Jean Louise

"Scout, I'm telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home--I declare you're getting more like a girl every day" -Jeremy "Jem" Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird

Most who know me know I love To Kill A Mockingbird.  I'm currently reading it (again) and never tire of Scout.  I love her character so much, I named one of my daughters after her, but placed it in the middle so she could go by a more "grown up" name as an adult should she prefer (thought I hope she doesn't).  I doubt the original Scout ever grew up to go by her given name, Jean Louise, either.

This piece calls to mind a playful, spunky girl who wants to 'hang' with the older kids and not be considered "too little" to be part of any scheme.  Full of personality, from her shape, to her color, to her adornments, she's refined enough to be called Jean Louise, but edgy enough to be known simply as "Scout."

Note:  I just received in the mail two pieces of my grandmother's milk glass, shown here.  Check the chicken chillin' in the red basket.  Love!

Spring Workshop Scheduled for April 20

The Spring workshop is coming up in a couple of weeks.  Want to learn the refinishing process from start to finish?  This hands-on experience provides you the opportunity to not only listen to me tell about products I like but actually try them out.  Learn the difference between paints (milk, latex, chalk) and finishes (wax, polyurethane, etc.) as well as tricks of the trade.  Come out knowing how to tackle a project on your own.

Hurry, space is limited!!

Date: Saturday, April 20
Time:  10am-noon
Cost:  $35

New Kid on the Block

Just picked up this little lady yesterday.  Pretty excited about her.  I don't know if I'll have the restraint to hold off until the Spring workshop to work on her, as was my original plan.  Then there's the possibility someone will come along and claim her for a custom job anyway.  Shoot, that'd mean I'd just have to go shopping again :-)

Beautiful Disaster

Mr. "C" contacted me before the holidays to overhaul his sideboard.  We agreed to meet after the New Year, because after hearing his vision and seeing his inspiration, I knew we were going to need to come up with a serious strategy.  Ultimately, we decided on a red and mustard-yellow color scheme and adding a stain to darken the exposed wood and to temper the paint colors.  Mr. "C" wanted the piece to "look like it had been sitting in some old warehouse, waiting to be discovered."  I'll be the first to admit that I was following his vision the whole way, as it varied quite dramatically from my other work.  That said, it was fun to expand my limits, try new techniques, and come up with something so very different than my standard work.  Thanks Mr. "C" for pushing my out of my comfort zone!  He even went so far as to name the piece, the "Beautiful Disaster."  Don't let the name fool you.  Although beautiful, it is far from a disaster!

Just for Fun

We moved into our current home about 3.5 years ago.  I've had my mind set on doing a plate collage ever since.  I finally got it marked off my "to do" list this Fall (it's amazing how a visit from one's parents can serve as such an incentive!).  Thanks to my friend Hayley for helping me get this thing done! Here's the finished product on my kitchen wall:

And although I've been tempted at times to add one more plate for Florida on my almost US-looking collage, it makes me smile every time I look at it.  Here are a couple of my favs close up:

Anthro plate.  Love the color and design.

Grandma's milk glass.  Love.

Is it Spring yet?

No.  Plain and simple.  But...I will be hosting a workshop in April.  Just one more reason to hope this winter breezes by.  If you are interested in attending, please reply to this post or contact me via email.  Space is limited and fills up fast!  Date TBD, but will be on a Saturday.

I {heart} Books

It may come as no surprise that I love books.  Both of my parents are avid readers and my mom especially had an affinity for children's books.  Every gift-giving holiday meant a new book or two, usually autographed by the author and/or illustrator.  Now that I'm "grown up" I requested my collection of books and my mom flat out refused to give them to me.  It was hilarious.  She couldn't part with them.  I've gradually talked her out of sending me home with a few each time I visit San Diego.

Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, said, "Every book should be a toy and every toy should be a book."  So true.  I remember having fun with that very book as a kid, sticking my fingers through the holes left by the hungry caterpillar.  My mom's book-themed gift tradition continues into the next generation.  Knowing  my love of Jane Austen and of color, for Christmas she gave little "S" the most darling Pride and Prejudice counting primer board book:

I followed up in January for her  1st birthday with this color primer by the same author/illustrator team:

Check out the vibrant colors on the inside.  These are such fun, colorful, creative books!