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.

The Day That Changed Me


Seven years ago, today, I became a mom. We did this series of portraits when he was around three months old. I always called him my "little luna" - he had such a happy moon face. Today he is a strong, independent and kind boy. I am so proud. Happy Birthday, Luna.

Vintage by Crystal on Martha Stewart!!


What can I say... it was bound to happen and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person.  Friend and fellow Boston Handmade member, Crystal, will be on the Martha Stewart Show this Wednesday (tomorrow) at 10 am on Fox 25 in the Boston area (check your local listings).

I, for one, can't wait to take notes on her craft!  It seems like every time we have a group show I come home with another one or her beautiful creations.  I added a Christmas ornament to my tree this year and have purchased these lovelies for my children - instant heirloom!

Check it out!

Before and After


Usually "Before and Afters" show improvement but improvement can be different things to different people.
My studio was once a lovely sun room.  It was my refuge, a "room of my own", where I could surround myself with my favorite things and indulge my obsession with Tiki.  The Christmas that my husband gave me my encaustic setup, I was so excited and couldn't wait to set it up.  I carved out a small corner by the window so I would have good ventilation and started to play.  
Well, a couple years later, I am completely hooked and my room has been transformed into a full time studio.
Just last week, I finally got around to moving out the remaining furniture and setting up some real work stations using tables that I was hanging onto (our old kitchen table and one from our photo studio).  I have been using folding tables to lay things out and plastic storage bins - not the most attractive, but someday I'll invest in esthetically pleasing cabinets.  The most important thing is that it is now a functioning space.  I no longer have to walk around the house mumbling to myself about where I left my scissors or ruler or...
I loved my old sun room and it was a lovely place to spend time, but I spend even more time in my studio and it's value is immeasurable.

Wall Flower - Second in a Series



This piece is the second in my "Wall Flower" series.

As I have been working through each piece, it has helped me reflect on the power and impact that woman have had on society but more importantly on the people their lives touch every day - their friends, husbands and most importantly their children. Woman's lives and roles have changed enormously and I know I have benefitted from the sacrifices of others. With expanding opportunity, comes all the stresses and responsibilities that tug on me for attention but I don't want to forget that the most important tugs come from the little hands grabbing my sweater or jeans.

I'd like to be, under the sea...


I have a fascination with what lies out there. Living on the coast my whole life, I find the shore is where I get my inspiration and my rejuvenation.




We had two wonderful days walking the beach and jetties in nearby towns this past weekend. I found some wonderful beach "junk" - weathered wood and lobster netting thrown back on shore by winter storms.






My kids loved it too. My son is going to make a sculpture with the bits he found.