Rescue and Renew

Vintage.........

2012-10-22T17:13:00.002-05:00

All of this time, I thought Betty Crocker was real. Didn’t you? She’s not – she’s a figment of our imagination! If you “google” her image you will get kind of a reverse (in the 50’s/right - she looks so much older than in the 80’s -left yet I don’t think she’s actually aged!). It also looks like the 80's BC decided to make her "brown eyes blue" (if you know what I mean ;).

She’s a conglomerate – a result of a corporate merger. In 1930, General Mills – which is really a consolidation of 24+ companies started publishing promotional pamphlets by Betty Crocker. “Betty” was chosen because it was a popular name at the time. She was probably one of the first “super models” of her day if you think about it. Her image wasn’t real, she looked “hot” (lots of stove time) and had a line of products to boot!!

The best part is that she was created by a woman (no offense if you are a guy…). Marjorie Husted was a home economist (housewife) and businesswoman (whodathunk?). Go Marjorie with your 1950’s self!

The whole Betty Crocker thing is prompted because I was on another little trip to Goodwill and I ran across this handy little cookbook for 89 cents. I thumbed through it and got really inspired in a “vintage-y” kind of way.

It’s a theme that started earlier in the week when my 15 year old-aka-Monica L. needed to make a “baby” book and we had to go through her memory boxes. I found this! Circa 1959+ish. “When pulled, the Bee's wings twirl, his antenna bounce, and he makes a realistic "Buzz-Buzz" sound. In 1956 the Bee was given a crown and introduced as the #314 Queen Buzzy Bee. The #444 Queen Bee came along in 1959 in a new color. After Easter 1962, the Bee was changed and given new colors again, but the new colors would be used for a whopping 23 years!

Notice, the bee was male until 1956, then he/she was given a crown and called “Queen” Buzzy Bee. That’s an interesting piece of factual info in itself! I want details! ;)

So….Vintage…..what is our obsession? I personally love to go to antique stores and scour the shelves for tiny pieces of my past. One of my favorites are these old aluminum glasses. We used these in the South for tea. It was the perfect solution to a hot Summer day – sweet tea and ice.

If you want a set – Vanessa on etsy can help you out! http://www.etsy.com/listing/76776807/hot-summer-colors-anodized-aluminum

Today I worked with my “vintage” pink ornaments with “vintage” silk flowers. I love working with the flowers because they are hand cut. Some were marked from Germany with a tiny, old, yellowed sliver of paper. The colors are different from what you see today at your local silk flower shop…..I think the best way to describe it is less obvious in your face color….they are subtle, delicate and mellowed.

Here is one of the ornaments. I will be making a collection to sell at the Holiday Bazaar and on etsy. The hanger is handmade in 18 gauge metal with a crystal bead.

Now, let’s check out a BC recipe for dinner!

Halloween, Christmas, Zig-Zags and Monica Lewinsky

2012-10-22T17:12:00.003-05:00

It's almost Halloween here in the U.S. Yet as I shopped for "things" to send my mother for her birthday, I saw lots and lots of Christmas stuff.
Do we experience each holiday, or just look to the next? Fall just "fell". I personally would like to take a breather and relax with each wonderful event.
I've always liked Halloween, but I am not a huge, huge fan. I think the most fun I had was when I was about 19 and decided to dress in black tights and a leotard and took 2 orange poster boards and recreated the Zig-Zag logo. It was another one of those "inside" jokes because it was so not me.

The other time I had loads of fun is when my youngest daughter was about 8 months. It was during the height of the whole Monica Lewinsky thing and I happened to have a green beret and one of those ridiculously oversized cigars. I know....I know....I tricked and treated in the city of Chicago with my 5 year old and "Monica". I got loads of laughs and "oh my god's that is so funny but yet...how could you do that???!!!"

I guess I've had more fun than I remembered. I went out to dinner the other night with a very good friend and her daughter and they were talking about the time I showed up at my daughter's school (on Halloween) with just one tooth blacked out - regular clothing and all...just one tooth gone. Yeah....that's my twisted sense of humor!
Back to holidays......I used to have a favorite store in Deerfield. It was called "Romancing the Home" and it was a wonderful cornucopia of pure delight for the eyes. I thought they went out of business, but just discovered they moved to the next town over!!!! Yay! So happy they are still around.
A couple of weeks ago I was at Goodwill with (the above mentioned daughter) and found this....

for two dollars! I think I have about 35 pink, light pink, hot pink, scarlet, red and fuschia globes....vintage....1970ish?

Then I found this at Romancing the Home...

I not only found one, but about 8 and each bag was $2 each....and filled with amazing vintage things!

Okay.....so you get it, right? :) Stay tuned!

