art and sew

Fake spring is good enough for me!

2011-03-12T11:40:00.002-05:00

This is what happened: I saw a sign saying that the Garden show was coming up at my local grocery store. Deciding I would just check it out while picking up a few odds and ends, I stumbled (literally) into this in the back room!

Outside it is still muddy, gray and brown and everything is dirty. Aaaagh! I am so tired of living in a colorless world!

Then....THIS!!

And THIS...

Not to mention, THIS

None of which, for the capability of this blog, includes the fragrance of a multitude of flowers, the sound of rushing water, the warm, humid air or the tactile impression of boulders, moss and bark.

Honestly, I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, trying to regain my composure. Because in that few minutes of standing in this environment that included everything but the Munchkins singing and birds flying about, I fully comprehended how utterly exhausted I am, how bone tired of the cold, the raw and the dirty, the snowplow at 4 AM, school snow days, filthy cars, and the hassle of heavy clothes and clompy boots.

I am happy to say that just around the corner peeks spring and I am daring to hope that once again my cute shoes will make their way out of the closet and the cats can sleep on the deck and my car can be cleaned and actually stay that way.

Oh, and just to be clear, I actually did say grocery store. This place is so unbelievable, it's just a treasure. It has a candy shop, a florist, a garden center, a bakery, fish shop, butcher shop, cheese shop, soup and salad bar, and store filled with all manner of wonderful, locally produced food. There are something like 6 cashiers on hand at all times so you absolutely never have to wait in line--ever. And for some obscure reason, the prices are completely reasonable.

Adams Fairacre Farms...otherwise known as my personal mental health clinic, I thank you. And I salute your landscapers--they are miracle workers!

Here it is...

2011-01-27T08:03:00.001-05:00

the lack of posts and the reason for that...

I am stumbling. Lacking time and well, photographs, too. Honestly, kind of depressed.

It's a grouchy, hung over, bad lookin' winter here in Upstate New York. Everything is muddy, gray and brown. 'Cept my beautiful car, which is covered in white salt. I'd wash it, but you know, five minutes later, same thing all over again.

My little kitty Webster got sick and we had to put him to sleep. In all my pet owning years I somehow have managed to avoid having to euthanize an animal, so this was a first. It was not a bad process and the vet was so very kind. I miss the little weirdo, though. He's the one in the tuxedo in the post about my "family."

My husband had a near miss with a job, after being out of work for two years. So the roller coaster ride was rather intense. That was really hard. I'm working on, seriously, minute-by-minute breathing and letting go of my fears. I keep telling myself we are going to be ok and we will get through this, but still, I'm scared. It takes a lot of energy to keep moving away from fear because it's like a rubber band that keeps snapping me back. I don't know which is more exhausting, trying to stay out of fear or feeling it and being wiped out from that.

I'd love to do something more creative. I am very good at my parent advocate job. It's nice to go to work and be happy to be there and feel like something I am doing is making a difference to a family, maybe not right away, but eventually setting a new direction that just might make things better. But I'd like to create beautiful things, express myself artistically. Have some more animals and a nice garden. These things are not impossible, just slightly out of reach.

So as I grapple with these things, I am not writing on the blog. Today, though, I thought maybe I should just say what's going on. I am reading some EXCELLENT books about shame by Brene Brown. They are helping me a lot to grow and accept myself, even the ugly, awful parts of me. And believe me, I've got the petty, bitter, stupid stuff along with everything else. Because I know that the way most people perceive themselves is in a more positive light than they probably actually appear to others, I know I probably have a lot of other, shall we say, challenging traits that need softening. And then, because when I'm feeling down, I am harder on myself than is helpful and so I am probably a little shy on giving myself credit, too. Stress has a way of really messing up how things are viewed by the stressee.

So, as I get more organized and get some focus, I'll be back. Maybe even with a new camera, and some photographs that aren't black, brown and gray! XOXOX

Free Hugs in Sondrio, Italy

2011-01-08T11:10:00.002-05:00

Ok, I just had to post this after seeing it! It's worth watching the whole way through...here's hoping it puts a smile on your face and inspires you to give a little hug to someone today, too!

Sweet Magic

2010-11-20T12:20:00.005-05:00

Last week we went into New York to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Extravaganza. I've seen it about 5 times now, but Ava is finally old enough to sit through it and enjoy it, so her Mom and I took her.

It's an easy walk from their home to the train which ends up in Grand Central Station. I have to say, I just love Grand Central, from the blue sky and constellations painted on the ceiling to the people rushing about in the main lobby. I think of all the people and all the life stories that have passed over that granite floor for so many years.

When you come in, they give you 3-D glasses, which are only used at the beginning of the show. It's fun though, because it looks like Santa is flying right over your head in his sleigh. Ava refused to take hers off for the rest of the performance.

Ava and her adorable little friend, Hailey and Hailey's Grandmother met us there. Both of the girls were just enraptured! Plus, are they not so cute?!

These are just a few pictures I was able to take without completely annoying the people around me. The show includes a little of everything...Santa, the Nutcracker, ice skaters on a real ice rink, and at the end, the nativity story, complete with live sheep, camels and donkeys.

They just do such an amazing job of everything from the special effects, lighting, dancing, story-telling and using the curtains and entire theatre.

The children were spellbound.

And to be honest, because I am SUCH a dork, I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes because the sweet innocence of it is just so precious. There are no bangity-bang rock music numbers, no scantily clad dancers wagging their rear ends around provocatively, just a magical program that never fails to bring the wonder of Christmas back to my old self, and the little children watching. Looking at it, it's easy to see that there were hours and hours of practicing and rehearsing every little detail so that it comes off without a hitch. For a $30 ticket, I tell you what...it's absolutely worth it.

For me, the particular sweetness is mixed with the sorrow that when my own daughter and my other 2 kids were little, I had very few moments when I could just enjoy them. As a single parent, I was constantly worried about money, the car breaking down, and what to do if they were sick and I had to work, and what to do to get them, for five minutes, for Pete's sake, to stop squabbling with each other. So now with my granddaughter, I have a second chance and it's just a little bittersweet because of what I missed with my own kids. But maybe it's that way for most grandparents, because as any parent knows, it's really a tremendously important and consuming job to raise children.

