monday inspiration

During the weekends a good sleep-in is always welcome, but when Monday arrives- I love the hush of waking before daybreak and watching the sun come up. My back meadow is beautiful, but nothing beats the ocean rises I had this time last year at Serendipty, so that pic is for you as much as it is for me! Wherever you begin your day, these Morning Mantras are a really great practice.

And here are some other great links and ideas that have inspired me recently:

• I'm still on a low to no gluten diet, but sometimes I dream of baking bread again- this is a version of two of my favorite recipes combined. Amylou's Lazy Bread

• This weavers work with wool and roving is breathtaking!

• I'm pressing leaves right now for this fave fall craft from The Artful Parent.

• Cal pointed me to this video knowing I'd LOOOOVE it. You will too!

• I've been gathering up some wish jars to give as gifts to friends that might need a little extra magic in their life. If there is milkweed in your area, this is a fun project for any age- to give or to receive!

•  I'm discovering so much about this wonderful plant- I loved learning about all of its edible properties, too. Read this!

Have a wonderful start to your week!

weekend bits

This is our little horse barn that has a stall converted into a coop. Neglected for the last few years, it's enjoying some TLC, and I'm appreciating having such a straightforward task. I know there are some mighty fine hen houses out there, but what this one will lack in the pretty department, will be made up for with safety and coziness. Please send lots of sunshine thoughts my way so that I can hose it down, dry it out and finish up the last steps necessary for getting it ready.

And here are some happy links to get all of our weekends off to a lovely start:

• I already have India Flint's book, Eco Colour, so Kathrin's bean water experiments have me thinking I'll be taking it off the shelf while I put some black beans on the stove.
• Lisa's pesto makes me want to go hunting down a stinging nettle patch right away.
• While we're out foraging, maybe the dandelions will be big enough to gather for this favorite.
• As the earth turns green again and the country roads beckon, I love the idea of Maya Stein's 40th birthday adventure- Type Rider.
• Action Pack has an Easter Edition that looks delightful as always.
• Have you checked out danmala in my sidebar? Beautiful earth art/ mandalas- inspiration for all ages.

Autumn

Fall is here! Going off to the woods last week, and feeling the chill, helped me to get into the right mindset. Now, I'm ready to embrace the woodsmoke, pumpkin pie, and leaf collecting. My boots are out and my hats are at the ready! As I'm still digesting all that was Squam Art Workshops and the big birthday I returned to...  I thought I'd share a bit of what's firing me up on this Equinox. Here's my little love list for you to peruse over the weekend:

• This hooded tunic tutorial looks just right, doesn't it?
• This would be perfect for honoring a section of any favorite tree that's fallen:  DIY log table.
• The last line from Kelly's "barn nostalgia" post says it all.
• I've long admired Liane of enhabiten and finally got to meet her sweet and soulful self at last June's  Squam Art Fest. I was super excited to see her interview on Design*Sponge. Go see what's in her toolbox!
• These incredible stories that I listened to on the ride to and from New Hampshire. HIGHLY recommended.
• Kate's wrap sweater looks like Fall's best friend, wouldn't you say?
• Cal's tunic. I'm living in it, and here's a shot of lovely (and tall) Jonatha and me both wearing ours last week. These were made by Cal, but the instructions are in her fabulous book.

 Several folks at Squam asked about my wooden pendent (that I'm wearing). It was made by the wildly talented Lisa Jordan of lil fish studios. She has some incredible "just blogged" about new pieces that should be landing in her shop this afternoon.
After this photo was taken I noticed that one of my buckets (sold at the fair the night before) happened to to be walking up the steps. Didn't know that it slipped into the picture until I got home. Sweet! I only have a couple items left after the sale, but they should be making their way into my shop by next week.

Happy Fall! Happy Weekend!

fragile

Hello! So much for my week of perfect pre-scheduled posts. Life doesn't fit into such a neat and tidy package. I must have forgotten. Life can be messy. Recognizing that is helping me through a week of unexpected challenges, amidst the inner turmoil of witnessing REAL challenges across the sea. Oh my, March has been a doozy of a month. My calendar of photographs hangs in my studio and is tacked to our family bulletin board. March is one of my favorites and is entitled:  A Bowl of Promises. These colorful gathered eggs represent so much more than the coming of spring, they symbolize potential and new beginnings... and they speak of the fragility of life.  As a small contribution to Japan's recovery and relief I will be donating 100% of all sales of this print  to AmeriCares.You can find several in my shop.


Some very nice odds and ends to enjoy with you (because we all need a little nice):

• I am a Wish Mama today over at Wish Studio and share my latest idea: The Art box.
• The editors of Craft Hope have adjusted the Baby Kimono pattern back to my original templates and all at 100% sizing.  Yay! Go here for the link.
• Babble's Top 50 Mom Craft blogs of 2011 was just announced and maya*made is right in there. How wonderful!

