We're going to be in Atlanta in January!

Hello My Friends,

Sorry it's been awhile since I last posted. I've been crazy inspired and have been feverishly creating new collections. We will be exhibiting at the 2010 Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market January 8-12, 2010 at the Americas Mart Atlanta. We'll be in the License and Design Collection, building 2, floor 3, booth 3G17.

We are excited and can't wait to see you! We will unveil our latest tablescape, 18 new art collections (if not more!), product mock ups and samples, and a whole lot more. Our booth 3G17 will be the place to see and been seen in! So please stop by early and often! And if you happen to know the Design and Product Development Teams from Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Sur La Table, Target, Martha Stewart....not to mention many other fine fabulous companies send them on by please!

Fun Summer Totebag I made

This summer it been all about tote bags for me. I am forever toting around all sorts of stuff: kids stuff, travel stuff, swim stuff, grocery stuff, farmer's market stuff, you get the drift! My solution make totebags that were sturdy enough to carry everything under the sun without sacrificing style and artistic spirit. So how did I do? I think pretty well!

I made the totebag from sturdy woven canvas I had left over from making the drapes in my son's room. Then I painted the appliqued pieces on muslin with fabric paint and a marker for the peony piece. Sewed it all on and viola, instant style and playful color making even the most mundane of chores a little bit more colorful.

My Bliss Seeker Ink Store on Etsy.com is now open!

Here are a few pictures of my Bliss Seeker Ink (R) Cards that are for sale on my Etsy store. To reach the store go to www. blissseekerink.etsy.com. Buy early and often as these are great gifts and they are made with all the best materials including Italian Fabriano stationery cards and envelopes that are oh so yummy to write upon. A portion of the proceeds go to benefit various botanical gardens across the country as they need our support. With your purchase you are also helping me finance a few of my goals to exhibit at major licensing shows in 2010 that booth fees are due at the end of October. So please tell all your friends and family to buy away! More sets are coming to the store so check back often for new inventory.

More Field Trips!

While in the Berkshires, I also took time to visit one of my favorite places, Norman Rockwell's Museum in Stockbridge, MA. The musuem is celebrating it's 40th year. This museum is a jewel box, if you love Rockwell's work as much as I do, it pretty much nervana.

The musuem keeps his legacy alive in such a real and great way. In fact several of the wonderful docents I met were child models for Rockwell and have some of the greatest stories to tell. They really make the experience all that much richer. I always love to see an artist's method, from the way they prepare to the way the carry out their vision to finished concept. Rockwell's methods are as interesting and as detailed as the finished paintings themselves. It is well worth the journey if you are anywhere around Stockbridge!

The sculpture shown here on the museum grounds is a sculpture created by Rockwell's youngest son Peter. His work is as interesting, beautiful, and as timeless as his father's work.
This lovely monument is in Stockbridge, MA it's self. What a great little place to go wondering and discovering little treasures all over the place. One the docents from the Norman Rockwell Museum pointed out a few places that I should see. And I did, it was wonderful.
Some gorgeous lillies. I couldn't help myself taking pictures of them, it was such a beautiful day.

Last pictures of The Mount

A lovely place to sit and enjoy a view of the garden and the view of the home.
Busy bees at work in the garden
The fountain and pool in the flower garden.

A view from the house from the path between the gardens
Walking toward the flower garden
A view of the house from just outside the flower garden
The Mount as seen from the Flower Garden.

More inspiration from The Mount

I love this quote.






















Oh, Mr. James, you are so right.
A view of the back of the home from the rock garden
Looking from the rock garden to the flower garden.

More pictures from my field trip to The Mount

This is the dining room that designer Bunny Williams designed in the style of Edith Wharton. I loved the place settings but absolutely despised the place cards. I wanted to whip out my calligraphy pen and redo them on the spot! It was a eye sore detail on a very beautiful room.
The main level gallery hall, really beautiful and classic.
The view of the flower garden from Edith Wharton's sitting room.






















One of the paintings in Edith's sitting room. There were several of these. Really lovely.

More pictures from The Mount

A view to the left just inside the entry court. The entry court is very serene and yet stunning.






















I love these front doors to The Mount. They are gorgeous!
The entry hall to the home is very much an extention of the entry court. Edith Wharton fashioned the entry hall into a grotto like setting. And just to the left of the entry door is this plaque.

Field Trip - Edith Wharton's The Mount

Recently while visiting family in the Berkshires I took several field trips, one of which was "The Mount" the stately home of author Edith Wharton. I had wanted to experience this home for quite a while. Others tried to discourage me saying it far too plain to be as grand as some of the other Golden Age Cottages that are around this area. For me it was a pilgramage. A sign of respect to this incredible woman and this incredible home she created. This home is grand, there's no other word for it, for this place is very much a treasure worthy of our love, respect, and support.

When you arrive at The Mount, you park near the stables and walk about a quarter mile to the house. It is one of the most serene and beautiful walks I've taken in a long time. The trees and wildlife are amazing and immediately calming. When you arrive at the house it takes your breath away for you come out of this forrest into the light and here you are at the front door.

Sculpture at MBOT
Clydsdale horses in the pasture at Grants Farm, St. Louis, MO.























A close up of a hollyhock bloom in my grandmother's garden.
One of my favorite views over my grandparent's farm in Illinois

A beautiful lily at MBOT (Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis)
























More beautiful lillies and quite tall too!

My favorite tree in the whole world Ginko! yes Ginko Biloba. It is a tree from Japan and I've noticed the places that I really feel happy all have this tree around.

Adding a little beauty to the day

Wild Hollyhocks on the side of the road on the way to my grandparent's farm in Illinois
Wild lillies that were in a random patch on the side of the road.
























Dale Chihuly glass sculpture above a rose garden arch at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.










Roses in the garden at MBOT