house wren studio

happy mother's day

In search of my mother's garden, I found my own. - Alice Walker

crowded house

Year's end at school. Mo made it safely home across country with three good friends who have been staying with us for several days. I love having them here and the way they change up the sleepy scene. Running back and forth from the train to the shower to the table to the couch, cell phones chirping, hair dryers whining, laptops humming. And all four of them shoulder to shoulder, connected to each other on every little thing, their settled plan, the past and future.

A few posts ago I was saying that one of our houses was too big for us, long ago when we were just starting out. The days of chasing small toys, herding boots, caps, mittens, hauling bushels of laundry. I wished for a cottage where we could be cozy in small spaces sized for our little family. The next house was more like that, especially with its front porch that kept us all close even when outside. Can't really call this present house a cottage, but it is surely small enough to fit that storybook fantasy. The reality is much less tidy than the dream. Stepping over the duffels and handbags and heels, I realize again that we are always chasing something, reaching for that imagined just-so.

I'm off to the stove with another bowl full of pancake batter and a stack of plates. The lovelies are beginning one more adventurous day with us. But first, clear off a chair here at the table, Goldilocks. I think this one is possibly just right.

wool again

Finally got back into the wool basket and just made up these bundles for my etsy shop. They are about 5 or 6 ounces each and have a variety of colors and patterns. Mostly all the same. Heading over there to post them now. Thanks again for all the visits and nice comments. xoC

results

I imagine that the results you came to read about are for the giveaway, but perhaps you won't mind a short recap of the house tour first.

A worried, grey day turned brighter just as the gates opened.

Visitors trickled in and wandered the estate grounds, buildings and points of interest.

A few discoveries on the tour included the beloved pet cemetery,

our oldest building, a hangout for Revolutionary War patriots,

and the prettiest handmade cookies a house tour could possibly offer.

We sold almost all the plates and took orders for a few dozen more. The event was so much fun- seeing the village stroll through, visiting with neighbors and seniors who shared stories of their own, fascinating notes rounding out the real history of a place. I think it was a lovely day for everyone- thanks to the great generosity of the homeowner.

**** Okay, on to the giveaway winner- it is Stacey, randomly chosen with this comment:  Lovely! Looking forward to your "mystery" project. Thanks, everyone, for your visits and kind comments. Almost ready to tell you more about that mystery project- and another giveaway. Soon. xoC

picture perfect

Busy getting ready for our village's annual historic house tour tomorrow. It's a fundraiser and every dollar counts so we'll have a table of souvenir and gift items for sale. Homemade cookies and lemonade too. After a quick how-to, several ladies and I decoupaged glass plates with copies of postcards from the archives of the Historical Society. Beautiful vintage images of our town landmarks and the Hudson River. The 1910 postmarks are from the same post office I use now.

Our plates turned out really well and we all enjoyed the evenings spent making them. Something like an old-fashioned quilting bee, small town fun with neighbors and a bottle of wine. Wish us luck tomorrow, hope for afternoon sunshine - and that we sell them all. Otherwise, we'll probably each give them to ourselves for Mother's Day. xoC

studio giveaway :: 2

So, felted wool is pretty cool stuff I guess. The winners for the first giveaway are Julie Loeschke and the bonus bundle to Brin.  Thanks to everyone for stopping by- some for the first time. I hope to put some more woolly bundles in my sadly neglected etsy shop. Soon. Please forgive me if I don't respond to all the comments, but honestly, I have read each and every one. I'm sure you'd rather I keep snooping my studio stash for more collections to pass on. And finish this mysterious project which is just a titch harder than we thought.

This new giveaway has white and ivory home-felted wools, fabrics, laces from France, vintage trims, buttons and a vintage photo. There is a little extra bit coming with it, too. Drawing to take place Sunday. Comments welcome on this post or those to follow until then. Thanks everyone!  xoC

treasured

I'm really happy that you all signed in for the first giveaway. I already have another one ready to post, but I'm waiting a bit. Comments are still collecting for this one- which is okay until I randomly pick and post the winner. Thinking I might put together an extra bundle because I am so grateful for all this wool love!

Grey skies outside have me looking around inside here. I spent some time studying this scene this morning where a bunch of my favorite things live on the sideboard. In no particular order, they are:

A. The ship in a bottle that Andy made just before Erin was born. 1978. He used an old gin bottle, carved the ship and masts, built special tools for the task, made ten tiny parchment sails, created the water from putty, painted it, magically installed the boat inside. All a first effort, one and only- a spectacular piece of craftsmanship.

B. Maggie's coil pot from high school art class, 1996. It's centerpiece-sized huge and has the prettiest glaze and shape. Someday it will go away with her. For now, it's safely adored here.

C. My grandmother's ginger jar. The origin of my fondness for that color, it makes me think of porch divans, lemon drops in crystal dishes, Pendleton jackets with big patch pockets, her love for my mom, then me.

D. The tiny teapot that Anne suggested Andy get for me, maybe Christmas 1991. She saw me admire it in Chicago's Chinatown when we were out exploring the local universe with our children. I think he was fairly bewildered about why I wanted that. The top has this little frog sitting in a seeded flower center. He went all the way back there just to find that again for me. 

E. An old hand-painted tole tray that I picked up along the way, probably at a church sale. The colors and flowers are just right, but the best part is on the back where the artist painted first to practice the sweep of her stroke. Even those are beautifully done.

