Art Kitten

Hello?

2010-06-07T15:04:00.003-05:00

Here is me doing what I have become obsessed with.

Is there anybody still reading?

I am still here, just a little busy. I am hoping to pick this back up as soon as things are a little less hectic around here. But to give you an update, my husband graduated from law school and got a job in a quaint little town in Wisconsin. We recently moved there, and are trying to get settled in. Also, I started playing roller derby. Expect more on that later.

Winter, are you almost over yet?

2010-02-25T09:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary to me!

2010-01-11T13:06:00.002-06:00

Today is my Two Year Etsyversary! I can't believe it has already been two years since I made the leap and started selling my wares on Etsy. I started out slow, learning to take better images, honing my shop (when I first started I was selling plushes as well as books and art) starting a new shop just for my art and learning how to market and promote. I still need some work, but I am happy where I am right now. I am especially happy with the friends that I have made through etsy. Thank you for your support (you know who you are!). To celebrate, I am having a 20% off sale if you mention the code "anniversary" at checkout. Here's to another year of success for all of us!

New Year

2010-01-05T14:30:00.002-06:00

Best wishes to all my readers for the new year and decade!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2009-12-09T11:13:00.007-06:00

Unfortunately the picture quality isn't that great (I really need a camera that will take decent pictures even when it isn't a bright day outside)

Last night we finally had time to decorate our big beautiful Fraser Christmas tree! This is very exciting for us because for the past 4 years we have lived in little apartments, and have either had very little trees, or no tree at all. This year is different, now that we live in a place with a living room, dining room and separate kitchen (not to mention the upstairs with two bedrooms and a bathroom) we have the room for a big beautiful Fraser Christmas tree. We bought it last Sunday, after a long search for a "cut your own Christmas tree" place outside of Madison, only to find our that those trees were almost $40.00 more than the precut trees we looked at in Madison (and the place was teeming with people). No thank you.

When we lived in Viroqua there was a wonderful tree farm outside of town where the trees were reasonably priced, and after you went and cut your own tree, they would give you hot cocoa and cookies after wards. It was great and I was hoping to recreate the experience here with no luck. So we went to a place in town and bought a much better priced, large tree that takes up half our living room! It is so big actually, that it would not fit in our tree stand and I spent a few hours (with my bread knife, because we don't have a saw) cutting the tree to fit in the stand.

We have these great French doors in our living room, and that is where we put the tree. And last night, while listening to Christmas music, with all the lights off except the tree lights, Maya Nathaniel and I hung up the ornaments on our big beautiful Fraser Christmas tree.

I will post tomorrow with pictures of the enormous snow fall we had last night (no school today, woohoo!) and decorating cookies with the family.

Craftacular

2009-12-08T13:39:00.004-06:00

I forgot to blog about what a wonderful time the Craftacular was! I made great sales, and met some really wonderful people. I think I had a smile on my face the whole day. Thank you Naomi from The Glitter Workshop, and Sachi and Laura from Anthology for putting together such a great event!

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T09:31:00.006-06:00

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year for the first time. Nathaniel and I finally felt we had enough room after moving into the townhouse. It turned out so wonderful, our guests included a few friends, Nathaniel's family and Dave. It was a great match of people, the kids had a great time and the food was delicious (even if the turkey took 3 hours longer than I thought it was going to!)

My menu included:

Spice rubbed roast turkey
Homemade applesauce
Ginger cranberry sauce (and the canned stuff just in case)
Traditional bread stuffing with dried cranberries
Candied sweet potatoes
Gouda Mashed Potatoes (brought by my friend Monica)
Cheesy broccoli casserole (brought by Dave)
Apple chutney (made by my brother in law Gary)

And three kinds of pie:

Maple pumpkin
Apple blackberry
Pecan

I am not sure what I loved more, it was all so good!

Peeling the apples for the pie

The apple blackberry pie (recipe courtesy Martha Stewart)

Candied Sweet Potatoes
(we used to have these in my high school for Thanksgiving,
and I loved them, so I had to make them)

Spice Rubbed Roast Turkey

The kid's table, Maya and Ollie (my nephew) had sparkling grape juice to compliment our champagne :)

The table setting. I made the runner the day before from scraps leftover from my dining room chairs, it turned out really nice!

I made place settings for everyone with little leaves attached.

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please share some of the best parts!

photo's courtesy Gary Wahl, thanks, Gary!

Black Friday Through Cyber Monday

2009-11-27T11:04:00.002-06:00

Hello hello hello! I am happy to announce a huge sale in both my shops! I am offering 10% off storewide and worldwide shipping! Plus an extra 10% off that for my wonderful blog readers :) just mention code "blogsale" at checkout! http://artkitten.etsy.com and http://susanschaffer.etsy.com

Holiday Craftacular

2009-11-25T09:02:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow we have Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. I have refurnished the dining room chairs, made a table runner and bought all the fixings. Now to scramble and clean the house! I am very excited to have my in laws and good friends over to celebrate. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the annual Holiday Craftacular here in Madison and I am exited to partake again this year. If you happen to live in the Madison WI area, please stop by and see me!

New Commission

2009-11-16T11:46:00.001-06:00

This was a bit of a rushed order; customer purchased on Tuesday and it went out on Thursday, but I think it turned out pretty good considering!

Miniatures 2009: Portraits

2009-11-13T10:45:00.004-06:00

Update: The show was a success! Check out pictures here.

I was invited awhile ago to partake in a Miniature Portrait Show, at The Art Studio - a gallery in Cutbank, Montana. The opening is this weekend and I wish I could go but can't really make the trip to Montana! Here are my two pieces for the show, they are 4" x 6" (maximum size for the show was 6" x 6").

I f you happen to live in Montana, please check out the show!

Sam - 2009

Lucy - 2009

Halloween Party 2009

2009-11-05T09:59:00.004-06:00

spooky mice and creepy cemetery

Passing out the "brains"/ Maya and her friends

Specimen jars

I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything (I meant to, really I did!) but I have been focusing most of my energies on substitute teaching this year hence not as many products in the shops and no blog posts. It is hard to juggle a job, family and everything else! But I did manage to have time to throw a Halloween party for Maya this year and probably spent more time on the decorations than I should have (but they turned out so cool, I won't take them down until Thanksgiving!) Here are a few examples of the decorations (most of the ideas I got from marthastewart.com) and Maya and her friends having fun at the party. It turned out great! I made ghoulish punch in my canning jar/cauldron (with frozen ice hands) and a yummy green spider web cake (I wished I would have gotten a good picture of the food table, it was so neat!). The kids (all 15 of them, yowza) played pin the teeth on the vampire (Maya's idea) freeze dance, and the old Halloween stand-by, guess the body part (you know, spaghetti brains and peeled grape eyes) and at the end I told a ghost story. The kids had a great time and were thoroughly sugared up to send back home to their parents. For decorations I made tons of bats which hung from the ceiling and walls, creepy mice silhouettes for the stairs and baseboards, spiderwebs and spiders, a creepy cemetery scene, and my favorite: specimen jars with cabbage as brains and floating eyeballs and spiders. I bet you can't guess which is my absolute favorite holiday ;)

First Day

2009-09-01T18:54:00.002-05:00

Maya had her first day of second grade today. She was so excited to go today, she would not stop grinning. She had her grandma, me and both daddies taking her to school, too!

