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two by two

Delivering this Alphabet Letter for a little boy today.  Since his name begins with N and happens to be Noah, I decided to choose the theme of two-by-two and pair animals to fill in the letter.  I will show you a larger version later but I am thinking of working on a series of letters to sell.  A for Ashley would be sweet filled with flowers and so on.  Next year I really want to create a book for children.  Yes, I have been saying this for long enough and now is time for action.

little boys

 

A friend asked me if I could help her with a special gift for a little boy for his nursery.  I am wrapping this one up to send today and busy with artwork for holiday orders.

My framer matted this one beautifully.  I will be adding custom nursery artwork to my etsy shop soon.

Wait til you see the next work of art for another special little boy.

secrets fine food

I was delighted to meet Stephanie Duriez who was here in New York all the way from Dubai.  The above artwork was created for "Secrets Fine Food" - a gourmet grocer with delivery service and a taste level for International Delicacies.   Take a moment to visit "Secrets Fine Food."  Merci Stephanie for the coffee last week and for meeting in person.

 I have the best job and the most wonderful clients all over the world.  I love the hampers full of specialties to give.  If you live in Dubai or have a friend who lives there, this would be an incredible gift.  Secrets fine food won't be a secret for long.

a full plate

Simply delighted that Sakara Life is now delivering to Westchester.  The clean whole food is delivered straight to my door and allows me more time to focus on my work while treating myself to nourishing energy.  Several bags of detox tea come with and I must admit to ordering a box of the tea because it tastes amazing as do the prepared meals.  Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly capable of preparing meals but sometimes the drudgery of it all welcomes a no-brainer break.

My husband is traveling and my daughter's meals are easy to prepare so I thought this would be the perfect thing to try during this time.  If you have a full plate, how do you find solutions for freeing up time and energy to devote your focus on meeting deadlines?   Give Sakara Life a try if you want to treat yourself to eat clean whole food prepared in new savory ways.

in remembrance

painting by Elizabeth Peyton

 A simple bunch of poppies to serve as a remembrance for those who served our country and for all the lives lost for our freedom.

 What a beautiful symbol to salute a soldier.  Bold, brave and beautiful.

 In Gustav Klimt’s painting "A Field of Poppies" (1907), the fruiting trees and the meadow of wildflowers are a metaphor for rebirth and regeneration. After World War I, poppy fields came to symbolize the loss of life.

painting by Moses found on Fine Art America
Thank-you to each and every veteran as we take time to honor you and to celebrate all the hero's everywhere.

a reflective spot

 I had ordered the book AERO Beginning to now, by Thomas O Brien and when it arrived, I carefully unwrapped it and knew that it deserved time alone to lose myself in his collected style over a spot of tea.

There is a vintage quality yet a streamlined calm without being too pretentious or off putting.  His interiors are welcoming, warm and intriguing.

Over the years, I am learning that part of what inspires me are those that bring an air of grace and calm to my life.   Do you treat or reward yourself with simple treats, a new book, a cup of tea and then taking time to sit, to reflect and to look at life from another artisans eyes.  Now, I am ready to get back to work after taking a spot of tea and inspiration.

Congratulations to Andie of Divine Theatre blog on winning the Never give up pouch.

monday motivation - never give up (give-away)

Hello Monday.  How many of you would love to win this little tote with the wonderful motivating words from Winston Churchill?  Just yesterday, I shared this quote with my sister.  It's going to be my motivation for this month.

What is it that motivates you to never never never give up?  Do you have goals that keep you motivated?  Do you reward yourself for a job well done?  I would love to know how you keep motivated to never give up and to "Just keep going" -
a winner (of this little zipper bag from paper-source)shall be selected and posted wednesday.

Wishing each of you strength, courage and a strong will to never never never give up.

trick-or-treat

 It's just about that time, when the trick-or-treaters will be out ringing our doors and gathering candy.
Take one, which I seriously wonder if anyone ever takes just one.  I mean we are humans, right?

"Light's out" - it's Halloween night!  Boo!

looking back

Last week, a dear friend that I had the great pleasure of working with many years ago, posted this great photo of the design team at Calvin Klein circa 1990.  I am seated next to the two gentleman wearing glasses with the sweater over my shoulders.  It seems so odd to think how time moves and in many ways this seems like yesterday, yet also like a lifetime ago.  Do you take time to look back?

monday motivation - little by little

 I often remind myself that our actions can add up.  Little by little, things add up.  My Father loves to say "Pennies make dollars" - little by little.  Weekly, I roll coins to save for my daughter.

Loving these lucite clip boards that Firefly events uses to keep track of their events.  Another example of "little by little."   What a great and simple system to use.

The on line class "whole food kitchen" that I am taking, now week by week- I can see how all it takes is little by little to create a wholesome salad or easy nourishing meals.

When we stop to take inventory or count our "little by little" actions, we can see results.  I can see the changes in my stamina from early mornings at the track and my exercise class.  What is the little thing you see adding up to make change?

Sunday silence

Sifting through some old work, I came across this work I did while we were traveling a few years ago in Alsace, taking a boat in Strasbourg.  I sold the original and am reminded to create more travel illustrations.  They mark not only a time and place but a passion for travel, for life and seeing the beauty all around me.

The memories of that time may be silent but they are indeed golden.  

