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TraVeL ThRouGh ThE LaNd Of “Soft in the Head”
...the home of “Singing and Dancing Mice & Humorous Frogs!”.

Where “Original Designs” of patterns and soft sculpture characters come to life..…

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For Patterns check out the...."Soft in the Head" website
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Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Lewis Carroll
2/27/2012

Dust and Words...the Best!

Best Thinking Place Ever!
Ever get into a "funk"?  I'm beginning to think the word funk should be listed with those other "four letter" words that are taboo to use!  Inspiration is on a holiday at my house and it is time to bring out the "BIG GUNS".  I need a musty, dusty and cluttered "Book Store/Shop" to get myself going again!  We're not talkin' Barnes and Noble here we're talkin' "OLD"...the harder to walk in the place the better type shop.  I can find a remote corner somewhere and surround my senses with the smell of the written word and feel revived and renewed!  I LOVE books!  No really "I LOVE BOOKS"!!!!!  To me there is nothing better than a leather bound, yellow paged book to take me into an adventure of a lifetime.  When I was young and the world would go side-ways, which was often, I would find comfort and safety in the imagination and written word of others.  Peter Pan was always my favorite but from there I found stepping into the shoes of the girl sleuth Nancy Drew was always an adventure and fun.  Kept my mind spinning about "Who Done It"!  I loved the classics from Ivanhoe to To Kill a Mockingbird....I read everything, still do!  Since arthritis has become a constant companion Dan felt it wise to present me with a Kindle.  Much easier to hold than a large book but not as satisfying.....Nothing will ever take the place of turning pages with anticipation or the smell of the ink and leather or just the newness of a best seller!  I still have my collection of 1st editions, some signed,  and I will continue to add to it!  Okay "funk" it is time to take a hike.....I have work to do!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (3)
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2/21/2012

Winter Has Arrived....Briefly!

We finally got our "BIG"snow for the winter this last weekend.  I truly love it when it snows and find it magical.  Of course the days have gone by when I would be excited about building a "top notch" snowman or taking the saucer out for a spin....this old body and its arthritis has something to say about how much cold I can take any more...I think this is why "The Powers That Be" have given us grandchildren, lol!  Now it's our job to keep the bird feeders full and the crockpot bubbling with the soup of the day and enjoying that steaming cup of coffee as we watch "Mother Nature" at work! 

Front of Our Home

The Garage

Backyard

Backyard

Back Porch & Birch Tree

Bird House on Back Porch

Back Door & Porch

Along Side of House

Back Porch

Our Birch Tree At Night...Back Porch

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (4)
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2/20/2012

A "HUGE" part of who I am when it comes to my creations is my "junking".....As many of you know I just returned from a month on the west coast where I spent a good part of it driving around and looking for the weird and unusual to use for "Ghoultide Gathering".  I think this year I hit the "MOTHER LOAD".    My box of treasures arrived here last Friday.  Unpacking all of these pieces was like looking through a "kaleidoscope" of ideas for the weird and bizarre.  I see so much potential and humor in just everything....from tiny mice popping out of the back of broken clocks with hammers in hand to a spooky ghost wrapping itself around a burned out candle with a match in his boney hand....who ever thought a ghost would be afraid of the dark! 
As you can probably tell "I love clocks" working or not....clocks have many stories to tell and are just plain fun to work with! This year I have managed to score seven antique and vintage lanterns, where normally I only have three.....My "Jack-O-Lanterns" (pumpkin heads on old kerosene lanterns) are always the first to find a new home at "Ghoultide".  This bunch of new possibilities has got me excited and planning....I can't wait to see what evolves this year....I LOVE HALLOWEEN and GHOULTIDE!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (2)
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2/14/2012

Simply Primitives on the 15th!

