Dad's Gabriel

My Dad was a steamfitter by trade.  But later in life he recognized some latent God-given talents in metal sculpture.  When I was in high school, we did a "father and son art show" together.  I'll never forget that... because I sold more work than he did! Tsk...Tsk! 

Back in the mid-1990's, I asked him to make a "Gabriel" weather vane, for our garage roof.  I sent a few sketches back to Wisconsin, and he came up with this design.  When we moved from Vermont to South Jersey... Ol' Gabriel came along with us!  Now he sits on the top of an old cabinet that I refinished. Dad went to be with the Lord in 1997... I sure miss our "late night talks" every Sunday evening on the phone.  But all that I have to do is sit in the livingroom, and look up, at Gabriel... and I remember.  Thanks Dad, for the memories!  Daryle  

New Cage Doll in the Works!

I found this rusted, metal plant or candle holder at a local 
Salvation Army Thrift Store. 

I am thinking that it will make a great base 
for my next cage doll.  

The next task... give it several coats of gray primer.  

And then... wait to be inspired!  Daryle

Wisteria... Wonderful Wisteria!

The first time that I saw wisteria growing, it was climbing over old, abandoned textile mills outside of Boston.  Here in South Jersey, it is found along our roadsides, hanging over garden arbors and up in the trees.  This photo was taken just off North Main Street, here in Woodstown... along a lovely old iron fence. 

There is a place...

There is a place... that we call memory.  
A province by itself, which though unseen, 
is home and haven to the heart.  
And there, in peace and beauty waiting... 
are those who shared our yesterdays.
-author unknown

"le Petit Acrobate..."

The "little acrobat" is coming along... with a paperclay head and paperclay covered wings in place.  I base coated the entire piece in black and am now beginning to figure out a color scheme for this little guy!  His trapeze is a wooden dowel and beads with some covered floral stem wire.  I do know that a feathered tiara is in the works...

"le Petit Acrobate" (the little acrobat)

Our newest challenge at Cloth and Clay is to 
design a "bird doll." I'm using a styrfoam ball as the 
base for my head, attached to a clothe body.  
I decided to use HUGE 26 mm eyes 
(to give it that "baby bird" look).

Wool felt for the eyelids and Lutradur 
over heavy cardstock for the beak.
The legs are fabric with wooden dowel insets 
and pipe-cleaner feet!  The feet will be covered 
with florist tape and then a coat or two of Gesso.

Ah, Spring... Glorious Spring!

We have been enjoying lovely weather, 

here in Woodstown.  

And Spring, in all its glory, has arrived... 

the Dogwood is in bloom!  

Enjoy... Daryle and Katie

The Story of the Dogwood Flower

The story goes that when Jesus
was awaiting crucifixion
and when the crosses were being made;
the trees begged God to spare them.
But the Dogwood begged, not for it's life...
but for the life of Jesus.

The Roman soldiers picked the Dogwood.
The Dogwood would only bloom
for a very short time before and after
the date of the crucifixion.
The flower would have four petals
to represent the hands and feet of Christ.
They would be marked with a nail hole
and the shed blood of the Lamb of God.
And the center of the flower would be
circular and raised  to represent
 the crown of thorns, placed upon His head.

 

Today, the Dogwood blooms at Easter
and the flower.... well look for yourself!

Spring in South Jersey!

Spring is always ushered in for us

here in Woodstown... 

with the blooming of the Dogwood!

Happy Easter!

Easter Blessings... 

from our hearts and home 

to yours!  

Daryle & Katie

Duckling and Friend... an Easter Surprise!

"Duckling and Friend" can be seen at Cloth and Clay Dolls 

on my pages there. He was a surprise gift

for our sweet little grand-baby, on Easter!

Duckling Has a Friend!

"Duckling" is a cloth and clay figure 

that I posted on my "Cloth and Clay Doll" pages.  

This is the little "eggling" friend he holds!