Here’s my blog giveaway to celebrate the opening of the AHA Studios Marketplace!  He’s a sculpted jol on a mini canvas, and comes with his own easel!  READ ON!  See how you can win this original piece of artwork from me, and find out how to win from our other artists as well!  OH boy!

We have a wonderful lineup of talent for you!  I specialize in sculpted pieces from papier mache, and various clays, as well as a lot of illustration work for companies with whom I am licensed.  I’ve been at this for a looong time!  You may have purchased something I designed in garden flags, figures, rugs, textiles, Christmas cards ….well, I am now branching out into needlepoint canvases as well.  You never know where I will pop up next!  Here’s more about our group………..

We’re three years old, and today we launch our marketplace to expand the horizons for you, our collectors!!  Our artist members offer fresh one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality seasonal and holiday theme art—from hooked rugs, to whimsical papier-mâché characters, cloth dolls, folk art, fantasy art, paintings, one-of-a-kind ornaments, artist patterns and more!  This is brought to you, directly from the artist’s studio to your home year round, made with you in mind, by award-winning and respected artists.

Visit American Holiday Artists Studio Marketplace at http://www.ahaartistsstudio.com/ .Opt in and subscribe to our mailing list and receive our free monthly newsletter-you’ll keep up with new monthly-artist members, new work, artist challenges and future events. New arrivals featured the 25th of each month.

And for weekly updates, drop in at our blog: AmericanHolidayArtists.com

To launch us on our artistic journey with you, we are taking the theme of The Christkindlemarket in Europe where all things are possible for the holidays………….

You stroll among the tents where artists have displayed their work, so stroll through our artists’ blogs, leave a comment on each one, and perhaps you will be a winner of original artwork!  All you have to do is leave a comment, and each artist will announce the winner on September 12th.  The artists have all silently picked a random number of a comment, so if your number comes up, you will be the happy recipient of their creation.  It’s that simple, and that much fun!  So settle back, relax and begin your stroll.  The list below shows you the participating artists in our market blog giveaway.  Look on my blog roll, underneath the logo for American Holiday Artists, and you will find the links to their blogs..  You can do your hopping thing, leave comments, and have a chance to win fabulous original work from some terrific artists!  So, leave me a comment, continue your journey, and enjoy our launch!  Thanks for looking!

Suzanne Urban Designs
Mothers Dream Artworks
Seasonal Whimsies by Susan V.
folk ‘n’ fiber blog
Alycia’s Art
Back in the day Originals
Cathy Santarsiero The Christmas Corgi
Elysian Field Originals
Fantasy Whispers
Folk Art By Penny
Folk Art from the Heart
Ginny Diezel Studios
Golder’s Creaky Gate
Granny Wolf Original Art Dolls
Howling Moons Blog
Lowell Country Designs
Lynn Bernier Portfolio
Skellyton Art
SnippetGirl
The Goode Wife of Washington County
Whimsical Endeavors
Wings and Paws whimsies

their wedding day

This is beautiful!  This warms my heart!  This makes me cry!  Yes, here are Matthew and Joan, moments after the ceremony.  It took place on Saturday, July 10th, and so many of you have been asking about pictures!  Matthew tells me that they are going through three boxes of proofs, and then, of course, there will be the digital proofs as well.   I haven’t seen what must be hundreds of images taken, but this sums it all up for me - the setting, the event, deep and abiding love.

The photo was taken by the son of one of the groomsmen, and I think it captures the essence of the day.  It was a tranquil, private setting in the Santa Monica Mountains at the Ahmanson Ranch.  This parcel of land is part of the California state parks system, and provides a vista which really sets the mood for a wedding.  Joan was radiant in a lovely halter wedding gown, with a small veil over the left eye.  After the ceremony, she removed the veil and wore a jeweled clip - she is class personified!  Matthew, well, what do you say about the son whom you adore?!  I thought I could hold together, until he came out with the guys, and there he was in his tuxedo - tails and striped trousers.  I then cried, momentarily, as I thought about the baby I had held in my arms, the toddler who had stopped breathing, the child who had so many operations on his ears, the teenager who became an Eagle scout, the college student who went on to get his Master’s Degree in film, and the man who now is a successful movie editor in Hollywood.  OH MY!

Matthew has married Joan, the love of his life - a beautiful (inside and out!), talented, accomplished woman who takes such good care of him, and he of her.  She enriches our family life, and her parents are wonderful, nurturing folks.  Her family brings much to our family - the warmth, the friendship, the lasting relationships.  I have so much to be grateful for…..

This candy corn cat is waiting to see you!

And, so is this little clown snowman!  See you tonight around midnight on SpookyTime Jingles!  Don’t be late!

My computer began to die on me the evening of July 6, just two days before Harry and I were to leave for our son’s wedding in Malibu!  I couldn’t upload pics to Spookytime Jingles, I couldn’t write anyone to tell of the predicament, so I just shut it down, and the next morning, went to a Mac specialist, and I am now the proud owner of a Mac!  YES!  I just picked it up two days ago - the guy was transferring what he could from my old pc, and now I am trying to learn how to do all of this wonderful stuff on a computer which seems to like me!