"Bees are Stupid"

2009-08-29T20:36:00.002-05:00

Well yesterday didn't quite go how we planned.

So Nathaniel, Maya and I decided to take a hike through the woods behind our house yesterday morning. There are some beautiful trails and acres called the Eagle Heights Woods and a trail-head literally 10 feet from our new house, so we wanted to check it out. We were walking for about a half and hour when Maya stopped to look at a flower and then started screaming. A bee (or more likely a wasp) had stung her. As she was pretty upset we decided we would head back home. I started walking with Maya back and saw lots and lots of bees swarming and quickly turned around.

Nathaniel picked Maya up and we started walking away quickly when Maya screamed again, she had been stung again! We walked until we were far enough away that we could set Maya down and she started screaming again as she had been stung again and again! We took off her clothes and she had three bees inside of her pants and shirt. We rushed home (the whole time Maya telling us she hated the woods and that "bees are stupid" and by the time we got back Maya's whole body was red with little welts everywhere and she was itching like crazy.

So on to the Emergency room. Maya was shaking she was so freaked and upset and extremely scared she might have to get a shot. (The doctors were all very nice and gave her the meds by mouth since she was breathing fine) We were in the emergency room from noon until 5, when Maya's welts had finally disappeared.

We went out to eat at Tex Tubbs and when we got home almost all the welts had reappeared and she was itching all over again. Back to the hospital (the doctor's said if the rash reappeared we had to take her back to the ER). After long hours of sitting and waiting (I think they get paid hourly) we were allowed to go, and did not get home until 9:30, exhausted and haggard.

Maya was a trooper the whole time, poor girl, but she did get to watch tv and play video games all day.

But she is fine, and now we know what kind of reaction she will have if stung by bees. The same thing happens to me as well (I did get stung on the butt, too, but I didn't get hives this time).

poor Maya was so tired by the time it was all over

Gretchen - 8.17.09

2009-08-27T13:49:00.002-05:00

Gretchen - 8.16.09

2009-08-26T16:09:00.001-05:00

Gretchen 8.15.09

2009-08-25T13:49:00.002-05:00

Moved!

2009-08-24T09:01:00.004-05:00

Back to Madison, yippee! I really feel that Madison is home now. It would be so great if Nathaniel could find a job here after school so we could stay (or maybe I should start grad school and postpone it for another two or so years, ah more student loan debt). I will post pictures of our new gorgeous apt. as soon as everything is unpacked and organized (or at least partly organized). . My weekend was spent unpacking (of course) but we did manage to take a trip to the comic book store and buy the latest Buffy comic and drink coffee and peruse the magazines at Border's. What did you do this weekend?

I need a few things for the new place, particularly lamps, since there is no overhead lighting in any room. The Swiss Lamp by http://jillrosenwald.etsy.com would be perfect!

Gretchen 8.14.09

2009-08-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

Gretchen 8.13.09

2009-08-21T17:18:00.002-05:00

Gretchen 8.12.09

2009-08-20T21:38:00.001-05:00

Gretchen 8.11.09

2009-08-18T17:10:00.001-05:00

Gretchen 8.10.09

2009-08-17T19:14:00.002-05:00

BFF

2009-08-17T13:03:00.003-05:00

Maya and went last week to St. Paul to visit my best friend Gretchen for a few days. It was a wonderful break, especially since I never get to see her. She spoiled us rotten as well, taking us to the Como Zoo and all over the city. While I was there I painted her portrait a few times. I have painted Gretchen in the past and really find it inspiring, so much so that I have decided to do a series of her, painting or drawing her every day for a year. A challenge to me to make art everyday. I have posted these on my facebook fan page, and will start to post them here, but am undecided if I should put them for sale on Etsy as I would like to do a show of them. Maybe if they sell, I could get them on loan from the buyer for the show. Any advice out there, artists?

Love

2009-07-28T13:59:00.004-05:00

Today my husband and I both remembered at lunch today that it is our 2nd anniversary. You would think we would have noticed this, but we have both been under a lot of stress. Nathaniel is in the middle of an internship at the Public Defenders Office, in La Crosse and although he is enjoying it and loves his work it is very stressful, especially for someone starting out. For me, Maya is having one of her more difficult periods. And life just takes over sometimes. But we remembered, and shared a 3 minute moment, forgetting about work, books that need to be remade, and a child asking for something, always. And it was nice.

This picture was taken early in our relationship, in 2004, and it is one of my favorites. I love you, Nathaniel, happy anniversary.

New

2009-07-22T16:32:00.002-05:00

Printmaking

2009-07-14T14:36:00.006-05:00

For those of you that don't know, I was a printmaking major and although I don't get to take advantage of this fact very often (due to the lack of a press and space) it is my true love of the artworld. I love to etch, make monotypes and woodcuts. I get very obsessive, unable to do anything else with my life until the piece is finished (kind of like reading a book). I admit that my least favorite part is everything that comes after carving and etching, the messy process of an acid bath, and inking and going back into the plate to get it just right and the multiple times you have to do this to get a perfect print. But I do like the fact that I can make many many prints from the same piece of art. I think art should be accessible to everyone and printmaking has always (way back to the days before Gutenberg) filled this role.

Anyway this is the linoleum cut I am currently working on for a custom guest book order. Linoleum isn't my favorite material to carve, but for a book cover it is inexpensive and quick to work in. The wedding this is for is going for a rustic theme and the cover will be an oak tree.

Birthday

2009-07-08T13:56:00.005-05:00

Maya turned 7 (oh my god, 7) on Monday and we had her party on Sunday at the park near our house. I think it was a success. Here are the pictures.

Grandpa and Maya

The two dads, Nathaniel (my husband) and Dave (with the funny face and ninja turtles shirt)

I found a great cupcake recipe here, for cherry limeade cupcakes, they were a hit with everyone but Maya, who thought they were too sour.

Making a wish

Presents!

Moved!