I'll be back tomorrow with something special for you...

give-away winner and good tidbits

 Thanks to everyone who entered the Dirty Girl Clayworks give-away! The lucky winner is:
Grace-
"What beautiful and functional artwork. Thanks for the generous giveaway."

Please contact me with your mailing info so that I can pass it on to Faro. Thanks and congratulations!

I have lots of new bits for you and decided to round them all up in one nice list. Lists are so helpful and I seem to have them coming out of my ears these days!

• Rhythm of the Home's free winter issue was just released in the wee hours of this morning! I'll be spotlighting it this weekend as they are a brand new sponsor. Welcome Rhythm of the  Home!
• Nuno Magazine's latest issue featuring all things Gray is now available.Oh, I do love gray!  Editor, Elizabeth Abernathy, does a wonderful job of compiling a slew of inspiring and accessible diy and how-to projects all using sustainable and recycled materials. Here's a great preview.
• There were some questions about how I printed letters so neatly in yesterday's comment section. I must admit: some of it is luck, but I left a response this morning that I hope was helpful. I even flirted with the idea of doing a video demonstration. Just a thought...
• Interweave sent a surprise package to my real mailbox (as opposed to my virtual one!): their new calendar: Cloth Paper Scissors. It's quite beautiful and they have nine other assorted crafty/arty calendars available right here. Calendars are everywhere right now... finding just the right one is always so much fun!
• I've started to sell my patterns directly from my blog through e-junkie. I'm still selling them on Etsy, but if you want to receive them instantly, purchase them from the little pattern button under the banner above. Quicker for you and easier for me.
• There's a new book out called Craft In, by the lovely Kathleen McCaffterty of Lark. It's all about crafting with friends, and I bet it would be a hit with the 'tween and teen crowd. Might make a perfect holiday gift. I know I certainly love good crafty books for presents.

• It is the first of December, and we will start opening our count-down to Christmas doors tonight! Behind door #1 will be a tiny map with directions to find all of our saved paper snowflakes and a roll of tape. Time to make more and stick our old favorites to the windows.
• We'll also be lighting the first candle on our Menorah, frying up latkes and reading our favorite Chanukah book: Latkes, Latkes Good To Eat. It's actually one of our favorite books ever, but we only bring it out this time of year.

 

• A sponsor gift guide is in the works for later today! Stay tuned...

 Happy December! Happy celebrating!

whip up calendar

Kathreen, of Whip up fame, kindly sent me a complimentary copy of their annual calendar... a perennial  favorite of mine for my studio... especially last year's when I was featured in August! In fact, my calendar this year was inspired by the beauty of the previous two Whip Up calendars by Lulu. Kath switched things up this year and created a printable version in three formats: vertical a4/letter, horizontal a4/letter and vertical 2 printed to a page a4/letter or purchase the already beautifully printed hard copy from Redbubble. Such a great idea... wishing I had gone that route. Maybe next year!

Supporting Whip Up is always a wonderful thing!  Kath does such a fabulous job of showcasing crafters and artisans all year long, purchasing their calendar is a great way of saying "thank you"... and adding inspiring decor to your studio or home at a fraction of the cost in previous years. And hey, some of my dear friends are calendar girls this year! Congratulations to Sonia, Lisa, Lisa, Christine, PilliPilli and Meg... and all of the other talented artists featured!

Check it out right here!

my happy list

I'm so grateful for a good and full week! Thought I'd share some random bits of what's making me so happy:

• The cleansing feeling of getting drenched as you run outside to empty the compost bucket (truth.)
• Crafting with my daughter by a crackling fire as the rain taps against the window panes.

• A renewed appreciation for the best family rug (ever) by the stove and under our dining room table: 4 years of major action and still going strong.
• Having so many natural materials to work with out my back door (more details when the sun returns for decent photos)
• The thought of the fun that this book (that I just ordered!) will afford us during the long winter months.
• Reading this article: The Key to Creating Remarkable Things  (via Creative Thursday) and saying: YES.
• Stumbling upon an old friend on Etsy unexpectedly... and discovering that she's just as wild and wonderful as she was the last time I saw her 20 years ago during the vagabond days!
• And lastly: The Squam Journal won the 2010 Award for  Excellence in the Category of Art Books, and I couldn't be happier! Read more about the award here and get your own journal right here. I feel so blessed that I was able to be a part of  such a special book. I don't think I've ever shown you my contribution... see it larger over at flickr.