Layers

2012-10-22T17:09:00.001-05:00

Fall is officially in full swing up here in the North. My fireplace is graced with fresh soot as tiny twigs scent the chilled air with their perfume. This is always a fresh time of year for me. Physcially, it's when I was born - I always equate it with "starts". Artistically, this is when I begin new projects and as I head into my studio (dressed in layers) I am excited to discover what's to be.

Layering is part of my painting process. Painting, then scraping, then painting, then drawing, then scraping......the process can at times seem never-ending. Scrubbing back a tiny bit of paint to reveal another tiny bit of paint, uncovering is a process of discovery for me. My work then becomes alive and starts to reveal a personality and in a short time it has memories all it's own. Some of what I do is expected - after doing it so many times, I know what will happen. Sometimes though, even I am surprised by what shows up.

Right now, I am designing a series of 11 wine labels. Each label is unique to my style, but I want to try new techniques and expand my horizon a bit. Layering - of course, will be part of this process.

I personally do pick wines not only according to region and blend, but I am drawn to a wine partly because of the label. Actually, I am completely drawn to a wine because of the label. Let's face it, almost every single bottle is exactly the same, right? I am excited to get to work on a new project, in new medium in a smaller scale.

These lovely beauties serve as a reminder. They hang on my dining room wall awaiting fresh flowers (which I need to pick from my garden before it's too late!). The hardware I found on etsy. They are beautifully hand crafted pieces that I purchased from Amber from Great Bottles of Fire She is quite talented.

Stay tuned for which little pieces of art get picked for their "green bottle" debut!

2011-12-10T07:42:00.002-06:00

Henry Moore's "Large Internal-External Upright Form"

Holidays!!

2011-12-09T20:36:00.002-06:00

This year kind of caught up with me. I can't believe we are already at the end of a most magnificent, compelling and difficult year. I have to say that the last couple of years have been my hardest and most rewarding. In October I became the Director of Draper Whitman (US Division). It's a major catapult to my career and I am very grateful for the opportunity. I work with brilliant people who like to have a good time while at work.
I used to commute 15 minutes to work and now I take the train downtown (about 40 minutes).
My commute has regulated my life in a way that I really enjoy. I park in the same spot every morning #317 (so I always know what slot to put my money in). I take the same train in every morning. I see the same people, most of us dressed in black marching into the city and taking it by storm ready to start "work". The view of the city from the train is an eclectic wonderful mess from the pristine high rises to the graffiti filled junkyards. Every day the route is the same yet every day the scene is different. I usually choose the "quiet car". Kudos to the one who thought of this. It's like a library moving at a very fast pace - a bookmobile without the books. I can work on my computer, read a book, play a game or just sit and think. The great thing is I don't have to talk. I find this is perfect for me since most of my day is spent on the phone. The silence is bliss and it's really funny to see when someone gets on and they don't know it's the "quiet car". I watched one guy get stared down until he got off his cell. Amusing! After my monkish morning of silence only interrupted by the announcement of the stops or the conductor asking for tickets I then start my foot commute. I walk about 3/4 of a mile to get to my office.on the 14th floor where I have such a wonderful view of the city.
I always take the route toward Madison, walk up the 52 stairs on the right (because somehow the right side is faster than the left). I cross the same bridge, my commuter troop make the same clomp, clomp, clomp sound as if we are tap dancing into the city. I love how the commuters move into the city in a symphonic way. There's no pushing or shoving, no "me first" attitude that I so often see in the suburbs. We all work together moving in harmony with each other. It's understood that we all have some place to be.
I hear the same guy cry, "Good Morning, get your Red Eye!" At the end of the bridge will be the same guy shaking his cup to my right. The sound of jangling change rings in my ears. I get to my first street to cross and in front of me is the same old man wearing his blue and orange "Bears" sock cap trudging at a snail's pace. I cross several more streets and see "cute boy" walking in the opposite direction, at the same time every morning. I know I am close to work when I hear the sound of jangling change two more times. The first cup guy always has a half dozen pigeons hanging out with him. One day I gave him money and mentioned the birds and he said they were "his" birds. I smiled.....he must feed his birds. The smell of coffee fills the street air on my left and I am entering the revolving door. I am privileged to view a magnificent piece of art every single morning by English artist, Henry Moore as I make my way up the escalator. I am close to art galleries, museums, great restaurants and bars and amidst a sea of people - every day.
Life is good!

Summer Salad

2011-07-03T21:17:00.000-05:00

This is a most excellent Summer Salad!! I think the fresh herbs add the absolute best taste to it.
Cut up fresh mint, cilantro and basil. Take 4 - 5 fresh shrimp and sautee in 1 tbsp. olive oil When cooled add 1/8 avocado cut up along with all of the fresh herbs. In a separate pan saute purple and 8 small portobello onions in a tbsp of olive oil. When everything is starting to sweat.....combine. Mix 4 tbsp soy sauce, 4 tbsp water, fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp of garlic and chili peppers. Soooo fresh!!!!