Time sure is moving fast...I think faster than usual.  Maybe it's because I had a month free just to piddle around and shop for junk!  Here it is already the middle of February and you all know what that means...Simply Primitives update! This month I have "Irish" on the brain and I'm also getting into the "BUNNY" mode.  Meet "My Wild Irish Rose" a new cat from the "Soft in the Head" family.  I call this line of cats my "sassy cats" because they always have a look of attitude!  Next I have another new PODD....Since my Leprechaun PODD was such a success I decided that maybe another one should make an appearance....only this one is a girl....meet "Erin O'Shea" a PODD with quite a way with a potato!
  Now movin' on to a time of the year I truly love...."BUNNY SEASON".  I do enjoy making bunnies.  This new one is a little "pin-keep" that I like to call "Spring Into Easter".....gotta love the eggs! I also added my sweet Ol' Fitzpatrick Bunny to the list.  He desperately needs a home since not finding one on the PFATT Marketplace.  I'm hoping that "Simply Primitives" will be a luckier place for the Ol' Boy....I hope you will all pay the artists on "Simply Primitives" a visit.....there be surprises a' plenty waiting for you!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (3)
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2/13/2012

Time...Friend or Foe?

I love this new artwork that I found while searching for some new "Steampunk Ideas" for my characters.  Last year at Ghoultide my Steampunk Ravens and Frog were a HUGE hit and a blast to create so I wanted to try my hand at some new creations.....like Steampunk Mice!  After-all everyone needs a mechanical sci/fi type mouse in their collection RIGHT?  I already have a couple on the work-table with their attitude morphing!  I must admit that what I do for a living is the greatest gift.  I may NEVER get rich, money-wise, but the wealth I receive from this career is more precious and everlasting than anything else I have known, except maybe for family!  There is no price on family!!!!  If you get a chance pop onto Google and look up this digital artist ....enigma-astralis ©2009-2012 way to much fun!
r>


My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (3)
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2/09/2012

Going GREEN on PFATT!

Well... it's that time again....PFATT Marketplace!  Since I didn't get home until just a couple of days ago I was working frantically to get these little guys finished for their debut.  My "Irish Soul" is bursting out all over the workroom and it seems that it took a hold of my creative mojo as well!  I'd like you to meet the new "Softee" clan.....Fitzpatrick the Bunny who has a bit of the "Blarney", Lucky O'Shea a pin-keep mouse and the newest member of PODDS-ville PODDee Magee a wee leprechaun with a heart of pure gold!  Even though I was rushed and frantic I had a blast creating these new members of the "Soft in the Head" family!  Be sure to pop over to the "PFATT Marketplace to check out the amazing artists and their work!  It's never dull at the Marketplace!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (3)
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2/06/2012

Bittersweet Vacations.......

I'm home!  Needless to say the past 3 weeks have been anything but dull!  To start off I arrived in Seattle with a storm closely on my heels and also no heat or hot water at the home of my friend Rennie's.....so we took advantage of this and headed west to the Washington Coastline to the Quinault Resort and Casino.  Hey far be it from me NOT to take advantage of a bad situation and make it an adventure.  Besides I hadn't seen the Pacific ocean in many years so it was about time.  We had a great room with a view of the ocean and we even saw an orca (killer whale) being playful!  Too COOL!  We left the resort early hearing of the "MEGA" storm hitting the area....we actually were just in front of it as we drove inland to Duvall, Washington.
Eventually we made it down to Oregon to see my mom.  My mom lives with my younger brother and his wife.  Haven't seen my mom for a few years but talk to her often on the phone.  Needless to say I was shocked at how tiny she had become, but then again she had gone through a pretty horrible health crisis.  My mother's situation was not good and I wish I could elaborate but at this time it would do no good to point fingers or do any mud slinging,  only positive action needs to be taken to secure that my mother will have some more happy memories to take with her in the remainder of her life.  We did have one glorious day together!  The three of us, my mom, my friend Rennie and I took mom to lunch where she proceeded to hit on the waiter....some things NEVER change no matter how old one gets, we did some shopping and mom got her ears pierced.  She wanted a tattoo but for some reason the car kept diverting itself from any ink parlors!  It was such a fun day and I seriously hope I will have more before she leaves us!  Of course she had to try on my "Harry Potter" glasses while we were at lunch.  They took up her whole face!  I hope that when I'm 85 I still have that spark for life that my mom has....Hang in there mom....it will get better!
All in all the 3 weeks in the Pacific Northwest were bittersweet.  It is always tough to leave a place that was home for so many years and also to leave someone you love in a bad situation BUT I had many good and wonderful experiences to come home with!  Planning for next years trip has already commenced!


My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (7)
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1/25/2012

Winter Wonderland....Maybe?

