house wren studio

chelseah

On a sunny June day long ago, Andy and I walked around the corner to visit our friends, Rod and Jill, just home with their new baby. I didn't know much about babies, had never held one, considered having them, paid much attention to babies at all. On the walk home, an hour after I held Chelseah, I turned to Andy and said, O, let's have a baby! It was one of those moments for me. I remember the place where we stood on the street. And absolutely, the greatest gift for me in life has been mothering my three darling girls- something I told Chelseah a bit ago, thanking her for the adorable inspiration she was as a newborn, still is as a young woman.

Chelseah's wedding is today at 4:00, in a field by the sea. With the sun shining on an Indian summer afternoon before sunset, we will be there to wish her all the happiness and joy that this day can bring to her and Zack, their families and friends. All the best, dear Chelseah- nothing less for you, that sweet sprite with twinkling eyes, rosebud lips and a welcoming heart. xoxo   

cozy corners

Cozy Corners was the first chapter (Ch.7) we brainstormed for our book. Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, the book, was a cozy corner book that outgrew the concept immediately- and just kept on going. First one was about homes, then one about Christmas, then gardens, then crafts, then children, then a magazine. Many years of good work, great fun, 3 girlfriends out and around.

I'm still partial to cozy corners, though when I page through our book, I think mine were so crowded you couldn't get in them. Harder to find in this house, I have one edited version here at the front door that I like- even though there isn't a chair (rule-breaker). Every once in a while I fluff it up and actually notice the late day sunlight skittering across favorite things. Now- flowers from James for my birthday, Mo's 3rd grade clay star full of collected river rocks, church sale polka-dot box, and a glass-doored cabinet from my childhood room- with more stuff inside. Of course.

I recently spent an evening with Mary and Phil after a little tour of their new home- which is just amazing, so inspiring, always uniquely Mary (and Phil ;) and, oh yeah, you can be sure there are plenty of cozy corners. Every room, all four corners, as cozy as they could be. Over dinner that night, in a cozy corner at a restaurant, we talked about her upcoming blog, the blogosphere enchantment and how much fun it is. Delighted to report that she did it, put up a blog at the magazine ...and it's so Mary, so comfortable and o-so-cozy. You're going to love it- the coziest corner yet- with room for everyone. xoC

how about these?

I'd be the life of the party dancing in these at the wedding. Don't think so? They're probably more comfortable than the ones I brought home from the store. Anything other than flip-flops feels like jail after a summer of free feet. Actually these belong to Erin and sit on the shelf in her very spare but cozy, orange/white guest bedroom. Look closely to see that one of them is unfinished, the design sketched in but not painted. Our favorite part. Do you think someone some day will treasure my half-finished projects? Um, no. Going back to work on a pile of those now. And it's Joni Mitchell day on WFUV. Yeah for turntable tunes, India-print dresses, VW buses, park concerts and bare feet! Have a clogging+blogging+singing good time out there today. Doo-doo-doo, do-do-do. xoC

leaning into fall

Yesterday was one of those gorgeous Indian summer days that makes you wish you had chosen it for a special occasion- good day to get married, have a block party, take a boat ride up the Hudson, hike at the farm or enjoy it simply on the back porch with the paper, coffee, family. The Times can easily fill a half day that way. Surprise bonus- Nancy's book had an excellent full-page review in the Book Review. We couldn't agree more and have loved Loving Frank. Aside from the riveting story, her writing is intelligent, imaginative, purely her voice, in my ear as if we were taking a walk and catching up on all things.

Can't spend the whole day out on the lounge though so also made time to go dress shopping with Maggie. Dear, dear friends are sending their firstborn down the aisle next weekend. We are looking forward to the celebration and I think we have tried on a million dresses (and shoes) to find the perfect ones. And who knows if they are? We'll find out when we get there I suppose. Of course, it's not about us or the clothes, but everything should be dreamy that day for Chelseah & Zack and their families- starting with the weather. If only we could have reserved yesterday's forecast for next Saturday. Fingers crossed for one more day like that.

:: Signing and sending my Sweet Mountain Holiday snowman to Susan Shintaku for her randomly selected comment on the open door post. Thanks to every one of you for the comments and kind words about the collection and Typepad spotlight. I do appreciate your thoughts and support- each one making my day so much sweeter. Thanks again! xoC   

ipod cozy

Seems like it has been a while since I wrote about a craft- although I have a few ideas in the works. How about this one? In a rush one day, we decided Maggie needed a case for her iPod so I made one from an old sweater. This is so easy and makes good use of those sweater sleeve leftovers just as they are. I already had this one felted and ready to cut into, but you can felt a second-hand wool sweater in the hot wash and dryer. Then cut across the sleeve for a 4" section of sleeve to roughly fit the width of the iPod, cell phone or camera. The inner arm sweater seam stays as is and will be inside the top of the flap. It's okay if it tapers a little on one side- when you fold it down over the top, that looks okay. Stitch along the sides for a snug fit and trim outside the stitching with pinkers.

 

Measure and cut an opening in one side where you can slip the iPod into the case leaving a top flap to fold down. No need to finish the edges on felt. Sew on velcro tabs or a sturdy snap for a closure. The decoration is an old junk jewelry post earring with a hinged back that was a no-sew finish, but could also be a button or pin- anything really. Thinking that the top flap can be used to store the earphones and wrapped cord, it's pretty functional. So simple. Even with the time spent designing it, the whole project took about 30 minutes....and that included looking for a Maggie-style sparkly earring.

