Boo!

A New Christmas Corgi Trinket Box!

Now on eBay! xo xo Cat ♥

~*Bliss*~ New Original Corgi Art!

What brings you bliss? Acting on small little creative sparks are one of the things that bring me bliss. Meet Cinderella. She usually holds tape measures and ribbons and Corgi leashes in my studio. I decided to deck her out for Fall. Who can resist sparkly orange lights and frothy black tulle? Not I. Doesn't she look smashing? She knows she does.

Say hello to my little friend Twiggy who is hanging around in my studio for Halloween. Yes, she has a tinsel boa around her neck. (Don't you judge me!)

Someone really needs to feed her. (hee hee)

Here is Bailey posing with my newest creation. Bailey just turned 14 years old a couple of weeks ago. I think she really misses Indy and Bridget. It makes me sad. Stella and Amy literally run circles around her and I think they make her crazy. They are wicked Corgi imps.

Bailey got prime rib on her birthday. ♥ She said it was pure bliss. Which leads me to my painting. I've entitled it simply "Bliss." It looks like a Corgi full of sheer joy and contentment. A little reminder for us all to seek out that which bring joy to our lives. Or as Tasha Tudor always reminded us, to "Take Joy!"

I have gone from one extreme to the other in creating this piece. What I mean is that usually I work in miniatures and my Corgis are typically about 2" tall. This piece is a BIG one, for me. It is 16" x 20" and I am completely in love with it. What do you think?

Click here to take a peek at the new listing or to place a bid.



Have a fantastic weekend, my lovelies! xo xo Cat ♥

Reinwood Lady Jane

A Bridget granddaughter, daughter of Stella and James, here is "Jane." I hear she is a little imp! Watch for her tearing up the agility ring in the future with Beth and Jon. For now, watch her here in her video debut. Pure cuteness. Mary Elizabeth and I are very proud of these awesome babies. Feel free to press the pause button on the red music box on my sidebar here to listen to Jane's theme song! xo xo ♥ CS
p.s. if you are reading this in
CreatingTheHive.com - Arts & Crafts Community you'll need to actually visit my blog to see the video. For some reason videos don't seem to show up in the imports! Sorry. (insert big sigh here...lol)

Three

This is my baby. OK, so he's really my baby's baby. But I call him my baby.

I also call him my little man, my little munchkin and my cutie pie.

Grandmas can do that.

His parents also call him "Goo" or "Goo Goo" or "The Goo."

We are SO going to confuse this cherubic child.

I just happened to have my mom over on the same day that I was going to babysit for Liam, aka the goo goo munchkin man. It was also his third birthday. We decided to have a little early afternoon mini birthday celebration for him. Complete with little presents and cupcakes.

Yes, he is wearing a pink birthday hat. Sorry, John. It was that or

the Corgis' Christmas reindeer antlers. We went with the pink.



Really? I can open another one? Cool.



Umm, yes, that is frosting on his face.

And these are the coolest markers from Crayola.
They only color on their special paper.
Not on the walls. Or on your clothes. Or your skin.
♥ Awesome. ♥


My mom always decorates her cards with the coolest stickers and things...

We had lots of fun.

Because when you are three, happiness is all about singing Happy Birthday,

blowing out the candles,

the noisiest party horns, and opening the presents.

OH! Yes, and the sprinkles on the cupcakes.

♥ CS

American Holiday Artists Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to "Miccosukee" who the Random Number Generator says is the winner of my Corgi Art prints. Please email me at christmascorgi@gmail.com so I can get your signed art prints mailed out to you straight away. Hopefully there is a way to contact you on your comment!

Remember to visit the AHA Studio Marketplace every month on the 25th for new and exciting artworks by a wonderful juried group of holiday artists. Thank you to everyone who has visited the new site so far and for all of your lovely comments and emails about it. We are all very excited and so happy to be a part of it!

Warmly,
Cathy

Mutiny

The wicked imp Corgis have been removed from the studio so I can work in peace. They are all grounded. They are in separate rooms doing chores and making the house sparkle. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson. I doubt it, but hope springs eternal. Have a happy day, my lovelies! xo xo CS ♥

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn!

It has been quite a miserable Summer around here and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to see it go. I'm missing my Bridget and Indy terribly. I'm looking forward to Fall and everything that comes along with it. Apple and pumpkin pie season, sweater weather, seeing far away friends, old friends and meeting new friends at the PWCCA National Corgi Specialty, the holidays, and let's not forget less frizzy hair weather. This morning I could tell I would need a sweatshirt because John and I were fighting for the covers and we were surrounded by wee beasties who were trying to snuggle down to keep warm. The Corgis were stirring so I got up to take them out so he could sleep in (a very rare treat for The Mister.) I made some coffee and turned on the computer.

