Southern Charm

We had the joy of capturing Miss R, this week.

The only thing sweeter than a 4-year old practicing the violin, is the 4-year old herself! Enjoy more images from the shoot here.

Winter Warmth

Embracing winter, inbetween snowy blasts.

Been Awhile...

Oh my, has it been awhile. Shame on me for letting life, work and germs trample creativity these last few weeks. But alas! I am back on track and looking forward to two glorious weeks off at the end of this month. That, and I just ordered a yummy sweater from LLBean. (Ah, the little things that make a girl happy!)

Enjoy two pots from local artist Ann Jetzer that we picked up this weekend at the UICA Artist Market. Lovely lady who does pottery on the side and believes that art should be fun and affordable. I could have bought up her whole booth. Love her!

If you have never been to the Artist Market, you must head down there. Mark your 2009 calendar for the first weekend in December (Friday eve and Saturday).

Me and Lil' C

We had the pleasure of photographing this lil' one recently. What a sweetie...check out more from the shoot, here!

DIY: Before-n-After Glass Candle Holders

Inspired some time ago by a post over at Design Sponge and itching to create somethin' a lil' different, I raided the local mission stores to recycle some glass. They were a blast to make and completely different. (They're each made of two or three pieces...my fave three are pictured here). I think the beans give it a cool look and have the added bonus of keeping the tea lights in place!

Happy Harvest!

Foto Frenzy

Some shots from the latest photo studio experiment: children! A few things learned about mobile children vs. cats contained on a tabletop like, outside you can chase 'em--inside...not so easy. But that's why we do these things, to play and to learn. I promise this won't turn into a bunch of cat/kid photo-only posts, but these are just too fun not to share. In the last pic, a congratulatory wrestle began with a giggly exclamation from the little one: "don't mess up my hair!"

Click here for more of Lil' P and Lil' J. Thanks ladies, it was lots o' fun!

Friday Night (Strobe) Lights

While neighborhood folks enjoyed local football games, we were in my art room experimenting with our new portable photo studio (backdrop, lights, meter, etc). Since we don't have the space for a permanent set up, this seemed the most logical for us now...and it forces me to clean out the store-room (aways a good thing!). I know enough about the details of this equipment to make me dangerous and that keeps me in play mode, which I prefer. We corralled the kids for the first "session" Friday night, and here's a few of the results. I'm so excited about them! These are the raw photos, no touch-ups or cropping. I love that I can finally get a pic that really captures Luna's beautiful blue eyes.

Vacation Wrap Up

We are back from sunny Mexico! We spent 7 nights at an all-inclusive, adults-only, resort on the Riviera Maya to celebrate our 10th. Very relaxing, great food, beautiful resort (with an amazing staff), and of course, visually inspiring! It was just what we needed to get away from our responsibilities at work and at home, if only for a little while.

Enjoy some random pics and a "top 10-ish" list (in no particular order).

1. A new love for limes

2. Being in the ocean and snorkeling for the first time

3. Renewing our vows October 8th, on the beach at sunrise

4. A $248 peso bottle of sunscreen (translation: $21 usd, yike!)

5. Releasing baby sea turtles with local biologists Gaby and Jesus, under the moonlight

6. The clarity and range of blue tones in the Mexican Caribbean Sea

7. Watching hubby try to master chopsticks

8. Truly relaxing

9. The color of the flora and fauna in the tropics

10. Mayan Coffee. It's flambe'd!

11. No glasses and no sneezing for a whole week

12. Watching the most beautiful cloud formations I've ever seen

13. Scoring the resort's soundtrack from Roberto

14. An appreciation for beauty of the Spanish language

DIY: Before-n-After Table Top

Our first before-n-after! Really, just an after, but that's okay! Just close your eyes and imagine what it would have looked like before it's makeover. Thanks to Kelly for bringing this to the blog!

"My mom’s neighbor, Kathy, found this table at a garage sale, added trim around the top (my dad cut the wood for her), painted it white, got some glass and broke it into pieces and laid it in the grout….I thought it turned out pretty cool. The picture is not the best angle to see it..but you get the idea…she had this picture of it…it was pretty cool to see in their house. I thought of your blog and had to share!"

