Say What?


I just love text and I have been wanting to design something using words as the pattern. I was inspired by vintage bus scrolls and my love of sailing. I golf too, but I'm a hack. I can hold my own if I don't take it seriously, hence the slang terms on one of the pillows. Something new of 2009. Happy Summer!

Boston Handmade at SOWA this SUNDAY!


I have been crazy busy with shows and a trip out west (more on that later). This show is one not to miss. I will be at SOWA this Sunday with 17 other members of Boston Handmade. Participants will be:

83 West
Bancroft Studio
Blue Alvarez
Christine Marie Art
Chroma Lab
Elizabeth Brennick Designs
Fraske Designs
Kerry Hawkins Photography
Linda B. Dunn
Lucie Wicker Photography
MaJenta Designs
Mimi Kirchner
Nancy Rosetta
Sea Glass Things
Stonehouse Studios
The Hole Thing
Vintage by Crystal

SOWA will have something for everyone. In addition to the artisans, there is a farmers market and antiques market. Come on out and enjoy this Sunday the 14th from 10am-4pm, Harrison Ave., Boston. Stop by and say "Hi!"

Open Market Opener


Well it was a bit chilly but what a fun weekend! Saturday, I was right across from fellow Boston Handmader Beth Brennick. We had a great time and thank you to everyone who came out! I'll be back with new things on May 31st! See you then :)

Come One, Come All!


Here we go!
Come on out this weekend and enjoy the spring weather while taking in the goodies at SOWA opening weekend. I will be there Saturday and Sunday and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.
New this year is the Antiques Market that will be held in the trolley barn next to the market. There should be a lot of wonderful finds all around. Hope to see you there!

My Purl Girl


I am addicted!!! It was so much fun making this doll! Thank you Mimi, for your generosity in sharing the pattern on The Purl Bee.
I took along materials to start her on my vacation. I even had the felt shipped to my father-in-laws, in Florida. It arrived toward the end of my break so I didn't complete her until I came home.



My daughter just loves her :)

Inspiration Don't Leave Me Now



Well, I'm just back from "vacation". It was the first time back to Florida since the passing of my mother-in-law and it made me reflect on a lot of things. It is amazing the impact that small gestures can have on a person's life - fancy soaps in the bathroom, beds made and towels laid out, home cooked dinners you don't have to think about, quiet conversations marveling on how the kids are growing, stories shared about golf and "life at the club" - I missed them all.

I'm finding it difficult to get motivated - I guess I'm having a bit of a relapse in my mourning process but I decided I would just try to make some small items to try out gouache in my mixed media. Family and motherhood are on my mind...

Happy Easter

I did a little something different this year with the kids. Instead of colored eggs (which always seem to get wasted), we made terrariums!
Growing up, my grandmother would always bring a terrarium to our holidays. She made fantastic little environments with skaters or woodland animals. I was captivated by them. So when Susan from West Coast Crafty, a blog I love to follow, posted a how-to on making terrariums, I was inspired to try it this holiday.

Our family had a lovely, WARM Good Friday and spent the day on the waterfront in Plymouth and snooping in some antique shops in town. I found three great old bottles for the project. Once I got home I found a terrarium that my mother had given me years ago and an old cookie jar, so we had plenty to work with.  

In the cold rain on Saturday, we ventured out to gather the ingredients - gravel, activated charcoal, soil, moss and plants. Unfortunately, at this time of year the nursery had not received their tender plants but we found some little ferns and tropicals. To decorate we used figures from the Magical Forest Mix offered by Etsy seller Bake it Pretty.

Working with warm, green little worlds was a great way to chase away the dreary weather. Both kids really got into it. My son loved planning his landscape and had great little stories about what the gnomes were up to. My daughter absolutely loved hers, complete with Snow White and some dwarfs - She keeps sticking her hands in to play in the scene!

I hope your holiday is filled with fun and family, new and old traditions.