I'm back....

No better place to spend a heat wave than on Lake Chautauqua! My annual "cousin's week" at the lake- when all my sisters and their families spend the week at my parent's lake. We missed a few this year- new jobs and life stuff kept a few loved ones at home. They were truly missed, but I feel blessed to have spent the week with my family.

I'm feeling rested, a little sun burned, and a few pounds heavier from Dad's famous "Chautauqua Shore Breezes" (a perfect blend of rum, pineapple and cranberry!). My fingers are sore from working late at night- stitching leather and wire wrapping. Tomorrow I'll unpack and perhaps share a few images of new work. It's coming along!!

...just checking in....

I've been neglecting my blog for awhile- and won't be posting for several weeks. Summer, gardening, vacations, art shows, etc. have kept me away from my computer. As I scramble to get new work ready for shows & galleries, I'm also working on a new body of work.

I've been sketching all my new ideas- a little collection of new leather pieces, that combine my love for this color palette, birds, the sea, leather, and textiles. I'm anxious to share the few pieces I have done, but I really want to develop this new body of work as a "collection" before I show anything.

I don't usually work this way with my own work- then I realized this is what I'm trained to do. In my old career as a design director, I directed collections of work. It was organized & cohesive- something my work has been lacking. Rather than jumping from one idea to the next, I looked for a common thread- subject matter, style, etc. I wrote down those things I'm passionate about and started sketching. I'm excited again and feel recharged.

These 3 images are what's inspiring me today- always the element of nature. What is it about robin's eggs that I'm so drawn to? I love mixing textures and materials. Hopefully next post I'll be sharing more. That's all for now!

New in Leather Wrap Bracelets in shop.....

Just a quick shop update....I added few new leather wrap bracelets in my Etsy shop today. I didn't take the time to photograph all of them.....

...so if you want a certain color/stone combo and don't see it email me. If I don't have it in stock I can make it for you!

Well- off to the beach. I hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

Not My Usual Vintage Vibe

I don't usually buy new fabric, but I wanted a variety of bags for upcoming shows and events. I adore these new prints. This first one is by a European designer- it's a home dec weight, and the color combo is awesome! The bright yellow interior is the perfect compliment for this messenger-style bag- new in my shop.

This giant bird print is a heavy upholstery weight fabric- this giant tote was designed to accommodate the scale of the print. I designed it with an adjustable strap to fit any figure. Quite possible the perfect tote! New in my shop- with 2 other colorways available in a few days.

I sold out of the other 2 colorways fast and had to re-order. This colorway goes perfect with jeans- cobalt and butter on a tan background.

Lastly, I couldn't resist this little print. I bought one of those sample packs at my local fabric shop- J Ellen's House of Fabric- and had to buy a yard of this coordinating fabric. I really like the contrast of the modern print with the vintage lace & linen- also new in my shop.

That's all for now. These bags are new in my Etsy shop if interested.

More pillows!

In my studio, I have a basket next to my work table where I collect all the fabric scraps too big to throw away. When that basket fills up, I have the urge to use them. I cut birds and leaves and other assorted things, and spend a week on pillows. Very therapeutic.

I have some new designs in the works, but these leaves and bird designs have been a staple in my Etsy shop this year. It's almost time to move on....

....but I just love making these! I think I'll start making the little bird pillows with a pocket for a tooth fairy pillow. People seem to buy them for baby's rooms, and what a fun keepsake to be able to use it for a few more years.

Maybe I should put a handful of lavender in these? Hmmm...

Art on the Circle...

Here's a few pics from my booth at Art on the Circle at Notre Dame College. The show was fun- not a whole lot of traffic but it was very successful for a first year show. I have never worked with a staff nicer or more accommodating than the Notre Dame staff. This show has so much potential- I'm sure I'll be blogging about it next year!

And did I mention the mayor bought one of by big totes? I have a handful of bags leftover that I'll list in my shop this week....

My next show is end of July- Summer Market- my favorite!!

More later....

what I've been working on....

Later today I'm setting up for another outdoor craft show- the first Art on the Circle at Notre Dame College. I snapped a quick pic of a new pillow I made. I've made a few of these over the years- another way to use all those tiny scraps of vintage fabric I can't bear to throw away!

I know- the design is not the most original- but who doesn't love trees? Mostly vintage quilt fabrics from the 1940's, it's appliqued on linen. This one's about 20" x 20".

Wish me luck this weekend- and stop by the show if you're on the east side of Cleveland!

Summer Shows Begin!!

My first of the season outdoor show "Art By The Falls" was great fun! Despite the foreboding weather forecast, it was hot and sunny all day Saturday, and cloudy & cool on Sunday. Thankfully the rain past us by......

Thanks to everyone who came out to visit & buy- it was a great success! I never remember to photo my booth, so here's a few quick pics. Nothing fancy- I always try to keep it bright & cheerful......

A lot of new bags & pillows.......

...and of course my leather wrap bracelets.

The Notre Dame College show "Art on the Circle" is in 2 weeks, and so is the Peninsula Log Cabin Gallery show- gotta get sewing!

So now you can see why I haven't been blogging much.

More later!

Summer Checklist...

I just read Rebecca Sower's post on her blog & was blown away. She's an old soul that has a way of making me think twice about things. Forget your crazy self-imposed deadlines, the laundry piling up, the dust in your living room. Take a moment to read her Summer Checklist. Definitely old-school, and very wise indeed!

In Rebecca's words:

"Go wading in a creek

Visit a real working farm

Sleep under the stars

Walk down a country road

Eat a warm tomato off the vine

Sew a summer skirt

Drive with the windows down

Have a picnic on a quilt

Stay home more

Make homemade jam

Let your laundry dry in the sun

Host a block party

Play cards on the front porch

Go to an outdoor concert

Eat outside as much as possible

Read a book under a shade tree

Catch fireflies (then let them go)

Make fresh-squeezed lemonade

Buy your groceries at the farmers market

Play hide and seek after dark

Learn to identify birdsongs

Go barefoot

Walk or ride your bicycle when you can

Plant something

and, last but not least.....

linger around the dinner table, not the tv"

(I must say that the only thing I can't do is sleep under the stars. Nap maybe, but not sleep!) This list was well worth sharing. I hope you can benefit from these wise words- I know I will!

My summer show schedule...

I had no idea it's been a month since my last post here. I've been BUSY designing new work for my 4 summer shows. 4!!! I haven't stopped working to photo and list new work in my Etsy shop because that process is very time consuming. Save these dates:

1) Art By The Falls in Chagrin Falls 6/11-12

2) Art On The Circle at Notre Dame College in South Euclid 6/25-26. More info on this 1st annual outdoor show as I get it.

3) Summer Comforts 2011 Exhibit at The Log Cabin Gallery 6/24- 8/14. The gallery in Peninsula is open Fri- Sun. 11-5 during the show.

4) Summer Market in Avon Lake 7/29-30. The 6th annual oudoor show on the shores of Lake Erie at Memorial Park.

I'll post some new work if I get time this weekend.

I hope you all enjoy some time off!