A Quote for Today

The Little Studio is Getting Closer

Thanks to my friend Susan, and of course my family, the little studio/shop is getting closer to opening. I am thinking about a mid October opening with a little party. Here are some shots from today.

French Macaroons

My friend Ronda invited me to a cooking class at Central Market in Houston. The visiting chef was Rebecca Rather from her own bakery in Fredricksburg, Texas. Anyway...she said that cupcakes are on their way out and French macaroons will take their place. What do you think about that??
Picture from Julia

Day 6 in Minneapolis

My last full day in Minneapolis started with a drive to the Post Office. I was supposed to be in my booth at The Creative Connection, but well sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. And so since I was already out I was driving by the most beautiful park and  just had to get out and see it. Thought you might enjoy it.

The squirrels are fatter with much prettier tails that the squirrels in my neighborhood.

This photo is not very good but it is the most precious little yellow bird sitting on  flower.

These Canadian geese were so pretty and I always say that if I see a goose on any day it's going to be a good day!

A beautiful bridge in the middle of Loring Park.

But the best was yet to come.I asked a passer by if they knew of the cherry in the spoon..they said yes and directed me to cross a huge bridge over the freeway (I am not wild about walking over freeways on bridges), coupled with the fact that no one else was on the bridge... so I sang all the way over to calm my fears(no one heard me)!! But it was all worth it for this is what I saw:

My favorite big sculpture ever!!! The stem of the cherry squirts water. This is not photoshop this is Minneapolis!! And I can't wait to come back!

Minneapolis Day 5

Today started out a bit teary as I had to drive Mary Moore to the airport to start 4th year at the Glasgow School of Art.
So to cheer myself up, I met some more creative women.

This is Sandy Stone who upholsters darling pieces with vintage fabrics. She is so cute and has a brand new book out:

It looks like a book I can't live without! Sandy lives here in Minneapolis.

This is Jennifer Hayslip and I met her at my booth buying my "Be Kind Be Sweet" book. She invited me to her booth which she said"just look for pink!" It was pink and so cute! Here is her site. I will show you her booth tomorrow!

My iphone is not sending all the pics I want to show you so I will have to wait. Till tomorrow...

Thursday at the Creative Connection

More fun and more inspiration from many many ladies. I met a lady who raises sheep in Massachusetts and makes wool from their coats and knits and writes books on knitting. Check out her blog. She loved one of my painting with a lamb with a wreath around it's neck and she showed my one of her real lambs that was dressed much the same.

This is Kristin Nicholas' baby that she saw in one of my paintings.

If you want to see my painting check out her blog!

She also has a website .

Kristen and myself at the book signing

We also met a darling lady named Amy Barickman who writes books and designs patterns and fabrics and for those of you in Houston will be at the Quilt fair. She has a great new book:

There was a book signing this evening and then a wonderful dinner with Amy Butler as the keynote speaker. She is a big fabric and pattern designer who will also be at the Quilt show in October.

A Room in Progress

I have been working on a bedroom for a darling teenage girl for a while and though it is not quite finished here are some photos:

The comforter and dust ruffle are made from Kathryn Ireland fabric. The bed is a custom desig  with wooden carved bird finials.

The curtains are silk shantung and I painted the chest/armoire to coordinate with the fabric.

The velvet vanity table covered stool is embellished with a beautiful hand embroidered piece , ribbon and trim.

The room has a sweet sitting area. The yellow side table is an old sewing table, the pink chair was recovered in velvet linen. We found lots of fun pillows.

The love seat was upholstered in Lee Jofa red matelasse. The lamp shade is hand embellished with wonderful flowers.

The bed side table has a painted metal table topper to match the skirt fabric which is also the fabric we used for the dust ruffle. The lamp is custom with a whimsical wooden jug embellished with 3 large ceramic bird buttons and the shade is the comforter fabric piped in yellow. An edge of the folding screen is on the left which hides a desk.

There will be more on this room and bathroom soon.

Preview Night

Tonight was the first night of The Creative Connection and it was amazing to see the vendors and all the creativity.
Here are a few shots of my booth. One lady described my new paintings as folk art meets glamour!?

Mary Moore is modeling a hat made from an old sweater that was made by a lady we met tonight at another booth!

A Day at Pheasant Knoll

My sister in law lives on an amazing farm in Wisconsin named Pheasant Knoll. She has three amazingly sweet and darling children and a Dr. husband. They call their farm a "hobby farm" and they raise Highland cattle, sheep, chickens, horses, cats and a dog.
I am in Minnesota for The Creative Connection and had a free day today to take a two hour drive with Mary Moore to visit the farm. It was amazing and beautiful.

The setting is dreamy.

The Pheasant that looks over Pheasant Knoll.

The mama and baby Highlanders