Postcards from New York

I've just finished making these postcard journals for a friend - a great project to use all those postcards from trips and collected at art fairs. These pocket-sized journals make terrific gifts. I reinforced the spine edges with cardstock, then bound the covers and page sections together using a coptic style stitch. I love the look of chain stitches across the spine.
I couldn't resist snapping a photo of these fun sock toys at FAO Scwartz in NYC. They were the best thing I saw there. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the displays- too much of the same style of media-driven toys from movies, games, or TV. Even the books all looked the same- same style illustrations, binding, size, content. I didn't see much to inspire imagination in children.
I just had to take this photo in Central Park! The pidgeons were quite at ease eating out the feedbucket with the carriage horse.

Back from NYC-what a time!

I'm back from my NYC adventure and just getting back into online connections. I have to admit it was nice to be away from email, blogging, and other electronic demands. But I thought often of what I'd like to share here.
Each day I started out with "What part of Manhattan shall I visit today?" as my non-plan. I gorged myself on art every day! I decided to take out memberships to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MOMA so I could visit each at my leisure- took the stress out of my multiple days in each. Twice I had lunch on the 5th floor of the MET overlooking Central Park.
The incredible metal tree and roots sculpture was fun to walk around and through, but as the afternoon lightening storm approached we scooted down below to safety!
One day I took the subway to Battery Park to ride the free Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (too crowded to visit). Afterwards I enjoyed some very talented street performers. There's much to do in NYC for little or no $$$.

More Books!

I've expanded my collection with some 3-section samples. I love the possibilties for more complex designs as I increase the number of sections. I'm using plain cardstock covers so I can showcase the stitches. To corral and protect my growing collection I covered a box with my pastepaper, but they didn't all fit in! Next book projects will be star books-great options for mixed media.

Days in the Big Apple-What fun!

I've just spent 5 glorious days in New York City- never thought this country girl could be comfortable there, but I was! Transportation is great and relatively easy to navigate so I ventured all over. I confess I stopped dead in my tracks when I came across this street near Times Square- patchwork quilting in NYC! Best morning was spent with new friend Jessica walking around the outer streets of the Garment District. We discovered some fabulous shops containing whole rooms of buttons, lace, ribbon and other great finds. My favorite was M&J Trimming on Sixth Avenue where I found beautiful silk covered buttons from Japan and metal charms with African and Egyptian themes. These will be great on book covers. Then on to the Tinsel Trading Company which has MOVED to new location on 37th Street. This shop is loaded with vintage ribbons, cloth, thread, and some new stuff, too. Don't forget to open all the drawers in the antique cabinets as treasures abound here. Metallaferous on 46th Street is a must for the jewelry maker. Go up the stairs to a crowded but fun room jam-packed with tools, findings, all things metal, plus some beads. I got quite a few copper pieces for book covers and worked hard to resist all the tempting chains, clasps, and other doodads. Lee's Art Shop on 57th Street was our last stop for art supplies. We only hit the first floor (there are four!) so a return trip is required. Jessica also gave me a quick tour of the New York Public Library and the Trump Towers (oh my!). I'm so excited about my little treasures from NYC.

Botanical Print Pillow-at last!

I finally acted on an idea I had after taking Maya's Botanical Printing class at Squam Art Workshops- I used one of my flower prints as the center of a pieced and quilted pillow. Love the results! Can't wait to make another one. Abby Normal is also pleased to have a kindred spirit sharing the rocking chair with her. She came from one of my favorite stores, Tessuti Zoo, in California, made by Emily.
To keep hands busy while watching TV (can't just watch, can you??) I knit beanies for the next project for CraftHope. These are for project #3 and heading to 3 orphanages in India later in July. What a great idea to link crafters with charities!

My Studio, My Friends

This is where I work, at least for the paper, paint, and paste projects. Small but great- you're looking at 6' by 12' including the sitting area. I can say that everything I need is practically at my fingertips here! And the view is fabulous as I look down into the woods where I've seen bear, owls, and other critters go about their day (yes, I saw the owl in later afternoon, not night!).

And keeping me company is artwork by friends and admired artists, like my little red bird made by Laurie May Coyle. She's keeping watch over my growing collection of books I'm making in preparation for a bookbinding class I'll be teaching this fall.

I've got Sunshine on a Rainy Day!

Last week when we had 2 (yes, 2!) days in a row of sunshine I took some photos of my garden so I could enjoy them on a rainy day- we are now on day 4 I think, so I decided to share my sunshine here. Although my deck in only 14 ft by 7 ft I have a full range of plants from flowers to veggies.

Above you see my beans, lettuce, argula, and cucumber plants, with herbs in the background; below are pots of more veggies and flowers.

I'm the only deck with any pots so it's a real show-stopper for those passing by. The hummingbirds love it-they even sit awhile on my tomato cages just a few feet from my chair-what a thrill to see them up close and still!