White Wednesday

Wonderful whites...I never get tired of white and all the shades of its serenity. I had always used earth tones in my decorating when I lived in MN, probably because of the cold. I still love the warmth of olive, ocher and browns but when I moved to IL I found myself painting one room at a time in white. My kids started to remark on "moms white phase"... I hadn't noticed. I finally figured out the grayness of IL in the winter bothered me . Now I try to leave and go to AZ in Feb. but I found the white to be so calming and the best part for me is that I can use so much texture with it. I love architectural elements and fragments and I use them in my decorating- I think it gives a balance to the lace so that it doesn't get to frilly. I live in a 1860s Italianate so the bones of the house tends to be a little formal with the arched windows and doorways--using unexpected elements gives it balance.

I hope you have a very white (serene) day!

Blessings

Rebecca

Fourth of July Weekend

My Little Shopgirl...Sophie

I hope all of you had a great fourth...celebrating with family and friends. We had a great time in spite of the weather. It has been beautiful here all week but it chose to rain all day on the 4th...it did stop towards evening and we got to walk up to the park and watch a great fireworks display. I have had my daughter Nicole and her family in from Minnesota all week, just barely out of the hospital with new baby Madeline. I have been enjoying Madeline and big sister Sophie who is 3 years old... they even went to the flea market with me early Sunday morning, never to early to introduce them to the good stuff in life.

Can't think of a better Sunday...Fleamarket-kids and grandkids!

They found puppies! Leah and Sam my two older grandchildren along with my son and his friend Noelia from Puerto Rico, visiting for the fourth.

Come on mom...just hold one! Ha! not a chance.

They were soooo cute, but the last thing I need is another baby in the house.

Here are some great finds and one of my favorite booths. Marty always has a great display. She is so talented.

Love the aprons!

The tie die guy is a hoot....right out of the 60s, I love it!

Road Trip anyone?

It is a hot day in the Chicago area and I am sitting in the shop sipping on my morning coffee with little energy. I am between projects right now and have little inspiration. I hate the lull between projects or that great idea that is the next best thing. I am my own worst enemy at times... maybe a.d.d. or just not focused enough. I have a hard time doing anything more then once so my art projects are all over the map. FOCUS!!! Right now I am working on 2 paintings...I have 3 necklaces in the works...I have tags I am working on and have an order of pillows and curtains I need to get done. I guess I will work on those today because I have to. I think I need a getaway and I am considering a road trip to CO in Aug. to visit KC Willis' ranch retreat http://studioretreats.ning.com/ . I love her work and it sounds just like FUN and the inspiration from other artists I need. Anyone up for a road trip? Well, I better get to work...maybe if I get the "have to" stuff done, I will get a scathingly great idea...
Projects in progress
The rabbits are painted on linen and are going in the back of old windows so you see them through the glass and the window frame is the frame...

This one is actually 6 feet long (not all shown) and will go over the Paris display in the shop (if I ever finish it...not crazy on how it is turning out.

My jewelry counter is rediculous...

I have little elves working in the jewelry department....

This is where it really gets rediculous...this is my work table...I am working on boxes full of snipets of goodies to sell in the shop, I have been asked to make some all white boxes with pieces of white trims and etc sooooo

I think I need help...

Blessings to you today from my studio,

Rebecca

Welcome baby Madeline...

I think I am finally getting the hang of blogging...at least since I moved my blog here. I have been journaling on my website but it really isn't set up for a journal page so I would lose half of what I wrote and it starts from the beginning so you have to trudge through all the past posts and pictures to get to the latest entry. I bought a site on typepad a year ago but just couldn't find the time to sit down and figure that one out...maybe I will yet but right now this one is easy and I feel at home here.

So is June considered spring or summer??? I always thought it to be spring but it sure feels like summer. It has been a funny year we have gone from winter straight past spring and into summer without passing go. I have been in Minnesota for the past 2 weeks and it was a nice spring there. I was there for the birth of my eighth grandbaby. Madeline Noel...she came in at
9 pounds 1 ounce and 21" long. Welcome baby Maddy! She is coming to visit over the 4th for a whole week, I am so excited. I have been so lucky to have friends and family help out with the shop when I was gone...thank you! And I got to spend time with all my grandchildren...so much fun.


Big sister Sophie...Nicole (sorry, Nik) and grandma...