small treasure

A friend asked me to accompany her the other day to a lecture she was giving in Sturbridge... a town well-known in Massachusetts for wonderful antique shops. We had a little time on our hands, so of course we headed for a favorite of mine. Knowing I did not have the luxury of hours of aimless wandering, I tried to focus on the search for old photographs and cabinet cards. It appeared it would be a fruitless search, when at the very last minute I spied this old leather album tucked away on the bottom shelf, gathering lots of dust. It's rather large - 12" x 15" with silver metal corners, metal hinged binding and a unique metal closure. The gold embossed leather cover has its old age wrinkles, the interior needs a bit of rehab... but I think it is just a beautiful book, destined for a new life!

Happy Thanksgiving

Spice

If you had asked me at any given time, during most of my life, what my least favorite color is, I would tell you without any hesitation ... orange.
Given the fact that I have a fairly quiet and calm personality, orange always seemed to grate on my senses. Too loud. Too brash. Just so...not me.
So why am I considering painting my kitchen a luscious shade of this formerly abhored color? I just cannot seem to get enough of the lovely shades of pumpkin... cinnamon... curry... paprika.... I am feeling the need to be enveloped by it. It now offers me a feeling of warmth, coziness and happiness. My kitchen has a large bay window looking out over the back woods and receives all of the morning sun. There is no better place to curl up with a good book and a warm dog.
This dichotomy also extends to my artwork. My prefered palette when working with paper and found objects is subtle, aged, sage and sepia-toned. I find these colors warm and reassuring. However, when working with fabric, I am usually drawn towards bright and colorful pinks, mauves, raspberry and yellows. What extremes!
What are your preferred palettes?

Gentle Giant

Edward Andrew Sitzer: June 1896 - Nov. 1960

Embodiment of the meanings of:

honesty
integrity
humility
gentleness
kindness

Grampa - I miss you still.

Dream Journal

I've been working on this fabric journal for the past few days and only have the paper "book" part of it to be finished and inserted into the interior pockets. It measures about 6x6 , is padded and handsewn into a little pillow shape... meant to be used as a decorative piece on a bed, handy for writing down those 2 A.M. inspirations! I fell in love with the interior fabrics, one a script print, the other a street map of Paris. Hoping to finish it by the weekend!

Birthday Blossoms

"Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these." Susan B. Anthony

Many thanks for all of the beautiful thoughts I've received via email for my birthday....I cherish all of you more than words can say!

Never Forgotten

My Dad landed at Omaha Beach in the first wave landing on D-Day. He never spoke about the war as I grew up and it wasn't until I visited the beach myself that I understood why. The enormity of what happened that day is something I cannot fathom. I honor him and every other man and woman who define the word sacrifice.

Waiting for Winter

Using the "good stuff"

How many of us have tucked back in the dark recessses of our art spaces those precious items we are saving "for good"? I don't know if this is a generational thing... when I was a child we had clothing "for good", china and silverware and table cloths "for good". I have to admit that it did make special occassions all that more special, using items that were only lovingly brought out only once or twice a year. However - that concept of saving things that were considered "special" has carried over into my art life. I have drawers full of paper, embellishments, photographs, fabric that are awaiting their debut in a particularly wonderful project. I am partcipating in a Christmas matchbox ornament swap (hosted by sweet Danielle) and sat down today to rummage though my piles of "stuff". And came upon these cute vintage angels given to me many years ago. ... which I was saving "for good". Well - the decision has been made - today is the day! No more hoarding unique supplies. The value I place on these things can't even come close to the value I place on those people that will receive these little pieces of art. Why wait?! What has given me pleasure will hopefully bring some measure of joy to someone else.
Now off to dig out those beautiful garnet colored crystal glasses... dinner tonight will be "special"!!!!

Sweet Little Goblin

It doesn't take a whole lot of work for a 13 month old chicklet to be adorable... but I think all of those tricks and treats got the best of her!