Funky Felted Friend

Off to Eastown today for the annual Street Fair. Great local music, people watching and a street full of artist tents. Loads of jewelry vendors this year, but then I stumbled upon Mary Jane at Trailer Studio and her funky felted friends called "Sidekicks." Isn't she a sweetheart? She's a one-of-a-kind knitted with 100% wool, felted and bejeweled...and kind of reminds me of a doll I used to have that I don't remember having!


And how about that chair? The Eastown Antique Shop was full of goodies too, and this lovely children's chair called our name. The layers of colorful peeled paint are perfect...look for her in future kid pics.

Design Sponge

Sharing with you a website I frequent that gets me inspired!

Design Sponge is a great place to peruse when you need creative ideas as it's packed with design trends, makeovers, podcasts and the like.

As I listen to a news report saying it's time to start thinking about Christmas and what you will spend (what the heck!), I'm surfing the "before and after" section and thinking...a garage sale or Goodwill goodie–transformed, would make a fine (and inexpensive) creative gift for yourself or special someone! In fact, if you find yourself doing just that, send me your before and after photos and I'll post them here. Hmmm, I think a trip to Second Time Around is in order. Let's see...night table, stool, chair, or maybe a picture frame?...oh the possibilities!

Ooh La Salsa!

Yummy, yum yum yum! I made Salsa for the first time and oh, my goodness was it delish! It helps to have "Walsh Street Tomatoes" compliments of my hubby's grandparents who have the tomato garden to end all tomato gardens!

Below is the recipe. I found it online and it had 200-some-odd glowing reviews...and for good reason! It's fool-proof; I eyeballed everything. It makes 2+ quarts and the two of us downed it in two sittings (ohmygosh I just admitted that outloud!).



Avocado, Tomato and Mango Salsa
Serves 6
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1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
4 medium tomatoes - diced (I removed the seeds)
1 jalapeno - seeded and minced (no thankyou!)
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced (just one for me, and none next time)
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 c. red onion, chopped
3 tbsp. olive oil (I used one, who needs the calories)

I added 1 ear of corn, boiled and cut from the cob
You could also add a can of black beans, rinsed

In a medium bowl, combine the mango, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro (corn/beans) and garlic. Stir in the salt, lime juice, red onion and oil (I mixed these together in a separate dish and then stirred it in). Refrigerate for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Serve with tortilla chips.

Lil' K., 12 month Photoshoot

Recently we had the pleasure of photographing this lil' sweetheart in celebration of her 1st birthday!

Her family was delightful, and helpful as you can see (three cheers for Dad and the duck!). She was very good––happy for a full 90 minutes and as a result, there were many fabulous images from the session. Check out a few of our favorites, here at the new and improved Photography section of our website.

Art Giveaway #3 - Tweet, Tweet!

Meet Rosey!

Made from cotton fabric, cream floss and a variety of beads, her body is 7 inches from nose to tail with a total height of 8 inches (from loop to dangely-dohickey). She's looking forward to adorning your space and reminding you of this wonderful summer.

As per usual, first one to post or email, claims Miss Rosey!

Order in the Court!

There comes a time in ones life when one must come to terms with ones crap. And, I have a lot of (craft) crap!

Order was at the top of the list these past days. I took a few days off to deflate from the culmination of a chaotic few weeks at the office, sleep in, and to get remotivated creatively. With a clear head, I discovered part of my creativity-killer was that my studio and my dining room were exploding with craft-crap, and I needed order! So, off to Target for a $25 cure. Check out my new "Closet Made Espresso Cabinet." Bless this little wonder. Oh! and check out the way-cool recycled trash receptacle...made from plastic wrappers. Fun, fun!

Friends Weekend

We just returned from a fun, crazy, and relaxing three days at Union Lake with a small group of friends and family.

Check out the creative, and sometimes gutsy ways a few of us used the water! Wanna to see more? Click here.

Big thanks to:
• Jim and Diane for letting the group take over the cottage.
• Curt, captain of the all-mighty MasterCraft, for letting us all play on the toys.
• And Melody, for some fab menu planning. Mmmm, mmmm, good.

New! Fiberscape

A new fabric creation to share. The latest challenge: translate my tree sketches/paintings into fabric...and success! A 3.5" square Fiberscape; machine sewn, then hand embroidered with cream floss and stitched with glass beads. Just picked up some great new fabric, too and I hope to kick another out in the next week.

Tweet, Tweet

I sent the paint brush on vacation these last weeks so I can experiment in fabric.

