Autumn Sock Monkey Wedding Cake Topper Update

Well the summer is flying by, school is about to resume, and people are planning their fall and winter weddings.

We were in the middle of a 1200 mile move during tax time last April, so we got an extension.  But guess what...time's up, and the taxes must be reported.  I spent all day crunching numbers (my least favorite activity). 

Now it's time for a blog reprieve and a glass of wine.  

Cheers to all of the Autumn wedding couples out there! 

I'll be making your cake toppers next week.

Monarch Butterfly Hatching

I spent my childhood summers catching insects, frogs, turtles, salamanders, toads, minnows, and the occasional snake.  I still have some of that curious little explorer in me, so when I found a tiny monarch catapillar a few weeks ago I was delighted at the idea of watching the amazing metamorphosis happen before my eyes.

I was a diligent caretaker, bringing fresh milkweed leaves to my growing caterpillar every day.  

The payoff happened on the morning when I woke to find the chrysalis about to break open.  I took it outside, and this is what I saw...

 

Here I transferred it to a flower in my front yard.

I caught it's first flight...

 

 and its first landing...

Dragonfly

This beautiful dragonfly landed at my doorstep, where it apparently took its last breath, leaving me with a very nice photo op!

I love watching this type of dragonfly fly. They have clear parts of their wings so when they are hovering only the black and white areas show.

Little Prince First Birthday Cake Topper

The Little Prince is a well known children's book which was originally written in French.

I read it with my daughter when she was about 8.  

I'll admit we really didn't understand what was going on a lot of the time. 

But I still enjoyed the book, and I recently saw some Lil' Prince party supplies for first birthday boys.

I just had to make a little prince cake topper to match!

I love making my sock monkey cake toppers, but this was a real treat, and clothing are always fun too.

You will find him in my shop:
Little Prince Here!

Frida Kahlo Sock Monkey Art Doll

In honor of Frida Kahlo's birthday ADO team had a Frida art doll challenge this month.  

In keeping with my sock monkey theme (and because I had an extra monkey sitting in my studio) I made a Frida Kahlo sock monkey art doll.

Yes, I know it's off the wall, but isn't everything about Frida that way?  Somehow it fits.

Frida Monkey is holding a little bird, symbolic of her free spirit.

Frida Monkey is one of a kind, and she is for sale HERE  in my Etsy shop.

Alice in Wonderland ADO Blog Event

I tumbled down the rabbit hole with Alice...

She was more than a little confused when she came to the end...

or was it the beginning?

The White Rabbit with the stop watch seemed to know something,

but he was hard to catch up with.

Finally Alice caught his attention.

"Excuse me, sir, but could you tell me where I am?" she inquired.

"Well, wouldn't we all like to know the answer to that" he sputtered.

"Lean in closer, I'll tell you a secret..."

And just like that, he whispered something into Alice's ear, then he hopped away.

What was the secret?  

Well, I couldn't quite hear, but it might have been that this is ADO Team's

WONDERLAND Blog Event!

You can hop along to all of the participating doll artist's blogs and see what each artist has made.

See you in Wonderland!

Sock Monkey Wedding Cake Topper Update

I've had some really fun sock monkey wedding cake topper orders lately, including a groom monkey in a tux vest (above), and some toppers with really elaborate flowers (below).  The sock monkey fun never stops around here!

Thanks for visiting!

Waxela (wa-shay-la)

Gabriel Gets Some Berries

Wow, there sure are a lot of Mulberries on that tree!

Mama and Daddy say I can't eat the ones that are on the ground.

They sure are fun to stomp on though!

What do you mean I've had enough mulberries?  

I was just getting started.

Mini Sock Monkey Wedding Cake Toppers

My cupcake sized sock monkey wedding cake toppers are one of my best sellers.  They are just 2 inches tall, and they can also be used as a holiday ornament after the cake has been eaten.

Here are a few I've done lately.

A Perfect Morning Walk

Yesterday was a perfect day here on the wetlands of NW Iowa.  I took Gabriel out for a stroll, and we were greeted by a little painted turtle in our driveway.  That was perfect because I ran in and got my camera.  Now I can take you on our walk too!

The deep spring air was mildly damp and humid.  It had rained the day before, and the moistness caused the scent of honeysuckle and alyssum flowers to linger in the air, making me feel as giddy as if I had drunk sweet wine.

A fanatical bird was perched on the Quail Hollow street sign squawking at us as if we had invaded it's territory.  

We headed down the nature trail and a light wind gave me shivers.  Not because it was cold, it was pleasantly warm, and the delicate breeze felt like feathers caressing my bare arms.

I was delighted to see the Boysenberries are ripening!

 

Gabriel fell asleep on the way home.  I got a shot of our street...

and more turtles!