weekend wondering

While waiting at an appointment a new magazine caught my eye - "Wondertime" and it was the article on the front cover that really caught my eye, titled, "Confessions of a Mommy Blogger."   Working from "home alone"- the world of blogging has opened up my window to a wonderful community of other like-minded individuals.  I wonder how many of you confess to blogging as a form of escape from the daily work-a-day world as a Mother, a wife, an artist, a writer, and decorator.  Whatever or where-ever your interest lies, ponder the possibility that someone out there is taking time to wonder a life beyond the daily grind, be the change and comment or join the blogging community.  Wonder woman bids you adieu!

Wonder Time, Mommy Blogger (not me)

pop goes the weasel

the crafty weasel pops in for a visit

The Crafty Weasel found me and it worked, my illustrations inspired her to draw.  The shy weasel  is a crafty one, running from knitting to decor to lots of other creative interests which you can see on her blog.  She was kind enough to mention me and post a few of my works on her blog.

Go on, run on over and check out that crafty weasel if you can catch her!

passion for fashion

Fashion illustration has always been a love of mine and it all begins with great textiles.   This jacket is a herringbone tweed and the edge of the collar is frayed to give it a hand fringed finish.  Her shirt is a crisp cotton and the ruffle borders the front placket as well as the collar to give a bit of femininity to this zig-zag herringbone.  

I did this illustration for an ad campaign for 

J.McLaughlin along with several others that I will post.  

night blooms

Black and white prints are a perennial favorite of mine, and these "night blooms" will add a graphic touch to your day.  This print was painted with a black gouache and I had a wonderful time painting this.  Can you picture this as a wallpaper, lining a wall in an entry or a powder room?  Black and white are palette cleansers, bold and timeless.

feeling crabby

Feeling crabby?  Then how about a crab print!  The beach is one of my favorite spots for inspiration, from the sand, the water, the salty air and then there's the crab.  I can see this print as a tie worn with a lovely cotton poplin jacket and lightweight trousers with a bright loafer.

Are you still feeling crabby, if not, let me know what kind of print would make you happy!

prints charming

The joy of designing a print, first identifying the motif and then the repeat. One single item, placed, flipped, flopped all in a row forms a happy pattern. Prints have always provided whimsy to me.  I love a great print tie, a sash or a scarf.  It can add zest to an all solid ensemble. The french always have a certain saviour faire - a little print tucked into a pocket or tied with a non-chalant touch.   I can take a frog and turn it into a "prints charming" tout suite!   Sport a silk print and feel the charm. These prints were produced on silk twill for ties fit for a Prince.

Love Shack

 Clients love to have their "home" illustrated as a special memento, to give as a gift.  I enjoy doing these as each one is unique and always holds a special place in the heart.  This home happens to be located in the heartland of America.  I hope to illustrate many more homes be it your castle, chateau or even a love shack!  

There's no place like Barneche

"No place like Barneche"

Through the woods and over the rainbow, a magical spot exits. "Barneche" is literally right off the yellow brick road - a small shop is home to Stephanie Barnes. Her native Kansas hospitality provides warmth and inspiration even on the coldest day. "May I offer you a cup of tea and some fresh baked goodies" - she cheerfully offers, while your eyes feast on a gentler, kinder time. Antiques, hand-made reversible jackets, dolls with soul, glassware, objects found and restored all with tender loving care displayed in wooden items made to set a soulful stage.

step inside Barneche

Ms.Barnes did not need to ask the Oz for a brain, courage or a heart as she has what all artists covet and that is finding one's own strength. She and her husband David Seche are the creative spark beind this shop as well as running a business in vintage electrical lighting. The name Barnes and Seche wired to create "Barneche Design" and the light is a sparkling bright spot in the town of Chichester, NY in the Catskills.

Harvest Table, dressed for a simple supper

There is an arranged order to the tiny, tidy shop, colorful spools of thread, fabrics folded as if they were origami. Vintage cigar boxes stacked like books. A certain "feng shui" of finding health and happiness at home and work is in the air. Stop by and you will appreciate all the goodness and the natural setting is one of which dreams are made of. One cannot help but skip out of the shop with a smile and something to brag about to Auntie. I found satisfaction in knowing that Ms.Barnes had found her place creating a simply artful life.

A lovely jacket for you!

Frugal Friday

Frugal-Fashionista photo

Friday is a day for shopping for many, preparing for the weekend and any events that it might entail from parties to travels or simply relaxing in the confounds of one's own abode. This year, I thought it might be nice to try and streamline my life, not necessarily "down-size" but to lead a life with a frugal approach. One of my favorite reads is "Walden" - not that I am ready to live in the woods in a cabin but seriously what does it take to make one truly chic and happy. It is a blend of having something new but not spending every cent, like that trip to the five and dime for a new little sparkly treasure. One blog that I look to for saving me pennies is the frugal-fashionista.  Cleverly posted idols flanked by similar goods all for lots less, now that is simply worth saving for. I admire those that can stretch the almighty dollar and still look like a million bucks.

A matter of Taste

Every Winter, Birds with a penchant for Antiques flock together at the Armory on Park Avenue in New York City which benefits the East Side Housing settlement.

The Winter Antiques Show opened last week and many exhibits were set to display a vast array of American, and European Antiques. Many articles leading up to this high society exhibit tout that you must bring one million dollars. I did not get down to the show but wanted to share this illustration that I had done a few years ago which to me sums up the people milling about as they ponder ways to drop a quick George Apparently there were many items that peaked curiosity and George Washington was one. Every item that makes it to this exhibition must be deemed authentic by the "vetting" community, a tasting committee if you will. Now that's something I could sink my teeth into.

I refer to my life in phases and during the before children phase, many a weekend were spent perusing New York City for Antiques and collectibles that could fill my apartment. Budget and item in mind, each purchase was like hunting for a rare and exotic beast. The thrill was educating my eye and my husband will always say, "I know what I like, but she finds things that are real and valuable, she has a good eye." Returning one afternoon with a brown bag full of Royal Copenhagen "full lace" china all for under a hundred dollars. Where was the vetting committee for those items. A round marble top table hoisted into a New York City Taxi is a fond memory. A inlay mahogany table blackened by lack of care, carried home with one less vote and then was later declared that his vote was the one who spotted it first.

Lost sleep over items that got away or I clearly knew would not fit that months budget, at least if I wanted to eat. Who cares about food when you can have an antique. Educate your eye to things you know nothing about and then get to know them, it is after all simply a matter of taste. As my mother will always say, "Now, how do you know you won't like it if you don't at least give it a taste."