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    June 26

    Summer RED

    It's been months since I last shared what's new in our studio.  We've been busy.  Our new website www.thymeoftheseason.com is up and running. Between our excellent photographer, Eric Highfield and Matt I've managed to post photos of most of our new work.  A few pieces still need to be added and I hope to do that next week.
     
    What's New
     
    Thyme of the Season has partnered with two excellent artists; Bonnie Bews and Margo Gracey who also open their studios (Hinterglas Castle and Bramblewood Studio) to the public.  We are offering a mini tour that people can take Tuesdays through Saturdays.  Both Bonnie and Margo have very interesting studio spaces and I enjoy visiting them each and every time.  Their art and working environments provide endless amounts of joy and inspiration to visitors of all ages.
     
    Tomorrow is our first of two shows we are hosting at our home studio....Summer RED.  Ten local artists will set up and show their work to the public in support of the RED campaign. The list of artists includes Bonnie Bews, Margo Gracey, Deborah Harkness, Annabelle Myshok, Carol Pollock, Leslie Songer Terry, Pat Whittle and Gail Wilson.  For more information on these fabulous artists visit our website at www.thymeoftheseason.com and look under Artists of Summer RED.
     
    Our second show titled "Out of Thin Air" will start August 1st and continues throughout the summer.  It is a public art exhibition, an experiment in observation and a scavanger hunt that will take you throughout Muskoka.  There will be more details to follow.
     
    That is all for now.  We thank you for your continuing support and look forward to seeing you tomorrow ~ Saturday June 27th between 10am-5pm for our Summer RED charity show.
     
    March 18

    Lures, Fish, and More Lures

    Matt and I are hard at work creating this years NEW pieces.  Slowly but surely our months of drawing patterns is turning into actual creations.  This year we've decided to embrace our lakeside surroundings and carve lures, fish and more lures!  Fourteen different styles of lures have been drawn and it's up to me to carve each and every one.  Carving is my passion but this time around the painting may take first chair.  The combinations are endless and it is so much fun.  Most of the lure styles are traditional but with our rustic whittled edges and aged finish these pieces are sure to delight.
     
    Here are the first few little 'pumpkinseeds'.  The hooks and eyelets are yet to be attached as we are still waiting for the lure making supplies to arrive.  We check the post each day...we'll keep you posted.
     

    March 10

    Canadian Living April 2009

    Today in the mail we received April's issue of Canadian Living magazine and were delighted to find one of our Vintage Fashions on page 35.  Creating and carving the dresses has become a passion of mine...the styles and colours are unlimited.  And, I love repurposing the vintage frames and magazine articles to create the perfect vignette for each hand carved 1940s-1960s style dress.  Pick up your copy of Canadan Living  April 2009 to find lots of other great ideas for "Going GREEN"
     

     

    March 01

    Back to Work

    Last week Matt and I spent our days cleaning the workshop.  We organized all of our treasurers and found each and every useful piece an official home. The rest was recycled or discarded. It was an extremely productive week and a task that was long over due.  Spring cleaning happens but once a year and by the end of a very busy season our workspace looks like a disaster.  This year we did our best to clean every knook and kranny...so we are good to go for another year.  We've made promises to one another to keep things tidy...fingers crossed.
     
    This is where we go everyday...the surfaces are clean and most things have been put away...a great way to start the season.
     
    This is our finishing table...in the center of our workspace.  Beyond the door we store all our treasures.
     
    This is where I work everyday...it looks a little untidy but everything is right where I want it.
    February 09

    Shelter What You Love

     

    Shelter What You Love

    I created a series of birdhouses with wild and wonderful surprises within...this piece made during the month of love (Feburary) is home to three hand-carved hearts.

    I really enjoyed making this one of a kind piece...the home is crafted from reclaimed maple and is accessorized with a vintage door handle and name plate. 

    The mother dove on top rests perfectly protecting what she hold most dear.

    Shelter What You Love

    January 30

    Natures Natural Inspirations

    The other day while having tea with a friend and watching the birds flutter about the feeders ferociously vying for a perch, we commented on how peaceful and joyful it is to watch birds.  I spend about two months of the year conciously watching the activity at our feeders.  Some days I sketch the birds...closely noting their colours and shape.  But, I also enjoy watching them feed and interact with one another.  Their are magnificent!
     
