the rolling hills...

It's a beautiful summer's day here in the Berkshires. A perfect day to seek out waterfalls, go hiking, biking, or canoeing. Maybe you'd rather grab your favorite book, sit on the porch and sip lemonade. Whatever your pleasure, today just begs one to go outside to play or PAINT. That's where I'm headed!

a big shout out to Christine!

Just thought I'd take another moment to bask in the glow of being a proud mama. Daughter, Christine, shines as a local CREATIVE in this soon to be released design book featuring one of her lunch bag designs. Christine really is an amazing indie artisan and you can find more of her creations at Christine's Etsy Shop.

Well done, Christine!

the big event arrived...

Kate and Joe have been married for four days now. The wedding was truly lovely and the bride and groom's happiness was palpable. Surrounded by friends and family they said their vows and celebrated the night away. These are two of the most compatible, good hearted people you'd ever want to meet and I couldn't be happier for them!

This past week we made bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, programs, place cards, favors and a lot of memories together in the process. There's always one little detail that provides a challenge and this wedding was no exception. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event so special, especially her maid of honor and sister, Christine. Kate said she had the wedding of her dreams and couldn't imagine anything more perfect - it doesn't get better than that for a mom.

May they always be this much in love!

to be a mom...

kate, christine and i

If I had to choose just one thing I wanted most in the world to be, it would be the opportunity to be a mom. I have been blessed with two incredible daughters, Kate and Christine. They light up my life in ways both large and small. I love being their mom and have shared their growing up years with a number of incredible other moms including my former mother-in-law, Mary, my Aunt Mil, my sister, Molly and my sister-in-law, Elaine.

I know being a great mom was paramount to Elaine. She raised three wonderful children, Lily, Lucy and Noah. Elaine helped me to be the best mother I could be by sharing her love, wisdom and wicked sense of humor. "Aunt Nickles" the kids called her. The countless lazy days by the pool, great conversations, and home cooked dinners we shared together are the moments I think about today and will always treasure. Elaine died last week. I dedicate this post to her and to all the really great moms in the world.

Thank you!

food for thought...

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

 - anais nin

series in progress...

I have recently started a new part time job and for the moment I've cut back on the time I'm devoting to painting. In addition, preparations for Kate's wedding is front and center in my thoughts these days, too. (only 45 days until the big event)

Still I always think about art and painting, noticing the play of light on an object or some outrageous colors at sunset or daydreaming about the next step in a painting that's perculating. Here are three paintings in a series of eight "pagoda families" that I'm working on. I will be adding backgrounds and developing more depth in the individual rocks through glazing. I think these will particularly appeal to the naturalists among us. My husband and I frequently build our own little pagodas while we hike in the woods. All over Berkshire County you will find them, near a stream, on top of a log, sitting in small gatherings...

a springtime wedding...

My daughter, Kate, is marrying Joey on June 5th and we've been all a buzz with wedding plans, and DIY ideas to create a truly special day that has their personal stamp on it. My other daughter, Christine, is the maid of honor. So we've put all our collective creativity together and are spinning a delightful wedding season, full of parties and events to celebrate this special couple. Kate is doing an amazing job coordinating the dozens of details and somehow makes it look effortless, while I know it is anything but that. This is one amazing springtime for us all. Our little family is expanding!

today's inspiration...

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakens." - Carl Jung

In addition to meeting some wonderful creatives through the OWOH blog event, I am the lucky recipient of three wonderful giveaways. Thank you Cory, Lisa and Julie! 

I love the bracelet Cory Celaya sent me! It's gorgeous and so uniquely designed. As a matter of fact, I am wearing it as I write this. Cory's work is truly amazing. Definitely pop over to her website. She also has two great blogs Art with Moxie and Create with Moxie to check out. In addition to creating unique one-of-a-kind jewelry, Cory also produces wonderful mixed media art, which really blows me away. Thank you again, Cory!

Lisa Atchison sent me the most gorgeous lampwork bead and opened up a whole new world of art to appreciate. I have never seen anything like this before; it's just stunning! Above are three views of the same bead; depending on which way you hold the bead, you see a different view - really beautiful! Visit Lisa's blog at Touch of Glass Designs and her website to see more of her gorgeous beads and learn more about her art. Thank you so much, Lisa!

My third giveaway gift came from Julie Gazin, who sent me a lovely crocheted towel and her Butterfly Garden foam hand soap. Among Julie's creations are crocheted items, soy candles, lotions, soaps, original artwork, prints and more. You'll want to check out Julie's huge variety of creations by visiting her website and blog. Many thanks, Julie!

OWOH giveaway winners are...

Alice Stroppel from Florida - "Pocket of Shells" watercolor

Flor Larios from Miami, Florida - "Pears & Apples" art cards

Kate Clawson from Pennsylvania - "Vibrant Flowers" art cards 

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's OWOH blog event. I've had so much fun and have met such incredible creative people! Let's keep in touch :)