2009-06-05T08:47:00.002-05:00

We are officially in LaCrosse for the summer! Nathaniel has an internship at the Public Defenders Office here and we uprooted for the summer. We are living in a large 3 bedroom home, with a studio and office downstairs. It is heaven compared to the cramped 2 bedroom apt. we have been stuck in for the past three years. It is a bit of a tease, though as it is only for 3 months and then we are back in Madison. LaCrosse has some beautiful parks, but it also has the most bars per capita, so it has its' ups and downs. No internet at the house yet, which has made my online presence sporadic at best, but that will change on Monday. I will post pictures of the new house at that time. I have missed you, tell me how you all have been!

Moving Sale!

2009-05-20T15:38:00.004-05:00

Hooray! We found a place to live for the summer! It wasn't the place we initially wanted but it is big, and right across the street from a really huge and wonderful park. Since I am moving in less than two weeks (don't panic don't panic!) I am having a huge moving sale in my fine art shop. I mean big, everything is marked down 30%-50%. I rarely have sales, especially whole shop sales, so if you were eye-ing something now is the time to grab it for a steal.

Etsy Finds

2009-05-15T13:37:00.004-05:00

A few posts back I promised that I would share some of my purchases from Etsy. Today I would like to feature The Peach Tree. Amy hails from Brooklyn NY and I am in love with her jewelry and have purchased it many times (and will keep coming back for more) not only because she immaculately crafts beautiful earrings, necklaces etc... but because of her great customer service, great deals (she is currently offering free shipping worldwide!!) and because she is one heck of a supportive member of the Etsy community. Here is what I have:

New

2009-05-14T17:29:00.003-05:00

La Mer Journal

Tribal Journal

The Rachel Album

Poppytalk!

2009-05-11T12:11:00.007-05:00

I have been accepted into Poppytalk Handmade and I am really excited about it! I have loved this site for ages and finally took the plunge and applied (thanks to Michele for convincing me to do it!) so now you can find my books and a few of my paintings there.

Mother's Day was great, but busy! I went back home to my parents (although didn't get to spend a lot of time with them, sorry mom and dad!) and went to a friend's college graduation party. We have been friends since preschool (we met on the bus on the first day) and she is very dear to me. Her mother and my mother are also best friends :)

I made her this for graduation:

And here is a picture of us in ballet together when we were 6 (I'm the one with the ringlets):

I also gave my mom this exquisite necklace from The Peach Tree for Mother's Day (she loved it, Amy!)
When I came home on Sunday, my husband had a beautiful bouquet of handpicked flowers for me, and had bought me a vacuum (a symbol of domesticity, I know, but I really wanted one!) The best part of Mother's Day, though was the road trip with my daughter, and singing goofy songs together. Yes, I love being a mom.

New

2009-05-06T10:52:00.003-05:00

Lady Slipper Guest Book

Dusk Blooms Guest Book

New

2009-05-05T18:25:00.005-05:00

I have to rave about my latest Etsy purchase. I just got this gorgeous bag from Jujie and I love it! She custom made it for me in the color I wanted and shipped it so fast as well. Look at how beautiful it is!

I also have been creating new books. Here are a few. I will post more tomorrow ( I will also be posting more of my great finds from Etsy in the future) .

Winter Berry Journal

Morning Glory Guest Book

Nathan

2009-04-21T15:16:00.003-05:00

Easter

2009-04-14T11:47:00.005-05:00

Maya had her face painted at the Easter Egg Hunt on the Capital

Decorating the eggs

Easter Morning

Easter Dinner

We decided to stay home for Easter this year, and I made a delicious Ham with Pineapple and Mustard Glaze (recipe via Martha Stewart), Roasted Asparagus, Twice Baked Potatoes with Greek Yogurt (Martha Stewart again) Yams, Deviled Eggs and Coconut Bunny Cake for dessert. It was just Nathaniel, Maya, Dave (Maya's biodad) and I and it was really really nice, small and stress free.

How was your Easter?

New again

2009-03-30T12:07:00.005-05:00

I have been trying to paint at least twice a week. Watercolor only right now because I just don't have time to start a big acrylic project. So after I am done with my books for the evening I set up my paints and get cracking. Here are my latest two.

"Heart Shaped Locket" 2009

"Fraction" 2009

Also, I am on papernstitch this month for both my paintings and my books. If you have not done so yet, please check it out. If you are so inclined I would love it if you added me as a favorite on there. You do so by clicking on the heart. The winner each month gets 150.00 and a free month on the site, a nice added bonus!

New

2009-03-20T12:57:00.003-05:00

"Swinger" 2009
"Daphne" 2009
"Selena and the Rubber Plant" 2009

"Blue" 2009

And we have a winner!

2009-03-19T13:49:00.002-05:00

The lucky winner for the sweet SWAK Eco Magnets by TeamZvonik is.....................................

Jessica Torrant!!!

My husband grabbed a name out of a bowl and it was you, Jessica! Congrats!!!

Give it away now

2009-03-12T14:36:00.003-05:00

Hey all, I was having a hard time thinking of something to blog about. So I thought I would do a give away. You know I never thought I would be the type to blog, or twitter or do any sort of "social networking" stuff. Heck I used to sneer at cell phones. Well, technology and the internets slowly seeped into my life and now I depend on it to make a living. I like it though, I have made some great friends, and I love the fact that everyday I see others create beautiful things. Well I digress. As I said I thought I would have a give away on my blog and since I now "twitter" I asked some of my "followers" if anyone would be willing to share their pretties with my readers. And luckily for you teamzvonik was gracious enough to offer her cute S.W.A.K. magnets made of recycled paper pulp!

Here is how you could be the lucky winner:

1. Go to teamzvonik's shop, and take a look around.

2. Come back here and leave a comment on my blog telling me which item is your favorite in her shop.

3. Extra entry if you either blog or twitter about my give away.

Thats it!

New paper designs

2009-03-03T10:40:00.004-06:00

I have been deciding more and more to design my own paper. I have a degree in graphic design, I would hate for it to go to waste :) Here are a few examples.

"Bunnies" designed for my rabbit obsessed daughter

"Coral"

Confession

2009-02-25T12:32:00.004-06:00

The Dynamic Duo-1 Inch Buttons For Married Cool People by buttonempire

Hello, my name is Susan Schaffer, and I am a geek. And I am a crafter. Sometimes it is hard to be both. I love my comic books, my sci fi, my rpg's and especially my newest toy, Rock Band 2, which we got last night. I am reminded of the article in the Storque awhile back about a husband and wife, the husband was a gamer and the wife was a crafter. I am both rolled into one (although my husband is a complete geek as well, and I wouldn't have it any other way). I have had to give up the geek in me a little because the crafting part has definitely taken over, but now that we have our Xbox360 (which feels a little sacrilegious to me because I am a devoted Nintendo user, but I certainly can't afford a Wii).

