bumblebird

bedtime for bunny...

NAME:

bunny wunny

FAVORITE FOOD:

play dough peas & carrots 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: 

hide & seek (bunny hides and I seek) 

Yep, this is THE bunny wunny that my littlest one has clutched in her fist for about two and half years. It's the only thing that really comforts her to sleep and it's been stuffed and stitched many times over. Once in the middle of the night I woke to her crying and discovered she had pulled his mouth loose and wanted me to fix it NOW. I was unable to console her with promises to fix him first thing in the morning. So, half asleep I gathered my sewing basket, opened him up and mended him as quickly as I could. While she continued to cry and yell "bunny wunny broken!" The big smile and wet crocodile tear filled hug afterwards was well worth it. 

We have been recovering from the dang flu for the last week and since Mina is still slightly feverish (hence no school, no babysitters, no friends, etc.) and I'm just plain feverish from being confined to the house...We decided to have a little fun today. It was doctor day in the house as we set up an infirmary in the living room. Checked all the temperatures for the dollies, dogs and bunnies. Wrapped them all in blankets and administered chicken soup and cherry bubble gum tea along with comforting words. 

 

And I made this little bed, pillow and blanket from some flannel fabric I have in my stash. Bunny girl picked it out herself. No pink, glitter and lace for this one. Her favorite colors are usually blue & green. So I was pleasantly surprised when she chose this combo. It should go nicely with the play tool set & work bench she plans to ask Santa for.

I quickly snapped a few shots and...

 

their off on another adventure!

I just hope I can find the bunny before bedtime...

by the light of the moon...

acrylic, graphite, ink & paper on 8x8 board

I love a full moon...Sweet dreams!

art every day...

for the month of November!

The Art Every Day Month Challenge is the brainchild of Leah from Creative Every Day. Open to anyone interested in having a little creative fun every single day this month (or whenever) and sharing with others. I'm going to give it a go! 

Above is my little contribution today...just finished this drawing for a project I'm working on. I think I'll head off in the same direction as little bumblebird and go to bed for a nice cozy read and some chamomile tea...It has been a l-o-n-g day. Whoever said you get an extra hour of sleep when switching your clocks back, obviously didn't have little ones that wake up on their own time, with shrill shrieking, tummy bouncing and peanut butter cup breath. Is there anyway to bottle that boundless energy?...*sigh*

See you tomorrow!

pumpkin time...

Happy Halloween!

serenity...

"Serenity" mixed media on paper 

Calm, unruffled, unaffected by disturbance...in a state of serenity.

After weeks of anxiety, vivid crazy dreams, restless nights and days upon days of feeling overwhelmed by every little thing...I'm finally feeling much calmer, sleeping better and enjoying my days with my little family, sketching, cutting, pasting and building forts on request in the living room. During my last visit to the library with the girls, I even checked out a book, fiction...just for me. While the girls screeched through the stacks of books, for a few delicious moments I just let them make noise and run around. Then I scooped them up in big hugs and we walked out the door...

Wishing you all your own quiet moments of serenity.

 

my little something from nothing...

 This is the little box I made at Squam a few weeks ago...

I signed up for  Lisa Occhipinti's class "Thinking Outside the Box". When I arrived that Thursday morning armed with a 5x7 BAS box from Ikea, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. But soon after, Lisa took us on a crisp morning nature walk alongside the lake. We searched around for inspiration and collected little forest trinkets. Each little leaf, pine cone and rock that was calling out to each of us. I returned to the class with a few acorns, a little pine cone and some curly birch bark. Now what?

I started lining the inside of the box with a sheet of my favorite scrapbook paper that I had brought along. Then added musical sheet notes sideways to look like birch trees in the forest. 

(I soon realized after assembling the box that I had glued them in the wrong direction...Oops!) 

I knew every forest needed a bird and well...I just couldn't resist making a little bumblebird. But how could I make him? I didn't bring any fabric, needle or thread. Not even a bit of polymer clay. In frustration I grabbed up a sheet of paper and crumpled it up. Wait...maybe I can turn this crumpled piece into a bird! So, I started shaping the paper. Somehow I needed to hold the shape together...String! I then took string and wrapped and wrapped and wrapped my little paper form using hot glue to hold the pieces together (thanks Lisa!) A little wire was bent and transformed into bird legs. A paper cone and crescent became the beak and eye. And Voila! I had my little bumblebird...

 

Now, maybe your wondering what the point of this story is?

Well, I've been thinking a lot lately about routines and comfort zones. Being stuck. I've grown to realize that artists find themselves from time to time working with the same tools and the same designs over and over and over again until it becomes less enjoyable. This is where I think it's important to put those tools and designs away for awhile and try something new. To stretch your mind and get out of your comfort zone. Experiment with unexpected tools. Have some fun...

And make yourself a little something out of nothing.

P.S. This post is inspired by Jenny Doh's opening speech at Squam Art Workshops titled "Something from Nothing". I missed the speech (bedtime for the kidlets), only to serendipitously have a similar experience the next day. Pretty neat, eh?

it's raining acorns...

