house wren studio

westmoreland drive

My first house of memory was on Westmoreland Drive in University City, Missouri, an urban suburb adjacent to the Washington University campus. In the 60's, children of all ages filled the sidewalks and yards with bikes, lemonade stands, camp-outs, forts, street games, birthday parties, laughter, hollering, mischief and general happy-kid life. We walked to the neighborhood school or library any day of the year and never really worried about much of anything as I remember it. Dragging our rough and tumble, independent selves back in the kitchen door at dusk for dinner, we counted the minutes until we could run back outside for the last neighborhood play of the day. And at holiday time, those were the years of absolute blissful magic when Santa started at one end and worked his way down the block in and out of chimneys at each house. That's what we were sure of then.

This new kit I'm posting reminds me of that time- of the sequined tree skirt and stockings my mother made, of the gold-rimmed plates dotting the holiday table, of velvet, sashed Christmas dresses, new toys calling our names from every unopened box, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto bossa nova tunes jazzing up the mistletoe season. My mother has an artist's sense of style and a practical elegance, and it was always at Christmas that it dazzled us the most. When she comes to visit us this year for the holidays, maybe we'll all sit around the kitchen table and make tiny festive houses and trees. So, here is my newest though sweetly nostalgic Westmoreland Holiday Kit. I'm happy to think that you can make these too, and remember when, your way!

**After a number of emails and questions, I'm sticking with what works. Scratch etsy for now, selling them here on the blog shop even though I still can't manage that Paypal buy-now button. Mostly, I want you, my favorite neighborhood pals, to have first chance at them since they include vintage materials. When I run out, that's it. To order, send me an email, include your Paypal email addy and I'll send the Paypal invoice to you. Happy holler-days, my friends. C'mon, let's play! xoC 

leaving and shop news

As glorious as it was, the fall season is changing sets from the curtains of golden, scarlet, orange to a rustling blanket, now burgundy and brown. Late November. The color display stuck around for a long time this year, but I'm still sorry to see the overnight switch. One rainstorm and that's it. I took a ton of photos on my town tours and might as well get some of them up here or they won't be relevant in a day or so. Autumn is leaving, big time.

Since we are suddenly moving on to the holidays, I've put together another kit design that will debut in my own blog shop Thursday night around 7 pm ET. It's such a sweet one....thinking I will call it Westmoreland (which I will explain tomorrow). All I can think of now is what can we make? Lots and lots of ideas ahead. xoC

a few more

We had such an easy, casual holiday weekend here. Erin and John Paul went to Mexico to visit his family and we were fortunate to have that impromptu all-together day the Sunday before. On Thanksgiving we enjoyed having Maggie and Mo at home, coming and going, cooking and relaxing. Gratefully, there were not any fire calls this year to pull Mo away and overall, it seemed a generous stretch of time to be together. We love that luxury always.

The days were sunny though chilly with warmer afternoons to walk out and see the town colors. It was quiet around the village which meant that I had the post office almost all to myself Friday when I shipped a super-sized stack of kit boxes. A new guy was in training at the counter under the watchful eye of a supervisor. He actually, cheerfully appreciated the repeat process of all my packages. Best way to learn the system, he said, by repeating each step. Same here, love that repeat part. Thanks to everyone- I'm going back with more this afternoon. xoC

recycled napkin rings

Last year I admitted that I don't cook much for Thanksgiving. I made the pies and then kept busy with table-setting. Over the year though I noticed that the image for the place cards- crafted last minute from scraps in the drawer- was very popular with readers. Here I am again, up against the holiday event and wanting to inspire you with something crafty after all those family posts. And it looks like more quick and simple papercrafts to keep me out of the way of those who seriously cook here.

As I often do, I looked first in the recycle bin for materials to start with. Aha! These napkin rings are from paper towel rolls. We only have one today because I try not to use them- I'm a fan of washable dish towels. But if you have one, flatten it and cut 2 inch sections with a pinker. Keeping the pieces flat-ish (they'll look less like what they are and won't roll on the table), then just decorate them with paper scraps....pretty ones like sheet music and handwriting.

Add a phrase or guest's initial letter snipped from a cut-up book. A piece of ribbon makes a colorful place to add a word or two. But kitchen string or baker's twine would be lovely too, especially if it is wrapped around many times.

No end to the ideas once you start.

Wallpaper bits, yarn, fabric, buttons, letter tiles, faces from old photos, laces, charms, things found in nature.

A sailing pin for him or a just-found-in-Omaha favorite brooch for her.

Wishing you all a happy, happy holiday with your loved ones. Hoping you get to enjoy the little things like the crowded kitchen, table or couch. I do think that's the best part, especially when they help me with the dishes. xoC 

over the top

   

So many comments to choose from last night for the kit drawing! I put them into the random number selector and voila- 2 emerged. Jen and Jeanne. Somehow, that seemed to be too few so I chose one more and am sending a third kit to Olivia.

I loved reading those comments regarding favorite posts; they were amazingly thoughtful and kind. It looks as though my family posts are the ones that you remember most. I do, indeed, enjoy writing about that, so I'll keep at it without overdoing I hope. Those posts are the hardest to write though, to make sense of the feelings and emotion without being too sentimental. But surely they are my favorites too- and the crafts. Have to have those. I wish I could send a personal thank you out to each of you. I guess this is it, but really, truly, thanks so much for reading and staying with me here.

We had a perfect day yesterday, Mo surprising her sisters with an early homecoming, the girls and their sweet boyfriends here for the afternoon, Andy cooking up a feast, football and tunes in the background, good stories, constant laughter, hugs and hugs and hugs.