After the performance the girls looked over the balcony at the stunning Radio City theatre lobby. Then we went to lunch and after that, they found a waterfall to throw coins in and make wishes.

(Not that Ava is a little ham or anything!)

I love that they are so serious about their wishing. Ava stood there with her eyes closed concentrating on her wish for quite a while before throwing in her money. What I wouldn't give to know what she is wishing for.

Anyway, straight from Radio City to you, I hope your Thanksgiving is peaceful and filled with love and hope--and then on to the next holidays!!

Visiting Vermont part 2

2010-10-27T20:53:00.002-04:00

First of all, let me introduce you to the welcoming committee:

These lovely folks were all around on the roadways, waving and looking oh, so rustic and friendly. During leaf season, it's all about the tourists and Vermonters who are ordinarily very independent and reserved go all out to welcome sundry sources of their annual income.

I would have taken some shots of the leaves, but frankly, why not let the professionals do that rather hackneyed exploration. I prefer to stick with the strange and heretofore little known aspects of Vermont.

To wit, the cows. As everyone knows, Vermont is an agricultural state and is home to wonderful cheese, maple syrup and Ben and Jerry's famous ice cream. You would think Vermonters would be overwhelmingly fat, but really they're not.

Here are some of the cows we saw:

Each of these cows was sponsored and designed by various organizations and artists. Come on now, you have to admit they are pretty cute. (Probably Mrs. Cow back at Shelburne Farms would disagree, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.)

On Saturday night, we went to Barnes and Noble in South Burlington, the biggest one I have ever seen. As we sat and read, in trotted our own Congressman, the independent and eccentric Bernie Sanders. He wandered around the store looking at books and a Lego reproduction of the White House, all unnoticed by anyone at all! This is one of the really great things about Vermont. Everyone is so accessible there. You can hop into an elevator and find yourself standing next to Senator Pat Leahy or go to Mirabelle's bakery and get a pastry with the mayor.

I love Vermont.

Anyway, the last thing I want to mention is that parking is never a problem here:

You can always find some big ape to help you out.

Visiting Vermont, part I

2010-10-18T20:30:00.010-04:00

I went visiting Vermont recently because I return there for dental work from time to time. (Long story...)

While there were we went to Shelburne Farms, one of my most favorite places. If you look on the right between the trees, you can see a little bit of the farm barn, which is spectacular. The whole place looks like an English castle. You can even stay there in the Inn which is sitting on Lake Champlain. I like this path which begins by walking through these oak trees. Sometimes there is a farm wagon loaded with people that comes through and you have to get out of the way.

As we got to the end of the path, there were these hand carved totems, which I hadn't seen before. Vermont is full of interesting artisans who do things like this. I don't know why they have the body cavities, but I suspect that they "sing" on windy days.

Nearer to the farm barn they had arranged hay bales and kids and adults were running around on them and playing in the maze.

Chickens were running about picking up morsels here and there. I loved them running single file.

If you wonder about the time, just look up to the roof and see the clock! Easy sneezy!

We went into the barn to visit the animals, one of my favorite things. Here is Mrs. Cow (and she had her baby right next to her.) The cows at Shelburne Farms are Brown Swiss and they are beautiful with their soft coats and long eyelashes. It's fun to pet them because I don't ordinarily get that close to cows. I spent quite a bit of time standing and petting her. All the animals at Shelburne Farms are spit-shined and sparkly clean.

Here is her adorable little baby, just a couple of days old.

And my personal favorite...the piglets.

There were ten of these little freckle-faced ones and Mama outside doing her best to fill up so she could keep nursing them.

She really looks like a walking milk bar, doesn't she?

There were other animals there, donkeys, goats, llamas and sheep. Bunnies in cages. The whole farm deal. Being there is the best medicine around for lowering blood pressure.

After we left the animal area, we went to the bakery. Right on the premises is the O Bread bakery. We went in and heard the angels sing!

Looky!

There were loaves and loaves of their delicious artisan breads cooling on racks, and croissants, cookies and other goodies. We kept buying more and more!

Hey! How did that goat get in there? He better not eat any of the bread! He can just stick with the hay and tin cans and leave the bakery goods to me!

All of this seems so very Vermonty, doesn't it? Wait til my next post for the funnier parts of the visit. Meanwhile, can someone keep an eye on this hungry looking goat?!

My Buddy

2010-09-19T20:16:00.002-04:00

Hi All! I'd like to introduce you to my buddy, Miz Beanwirth. Cute, isn't she? She's made out of socks that are cut up and sewn together, along with various items for her ah, wardrobe. Then there is the acrylic paint she insists on using for lipstick. I mean, like she needs any in the first place, right? But no matter what, she is really all heart, as you probably noticed. Anyway, she'll be hanging out in the spotlight for a while on my blog, so I thought I'd let ch'all know who you were lookin' at. She's pleased to meet you, too!

I made it myself!!

2010-09-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

My older daughter wanted this rocking chair for her new apartment/cottage. It's been in the family since before they were even born. (Sometime I'll share the story of how we bought our first house which was abandoned with everything still in it--including this chair.) Anyway, the last person to have it was my granddaughter, Ava. I recovered it in a blue floral print with a yellow gingham checked ruffle around the bottom and gave it to her Mom at her baby shower. It was entirely too feminine and foofy for my older girl so last Sunday I did it over in a much more serious fabric, that I think will go with her rug very well.

I also redid my lamps in the bedroom. I was just bored with them. The shades were a gold tapestry looking fabric and I took some dotted gauze fabric that I picked up this summer at a yard sale and used it for the new shade--right over the old one. You can see how the color looks in the bottom photo where it's lit. I cut a piece of fabric the size of the bottom of the shade and sewed up the seam. Then I coated it with wallpaper paste and smush/draped it over the shade, scrunching it up over the top and the bottom. I used spring clothespins to hold it while it dried outside in the sun. Then I reinforced the bottom with some Elmer's glue on the inside to hold it. I added a ribbon cut from some fabric I made curtains out of for my upstairs guest room. I thought they turned out rather well! The total cost for these two projects? (drumroll....) $13.00 That's the best part of all!

