tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83987765912070265042024-03-12T21:07:23.337-04:00Old BlogWeddings, Florals and Vintage DelightsApril http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-11004830922264487732012-01-23T22:59:00.002-05:002012-01-23T23:02:45.116-05:00New DirectionI am getting married in 4 days.<div>It is not often that a girl gets to type these words.</div><div><br /></div><div>My 15 year relationship with the wedding industry has made planning my own wedding, uncomplicated. My approach, simplicity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through this process I have discovered a gap that is not easily fulfilled for the quirky bride.</div><div>I hope to change the direction of my current company to best meet that demand.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am excited for the changes that lie ahead.</div><div><br /></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-46110090441139841582010-11-14T19:11:00.003-05:002010-11-14T20:47:44.777-05:00The Season of Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TOB7C_DKHOI/AAAAAAAAAGk/TIgfV2JrKks/s1600/A%2BCold%2BWeather%2BVisit.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TOB7C_DKHOI/AAAAAAAAAGk/TIgfV2JrKks/s320/A%2BCold%2BWeather%2BVisit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539562832880344290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TOB7CAdjQKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/VakkNdsH2q8/s1600/Moonlight%2BChat.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TOB7CAdjQKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/VakkNdsH2q8/s320/Moonlight%2BChat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539562816079610018" /></a><br /><div> It seems like it was just yesterday that I was painting away while foot after foot of snow fell on the ground. We've circled through a lovely Spring and a wonderful Summer and now, as I sit in front of the fireplace yet again, the reality that Winter is on the return has set in...and so, I have begun to paint my snow-inspired paintings and welcome back that cold weather season.</div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-56521811821192891192010-06-05T21:44:00.004-04:002010-06-05T21:55:15.616-04:00The Cowboy Kitty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TAr_zfvwAcI/AAAAAAAAAGM/1oKDbq5M9_0/s1600/DSC06863sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/TAr_zfvwAcI/AAAAAAAAAGM/1oKDbq5M9_0/s320/DSC06863sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479473156809818562" /></a>I should be a more dedicated blogger, but I am not. For the most part I think a blog seems sort of self important. On the same note, I do like to share the inspiration behind my art. It is nice to have a place to share.<div>Today's piece titled, "The Cowboy Kitty," was inspired by my 2-year old friend and neighbor, Jack, who recently celebrated his Birthday. Every time he comes to visit he shows great affection for my black cat, Eli. In fact he talks about Eli when he is at home. Knowing that his bedroom was done in a cowboy theme, the concept of the Cowboy Kitty came to mind. I wrote the poem first then illustrated.</div><div>The Cowboy Kitty whistles a wrangler's tune.</div><div>He practices with his lasso, trying to catch the moon.</div><div>His cow's name is Milkshake. He wears a spiffy hat.</div><div>Such a handsome feline, that frisky Cowboy Cat.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope the painting brings Jack many smiles.</div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-80159896779311262532010-02-12T03:41:00.006-05:002010-02-14T17:09:41.184-05:00A Blizzard Visit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3h0Z3vPF7I/AAAAAAAAAF8/6LVpQkeVUaI/s1600-h/DSC02987.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3h0Z3vPF7I/AAAAAAAAAF8/6LVpQkeVUaI/s320/DSC02987.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438224537857497010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3hzapn_suI/AAAAAAAAAF0/WMXas7xCvss/s1600-h/DSC02990.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3hzapn_suI/AAAAAAAAAF0/WMXas7xCvss/s320/DSC02990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438223451737273058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3UXPyysYBI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Qnb7wITk7yo/s1600-h/DSC02986crop.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3UXPyysYBI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Qnb7wITk7yo/s320/DSC02986crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437277685219614738" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/S3UXPyysYBI/AAAAAAAAAFs/Qnb7wITk7yo/s1600-h/DSC02986crop.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><span><span>After a relatively mild start to the Winter, January and February here in the Mid-Atlantic reminded us that this is the season of snow, snow and a bit more snow. We got walloped with a 21" snow and less than a week later, got hit with another 21" snow. I love it.