miscellany

i haven't posted in awhile due to our current crazy schedule but hope things calm down just a bit later in April
not that i am complaining...its all exciting stuff but i am looking forward to taking a breath and enjoying spring

we will be vending at a new event in New Jersey - you should come check it out if you live in the area
Art Opera - Red Bank, NJ
the Vendor Faire will take place at St. Anthony's Recreation Center on Bridge Avenue in Red Bank
Saturday 4/10 and Sunday 4/11 from 10-5
visit Art Opera for more information

we will be premiering a brand new line of goodies and will have a bunch of one of a kind treasures as well - we hope to see you there!


despite the busy schedule i am excited to host my family Easter celebration again this year
i love filling our large farmhouse with a whole bunch of people i love

every year i try to do something new and creative...and to my hubby's chagrin there is always a "theme" color
one year's theme was citrus yellow and orange with white polka dots, inspired by a set of adorable napkins
last year was aqua and white, inspired by my favorite vintage dishes
this year i think i may draw inspiration from the studio work we have been doing - aged cream, touches of chalk white and sophisticated black - its very vintage and more subdued then i normally go for in my home but i am really drawn to it this year

i will share photos - if i can remember to take some between the cooking, cleaning and merriment :)

bzzzzzzzy and bustling

we have been bzzzzzzzzy bees
many new and expanded things in the works - very hard work but so exciting!

we have been bustling around our studios creating a fabulous new collection of unique artful kits - I am gaga over these and can't wait to unveil them. We intend on premiering them at the Art Opera event in Red Bank, NJ (very cool event - check it out!)



we have been bustling around our barn expanding our antiques shoppe - last year was a great success and we have added a bunch of new dealer spaces. Signing/coordinating dealers, cleaning, organizing, decorating & setting up displays will be the majority of our April (the shoppe re-opens on May 1st).



we have been bustling on goodies, gifties, surprises for Art in the Rough - the art retreat we host, taking place August 13-16, 2010. sewing, painting, gluing, junking, decorating...it has been a blast (but so much still to do!)


and last but not least...we have been bzzzzzzzzy planning garden improvements, starting seeds, expanding/improving our plant house (we sell perennials, annuals & veggies all summer long).
we have been officially bitten by the bug - Spring Fever is very strong in this house right now

do not play with my heart

march is such a tease
it brings with it a yearning





for green leaves
for earthy smells
for winged flutterbys



but it always leaves me
unsatisfied
grey & brown
wet, drab, silence



oh april
do not
play with
my heart

baby girl

i am meeting the newest addition to our family today - my mom's tiny sweet baby girl


the pictures are terrible but i squealed just the same and had to share (i will post much better ones later)

i am so happy for my mom as i know she has been quite sad - we lost our kitty to old age on christmas day and 3 other pets in the last 4-5 years - so the house that was bursting to the seams with animal goodness had become very quiet.


baby girl came to my mom on Valentines day - not as a gift but an unexpected chance meeting - my parents were on vacation in Florida and went to a farmers market and there she was. a few phone calls to the airline, some quick coordinating and baby girl was scooped up & whisked to Maine. it was meant to be.

so today i can't wait to revel in
snuffling her little head & her tiny cold nose, watching her bouncy prance, smelling her puppy breath and snuggling in for lots & lots of cuddles

sugar biscuits

i don't know if i have ever mentioned it here but my mom is a wonderful artist
she and my dad have been creating collectible miniatures for 35 years and have always been cutting edge

she sews, she paints, she draws and she has been creating commercial designs for years...she is a great inspiration and i adore our art days together

i am proud to provide a link to one of her many collections - it appeared in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting, "Easy Quilts" Spring 2010 magazine, on stands now

it includes a free quilt pattern download - www.fonsandporter.com/sugarbiscuits



Robin Betterley's "Sugar Biscuits" fabric collection by Wilmington Prints
this particular collection is for babies and is available in pink or blue - visit www.wilmingtonprints.com for more info and to see some of her other collections

i am especially delighted to team-teach a workshop with my mom and sister at Art Is You - East Coast Art Retreat
"Wickedly Good", Danbury CT, October 7 - 11, 2010


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