The Art Part

2010-08-29T20:13:00.001-04:00

I thought it might be time to put some photos of my art up. These are not the best pictures, but then again the art isn't exactly Picasso either! I painted this after a photograph appeared in a local magazine about Love. It showed a woman from Catskill Animal Sanctuary holding a pig. The photograph was so filled with love and the piggy looked so happy I just had to paint something about it!

The one to the right is a painting I made a couple of years ago to enter into a contest. It didn't win, but I had fun painting it. It depicts my wedding to my first husband. I made the sky look stormy and added a sharp picket fence pointing at me, because the marriage WAS stormy and there wasn't much in it for me that wasn't sharp and pointy, except for my three adorable kids. As you can see, we were a hippie couple then.

I enjoy painting because it's kind of a meditation and it's also therapeutic at the same time. I also made a couple for my husband to hang in his fancy office a few years ago. He no longer has the job, but we still have the paintings. It made me feel really good that he had them on his wall when he was there.

I haven't been doing as much painting or drawing for a while because I have an inner critic that is really very vicious. I'm just beginning to realize just how much I bash my own efforts. I would probably be a perfectly fine artist if I could just stop bashing myself. I have a lot of work to do in that department.

Artistry and Magic

2010-08-10T21:03:00.001-04:00

Recently I visited an adorable shop in my favorite town, Rhinebeck. It's called the Paper Trail and features lots of unique items such as kitchen kitsch, seasonal gifts, jewelry, and obviously paper things, like invites and these creations made entirely of paper. I have a picture of the wedding dress in the previous post, and when I visited I went through the store with my camera and snapped these other beautiful creations. This one is a gown made of crepe paper with roses for the skirt. Fit for the princess to wear to her ball, don'tcha think?

No wait! THIS is the gown the princess wore...all golden and fizzy.

This one is a more springey look and it has a ton of detail, which I tried to capture for you. Notice how the bodice and sleeves are made of cutout flowers and the skirt is made of leaf shapes. Incredible!

I loved this shiny paper raincoat...complete with raindrops! (See the butterfly mobile next to it? I now have it hanging in my office at home...irresistible!

Finally, this is one of several paper "paintings" hanging in the gallery at the shop. I'm sorry to say that I don't know who the artist is for any of these works, so if a reader does know, please leave me a comment with the name so proper credit can be given.

All I can say is I am just blown away by these incredible works of art. If you're ever in Rhinebeck, NY be sure and stop in and visit the Paper Trail to see these delectables and more!

Ordinarily when the budget is tight, the first things to go are social programs, art and sports. When looking at art like this, it's easy for me to see why this is a terrible, terrible idea. Surviving and thriving in this world depends on creative solutions, now more than ever. To stimulate ideas, we need creative peole to express themselves and for that expression to be valued in the most reverent and light-hearted way. Being in the presence of these beautiful, painstaking creations just fills me with light and hope. The way out of our troubles is not more technology to enhance social jabbering, but thinking people creating in all directions.

Adventures of an Unsuccessful Celebrity Stalker

2010-08-01T12:34:00.001-04:00

Well...I guess you heard. Chelsea got married yesterday. So since I live just a very short drive from Rhinebeck, I decided to grab my husband and head on over for some sightings.

Here's what I've got for you, people:

We waited outside the entrance to the Beekman Arms Inn, which houses rooms and a restaurant. At one time George Washington and his troops ate here. They must have been pretty short in those days because the ceilings are very low inside.

The grounds were especially beautiful, because they had been working on them for weeks.

Across the street was the media area, where they were filming their reports live to the evening news. There were zillions of police, state troopers and secret service around, but they were all friendly and having a good time. I got the feeling they were the sort one might be able to talk out of a traffic ticket if one were to get one, that is.

You can see a big tangle of cords, lighting and staff all over.

The woman on the right was from the ABC affiliate and was rehearsing her "story." The big news was that Bill Clinton was spotted earlier in the day walking down the street in a black polo shirt and jeans. What you don't see on the news is that she is reading from a yellow pad and standing on a cardboard box, wearing white flip flops. Kind of makes you wonder...is Katie Couric wearing short shorts under that desk?

We got hungry finally and walked through town where we saw all sorts of well-wishing messages. Here are a few of the cuter ones:

This was a simple balloon hung outside a shop that was closed for the day.

This was one of my favorites. This shop usually has life sized stuffed animals in the window. Here they have the Dalmations smooching with a gift bag between them wishing Chelsea and Marc happiness.

The Paper Trail had this wedding gown in their window, made entirely of ah...paper. Honestly, it's not a bad idea considering you only wear this dress once. Think of the money that could be saved for funner things, such as the honeymoon! (Yes, I did say funner...I'm an English major and qualified to take liberties with the language. Just don't say "alot" around me, though; it's like fingernails on a chalkboard.)

I'd love to show the pictures we got of the celebs going to the rehearsal dinner, but alas... none. We stayed until 9:30 PM and Bill and Hillary didn't get there until about 11:30. They waved to the crowd for 2 seconds and then went in. I did get the scoop on something, though, and that's how much I love a small town.

Rhinebeck is very picturesque and green, with loads of Victorian houses everywhere. (Seriously, Jeanne, these houses are drool-worthy!) Everything is neat, and clean enough to eat off of. There are several Zagat rated restaurants and many adorable shops. Omega institute also resides off in the woods. And of course, the fairgrounds which hosts flea markets and crafts, antique car shows, the Sheep and Wool Festival among other events. (Including, get this-- a fair!)

What I really enjoyed about the town was the hominess of it. Troops of little kids jamming into Village Pizza after their game, police joking with each other and seeing friends that they just "friended on Facebook" that day. Everyone courteous and in a good mood. I really miss that kind of community, living where we do out in the ouskirts.

Anyway, not to be deterred, my husband and I set out the following night to find a location to view the wedding fireworks. We ended up getting the PERFECT spot just across the Hudson and we waited there from 8:30 to 11:00 when we finally admitted defeat and went home. Dang if I didn't read in the paper that they had fireworks after all. (Probably 10 minutes after we left.) But we did watch an absolutely gorgeous moon rise in the sky, all yellow and leaving a shimmering image on the river. It was really magical and peaceful.