F. The cobalt vase that Erin and Andy brought back to me from Italy. Always the one I reach for.

G. Lilacs, which I do love. But these, even more so. Probably why I was looking here in the first place today, taking it all in. These fragrant and beautiful lilacs are a gift from James. The dear young man who loves our Maggie and brought them to me on her birthday.

In no particular order, huh? You know I saved that one especially for last. Yes, I did. I sure did.

Now, off to assemble that second bundle of wool. And a few other things. xoC

gifts to share

   

While wrapping presents for Miss Maggie, I thought it would be a good idea to give one to you too. Actually, several.

In the next few weeks I'll be giving away goodies from the studio. Some will be materials that you can craft with, others might even be finished things that I made, or maybe things I thrifted. Don't know exactly. Lots of ideas come to mind though.

This project I'm working on with the girls has all of us very excited- the wheels are turning, then racing. And the inspiration is headed right for you. So leave a comment here or on any post following this one to enter the giveaway. I'll announce the winner when I post a new one.

After loving the collections of scraps Alicia put up, I'm starting off with a bundle of my favorite felted sweater pieces. When you see what we have been up to, you might want to have these right next to you on the couch.  xoC

just there

I walked by our old house last weekend- the one we took on as a neglected grande dame. The one we poured our days and nights into, pulling down falling plaster ceilings, scraping wallpaper, hanging wallpaper, doing what we could. The house that was impossibly huge, way bigger than we were. 8 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 parlors, formal dining room, butler's pantry, dressing rooms, so much of everything. And the heating cost. Friends kept their coats on when visiting. As soon as it was fixed up enough, we sold it and moved on to Chicago. As much as I loved the neighborhood, I never really felt connected to that house. It was too much for us then.

But this door, oh, this time of year. I carried Maggie through that doorway as a newborn. 27 years ago this week. We put her into the arms of her big sister and watched them fall in love- in the room just there. I rocked her in the nursery chair by the yawning window up above. Tucked her in and tiptoed down the hall just beyond.

And I welcomed spring, swaying with her on my shoulder, looking out for this.

 

Our dependable, magnificent tree- the one that climbed up to us in the early dawn, waved at the window. The one that brought waking birdsong and pink lanterns, whispering each day, "There is so much more. Bring your little ones outside. Come out and see this charming, glowing spring. No more wallpaper, no more paint. Come outside and play. It is all just beginning- this is what you dreamed."

Happy birthday, darling Maggie. The house, our tree- still so elegant, so lovely- just like you. Our sweet little dream come true.

getting closer

Our little collaborative project (with Rebecca, Pam, Carolyn, Teresa, Amy) is shaping up.  Sheesh, it's pretty amazing. Almost there.

I think I said that before, but we are having way too much fun tinkering and adding on. You'll be happy about that. Really. You will.  xoC 

earth day, every day

Touch the earth, love the earth, honour the earth, her plains, her valleys, her hills, and her seas; rest your spirit in her solitary places.  - Henry Beston

 

collecting spring

O, hello there, bee! I see you now. Nice surprise because I had no idea he was there when I took this. Getting my glasses on and getting the photo at the same time are nearly impossible to coordinate. Just lucky this time.

Today I feel like him, spending the spring out and around visiting every pretty pink blossom I can. Off to see my mom for the weekend. Hoping you have a busy few days playing outside under a flowery tree somewhere. It's so lovely now, isn't it?

transformed

April 15th. Arghhh.

April 16th. Much better.

travel brochure

Galway City, meringues in a bakery.

A number of people have asked me where are the pictures from Ireland? They expected to see more than sheep and manhole covers. But that's what I like to take pictures of. (And horses too.) I'm working on one of those online photo-books which has made me realize that there are far too many images to choose from. Here are a few.

In another life, Andy could have been a king with a castle or at least a duke or something. He was right at home here- as we expected. This is also where I found all the daffodil shots posted earlier. (Kilkenny, Butler Castle)

Blarney Castle

The seaside village of Kinsale. Sunshine then showers, then a gale.

More-so-than-ever-windy cliffs of Moher.

Bog and peat trench near Roundstone.

Outside of Clifden at Kylemore Abbey.

Dublin, 2 days of steady rain, indoor attractions.

Guinness storehouse- complimentary glass at the end of the tour. Possibly her highlight moment. Notice the cladagh ring, purchased on a NY street many years ago. Our Irish princess.

My highlight moment (Ashford Castle, Cong).

Already seems like so long ago. For more armchair adventures, stop by to see Silver Bella pal, Pam, just back from teaching in Paris where she and Amy met up with Kim and friends. Remember when we all went to CHA/LA back in February? Updates on that promised creative sharing project coming along very soon. We've been hard at work, almost ready. Really, soon! xoC

keeping

While straightening and cleaning out, I ran across this old book from 1850. It's missing the cover and is so worn and tattered. I opened it to see what was in there, thinking it might have to go in the church bag. O, my. Where did this even come from?

I let it sit on the table, steeping in the changing disarray of the afternoon, in the midst of all the work in progress and jumble of stuff collecting around the edges. By 4:00 the light was just right in here. I fussed with the prettiest elements nearby until I had what I wanted, carefully composed. Looking at it now, I see those 3 buttons are a bit too styled, but it was still fun, the kind of time waster that actually puts me back on track.

Of course, the table is once again an unsightly wild mess- yarn, paper, mail, felt, best intentions. Nothing pretty or inspiring about that, but the book is properly restored to a shelf where it won't go anywhere. Respectfully tucked away. Until I find it again.