house wren studio

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

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 

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?

breaking away

I'm so glad we did that- just took off to see Mo for the weekend. She was so happy to be able to show us her sophomore tour of campus, town, her house, new friends and their visiting parents. And it was a touch more spring there, sunnier and warmer.

   

There was a fundraising dinner one night where we were seated at a banquet table full of new parents and freshmen. I watched our Mo brightly engage each one of them, unify the awkward table of strangers with funny anecdotes about adjusting to college life. Stories that made us feel as though we will all survive the experience, and be better for it. She was so adorable. Once again, I was impressed by her effortless charm, her easy style that relaxes and entertains. Later that night I told her so- and that I was really proud of the way she managed the evening. She gave me a wink and a quick hug good night. "Got it from you guys- just like everything else." 

Seriously. Adorable!

the creative family

I was excited to receive an advance copy of Amanda Soule's new book. The Creative Family is her sweetly inspiring collection of projects, ideas and thoughts on family life at home. Home with little ones- precious, curious children just beginning their own creative adventures. Like her blog, the book is a clever handbook of the ways that a family can simply play and learn together, enriching each other's creativity with imagination and invention.

I am loving this little book- small enough that it sits perfectly on top of the stack here. It is beautifully designed and easy to dip into, though harder to put down. Most of all, I love the way that Amanda's parenting style fills their lives with creative discovery. Children are natural teachers too, their gentle ways instilling respect and affection for siblings, a calmer pace for the household. I like the accessible crafts that the family has created- sewn, built, mixed from simple materials and resources. Handmade knitting needles (how cool!), art-on-the-go bags, a banging wall from kitchen pots and pans. Rituals, traditions, parlor games, all within budget, without commercially marketed products. Fabulous, thrifty, home-made fun.

I confess that it happily reminds me of this, my own record of those extraordinary days. I do believe that parenting is the best gift life has to offer, even though it's a supreme challenge, start to finish. You know how you hear people jokingly say over the heads of their children, Where's the owner's manual? I think it's here, in the pages of thoughtful books like Amanda's. This wonderful book reminds us that there is no better, or more natural way to nurture our children- and ourselves- than with our own enthusiasm, patience, care and creativity.

Now I'm going to make myself a banging wall. Everyone should have one of those!

city bloom

We had another delightful class yesterday at Tinsel Trading, playing with flowers, paper, ribbons and a collaboration of inspired art-ness. The sun was out. The sidewalks were in full bloom with people sightseeing and shopping, turning their faces to the sky like hothouse daffodils anxious to open. And of course, my favorite shop windows were popping with playfulness and color too.

 

august: osage county

I'm catching up on some things here in the studio and so thought to tell you about this today. While Dede was here a few weeks ago, she took us to Broadway to see her sister perform in this. Amy Morton is a member of Steppenwolf, the legendary company from Chicago, as is the rest of the cast, all here on a Broadway tour that has been extended through October.  August: Osage County was absolutely fabulous, riveting and everything that has an exclamation point after it or is in bold type above is true.

I was so proud of Amy and the brilliant performance she gave. If you are in NY or coming for a visit, get tickets and plan ahead because it is a sell-out house every time.

postcard :: 8

Maggie's earring holder- brilliantly constructed from an old frame that she laced with thin wire. Functional and hip and man, those earrings are seriously amazing. Kind of like the 60's and 70's when we had long hair under bandanas and halter tops with our jean cut-offs.

postcard :: 7

Erin and John Paul's living room. Elegant, peaceful...and thrifted.