Last November our family traveled to Europe for Thanksgiving.  And while we were away, I went crazy taking photos…you can’t really blame me since there was SO MUCH to see and capture…I simply couldn’t resist!  Anyway, a few of these photos sparked some inspiration which lead me to create a collage project using door images which I machine stitched onto black paper bags.  This article is published in the current (Nov/Dec) issue of Somerset Studio. 

 In addition to machine stitching I included some hand sewn embellishments (e.g., a set of tiny black dots and the single red dot on the right hand side.)   These slightly raised details add interesting dimension, and also help to connect the sheet music element to their left. 

 Within this same issue of Somerset Studio you’ll also find a few more of my projects in the article, “Sparkle Holiday.”   During the holidays when there is usually A LOT of visual stimulation everywhere, I like to create things that are on the quiet side… subtle sparkle and uncomplicated designs is what I crave.

Here are a couple of simple cards using  just a pinch of sparkle.

And some altered projects using a small sprinkling of sparkle.  I also stuck to using mostly recycled materials since I love to save money, plus this mindset is good for conserving environmental resources. 

For the next two months I will be deep into making holiday ornaments as well as some cheery pretties for the home.  The  soothing rhythm of creating small, sweet things always makes me feel light and happy.  And for those of you who enjoy making little things too, I’ll be posting some of my creations as I make them…I’m thinking that once a week might be a good pace.   And BTW, if you’re interested in making any of the projects shown above, the specific how-to instructions are included in my articles.

Sending you wishes of:

music and harmony

balance

sparkle

comfort

and LOVE.

We just returned from Camden, Maine which is all around gorgeous, both inside and out.   While I’m still percolating the thrilling experience that I had while enjoying the outdoors (a future post,) I thought you might like to get a glimpse of the historical inn where we stayed. 

There were many charming touches all throughout the inn.  For instance, we were pleasantly surprised during check-in to be presented with this plain old-fashioned room key complete with a kitchy tag.   Bill and I talked about how we can’t remember the last time we stayed somewhere that uses regular metal keys.   We’ve gotten so used to the electronic kind that the old fashioned key seems so foreign…everything about the feel of actual keys jolts memories from the past to flicker through my mind. 

Inside our room we discovered another delightful remnant from the past.  We learned that this authentic antique phone is hooked up to the inn’s private switchboard. 

Every morning Bill and I began our breakfast by enjoying a perfect cup of coffee with just the right amount of cream, while Brook was treated to a cup of warm, rich-dark cocoa at the end of  her meal.   

And right after coffee we were served glasses full of  hand-squeezed orange juice along with bowls of  fresh fruit.  All of this bright color early in the morning has a way of waking up the senses, while the natural fruity taste and smells liven up the palette after just one tiny bite or sip. 

In addition to the delicious food and drink, the tables were simply dressed with humble flowers such as this pretty pink carnation. 

The carnations were nestled amongst sprigs of sweet baby’s breath.  Up close, I think they’re stunning!   These quiet buds are normally used as just filler, but perhaps they can stand on their own as well. 

Wherever I am…at home or away, I have to have snacks within easy reach.  So while travelling I’m always on the lookout for goodies to bring back to our room.  For instance, one day I purchased a pint of these gorgeous, freshly picked Maine blueberries from a vendor on the side of the road.   This healthy treat tasted sweet as candy, and as a bonus they’re also very lovely to look at.

In addition to enjoying delicious food while we’re away, we always try to make room in our schedules to relax…put our feet up…maybe even nap. 

During our first afternoon I remember being lulled to sweet slumber while listening to someone playing a piano.  Within earshot, in the nearby music room, sits this antique piano.  The poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay was discovered in this very inn, reciting poems and playing this very piano.  

On the last day of our stay Bill took this impromptu photo of Brook and me.  We were all packed up and ready to head back home…feeling well rested and well fed. 