I hope your week was a good one, too!

impromptu circus resources

The circus is almost ready to leave town, so I thought I'd compile a little list of already mentioned links and add some favorites, too. If you know of any more, please mention them in the comment section. Thanks again for joining in this week!


Make:
How to make a hula hoop
Learn to juggle
Juggle 3 balls 
Newspaper bunting tutorial
Find:
Parasols
also try e-bay for vintage parasols and umbrellas
Toys:
Woodmouse Circus set
Etsy:
The Black Apples's Lost on the Midway postcard set
Collage sheet of vintage circus advertisements and ephemera
Roadside Projects amazing circus prints
vintage wooden circus toy chest

Children's books:
Last Night I dreamed of the Circus

See Circus Lift Flap

 Circus

Painted Circus Presents Mesmerizing Menagerie


Kids Perform Circus Arts

Oh, Sweet June!

Somewhere between the glorious strawberries, crunchy peas, and warm thunderstorms (complete with rainbows), I've slipped into a lovely dream-like state.  June euphoria has set in, and even our busy end-of-the-school-year schedule can't rock my boat. I manage the long cold winters out here, simply for the love of the wild beauty/intensity of our Northeast summers. In short, this is my absolute favorite season, and I'm so happy!

And yes, my berry bowls  from last year only increase the joy. I know that Melissa, of Bridgman Pottery, can only make so many of them (and they do seem to sell out instantly). So, I'm not trying to flaunt an item I see is currently unavailable, but to bring attention to something else thoughtful in her shop. Each of her pieces containing the word HOPE are charity items for Haiti. With all my love for that very special word, I had to tell you!

annekata's fabric paper tape

No Fix-It Friday today, folks... but I have something else quite fun to share. I've mentioned my dear friend, Kathrin, before. Today I'm thrilled to announce that she has started her own blog, annekata. I love her perspective, aesthetic and passion for hand sewing. I was already planning on sending you over to give her a warm welcome, but then she came up with such a sensational idea that you must go see her right now and check out this tutorial for fabric tape. She dropped off a little roll of freshly made linen tape for me, and it's gorgeous! I immediately wanted to play with it, make some of my own... and wrap everything in sight. In fact, I stopped writing this post and got completely obsessed with it.  I really needed a small "do-able" project to get lost in.

I've been admiring all of the (expensive) Japanese tapes out there these days, and  now I can make my own version with stuff I already have on hand! And you can too! Go check out how right here.

This busy week has finally come to an end, and I'm very ready to slip into something more comfortable... a sunny, relaxing weekend. Hope you have a good one too!

reflection

Hello! It's dark and wet outside, and I'm finally letting go of the notion that I will photograph some new items I've been working on. It took me awhile to stop arguing with the weather and start enjoying it. I slipped on my boots and grabbed the camera so that I could go out and appreciate the beauty of the rain.

The farmers across the road are happy. The flowers are drenched, but so content. The birds are finding plenty of worms. Gardens everywhere are singing.. So easy to forget how important and wonderful the rain is, when I allow my little agenda for the day to take over. Don't you love when you remember to stop fighting something that is out of your control, embrace it... and then move on?!

Odds and ends to share:

• I will be speaking at the Ulysses Philomathic Library in Trumansburg tomorrow night at 7pm. Come down if you're in the area.  
• One of my children's art projects is featured right here at Family Fun. Thanks to all of you that pointed me in that direction. I was contacted by Family Fun a few months ago, but I didn't know when it would appear.
• My daughter's unicorn party was included in a great round up of children's party favor bags on The Stir. If you're planning a child's party soon, you might find just the inspiration your looking for.  Ahhh... makes me want to throw another party!
• And lastly, I did another little interview right here.

Passing through India

After spending hours editing and going over all of my mother's photos, as well as mine of their brought home treasures, I feel like I've ALMOST been to India... but not quite. Just wanted to let you know that I'm working on some wonderful posts. While you wait, please check out the gorgeous photos and beautiful words of Christine, of Lavender and Limes, who happened to be in some of the same parts of India at the exact same time as my family! Scroll down to the beginning of her trip if you get a chance. Not only are her posts stunning, but her reason for being there is wonderful. She's even holding an India give-away of some things she brought back!