This I can say for sure, whoever prayed for the weather for this weekend did a really good job of it. (I'm hoping I can put them to work praying for me to inherit one of those lacy Victorians in Rhinebeck.)

Portsmouth

2010-07-23T08:26:00.000-04:00

Earlier this summer my husband and I went to Portsmouth, NH during our yearly vacation to Rye Beach. I took a few snapshots of this really adorable town to share.

One thing I really love about the downtown area is that they are completely flower happy. I have never seen so many beautiful window boxes and planters! (Well, actually Carmel-by-the-Sea is pretty obsessed with flowers, as well.)

The shops are about 90% locally owned...the big chain stores are in a nearby mall. The street is very pedestrian friendly with a big 5-cornered intersection and outdoor tables for coffee and peoplewatching. There are plenty of benches and water fountains, too.

This was early evening and the streets were crowded with tourists and people going out to dinner.

At the center of the town is this beautiful church with a clock tower.

This little cutie was parked on the street!

Finally, this is a shot of the salt marshes we drive by on the way to the ocean beach. I always think this is such a peaceful view.

Portsmouth also has a Naval Shipyard and there is a lot of work on vessels that is done there. Over the waterway, which passes right by the downtown area are several bridges that raise up and down when ships need to pass through. If you are on the bridge, you have to stop and wait for the bridge to come down again. There is something so charming about that to me.

You can even have dinner on one of the ships that is permanently moored there, for that full seafood experience!

Memories are made of this...

2010-07-05T19:21:00.000-04:00

I bought these shoes from E-bay, after looking for them for quite a while. Remember them? If you are a person who was around in the late 70's, you will.

I remember them for quite a different reason. You see, when I first met my friend Mase, she was wearing these. I remember her walking up with her little daughter Autumn who was around 2 years old at the time. Autumn had hair the color of spun glass, and it looked like it most of the time, too. She had bright blue eyes and her upper lip was chapped more often than not. Mase, to me, was just the coolest woman. She was a single Mom and she drove a blue and white Volkswagon van. She was tall (or maybe it was these shoes) and beautiful and had the nicest manner about her. I just admired her immensely. We ended up becoming friends and she was my confidante, she rescued me with that van from my first husband's violence at least once, she listened to endless whining after I moved away to Vermont from Cape Cod (Provincetown, to be exact) and she has stayed a true and wonderful friend all these years. Mase makes her living by painting horses, figures and abstracts, all of which are just stupendous. She has given me quite a few of her pieces, which is a truly overwhelming act of generosity. They are among my prized possessions, along with pictures of my family, and toys my father played with as a child. To me, having a friend like this for all these years is really a miracle. I have been blessed.

And so I bought these shoes because they remind me of Mase and what a treasure I have in my life with a good friend and inspiration like her.

Who are you?

2010-06-25T07:43:00.001-04:00

This morning I looked out to see Kirby and Mrs. Deer playing a game of peek-a-boo in the back yard.

Mrs. Deer: "Scuse me, hunny, but do I know you? I mean, you sort of look like a deer, but you are so short and fuzzy."

Kirby: "'Scuse you, but I live here. And just so you know, for a cat, you are really weird looking. First of all, no tail to speak of. And those long skinny legs. (Thinking to self: maybe this is the new look for cats?) You don't look like any of MY relatives."

Both muttering: "Really, the whole world seems odd these days." Wanders off...

Squam, beautiful Squam

2010-06-10T08:51:00.000-04:00

Hello again from outer space! At least that's where it feels like I've been! This is a very short diary of my time at Squam Art Workshops. This is a view from the lake of our cabin...there were 10 of us in there, ten happy, welcoming, talented and hilarious women!

This is the view to the lake, where the lovely lady above is heading...

So that she can join all of these OTHER women descended from planet fabulous on the dock for some wine and sunshine.

We spent time together in the cabin, marching through the woods in the dark with flashlights, being entertained (that's an understatement) in the Playhouse at night, and eating 3 squares a day in the dining hall. On the last night we had an Art Fair that was open to the public. This is what my display looked like, after all the work I did before I came to Squam. There were so many (37 to be exact) artisans there and everything was just amazing, thanks to Peg Hendel and a cast of hard working volunteers!

Let me get back to the entertainment....the first night Jenny Doh talked about her past and her experience with Art and the remarkable transformational effect it has had on her life and that of ofhers.

The second night, we were entertained by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee who is the most unassuming looking person, but let me tell you, she had us holding our sides with laughter as she talked for 2 solid hours about knitting and her adventures in life. It was just great!

On the last night of entertainment, we heard a beautiful and inspiring story told by Jen Lee and then got the insider's scoop on the birth of Ravelry from Jess and Casey, the founders. (May I say that the birth was both difficult and funny--now, not so much then. Thanks to them, though, we have this incredible resource!)

The classes I took were with Charlotte Lyons, who taught us to make charming felt cottages with repurposed materials. The next class I had was with Megan Ingman from Lettuce Knit which taught us to knit the cutest baby sweater. (By the by, Megan is one of the most gracious, patient and adorable women ever! Thank you, Megan!) And finally, I learned to make mobiles with Lizzy House. She is just plain fun and delightful, as I expected her to be. This class reminded me of being in school in art class and it was just wonderful! This weekend I'm going to make mobiles with Ava when she comes visiting Grandma!

Throughout the entire event, we were serenaded by Jonatha Brooke, with her beautiful folky rock music. I must get some of her CD's! And people, if you could have seen her the night of the Fair, the hotness, I'm telling you!

All in all, thanks to Elizabeth MacCrellish and her dedication and energy, I had a truly overwhelming experience. And you can still sign up for the September session...seriously, DO IT!

I could show you pictures of my finished projects and more beautiful environment pics, but truly the magic of Squam lies in the people who are there. There was no whining, snubbing or other genrealized ego meanness; just people who brought their open hearts and vulnerabilites and kind generosities full throttle to a place where the pieces of me that were hiding and sad could come and feel welcomed and celebrated. This remarkable alchemy was not really noticed by me until I returned home and found that I really could not stop my upbeat friendliness and ability to speak up when necessary. I went there with my health thingey still bothering me, but I'm sure that my new state of emotional buoyancy will help with the healing. It's just good to get away somewhere without worries, and with a big fat blanket of warm acceptance to fold into.