I hope that you’re all savoring the summer with your loved ones as well.

We just returned from another wonderful weekend in Maine.  While we were away we experienced a spectacular July 4th fireworks display while lounging around barefoot at the beach.  Watching the fireworks explode against the hazy dark sky, above the incoming ocean waves was an exhilarating experience…one that will stay with me for quite awhile, I’m sure.  Prior to this amazing evening, we attended Bill’s uncle’s wedding which was actually the highlight of our trip.  This wedding was lovely in every way with lots of family, friends, good food, music, etc.  Unfortunately, I left my camera at home so I wasn’t able to capture any of these special moments.  I’m hoping that the other wedding guests were better prepared so that I can beg some photos from them. 

Although I don’t have photos to share from our holiday weekend, I thought you might like to see some other photos of our Maine place.  For our getaway place, I wanted to create a more fun vibe by filling it with bright graphic colors and vintage pieces such as these:

I found this sunny yellow chair at a local flea market for 10 bucks.

This is my home away from home studio chair.  And it also doubles as my vanity table chair until I find just the right table for our bedroom.

The vintage colors of these mini-chairs grabbed my attention right away when I came across them at a yard sale. 

I found these two pitchers way back when I was single in my 20’s.   I think I paid just a buck or two for each…crazy cheap!

More yard sale finds with a punch of color.

I like how a little blue can go a long way.  This is especially appealing when you’re trying to decorate on a modest budget.  For instance, I found this vintage iron crib for $12 at a yard sale (I used the head and foot board side-by-side to create a headboard big enough to suit our king-sized bed.)

I made this baby-sized bathing suit that hangs in our hallway in Maine using a bit of imagination along with some vintage red trim.  This piece was published a while ago in Somerset Home (volume 4), but the issue is still currently available.  If you’re interested in how to make my mini-bathing suit, I’ve included the directions in the article.   This is a quick and easy project that can be whipped-up in no time, plus the materials don’t cost much – quick and inexpensive…I love this combination!

Our home in Massachusetts is very different from our place in Maine.   The colors are quieter, the furniture is a bit more formal, but it’s still very cozy and comfortable.    I guess that overall, Bill, Brook and I are casual people with casual tastes.  We like things simple, easy and relaxed.  What about you…how do you like to create a fun and/or relaxed environment?

This past week Bill has been away on business…all the way to Australia.   Whenever he travels, especially to such long distance destinations, I miss him like you wouldn’t believe.  When he’s away from home my heart literally aches and it feels like there’s a hole in it, very much like the shell pictured above.   And there are other very unpleasant side effects to deal with as well.   For instance, whenever Bill’s away for days at a time,  I feel off-kilter and everything looks a little fuzzy.  Food tastes blander, music sounds a bit flat, the jokes on television aren’t quite as funny, and I’ve even been having a tough time trying to stay focused on my art projects.   It’s just not the same without him.

By the time I publish this post Bill will most likely be safely back at home where he belongs.   I imagine that as soon as he sets foot in the door my mood will automatically improve.  And like magic, everything around me will look brighter and more cheerful.

I took this photo of Bill while we were in Nantucket.  Whether we’re together or apart I’m always focused on him…my thoughts, my wishes, my dreams…these all include him.  He is at the center of my heart.

When we take time to pay close attention to the present moment, especially while out in nature, random thoughts begin to play together in concert.   This music brings insight and connects us to the earth and all of its surroundings…keeping us grounded.  The mind feels clear and soars with imagination.  I recently found myself in this open happy place, from which sprung this short, sweet verse.

Depths of Blue

Shades of blue bring thoughts of sky and sea
Vastness in between, beyond imagination.
Space filled with light and magic mist
Drops of rain, dollops of dew
All around, the beauty of blue.

I created this necklace with these thoughts in mind.   The blue stone that I chose for this piece is amazonite.  Some call this the “hope stone” and believe that it can help maintain balance and calm.   Although there is no real proof of this, I think that it’s good to believe.  Our minds are powerful beyond measure – if you think it, it can be.