</span></span><div>The media pandemonium brought me quite a few laughs as I watched the peaceful snow drift down from the sky...for hours on end. </div><div>When the storms finally ended, a natural pandemonium occurred right outside my window in the form of hungry birds! Poor things couldn't find a snack anywhere under all that white stuff.</div><div>They were singing happily when I finally dug a path to my feeders~ Inspiration has come in many forms this season. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was honored to be asked by local mainstay, Brown's Orchard to be Artist of the Month. I submitted three pieces, all snow inspired for my showing. I hope you enjoy them. And now that I have enjoyed this very snowy winter, I can honestly say that I am ready to start thinking about the garden, but the Groundhog has other plans...so for 6 more weeks we will snuggle in and have fun with the cold.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-29651010790991014462009-12-26T15:25:00.003-05:002009-12-26T15:36:38.586-05:00A Willow in the Birches<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SzZxStXSg_I/AAAAAAAAAEs/3cZ9qy5b14U/s1600-h/DSC02958sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SzZxStXSg_I/AAAAAAAAAEs/3cZ9qy5b14U/s320/DSC02958sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419643767815832562" /></a>As if the Christmas season didn't spread me thin enough, I decided, at the 11th hour, to paint a piece for my 12 year old niece, Willow. Aptly titled, "A Willow in the Birches," this painting was inspired by her performance in the Nutcracker this year. She had practiced tirelessly the weeks leading up to the performance only to have the show postponed due to a sizable snowstorm. Lucky for all of us it was rescheduled and we were able to attend a truly magnificent ballet. As I watched my niece dance on the stage, I found myself realizing that right before my eyes my little Willow was growing up and turning into a beautiful, well poised and generally awesome young woman. I knew that I wanted to capture her ethereal nature on canvas and so I set to painting this piece.April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-8870553406260118392009-11-06T21:18:00.004-05:002009-11-06T21:36:21.661-05:00Pumpkin Patch Serenade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SvTZmFMaCfI/AAAAAAAAAEc/KENU1XhkHL4/s1600-h/DSC02717sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SvTZmFMaCfI/AAAAAAAAAEc/KENU1XhkHL4/s320/DSC02717sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401181101376539122" /></a><br /><div>It's no secret where the inspiration for this piece titled, "Pumpkin Patch Serenade" came from. It is that time of year again. My favorite time of year, in fact. My four year old daughter and I pull out all of the stops and have already had ample amounts of pumpkin based foods...Spicy Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Pancakes, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and yes, Battered Pumpkin Tofu (don't knock it 'til you try it). </div><div>So there had to be a pumpkin themed painting. And, just as quickly as I complete the painting, the weather is dipping toward freezing and the leaves are just about off the trees...but the yummy pumpkin fare will continue all the way up to Christmas~</div><div><br /></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-69177886587792732602009-05-27T21:11:00.005-04:002009-05-27T21:22:35.101-04:00Elephant Dreams<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/Sh3lm0DczjI/AAAAAAAAADI/mYamE9UlFvQ/s1600-h/DSC02258small.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/Sh3lm0DczjI/AAAAAAAAADI/mYamE9UlFvQ/s200/DSC02258small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340677188102180402" /></a>The two pieces that I most recently created were for two little girls of Indian ancestory. The oldest girl is four and likes the color pink and loves elephants, so you can guess which one I painted for her. The younger sister is under one so I thought I would create something similar to big sis's but unique in style. I titled them, "Elephant Daydreams" and "Elephant Dreams." I hope that the vibrant colors will remind them of vivid India and that the whimsy appeals to their childhood in the United States.<div><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/Sh3lm98PLCI/AAAAAAAAADA/JsNZHHo9UEc/s200/DSC02263small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340677190756281378" /></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-88929662919721360962009-05-18T22:24:00.004-04:002009-05-18T22:32:42.403-04:00Everything is Amuck!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/ShIYjT4FZdI/AAAAAAAAACo/KKRShvkAHP8/s1600-h/DSC02226sm.