Introducing my two newest friends, Stella and Gordy. They're lumpy and bumpy and have their construction flaws (uh, don't we all!), but I love them anyway. I am focused on getting better at my pattern so they go together more smoothly. Hmmm, perhaps one will soon fly in for an Art Giveaway?

One jumbo, please.

Who: 2 couples
What: Ice cream treats
Where: Temptations. Grand Haven, MI.
Why: Why not?
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Check out the Temptations "jumbo", 6 scoops of ice cream in one waffle cone! Now, when we ordered I'm thinking...how on earth is all that ice cream going make it in that cone...well, here's how! Creative, huh? There was even a peep hole so I could see where I was walking.

Next time you find yourself in Grand Haven, head to Temptations and go "jumbo". Share with a friend. It's more fun, people will stare, and it's cheaper!

(No, I did not eat the whole thing myself, I definately shared.)

Tomatoes!

60 days ago I planted two cherry tomato plants. Little did I realize how out-of-control they'd get. But who cares now 'cause I got me some tomatoes...dozens in fact! The star of this photo was the first one to ripen from the Sunsugar variety, so I just picked for a taste-test. Yummy! I will definately do this next year.

Protein and Conversation

Two of my latest paintings, starting with an ode to the incredible edible egg painted on yes, a mini iron skillet, and photographed on my stovetop (cheezy, I know). I couldn't resist buying it, so I bought two. An egg on one and maybe bacon on the other? Tee, hee, hee.


This one, titled "Conversation", is yet another painting of my favorite creatures as of late. I think it's just ment to be the year of the bird! In fact, I should experiment with fabric...perhaps a birdy as a softy? Hmmmm.

Summer Tunes

We recently saw a fun local band The Icicles in a delightful little park in Cascade, on a cool summer evening. During the show several ladies from the community distributed daisy flowers to all the women and girls watching. What a sweet and perfect gesture to compliment their lite, happy music. I wore it in my hair for the evening.

Cake!

Another fun lil' cake made recently for a 1st birthday party. Doing the freeform loopty-doo's was easier than I expected, and actually made this decoration faster than cakes-past. The best part though, was when the little one began squishing her fingers into the frosting and making a mess! She was happy...and so was I.

Yay Fireworks!

Our South Carolina family joined us for the 4th of July weekend and we had a feast! A 'Lo Country Boil" to be exact. A fun lil' thing they do in the South...all in one pot and cooked outdoors, (we took a detour with that part) then dumped onto the table to eat with your fingers. Your plate is the table, and your napkin is a washcloth. As you can see, it's a meal for all ages and some of us sure do love our shrimp!

The Joy of Summer

A 3 year old, bare foot on the merry-go-round in the evening sun. What image better represents the joy of summer than this?

For those who know this little girl, this image speaks volumes about her personality. Congrats to my hubby who captured what is now my favorite picture of the year.

Happy Anniversary!

Today we celebrate 10 years of wedded bliss! And for that I painted my dear sweet hubby, and bestest friend in the whole wide world, this card (well, canvas). We started the day with a yummy breakfast at Red Ball Jet Cafe and are now off for a jaunt to arty-farty Saugatuck. Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!

Festival 08, Pocket Paintings

I've been meaning to share these delightful "Pocket Paintings" I snagged at last weekend's Festival. Local artist Rachael Van Dyke is responsible for these tiny creations and believe me, you will fall in love with them as I did...instantly! The small one I've had for awhile, and the other two were from her booth at Festival. The largest in this set is 4.75" x 2". Now that I have three, I'm officially a collector!

You can see more of her work here or enjoy everything in person at Capsule. 136 S. Division #100, Grand Rapids.

Half Way Thru

Gadzooks! Where has the time gone? I'm really hoping I can get a special project off the ground by the Fourth, but time is often nil when you have a regular job and oodles of other creations swimming in your head. So, I guess we'll just have to cross our fingers I can pull it off!

Nearly half way thru the year already and I have yet to post about my furry art helpers. Luna gets excited about my paint brushes, but not so much with the camera...so I have to be creative. Here is one of dozens of experimental shots with her as she spied on the neighborhood from our bedroom window.


Sealey, on the otherhand, will perform for the camera and is a blast photograph. Here's a few shots during a recent playtime. She finagled a piece of wrapped candy from a bowl on the dining table (that'll teach me) and played with it for 10 minutes. 75 pictures later she tuckered out.