As everyone is starting to thaw out here in the Pacific Northwest we are beginning to worry about the possibility of flooding.  Growing up in this area many (way to many) years ago flooding was always a concern after a huge snowfall or days of rain.  We just muddled through and either left our homes in small motor boats or hunkered down in the up-stair bedrooms (lol).  Life in the Pacific Northwest has always been adventurous and enlightening!  I'm beginning to think it is the only place on earth that one can claim snow-storm, flooding, ice storms, volcano eruptions and earthquakes all in one breath.  Gotta love it here!  Not to mention a casino on every corner (well maybe not every corner) and REALLY good coffee!  Today we venture out to do some much needed "junking".  Upon leaving I will inhale a deep breath of the air that not only clears my lungs but my mind and brings nothing less than a smile to my face and soul!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (5)
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1/18/2012

Woooo-Hoooo Snowed In!

What does a person do when they have 14" of snow in the mountains of Washington....READ!  LOL!  Bet you guys thought I would say "build a snowman" huh?  No Way Jose....not this over-weight diva/granny....me and cold wet snow occupying the same space....NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!  I like fires burning in the fireplace, a good book and some freshly brewed vanilla Earl Grey that was purchased at a VERY snooty tea shoppe!  Yep this is how I spend my vacation, well some of it anyway.  Spent the first part at the Quinault Resort and Casino and I must admit it was amazing.  Not only did I hit a few lucky machines but I saw my first Orca (Killer Whale) in the surf and a  bald eagle soared and dipped in front of our 4th floor window over-looking the ocean....AWESOME!  Downside....no camera at the time!  I have 2.5 more weeks of unbelievable adventures to attack, absorb and create and then it is back to reality!  I will stay in touch via my blog and Facebook....Please remember that my wonderful "better half" is large and in charge while I'm gone so all shipments will only be mailed out on Saturdays!  This is the relaxed and pampered Ol' Softee signing off for now!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (7)
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1/13/2012

Running Away From Home!

Guess who is running away from home for 3 weeks....yup it's me!  Almost have my bags packed and ready to load up!  Been looking forward to this for awhile and now it is here.  After living at the post office for the past two weeks because business has been CRAZY I am so ready to slip into my comfy clothes and squeeze myself into the seat on a plane and take off to the west coast, look out Oregon and Washington I'm on my way!  It use to be I would do this at least once a year because my roots are back there and also my BEST friend but life has a way of getting in the way and stuff just gets put off.  My friend (of 50 years I might add) and I realized that we can't put things off any longer cause time is a very important commodity and we need to live every second that we have left....So here goes me I'm ready to live!  Of course this means I have to leave the better part of me behind, Dan....I already miss him and I haven't even left yet!  


Dan will be handling the "Pattern Shop" while I am gone but I must warn everyone shipping will only be on Saturdays!  Well "Happy Trails" to me!  See everyone in February!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (7)
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1/13/2012

Simply Primitives for January!

Simply Primitives opens it's doors January 15th with some new and interesting eye candy. "Soft in the Head" will have some new characters with a bit of a twist. Meet the "King of Hearts" a PODD with a lot of love! I always enjoy making PODDS but the Valentines Day PODDS are a particular favorite of mine, maybe I'm truly an Ol' Softee at heart! 
I know there is such a following of Gnomes, I mean who doesn't love the "Roaming Gnome"?  I thought I would try making my own version using mice....Meet my "Garden Mice" Beadle and Blossom!  I truly love the pointy hats and the detail stitching on their clothes.  Since I am the "Mouse Lady" why not have a pair of Gnomey Mice...Right?  I will be traveling while this sale is going on so please be patient re: me getting back to you!   

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (1)
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1/13/2012

"Soft in the Head" in Prims Magazine!

The "New" Prims magazine is out in the stores and guess who has a spot in it.....yep my elephant  PODD "Elwood". This Ol' girl couldn't be happier... cause with this one they contacted me.  I just knew Elwood was going to be special and he proved that with his profile in this wonderful magazine!  Elwood has a nice home in Fairfax, Va. living there with some of his other PODD friends so he is unavailable for comment at this time!



For any of you that aren't familiar with what a PODD is they are a specialty line of characters designed by me "the Ol' Softee" here at "Soft in the Head".  PODD stands for Portly, Original, Designer Doll! 
They have become so popular with collectors that they have their own site: www.softinthehead-poddsville.blogspot.com  Hope you will visit the "Land of PODD" and meet some of these funny round characters!  In the meantime you can meet "Elwood" in this issue of "Prims".