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/ShIYjT4FZdI/AAAAAAAAACo/KKRShvkAHP8/s320/DSC02226sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337355503297455570" /></a>Greetings, It has been a while since I posted, not to savvy for a blog I suppose, but I have been in the weeds, literally and figuratively.<div>With all the rain that we have had, the weeds have taken over the garden beds. Any chance I get I am out there pulling those stinkers up, very thankless.</div><div>I have also just completed two online classes to maintain my teaching certificate (even though I am not currently teaching) and I finished a commissioned piece of art. Needless to say it has been a busy Spring! The piece to the right, titled, "Welcome to Camp Run-A-Muk," was designed as gift for my client's parents. They live on the water so we featured their six grandchildren having fun. I thought adding a postcard to the corner gave it that extra whimsy and provided a good place to reflect on the good fortune of family time. I hope that they will enjoy the piece for years to come!!</div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-82370681912866555872009-01-22T15:35:00.004-05:002009-03-12T22:13:32.631-04:00Tutu Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXjYs5Z9kSI/AAAAAAAAACY/APRU3BykJRg/s1600-h/DSC01981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXjYs5Z9kSI/AAAAAAAAACY/APRU3BykJRg/s320/DSC01981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294219627809575202" border="0" /></a>Well I couldn't resist. After creating these classic, and very full, ballerina tutus for my daughter's Birthday party, my mother in-law told me I should be selling them. In her words, "a poofy ballerina tutu is hard to find." So I thought...why not. I just listed my tutus in my Etsy shop for $35 each. (<a href="http://www.awellkeptnest.etsy.com/">www.awellkeptnest.etsy.com</a>)<br /><br />Each girl that attended the party received a tutu. These were pale pink and pale orange since it was an October party. The girls ran around in them the whole time. It was really cute, then they got to take them home as a party favor!<br /><br />I certainly love all things girlie. So making ballerina tutus and knowing that joy and imaginative play will result is a great feeling!April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-62512299962711627422009-01-16T13:15:00.005-05:002009-01-16T16:20:55.885-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXD6Hdx835I/AAAAAAAAABw/mSYAtSe02ps/s1600-h/DSC01749_-_Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXD6Hdx835I/AAAAAAAAABw/mSYAtSe02ps/s320/DSC01749_-_Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292004568320499602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXDQ3ASxD1I/AAAAAAAAABo/oS2e6Xoj0uw/s1600-h/DSC01763+-+Copy+-+Copy+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SXDQ3ASxD1I/AAAAAAAAABo/oS2e6Xoj0uw/s320/DSC01763+-+Copy+-+Copy+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291959205550427986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Well Winter is officially upon us. Today's temperature, 7 degrees. It is cold. I love this time of year despite the fact that my woodstove can not work hard enough to warm the Summer kitchen part of our house that we call a living room. Oh the irony.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">We are patiently waiting for a substantial snowstorm and the opportunity for snow fun. In the meantime, I am painting the joys of Winter. Bundling up and venturing out with a friend, snowman building, and the quiet calm that seems to come in Winter when the holidays are behind us and we settle in for the long haul.</span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">And, while I am enjoying the days of hot chocolate, I have to admit I've cracked my seed catalog a few times already in anticipation of next Summer's garden!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-77996753662349907322008-11-08T21:01:00.002-05:002008-11-08T21:11:24.300-05:00Gratitude<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SRZEqPCHwwI/AAAAAAAAABI/P-njdYX2sQc/s1600-h/DSC01735+-+Copy+-+Copy+%282%29+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SRZEqPCHwwI/AAAAAAAAABI/P-njdYX2sQc/s320/DSC01735+-+Copy+-+Copy+%282%29+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266472306636997378" border="0" /></a><br />Well it has been a while since I updated my blog. October officially kicks off my holiday season with Autumn's (my daughter) Birthday then Halloween...all the way through to New Years it is like a blur.<br />I just finished two commissioned pieces (yeah!), entered a few contests, and finally got going on my Winter Collection.