Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

March Hares and garden goods

NO MORE SNOW!
Hurrah!
We exhibited at the Nashville Garden show this past weekend, and I am embarrassed to tell you I took NO pictures of the beautiful displays. Nevertheless, I came home with 21 plants to start out the Spring planting.
Dwarf Hollyhocks, Penstemon, Mexican sage, Dwarf Butterfly bush, Purple sage, Lavender (of course!) and Rose Campion. A small selection, but a beginning.
I always buy at least 3 of each plant.
Last year, I finally discovered a Lavender that is Jeri-proof. I'm at the top of the MOST WANTED list for killing  Lavender plants. Little Lavender plants shudder with fear when they see me coming; but honestly, I have tried everything  to properly care for them, to no avail.. THEN, I discovered  "PHENOMENAL" Lavender. It actually likes our Tennessee climate and it even survived this winter's mess! So, I bought 5 more tiny pots.
(And the planter is pretty cool too.)
Snooping amidst my potager plot, I poked at newly emerging buds, tiny leaves, signs of life and the encouragement of things to come. 
 I also found these...
Two huge eggs are even larger than last years goose eggs!
These must belong to Mathilda, who has never before graced us with her bounty.How exciting! Maybe we will have  Tilly Goslings this year.
You may have noticed, we also have a few Fuzzyfoots  sniffing amidst the future garden goods.
Lydia Lemongrass 
is 7" tall from foot to ear tip. She sits atop a tuffet pin-cushion made from a vintage quilt with primitive stitching. She is fashioned of sheep's wool, and silvery grey mohair. Her head and arms are jointed so that she can search high and low neath the parsley, to reach the  best bits.

 I must confess, I love Lydia.
Once a week, for the next month, I will be featuring  a few of my woolen Fuzzyfoots.
Below is Tottietoes.
 She is nearly 5 1/2" tall and sits upon a soft, puffy pin-keep sewn from my own "Hopalong Jack" quilt fabric, covered in Morning Glories.Tottietoes is fashioned of Alpaca wool, sheep's wool and 
 mohair.
Her little noggin is jointed so that she can turn her fuzzy face from side to side in search of miniature rose buds to add to her straw bonnet.

Mr Parsnip is ever so fuzzy, extremely so.

Looks like he's already discovered some early carrots..

and a cabbage too!
 That's good, because he IS a vegetarian.
"INDEED!"
Mr. Parsnip has an articulated neck, is fully jointed and has very large feet.
He carries his cabbage and has a basket on his back.

 In fact, I am still trying to figure a way to keep him from toppling over. I will likely have to remove his soles and add some weights to the inside of his footsies. Trial and error.
He is fashioned of long curly mohair, alpaca and sheep's wool with glass eyes. and stands 8" tall.

 My little Fuzzyfoots will be available for sale at the Country Living Fair, April 24-26th.
Some will be up for bid on Ebay.
.
 I displayed 10 of them at the garden show, and I could have sold them all , but I wouldn't.
I want to make an impressive display of around 40 "Fuzzyfoots and Featherweights" in my booth at the Fair.
To those of you, who have  been following my progress in this endeavor,:If you fall in love with one of these little un's  posted in the next few weeks, let me know, I will be pleased to reserve it for you and mark it sold. Just email me at jeri@hopalonggreetings.com
My prices will start at $225.
 https://stellashows.com/
I do all the Country Living Fairs, they are just great. I am especially excited about this one because it is in my state and only 3 hours from home.
 I will keep reminding you of this fair for  the next month... I want you to come!

43 comments:

  1. the critters are all so wonderful! they all look real. i love those pots and have quite a few. i forget the name of the company but they do some terrific tiles too. i skipped last years fair ohio but i think i will go this september!

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    1. The company that makes that pot is Burley, I Iooked them up online and they carry some great lines of American Pottery.

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  2. Your critters have such character, Jeri. Do they give prizes for the best booth at the Fair. If so, I'd think your 40 critters would take the prize. I wish that I COULD come and see it, but it is much too far. One of these days I'm going to make it to a Country Living Fair. It must be an honor just to be a part of it. It's been raining for hours here. I wouldn't be surprised to wake up to no snow on the ground, finally. I'm hoping to see daffodils poking up soon. Saturday we're going to a local garden and flower show. I can't wait!