Along the way...

2010-05-30T13:47:00.000-04:00

When I'm out visiting clients, I take my camera with me in my purse. I do a lot of driving and see a lot of things and so I take pictures. This rainbow was very unusual because first of all there had not been any rain that day. I just happened to look up and see it. The sky was clear with just a few of these fuzzy clouds. And the rainbow was not curved, but ran straight across the sky.

A few days later, I got out of my car and saw this adorable little dog looking at me from inside a big white truck next to me. I was very worried when I saw the windows rolled up because it was about 95 degrees out, but then I noticed that the dog was not panting. Hmmmm.....then I heard the engine running, so I deduced (oh so smartly) that the A/C must have been left on inside the truck. Not only that, there was music playing and another little fuzzball pooch in there, too. I was very relieved to know that they were left in such caring circumstances.

Just a little reminder, most people really know by now, but don't leave your little petties in hot cars. Unless , of course, the air conditioning and classical music is playing for them. Awww!

This is one of my favorite houses, on one of my routes. It's brick with a lot of "gingerbread" trim on it. This day I happened to glance over at it and saw roses, roses and more roses. Each bush was a different color: red, cherry, orange, yellow, and the effect was really stunning. Not to mention the fragrance in the air was just incredible.

Having my little Canon with me has really changed how I observe my surroundings, and in a positive way. I just hope I don't get into an accident leaping out of my car some day to take a picture. I am learning to listen more to the voice in my head that is encouraging me to stop and just take the dang picture and don't assume it will be waiting on the trip back.

That happened last week when I saw a herd of dairy cows all corraled by the road where it would have been very easy for me to pull over and get a pic. Instead, I kept going and sure enough, nary a one was there when I came back. I'm hoping they were moved to the back 40 and not to (gulp) you-know-where.

2010-05-26T08:35:00.000-04:00

Hey folks! This is the fair I have been sewing (and sewing and sewing) for...and the reason my posts have been so few. If you are in the area, there will be some truly amazing artisans there selling their beautiful handiwork. Please stop in and say hello! This is going to be REALLY fun!

They came in the night...

2010-05-24T19:05:00.000-04:00

I woke up to find these in the garden. I planted them about 5 years ago and each year the poppies get a little bigger and have more blooms. Something about them is just so beautiful, with their papery petals and the dark black stamens. I just think they are magical! They just appeared one morning as if to say, "Hello! Spring is really here!"

These beautiful iris are mixed in with some mint that has gone rather wild. They always remind me of Claude Monet and his French garden. My neighbor across the road has yellow and burgundy ones which are gorgeous, too.

This last one is a rose that I got as a gift from my daughter when our sweet cocker spaniel, Max, went over the rainbow bridge several years ago. I planted it in his memory and it looks more beautiful than ever this year. I really adore the striated petals. I feel particularly blessed with these perennials since I seem to have nearly no ability to make plants grow and thrive. That they keep coming back better than ever is really a gift to me!

Each day as I drive to my job, I take the most scenic route I can. I watch for landmarks that I have noticed and suddenly everything is in bloom. (Especially the pollen!) It's such a miracle that the world just comes alive every spring and nearly explodes with color and freshness. What a blessing it is just having the unfolding of a new season day by day.

One Terrific Lady!

2010-05-05T05:45:00.000-04:00

Please meet Jeanne Oliver. She is one amazing person! I mean I feel like kind of a schlub when I think of all she does. Ready? She's married (to a man who can almost out-smile President Obama,) has a house to take care of, she has 3 young and lively kids that she home schools, she creates a beautiful blog (she's in Artful Blogging this issue!), AND....she creates delightful stuff to sell in her shop.

Oh, and she has the most hilarious sense of humor, which if you read her blog you will get a taste of. Take a look at her new collection of handbags, art, aprons, lampshades, jewelry...are you getting this? Then try, just try, to hang on to your wallet!

Jeanne is a sewer and artist like me, and I feature her here because I believe that all of us in the blogging community can be supporters of each other. There's enough to go around for everyone and then some. When we extend ourseves to one another in love and friendship, we grow our whole community.

From time to time I will be showcasing some of the other wonderful women I have "met" and admired and I hope that my readers will visit their blogs and support them, too.

Cuz ladies, frankly we rock!!

Anthropologie play date

2010-05-01T15:57:00.000-04:00

I had the great good fortune to visit the Rockfeller Center Anthropologie store again recently and to my surprise, they allowed me to take photos. So if you are not able to visit this store, one of my favorite Anthros, here's a peek at the creative genius at work there...

These two photos are not particularly crisp because they were taken from outside the store on a rainy day. They do show the displays with leaves painted on the inside of the glass and flowers hanging from green streamers on the inside. All very springey. If you look closely, you can see that the painted leaves seem to jump right off the window and become part of the display in 3-D. Clever!

This was taken from just inside the door and features a bunch of rusted gears, 70's lamps and a water sculpture (there was actually water flowing through it) made of cut up garden hoses.

This display was by the other door. It's made of paper flowers shaped like a wild sort of coral reef with, of course, a pair of pedal pushers in the middle of it. Or is that petal pushers? Because, I mean, what's a coral reef without a mannequin and casual clothes popping right out of the middle of it?

This is in the housewares area (sorry about the unsuspecting shoppers there). If my house looked like this I'd think it was a big mess, but somehow it looks bohemian and lush in Anthro.

Do you love the clothesline tied to the chair at the top?

I liked the arch with the "A" on it. Much of this display was rough linen fabric with white paint kind of blobbed on it, giving it that 'Shabby Chic goes dump picking' vibe. Note that this also has chairs parked up at the ceiling level.

And finally, this simple arrangement with watering can and a little outfit.

I swear half of the reason people buy stuff there is the merchandising of it. Kind of like you want a souvenir of some exotic place you visited. The clothing and shoes are certainly different and fun, but really, getting humonstrously expensive. I think Anthropologie just hits people in their emotions and bypasses the brain altogether.

One way or another, the whole thing is enchanting and such fun to visit. (Not to mention the generous gift certificate my husband gave me to spend in there. That doesn't hurt at all...not at all!)

