only I'd known that one day
my differentness would be an asset,
then my early life would have been much easier."
Bette Midler

"Character contributes to beauty.
It fortifies a woman as her youth fades.
A mode of conduct, a standard of
courage, discipline, fortitude and
integrity can do a great deal to make a
woman beautiful."
Jacqueline Bisset

Perfect.
The cover image. The words. The birds.
The Beatrix Potter gift tag....

"Sweet Cheeks" Needle Felted...

"Sweet Cheeks"
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

My latest needle felted pal...

Just had to share this fuzzy gal...
I'm listing her on Etsy~
ONLY BECAUSE there is no more
room on my shelves to keep her!

Hope your day is wonderful!
Michelle

New Blog to Share...

The Country Register
Has a new blog!
Please stop by & welcome them...

They frequently use my designs for their
publication covers! Such a nice way
for a part of me to reach each of you!
I find their publications in
our local gift shops and antique stops!
Charming, family owned & operated...
You'll love their recipes, too!

This is one of my snow friends
on their cover!
This one circulates the Maryland-Delaware region.

Sweet Bluebirds...

I just finished a collection of needle felted
Bluebirds...they'll be in my Etsy shop~
This SWEET little
blue glass dish is a treasure~
Not sure what it may have been used for...
It has the same feel as milk glass.

I found a few small boxes stored away...
Discovered a few antique treasures that were on
our shelves, windowsills, desks...etc.~
They'll make GREAT homes for a few new
needle felts...but must work on finishing several
watercolors I've started!
Never easy to start something new~
While stacks of wonderful
watercolor designs sit waiting!

A nasty cold has stopped by...
Fever meds., cough suppressants, chicken soup
and chic flicks seem to keep patients comfy.

When sweet ones are home,
I make the TV room into a temporary studio~
We keep each other company...
and I don't tend to make as much of a mess!

Hope you like my new Spring birds!
Not rushing time away...
Just the SNOW!
:D

Memories and Joy...

Sweet "Dolly" at the Birdbath
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

I've been finishing up a few needle felts
this afternoon...somewhere in between
Jr./Sr. All-County Chorus concerts...
(Our son had a percussion solo!)
and dropping our daughter off for a high school
field trip into the city to enjoy an evening
concert...Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra~

:) Can you bottle joy?
I'm so thankful they have "art" in them...
Musical, artistic, patriotic and
most importantly...they believe in Christ,
they hold Him in their hearts!

Cup of Strawberry
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Could just eat this one up!

"Flower for Momma"
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Remember when they were little...
Sweet kissable hands...tiny little fingers...
Wee rings around their chubby wrists...
Handing you a blossom top!
"Momma...a flower for you~"
We tried our best to keep their flower gifts alive
by floating them in a bowl of water...

Tonight is a journal night...
Must remember sweet concert moments~

Wishing you joy, dear friends!

Bird Nest Tutorial by Barb...

Treasure from the Heart Gifts
Barb makes the sweetest bird nests...
You'll have to stop by & see!
Click on the birds or HERE...

Feathered & Treasured Needle Felts...

All Cooped Up!
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Is it possible to have too much fun
when you're working?
:)

All Cooped Up!
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

This is my latest original...one-of-a-kind
needle felting piece on Etsy.
All five fowl and the coop are included!

All Cooped Up!
Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Not sure what type of feathered friend
the extra feathers came from...
These were purchased from a local craft store.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so much for stopping by...
Michelle