laugh as we always laughed

Rest peacefully sweet Nana. Know that you were admired and adored by so many. You have touched our lives in more ways than you could ever imagine. I know you are in a beautiful place, chatting and laughing, having a cup of tea and perhaps baking a batch of your unforgettable christmas cookies.

Mabel Lydia Thiel Gorrek
(30 August 1920 - 18 December 2010)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without affect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolutely unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.

All is well.

by Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral

broccoli floret

Ahh, Mother Nature, always surprising me. I grew broccoli in the garden this year. Apparently if you wait a little long for harvesting, it bursts into a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers. Love it! Makes a perfect partner for my dahlias.

cheerful and charming, vee guthrie

I found this cookbook at an antique market in Rhinebeck, New York. The epitomy of cheerful and charming, it was illustrated by Vee Guthrie and published by Peter Pauper press in 1951. Each section is preceded with a full page illustration by the artist. The colors, the type, the folky style, such a little treasure!

evolving stylist

It has been quite a busy summer for me workwise. In June I was asked to style a photo shoot for John & Kira's chocolates, who has been a design client of mine for the past few years. I was extremely nervous going into it, but eventually settled in and found the styling part to be quite natural, especially since I knew the client and their products so well. And I really loved the shopping part! Most of the props were purchased at flea markets and consignment shops in New York City.

Here are a few of the more intimate chocolate beauty photographs. The photos were shot by the very talented John Uher at his studio in New York.

The Golden Age of Travel

So beautiful. Reposted from Boston Public Library's Flickr page.

The Boston Public Library's Print Department is home to more than 350 vintage travel posters, most dating from the 1920s-1940s, the “Golden Age of Travel.”

Railways opened up America and Europe, luxe ocean liners introduced elegance into overseas voyages, and drivers took to the road in record numbers in their new automobiles. By the mid-1940s, new airlines crisscrossed the globe, winging adventure-seekers to far-flung destinations.

Travel agents and ticket offices during this period were festooned with vivid, eye-catching posters, all designed to capture the beauty, excitement and adventure of travel and to promote a world of enticing destinations and new modes of transportation. Individual artists gained fame for their distinctive graphic styles and iconic imagery, and many posters from this era still remain important works of art long after their original advertising purposes have faded.

It can be this simple. : ) (as seen on typcut)

S E A S O N S

As soon as I picked up this book, I dove right in and began to swim through it's pages. Each spread is thoughtful, unique and graphically stunning. At $19.95, it makes a wonderful gift for kids and adults. Illustrated by French artist, Blex Bolex, and published by Enchanted Lion Books.

drinking in the color

There aren't many words that can describe the incredible beauty shown in Eric Foltz's landscape photography. Aside from their pure majesty, each one is an encyclopedia of color theory. Prints are available for purchase at Fine Art America.

It's a Fine Day!

Sending MUCHOS KUDOS to my dear friend, Ashley Austin today! She is introducing her new line of letterpress stationery, Fine Day Press at the Nat'l Stationery Show in New York City. If you are planning to go, be sure to stop by booth 2151! If you aren't going to the show, take some time to meander through her website, finedaypress.com.

a mother is...

These heartfelt quotes were taken from the book What is a Mother published in 1968; compiled by Lee Parr McGrath and Joan Scobey; illustrated by Lisl Weil. Happy Mother's Day!

smart and worth saving

I love to browse specialty food shops to gain inspiration from terrific food packaging. Yesterday I picked up a jar of Braswell's Fig Preserves, presented in a lovely re-usable glass. Simple, elegant, earth-friendly and definitely something worth saving.

new (old) workspace

I'm loving my new work table -- found roadside with a big, cardboard "FREE" sign on it. It's a perfect addition to my home office.

and they're off!

I recently entered one etching and three silkscreen prints into Westport's art by local fine art fair. Here are some snapshots of the work I entered. If selected, it will be my first art showing. : )

lois ehlert, children's book author + illustrator

Over the past few months, Silvie and I have been spending our mornings in the toddler's section of the Westport Library. It's an amazing place; they host free programs for kids of all ages, and they also have really great toddler play areas. While my daughter entertains herself and discovers new-found friends; I sit aside and thumb through some of the artful, inspiring books that surround us.

Recently I discovered the work of Lois Ehlert, a wonderful artist, author and illustrator. I find her books to be witty and wise, and wonderfully associated with nature.

absolutely angelic

Here's an idea for a quick and yummy Spring/Easter dessert. It comes from the creative mind of my dear friend, Tracey Conway.

She began with a plain 'ole store bought angel food cake. Then Tracey whipped up a delicious glaze using freshly squeezed lemon juice and confectionery sugar and drizzled it over the cake. She sliced navel oranges and strawberries to garnish the perimeter. And for the final touch, Tracey inserted a small water glass in the center and filled it with freshly cut daffodils from the yard. So charming, easy AND delicious.

and HOW!

I just found out that one of my card designs from the Martha Stewart/Crane and Co. Holiday collection has been recognized in the 2009 HOW international design annual. A very nice and welcomed surprise!

signs of spring

My daughter Silvia began walking a few weeks ago - and it's been so exciting to watch her blossom into the next stage of life as an exploratory toddler. The ground is slowly thawing and signs of live are sprouting up everywhere. C'mon Spring, hurry up and get here!