Today, I am taking time to attend a service for a young man of nineteen years who passed away.  As you go about your day today, take a moment of silence, let your mind take you away to a time and place of love.  Give yourself permission to allow peace in your day.

friday focus

It's friday.  Take time to focus today.  How was your week?  Our new sofa's arrived and we love them.

Our living room was paneled and this past summer, we had all the dark and dated 1950's paneling removed, re-insulated and new walls went up, floors re-finished and marble replaced the brick fireplace.  As most renovations go, things took a little longer but in the end, it is always worth it.  We still have blinds to install and a rug to be delivered.  We now have a room to gather, to share and to find focus in a busy world.

This evening we will light our first fire and focus on all the goodness around us.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Happy friday.

cart horse

By now, this bar cart from Target has been shared by every stylish blogger and it made me think what a "work horse" this item is.  Is your excuse that you don't have dedicated space for a home office?
Why not create your very own personal office on wheels?

It sure reminded me of this great cart from Russel and Hazel.    I love the idea of having everything you need on wheels and can cart it from room to room or keep it in a corner.  During the holidays, it can easily be transformed into a cocktail cart or a beverage station.

Do you have a dedicated work space or room for creating?  How would you kit out this cart horse?

burst of citrus

There is something so simple about using citrus as a burst of color to one's decor.  My champagne bucket becomes a vessel for mandarin oranges.

 A little japanese bowl that was a gift, was used for my centerpiece last friday evening.  I gathered a few leaves from a burning bush in my garden and arranged them with little effort.

 A guest told me that I was brave to host a dinner party.  My reply was if you host often it becomes less work and far less scary.  Gather items you love, collect them over time and add to them.  The linen napkins and runner were purchased to used during the autumn with a brown linen tablecloth that I love.

Planning, arranging and setting the table the night before helps one to feel less stressed.  Plus, the pop of orange is just like a fresh burst of citrus, vitamin C is good for you too.  Hope my burst brightened your day.  Off to finish up some work so my posting will be light.

Do you add natural seasonal elements to your table and home decor?

Friday focus

 Life can be full of bumps in the road but I have learned that one has to look beyond and find focus to smooth things out.  Today I had the pleasure of meeting Annie of Most Lovely Things.  I have been reading her blog a few years now so it felt like meeting an old friend.

We walked around Stone Barns and admired all the beauty of this day.  We spotted a baby calf and his Mother clinging to each other and it reminded us how focused a Mother is on her young.  It never goes away, as our children grow but we can look around and ahead and find time to enjoy the most lovely things on a splendid October day.

meet Billy

While I was working on this watercolor of Billy, I happened to see on facebook that he was in the ER and I could not help but think of him.  Billy belongs to a fellow blogger My Dog Earred Pages and owner of
Billys Bungalow.  Sometimes I truly think the power of thought can turn sad situations into miracles.  I am hoping that Billy is all better.  He looks so sweet sitting on this zebra hide.

Update, Billy is home and resting easy.  So appreciative of all your comments here and on facebook.

pocket files

 If you are looking for a tool to keep everything organized and in one place, I highly recommend the Mead pocket files.  You can find them online or at Staples.   I keep one for my home finances and another one for my business.

 After many years, I realize that time is money but taking the time to create a spot to gather and record is a great way to stay organized.

A dear friend gave me this pretty ginger jar a few years ago and I have named it my "feng shui money jar" which I keep a few lucky items and some spending money.  There is a lucky wishbone, a crystal, some dirt from my garden and some lucky gold chocolate coins given to me.

It's a great way to ensure that there is always a bit of luck or a few dollars for a treat.

Firstly, I make a pot of tea and take time to gather my weekly receipts and then record them.  It has certainly helped to show exactly where the money goes and created a savings because when you write it down, you are much more honest.

Do you use pocket files or a budget system for you house hold or business?

I would love to know what system you use for keeping your finances and files organized.

meet Basil

Meet Basil.

 If you have not met Basil, then allow me to introduce you to the little Darling who belongs to Reggie Darling.  You may have seen his post over here.  Remember to pronounce Basil like this "Bazzle" and not Bay-sil.  

pyracantha

Right outside my front door, there is the most amazing pyracantha tree that climbs up my wall and this year is rather plentiful with lovely orange berries.  Just wanted to share this with you.  Take time to stop and smell the flowers or in my case, just observe nature and all the goodness.
Happy Monday.

Halloween Etiquette

You all know that Halloween these days does require some sort of etiquette or rules for your little trick-or-treaters.  Do you stand watch, tell them "not that house" or "no" to that street.  The above illustration was created for Sheridan Road Magazine.  It is inevitable that word gets out about the "best" candy or "best neighborhood" for treats.  What sort of protocol do you instill or at least try to enforce for your trick-or-treaters to follow?

a house, a dog and love

It's hard to imagine that I captured this sweet dog in the year of 2009.  Read this lovely tribute that was published in Walter Magazine by fellow blogger Little Augury. The color could not be more perfect for this month of October.

october orange

 October makes me want to embrace all things orange.

 Orange roses, Orange pumpkins, orange chinese paper lanterns and orange veggies and fruits.

 Quinoa with Butternut squash.  Perfect paired with a bunch of spinach or green salad.

Orange adds such happiness to the beautiful month of October.  Will you be adding orange to your life this month?