Textile Sticks

2011-02-19T20:17:00.004-06:00

Recently I was working with my kids (class - "art"class) with rain sticks. I secured long fabric tubes from a local fabric store and brought them to class to make the sticks. The kids covered them with....well everything. We had an old puppet from Nepal that one of the kids wanted to use partially. I discovered in dissassembling the puppet that fabric scraps were used for stuffing. I started working with the materials and discovered a really beautiful way to cover the tubes. I started with this.

From there I added strips of fabric creating a pattern. Creating this...

And this....

And this......

I love these!! Stay tune for the installation!!

The "Blizzard"

2011-02-01T16:24:00.001-06:00

The "Blizzard"
This is my backyard.....beyond the tree line is a golf course. The snow blowing resembles a white tornado.

Lone Birdie

The blizzard just hit here. We are supposed to get several feet of the white stuff along with winds up to 35 miles per hour to whip it all into a white frothy frenzy!

Staying in.........

..........stay tuned

Cardinal Sins/Sings

2011-01-30T20:13:00.000-06:00

I have six of these in my yard right now.....

With two of these.....

This will probably be the end result.................
There is a spiritual meaning to the birds in the yard...........The bright red color of the cardinal is very symbolic. Red represents the blood or life force of the Mystic Christ. In yoga circles this vital force is known as the kundalini. The kundalini lies dormant within us until activated by a disciplined spiritual practice.

The cardinals voice is strong and clear and reflects an air of importance. This power-packed bird can teach you how to express your truth, develop confidence, and walk your talk. If you respect its teachings it will lead you home.

Kelly's View 33

2011-01-12T17:53:00.000-06:00

I have an art show on youtube that I haven't updated for awhile. It became quite a weekly production and my kids would roll their eyes when I would talk about my "show". At any rate.....check it out - you will get an inside view of the "studio life".

http://www.youtube.com/user/kellysview33

Cracking things up!

2011-01-11T17:47:00.004-06:00

I tried my hand at mosaics for the first time. I've always loved the shabby chic look and decided to take a crack at it. This was my weapon of destruction ...

This is what I chose to destroy...

Well yes...that and another pretty plate.

I took the top of a can (I have one of those nifty electric can openers that removes the top safely (thank you, Sophie!)

And I smeared the "glue".....ur...Ceramic Tile Adhesive

Then placed the broken plates in an artful arrangement...and glued it down...let it dry for 24 then grouted it...

Creating.....this!

This is for a candle - It's not the most delicate - too much grout -

but I do like it! It has a rustic, clumsy quality to it that says...I am home made! :)

It's also completely recycled with the exception

of the glue and grout!

The Saturday Post

2011-01-08T08:37:00.000-06:00

So I woke up to the Northern Morning Sun streaming through my window. It's below cold outside....I don't even want to know how cold exactly! Despite the frost and ice, the warmth streamed through onto my wall casting a beautfiul shadow that I just had to snap!

This is the inspiration for my next painting. Thank you, nature. I really needed some inspiration. I haven't painted in awhile. Stay tuned for the "painted piece".

The Book!!

2011-01-03T20:43:00.000-06:00

This is it!! This is the book where the dreams and realizations begin for 2011. Every year I get a new book to write all of my important aspirations. This year it was given to me (thank you, Allie). I especially love it because I am a huge bird fan and the cover design is a reproduction of a handcrafted tile by designer Xenia Taler.

I love the beginning of the year....so many hopes, dreams and goals to achieve!

2010-12-27T17:23:00.000-06:00

I teach a recycling class for kids at the local art center.

Here's a tiny creation. He stands about 2" tall and is made of the inside

of the computer, an old phone (desktop) and a pop top!!

The art was inspired by my surroundings - 2 acres of woods. The pillow was inspired by the art!

2010-12-26T10:21:00.000-06:00

2010-12-26T09:20:00.000-06:00

Quick recipe for Italian Peanut Butter

Take 2 heads of garlic

Place in 300 degree oven in pyrex

Add a little water and cover

Warm a loaf of Artisan bread

Bake garlic for 30 minutes

Cloves will mash very easily - remove

the garlic and mix with olive oil and

Parmesan cheese

Smooth on warm bread

Voila!

2010-12-26T08:58:00.001-06:00

2010-12-26T08:56:00.001-06:00

Glittery garland aligns the mantle. I found this beautiful strand at Michael's the day before Christmas. Yes, it was marked down 70%!!!

2010-12-26T08:46:00.001-06:00

This is a Christmas ornament made of all recycled materials. It contains bits of the following: macaroni and cheese box, straw, dvd, cd, spiral notebook, push button telephone, Squirt bottle, milk bottle top, tuna fish can, alumininum foil, plastic, water bottle, Old Navy tennis shoe, cardboard, cell phone parts, Dairy Queen plastic spoon, copper wire, old checkbook cover, paper muffin cup, Diet Coke can and more!