fresh as a daisy

pve design - daisy design - pattern design

Feeling fresh as a daisy after I brought home a fun bunch to perk up my desk!

Then I found this print that I had painted which was printed on "silk" - for ties and other fashions.

 

pve design - daisy design, used as a backdrop for pve illustrated note-cards

Did you know that a daisy is one of the most humble of all blooms. 

 

Andy Warhol - Crimson and Pink Daisy pop art!

Other notable artists have also found daisies to be worthy of painting.  Here is one of my favorites by Andy Warhol.  What flower makes your day as fresh as a daisy?

(Thank-you to one of my favorite blooms full of Bliss for her kind post today~)

one night-stand

Just could not help myself.  I just love this "one night-stand" that belongs to Summer.  

How would you like to be named after a warm and sunny season?  If you want to fall in love, feel like a camp counselor or be inspired to drum up a list of some happy things - then she is your go to gal.  She sent me this photo of one of her favorite things and I love the metal bowl on top with those pretty pears, looks like it was just pulled out of the fridge.  (My fridge died on Mother's day!) 

Give a shout out to Summer today where she loves to play show and tell -

right here.  Trust me, you will love what she shows and tells all about.

Give this gal a little praise or a little Summer love!

home front

Another commission for a home front is en route to a client.   The purple iris are in bloom and the grass was just freshly cut.  The trees were pruned and the shrubs were just trimmed.  What makes your home look fresh and adds curb appeal?

the art of mothering

last summer 2008 at Versailles in le Jardin!

leaving Alsace, a beautiful spot, so green, so well tended to.
Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle added me to the list asking me to list the top five things that I love about motherhood.  "Only five" - I think I could list a thousand things I love about mothering.

1.  Falling in love with them the day they were born is at the top of my list.

2.  Talking with them.  Having a conversation.  I remember the first words and the excitement of reading, learning and sharing life together.

3.  Listening to them, and the way they say things.  I remind myself to truly listen.

4.  Seeing them grow from babes, to tots, to teens.  It is all one incredible thing to love every moment and every "phase."

5.  Giving them "Mom" love!  

In Paris, France last Summer!

If you are in the midst of motherhood, please share 5 things you love about mothering. 

(or Grand-mothering!)  Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to each of you!

heavenly muse

Spring 1907 - Carl Larsson

From time to time, my readers send me wonderful snippets, share art and point out details. They tell me that I and or my work reminds them of someone.  I have been honored to have been told many times that my work reminds them of the artist Carl Larsson. 

(I am fascinated with his work, the detail, the pretty, the light, the color.)

 

They tell me that I am Karin, "muse" of Carl, wife, mother of 8 and artist. 

 

While Karin lit the home-fires, raised the children, she also provided great counsel for her husband.  He looked to her for her expertise, her critique and her light.  She inspired his artwork,  she was his muse.

I can only imagine living in darkness for so much of the year that when the light finally did shine, it must be a magical time.  A time to reflect and feel the glow of the sun.  A moment to get your "muse" on.

Light provides color, and the ability to see and to sew, to produce and to be actively doing until dark.  I always embrace Spring, and the lighter days.  I try to take advantage of the light and sew more often.  

Karin loved textiles.

She sewed many things for her family, as well as designed amazing textiles.  (You may see those on the site)

Growing up one of seven, we each needed to help with the chores, preparation of the beans, peeling the potatoes all while our Mother created a home full of amusement.  This weekend, celebrate Mother's who amuse and fill our hearts and our homes with so much.  

Take a moment and honor the heavenly muse, your Mother or a woman who has given you life.

Are you a "muse" to anyone?  

(all artwork posted is that of Carl Larsson)

recipe for...fab friday

Recipe cards rank up high on my list of domestic bliss.  My vintage lucite recipe box (from my teens) will be the perfect home for these swell cards. 

A recipe for pursuing your passion is what it is all about, every artist can relate to this.  

Here is my recipe in order to create;

C  -  R  -  E  -  A  -  T  -  E

C- Create a space to work

R- Routine, set up the best time for you to work!

E- Establish good habits, expect error & excellence.

A- Always begin with gratitude.

T- Time - take time, start small.

E- Enjoy what you do.

As artists, we never start with the perfect space, nor the best materials, but we work towards the dream space, and allow time to know that we need to honor our passion and juggle life.

One can pursue a career in the midst of mother-hood or even add it to our day job by carving out a window of time each day.  Try 2 to 3 hours a day and commit to working on your passion.

© Rick Miller/Milton Courier photos - Photo of Kristin with her 1882 Pearl old Style Press

Time and again, certain obsessions or passions have a way of returning to me.  One of them is my love for really nice paper and the art of letterpress.  

The other is for the artist who dreams of having that piece of equipment (Antique 1882 Pearl Old Style Press) or studio space to whilst away the hours or burn the mid-night oil.

Meet Kristin,  She spotted this beauty ( or rather her fiance did ) for a song on Craig's list and knew it was fate.  How great to seize an opportunity and a machine.  I have always wanted to learn how to make my own letterpress.

 

She recently acquired some vintage typeface letters amongst other goodies she plans to use as part of her collection - 622 press.

How pretty are these bevy of beautiful letterpress cards to send a proper thank-you, sure to tickle the thoughtful giver!  Take a look at Kristin's site and her etsy shop and tell me what you really really want, leave me a comment.  