Happy fall to you!

It has been busy around here with fall clean-up. Both inside & out. Sandals are going into storage and boots (my favorite!) are coming out. And this fall is beautiful...perfectly warm days and cool nights. The leaves are beginning to turn colors and swirling to the ground. And the acorns. There are ALOT of those. Most likely due to the buckets and buckets of rain we had this past summer. The tall oak trees that surround our home have been dropping acorns like mad. Landing on the roof, yard and deck all day & night. And when we are outside, we encounter many close calls to our noggins. "Watch Out!" is a common phrase around here. 

And we discovered something odd. The furry little grey squirrels that collect and bury the acorns in their secret hiding places are no where to be found. Usually this time of year, they are trying to break into our attic to nest and munching on bird seed. It has been months since I last saw one squirreling around our home. My fear is some vicious varmant is munching on them. Those poor little squirrels...

In the meantime, I'll send the girls outside to play with helmets and keep my Red Ryder locked and loaded ;D 

Oh, and if you happen to drop by for a visit...don't forget your hardhat!

where i've been...

my fortune from Christine Mason Miller

A journey indeed! 

I've returned from an enchanted place known as Squam Art Workshops. 

An uplifting retreat in the woods by the shores of Squam Lake, New Hampshire was just the remedy I've been seeking these last few months. I'm quiet by nature and it took some courage and a little nudging from my husband to leave my comfort zone and journey to a place where whispers in my head and my heart were telling me to go. As we drove up to the lake, my belly was filled with the little flutters of wings...the good kind. Like the flutters you feel just before you are to marry your best friend, or when your water breaks for the first time and you think "this is it...". Or perhaps more like "first day of school" flutters. Anyway, it didn't last long...

As soon as I arrived I was greeted by warm happy smiles, open arms, exceptionally inspiring teachers and kindred spirits...even my little girls were mesmerized. And while my incredibly loving husband entertained our super energized, non-napping little nymphs in the woods, lake & cabin for three days, I explored, listened, observed, cried, enjoyed enlightening conversation, made new friends and of course some art.  

It was phenomenal.

I've returned from my journey completely recharged, inspired, changed. A gentle shift has occurred inside me. This past summer I've been at a crossroads. Stuck. Discontent. In a fog. And now the fog that surrounded me has lifted and the path I need to take is in sight. A new journey. 

It feels so right. 

As I continue to enjoy my Squam Lake high, I'll spend the day in the studio and put a few ideas on canvas and relish in the memories...

And if I don't return here for awhile, you'll know why.

my little studio...

Welcome to my little creative space!

This is the view of the studio as you enter thru the doorway...

My studio is located in an unusual polygon shaped room measuring 4x12x4x12x4x12 (feet) It's located between the 2nd & 3rd floor of our home. 

I recently cleaned & organized my studio (for the umpteenth time, which I love to do!)...removing excess furniture, shipping supplies & paperwork that were all taking up so much space. I had HUGE piles everywhere and it was all just too much. The shipping supplies have been moved to a closet in the guest room and the paperwork to the home office. So, with a little extra room, I added a chair to curl up in while I stitch, sketch or type away...just like I am right now! 

My drawing table has a great view of the woods outside...and where many of the first sketches for my designs & paintings are made.

The window is very long and a perfect spot to display current work and collectibles...

This is where I sew & paint...

The large and very dark cabinet holds my fabric collection and has several drawers for art & sewing supplies...especially good for keeping little fingers away from the more hazardous materials!

It is the only piece of furniture in the room that has not been moved at one time or another. The cabinet is super heavy, even when empty. 

I would love to do something with it as it's so BROWN. But, I'm afraid painting it may be a nightmare. Any other suggestions?

The table was given to me from a friend that was moving and could not take it with her. It has hidden leaves that easily slide out from each side, giving me an extra 24 inches of working space!

Recently, I added a cheerful curtain on the underside of the table to hide my plastic bins and such...

I just measured and hemmed the fabric, sewed a velcro strip to the back side of the fabric and attached a few sticky velcro tabs to the table. 

And it makes a perfect fort!

My husband installed a wire that I hang clippings of my favorite images, doll clothes & anything else inspiring me at the moment...

The tile floor is ghastly, but easy to clean...

There is a skylight...

And a door...

Which is more than I can say for our bedroom...

I hope you enjoyed the tour...

Thank you for visiting!

and bumblebird goes to...

Congratulations Tonya!

And thank you to everyone that left a comment with their favorite bumblebird items. It's really great to hear all your thoughts!

What a weekend! I hope everyone had a great time. Seriously, is summer really over? We returned to Block Island (a charming little place in the Atlantic Ocean about 12 miles from the coast of Rhode Island) The weather was just beautiful! Enjoyed a bonfire on the beach, gorgeous magenta sunsets followed by a brilliant full moon (perfect for late night swims...) and of course, lazy days!

I'll be back in a few days with a little studio tour...

Stay tuned!