Halloween and Vine---Another Reason to Come to Petaluma

If you are a collector of Halloween art and ephemera, you cannot miss the annual Halloween and Vine show on September 24.

My friend Charles is a regular vendor at this show.  I may be a little biased but I think he is unbelievably talented.  Plus, he understands my love of all things whimsical. Check out his latest piece:

Isn't she wonderful? Like a witch out of a fairy tale!!! If you come to Halloween and Vine, you will have the opportunity to purchase this delightful witch. I can't wait to see the other wonders that Charles comes up with.

For another look at Charles' creative powers:

Charles made my veil from pieces of my mother's wedding dress.  He also did my makeup.

Halloween and Vine is cross-promoting with ART IS YOU this year.  So, come for the retreat and stay for the show.  Make sure your pocketbook is full. There are simply too many wonderful things to buy.  I came thisclose to buying a steampunk-inspired top hat last year!

Movie Town--Another Reason to Come to Petaluma

We are only about four months away from Art Is You---Petaluma!!! Have you heard that Teresa McFayden will be the keynote speaker? 

To continue my efforts to get you to come to this great event, I am linking up to a gallery of shots that show all the different movies that have been filmed in Petaluma.  Because our little town has wonderful Victorian buildings and a great "Main Street, USA"-feel, such movies as "Peggy Sue Got Married" and "American Graffiti have been filmed here.

(Shooting a scene from "Inventing the Abbots"--image source)

See the complete gallery here:

LINK

(Are you tempted yet?)

Nobody Here But Us Chickens

It's finally here!  The weekend our little town waits for all year.  Butter and Egg Days!!!  Petaluma is the gateway to Sonoma County and the economy of the town was originally driven by its production of eggs, milk and butter.  Butter and Egg Days were revived thirty years ago as a time to celebrate Petaluma and its history. There is a terrific parade with all kinds of contests on Saturday and then a lovely antique faire on Sunday.  Noodlebug will be competing in the Cutest Little Chick contest. I'm still working on embellishing his costume.  Hopefully, it won't rain on us and we'll be able to enjoy a lovely parade day.  I'll post photos on Monday. Wish you were here!!!

Mrs. Grossman's---Another Reason to Come to Petaluma

Here is another item in my series on Petaluma that I am using to entice you to come to the West Coast ART IS YOU retreat this Fall!!!

When I was a child back in the 80's in Texas, I was part of the sticker collecting craze. I especially loved collecting Mrs. Grossman's stickers because they had such simple but whimsical designs.  Her most famous (and first) design is this heart:

Little did I know it but my life path would bring me even closer to Mrs. Grossman's many years later.  When I moved to Petaluma in 2006, I was amazed to find out that Petaluma is the home of Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory!!!  One of the first things I did was to take a factory tour. It was so fun!!! For $3, I got to tour the factory, do a craft activity and get a $3 certificate good in the factory store.  And Mrs. Grossman's also has biannual warehouse sales which are just too tempting.

If you make it to Petaluma this Fall, I highly recommend the factory tour.   I might even have to join you.

(image borrowed from Mrs. Grossman's)

StitchCraft---Another Reason to Come to Petaluma

I want you all to come to this.  So, I will be regularly posting about little gems in my town and the surrounding area in the coming months to entice you to come and play with me.

You already saw our wonderful Seed Bank. Now, check out our delightful sewing and craft studio:

I haven't had a chance to take a class here yet but I am DYING to!  Look at this adorable dress they are making in class right now:

(image source)

I'm hoping that if our financial situation turns around soon, I can take one of the smaller classes and maybe make an Amy Butler bag. Or two. Or three.

Are you tempted yet?