Nintendo Controller Buttons by Slevin11

I have to force myself to stay out of the bedroom lest I be tempted to spend all my time on it, rocking out, or searching new worlds. I have reserved that time to the hours of 7:30 to 9:30 at night. I hope I can stay a good girl and keep those hours!

Any other geek girls out there?

In the beginning

2009-02-24T14:10:00.004-06:00

I missed my Etsyversary, I completely forgot about it, it was on January 11.

This is the first book I sold on Etsy, over a year ago. When I first opened my shop, this was the kind of photos I posted, pretty bad (not to mention that horrid ribbon!)

I felt so excited if I got a sale a week back then.

I am selling the same book (with some tweaks, of course) in my shop again. You've come a long way, baby! I am so amazed and grateful for the success I have had on Etsy, and for the growth I have had as an artist because of it. Of course I still need work, but I feel that my books and photographs have improved. I know I have taken a step backward in my fine arts, but that is partly a time issue (not having the time to work on my paintings) and that I need to focus (when I have the time) on them more. I need to get back to my roots, while experimenting in the new. But in the meantime I am happy to make books everyday.

New Art and an Interview with The Isthmus

2009-02-04T13:24:00.003-06:00

I have added a few new prints to my art shop, from some of my older art. They are a little random, not "fitting" within the style of portraiture that I have been doing, but I am usually pretty random in my art style.

I have also been interviewed for the Isthmus Daily Page, which is Madison's local newspaper. I always hate how I sound in interviews but you can read it here anyway.

Love Notes

2009-01-29T10:46:00.009-06:00

Love Notes

Little Love Notes

2009-01-27T13:08:00.003-06:00

Oh happy day! My new printer arrived in the mail today, and yes it works! My old printer died at a most inconvenient time (aka right before the Craftacular) and so I sent it in to Epson, and the nice people at Epson sent me a new one. I repeat "oh happy day!" Now the oodles of custom guest books that I have orders for can be completed and sent out.

In other news I am featured in a blog post by 622 press. You can read it here:
http://622press.wordpress.com, Kristin, (aka 622 press) is also from Madison WI and her letterpress cards are absolutely exquisite.

I have been very bad at keeping in touch with everyone, and I apologize. I am reading your blogs, daily, and will promise to post more here as well. I have been working on new books, some especially for Valentine's Day and have been painting as well. I have a new shop for my paintings if you haven't checked it out http://susanschaffer.etsy.com stop in and say hi.

A new day

2009-01-20T12:24:00.002-06:00

Image found via The New York Times

I breathe a sigh of relief and happiness sitting here on such a historic day. I am so thankful that today happened I could just jump up and down with joy. I was able to (sort of) watch the inauguration today, but I am going to have to rewatch it I think. I subbed today, in my daughter's first grade class, and although they were pretty excited to see it, they were also first graders, so most of the time I spent shushing :) Congratulations and good luck, President Obama, you have a lot of work cut out for you.

Christmas Craftacular

2008-12-08T13:14:00.005-06:00

Woohoo! It's over! But what a blast I had. The venue was absolutely beautiful, large and roomy with great lighting. I met some really great artists, exchanged wares, made sales, and made great connections! My husband was the best help I could have asked for. He helped with everything from stamping my tags, poking holes in the paper, to making sandwiches for us the day of the event. He also sat by my side and gave me great moral support almost the entire time. He deserves a huge thank you. I will definitely be doing more of these in the near future (even though I was utterly exhausted by the end of the day!)

Change is good?

2008-11-19T11:46:00.004-06:00

I have taken the plunge and opened up a new shop on Etsy to showcase my fine art. I have kept my journals at Art Kitten, but thought I would make it look cohesive by leaving the artwork out. So you can now find it at Susan Schaffer Fine Art. There is of course positives and negatives about this, the negative being that you can't see any of my sold paintings and prints on the new shop, so it looks like I am new to selling my art on Etsy. We will see how it goes...

Please tell me what you think of the new shop!

Halloween, craft fairs and a new painting

2008-11-13T12:58:00.009-06:00

Hello all, sorry it as been awhile since I rapped at ya (I sound like Jim Anchower from The Onion, for those familiar) I have been super busy getting books and paintings ready for the upcoming craft fair that I am going to be in. It is my first and I am super excited! This past summer I blogged about the Summer Craftacular where I posted some images of local Etsy artist's ware (read about it here). Well now I get to be a part of it!!! I have been waiting since I heard about the fair to be a vendor and if it goes well I am going to start to apply to summer craft fairs.

Anyway here is the link to the fair, and if you live in the area I would love it if you stopped by and said howdy or aloha or ni hao or maybe just hi :)

I also wanted to post some pictures of Maya from Halloween. I was pretty proud of how well her costume came out. It was my first time sewing an outfit on my machine and now I am definitely addicted! She decided to be a princess this year (really she wanted to be a Pikachu but I could not find her that costume, so she went with her second choice) and she picked out the fabric and I got to work. In the end there were a few mistakes but all in all I was pretty happy.

Doesn't she look lovely?

And here is a new painting that sold as a print in my shop :)

Late Birthday Thank You's

2008-10-29T16:50:00.004-05:00

On October 16th I turned 30 years old. And I feel ok about it. I feel more in my skin as a 30 year old I think. For my birthday I had one of the best parties I have had. On the Tuesday before my birthday, Julia (aka Red Otter) and I went out for manicures as what I thought was a way to de-stress after a harried weekend. The manicures were wonderful and afterwards we went out for drinks. I had suggested ordering appetizers but Julia said that we needed to go. We walked across the street and she led me to my favorite restaurant, Muramoto (an excellent sushi restaurant) and there our husbands were waiting for us with presents! Yay! I was very surprised and elated. The best present I received (although the chocolates and flowers were pretty great) was a beautiful frame with some kind and wonderful words from my Etsy friends and Maya, Andrew and Nathaniel. So a huge thank you to Diana, Amy, Michelle, Julia and Michele Maule for it. I was so touched.

Thank you.

Also here are some pictures of Maya, Nathaniel and I on my actual birthday eating the cake that Nathaniel made for me :)

It is finally Fall

2008-10-01T17:44:00.004-05:00

Although I love warm weather, and actually am not a fan of winter at all, fall is my favorite season. I love the beautiful colors, especially around my hometown, where the hills are filled with oranges, reds and yellows. I love the harvest of pumpkins and apples and canning, and it happens to be the season of my birth. This year, in about three weeks I am going to turn 30. I am still not sure how I feel about this, but I know I would like to have a big party of sorts, and have lots of friends there. Otherwise I might be remembering my mortality a bit too much...