Every once in a while I receive an email from Jane Dewey that I know is going to make me smile. Long time readers of this blog know that her Corgi, "Diva" enjoys dressing up and hamming it up for the camera. Here are a couple of photos of Diva.

Just look at her with that net veil hat.

She knows she looks smashing.

And who else could pull off wearing a spider on her head? Not many of us, I tell you.

And lest you think 'the Diva' is all fluff and glitter,

here is a picture of this little athlete during her MACH run.

Not to be outdone, here is Nelson, another of Jane's Corgis.

He is sporting his Sherlock Holmes outfit.

How can there be so much cuteness in one little body?

Elementary, my dear...

Enjoy this Labor Day, my lovely Corgettes! I hope you are doing something fun or relaxing. I'm finishing up some new original artworks which I'll share with you later on. Give your Corgis a cookie and a big kiss on the nose for me today, will you? xo xo -Cat ♥

Celebrate Tasha Tudor Day with Marjorie Tudor!

The Tudor's expert gardener, Jenna, with Tasha Tudor's last Corgi, Megan.

Megan aka "Meggie" Tudor

Greetings, my lovelies! I am so pleased to welcome you, my dear reader, here this evening! Here at The Christmas Corgi we are celebrating Tasha Tudor Day, on this what would have been Tasha's 95th birthday. I am having a cup of tea in Tasha's honor right now. Earlier today, the power went out, as it often does here in my neck of the woods. Rather than embrace the darkness, I went to get a manicure, complete with bright red nail polish. Not a very Tasha Tudor thing to do, I know. But all of my fellow artists will surely appreciate the few and far between manicures we manage to get. We usually have our hands full of paint and clay and so on and so forth. Tasha was famous for her love of her turkey red tablecloths, so when I look at my shiny red nails (which I'm sure will only last for a day or two) I will think of her.

I am thrilled that Tasha Tudor Day is really catching on, as I truly believe that Tasha was a national treasure. She has influenced me in so many ways. When I was a little girl, I remember seeing Tasha's Corgi illustrations and I thought that Corgis were magical creatures. Now, having lived with them, I know that I was right all along. Tasha had so many fans for so many reasons. Her fan base continues to grow. Some people love her for her art and illustrations, some for her famous green thumb and fabulous gardens, some for her lifestyle. She truly incorporated much of her love and appreciation for the 1800's into who she was, from the way she dressed to her daily life. She did what she loved and as Thoreau said, followed confidently in the direction of her dreams. If you are unfamiliar with Tasha, please spend a little time learning about her. You will be so glad that you did.

I am so happy to have Tasha's dear Daughter-in-Law, and artist extraordinaire, Marjorie Tudor here to share some special things with us on The Christmas Corgi Blog today.

Hello Marjorie!

Here is Marjorie with Agatha Kitty.

Marjorie has been as busy as a bee. She just returned from Northern Vermont to spend some time with her colleagues from Boston Children's Theater, with whom she collaborated on last year's adaptation of The "Velveteen Rabbit." Marjorie said, "I had a fabulous time with Burgess, Toby and Daniel. Burgess Clark is the Executive Artistic Director of Boston Children's Theatre, Toby Schine its Executive Producer, and Daniel Blake the Musical Director. BCT is the oldest theatre of its kind in New England and this past year extended its outreach to young folks in the Greater Boston Area from 800 to almost 10,000. I am so pleased to let you know that "The Velveteen Rabbit" is being relaunched for the upcoming 2010 Christmas season, and Burgess Clark's charming adaptation of this classic children's story includes live actors on stage as well as talented puppeteers. It's a wonderful show, so am very pleased. Boston Children's Theatre is over sixty years old. Burgess Clark and Toby Schine it's Executive Artistic Director and Executive Producer, respectively, are working to make it an international presence, which it already is in Germany. We eventually hope to bring this particular show to Japan. Puppetry is very popular in that country. Here are some photos of my Velveteen Rabbit adventure last year, which involved live actors as well as the eleven puppets I made. Of the eleven, four were the Velveteen Rabbit, one of them old and worn out from being loved up by the Boy. The little girl, Lucy, is holding one of the three Wild Rabbits...very soft and wild looking" said Marjorie.

And here they are!

Who could resist such cuteness?

This is where the magic happens at Marjorie's house.

It is her artistic workspace. Isn't it lovely? Below that is her "trusty

non-electric Singer sewing machine made in Scotland in the fifties.

I love it! A beautiful machine!" says Marjorie.

Among Marjorie's many talents is doll making. Here is one of her dolls, Elsie that she made and just could not part with.

Elsie is a twelve inch doll. She has carved and jointed basswood arms and legs. Her head and chest plate are modeled from Pro Sculpt. She is in the collection of Hannah Tudor Wyman.