Winner of this fab give-away announced first thing on Monday morning.

 

As my Mom loves to say, "Keep a fuzzy brow, a stiff upper lip and press on" - Have a fab friday all you fab people!  Press on Kristin and thanks for sharing your work.  

goodness

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others"

                                                               Audrey Hepburn

Cecil Beaton had a way of creating an illusion behind the lens and looking for good in others. Audrey Hepburn had a way in front of the camera as well as in her life.   Audrey was a screen star, full of style, grace and polish.  I have always admired the way she wore a hat, those incredible necklines and those eyes!  Lately, I have been a bit obsessed with adding elegant touches to my life as well as looking for the good in others.  If Audrey were still here today, she would have celebrated 80 years young on May 4th.  Goodness knows she certainly left an impression with those eyes.

Do you look for the goodness in others?  

coastline contest

Honoring her one year blog-anniversary, Layla over at The Lettered Cottage posted this fresh, fab funky handmade runner - a giveaway made by Grace at Coastline.  Linen and white always remind me of summer and after a few days of non stop drizzle, I could use a sunny sweet lettered runner, and a tall pitcher of home-made lemonade...and these coasters.

How about some l-o-v-e in the form of coasters.  I think these would be sweet for a tot learning to spell and for catching spills while protecting a table. ( All made by this talented Mom while her little one naps.)  I know many of us love to bring a little summer into our home all year.  Be sure to leave a comment here-to enter the Coastline Contest (see the rules)! Leave the letter of your choice for the runner, you have up until midnight May 7th!  

beach babe

freshly laundered, new beach towels to bring on summer

 

Summer beach towel from TJmaxx

Summmer is a verb inspired me to set off and scout for some new beach towels as she professed her style obsession with an HERMES beach towel.   Not that she has one, but if she did it would be her "beach babe."

I popped over to one of my favorite spots and immediately fell in love with these bright and cheery paisley plush beach towels.   Generous in proportion 40 in x 70 in (102 cm x 178 cm) and for a mere $12.oo - the label reads "PERI" and I am just dancing at the savings.  I do admire the Hermes towels, but at *$530 - I am saving a bundle for the kids savings and more art supplies. 

 

*My dear daughter just spotted the new paisley towels and she screamed "Mom, you bought the $530 dollar towels" - and I exclaimed yes dear, so there will be no camp for you! lol.

beach towel good humor - from Target!

I spotted this fun towel over at Target which I thought was clever.  There's plenty of room on the beach, so throw down your towel and tell us all about it.  What does your beach babe look like?  

As you like it

"The Players Club" - a social club founded by Edwin Booth, a Shakespearian actor

Last evening, I attended an intimate event at The Players Club in New York City located on Grammercy Park.   The Princess Grace Awards is an organization committed to helping emerging artists realize their career goals.  The evening titled, "The Long and Winding Road:

From Emerging to Established Artist" included three artists engaged in an informal in-depth conversation between Estelle Parsons and Toccarra Cash (a 2007 Princess Grace Award Winner) moderated by Dick Cavett.

 

Toccarra Cash, Estelle Parsons, Dick Cavett on stage, "talking"

While each of us are on our own pursuit on this long and winding road, the actors shared wise words, "Be true to yourself" - "Hold a mirror to see if you like what you see" - "Fear is good."

Estelle won an Academy Award for the movie Bonnie and Clyde and everyone loved that her Award used to sit high up on a shelf and after years of reaching for it to show when asked, she decided to keep it "on the floor" - sort of a stage if you will. ( Some actors have been known to carry it around for special treatment.)  Not Estelle, there is not one ounce of false pretense, she was warm, witty and down to earth.  She is about to go on a 44 week traveling tour with the play "August: Osage County."  Please see it - if it comes to you.  Estelle is full of energy and passion on and off stage.

Toccarra Cash will make her theatre debut:  the off-Off Broadway production Bonfire Night, 

a new  play by playwright, Joan Baker, which will open May 6th through May 10th at the cell Theatre.  Toccarra spoke so eloquently of her passion for acting and having met James Earl Jones as a memorable moment.  Ms. Cash shared her tips for surviving rejection, having a good support system around you, family and friends and a strong spiritual values to provide a soft place to turn to helps her and to realize that the details are so "miniscule" in this business.  

Ms. Cash is stunning and was articulate, a lady and has an infectious laugh.  I hope to see more of Ms. Cash pursue her dreams as an actor, she radiates elegance and star quality.

Dick Cavett, a media and theatre legend was the moderator and he did a great job of fielding answers as well as giving his own witty insight.  "Talk Show" Cavett's blog currently appears on the New York Times website.  I spoke with Mr. Cavett and told him how honored I was to know that I was blogging with the best of them.  

Do you know of an emerging artist, dancer or actor - that would benefit from a little recognition from the Princess Grace Foundation?  I am more than happy to share this with the foundation.  During these challenging times, we need to remember those that entertain, so I encourage each of you to support a worthy cause for the Arts.  The Players Club was founded for Edwin Booth, a place that actors could go to off the beaten path.  It is a stunning spot full of history right in the heart of Grammercy Park.  Stanford White was the architect of this wonderful building.  These places also need our support to continue to thrive for future generations.  Do you support any local art charities?