"tis the Season

Here we go!!!!

xo

Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons

Taaaa... Daaaaa...

Here's the cover for "Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons". 

Written by Alice B. McGinty and published by Charlesbridge Publishing. 

It's now available for pre-order and will be in hand in August!

Tidings of Joy

My wish for all of you this holiday is that your hearts overflow with joy and happiness.

That you are smothered by the warmth and comfort of family and friends.

And that the coming New Year brings you peace and love.

Happy New Year!!!!

A Happy Holiday and Grant Wood's Studio

What a merry Christmas we have had!

As always, the tree was adorned with what might now be termed 'vintage' ornaments.

By that I mean, ornaments that were mine when I was little.

A dear friend added to my Connie Roberts carved Santa whistle collection.

And my parents drove from Pennsylvania on Christmas Day.

Saturday was a gloriously frozen day to go to Cedar Rapids and visit Grant Wood's studio.

I found it astounding to stand in the exact spot, 

on the exact floor,

in the exact tiny house, 

that such spectacular artistic masterpieces were painted.

I thought about how much artwork I (gratefully) have to do right now, and how I find it

 nearly impossible to work when the kids are on break and home in the house.

So how is it that Grant Wood managed to work,

to paint, 

to create,

to concentrate,

in this tiny one room loft----

With his mother and sister living right there with him?

Did they peer over his shoulder at what he was painting?

Did they ask where the cereal was?

And to explain why that grumpy man was holding a pitchfork?

It was a spectacular experience. 

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has done a beautiful job of preserving and presenting

 the legacy of Grant Wood.

My parents left this morning, which always makes me sad.

But I'm grateful, for the warm memories of a wonderful visit.

Happy New Year! 

Debut

Meet Hector,

He, along with a few of his friends, will be making their debut as cards and blank books at 

Craft & Fancy 5

Saturday, December 1, 10-5

at Home ec. in downtown Iowa City

Not from the hood? Never fear, I will be adding them soon to my etsy site 

jbreinhardt.etsy.com

If you are from the area, please consider spending a day here, shopping at all the wonderful independently owned businesses in Iowa City. I will be at Craft & Fancy with some illustration work, as well as Age Before Beauty jewelry.

My heavens, I can't believe it's this time of year already!

Raising Babies...

They grow up so quickly.

Their eyes open and take in the great, big, world.

Their mother tends to their needs.

And they need a lot.

A whole lot!

Happy Mother's Day!

(I took these pictures daily. The eggs hatched on May 3. These pictures are May 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10)

Remember Me.

I bought this beautiful, old, carved, souvenir shell at one of my favorite treasure shops (Artifacts).

What's this?

Tucked inside?

 

 Happy Valentine's Day!

The Happiest Wishes

 My mother sent me this glorious old pin. So I set aside a few moments in all the chaos to make myself a little Holiday cheer. 

 It makes me think of her, and all things important this time of year.

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season--- enjoy!