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    1. Cathy, Many shows do give awards for booth display. I have won 1st place ( 6 years in a row) at a show in Madison, In!

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  3. Your little creature are just adorable. Who could begin to choose their favorite. They would just have to take them all! I bet you will sell out at that fair.

    Your plants look wonderful, though almost anything green this time of year does. Soon it will actually be warm enough I hope to start getting some yard work done and some new plants in the ground. With the rain today our snow is melting and there are predictions of near 60 for Thursday! Yea! Can't come soon enough for me.

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    1. Hey Vic, we should reach 70 degrees next week...after this weeks rain.

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  4. Jeri, all of your Fuzzyfoots are so incredible... Oh what a time one would have picking. They are all so very adorable... They do look as if they have stepped out of your books..
    I do believe my favorite is dear Tottietoes Bushybottom. and love that bonnet.
    Love your plants you have purchased. I know you are itching to do some plantings..
    I hope the show went well for you Jeri, and the Country living show should be good fun!
    fondly,
    Penny

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    1. Penny, Tottietoes is a good one, I will tell her you like her best. The show was snowed out for 2 days, but the remaining 2 days were fine.

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  5. I am hoping to make it to the CL fair in NY in June. Will you be there?? Your animals are luscious!!

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    1. Bev, did NY last year, but we are skipping it this year due to the distance from home. You should go to Ohio instead!

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  6. Bonjour,

    J'adore ce charmant petit écureuil...
    Le printemps se fait sentir, les petits oiseaux chantent le matin tôt... et les jardins se réveillent peu à peu.
    Très joli billet.

    ❁ Gros bisous ❁

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  7. Oh my, Jeri! I would have a very difficult time choosing between those two bunnies! I love them both for different reasons! But at this point in my life, I am releasing many of my beloved possessions. It is time to retire and move into a smaller home now. But I know those little babies of yours are going to make someone very happy! Thank you for sharing their “joy” with us.
    Love,
    Lily

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    1. Hi Lily, I am sure they will find good homes, and if they don't, they can live with me forever!

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  8. Lovely work Jerri. Wishing you a burgeoning spring.

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    1. Charlotte, Hope your spring is emerging in England, as is ours.

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  9. Lovely work Jerri. Wishing you a burgeoning spring.

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  10. HOLY COW.....

    Wait.

    I am speechless.

    First of all, you too?You too kill lavender?I thought this was just an "Anita" thing! Typically, I have a green thumb, but lavender HAS TO BE dried in order to survive in my home or garden!

    NOW.....let's get down to business here....your creations. I must email you.

    Back in a few...Anita

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  11. Wonderful cheery spring post! Lovely Fuzzyfoots!

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    1. Yes, It is easy to be cheerful when the sun emerges at last!

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  12. I knew they would be wonderful, and you have not disappointed :) Congratulations - I know you will sell every last one!

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    1. Hello Starr, Thankyou! I must visit your site today and see what lovely things you have created this week from mother nature's bounty.

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  13. These are ADORABLE and BEAUTIFUL! I've always wanted to be able to create bears and rabbits, etc (and also to draw!) I've tried my hand at making a few bears a long time ago, but the poor dears didn't turn out too well. Lol! I had to have a lot of help with them; especially their faces. I recently started making fairy houses, which are easy for me because when I make a mistake I can just disguise it with moss, etc. You can't really do that with sewing projects. Good luck with the fair, although it sounds like you don't need luck. Your creations are beautiful and will sell themselves. I love how fuzzy they are.

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    1. Kristin, Fairy houses are good, really good. That moss really comes in handy for hiding boo boos. But i must tell you that needle felting is very forgiving and boos can be easily fixed with more wool.

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  14. Jeri, It would be so lovely to come see you at the Country Living Fair. I must plan to make it to one. I just love your adorable creations. The life like features on your bunnies are amazing and Tottietoes is just too cute for words. ♥

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    1. Martha, you are near Richmond, Va. right? Having done all the shows, I prefer the Ohio show.. People come from all over the country to these events. You would love it!