    Although, it is impossible to have a favorite I have decided that one of the sweetest kindest little birds to visit is the RED BREASTED NUTHATCH.  The inspiration behind this piece...
     
     
    This piece titled "Nut Hatch and the Not Hatch" has happily found the perfect home.  For more information on similiar work please email me at aturnbull9@sympatico.ca
    January 22

    New Ideas in the Works

    It's been a while since I last updated my space.  We are not yet back in the studio so I have little to show you physically...but lots of ideas and plans have been hatched for this upcoming season...and we are super excited.  This year we will be hosting our first solo show at our own studio.  Now, that may seem like an odd idea considering we only sell our work at our home studio thyme of the season but we plan to do it up BIG...make it an event...a spectacle you might say!  We will be giving this show the same time and attention that we have given to every solo show we've ever done.  So, we have a lot of work ahead of us this winter/spring. As the details come together I will share more.
     

    In the meantime, I will go back to watching the birds...
     
     
    January 08

    6 Girls and a Guy

    A couple of weeks ago my photo appeared in the local paper.  It was a great shot taken by Bev McMullen (a super talented local photographer) during the opening night of 6 Girls and a Guy, a Christmas show, hosted by Penny Varney at her gallery in Gravenhurst.  The show was a huge success and we are proud to announce that Penny has invited us to be one of her new artists.  This new year is already heading in an exciting direction!
     

     
     
    January 07

    Bird Watching

    Here at Thyme of the Season the bird watching continues.  The snow has been falling one foot at a time so getting to the workshop is nearly impossible...walking a mere 100 feet from our home in this much snow seems like too much work.  So, I am staying indoors by the warm toasty fire, working on my new designs and watching my feathered friends.  Some days I will see as many as 10 different species...the enjoyment from watching these sweet little creatures is endless.
     
    Below you can see a large Pileated Woodpecker hard a work...on a BASSWOOD tree! 
     

                 

     
    January 03

    Gathering Inspiration

    All creations start somewhere...and although I am not actively producing any work right now I am gathering my thoughts and ideas for a great collection of new work.  To do this I have only to look out my front door.  So, that is just what I am doing.  For the first time we have hung a birdfeeder from the back porch.  Normally, I only feed the birds by the workshop but for a change we thought this would be nice.  We have been blessed with 10 or more frequently feeding Blue Jays.  Their colours are so magnificent and to watch them interact is fun.  We also have our regular chickadees, nuthatches, and now red breasted nuthatches.  I've always wanted to see a Cardinal here and yesterday I got my wish...and again today.  I am hoping that he will convince his mate that Thyme of the Season would be the perfect place to take up residence.  Here are some photos of my feathered friends...
     
    Cardinal hangs out watching everyone else feed
     
                     
                                Red breasted Nuthatch takes his turn                             The Blue Jays spend most of the day feeding
    December 23

    Merry Christmas!

    From our house to yours...
    Merry Christmas
     
     
    Santa's favorite little helper is ready!
     
    And, this guy is tired of waiting.
     
    Matt and I are taking a little break...I'm still doing some carving and making new patterns for the New Year but the everyday hustle and bustle has slowed down for a while.  I can barely make it to my workshop...everyday we get at least a foot of snow.  As promised we are spending lots of time loving our pups.  I will continue to post our new creations and activities...
    If you get a chance, check out www.thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com for a great little Christmas give away.  What a great idea and a beautiful ornament...I think we'll do that next year! Their work is wonderful and their blog is full of fabulous photos and interesting info. 
     
     
     
    December 16

    6 Girls and a Guy

    Starting today and running until Christmas is a great little show full of wonderfully talented local artists hosted by Penny Varney at her gallery in Gravenhurst.  I encourage you all to go to check it out!
     
    6 Girls and a Guy
    includes such well known artists as
     
    Penny Varney
    Bonnie Bews
    Gena Denne
    Margo Gracey
    Leslie Songer Terry
    Me...Andrea Turnbull
    Robert Dykstra
     
    For more information please call (705) 687-8078 or visit 114 Muskoka Road South, Gravenhurst

    Big Thanks!