Peace

2010-04-20T08:21:00.000-04:00

Just on the perchance you aren't as excited as I am about the coming Squam Art Workshop I will be attending in June, I thought I'd post up this photo that I got from Lizzy House's blog. She will be the one instructing me on how to make that fabulous mobile... You should really check her out, she is the cutest pixie person with an overstock of energy. How could she not be with a name like "Lizzy"? Love it!

Just looking at this photograph brings peace to my heart. And I surely could use some right about now.

I have been so stressed out for the past few months that I have actually nearly ruined my digestive system. Considering that I am one of the most fortunate and healthy persons around, having a health problem other than a cold or the flu is a very new and unwelcome experience for me. I will be 61 in two days and I feel like I'm 35, and usually act like it, too.

Anyway, I will have to content myself with imagining I'm in this beautiful scene until I actually get there. And maybe that will help my digestion, which refuses to be under my control in any way. Ugh!

Like my granddaughter Ava likes to say, "I'm 'cited!!"

Feast your weary winter eyes on this!

2010-04-16T08:47:00.000-04:00

I decided that I really deserved to take my inner artist on a vacation and treat her really well.

So this year I am taking the plunge and heading off to New Hampshire early in June to attend the Squam Art Workshop!

I'll be in the company of a whole bunch of other mostly women who blog and create art in their humble homes like I do and also some phenomenal instructors.

Squam is located on a lovely lake and has paths, a dock and wonderful rustic buildings and cabins.

Oh, and lest I forget one of the most important pieces for me, delicious, beautiful food that I don't have to plan, buy, cook, or clean up after.

I will be learning to knit a baby sweater, all in one day. Yup! And then I will be creating a charming felt cottage. And finally, I will be making a paper mobile. I sneaked up to the window at a local shop and took this picture of their paper cutout/window treatment. Isn't it pretty? That's just what mine will look like when I finish...(Oh, you people have such a good sense of humor that you actually believe I could whip this up! But really, thank you for your faith in me. :-)

I'm a little skeert, but a whole lot excited. I know I'm going to make some nice friends and come home completely jazzed.

Oh, and on Saturday night, they have an Art Fair and I will have a table there with aprons, yoga mat bags, and handbags to sell. Considering that I don't have any stock to speak of just now, I have some major sewing to do in this next month. My mother is making some for me in Florida and I'll be working hard here.

It's hard to describe the feeling of knowing that after all these years I am not only releasing my creative side, but actually supporting and nourishing it.

I'll keep posting as I finish the sewing projects so you can see what I am making!

Wa-Hooooooo!!

Hello, Kitteh!

2010-03-28T15:27:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is the remaining J.D. in the household: Hello Kitty, himself. What, you say? He is supposed to be white and probably female, to boot? Well, here's the lowdown...when we moved into our home he was roaming the neighborhood. He isn't very big, but he stood his ground when our big boy Kirby challenged him in the driveway one day. I had to admire his determination.

For at least a year, he frequented our home and our neighbors in search of a scrap of something to eat. We tried to convince the neighbor to adopt him. Frankly, they had only one cat and we already had two. And Hello Kitty was brazen enough to go into their home through the cat door and actually steal their cat's food!

In the frigid winter months I tried to entice him to come inside, but he was really pretty wild and very skittish. It was bitter out. He was too skeert to come in. It was killing me.

Finally, I convinced my husband to let me tame him and get him to a vet for neutering so that he would be adoptable. This done, (with the help of a lot of patience, eye level discussions, and catnip) Hello Kitty actually tamed me, because I just didn't want to let him go.

Unfortunately, he has developed a bad relationship with Webster, the Dysfunctional, and cannot be left alone with him. It's just not good. Oh, and for some reason, he gets extremely upset if he is on the bed and I try to make it--he has hacked me across the face several times for this infraction. The final piece of information is that he appears to be a cat that was just left behind when his owner moved. Nice. Oh, and the name? Every day when I came home he would be sitting on the deck and I would say, "Hello, Kitty!" and that's how he ended up with the name.

He is a good example of how animals can seem to be more forgiving that people. He has learned to trust us and settled in nicely (as you can see.) After being ditched, starving and freezing outside for a couple of years, he is the perfect house cat. Well, except for the one problem with Webster, the Dysfunctional, that is.

Kittehs

2010-03-22T08:47:00.000-04:00

Meet the fam...that's Kirby on the left and Webster on the right. They are about 10 years old now and from different Mothers, but raised together. First we got Kirby at the pet shelter. He and his brother were in one cage; the brother had double paws on the front AND the back feet. Many, many more claws to wreck the furniture. So we took Kirby home and skipped the brother. He is at least the biggest cat in our neighborhood. His feet are the size of a small dog, his tail where it joins his body is about 4" in circumference. He weighs something like 19 pounds. He's just a big 'ol schlub.

On the right is Webster who came from, shall we say, a dysfunctional home. He has been freaked out ever since we got him. He started out as a thumb sucker, until my husband told him to "man up" and knock it off. He probably should have had mental health counseling just for this alone. (Webster, that is. Actually both of them, now that I think of it.) He used to sit on our bed and not move a muscle, but just move his eyes back and forth like one of those old fashioned cat clocks, watching and thinking. Watching and thinking....hmmm...these people are really weird, but they feed me so I guess I'll stay. (As you can see from this picture, he never takes his eyes off of us for a minute!)

The two of them are like Laurel and Hardy. Adds a little personality to our home, which is always a treat!

Next post, I will introduce you to our newest troublemaker, "Hello Kitty." That's a whole 'nother story. Have a meow day, everyone!

Webster: "If you think I'm weird, check out her husband."

Kirby: "I know, I know...but they just bought new cat treats, so let's stick around a little longer, bro."

2010-03-14T20:46:00.000-04:00

I remember this little guy from when I was a kid. His name is Reddy Kilowatt and he was the mascot/spokesperson for the electric industry. Well, I know some folks who would like to see his friendly smile today: my daughter and granddaughter!

They live in Westchester county where most of the power was knocked out last night in a ferocious storm. She called me this morning and told me that she didn't have power, the house was 60 degrees and the basement was flooded.