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (9)
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1/12/2012

Miss You Casper!

It has been a year since my buddy Casper lost his battle with cancer and left us.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss those occasional head butts or the meet and greets in the bathroom.  I still think I hear the floor boards creak under his 22 lbs. of pure cat love!  There was a time that if someone asked me if I was a cat person that I would reply with a quick "NO"!  Casper changed this for me.  We adopted Casper when he was 3 months old so our little Seamus would have a buddy.  When we met Casper he was a bit shy but took to Dan right away, most animals do.  Casper's history was a sad one.  His nose had been broken along with some serious contusions to his backside and head.  This loving boy had also been doused in lighter fluid and set on fire by some seriously demented 8 year olds.  There mother was able to catch Casper before to much skin damage had been done but the psychological  damage was off the chart.  Casper ended up at   the Vermont animal rescue with little or no hope of ever being adopted because of his fear of people.  He had no fear of Dan when we met him and soon became a part of our family.  It took me a long time to bond with him but once I did he was an inspiration and a constant companion!  Everyday was a new step on that stairway of trust for Casper.  He always trusted Dan and eventually me but no one else.  In fact, his name is Casper because no one even knew he existed most of the time cause they never saw him.  My friend Stacey Mead remembers meeting Casper and soon became accepted by him but it usually took days for him to appear to anyone.

Casper was with us for 13 years.....13 years of smiles and laughter cause he had the most incredible personality and a very lo-o-ong tail!  We could rarely set any food (especially dip) on our coffee table cause his tail always found its way into the middle of it.  He was also the biggest klutz I had ever seen....never being able to round a corner at a run without sliding around it on his side.  When it came to catching mice (our old store had plenty) he had the patience of a monk and the speed of a cheetah on steroids!  Dan and I were often greeted with gifts in the morning, little dead furry ones.  Needless to say the mouse population around here came to a halt while he was alive.  One of the most emotional moments in our life with Casper is when we re-located to Virginia and he made the trip, in a rather large carrier, with us.  Both Dan and I remember the look on his face when we opened the door to the carrier and he entered his new home.  He looked at us with a look of pure love and delight as if he were saying "you brought me with you"!  

We NEVER took one moment with this cat for granted because he showed us a new world through his eyes and actions.  I miss you my enchanted love and wish so much you could have stayed with me forever!  You were the teacher and I the student in our relationship and I am forever grateful of our time together! 

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (7)
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1/10/2012

The Winner Is.......




 The Winner Is......
Robin of "The Cranky Crow"!


Thank you everyone for participating.  I will have more giveaways throughout the year!  I just wish every one of you could win!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (8)
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1/09/2012

New Goodies on PFATT....

My PFATT Marketplace for January is all about "Hearts and Love".  I decided to do an entire Valentine theme this month....maybe it's because I still have a ton of red and white fabric left over from Christmas or it could be I just love "LOVE"!  Either way I have 3 new little characters that are all dressed up for a bit of that Valentine Love......"Be Mine" is all about Mitzi the Mouse being all excited about her secret admirer and dancing a jig while waving her Valentine around! 


Next is "Penelope Sweets" a bit of a dowager mouse who is all about the proper way to do Valentines Day.....I especially love her dress and apron.  The dress is a soft velvety plush fleece and the apron and bonnet are made from a vintage hanky.... 

Last but hardly least is a new addition to PODDS-ville "Miss Lovey PODD".  I enjoy making PODDS (Portly Original Designer Dolls).  I have so many PODD collectors out there that I hope Miss Lovey won't have a problem finding a home....Com'on over and give all the artists on PFATT a peek: http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/softinthehead.html  I'm sure you won't be dissapointed!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (3)
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1/08/2012

Pattern Factory!

Recently I made a comment on Facebook about my recent excursion to the post office where I quickly became the other customers worst nightmare...I had 187 pieces of mail to ship.  With the exception of seven packages everything else was patterns.  January has always been a great month for pattern sales but throw in a 50% off sale and you end up with a tidal wave of orders!  There were patterns going to Norway, Sweden, Germany, England, Italy, Australia, France and Canada.  This has been the absolute best sale I have had to date and might be my last unless I can train my cats to stuff, lick and address!  I was completely over-whelmed and at times crossing my eyes in frustration!  Notice the "Chairman of the Board" (Seamus our cat) was little or no help!  

