Holiday Cheer

A friend is visiting this week, so we went up to Chases's for lunch yesterday, and did a little shopping and "driving around to look at the Lights". Remember that? We used to do that when I was a kid. We found some pretty impressive ones. Chase's has a new show of small works and some great amaryllis varieties for forcing if you are into that...which I am.

Sketchbook Project Pages

I've been doing pages for the Sketchbook Project every day this week. I'm letting the story of this book evolve intuitively. Many of the pages are being built on top of an old Progressive Spelling textbook I found a few years ago. I think the idea of progressively learning each day of my life is getting put into this work. I am constantly struck by how there is more and more intense learning for me with each passing year. I didn't expect that! And I like getting back to blue pen drawings and collage, which is a true love.

fineartistmade...a Maine thing

I was still thinking about cookies this morning. I thought...wouldn't it be cool if there were artists out there making special artist-made cookies? I don't know what I expected exactly. Maybe something sculptural, or along the lines of the anatomically correct gingerbread people we made one Christmas in a hilarious baking frenzy. But when I googled artist-made I got the nicest gift. This site and blog for fineartistmade, a Maine (proud!) duo of artist and photographer who make handcrafted furniture, kitchens, and baths. Oh my! You just have to go there and see what they do. Being the owner of an old, really old (1763) house in Maine I can really appreciate the genius they are bringing to their work. I think I found the people I want to renovate my creaky kitchen! I tried to bring over some pictures for you from their site, but they were too pixelated, so you will just have to trust me and get thee over to their site. In the meantime, maybe this picture of more cookies, from Alice Mendrich's cookbook Pure Dessert  and some beautiful spoons also made by hand in Maine (but I don't know by whom..sorry), and gorgeous Fog Linen, will suffice. There are two places I know of to get Fog Linen around here...Chelliswilson, a BEAUTIFUL shop in Portland, Maine, and Pod, another BEAUTIFUL shop in Brookline, MA. 

Thinking about cookies.

Go on over to brown's GENERAL, where these photos are from, to check out the recipes for Fennel, Orange, Nut Biscotti (a Martha Stewart recipe) and graham crackers (a Nancy Silverman recipe). Okay maybe graham crackers are not cookies, but they are good...especially if you coat them with dark chocolate! I think I'm going to try the Biscotti this weekend. I like anise seed. While you are at it, take a look at the gorgeous letterpress products these folks make at Brown Parcel Press. 

Warning: You will lose all track of time!

And I'm not kidding about that warning! These are just a tiny snack of what you will find on InsideInsideTumblr. Can't remember how I got here, but maybe through the wonderful Wary Meyers, which you can check out here. What I love about both these sites is that they are showing, and creating truly original home dec. The kind that gets me really interested. So much of what is out there is mass market stuff that is boring. Maybe that's harsh, but there you have it. I'd rather see someone's home that is uniquely their own. Why? Because homes people create from their truth are works of art. And you know how I am about that.

The Sketchbook Project

I finally have some time to devote to The Sketchbook Project...and a good thing too since the deadline for submitting sketchbooks is looming. So here is my start....I think. If you don't know about this yet, you can go here to find out. My theme is "a day in the life", which I figured could cover anything.

Artists Who Blog

Stephanie Levy, artist and author of the inspiring blog Artists Who Blog has been kind enough to post an interview with me on her blog today! Thank you Stephanie. I have always looked forward to these interesting posts full of beautiful photos and great peeks into other artist's lives. Check it out here.