Back to the topic of Fall, last weekend Jewels and I and our husbands went apple picking (she blogs about it here) and I got 20 lbs. of apples that will be mainly turned into apple sauce to tie us over for the winter. I have to admit I am a bit of a Susie Homemaker, I love gardening, canning my own food and baking. I have skills in these areas (other than the gardening, which I haven't quite figured out yet) that were passed down to me from my mom. She makes the best pies and I thank her for passing her knowledge on to me. Maya and I made an apple pie this week and I let her do most of the work, and it turned out great. The crust was a bit crumbly, but it tasted wonderful :)

This week I also finished the painting that I had been commissioned to make, and I am pleased with how it turned out. Today I also made a new journal with vintage typewriters and am hoping to work on my cicada painting now. What are your projects this week?

Favorites

2008-09-25T11:23:00.003-05:00

Nothing much new here in Art Kitten land... working on a commissioned portrait for a wedding present, which is almost done, and my poor bunny was neutered on Tuesday. He is doing much better today and even did a few binkys (joyful jumps in the air). I thought I would post a few images of some of my Etsy Favorites today, and hope that you will find some new favorites yourself.

Rabbit by Esoule in honor of my poor bunny

Regina - knitting shrug (I want this sooo much) by Silvia66

Garden Tea Dress by rareturtle - in honor of Oktoberfest :)

Also Michele Maule's lovely treasury that she was nice enough to include me in made it to the front page the other day, yippee! Thanks Michele!

Color Me Mustard

2008-09-17T11:02:00.005-05:00

I haven't done a treasury in ages, and happened to look at the treasury yesterday right when it was switching over, serendipity! I created this teasury based on my favorite color of the season, deep yellow. I can't get enough of this color! I just bought a blazer in it, tights and now a necklace! Please visit and comment if you have time.

Here is the gorgeous necklace I just bought from Mary Fly Fly. I love it! There are also matching earrings that I am coveting. What is your favorite color this season?

New Books

2008-09-16T12:01:00.003-05:00

Jasper Journal

White Blossom Journal

This is the cover of a commissioned piece that I just finished this week.

I decided to do the Etsy Challenge

2008-09-14T18:59:00.005-05:00

(it is my book that is in the challenge today, not my painting!)

I heard about it through Diana, on her blog, and decided to check it out (Diana won her challenge btw, go wish her congrats!). I entered a painting, and a book. If you would like to vote, you can here tomorrow, Sept. 15th. In other news... well actually I don't have much other news...

I had a wonderful relaxing weekend with my husband. We went out for breakfast at our favorite spot, and dinner last night at Tex Tubbs (a really fun Tex Mex restaurant). We were going to go see "Burn After Reading" (don't give anything away if you saw it!) after dinner but we had a bit too much food and margaritas and decided to go home instead. We ordered brownies and cookies to be delivered (I love living in a college town!) and watched The Burbs. Does anyone remember that movie? It is one of my all time favorites, but I was so in love with Corey Feldman when I was little (did I just admit that!?) An excellent weekend if I do say so myself.

Treasury

2008-09-10T09:14:00.002-05:00

I think this treasury is so so pretty, don't you? Well, I did not get the teaching job, I didn't even get to finish the sub job because they transferred someone for it. Madison has too many less than full time art teachers, and so they need to fill up spots with existing teachers first, which means that it is a rarity for a job to open up to someone outside of the system. The problem with budget cuts, a mismanaged system and a town with a college in it.

Anyway I am happy to continue subbing and working from home for now. It means more time to focus on my art, which the painting bug has definitely hit me. I have ideas for more portraits, paintings of cicadas and a painting of the Dude for my husband for our anniversary. I have a portrait commission I am working on currently, and a lot of book projects, but once those are complete I can begin to paint for myself again (until I get new commissions).

What is everyone else working on currently?

School Days

2008-09-03T19:33:00.006-05:00

Yesterday the entire family went back to school. Nathaniel started his second year of law school, Maya started first grade (she is growing up too fast!) and I started a long term sub job that will last at least two weeks. I really am enjoying it so far, and wish that it would turn into a permanent position. The job is open, but someone will probably transfer and take it. Cross your fingers for me, though and maybe a miracle will happen and I will actually get a teaching position!
Maya seems to be doing well at school, but I can't get her to talk about what she is doing she says, "she doesn't remember" :) I also have added a few new journals to my shop and a few new prints of paintings that have sold. Here are a few of the journals.

Koi Journal

Ephraim Journal - named after the little town we stayed at in Door County a couple weekends ago.

Apple Journal

Magnolia Journal

Tell me how "back to school" is going for all of you, if there is a back to school for you :)

Big time

2008-08-19T16:04:00.003-05:00

writer's block. yep. and my "r" and "e" key are not working very well on my 'puter. I have been working very hard on a booklet of recipes for a customer's upcoming wedding. What I really really want to do is paint. I want to paint the cicada that my daughter found outside, and I want to paint other things as well, but I am having a case of painter's block as well... do I continue to paint portraits? Can I paint other things? Should I continue to develop a theme and style or do I say screw that, I'll paint what I want! Man oh man...

Anyway here are a few pretty things I just bought and am very excited to get in the mail.

"Ditto's" by the Peach Tree, aren't they so exquisite?

Sophia Messenger Bag from Glory Daze. I really needed a new purse.

On the front page, sort of

2008-07-31T19:32:00.004-05:00

I have been selling my books on commission at a number of places and one of them is a shop in Milwaukee called Fasten Collective. They have a few of their items on Etsy, and I just found out that one of them is my Birdcage Journal. I saw the front page, and said "Aww man, someone is using the paper I use", I then clicked on it, and found out is was actually my journal...

Ho hum

2008-07-17T17:16:00.006-05:00

Well I actually have a lot to post, that needs catching up with, but this one is (because I am feeling a bit down and out today and because of time constrictions) a short one.

Today I will only mention a few things, one being that I am "self portrait" number 82 on The Self Portrait Gallery which you can view here.

Secondly I have had the opportunity in the past few weeks to be on the front page, which has made me please to say the least. The Wonderful Peach Tree snapped this image for me and the second one I was able to see with my own eyes. The Peach Tree is quite the treasury queen herself, as is Michelle Maule, who curated the second front page treasury I was in.

That is it for now. Teaching is going well, I had my students do an Artist Trading Card assignment, which was really successful (I want to keep them all!) and now one class is working on a comic book and the other is doing linoleum cuts. Fun fun.