Marjorie gives doll study retreats at her home. Classes are small, with two or three students at the most, and it is a two or three day deal. She also gives marionette making workshops. Marjorie said, "I just finished one with a delightful thirteen year old girl last week. We had so much fun, and she made a really lovely doll. I was impressed with her work." We will have to have Marjorie back on the blog to tell us more about this and to share more photos of her other crafts that she has made and some more lovely Tudor family traditions ( I'm thinking maybe Christmastime, Marjorie? )

Happy faces with their cut wool owls.

Students from Japan with their cut wool bunnies.
A marionette workshop student.

Tasha Tudor has done so much over the years to delight Corgi lovers everywhere. One of the most coveted prizes that is given out by the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America's regional clubs is "The Tasha Tudor Certificate" for winning Best of Breed at a Corgi Specialty Show. Tasha was a member of the Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club in New England, and it was well known that she was very impressed with anyone who dedicated their life to the protection and welfare of the breed she loved so much. I remember having the opportunity to ask Tasha once what was the greatest number of Corgis that she had at one time. With a twinkle in her eye and and impish look, she said, "Oh, twelve, I think. But one can never have just one Corgi." But, as Tasha headed into the Winter of her years, she did have but one sweet Corgi at Corgi Cottage.

"After Owyn passed away," said Marjorie, "Tasha wanted another corgi, and she wanted to get one from an English kennel. So, I researched and found one (whose name has completely escaped me), which offered pups with super dispositions. Winslow, Amy and I drove Tasha down to Logan airport to pick Megan up. What a little angel she was...and in perfect condition. We were sure the stewardesses had pampered her on the flight over. Tasha sat in the back seat with Meggie on her lap all the way home. This sweet little pup never whimpered or fussed, just snuggled up with Tasha until we arrived back home in Vermont.

After Tasha passed, Megan came to live with Seth and me. She is a very good, healthy, and happy little girl and quite a character - keeps my two kitties in line and never leaves my side. Her favorite adventure is to go for outings in my car, and of course, she is the perfect gardening companion, whose self imposed job routing out marauding voles (Timmy Willies), she enthusiastically pursues.
Here are some amusing photos my son Benjamin took of her in a red jacket during hunting season last year. She looks super cute...and also the watercolor I did of her for a Valentine card. Was thinking of offering corgi watercolor portraits at some point. What do you think?"

Umm...that would be a great big YES from me, Marjorie. ( Let's hold her to that one, my little Corgettes. If you haven't signed up for the lovely Tasha Tudor and Family newsletter, you can do so from their website. Some of Marjorie's work and lots of other wonderful things can be found there, so you will be the first to know what is new!)
　
Here is Meggie.

I think she agrees that she does look 'supercute' in her red vest!


Here is the watercolor Valentine Marjorie did of her.


More Valentines.

Be still my heart!

Winslow Tudor and Megan.

I think Tasha is very happy knowing that her Megan is loved so much.

"I often think of Tasha, often stroll through the old gardens surrounding Corgi Cottage... so many memories" says Marjorie. " We were neighbors for thirty-five years, my children's Granny. To be perfectly frank, that's how I think of her, always ... our Granny. She was my mother-in-law, my friend, my teacher. The knowledge she shared with me, whether it was a gardening tip, or instruction in the arts of watercolor, doll and marionette making, or cooking is priceless. I cherish her memory, not just on her birthday, but every day, and join with, not only our family in the celebration of her remarkable life and legacy, but with all her dear fans. Tomorrow there will be a special celebration at The Rookery. Winslow, no doubt, will bring a yummy cake along with some hand cranked ice cream. Meggie and Annie, Elizabeth Rose and Christina's, Sophie, will be there enchanting us all.
Tasha had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. I'll share a memory about something she found rather amusing. Tea time, one afternoon around four o'clock in early April, Lazarina, the dove, swooped down from her perch on Tasha's shoulder and landed "plunk" in the middle of a delectable chocolate cake. It was very funny, and we had to disengage the discomfited bird, who had sunk completely into it and wash her carefully off. She fluffed her feathers dry on the warming shelf of Tasha's old cookstove while we drank lukewarm tea.
So, dear friends, I say to you, as Tasha Tudor, herself, would say to you ... "Take Joy" and "To thine own self be true."

Jennifer Tudor Wyman, Hannah and "Granny" Tasha


A photo Tasha took around 1963 of her corgi puppies, and below that, Thomas Jefferson corgi. (Recognize him from the Valentine above?)


