house wren studio

what's left

Looking at the disarray on my worktable, one would think I have been creating all kinds of things. Not really...nice weather, the holiday, Mo here to hang around with. Rather than put all the art scraps and stuff  away, I am challenging myself to make art with what's left...on the table and in the baskets and bowls that have become temporary receptacles for all the scraps. There are about 5 of those. More to show later and then hoping to put some on etsy. Try it- it's fun and easier than cleaning up. Although one of these days....... xoC

yellow and blue, and a house wren too

Looks like summer is really here now. Warmer days and nights and my wren is back! She's checking out the wren house, recently refurbished and rehung outside the studio window, singing her little heart out. I hope that means she likes it. I hope she moves in and keeps us company. Not sneaking up on her with a camera.

Makes me want to make a new banner in honor of her guest residency, but I like this one too much. Built off a photo I took recently at a NJ nursery, these tulips are so rich- the deep goldy yellows rolling into the red and orange with the bits of black like a kaleidoscope. We never see tulips where I am in NY...the deer get them so fast that no one plants them anymore. Keeping the banner and those tulips for a little longer.

When Elena was here the other night, we talked about our winter trip to Cartagena and all the amazing colors there. Looking at these photos again, it's almost hard to believe we were really there. Lots of marigolden yellow...and plenty of blue, a little more saturated in the Caribbean sun.

I wish I had a crafty idea to pass along today. Nothing comes to mind but I found three things that make me want to play...amazing bottles over at Brenda's and these button tacks here. So, so super cute. Also look here for collage inspiration, I love what she does, just love it! But I have to go outside and plant the rest of the annuals that I was so hungry for that day. The ones up top...gotta love those sunny, go-anywhere marigolds!  xoC

memorial day

   

Oh, Dad, you would be so proud of her!  How I wish you could see. We miss you every day, but especially today. Love.

parades, barbecues, hemlines

Mo will be marching in the parade tomorrow here in town with her department. Hoping it's not too hot this year- those heavy, dark dress uniforms and all that standing at attention for so long are hard on them. Something about not moving, circulation and dehydration too. I always worry someone's going to keel over. It's happened. Last year a Girl Scout fainted holding the flag while the town dignitaries gave their speeches. Maybe they will make them a little shorter this year.

Speaking of shorter...you think I oughta hem those pants? Sheesh, there's still time- if I skip the barbecue tonight. Of course, all my girls know how to sew. And that includes her. If my pictures taken tomorrow don't show any cuffs, you'll know why. xoC

 

pink into green

Thanks so much for the kind anniversary wishes yesterday. It was a hot summery day here and we opted for an early dinner in town and a stroll at the park on the river. There were two little league games on the field under the lights- our friends' sons playing, parents visiting on the sidelines. Kids running shirtless across the playgrounds, old and young passing each other on the path, Manhattan skyline lights sparkling in the distance. On this weekend of American celebrations and remembrance, we both mentioned how wonderful and sweet life is in this small  town. Our own Mayberry.

Pink is fast fading to green and brighter summer shades. Have to get out there and see what's left. xoC

thirty-three

It's our anniversary today. Maybe we will go walk across a new bridge, or visit the farm, or picnic at the river. There are lots of big adventures out there and we have had many, but also the little ones, the ones right in front of us, everyday gifts we hardly notice sometimes. It's sweeter to celebrate those and each other on this day. A beautiful, sunny, nearly summer day here. Hope yours is too. xoC

pet love and the unexpected

I've been saving this image for some post, didn't know what until today. When we were in PEI last fall visiting a local fishing wharf, we found this building behind the dock. Lots of wild cats hang around because it's the countryside and obviously, the fish. That sign in the window said something like - "please donate to the food fund and if you adopt one of the cats or kittens, please leave us a note so we don't look for it anymore." It was charming and heartbreaking at the same time. But someone is doing the right thing for these cats. At least that's how it strikes me. I also got a kick out of the reflection in the window..my girls, who are definitely the cat's meow in my opinion.

Our Mo, the firefighter, responded to a call late the other night on the local parkway. A 6 car pile-up with fairly minor injuries. Several people went to the hospital though. She walked up to a car to see if anyone was still inside and a pit bull roared up from the backseat. Scared her, but nothing like the terror the dog was experiencing. Mayhem, flashing lights, sirens, equipment noise wrenching cars apart. And the owner was injured, off in an ambulance. No leash in the car. They had to remove the dog so that the car could be towed. (But there was nowhere for him to go so someone tied him to a guard rail until someone else could take him somewhere.   see edit below.) She said she felt so badly for the poor dog- in such distress, but there was nothing she could do. (No random actions on a scene like this. Everyone has an order.) That story kept me up at night. I thought of all the times that Jake rode with me. I rarely went anywhere without him. But I kept a leash, a blanket, a water bowl and bottled water for him in the car at all times. Not sure it would have made a difference in this terrible scene, but if you do travel with your pet, please consider and prepare for an emergency situation. I think I would have insisted that the dog ride with me in the ambulance, but what if...? (edit- I asked a bunch more questions just now-- the ambulance wouldn't take the dog with the owner and his passenger (girlfriend who was injured). It was the owner who stayed behind with the dog, tied him to the guard rail until the scene settled down...and it was a firefighter who took the dog and owner to the hospital to find the injured girlfriend in the end. More edits to this ramble...reads like I care more about the dog than the injured people. Not so- I do hope they all recover quickly and are doing well. I was just taken with that side-story. And thanks, Linda and Teresa for going to visit George. He will be thrilled to hear from someone other than me!)