Since my surgery driving has been on the back burner and I have had to rely primarily on Dan for shuttling me around and trips to the post office.  Since he works Monday through Friday shipping was usually on Saturdays.  I apologize to everyone who has experienced any delay in receiving any of my shipments.  Good News.... I am now able to drive and hopefully things will get back to normal with timely deliveries.  

Many have asked why I even have a sale like this when my patterns seem to do very well at their regular prices. 
It's cause everyone needs a break now and then financially  and sometimes getting even a pattern can put
an added strain on one who is counting their pennies.  This also helps me clean out older inventory and get an idea of what is truly hot right now.  It goes without saying that "MICE" are a big winner but what surprised me was that "anything" Halloween sold......and not to mention the bunnies, Easter is right around the corner!  Sooooo I guess in the BIG scheme of things "Soft in the Head" is still loved and in demand!  Thank you to all that took advantage of the sale and "Happy Sewing"!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (5)
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1/06/2012

Work In Progress!


Often I find myself just putting things together with no idea where they will go.  The cat PODDS pictured here are commissioned pieces... so I have a pretty good idea what needs to be done but when a collector tells you to "just go with it"  LOOK OUT cause that is exactly what will happen!  Some of the best work done by artists is done when they are given freedom to express themselves! 

The dowels and wood bases is an idea that has been forming in my mind and when I figure it all out I will go back to finish these odd looking pieces!  I truly love working with fabric and don't think that will EVER change....now adding clay, hmmmmm this may be my new thing!  There is nothing better than a good solid tooth added to an expression to make it "POP" or is it "CHOMP"!  I thoroughly LOVE my job!   

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (4)
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1/03/2012

Finding Treasures and Planning....

As I walk down this "artist" path I find that I keep getting side-tracked wanting to try different trails/avenues... but in the big scheme of things I always seem to find my way back to that one trail/avenue that has always lead me to my true self "Whimsical Primitive".  It's in my soul....there is no changing it!  My imagination is my "Aladdin's Lamp" and when I rub it the "Whimsy" genie takes me on a ride!  I have already started shopping for props to use with this years new characters.  In my travels along the internet road I came across some great finds....two sets of very old and rustic candle sticks!  I can't wait to see what these remarkable finds will whisper to me so that crazy imagination of mine can take over!  Odd and old are my favorite words in this profession I have chosen....the odder the better and as far as old...bring it on!  I will be traveling to the west coast this month and have already planned on hitting every junk store in the entire state of Washington and Oregon while I'm there....Have junk, Will travel...that's me!  Dan use to stare and raise an eyebrow with concern for my sanity now he just smiles and knows something extraordinary is about to happen!  So,  sit back and buckle up the Ol' Softee is on a mission!

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (6)
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12/29/2011

A New Years Tradition!

"A Good Luck Tradition!"  
 Many places have their traditional faire for the holidays but one that sticks with me is the Southern tradition for good luck, "Blackeyed  Peas" for New Years! Now, I'm not talking about the singing group but the scrumptious dish of legumes that tastes REALLY good with cornbread and turnip greens. Can you tell my family is from the south, lol! My personal favorite way to cook these little bits of culinary delight is by throwing them into my slow cooker and forgetting about them....my favorite way to cook! Here's a great slow cooker recipe that I use but I substitute the ham and bacon with a good turkey sausage! Of course I also attempt to make corn bread but nothing has ever compared to the mouth watering corn bread that comes from my mother's kitchen....her secret is bacon drippings and buttermilk, hmmmmmmmm, I feel my arteries hardening even thinking about it!! 

I wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year and one filled with a multitude of possibilities! 

Slow Cooker Blackeyed Peas

 6 cups water 
1 cube chicken bouillon 
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed 
1 onion, diced 
2 cloves garlic, diced 
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded
diced 1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced 
8 ounces diced ham 4 slices bacon, chopped 
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin salt, to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

Directions Pour the water into a slow cooker, add the bouillon cube, and stir to dissolve. Combine the black-eyed peas, onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, ham, bacon, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper; stir to blend. Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours until the beans are tender.

My friends who left their wisdom and smiles....... (6)
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