These photos were taken from a boat ride out on the Ganges River.

swimming in the fish bowl

The above collage is of Marisa and Creative Thursday. She is a wonderfully successful artist who paints, writes books, sews softies, illustrates ceramics and just finished teaching the best class I've ever taken! The e-course, In the Fish Bowl:: LIFE AS AN ARTIST. Online, has officially ended. I can't go another day without sharing how phenomenal it was. Because I had spent time with Marisa at Squam, I already knew how lovely she was and had high hopes for a great experience. I had no clue how far beyond my wildest dreams these last 6 weeks would be. Marisa is everything you'd want in a teacher:
1. Knowledgeable: an endless source of information about how to do everything in the virtual community... from blogs to on-line markets... from self-promotion to staying authentic to your personal expression and more.
2. Accessible: through podcasts and videos, Marisa welcomes you lovingly and makes you feel like any question you might have is perfect. She's also sure to answer it thoroughly and thoughtfully.
3.Generous: some artists keep their techniques and tools a secret. Not Marisa, she believes in sharing everything she does and knows... each link and resource is made available. I felt like I was given the "golden ticket"!
4. Inspirational: Marisa is making a living doing what she loves and wants to share just how possible it is for others to do the same. She motivates you to find out exactly who you are and what you want... and then cheers you on through your self-discovery.


I'm still digesting all that I learned, and need to go back and revisit my notes and re-listen to a couple podcasts. I am certain that this was the most worthwhile investment I've made in myself and this path I began 1 1/2 years ago. I stumbled through so much of the beginning days of maya*made. I had to figure out everything on my own... from the little technical blogging difficulties to the way to navigate through this online sea. I would have given anything for Marisa's hand to hold back then. I've come along way, but my questions don't seem to end and my need for support and advice aren't going away... so having Marisa, and the amazing community of other fish in the the fishbowl, lifted me to new places of confidence, community, and understanding on my journey as an artist, designer, and blogger. She's offering another round of In The Fish Bowl in September, and I couldn't recommend it more highly. In fact, I'm jumping up and down and tooting her horn! If this sounds in any way intriguing go read about it more in Marisa's words here: In the Fish Bowl: September e-course. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions and I know Marisa would, too. I think it's safe to say that most, if not all, of the participants In the Fish Bowl (fish/fishies as we've come to call ourselves) have fallen in love with this warm and honest woman reporting/teaching from her sunny L.A. studio. The wonderful thing is... she helped us fall in love with ourselves and our own process along the way! How's that for a "gush" post?!

Creative Thursday Blog
Etsy Shop

two SMALL things

photo via Small

Just popping in to tell you that one of my favorite on-line zines, Small Magazine, just published a fantastic new coloring book filled with original work by a wonderful list of artists. Find it up in the Enjoy section of my sidebar. Small's blog, Smaller, has had an ongoing summer photography project: small moments from two different families over each weekend. Check it out. My "berry picker" is up in this weekend's edition. Thank you everyone at Small!

and the winners are...

Good Morning! Thanks so much for participating in the Boomerang! Give away! It was really fun to introduce something new to many of you. There are so many wonderful bits of inspiration in the blogosphere and so little time. Some of my favorite sites offer a little rotating spot of goodness up in the right hand corner of their blogs. It's nice to have a reference from someone you enjoy, so I'm going to give it a try with a new category called Enjoy!. Let me know what you think.
And on to the five winners...
-Corene
-Mrs. Twigg
-Gina
-Nancy Walters- thanks for leaving your info in the comment section
-Pascale

Congratulations! Please send me your current e-mail info, and I will pass it on the great gang at Boomerang! They will contact you with instructions for your free download.Thanks again everyone for joining in, and if that's not your name up there... I still encourage you to give them a try this summer. Are you planning a trip with children some time soon? I just wanted to remind you of my travel gear post from last July. Our children's sleep masks have been used countless times since I wrote that tutorial and have become our most valuable travel tool.

Happy Monday!

earth day

Happy Earth Day! This has become my traditional glorious view for the 22nd of April. Here's the shot from last year. My grandmother planted a magnolia tree outside her kitchen window long, long ago. I've done the same, and each year my little tree grows... and blooms for Earth Day!

I have a fun Earth-friendly tutorial coming up later today... until then there are loads of fun things happening on the web. Here are two of my favorites:

The Crafty Crow has a fantastic week of crafts inspired by what's in your recycling bin... be sure to check it out!
The Long Thread is having an eco/green extravaganza! Green crafting tutorials, eco-crafts with kids, green contests and give-aways... pretty exciting stuff.

There are two new blogs I'm very happy about~
Small Magazine now has a blog for a daily dose of their goodness: Smaller.
Stephani (Blue Yonder) and Erin (Vintage Chica) have teamed up to create The Magnifying Glass: an online nature journal. They are quite a dynamic duo, and I expect it to be a wonderful and inspiring place to visit. If you stop over today, you can enter their very first give-away!


Be back soon!

the red thread

Thank you Lisa, of The Red Thread, for your wonderful feature here! Please go check out this very inspiring Sydney based artist. Her beautiful birds and other incredible creations can be viewed here. I've been in love with her work for a while... always makes my heart skip a beat to know that someone I admire likes me too!