David Austin's Heritage, One of Tasha's favorite roses.
Thank you, Marjorie, for sharing a glimpse of your creative life, for all of the wonderful photographs, and especially for celebrating Tasha Tudor Day with us. Those of us who hold a place for Tasha in our hearts are truly kindred spirits. ♥ CS

P.S.Be sure to visit the links in my previous post to Storybook Woods and all of the other blogs celebrating Tasha's birthday today. If you are reading this from a feed, just click on over back to my blog for all of the other links. Here are a few links to our past TT day posts. 2008, 2009.

Celebrate Tasha Tudor Day With Us!

Saturday will will be celebrating Tasha Tudor Day along with Clarice, Suzanne, and all of our kindred spirit friends. Do pop back here for a special post featuring Marjorie Tudor, Tasha's Daughter-in-Law. In the meanwhile, hop over to visit Natalie at The Rookery. There is a very special giveaway over at Tasha's to celebrate the day. The Corgis here are getting ready to party in Tasha's honor. xo xo ♥ CS

American Holiday Artists Welcomes You To Christkindlemart!

***Christkindlemart in August?***

5pm EST with the GREAT AMERICAN HOLIDAY ARTISTS BLOG GIVEAWAY! American Holiday Artists Studios Marketplace debuts August 25th (today!)


We’re three years old and counting! The American Holiday Artists group expands beyond ETSY and eBay to better serve our collector base with a new Marketplace! Our artist members offer fresh-one-of-a-kind- heirloom-quality seasonal and holiday theme art-from hooked rugs, to whimsical papier-mâché characters, cloth dolls, folk art, fantasy- art, paintings, one-of-a-kind ornaments, artist patterns and more!
All this, straight from the artist’s studio to your home year round, made with you in mind, by award-winning and respected artists. Visit American Holiday Artists Studio Marketplace at http://www.ahaartistsstudio.com/,. Opt in and subscribe to our mailing list and receive our free monthly newsletter-you’ll keep up with new monthly-artist members, new work, artist challenges and future events. New arrivals featured the 25th of each month. And for weekly updates, drop in at our blog: AmericanHolidayArtists.com

To celebrate the debut of our new online Marketplace our artists invite you to indulge in a time out, grab a steaming mug of hot cocoa-okay it’s August- how about an iced caramel latte? Virtually stroll among our members blogs i.e.- “holiday markets” to enter a chance at winning a handcrafted or limited edition work. In the spirit of Europe’s old world marketplace tradition known as Christkindlemart, our artists beckon your arrival to their (blog)“tent”.

So shut your eyes for one brief moment and-

B E L I E V E.

Step into the crisp winter air, the evening stars light your way around our festive town square. Take in the scent of freshly baked gingerbread wafting from the local bakery. Caroler’s gather under the warm glow of a gas-lit lamp. Can you hear the Corgis singing? Ornaments and candy canes, dot the center’s tree, glistening snow flakes sparkle as they spiral down to brush your cheek. Then here you are at our first artist’s tent, share your own experience of this magical night with our artists; leave your comment at each (blog) tent:

Alycia's Art


Back In The Day Originals


Elysian Field Originals


Fantasy Whispers


Folk `n Fiber


Folk Art By Penny


Folk Art From The Heart


Ginny Diezel Studios


Granny Wolf Originals


Grunge Goddess Primitives


Howling Mood Designs


Lowell Country Designs


Mother's Dream Artworks


Seasonal Whimsies


Skellyton Art


Smirking Goddes Studios


The Christmas Corgi


The Goode Wife Of Washington County


The Snippets


Whimsical Endeavors


Wings And Paws Whimsies

At each of these AHArtists sites, you will find a post today about a little GiveAway to celebrate the launch of our new marketplace. All you need to do to win is to leave a comment at the GiveAway post on each blog. That's it! You can win more than once if you are lucky! Each artist winner will be randomly chosen from all of the comments on each blog. Do hop over to visit my new page in our brand new AHA Marketplace Studio. Have fun browsing all of the artist's offerings. We will each post a new original piece on the 25th of each month. Can you guess what mine is for the launch? You'll have to hop over and see!

For my GiveAway, I have decided to offer not one but three prints to a lucky winner. I have chosen 3 of my favorites, but if you already have any of these or would prefer a different print(s) from my Etsy shop, just let me know when the time comes and your wish will be granted.

My three prints are:

"Flying Lessons"

Signed. 10"x8" on a lovely 11" x 8 1/2" Epson matte art paper.

"Jack O'Lantern"

Signed. 3" x 3" miniature print on 8 1/2 " x 11 " lovely Epson matte art paper.

And,

"Mini Corgoyle"

Another miniature print from my Original painting. Signed. 3" x 3" and printed on a lovely 8 1/2" x 11" Epson Matte art paper.

Good luck, my little Corgettes! Winners will be chosen on September 12th. Thanks for your support and for visiting all of the American Holiday Artists! We are so thankful to be able to continue to bring you art from our heart and soul. xo xo CS ♥