We have had our fair share of precipitation this winter and it doesn't look like it's ending any time soon. It certainly does remind me of the little things I take for granted...fresh, clean water, flipping a switch and having the furnace kick on, food in the refrigerator.

So many people around the world, and in our own country have few of these things. It makes me ashamed of my complaining when I think of how little some people have. Especially little children.

So today I will pray that the power comes back on for my daughter and her neighbors and I will also pray that I remember to appreciate all that I have and keep a humble attitude.

The Collector

2010-03-07T13:48:00.000-05:00

Some people like to collect knick knacks, salt and pepper shakers, transferware, dolls, that sort of thing. I, however, have a problem (rather my husband has a problem) with collecting vintage sinks, bathtubs and stoves.

The problem my husband has is that everything seems to weigh about a 1/2 ton and he ends up wrecking his back to help me get things home. Which then becomes another problem because we have to find a place to put the stuff. The sink is still in the garage where he nearly lost a finger trying to move it last summer. It fell on his hand and gooshed his little finger, requiring a trip to the emergency room and some stitches. Oops!

This little stove here, we found at a yard sale a couple of summers ago and he helped me move it in his truck. It was about 110 degrees that day. Oooops!

At least the bathtub was already in the house. Which, if it wasn't it would have been a deal breaker because I use it 365 days a year. Love the clawfoot tub!

Just before we moved from Shelburne, VT to North Carolina (a long story) I made him slam on the brakes and stop to pick up a small bathroom sink that was by the side of the road with a "free" sign on it. It just sat in my garden shed until we gave it to a Architectural Salvage guy, who was more than happy to get it.

Like my buddy Miss Singer, the vintage sewing machine, I love the looks and the essential utilitarianism of the old plumbing and kitchen items.

The whole concept of double stainless steel sinks, for example, is lost on me. First of all, they are anything BUT stainless and the two sinks are usually too small for big pots and pans. And then you have to have a separate dish drainer that leaks all over the counter.

Take this Hoosier cabinet, f'rinstance, which I bought for $200. It was sitting in a barn with mice living in it and I took it home and stripped it down to the wood. It's designed to handle whatever you need for baking, including a built-in flour bin with sifter and a pie cooler. Even the "counter" space is retractible to give more workspace or put it back to a smaller space saving area when you aren't using it. Plus isn't it a gorgeous piece of furniture?

Girls Day in the City

2010-03-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my daughter and granddaughter, Ava, and I went into the city and visited American Girl Place. It's three floors of complete doll mania. Since Ava's doll (she's not really an AG, but the much more lovely Robert Tonner doll I got at their factory sale...shhhh!) had hair like a red-headed floor mop, we took her promptly to the salon for a styling. Ava picked a lovely braided "do." Ava watched closely so that she could manage Nataly's hair at home herself (no easy task.)

She was very happy with the result! I'm not sure who is more stylish, Ava or her doll, but they are a cute pair, that's a definite.

Here's a photo of Ava and Mommy. (And dolly) We really had a terrific time. And Ava took home an outfit, a hair kit (including brush and rollers), a pet dog for her doll and some new eyeglasses, so that dolly can see how beautiful she looks! I spent the past two weekends sewing outfits for Nataly and she had a lot of trying on and admiring to do when she got home.

And for the grand finale, we went home and Ava treated us to a musical performance, complete with guitar, dancing and goofy faces. She is a bundle of energy, but so much fun. We had a great day and then I got in my car and drove home, which is over an hour away.

The older I get, the more I really appreciate time with family and I am reminded of how quickly it flies when I see Ava's little head bouncing along in front of me on the sidewalk and remember that it seemed like just a week or so ago that I was holding her little self and rocking her to sleep (ha!) when I baby sat. She is ready for kindergarten and is learning her letters and additions now. Huh? In about 3 days whe will outstrip my abysmal math ability.

New Aprons

2010-02-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

I made this apron for my sister-in-law. She's the one who gave me the little beaded critters to use on my bag zippers. Marianne has worked hard all of her life, raising three wonderful children, and building her bead business. She became a widow within the past couple of years and sent her youngest off to college half way across the country. I decided to make her an apron that she could wear at shows, with the OM symbol on it because she is someone who has that peace about her, in spite of everything. I was delighted to make it for her and I hope she loves it! It goes in the mail tomorrow!

This one I made for my daughter, Leila. She's learning to be a cook (actually she is a very good one already.) She works in a Hospice cooking for the residents and their families and she makes wonderful things especially for them; whatever they want is just what they get! Everyone who knows Leila loves her, and I am certainly high on that list. She wanted a red apron and she is not a "girly girl" so I made her this tailored one. It's going in the mail tomorrow, too!

Finally, this last one is one I made with the material I got on my recent trip to the fashion district in New York. I am thinking very seriously about making a bunch of them for the "Cupcake Festival" in Gardiner coming up in May. I'll have to see how many I get made by that time. It's a cutie, though, isn't it?

The Nest Pretty Thing

2010-02-17T20:40:00.000-05:00

OK, you see this little birdie? I just had to have him, because as you can also see through my car windshield, spring is not yet upon us. Mostly, snow is upon us. So I grabbed this perfectly charming "dream catcher" from Tamar over at Nest Pretty Things. She makes these and wonderful jewelry, paper items and hair decor, plus she has delectable photos of her home there. Ms. Tamar lives in my old stomping grounds of Shelburne, VT. No wonder she makes these chirpy, cheery items...a long Vermont winter REQUIRES a bit of uplifting at about this time!

Shopping (sigh!) again

2010-02-14T17:35:00.000-05:00

I had some time this week and stopped in to visit my lovely friend, Heidi, creative proprietress of HiHo Home. She had her trusty sidekick, Humphrey with her to greet all comers properly. (With a bark, yip and a scamper, once he is sure you are properly frightened.) I have to say that Heidi is a dynamo of a woman, filled with helpful ideas for any business and the energy to stay up until midnight helping friends with their online dilemmas and hauling home her latest auctioned find. In short, she's a peach!

This is the outside of HiHo Home, which houses both antique and new items, displayed in the most enticing and creative ways.