We had a lovely trip to California, and the wedding was magical!  So many lovely people to meet, but so little time to spend with everyone!   The wedding was held at the Ahmanson Ranch, which is part of the California parks system.  We traveled up a winding, dusty, bumpy road to reach the ranch house for the rehearsal.  The location is quite remote, peaceful, and perfect for such an event.  After our rehearsal, we all headed back to the Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills, where we had a wonderful Mexican buffet for the wedding party and all out-of-town guests.

The morning of the wedding, Joan - now my daughter-in-law!  yay! - had arranged for professionals to do hair and makeup, so the ladies descended on Joan’s suite for the morning.  We all emerged looking pretty classy, if I do say so myself!  About 3 pm, it was off to the ranch, and at 5:30, the wedding began.  Officiating was Joan and Matthew’s yoga instructor, Julian - a delightful, gentle soul.  After the vows to each other, Joan and Matthew were officially Mr. and Mrs. - married under a beautiful tree on the backside of the ranch house.  We then moved right along to a cocktail hour, and then dinner - on the grass, and eventually, under a blanket of stars!  In the distance, you could see the lights from the San Fernando Valley, but we were all to ourselves…..It was magical!

Now that I am back on the East Coast, and slowly returning to reality, I am getting myself in gear for updates and fall shows, so I will be working solidly up to Christmas.  You can go to my Flickr site to see some Santas I am sending to Reasons to Believe, and  please be checking back for more news!  There will be plenty!

Here’s the link to the wedding site- there is one lovely picture which has been posted.  It was taken by Dave Thomas, one of the groom’s men.  The view is what you see just beyond the wedding tree!  Enjoy!   www.joandmattwedding.com

Welcome to my garden!  Mine is not the traditional fare - I have interesting visitors, not just today, but every day!  Be sure to scroll to the end of this blog entry, because there is a lot to see!

Dawn breaks over the marsh behind my house.  You can barely see our picket fence - it’s really open to visitors 24/7, and you’ll see why………

Usually the first visitors to my garden are the mallards.  They fly in or swim up to the bank, and make their way to the yard where I have tossed out corn the night before.  Or, they share food at my makeshift feeding station, on the outside of the fence.  If the tide is out, it’s a long walk to the yard, especially when they bring their babies.  The ducklings cannot fly as yet, so they must be exhausted when they finally arrive.

Squirrels are usually the next visitors.  You can see a stepladder in the picture.  I am called a wildlife enabler by my friends.  I put the stepladder against the back of the house (this is the kitchen window, in front of which I sculpt and paint all day).  The squirrels and raccoons (night visitors)  climb up the ladder to eat what I put out for them.   If I am not watchful, and all of the black oil sunflower seeds are gone, the squirrels will knock on the glass and look inside.  Boy!  They have ME trained!

An overnight shower has given way to a beautiful morning, and the impatiens are luxuriating in the rain and sun!  Aren’t they gorgeous?!

The heads of my everblooming hydrangeas are drooping a bit from the rain, but they will pop up strong as the day wears on.  This variety gives me blooms throughout the summer!

It’s late afternoon, and the geese are strolling slowly up the bank from the marsh, babies in tow.  My!  How they have grown, but they aren’t ready to fly as yet, and so they must walk here.  The nest must be fairly close by…….. Even though they are large, they still make the same sweet noises as they did when they were just a few weeks old.  Usually, one parent always stands guard while everyone else eats.  And, if you get too close to the babies, the parents hiss!  They know me now, so they trust me to take their picture for everyone to see.

Early evening finds my friendly little muskrat.  For those of you who have not seen one, or do not know of their existence, muskrats   are of the rodent family, marsh dwellers.  I would describe them as essentially beavers with rat-like tails.  They don’t build lodges, but rather burrow into a bank.  They are vegetarians, but this little guy enjoys the dog food I put out for the raccoons.  He’s an amiable little fella - great whiskers, delicate little paws, but I bet his teeth are something else!  He likes the watermelon, but prefers the dog food, and will eat right along side the raccoons.   I wish I had a picture of the raccoons eating with the possums who live on the marsh.  It’s an excellent example of species being able to get along without strife.  There is plenty of food which I provide, and so they see no need to fight for something to eat.

The last visitors to my garden party are the baby raccoons.  When they are large enough to be learning about their environment, the parents bring the kids to visit in our yard.  At night, you can see them playing in the moonlight, and you can also hearing the parents giving them instructions, particularly if one strays off in the dark.  Ah Nature!  isn’t this grand!

Well, there you have it!  My garden party which I offer for your enjoyment!  I wish you all could be here to enjoy my backyard, nestled against the marsh.  I live in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and our home is tucked away in a subdivision which is bordered by bustling traffic on one side, and this tranquility on the other.  We moved here 36 years ago, and think we made the right choice.  Our vista is a gift every day of the year.  I hope you have enjoyed it as well today!

Please come back and see me, look at my artwork, visit the sites where my work is available, and visit the many places I have listed on the blog.  You won’t regret your adventures!  And, please let me know how you liked the party!   :-)  Ginny