Back from LA

Today is the first day after arriving home from a long weekend away to LA, CA two weekends ago, that I feel like I am finally catching up here at home. I loved going on this quick vacation, but it was really hard readjusting time zones, how do people do it who have to travel all the time? Anyways, I went out there to visit my friend, Megan, she is out there for a few months of auditions for her daughter. We are longtime friends from high school and she live here on the East Coast about 25 minutes from me. So I have really been missing her since she moved to the West Coast the last couple of months. Thankfully our other best friend, Priscilla suggested that we do a girls trip to visit. Our daughters are all friends, so we took them too.

Of course, Katie promptly told me that when she is 18 she'll be living in CA. No big surprise to me, she doesn't like the cold New England winters.

Megan's daughter, Lexy (the aspiring star), and Katie have been lifetime friends. So they were so happy to be together.

I loved spending time with Megan, Priscilla and our girls.

We had fun filled days with laughter and good times.

Here is our whole group except for Priscilla who was taking this photo. We could have never arranged for a time back home for lunches like this with all our different schedules.

I was taking some photos of a cute little birdie taking a bath when along came this adorable little Avery bird, Megan's youngest.

I feel so lucky to have these ladies as my friends. Love ya both!

Spring in Full Swing

This week was so glorious, a perfect blend of studio time, family time and moments enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. Yesterday I received my copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazine.

The five page featured studio article looks fabulous. It feels so good to be working hard and living my dream.

As much as I love my studio space, I had to soak in some of the beautiful weather at home. So the other morning, I grabbed a chair and table on our porch and created a little work space. I don't use my sewing machine very often for its traditional use. Right now I am working on a large order of my pockets of inspiration (sewn paper pockets with lovely inspirational messages tucked inside.)

Here's my work view from our wrap around porch. Everything is so green and full of life.

Cooking is another passion of mine. We eat a vegan diet, and grilled veggies are so delicious eaten outside on our back deck.

I love capturing our times together. Katie is getting to that age where she is spending most of her time with friends.

But she loves our tire swing, so Brian taught her how to make the knot to reconnect it to the rope

Spring is in full swing!

Studios, Summer 2010 - Interweave

Studios, Summer 2010 - Interweave

Make Life Beautiful

This is the ramshackle mess that I faced as I entered my studio. I made it last week, working hard, squeezing in creative time between my travels and preparing for the artisans market.

I can make a serious mess and work around the clutter, but enough was enough.

Wouldn't be great to have a fairy godmother with a magic wand?

Bibity bobity, boo... after a few hours I uncovered the beauty.

My organized work space. Ready for more creative, wild, exploration.

As the saying goes "Art washes away the dust of everyday life."-Picasso

Full of Life

Usually this is my favorite time to escape to a warm tropical island to soak in the warmth of the sun, but not this year. Our spring has been so lovely that I feel quite content at home. This past week was our April vacation and it was filled with all of my favorite things in life. My flower gardens blooming with color.

The grass is so green and soft. Buddy loving his new toy that Katie gave him...so sweet!

Finishing six new paintings for my bee.... series. I had prints made for the New England Market place (a specialty foods and artisans market that I participated in Saturday.)

Visiting with my sister for a couple of days.

Walking on the beach with Brian and Buddy.

Finding some great big white shells that I'll use in a project for my summer art camp, Treasure Island. Being here was so peaceful and centering after just returning from NYC.

Seeing Mary Poppins on Broadway.

Loving the ornate detail and craftsmanship of the interior of the theater.

Enjoying a delicious vegetarian meal at my favorite NYC vegan restaurant, Zen Palette.

Getting caught up in the energetic city vibe.

Finding larger than life flowers adorning the city buildings and appreciating all the real ones planted in the parks.

Most of all heart warming moments spent with my lovely Katie.

A big thank you to Alisa Burke

Today I received a package from Alisa Burke She makes such a cool variety of art and she really inspires me. I was thrilled when I won a giveaway contest on her blog, just by helping her pick a name for a boat that she drew. In the package was this bracelet (it has my favorite colors and reminds me of my walls in my studio.)

A bag that goes perfect with my new green rain jacket. I'll use it this weekend, I am heading down to NYC (my absolute favorite city) and it is supposed be rainy these next couple of days.

And a journal that she made up of papers and canvas. I can't wait to add some of my art to this little book that she started. It will be so cool to have my artwork mixed with hers. Thank you Alisa.

From my heart, XOXO

Registration is now open for 2010 Creative Spirit Art Camps

Full details of our programs for the 2010 Summer Camps can be viewed here These are a few photos from last summer's program. I am looking forward to another fun summer with some of these great creative kids. Registration fills quickly, please contact me for space availability.