My friend George just started a new blog here about dogs as therapy-givers. If you can, go over there and ask him some dog questions so that he gets into the groove of blogging. He's a great writer, a lifelong dog person and has plenty to say. It's hard to get started at first but then, well, you know. Travel safely this holiday weekend. Take your time, enjoy the ride.  xoC

pretty patterns, papers, people

It's exciting to walk that show and glimpse the amount of art and product put forth each year. Just enormous in size and scope, the collections represent a huge creative effort on the part of so many artists and designers. Papercraft companies were showing lots of kits and blank creative projects for crafters- my kind of fun. In the smaller stationers, I saw more letterpress and vintage/retro graphics. Hand-stitched papers and felty things in every other booth. And tons of damask-style patterns -crisp and distressed- in brown and green, brown and pink, brown and blue. Uh, that's not new. I guess we still like it though.

      

How excited I was to turn my head and see Anna Maria Horner sitting there in her booth in the midst of her designs. I think she is the first person whose blog I discovered and read that I actually have met. And she is adorable! Friendly, funny, and easy to talk to. She's doing so well with all her new designs and ventures. I was glad to meet her and her husband, Jeff.

My friend Anna Griffin was there too, busy with all her customers and fans. Keynote speaker this year!! We spent two days together taping shows for DIY Scrapbooking a few years ago....along with Jone (missed you, girl!).... I love catching up with her any chance I get, and believe me, there's always something awesome coming up on her horizon. And it is, wait and see!

Met this smiling artist. That business card of hers is so cute!

There was so much more, everywhere you looked, but after awhile I was full to the brim. Just couldn't focus my eyes or thoughts on one more piece of art and design. Where's the food...a chair? My agent, Sheila kindly rescued me and then with the enormously talented, hilarious and cutest-shoes-girl, Anne Higgins, we went off to dinner here.

Fabulous, really yummy, and lots of laughs, but when Uma came in and sat at the corner table with her script, another diner literally fell off his chair....rattle, clatter, crash...ah, smooth, dude! Yes, so glad it wasn't me, but I was pretty much welded into mine by then. Nice finish.

A good day-- a long one. Ya gotta love NY! xoC

off to the show

Heading off to the NY Stationery and Surtex shows today. Packing up my portfolio, putting on my walking shoes, catching the train, the bus and the tour down the endless aisles at the Javits. Always so much to see including a few visiting friends. Wandering through my files last night, I spent awhile tinkering, mixing, matching, playing with this painted pattern- sure would like to see the design as an album - or the pattern as fabric! Oh, and while I'm wishing, you know I also wouldn't mind being 25 with that darling Erin standing, wobbling, wiggling on my knee again too.

Hoping you each have a colorful, inspired and creative day! I'll be taking notes and try to report back on all the latest. xoC

tagged again

Tagged and inspired by Claudine! After some self-searching, here are 7 somethings about me:

1) A girl in my carpool pierced my ears on the way to school one day. I was 13 and it hurt like crazy the old way- needle, ice cube, potato. That was so long ago, my earlobes must hang down to my shoulders by now, but I feel weird without earrings.

2) I pick up big plastic toys and bikes set out with the trash and take them to the church or SA for donation. Can't stand seeing them go to the landfill.

3) I like my coffee made at home. Grocery store Starbucks French or Italian Roast super strong. 3 big cups and then that's it for the day. Never after noon.

4) Visited our daughter when she was in London, but have never been anywhere else in Europe or beyond.

5) I'd rather clean the bathroom than buy a plane ticket (see above). Not entirely about travel anxiety although it is part of the problem, more about giving so much money to a company that keeps the cash no matter what and then treats me like a prisoner start to finish.

6) I catch bugs in my hand to set free outside-- the nice ones anyway.

7) Haven't yet read a Harry Potter book even though Mo does the 2-day read the day she gets a new one. Must be good stuff, just never went that direction. I like random vintage thrift shop novels from the 30's and 40's --to read and then cut the phrases out for collage. And any book by Ann Patchett, Kaye Gibbons or Henry James.

And now I tag Deb, Janet, Susan and Pat......whatcha got?   xoC