Good morning!~
    Ah, here we are….a fresh new year. Hello, 2017! It is my hope that this new year is full of unexpected hope and opportunity, with lots of adventures and discoveries and new things to try, and new friends to meet.

   I am still in the metamorphosis stage of “Sleightholm Folk Art.” Im still trying to figure out exactly where I want to do and what I want to do, but I’ve decided its ok to not have it all planned out….its a great chance to try new things and not feel hemmed in by ‘what I’ve always done’ or playing it safe. There will be trial and error, success and failure and it’s all just fine.

Crafting lately:
   I’ve really been enjoying my time at my spinning wheel and making yarn, and also creating some sweet little knitted caps. I had an idea to make a really sweet, old fashioned bonnet for little ones. Something that looks straight out of Cranford or Larkrise to Candleford. I am working on refining the pattern and hope to share it in my shop very soon….as well as some already made, ready to order little caps.
   I LOVE making little hats! And both my kids are now in that “I’m not wearing anything mom makes” stage. Ah well, I will find unsuspecting babies elsewhere who will wear them 😉 because they’re just too fun and sweet NOT to make.
   At Christmas I cuddled up with a braid of roving my friend Winnie brought me all the way from England! It is…so luscious. That’s the word for it. Its so soft and fluffy and dreamy, the color the perfect moody gray/brown, like a winter day on the moor (I’m guessing here, ha, I’ve never seen a moor….but heather grows there, so it must be amazing, right?)
   Now I just have to decide what I’m going to make with it…but I know one thing, whatever it is, I’ll be selfish and keep it for myself 😉

  Around the House:
     Taking down Christmas and getting to that bare quiet of early January. I know technically I could keep it all up til Epiphany…but I’m of the mind to put it out/take it down when you’re in the mood, and I was in the mood to get the whole house cleaned out last week, so down it all came. Good thing I guess, because our littlest has a tummy bug now. Hoping he’s all better by the time preschool starts again. Christmas break can be very very long, can’t it? 😉

On the Painting Table:
   Nothing yet….but I’m scheming! Ready to get going on some fresh new projects! Haven’t been able to get out in the studio for all of Christmas break, honestly. I’m missing it terribly. I know when I finally get to sit down in my chair and dip in my brush, it’s going to be a happy moment to be savored!

  And so…that’s all for now! But I will be back very soon with more news and creations! Wishing you a very happy New Year!~
~H