   

Don't forget to leave a comment on the Open Door post so you can get in on the Sweet Mountain Holiday giveaway. And a big thank you to Typepad for all the love as a featured blog this week. I must say I'm a big fan of the way they work: the templates, the help desk, the easy to use set-up, the nice people there. I'm totally hooked!  xoC

for blue eyes

I grew up loving Cary Grant, Paul Newman and John Wayne, actors portraying my dad on the screen. Dad was my very own movie star- dancing like Gene Kelly on the small stage, our kitchen linoleum. Strikingly handsome with the most beautiful pale blue eyes, charming, mischievous, talented, sensitive, stubborn, kind and generous, Bob Matthews was a big-hearted, big bearish guy. An outdoorsman and champion golfer, he was as comfortable in a saddle as he was in a top down t-bird. And he adored me. No matter what.

Today would be his birthday- right after mine, his day too often a footnote to my princess celebration. My mother was just telling me that when I was born, though I was the first, he was never afraid of me. He tucked me under his arm like a pee-wee football and took me wherever he went, happily taking on any challenges that created. He did that kind of thing so well throughout his life- for my brothers and me. I love this picture- me in that favorite blue dress, wrapped under his arm still. He was a good, good man, easy to admire, harder to get to. I wish I could be that little girl there again, just one more hug, one more chance to tell him how much I love him. One more look into those so gentle blue eyes. Happy birthday, Dad. Here's to towers of pink cupcakes and barrels of black coffee. Our love to you - always.

open door

 

Sometimes blogging feels as though I have just thrown open the front door and invited the whole world in. Into my creative life, my family life, my wandering thoughts. I try to keep the steps swept clean, have the tea kettle simmering, some crafty project on the worktable, news about the neighborhood and the kids. And hopefully, I'm not still in my pajamas when you arrive. (Who has time to get dressed?) Come on in, pour yourself a cup and have a seat- some news to gab about:

:: Sweet Mountain Holiday should be on the shelves soon. Look in your local gift shop, department store or online store for the vintagey holiday collection I designed for Midwest/Seasons of Cannon Falls. I discovered that my favorite pieces- the mouse, bear and bunny ornaments are already sold out at the wholesale level, so don't wait. And it's going to be featured in the next issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion- the holiday issue!

:: I'm teaching a series of Saturday crafting classes at Tinsel Trading in October, November and December. The first workshop is on making a vintage inspired candy container for Halloween and the design is so darned cute I could hardly let it go off to the store. If you are in the neighborhood of 38th and Sixth in midtown, stop in and see it on the counter early next week. Workshop is on October 13th, 12-3. I'll be signing my Midwest collection too. So love that place- like a chocolate shop for crafters.

:: A party favor. To celebrate my birthday week, I'm going to sign and give away something from the Sweet Mountain Holiday collection. Not sure which one yet. Just leave a comment here on this post and I'll pick a name on Sunday. Not too soon to be thinking holidays and gifts, right?

:: And- I'm finally adding some new pieces to my Etsy shop. I know- took long enough, didn't it? Hope to be adding more things soon. xoC

p.s. I'm so glad you came over! More tea?

playhouse

O, I had such a nice birthday! Thank you all for the sweet, thoughtful notes. My kitchen table looks like the staging area for a photo shoot...so many gifts of beautiful, fragrant bouquets- lilies, roses, daisies, wildflowers and a delicious pot of rosemary. I'm walking around auditioning each arrangement in different places. Not much of a garden outside here, but inside today- it's spectacular- how lucky I am! And so grateful.

Happily playing house today...crafting, catching up, looking around and enjoying my colorful, little world in the studio and beyond. I will get the camera out later, but first I'm working on a simple how-to project and a give-away for you. Time to share the love. Stop in tomorrow, will you? xoC

cake blindness

Thank you all for the birthday wishes sent to Erin. We read them together and she was so touched. Me, too. September is a big birthday month in our family. Probably many others too. Erin loves our homemade cake so I made a portable sheet cake and took it to Boston with all the goodies I had saved up for her birthday. Andy cleverly arranged the candles in a Big E which is one of her nicknames. 

Other small gifts: Andy and John Paul hung and wired her thrifted chandelier. And put in a dimmer switch too. A blue bowl and mother-of-pearl card holders I found in my travels (among other things, ahem).

And of course shopping, dining, exploring and just enjoying the dear girl that she is. Today is my birthday. I feel like I already had my celebration-- and cake too. Sweet Maggie is taking the day off to play with me so off we go. September....I love it here. xoC

just two

Here we are home again after our perfect and super busy weekend visit with Erin and John Paul. Lots of photos to review, edit and share later, but I'm dashing around with a laundry list of too many things to catch up on today!

I had a very nice note from Mary Beth who adopted Licorice over at Amy's Inspire Co. She loves her little tea mouse which was wonderful to hear. Also had a petite postcard from Blueberry and Rose staying in touch with news that fall is coming. It's a bit chilly and quieter there without their attic friends. Blueberry is staying busy pulling threads from an old stadium blanket to craft a nose-warmer and Rose is filling her scrapbook with newspaper clippings of their debut when they were the talk of the town.

Stay warm, girls....good things come to those who wait!  xoxoC