Worky work

2008-07-01T14:53:00.003-05:00

I started my summer job as a high school art teacher last week, and this is my reason for being so absent. It has its ups and definitely its downs, but it keeps me busy. If I get permission I will post some of their art later. I have some talented ones. In the mean time this weekend I went to the Summer Craftacular here in Madison for a bit and checked out some awesome artists, including some from Etsy! Here are some examples of the talent:

This cute kitten coaster is from the Glitter Workshop, the person who put the Craftacular together

This is one of the crisply designed and beautiful bags by Pravina

Pretty Little letterpress cards by Lucky Bee Press

Don't we have some wonderful talent in Madison? And this was just a small handful of what I saw. I was seriously drooling.

Thankful

2008-06-17T14:22:00.005-05:00

Diana, at A Muted Palette is just about the coolest ever. So I knew that Strathmore was going to use my ACEO in an ad campaign, but I had not seen anything about it yet, until I was contacted by Diana with a surprise on her blog. And there it was, my self portrait in her local art supply store! I have been having a little bit of my 15 minutes lately. Not only am I in Strathmore's ads, but I am also in this issue of Venus Zine magazine. I was contacted by Amy, the founder, telling me that she liked my art, asking me if I would like to be their "Reader of the Ish" so right now I am in two magazines, Venus Zine, and The Artist's Magazine, on their Strathmore Ad. Pretty cool.

"Delve"

Also, I am not the only fan in my family of Diana's beautiful and haunting artwork, my dad really likes her work too, and just bought a copy of Delve (my favorite, I am so jealous!).

On another note, I finally had time to make a few books for my shop. I have been a bit bogged down with custom orders and making books for shops outside of Etsy, that I haven't had the time to give Etsy much time. Now if I could get some time to paint I would be a very happy girl.

Aspen Journal

Plum Blossom Guest Book

Blue and Brown Guest Book

Silver Flowers Guest Book

Till next time, thank you for all your support!

In love

2008-06-09T12:15:00.005-05:00

Right at this very moment I have the sweetest, softest little bundle of cuteness curled up on my lap asleep. His name is Buttermilk, and he is a sweet Holland Lop/Netherlands Dwarf mix baby bunny. He is so tiny I can cup him in my hands.

We took Maya on Saturday to go and get him from a rabbit breeder as a surprise for her. She was a very excited and happy little girl when she realized what we were doing! When we brought him home at first he was a little timid, but now he is a part of the family. He runs around my house like a crazy person and then jumps up on my lap and grooms me. He and I have really bonded together. He likes Nathaniel and Maya as well, but Maya needs to learn to sit still if she wants him to jump up onto her lap!

Now if only we could get him litter trained completely (we have nicknamed him Sir Poops A Lot)

Lush Plush

2008-06-05T11:06:00.004-05:00

My find for today is the work of Waffle Brown, a newbie on Etsy who creates idiosyncratic plush creatures. His creations are not only works of art, but look at how snuggly they are! I am having a hard time resisting them! Find his work here.

"Kingsley"

"Molly"

"Cupcake"

Memorial Day

2008-06-02T09:28:00.006-05:00

It is a week past Memorial Day, but I have been busy snuggling with my husband , who returned from Japan on Wednesday. Nathaniel was gone for a week, not that long, but having him so far away made me miss him more. Anyway to take my mind away from missing him I decided to have a little "me" time and go on a little vacation by myself. This was the first time I have ever done this and I LOVED it, I think I may make a habit of once a year going off by myself. On Saturday, I left for Door County with the radio turned up. I stopped in Sturgeon Bay and walked around a little arts and crafts fair, and then made my way up to Ephraim. At around 5 I made it to the little bed and breakfast I was staying at called The French Country Inn of Ephraim and met Walt, the innkeeper. The French Country Inn was perfect! It was exactly what I expected. The decor was simple and beautiful and the rooms were cozy and comfortable. Walt was the nicest innkeeper, as were the other guests. I loved the late night conversations over tea and homemade cookies. The best part of my vacation were the delicious homemade breakfasts Walt would make and sitting around for hours at breakfast talking with him and the other guests. It was so comfortable it felt like home. Walt made homemade pancakes and scones, and there was fresh rhubarb sauce and cherry yogurt parfaits just to name a few of the delectable items. (mmmm... I have been craving cherries since I got back!) I did not do too many activities while there, but I did go to a few gallery openings, walked around a folk school, visited the Ridges Sanctuary and went to a fish boil. I had an absolutely wonderful time and am looking forward to my next trip to Door County.

The French Country Inn of Ephraim, Ephraim, Wisconsin

My room

Walt and the other guests, Walt is the man in the plaid shirt

The breathtaking view of Peninsula State Park

The Fish Boil

The fish boil dinner, so yummy!

The Cliffside Room at The Clearing Folk School

You can't take a trip to Door County without seeing the goats on the roof in Sister Bay!

The view of Bailey's Harber from the beach by The Ridges Santuary

My lucky day!

2008-05-26T18:43:00.003-05:00

Hello all, I just returned from my little solo vacation (will post pics and tell you all about it tomorrow) and found out that lo and behold I am in FOUR treasuries! I could not believe it and they all contain the same two journals, one of which sold, the other maybe soon? So here they are ladies and gentlemen (although besides my dad I don't know if any other gentlemen who read my blog).

"Lady" from the wonderful Peach Tree

"Oh Jealously" from the lovely Ozknits

A bookbinding "Shop Hop" treasury made by Flurrsprite (to learn about the "Shop Hop" go here.

"Some Like it Hot" from MissKnits

So thank you all who included me in their pretty treasuries. It was a really nice surprise.

Blue

2008-05-22T20:25:00.004-05:00

I have a new journal, and I have to admit I really love it. The paper has a really wonderful texture to it and I love the silver chandeliers. Yesterday when I was photographing it, I decided to do a few with Maya holding it. I think I may do more of these, she is so cute :) Then I decided to do a little photo shoot since she was wearing one of her princess dresses and looked really magical. It was such a beautiful day yesterday too, I am so glad the weather is finally warm again. Now I just need to get to the garden!

Writers Block

2008-05-21T14:48:00.002-05:00

I have had a serious case of writer's block for about two weeks now. There have been things going on with the family, and I have been working like a mad woman on my books. Therefore my blog has looked quite sparse. Luckily A Muted Palette has been kind enough to tag me, therefore giving me something to write about.

