Almost...

Well even though the photo really doesn't do it justice, I'm proud that my infinity birch trees wrap was featured in the most recent issue of Real Simple magazine.

Just so that I feel better about it, here is a photo that does do it justice, courtesy of Smudge Ink:

Autumn leaves

I'm so pleased to share these two small commissions I just completed.  I was so happy to work on them, as they were for one of my favorite people from the good old days at the Curious George Store.  So many lasting friends and important, inspiring people came out of my days working there.  Some day I will dedicate a whole post to it, but for now, just these two little paintings.

A few words for my Great Grandmother, Edna Ruggles

A woman I never knew, but whose presence has always been strongly felt in my life.  Growing up, I was surrounded by her bright colorful works of crewel embroidery that adorned walls and pillows and just about everything in our house.  

               

She lived in the house before I ever did, and so her work that was there, never left, along with her folders and folders of drawings and patterns.  I'd like to share just a few of my favorite renderings of her animals.  Really, these are just small details in a sea of designs, but have so much character nonetheless.

the brown lamb

the tic tac toe turtle

and my favorite, the sleepy donkey

She made a living selling her work in local shops, at the Women's Industrial Union in Boston, and doing special commissions for private clients.  As a lover of animal rendering myself, I like to pull out her drawings sometimes, and see how she would choose to draw an lamb, or a bunny or a squirrel or a big giant tree of life.

Her finished work is really what is impressive, with her precise needlework and eye for color, but I am short of photos since I only possess one of her finished pillows.  I would like to share more as I collect photos from scattered relatives houses.  Until then, I have her drawings and ideas for finished pieces, which I like to imagine are still out there, hiding in corners of all the old houses of New England.

Etsy

Exciting news!  I now have an Etsy shop open and ready for business.  I am selling a variety of prints and originals, and hope to have some more stationery and such added soon.

Take a look and spread the word!

Little monkey

I've been a bit busy and haven't been good about documenting over here.  For now I will share a little peek of a project I'm working on...

Now back to my spot in front of the fan.  Stay cool fools

Party Season

A little doodle from a recent party I attended.  Happy spring!

Also my website is newly updated with some new work and all my new designs for Smudge Ink.  Take a look!

New Desk!

I am so thrilled to finally be rid of my "double drafting table/piles of papers/printer on chair/scanner on couch" way of working.  My talented father so kindly built this custom desk for my work space.  It is not only beautiful, but has storage for all my accessories and even has secret drawers!  

Just in time for a busy spring!