Hello, it's me...

MMuseumm (unexpectedly crowded)

looking up in Cortland Alley (gorgeous in the rain)

 Sara Berman's Closet (with random garbage)

Get it?  Honestly, I had not that heard that Adele song before Thanksgiving but then it kind of took over our road trip (in a good-laugh-out-loud-bonding-moment-kind-of-way).  We hosted a cast party for 60 Teenagers the night before we headed to Maryland to celebrate the holiday with C's parents. The days leading up to the trip and the days after we returned were crazy busy which is why I haven't been in this space much recently.  But, there is some good stuff going on here so I wanted to pop in to share a few things.  First, my oldest completed her 1st trimester of college and is home thru the new year....so good to have her home for a bit.  Second I am taking on the challenge of making slow fashion even slower and hand stitching some clothing with two friends (more on that later.)  The third thing involves going to see Maira Kalman speak the week before Thanksgiving at the Michigan Theater.  She was authentic, witty and insightful and when she mentioned this installation she created in a NY alley, I felt compelled to see it in person, in the alley.  So....I mentioned my crazy idea to C, took swift action and altered our travel plans slightly. We headed up to NY from MD and saw Sara Berman's closet, Mmuseumm, stopped in to Purl Soho, ate at The Meatball Shop, visited The Drama Book Shop and (right across the street) Muji, saw Something Rotten the 1st night and then wandered around Bleeker St the next morning, stopping in at Bantam Bagels(for my Mom), Murray's Cheese Shop(for me) and an amazing Patisserie(for everyone) before heading to Pittsburg for a night and then heading home the next day.  It's amazing how much goodness you can squeeze into just under 24 hrs in New York.  The traffic was terrible on that Sunday and I don't think we will ever drive in holiday traffic again but I'm glad we did it this time.  Totally worth it.  So grateful for my husband's lovely family, my open to anything husband, my funny and fun road trip companions and to the amazing city of New York which lives up to the hype every time I visit.  So much to be thankful for and am trying to keep it all in my mind and heart.  We all need to find a light in the dark these days and spending time with loved ones and working with my hands is where I'm finding comfort.  Where is your light coming from this season?

Morning light-

(a tiny objects piece in the works and the 1st snowfall)

Snow is still falling as I write and there are over 11 inches on the ground.  It is double what was expected, which has altered plans and cancelled events, but everything is illuminated and it is gorgeous.  Hello winter.

Water, water everywhere...

Being There

4"x4"

Float

7.75"x7.75"

part of a work in progress

20"x20"

There are many things I love to paint but water is at the top of the list :)

Don't you love it...

when every day is soup day? 

Minestrone for the 1st part of the week and Winter Squash Bisque going into the weekend.

Warm wishes for a lovely weekend :)

Dress No. 2

Dress No. 2 (frontier blue)

All of my projects over the past week have been like naughty children.  They begged for my attention and then played me. I spent the better part of Saturday getting kicked around by the Brioche Stitch.  I seriously cast on for this sweater four times.  Each time I thought I had the stitch figured out I would cast on 161 stitches and work a dozen rows but it never looked right.  Over and over it just wasn't right.  So I took a deep breath and tucked the pattern away for winter knitting.  Sometimes you just have to step away from the needles.  Then I moved on to Dress No. 2 which I wish I loved more.  I mean, I like it OK I just don't love it.  The fabric is blue and oatmeal tiny houndstooth check and its really  beautiful but it will take days for my eyes to recover from looking at it constantly and close up.  The neck line is lower than I like, the sleeves tuned out pretty well but could be taken in a bit more and it just looks a little too finished (but i put in sleeves!). I think with tights and tall boots Dress No. 2 will get a lot of wear over the next couple of months :)

Pre Holiday SALE

Greetings from a day that does not feel at all like November!  Wearing a sleeveless sweater and sandals on this 72 degree day, I just delivered a bunch of work to Gallery 117 for their upcoming Holiday show.  And on the way home I decided to run a pre holiday sale in my Etsy shop.   If you are up for a little pre holiday gift getting or if you've had your eye on a special piece this is the time to save a little dough.  From now thru Friday November 20th all work is marked at 20% off the original price :)

A rare evening post....

Talking Blocks 9, 10, 11 & 12

all 4"x4"

The Long Winter

19.25 "x 19.25" 

Everlasting Everything 

13.25" x 13.25"

A rare evening post to say that I am still here, painting, teaching knitting, cooking, celebrating and enjoying all that this beautiful season has to offer.  I am working with a muted color palleted these days and experimented with framing my new work in white and am really loving the look.  These new works (and a few others) are going to The Ann Arbor Art Center's 117 Gallery for their special holiday shop event.  If your anywhere near Ann Arbor consider this an invitation to stop by the opening, say hello and take in lots of great new art in many forms.