So without further delay; "Seven Random Irrelevant Things about Me"

1. I used to be goth. From the time I was 17 until about 24 I wore predominantly black, listened to The Cure, Nine Inch Nails etc. Now I wear whatever is clean and really do not spend much time on my looks at all. A complete 360 degree turn from when I would meticulously apply black eyeliner and lipstick and dye my hair purple.

2. I don't like to wear chapstick because I think that if I wear it, I will become dependent on it.

3. I am completely addicted to sugar. I actually *try* to eat healthy organic food, but I just can't stay away from such junk as snickers bars. It's bad.

4. My mother is 40 years older than I am. I have three much older brothers, two of which are in their 50's. I was the only one planned.

5. When I was younger I was obsessed with the Violent Femmes.

6. My favorite thing in the world is absurdism.

7. I am told I look like Scarlett Johansson. Sweet, she's hot.

Now the fun part is that I get to tag seven other people. So if you are on the list below, "you're it"

1. Red Otter, of course ;)
2. How to Draw a Cup of Coffee
3. The Peach Tree
4. Oz Knits
5. SmacThoughts
6. Margins
7. Dollface Design

My dad's shop is open

2008-05-16T11:15:00.003-05:00

As I mentioned before, my dad, James, has taken up painting and I really like his style. He has set up a shop on Etsy as well called Vernon Arts. Please stop by his shop and check out his paintings.

"Stone Manor " copyright 2008 James Schaffer

"Red Shed" copyright 2008 James Schaffer

"Flowers" copyright 2008 James Schaffer

"Stone Bridge Farm" copyright 2008 James Schaffer

Past in the Future

2008-05-15T13:52:00.004-05:00

I am an avid reader, so much so that sometimes other more necessary responsibilities take a back seat. Although I am currently reading Emma by Jane Austen, one of my favorite books, that I really want to be reading is The Diamond Age or A Young Ladies' Illustrated Primer by Neil Stephenson. I love this book. It is based in the future, but one cultural group in the book has its identity rooted in the Victorian period. This brings me to another thing I am fond of, which is the Steampunk movement, although I did not know until I discovered Etsy that there was an actual name for this style. I love the idea of dressing up and putting effort into a wardrobe (although since I had Maya this doesn't really happen anymore!) and I love the clothing of the Victorian age. Anyway if you enjoy the Steampunk movement, I strongly suggest you read The Diamond Age, actually, I strongly suggest reading it even if you don't like the Steampunk movement :)

Enchantress Victorian Bustle Gown by Countessa

Guestbooks

2008-05-07T19:19:00.003-05:00

So lately when I sit down to make art, I am either working on an enormous cat, or I am creating a guestbook for someone. Making wedding guestbooks are more fun than I thought, because you get to know the couple to be though their choices. It is nice. Here is the most recent one I have made. I will be making another one tonight.

too tired for anything but tv

2008-05-06T19:57:00.003-05:00

I have neglected you, sorry!

I am exhausted, working at my day job and my garden has left me completely incapable of doing much during the evening other than watching old episodes of the X-Files. Which has been great, I used to love that show and now I am completely loving watching it with my husband (although now it looks so much cheesier!) Last night we watched the episode where a computer takes over and murders people (wooooo) "file deleted" the computer says after someone gets it. Hilarious.

And the winner is...

2008-05-02T20:16:00.002-05:00

Last week I held a contest on my blog to win a print of my ACEO "Gretchen". Tonight, while my daughter was getting ready for bed, I had her pick a name out of the bowl. And the lucky winner is Helen of Ozknits!!!! Congratulations, Helen! And thank you all who entered and told me about some great Etsy artists, I have found some new faves!

I love Jadite!

2008-05-02T13:16:00.003-05:00

So I have been obsessing over Jadite for awhile now, and really really want some! It is dinnerware created by the Anchor Hocking Glass company in the 1940's and 50's. There is a store here is Madison called Pick More Daisies where you can get it, and you can find it on Etsy as well. It is really heavy which would be great for my family because we have a tendency to break dishes quite frequently. Anyway it is what I want for Mother's Day.

Image courtesy of thepioneerwoman.com

Happy Birthday Red Otter!

2008-05-01T13:45:00.004-05:00

So today, May Day, is Julia's birthday. Hip hip hooray! So I am giving a shout out to her and her oh so lovely books, especially her two new ones. I am still feeling a little sick today, but I will be well enough to go out with her and the boys to celebrate her birthday tonight. Here are her newest creations (aren't they so pretty?)

Calliope Journals

Be sure to wish her a happy birthday at her blog

Self Portrait Finished

2008-04-30T13:15:00.003-05:00

Well, it is finished and sent in. Yikes! I am nervous, of course. We will see how it does. I also have a bad cold :( and a lot to do! So this is a short post, but I wanted to show you the finished piece.

"The Pattern Lolls" 2008

Self Portrait

2008-04-28T11:58:00.004-05:00

I am entering the American Artist Self Portrait contest, and have been working on my painting for it. It is alway a more self conscious effort to paint when I know the painting has a purpose. If I am just painting for myself (even though I know it will go in my Etsy shop) I am not so concerned with how it is going to turn out, and more connected to the process of painting. With this painting I am so worried about the final outcome. Is it going to be good enough etc... I need to take a deep breath and lose myself in the process again. Here are some images of it in its' beginning stages.

Yes, I am painting in my pajamas.

Also the contest is still going on to win a print of Gretchen, make sure and enter below!

Prints!

2008-04-25T18:16:00.006-05:00

So after much research into printers, I finally found one that offers the quality that I am looking for in the price range that I had. I now am able to offer prints of my work in my shop. And so without further ado, to celebrate this momentous occasion, I am having a contest to celebrate! In order to enter this contest, you must comment in this post about an Etsy artist you really like. I will put all the entries in a bowl, and have my lovely assistant, Maya choose the winner. The winning print is an ACEO of "Gretchen". Good luck, my wonderful readers!

Pin Up

2008-04-24T11:59:00.003-05:00

I made this lovely lady for an Alchemy request and I think I am going to do more in this theme, it was so fun to do!

Happy World Book Day

2008-04-23T11:04:00.003-05:00

In Honor of World Book Day, the BEST Street Team members have decided to have sales in their shops. I started mine a bit early, with a sale last weekend, but am continuing my sale until Saturday. I am offering 20% off all books and 1/2 off shipping on all books as well. Some members have also joined a Challenge, creating books based on Shakespeare and others. Check out their blog to see those wonderful books.

