Schaumburg Show + Sock Monkey Update

What a whirlwind of a week it's been! Seems no matter how much in advance I prepare for a bear show, the night before there are 2 constants: working way later than I should be putting on final touches, and then... insomnia. This year I realized at 9pm that oh, I was out of hang tags! Okay, gotta make those! There's always something, right? :) Good news is, the show went very well and without a hitch (if you don't count the 20 minute detour we hit en route). Though it was crisp and windy outside, it was nice and cozy inside the Marriot show room with carbs and hot coffee in constant supply. It's always a delight to see my collectors (you're the best!), talk shop with other artists, and experience all the wonderful bears in person! There's nothing quite like a good old fashioned Bear Show.

Here's the view from my table :) Wish I took more photos!

I almost forgot to mention, today is my Birthday... the big 4-0! I hear that 40's are the new 20's ;o) Maybe it's just our generation that keeps saying that, 'cos 10 years ago the 30's were the new 20's. I think it's an auspicious time of year, with the Bear show yesterday, my birthday today, and Rob and mine's *Anniversary* tomorrow! So why not add a Sock Monkey update to the celebration equation?!!

I thought instead of saving them for a larger update, I would offer them first. They have been waiting patiently to meet you, all decked out in their dandy outfits! So...

the Fall Monkey Trio Update will be TOMORROW October 13th at 12 noon Central (10am Pacific/ 11am Mountain/ 1pm Eastern) on my web site, peng-peng.com.
*As I mentioned in a previous "sneak peek" post, there will only be 3 monkeys!! And they're quite special.

~ So I do hope you can join us then! ~

xoxo

Some things I'm working on today

Antique-inspired cloth bunnies! I'm fine tuning the prototype and I must say, I'm a bit in love with this first one.

Little herd of pigs. Aren't they adorable as a group? Here we have old feedsack, black linen, muslin, and osnaburg.

and a nice cup of you-know-what :)

I will get more sneak peeks posted soon! Hope your Tuesday is going splendidly.

Return of the Beard

Can you guess what's up my sleeve? I'll give you a hint: Blue Beards! The only other time I've made bearded bears was for Teddy Bears of Witneys a few years ago. Blue Beards will be part of the October update.

*If you'd like to be "in the know" about my updates, join my private mailing list (conveniently located on the left column here).

Enjoy your Sunday!

Muted Monkeys

I'm looooving the muted fall colors of my new sock monkeys in progress. There's also a muted rose-colored monkey who's hiding off camera. These 3 monkeys will be quite avant-garde and primitive, just the way we like 'em! I'm working on a BIG October update with exciting new designs of the mohair, cloth, and sock kind! Stay tuned for previews as thing progress...

xoxo

New Work ~ Folk Art + PFATT

It's freeZZzing out today! Then again, anytime the temps dip under 65 degrees I consider it winter ;o) Yet I'm an October baby, go figure! Now, to share with you my new/ yet not-so-new project... folk art dolls and animals! Inspired by my long admiration of Amish cloth rag dolls and animals, I've wanted to create simple yet distinctive cloth dolls of my own. This seedling of an idea began in my head, oh some 3 odd years ago. That's when I made my first dolls who have been very patiently waiting for some clothes! The time just feels right, so I'm happy to present NEW folk art pieces for Autumn! Excited? I hope so!

The first offering is "Little Pig"~ now on eBay SOLD, thank you! He's made from my own original pattern, and aged to feel like a genuine old cloth toy. The faceless rag doll pictured is also one of my creations... I will be making more very soon! They make wonderful companions for your teddy bears and antique toys :) BTW, I'm a new member of PFATT and proud to be in the company of so many amazing primitive/ folk artists! My eBay seller id: pengpengbears

Have a fine day and bundle up!!

It's official...

....summer is over!

Our veggie beer brats, onions/peppers and corn cobs were saved from the elements in a nick of time with a speedy deck door hand off. The s'mores I made indoors ;)
Now what's for dinner tonight? I'm out of ideas and slim on ingredients. Hmmmm... I'll think of something!

We watched the Curious Case of Benjamin Button last night.. Netflix sent us a barely-playable copy that oddly didn't even have a scene selection menu! What's up with that? So when the DVD froze up, we removed the disc, wiped it, and then had to fast forward or rewind to where we left off several times. It was like a 4 hour cinematic ordeal trying to get through it! It was a good film, so I'm glad we watched it even with all the fast forwards/rewinds.

Enjoy your Tuesday evening!