If you would like to have this necklace please leave a comment on this post.   You have until Friday, April 16th at 5pm EST to leave a comment and I’ll choose a random winner by the next morning.   Thanks for stopping by and for participating in this “out of the blue” giveaway.

Yesterday morning I woke up to a chorus of chirping birds and I realized how starved I’ve been, missing this gentle music to my ears.   At 6 am the sky was bright, the temperature was a smidge above freezing, but best of all…the birds were back!  These promising signs of Spring have me happily fluttering about while anticipating more songs of this season to arrive. 

Here’s a little something that I made using a bird-shaped cookie cutter.  I had originally created heart-shaped ones as published here.  However, I’ve since discovered that this project adapts very well to other shapes too, so I’m always on the look-out for interestingly shaped cookie cutters. 

I didn’t have to go far to find these gifts of inspiration since they arrived in yesterday’s mail.  Ellen sent me these goodies just because.   It was so thoughtful and generous of her to send me this creative batch of handmade  items.   Thank you Ellen for this happy box of Spring, and soon we’ll all be singing its praises…just like the lovely birds outside.

The weekend of November 6th I’ll be participating in the Holiday Boutique at our local Cultural Arts Alliance.   I’ve been doing this event for several years and I like everything about it (connecting with other artists, 20% of every sale going to the arts center, the easy-breezy relaxing atmosphere.)

My friend Sandra is the Executive Director for this one-stop art locale where they teach and showcase the visual arts as well as provide music lessons.  For the past three years Sandra and I have been teaching a children’s  mixed media arts class at this center.  To spark the students’ inspiration we often used projects found in many of the Stampington publications.   Our students loved the diversity in these projects and they always came to class filled with tons of enthusiasm.   It was wonderful being able to provide an environment for them where they could come and indulge in creative expression.   Being around them was like being around sunflower blossoms – bright, happy and bursting with energy!

Stop on by to see what the Hopkinton CAA has to offer (classes, lessons, gallery).  And if you come during our annual Holiday Boutique (November 6th, 7th, 8th) I’ll be there with a bit of this n’ that:

Last week I ventured out for a breather – a chance to take in some fresh air…some fresh inspiration.   Check out these adorable little purses I found in my all time favorite shop, Nesting on Main.  As soon as I spotted these I knew they needed to come home with me.  

This coming Saturday, October 3rd, from 10am-5pm, Nesting on Main is hosting a block party.  There will be music as well as other festivities to enjoy.  And when you enter the door of this little shop with BIG inspiration, you will instantly feel as if you’ve entered a place of paradise…a haven for artists!

Imagine what you can do with nothing but a bunch of recycled and free materials. That’s what I do most of the time, and this is an example. Here’s a list of what was used for this “free bird”:

1.  bird base – scrap fabric cut and sewn into a bird shape and stuffed with more scrap fabric
2.  bird’s eyes – black-tipped straight pins from my sewing supply stash
3.  fluffy bird texture – created from hand torn pieces of tea-dyed used dryer sheets
4.  “imagine” detail – from my scrap paper pile
5.  bird stand – two stacked garden spout handles

By the way, does anyone remember the Lynyrd Skynrd song “Free Bird?”  Back in the day (high school for me) this song was a huge hit and all the guys in school were freakishly crazy for it.   Does anyone remember how most of the leather-jacket-wearing-guys used to play air guitar (lol!)  I never fully understood the draw, but I probably didn’t bother to investigate it much either.  Anyone care to explain?  Wikipedia reminded me of the lyrics:  “If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me?”   As I read these lines I could practically hear the tune in my head.   Isn’t it interesting how music has the power to stick with you even after decades have gone by?  And while listening to, or in this case merely thinking about a verse, I was instantly transported to another time, another place, another me (?)  Totally bizaare!