gathering spriggs

My Etsy Favs

As the holidays approach, and in the spirit of giving, I GIVE to you: My Etsy Favorites.  These are fellow creators following their hearts and with much success. Hope you find as many treats as I have. Remember the artists this Christmas and buy handmade!

Betsy Walton

La Pomme Stories

The artist is Apol Lejano-Massebieau from France who was once a journalist and now creates these wonderful, playful fiber story books. Lovely!

Nice (from Chicago-always a plus)- showing at the Renegade Craftshow Dec.6-7

Elsa Mora of Elsita

This is an original papercut. Yes. All paper. Her designs are imaginative and delicate.

Read her profile --very interesting story!

My fabulous sister

Since Beth is much too modest and doesn't have a blog of her own, I am here to brag on her fabulous sewing skills. She has completed her nursery(8 months pregnant), sewing all the curtains, crib sheets (Yes, crib sheets), bumper pads, dust ruffle all without a pattern and sized to fit on an irregular vintage bed!!  This bed had to have a custom mattress made from a mattress factory in San Antonio, TX which we picked up and drove back to Kansas City in my mother's pick up. Yes, in Texas they are called Pickups. Anyway, the entire room is an act of love nurtured from so many people who love this little Stanion to be.  But mostly it is his faithfully devoted mother who gives tirelessly to those she loves. (Now if I can only get her to make some things for the shop.- in her spare time.)

Beth hand painted the stripes and the side table at 7months.

The toy box is vintage(mine as a child and then painted for Jesse and now updated for little baby Stanion.

Vintage Polish language poster from Curious Sofa.

Framed shower invitation, Jayhawks toy, wooden toy train, Royal Dalton cup.

Oh, it is also nearly all eco friendly, aside from lead paint on the bed. Just Kidding. She had it repainted with safe paint.

Autumnal inspirations for the senses

After a lovely woodland walk, in the damp earth scented woods of Edwin Warner Park, only miles from my home, I've returned home inspired. Breathe deeply and drink in the wonders of fall:

wet black trunks laced with analogous colored leaves

 

Inspires a lovely Autumnal Salad :

Baby spinach leaves

Roasted acorn squash chunks (seasoned with cinnamon,butter,salt)

Dried Orange flavored cranberries

Almond slivers

Cheese of choice (feta or gorgonzola would be nice)

Topped with Asian sesame vinagerette

While eating my salad and enjoying the freshness of clean air, I am listening to Craftsanity podcast, featuring Kayte Terry, who is a stylist for Anthropologie and has a great blog here.

Be Inspired!

Listen Up

Today Robert is playing with his classical guitar duo partner, Mark Godwin,(The Godwin-Thompson Duo) on our local NPR affiliate, WPLN:90.3FM. At 11:06 am and rebroadcasts 8:06 pm you can listen to them live or just go the Live in Studio C link and listen online. 

He is very excited to be playing new repertoire for their duo, including "Introduction and Fandango" by LUIGI BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) and the very famous “Clair de lune” (published in 1903) by CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918).

Enjoy!!

Shop update/Chicago-Obama

Hi Ya'll.  More shop updates. The notecards and a new print of Eve's Butterfly Tree are back.  Keep checking in, 'cause more and more stuff will be added as we approach the holidays.  

These cards are a reproduction of a watercolor painting, entitled, "Belle Epoque" by Heather S. Thompson.

   

Hope all are well as we start this new week, full of hope for the future.

Robert was in Chicago this weekend and brought back this newspaper.  It is the Chicago Reader ( an arts/culture weekly paper).  I like the colors.

The one they had ready for print if McCain had won read, " Please Don't Die".

Louisville, Ky--Part II

As promised, Im back with more from Louisville. Our favorite area is Bardstown Rd. or The Highlands- home to many shops, antique stores, vintage clothes , and indie music.  This pic is of a "A Little Vintage" store of same name- I have always loved its whimsical look from the street, so it made for a great photo op.

However, my new first choice in Louisville shopping is a wonderful store of handmades, called The Makery.  It is host to over 90 US artists, many of whom are etsy shop owners as well.  Hopefully "gathering spriggs" will be the next new artist featured at the Makery. I'd love to show you what I purchased from the lovely crafters there, but then I might spoil Christmas presents. Sorry! But click on the link above to view work from the artists in this store. I found that the sensual/tactile experience always proves more affective for shopping over sight unseen internet shopping. You never know, maybe I'll have my own shop for these experiences some day.

But for now, I am adding to my etsy shop. Check me out today in the Holiday Home Decor Showcase!

If that link doesn't work, just go to Etsy home page and click on Holiday Showcase at the top.

Here is your sneak peak. And since I am not faux finishing this week and Robert is away, there is more coming...

Louisville/Bardstown, KY

Fall is the loveliest time to visit northern Kentucky, and it is our favorite.  Ever since our first visit together as a couple, back in 2002, Robert and I have returned in the fall to rekindle memories of young love, and as a respite from a hectic schedule.  And for those of you Texans, here is some fall to enjoy vicariously, now all you need to do is imagine a perfectly crisp breeze, cool enough for long sleeves, but warm and sunny enough to enjoy pleasantly strolling.  Change is in the air.

Our B&B - Rosemark Haven Inn -Bardstown,Ky

I don't know what this brilliant red leafed tree is, but the photo does not do it justice.

(Side view of the Inn)

The entire time of our stay at Rosemark Haven, I thought of Carrie McGavock and Carton plantation, the heroine in the historical fiction book I'm reading, " Widow of the South" by Robert Hicks. (Oddly enough set here in Franklin,TN-only about 20 minutes from where I live.) Another cool place to visit if you ever come see me!

But back to Kentucky. From Bardstown (a small burg with a town square/main street -smaller than Fredericksburg,TX)  we drive down Bardstown road about 40mins. to downtown Louisville for some walking and of course shopping. You know my husband, the record store junkie. He has some favs along Bardstown Road. And in the time he spends in one or two stores, I am able to hit every boutique, vintage clothing store, antiques and art galleries in the area.

On this trip, I discovered an exciting new addition to add to our list of Bardstown favs.  But due to the length of this blog post...... to be continued. 

Look for Part II -Louisville later this week.