So on now to the holidays, to time with Mo and family, then baking, crafting and building more kits because you asked for them (added the tree kit now). And if you are in the city, I'll be teaching at Tinsel Trading again on Saturday, the 8th. We're making felt ornaments (sneak peek there on the site). I promise you they are very cute and the class is wonderful fun.

When it gets cold this winter, I'll go back to that woodstack of comments and kindness and burn through it again. You all make it very, very cozy in here. Thank you! I hope you too have lots of love this week to stoke your homefires for the holiday. Stay warm. xoC

golden

Today we attended Rami's BarMitzvah. To see a child so celebrated by his family, community and friends at the service and then again afterward with loving toasts always triggers so much emotion and wonder. Thirteen is a perfect moment to catch a child turning the corner into adult life- so full of challenges, to assure him that he inspires those around him and that he is well on his way to what is good and true. I listened to David, Rami's father, congratulate his son on his kindness, his sense of fairness, integrity and honor. His joy filled the room and he spoke of his own father, the legacy of the generations and the things that make a father proud. I could see Rami watching his father with such admiration and love. Rami is truly a delightful young man, named for his grandfather who passed away just before he was born. For those thirteen years since, David has worn his father's medal of honor from the Israeli army- until today when he quietly reached behind his shirt collar, took it off and put it on his son. It was a powerful moment for any parent in the room. Or any child who has known the depth of parental love.

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of my father's passing and honestly, I was a little bit unaware of that- of the actual date. I knew I wanted to be outside because it was so beautiful, the season so quickly changing like partners on a dance floor. And it was- spectacularly so. This bench in the woods- I know my dad would have liked this spot. He was an outdoor guy and if we were sitting together he might have told me about some forest fact he knew- about a bird, a leaf. And all I would have heard would have been the love in his voice. I hear it still. He'd be glad that I was outside snooping around, looking at the trees, the sky, the golden leaves.

Tomorrow we'll have all three of our girls in the room together only for an hour or two if we can manage it and that will be it until Christmas. Mo is sneaking home early to surprise her sisters. We haven't seen her since August and are about to burst with excitement. Thanksgiving on a Sunday, a few days early- oh, that works for me. Golden moments, dancing when we can. xoC

breezes

How touched I am reading your sweet comments, to discover that you read and think and dream about the same things I do. Such kind words and notes-- thank you so much for taking the time to tell me.

Creative excitement has pretty much taken over the house, studio, and spirit in here, like a lingering houseguest- in a very good way, a nice one. Perhaps it is time to step away for a minute- maybe wash a dish, sort the mail, walk in the park to stretch my bones and thoughts. Fine timing. Autumn is performing in my town today. The sun is dappling the pavement, the winds are playful and the leaves are finishing their luminous dance, drifting off stage. I have to go see. 

I spent last evening trying to set up a little shop on the blog here. It's coming I hope. (edit- it's up on the top right sidebar. Click the CUTE shopping bag. Fingers crossed it works.) The boxes from Omaha should arrive today too so I'll start off with the Peace on Earth Collage kit. All I want to do is make things, but I cannot float entirely with the breeze. Chores first. Right after the walk. To see the water and the sky. And the last golden dance.  xoC

as it turns out

I do have some extra kits. Many of you have written to ask if there are any extras and there are a few. I forgot how many and they will hopefully turn up this week in a box I shipped from Omaha. I'll list them on etsy (edit- here on the blog shop) when I get a handle on that.

With all the excitement of Silver Bella before and after I didn't even realize that my first year of blogging came full circle on November 12. I've come a long way from where I started out a year ago with no idea at all what a life-changing event blogging would be. It has brought so many extraordinary people and opportunities into my little studio world. I have been whisked away into the bigger world, virtually and literally, in a most unexpected way. Inspired, motivated, supported in my creative work, blogging has challenged me to do more, be more. But surely what I treasure most is the way that you have touched, comforted, connected and transformed me by your visits and comments. I have learned so much about myself- and you too. Gone from a solitary studio life to the one I dreamt of in a community of dear like-minded folks, it has been an incredible gift to share with each of you this year. Thank you for every day and I look forward to all those to come.

To celebrate this personal milestone and to share more of the Bella bounty, I will be giving away two of the kits. Please leave a comment here and Sunday evening I'll choose a few names. I would love to know which was your favorite post, if it comes to mind- without too much trouble or reading. Just because I'm curious. Thanks again- for each of you. I am truly grateful!  xoC

bella bliss

I had never been to an art retreat. I had some idea of what to expect after reading blogs, but I don't think anyone could have prepared me for a weekend such as this one. Silver Bella. The talented students, the loyal blog-readers, the welcoming teachers, Teresa's can-do friends and family, the perfect venue, the cool city of Omaha...the ever-present enthusiasm and delight. (And the teacher gifts!) I was so swept off my feet!

Worries aside, my kits were complete, the classes were fun to teach, the right length of time with all the materials they needed and omigoodness, the students made the most inspiring creations!

I taught 3 different classes: felt tabletop trees, a wall pocket cardholder and a scrap collage illustration.

And when all my teaching duties were finished, I still managed to stay up until 3 a.m. yakking away with a bottle of wine and a bunch of new friends. (My mother and my kids too were so happy to hear that. Honest!) I wrote a book about this kind of thing once, certainly is nice to see that it all still rings true. Yes, I had a good time. The best-ever time. Thanks so much, Teresa McFabulous! I hope I don't have to wait a year to do that again. Call your friends, go make some art and craft. Good stuff- good for every little thing. xoC 

on glittered wings

Silver Bella time...be back soon. xoC