It’s that time again! Monday evening Bart, Lauren and I ventured out to the MacLennan’s pumpkin patch in Windsor and picked out 4 huge, beautiful pumpkins. Last night we lit the woodstove (for the first time this season), made apple, cheddar soup and sat down to carve …

Bart’s poor guy has an unfortunate drill situation. Lauren made a delicate outline of Pepe’s head. Rollie allowed us to trace his favorite toy, “Mr. Bear” and Lauren cut it out. Thomas is trotting boldy under the stars on my pumpkin.

I hope everyone has a spooky, wonderful evening!

Today Theresa, my assistant, and I went to Plainfield , Vermont for the Vermont Craft Council’s Fall Conference. It was a beautiful drive up north- the leaves are still in full color… It was great to see other crafters and to chat about trends, markets and Vermont crafts in general. I feel very privileged to be a part of this vibrant community. I came away feeling very charged up and ready to tackle some new floorcloth projects. There was a workshop about blogging, and that has inspired me to keep this blog alive and kicking. Please let me know what is of particular interest to you.

I am working on a design for an entryway of a home here in Weathersfield. The house looks out over sheep pastures and out to Mt. Ascutney, right now in grand autumn splendor. I am working this view into a floorcloth design which will also incorporate the family’s sheep, hens and rooster too. Check back for more details, as I work on this one.

New for Fall at Canvasworks ~ Autumn Leaves

This floorcloth has a scattering of windswept leaves painted on a beautiful iridescent gold background, with a Greenfield Pumpkin border with Brown Leaves and Essex Green trim. It will be available at the “Shades of Autumn” Art, Artisan and Antique Show at Ascutney Mountain in Brownsville, Vermont on October 12th, 13th and 14th.

The floorcloth shown is 2′X3′ and we also have it as a 2′X5′ runner. We’re also making placemats and table runners using a similar design. These will be available by ordering by phone (802-263-5410), buying at the “Shades of Autumn” event, or by stopping by the studio in Perkinsville.

Pricing is as follows:

2′ X 3′ floorcloth $75

2′ X 5′ runner $100

3′ X 5′ Checks and Leaves floorcloth $125

set of 4 12″ X 18′ placemats $55

12″ X 36″ table runner $45; 14″ X 48″ table runner $55

Leaf painted on Canvas Hairclip (with pretty dangling maple leaves) $25

Come enjoy Vermont’s beautiful foliage and take home some leaves to last forever!

Take a look at the new Canvasworks Gift Shop , where you can buy notecards and other items showing Lisa Curry Mair’s artwork. There’s a beautiful mahogany tile box with Lisa’s folk art “Two Unicorns” image that’s especially nice. More items will be added over the next few weeks so keep checking back.

November 10 & 11, 2007
10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Come to Vermont for two days of painting and Creating!
In this two-day workshop students will learn several aspects of traditional floorcloth painting. Each participant will work on a 2’ X 3’ prepared and hemmed canvas floorcloth, incorporating techniques such as brush control, stencilling, detailing and finishing.

Choose your design: Mariner’s Star , Country Farm or you can bring your own*. You’ll learn to transfer a design, paint details and Lisa will be giving lots of tips to make your painting beautiful. You will be able to take your floorcloth home to finish and use (or give as a gift for Christmas!).

Examples of floorcloths students may choose to paint in this workshop:

Mariner’s Star 2′ X 3′ OR Country Farm 2′ X 3′

Instructor: Lisa Curry Mair

Assitant Instructor: Theresa Hooker

Class Size: limited to 6

Materials included: 2’ X 3’ primed and hemmed floorcloth, paints needed for project, use of Canvasworks brushes, stencils, directions, box lunches on both days.

Fee: $200

Registration must be received before October 20, 2007

* If you are bringing your own design please be sure that it will fit on a 2’ X 3’ floorcloth.

Printable PDF of class description

Printable PDF of Workshop Registration Form