<br />This piece titled, "Gratitude" is a new favorite for me. As an avid bird watcher, I take on the responsibility of feeding the birds through the Winter. It is a job that once you commit to you pretty much have to maintain through the cold months as the birds rely on you for a food source. One of my favorite things is pulling on my husband's goulashes, on snowy mornings, to go out and feed the anxiously awaiting birds.April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-69546732290743189082008-09-04T23:56:00.003-04:002008-09-05T00:09:02.954-04:00Puddle Jumper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SMCuh-jx6wI/AAAAAAAAABA/HcQUvxITPAA/s1600-h/DSC01474copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SMCuh-jx6wI/AAAAAAAAABA/HcQUvxITPAA/s320/DSC01474copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242381865011243778" border="0" /></a><br />I love rainy days. I love the soft gray sky and the silhouette of trees. I get cranky when there are weeks on end of sunny, "nice" weather. I've actually been known to get mad at the sun for being too much, too oppressive feeling.<br />I even like all the accessories that go along with a rainy day...the lovely umbrella, the cute floral rainboots. After months of wavering I finally bought myself a pair of green floral boots, which I wear if there is even a mere suggestion of a drizzle.<br />My daughter likes the rain too. But she really likes the puddles. And so, Puddle Jumper was conceived.<br />The painting is very muted, but the little girl is vibrant and excited to get outside to play.<br /><br />The poem for this piece reads:<br />Rain, rain come and stay<br />What a lovely day to play<br />Sunny skies can go away<br />I prefer a cloudy gray day<br /><br />As soon as my snack is all done<br />I'm out the door for puddle fun<br />Off the porch I make a dash<br />To get outside and splash, splash, splashApril http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-1576224767806187342008-08-12T21:04:00.003-04:002008-08-12T21:16:02.208-04:00Ready, Set Sail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SKIzLJXqLyI/AAAAAAAAAA4/TVb2TwMPpDI/s1600-h/DSC01103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SKIzLJXqLyI/AAAAAAAAAA4/TVb2TwMPpDI/s320/DSC01103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233801983544667938" border="0" /></a><br />"Ready, Set Sail," the latest piece in my Summer Collection, depicts a little girl and boy out on a high sea adventure (with their dog and cat in tow). <br />The piece started with a simple request from my daughter, "Can we fly my kite?" This request came everyday, but sadly the wind did not. Finally, just before a thunderstorm the wind picked up and I had the good fortune of remembering the kite.<br />Excitedly we ran out to the backyard. Where I ran...and ran...and ran attempting to get the kite a flying. All the while my daughter was screaming and stomping because she could not hold the kite. Not the whimsical activity I was hoping for...but I am not giving up. Perhaps kite flying is best lest for the beach.<br />The poem I wrote for this piece reads<br /><div style="text-align: center;">We're sailing, we're sailing across the ocean green<br />We're searching , we're searching for things we've never seen<br />Perhaps we'll find a treasure or spot a rare new fish<br />Or come across a mermaid who will grant us each a wish<br />On a Summer day of exploring, there's no telling what might be<br />With our friends and a lofty wind, beyond the land at sea<br /></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-81659198073307467692008-08-09T21:00:00.000-04:002008-08-09T21:18:11.738-04:00Planning Birthdays...that are not my own!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SJ4-HLEzXhI/AAAAAAAAAAw/qfSBG4sl3IA/s1600-h/DSC01840+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SJ4-HLEzXhI/AAAAAAAAAAw/qfSBG4sl3IA/s400/DSC01840+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232688110004035090" border="0" /></a><br />I never really realized how much fun it was planning a Birthday party until I had my daughter. (And I held a career in wedding coordination and party planning for a while) Far more entertaining when the recipient is a child.<br />Leading up to Autumn's 2nd Birthday she was obsessed with party hats...so you can guess what the theme of her party was. Pretty easy to run with.<br />We found basic, blank cardboard hats. I discovered a great resource for all things girlie called Halo Heaven http://www.haloheaven.com/<br />I ordered vast amounts of pink, lavender, green and blue feathered boas. A crafting table was set up complete with glue, buttons, pom-poms, sparkles and each child was set loose to create their own unique party hat. I was a real success. The kids had fun creating and they each took home their masterpieces.<br />As another Birthday approaches in October we have already started planning this year's event. Ballet being the theme...good thing Halo Heaven sells tutus!April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-7085755839843609292008-07-21T21:53:00.000-04:002008-07-21T22:44:44.911-04:00Strawberry Scoop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SIVHIp5i38I/AAAAAAAAAAo/5JwvNF7IbOc/s1600-h/DSC01055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SIVHIp5i38I/AAAAAAAAAAo/5JwvNF7IbOc/s400/DSC01055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225661156645068738" border="0" /></a><br />A "city girl" I am not.