Here is my favorite room, a sort of Shabby Chic area filled with a pastel palette and all sorts of feminine lovelies. Heidi even has her own line of bath soaps, lotions and bubbles in several yummy fragrances!

She also has a kitcheny room done in greens with local honey products and other funky decorative things. Then there's the baby room! Heidi's got an entire collection of "Little Golden Books"...remember them? The Pokey Little Puppy and the whole gang are here. If you know someone who has a little one, there is plenty of nostalgia and fun in this little room.

You'll find this fireplace at the top of the stairs.

And just in case you want to get a jump on next Christmas, she has this homey ol' fashioned shop/room set up 365 days a year. It's very twinkly!

This is just a quick tour of HiHo Home, one of my favorite places. I'm really a sucker for environments that are fun and creatively done, and Heidi is one of the best at it. Plus, her prices are entirely reasonable. If you are in the Gardiner, NY area and want a really special experience, be sure to check out HiHo Home...you'll leave inspired. And just in case you have a need for an occasional dog "fix" you can get that there with Humphrey, too.

City Day

2010-02-07T12:16:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I planned a day in the city to have lunch, visit Anthropologie with her birthday discount and our holiday gift certificates, and hit the fashion district to buy supplies for sewing.

While we were there, I took some pictures of architectural ephemera that makes the city so interesting. I wish I could have taken some photos of the Rockefeller Center Anthro--two whole floors of mind boggling creativity and wonderful things to buy, but they frown upon that. Here's what I loved, though: window displays of colored cut up liter soda bottles made into huge flowing flowers, a chair made of radiators, and a peacock made of plastic spoons, forks and packaged chopsticks. I mean, who thinks of this???

Now there's a mind I'd like to climb inside, like Alice fell down the rabbit hole.

Isn't this just the best? I love this needle and button on the corner in the fashion district.

I don't even know where I saw the rest of these beauties, but I had to look up to see them. Good thing my daughter was with me so I didn't wander into traffic while I was looking .

Here's some of the loot I came home with, (not counting what I bought at Anthro.) I brought a rolling cart with me that I bought for the occasion. I figure, I'm old enough now, I've earned the right to drag an ol' lady cart along with me. And really, we were dang lucky to have it by the time we finished our shoppage! Now on to the sewing...

Apronologie

2010-01-24T15:55:00.000-05:00

This is an apron I made for my friend Michele, who gave it as a gift. She wanted something bright and a little modern looking. I thought this fit the bill. Ihave gotten particularly attached to the orange polka dots lately--they seem really comical and light. I made the ties extra long because I like to wrap them around to the front sometimes. This time of year, who couldn't use a little cheering up with some bright flowers and polky-dots?

Red Royalty

2010-01-17T13:33:00.001-05:00

I finally finished this bag yesterday after working on it for a week. The fabric was very shreddy and got all over the place!

I do like it though and it's very roomy and has a lot of pockets on the inside for stashing things. My husband foolishly commented that now I would not have to buy any more bags since I do such a good job of making them. Right-0!

I'll be going to Burlington, VT in a few weeks for some oral surgery and I'll be getting a bunch of fabric to make spring and summer bags. Probably my next project will be an apron that I promised to my former sister-in-law. I much prefer making things for other people anyway.

Looking Up

2010-01-11T18:43:00.001-05:00

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions; seems like a waste of time. But this year I got into an interesting frame of mind.

I was thinking about personal power and how to conserve it.

Creativity and how to grow it.

What I realized is that gossip is kicking my feet out from under me. Not the kind that one ordinarily thinks of, hanging around the water cooler yapping about some silly nothing. What I more was thinking was talking about someone else who isn't there, with let's say, a less than noble intention. You know what I mean...talking about your mother-in-law and how she drives you nuts or how the plumber charged too much and what a rip-off it is; that kind of stuff. Those conversations that I am too scared to have with the right person. I started to realize that if I wasn't willing to go straight to the person who needed to hear what I was saying, I was just spinning my wheels.

Whining.

Focusing on the negative.

Very uncreative stuff.

Stuff guaranteed to keep me stuck in crabola mode.

And I made a resolution to make a concerted effort to stop gossiping and to not participate in anyone else's. This is going to be a lot harder than losing weight, that's for sure.

Forcing myself to either deal with what I was upset about or just changing the channel in my head and thinking about something else puts me in the power position of either solving a problem or starving it to death and not being a voluntary victim any more.

And getting more energy.

And looking up to see THIS, which I would never have noticed while grumping away on my cell phone. Isn't this the most delightful architectural eye candy? I have probably driven by this about 50 times and just never seen it because I was too sunk in my own boring brain. I mean, lOOk at those charming curves, those crooked stairs, that wrought iron porch. There must be a fairy princess in there somewhere!

Old and New

2010-01-03T13:10:00.001-05:00

This is my old friend and faithful companion, Ms. Singer. I cannot even remember where or when I got her, but I'll never give her up. She sews a perfect straight stitch and makes great buttonholes and other fancy stitches with her many accessories. But then, great accessories are good for all of us, right?

This is the wooden box that came with Ms. Singer and it has all of her attachments, uh, accessories in it...

Half of this stuff is a complete mystery to me, but I just like looking at it and opening and closing this nifty wooden box.

This is my new machine. Ms. Janome is her name and fancy stitches are her game. She has a computer chip inside, she threads her own needle and she is programmable. I needed a skill that Ms. Singer didn't have, namely zigging and zagging, so I got her a new sister. She is nice and I appreciate all that she does, but I still love my old black beat-up machine the best. I'm just funny that way, I guess!

A Sweet Little Architect

2009-12-27T18:13:00.000-05:00

Ava has made this cute little gingerbread house with her Mom. They have done a great job! It looks like Ava is pretty excited, too. These are the things Moms do when their kids are home on vacation to keep them sane and also to create sweet memories. Nice work, girls!

holiday bag brag

2009-12-26T17:19:00.000-05:00

This is one of the bags I sewed for my lovely friend, Tara. She commissioned several for family members. I had so much fun making them I was almost sorry to see them go. I got the little zipper critters from my former sister-in-law, Marianne. She lives in Arizona and is one of the most creative and resilient people I know. Thank heavens we have been able to stay friendly all these years.