In Memoriam

2008-04-22T11:27:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I received some very bad news from my mom. Our cat, Zooey had been hit by a car. My throat hurts today from crying so much yesterday. Man, Mondays are just terrible days for me! Our cats, Franny and Zooey had been staying at my parents house because we can't have pets in our apartment. I want so bad to go and get Franny and bring her home, my poor kitty probably misses her mate terribly. Everyone is pretty upset by this, my mom, dad, everyone. He was just the sweetest and most gentle cat. Maya was pretty upset yesterday but more concerned about her crying mom, she kept drawing me pictures of Zooey, hoping it would make me feel better. She is such a good girl.

Zooey is the orange marmalade cat

New Books

2008-04-21T16:43:00.004-05:00

It was a good weekend. We went to my parents, which is always relaxing with lovely smells of my mom's cooking and the wood stove, and the wonderful sounds of the song birds. It was also a good weekend because I sold three books, made three books and worked on my pin up girl. I will show all of you the girl when I am finished. Here are my new books.

This is a wedding guest book

This is my crazy purple journal with the mismatching endpages

This is my favorite one, which reminds me of my mother and wallpaper

The state of affairs

2008-04-17T15:06:00.005-05:00

So I have a list of things I need to do today, which doesn't nearly include everything I need to do, but it is a start! I thought I would share it with you.

I have so far finished one of the things on my list, and will start the rest soon, but meanwhile I got myself a treasury.

I also found out that Red Otter has given me an E for Excellent blog award. Yippee! Thanks Red Otter and I am passing on the award to A Muted Palette, How To Draw A Cup Of Coffee, and A Mincing Mockingbird. Because they are my favorite blogs to read. (Red Otter would also get one, but she already has one!)

Poppy

2008-04-15T20:58:00.005-05:00

She is in my shop now. Go visit her and say "Hi"

New

2008-04-13T16:14:00.002-05:00

So this weekend has been a bit busy. Yesterday, Nathaniel and I took Maya to the Kids Arts Festival at the Overture Center, which was fun but we got there a bit late so we missed most of it (we like to sleep in). Then groceries, Hobby Lobby to buy a gold frame for my Tudor painting and home.

Today we woke up early (much to the displeasure of my husband) and went to the UW Dairy Pavilion for the 13th annual farm breakfast. It was cold and the food was not exactly yummy, but we had fun. Especially at the petting zoo where Maya got to hold baby chicks, lambs and bunnies. I am still a little high off of all the cuteness.

I did manage to get a little art done, and am spending the rest of the day making more. Here is my newest journal, no name yet, but I think it is almost (but not quite) as cute as seeing Maya hold a baby chick.

Tudor Portrait

2008-04-11T11:51:00.002-05:00

I was lucky enough to win an alchemy request a few weeks ago to create a miniature painting in the style of a Tudor painting. I used an image of Elizabeth I when she was younger (I loved the dress she was wearing for the portrait) for my image and tweaked it slightly to make it my own. I need to go and buy a frame for it in gold, and have a plate made with her name on it, which I will do this weekend. I have not come up with a name for her yet, I am thinking the Lady Rebecca, but I am not satisfied with that... any suggestions? I will also in the coming weeks have a contest in my blog to win a print of my art, so look for that!

Featured Artist 4.10.08

2008-04-10T15:28:00.003-05:00

Although I love simplicity in art, with clean lines, flat colors and what have you, I also am very much in love with a painterly style of work as well. Therefore I absolutely love the art of maronresur, who is a master of portraiture. My favorites being the "Slave Army" series.

"Slave Army 5"

"Slave Army 8"

Etsy Bookbinding Team Charity Event

2008-04-09T21:48:00.003-05:00

One of the Etsy street teams that I am part of is the BESTbooks street team. We are having our first charity event and it will be going on until April 21st. Although my book has already sold, you can still find some really awesome books that members have donated. 100% of the proceeds, minus fees and shipping costs will be donated to H.E.L.P International. Here are a few examples but please check out the Bookbinding street team's blog for more here.

This is flurrsprite's handbound book

ladyartisan's polymer clay journal

repaper's lovely travel journal

Incommunicado

2008-04-08T12:25:00.003-05:00

Sorry! I have been neglecting my blog, my art, my shop. I do have a reason, though. We had a visitor this week. Nathan, who has been Nathaniel's best friend for 30 years (I feel old) was visiting us from Thailand, where he is a teacher. (Nathaniel and I went to Thailand this summer for our honeymoon and to visit him as well.) While Nathan was here we had a blast. He and Nathaniel have a language that comes from being friends for so long and it is highly amusing to listen to. Here are some photos of the week:

Nathan, Nathaniel (with a very sore neck) and Geoff (who is another
best friend from childhood and Nathaniel's step brother.)

Nathaniel, Geoff and Jessica. These two photographs were taken at Sophia's Bakery,
one of the best breakfast places in town.

Maya and Nathaniel at the zoo.

Maya and Nathan at the zoo.

A gorgeous image of Maya against the otter tank.

Nathan left this morning to go back to his parent's house in MN. It is going to be very strange here without him.

Self Portrait Thursday

2008-04-03T23:21:00.003-05:00

I forgot all about it until 20 minutes ago. Our friend Nathan, visiting from Thailand took this picture of me "checking my stuff" in my blue robe that reminds me of Grover.

Front Page

2008-04-02T13:09:00.003-05:00

Well this certainly made my day!

Art by Diana Crites

2008-04-01T20:22:00.002-05:00

One of the blogs that I try to keep up with daily is A Muted Palette, which is written by Diana Crites. She has an Etsy shop as well called Paynes Grey who has such haunting and whimsical art (two of my favorite themes in art). One thing I love about Diana's art as well as her blog is that not only is it interesting, but you get such a sense of who she is and the deep emotions that she feels.

This piece is a limited edition ACEO print called "Delve" and it is my favorite of her work. I love the deep blue and Ochre colors together and the little bird. It is definitely worth it to check out her blog and her Etsy page.

Strathmore paper ACEO

2008-04-01T10:34:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago Strathmore paper contacted me to make a piece for them for their new line of precut ACEO paper. This is what I made. I will eventually have prints available for sale in my shop.

Bloom

2008-03-31T18:47:00.002-05:00

I haven't quite decided what I think of this one yet.

Pictures hung in my memory

2008-03-30T13:53:00.001-05:00

Dinner and a Movie

2008-03-29T18:16:00.002-05:00

So my very strange husband decided that we should have a movie night with a few of our friends to watch the movie "Blackula." Yes, the campy movie from the seventies. Nathaniel made rare hamburgers, I made a red velvet cake in the shape of a coffin and we drank red wine. Yep.

Projector Journal

2008-03-27T22:23:00.001-05:00

Baby Album

2008-03-27T10:02:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I created this baby album for a friend of mine who just had a baby boy. It *sort of* curbs my craving for babies!