forgotten

I ran errands early this morning and when I came back home, there on the counter was the "forgotten lunch" - of one said child. Lunch time had come and gone. So I did a little search to find this clever bag. I wonder how many lunches are forgotten? It seems a rite of passage.
How about this sweet reminder to remember. I found this idea, just take a marker and draw a hand on a canvas lunch bag. Love the red ribbon reminder. Sweet, non. Do you have any clever ideas for helping the forgotten?

be happy

I stumbled upon this quote online, and thought it was "brilliant!" How often we focus on life without looking to find the "happy" place within. Be deliberate and choose to be happy! Once we understand that, it sure makes whatever else fall into place. Be happy.

cardinal red

It is no secret that I adore the color green, but lately I am loving the color "cardinal red."

Perhaps it is in seeing red hearts fill the shelves with ample time for Cupid to launch his bow and arrow. Found this sweet red cardinal here. My pve logo is in fact a female cardinal which

my brother-in-law David Hartman designed for me. The Kentucky Cardinal is symbolic as I flew North to New York with my brushes long ago and landed.

Is there a color causing your heart to beat a bit faster?

knit and chat group

pve design hand knit baby "acorn" hat - available in my etsy shop

Many of you know that as an artist, we normally have more than one trick up our sleeves. Creativity is an essential element for everyone so please don't think that creativity is only for artists, writers, musicians.

Today is knitting day, several years ago, a dear friend and I were chatting about how much fun it would be to take some time to meet and to knit. I would put on a pot of tea or coffee and we would meet. Our group grew and then we each decided that it would work best as a sort of "lunch" hour so the person who hosts serves lunch. We rotate homes, no schedule, just a time to gather, bring our sticks and strings and knit.

As my pve business has grown, I began taking artwork feeling like I could not waste a moment to knit, but I realized that was like bringing your work to a golf outing. So today, the first meeting of the New Year, I resolve to knit, to give myself permission to knit, to feel the yarn, and appreciate each knit and purl whilst we keep one another in stitches. I would encourage each of you to set aside some time to meet with a friend, sew, knit, or select a craft that ties you together. In this world of fast paced techno-tronic over drive, it sure is nice to meet face to face, knit, nosh and chat. The laughter, learning, the creativity, the support and the link to friends is so crucial on a regualar basis. The continuing act of creativity keeps us young.

Tell me, do you have a "creative" group that meets weekly? It will add years to your life.

(By the way no.7 is the winner of the "French" pattern giveaway and it goes to Joyce at Perfect

Beginning - Woo hoo, congrats to you!)

frenchy (pattern giveaway)

Another fun giveaway, an "Amy Butler" pattern to sew this fun "frency bag" for Spring. I like to plan ahead and think of Spring in the midst of Winter. Leave me a comment and a winner will be randomly selected for this pattern!

igloo fun

Pardon my speedy scan, but in my haste to post and make the lunches for my back to schoolers this morning, I remembered when my boys were little we loved making our very own Winter Igloo. If you have enough snow or marshmallows, this is such a fun thing to do!

Take a look here or there a little how to. We used plastic boxes, filled with snow and built round and round and packed the snow. Inside the igloo is surprisingly warm!
Not enough snow for an igloo, then how about a little ice skating fun. The above illustration was commissioned a few years ago for a lovely lady and it still happens to be one of my personal faves. Do you partake in any Winter games or sports to stay active? Have fun and stay warm!

All the warm wishes have really helped me to feel like my old self again, Thank-you to each of you for your kind comments. Like a spoon full of sugar, you make the medicine go down!

convalescing

Normally, I prefer not to blog about too many personal issues but when I came across this rather perfect photo, I just knew it was a sign to share day four of my little party in my bed.

Actually, I have been very ill, and feel so much stonger today. A bit of a blip in the road shall we say.

What is it about taking refuge to our bed, with a stack of books, a breakfast tray (even though truth be told I do not in fact own one, a breakfast tray that is) and slipping into something cozy that suddenly makes one feel better? Doctors orders to rest, no food, just a clear liquid diet. How about you, when you find yourself "convalescing" - what things make you feel better? (Note the gold slippers bedside.)

Suddenly, I feel that this would make a divine illustration for a sappy "Get well card!"

Pardon me, while I ruefully plan to get on with life beyond this bed. Not to worry, I am feeling

like a new woman.

Thank you to Rose C'est la vie for this photo which Rose posted, the photo is from none other than Slim Aarons.

to the ink-well

illustration at the Morgan, NY - Jane Austen

Alas, the New Year is here. Happy 2010 to each of you. I am writing my resolutions right now to myself.

Much like Jane Austen, I am looking for wit, wisdom and a bit of good humor this year.
I want my work to reflect that too, like the drawings from Babar, the early drafts and watercolors. There is something quite fun and whimsical and wise about the work of "Barcelo" which I adore. To the ink-well I go with my head in my hands and my heart in my work.

Wishing each of you a wonderfully witty 2010.

retreat

pve design photo of little red cabin - upstate ny

Taking a little break from the blog to relax, to ski, to rest, to spend time with family and friends. Wishing each of you great tidings of comfort and joy. Take time to look around you and listen to the sounds, see the beauty and give your senses a treat.

Not to worry, I will be back in the New Year full of good things to share, to illustrate and to give thanks for.

tucked away

Wishing each of you time to tuck yourself away, time to reflect and to give pause to the true meaning of Christmas and making room in your heart for mankind. I shall be taking time off, tucked away with my family and friends.