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  15. What a true TREAT these lovely desirable Critters are!!! I just adore their sweet appearance in your "snowless" garden!!! (Today my boot disappeared in the deepness of the snow that is still here)!!! Hee!
    Gosh Miss Jeri!! Tottietoes, Lydia Lemongrass, and Mr. Parsnip are toooooo adorable!!! Your world is just the best!!!
    How fortunate you are to be planning your garden with such nice planties!! It gives me a hopeful lift to see it all!!
    Blessings, joy,love and warmth, Miss Linnie Lou

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    1. Linnie, The good thing about all that snow is the moisture it's providing for all that green stuff deep in the earth, that's how I look at it. ANd yes, today the SUN SUN SUN is shining bright and I can pop in a few "planties"!

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  16. Just love them all so much. I'll have to choose one which will be hard. Egg is beautiful too. I sure wish I could go to the Nashville show as my nephew lives there. Garden season is almost here.

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    1. Donna, you should visit your nephew, and me! Honestly, you would love these fairs and I would love to meet you.

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  17. Dear Cousin Jeri,

    We love your Bunnies and Squirrel! They look so delightful amongst all your new garden greenery! Tottietoes Bushybottom looks so sweet in her bonnet! Your display at the Country Living Fair with all these characters and your books will be fantastic! How wonderful about Mathilda's eggs!

    Your cousins,
    Diane and daughter Sarah, and the dolls and Tillie Tinkham the seamstress mouse at Corgyncombe

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    1. Hello cousins! It will be a blast setting up all 40 of the Fuzzyfoots in one place, with my book mural as a background.. I'm in the planning stages right now as well as trying to finish up all the odds and ends... you know, legs, ears, footsies. Sending our best to Tillie Tinkham and the dolls!

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  18. Jeri,
    So lovely, but I am partial to Lydia Lemongrass and her quilted cushion:-) I shall have to check out that lavender, for some reason mine does not do well either.
    Kindly,
    Suzanne

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    1. The Phenomenal lavender is quite forgiving of humidity and lots of moisture, Most Lavender seems to prefer a dryer climate.

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  19. Hi Jeri,
    Thank you so much for visiting.. Your comment warmed my heart... How did you miss the post? Well, I would say you were probably up to your ears in Fuzzyfoots, along with running to shows... I knew you would drop in when you had time... I just want to give each one of these adorable Fuzzyfoots a big hug... You just amaze me.
    Have a great upcoming weekend.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  20. Your little fuzzy foots are very sweet. I would very much love to come to the CL fair, but alas , not this year :( However, I wish you the best time ever, blessings.........

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  21. Dear Jeri - I certainly couldn't choose which one of your furry friends I love the most. Wish I could come to the fair but alas live a bit too far away. I know you will be quite successful though friend. Take care and thanks for sharing your plant choices too...you have made me very sick with spring fever! Unfortunately it is still a wee bit away from us yet! Hope soon!

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  22. How wonderful to see your characters come to life! And we missed the show this year:( and apparently you, as well:((
    I have a little Sophia, here, who has pulled Mamsey and Bushky off the shelf of her "library" and wanted them read over and over! She loves finding all the mousies and baby squirrels and looking at their toes…and asking if Sir P. is a good fox or a bad fox :)) She is enchanted, to say the least.
    I just had to let you know how much we love you!
    Take care and keep doing what you do…It is all so wonderful!
    Much love to you and James and all the critters in the hollow

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  23. Thanks so much Jeri... I am happy you enjoyed viewing little Juliet..
    Yes, I agree about know how to use basic tools.. The one tool I wish I had not let go of was my router, but I still have basic tools and my husbands Makita drill.
    Have a great weekend.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  24. I am lost in your amazingness!!! I Love it. You are Queen!

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  25. I am lost in your amazingness!!! I Love it. You are Queen!

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  26. Amazing Jeri. Each one is so adorable. Is there anything you can't do?

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  27. Hi Jerri, Your work is incredibly stunning and inspiring! I'm having a wonderful time getting caught up on your post :) Spring Blessings from Scattered Seed Samplers

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