<br />I grew up in the sticks, spent my college years living in a holler and now reside surrounded by cornfields and rolling hills. This would explain why most of my pieces have very rural settings.<br />The city has much to offer, though. I love the action and culture, the movement and dance of the city. And so I moved to a city landscape for this piece titled, "Strawberry Scoop."<br />This time, as per the advice of my husband, I put my poem on the outer border of the frame giving me a bit more room to illustrate.<br /><br />A strawberry scoop fills me with bliss<br />There is nothing quite like it on days like this<br />When the sun is high and hot as can be<br />And the best spot to be is under a tree<br />My dog's happy too because he's out and about<br />And the last bite of my ice cream is his, no doubtApril http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-71671015695121822992008-07-02T21:26:00.000-04:002008-07-02T21:40:33.127-04:00The Firefly Dance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SGwq-8esw-I/AAAAAAAAAAg/gqJwjR3ZrTk/s1600-h/DSC00928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 261px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SGwq-8esw-I/AAAAAAAAAAg/gqJwjR3ZrTk/s320/DSC00928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218593329090708450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The Firefly Dance<br /><br />You should be so lucky, on a warm night at dusk<br />To see the fireflies perform, it is a Summer must<br />Twinkling, Blinking toward the moon<br />Dancing to a sweet, June tune<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well it's no secret where the inspiration for this piece came. Each night I am delighted with the appearance of millions of lightning bugs. They slowly come up from the grass just as night falls upon us. And, as it becomes pitch dark they rise to the tops of the trees making it look like Christmas in the Summer. I can't get enough of it.<br />It seems like there are so many more fireflies then I remember. As a kid it felt like a real challenge just to catch a few (or perhaps athletics just were never my thing) We would put them in jars covered with aluminum foil and poke holes in the top. Probably not the nicest thing to do, but it certainly kept my sister and I entertained on hot, July evenings.<br /><br />It's nice to know I am still so easily entertained, although now I leave the jars for the recycle bin.<br /></div></div>April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-87331991601701861212008-06-18T19:18:00.000-04:002008-06-18T19:32:22.952-04:00The Evening Train<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SFmX_kO9E3I/AAAAAAAAAAY/UytGXBlzv1g/s1600-h/DSC00901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_njw57_IR_X0/SFmX_kO9E3I/AAAAAAAAAAY/UytGXBlzv1g/s320/DSC00901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213365161972011890" border="0" /></a><br />I just finished this piece titled, "Evening Train. " I am fortunate, or so I think, to hear an evening train every night. My house, built in 1875, sits next to the old Baltimore to Harrisburg Railroad. While those tracks are long gone we are surrounded by trains that are still running, so late at night and early in the morning we hear the whistle blowing and can sometimes actually hear the train on the tracks even though it 's a good two miles away.<br />It is a very romantic sound to me. Stirring up thoughts of travel and wanderlust.<br />For my two year old daughter, it is exciting and fun to hear the whistle. She yells, "all aboard" with great enthusiasm.<br />I wrote the poem that goes along with this peace...I hope you enjoy...<br />All aboard the evening train under a Calypso Sky<br />Whistling through the rolling hills, one fine owl takes a ride<br />Two sheep dine by moonlight, stars twinkle high above<br />The train moves on, Dreamland bound, with boxcars full of loveApril http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398776591207026504.post-9041603653362643002008-06-16T22:53:00.000-04:002008-06-16T23:06:59.046-04:00Greeting from A Well Kept NestHello out there...I paint art for children. My pieces are mixed media, combining paint, paper and anything else that brings them to life. Each piece is tailored to best suit the child's little spirit with lots of whimsy thrown in...<br />These pieces make perfect baby shower or birthday gifts.<br /><br />For the grown ups...I paint brooms, rakes, hammers and any other household tool that need personality. Again, these pieces make great housewarming or hostess gifts because they are lovely, utilitarian and I can almost bet that the recipient doesn't have one.<br /><br />Visit my website for photos of my work: http://awellkeptnest.com/April http://www.blogger.com/profile/05732198228967719110noreply@blogger.com1