    Matt and I want to thank each and every one who came to our little corner at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto this December.
    We were pleased to see many familiar faces as well as introduce new people to our work.
    It was a wonderful show full of great Canadian talent and we look forward to doing it again next year.
    We would also like to thank our helpers...Leslie Songer Terry (weaver), Traci Rogers (family friend) and especially my mom who kindly looked after our house full of four legged furry friends!
     

     

     

    December 01

    Show Thyme

    It's Show Thyme
    Matt and I will be at the
    One of a Kind Show
    in Toronto from
    December 2nd - December 7th
    we are Booth N-40
    Hope to see you there!
    Frosty
     
    November 29

    So Close...

    I am basically prepared to say "we're finished!"...Less some minor packing issues.
     
    Here is a quick list of what was involved 
     
    • 150 grams of nails
    • 3 spools of wire (multiple gauges)
    • a few minor injuries...just some slivers and scatches
    • many trips to the local hardware store
    • 1000 feet of basswood
    • 2 weeks of very little sleep

    And, you've got yourselves the making of a One of a Kind Show!

    I look forward to seeing you all there!  We've made some great NEW pieces.

     

    November 28

    Our work is almost done...

    It was another long day in the workshop but it is safe to say that WE WILL BE READY.  Only a few more pieces need that finishing touch and a minor adjustment to the booth lighting...And we will be ready to go.
     
    It was exciting to put the booth together today and I do have to say "Matt did an excellent job!" and "it looks so so so good!"  While, Matt was putting up the walls of our booth I was putting each one of a kind dress with it's corresponding frame and back.  It is a process that takes time and patience...neither of which I feel I have right now...But the job is done.  And, I even neatly packed them all. 
     
    Here are the photos...the booth looks even better in person.
     

    Our booth is set up in the workshop

    Matt has built two cabinets that flank either side of the door (storage room) and you can make out part of the desk to the left

     

    Side view of the booth             Perfect front door wreath

                                                               

     

    November 27

    One of a Kind has begun!

    One of a Kind started today! Thankfully, we have a few more days to finish up some work and get all of our great new pieces packed.  Sorry there are no photos tonight...we did not get our booth set up...but Matt promises it will be ready to go tomorrow morning.  It was fine with me...I spent 12 hours doing dress backs and needed every minute to finish them.  I think they are fabulous!  I am ready to relax for an hour and get to bed a little earlier.  I promise more photos tomorrow.
     
    Have a great night!
     
    November 26

    Less than a week

    Time really does fly when your having fun and when you are really really busy. Before we know it we will be showing our work at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. We are so excited...just a few more pieces to assemble and then we are going to try to rest this weekend before heading to Toronto Monday afternoon.
     
    Not many pictures today...I put together some cardinal and dove garden pokes while Matt painted the shelves for the booth and made these really cool shelf brackets. Everything he has done for the booth has so much detail. I am really happy with how it turned out. Tomorrow we plan to put it all together to make sure it is just right...kind of a trial run.  I'll post the photo when we get it up.
     
    Til then...
     

    Movable Santa comes to life

    This happy fellow still needs a base and some finishing touches...
    come see him at the show
     

     

    Matt still hard at work                         Three Shelves and a Bracket

    Matt is working on the brackets for the shelves...he'll be done some time tonight...
    always working
     

     

     

    November 25

    ONE Week to Go

    The Snow Has Arrived
    The Snow has arrived in Muskoka
    and it looks beautiful
     
    It has been a 16 hour day in a very cramped workshop.  We are working on multiple projects to get everything done.  And, it was a long but extremely productive day.  Tonight I am just going to share the photos.
     
    Cardinal Close-up                          Antique wheels become Angel bases
     
     
    Love these little angels                          Sweet Little Angels
     
     
    November 24

    Relax...we are going to make it!

    I am almost ready to celebrate...almost. Today was great! I completed many, many ornaments as well as wreath doves and a little bit of packing.  I think we are in good shape and may even be able to take some time off this weekend...to catch up on sleep. 
     
    Tonight, I continued to paint dresses and because of a short lunch and no breaks I am finished a little bit earlier tonight.  Yeah!
     
    More Dresses
    Great colours, eh?!
     
    Matt also got a lot done.  Bases for treetopper doves - CHECK, Welded the bases for sweet angels - CHECK, all of the frames sanded - CHECK.  Wow!  This guy is a machine...better. 
     
    Matt grinds bases for angels              Bases for Tree toppers - DONE