A Gorey Friday the 13th

I looked over at my drawing board just now, and this is what I saw.

For many years I've been collecting antique photos. 

So, naturally, when I'm looking for inspiration for an upcoming picture book set in Victorian times I get to revisit my 'old' friends. 

Of course I need to take a stroll through the world of Edward Gorey, because no one captures the quirkiness of those times like he did! 

In the above picture you'll see a bit of a frontispiece that he did for Amphigorey Again. The copy inside the scroll reads,

"Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp hears Hymn Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse."

  

Happy Friday the 13th! 

Wishing all of you an inspired day!

Big Steps

What a terrifying ride we have been on for the past two months. My daughter suffered a very severe concussion. 

A few weeks ago we couldn't imagine that our wheelchair-bound girl would be able to walk across the stage to accept her high school diploma.

But she did.

And so we celebrated with extra happy hearts this past weekend. What a gift I have been given to have such a brave, strong, amazing young woman in my life. 

Congratulations to graduates of all ages--- who are ending one chapter of their lives and turning the page to the next.

Happy Graduation!

---ation

In order to have creation we need inspiration.

Motivation.

Imagination.

Observation.

Determination.

Not procrastination.

Inspirational

I was recently asked if I would donate a package of thank you notes as a blog promotion letter-writing campaign. 

Jocelyn runs "Service Boot Camps" on her blog, which inspire women from around the country to serve others. In the past they have raised money for Haiti, sent handmade journals to grieving military widows, and served others every day for thirty days.

This time she is running a 'letter writing campaign' to motivate people to write letters telling important people in their lives how much they mean to them. I am honored to be a part of such a lovely project. 
Please check out Jocelyn's blog if you get a chance...  here.

Gathering

 Each morning I fight the urge to slip back under the warm covers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids walk to the bus stop in the dark. Jackets, hats, and gloves are resurected from the bowels of the hall closet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature is slowing down, getting ready to go to sleep. 

 Poodles, however, are another story.

Studio Shots #1

I love seeing where people work. Especially creative people. I.e. I love peering in to studios. So I will let you peek into mine. But here's the deal... As much as I love seeing studios, I dislike contrived spaces. Cleaned, over organized, Martha-esque--- because I just don't believe it's true. So come, here are some little snippets of where I work, and what I see, what I love, and what I do.

This is my chippy, metal storage shelf. A sweet friend brought me this lovely card from her trip to England. I made the magnets for my Pop Pop not too long before he passed away. That's a copy of a beautiful, old photo of him. And, those of you who are familiar with my etsy shop, know that I named it Age Before Beauty because it was one of his favorite expressions.
I hope that you have "a triumphant day..."

Stop. Look. Live.

This is an old reflector that I've used in a recent jewelry design. Isn't it amazing? Words to "live" by. Thank you so much for stopping by to visit my blog. I hope to have snippets of what I'm working on, and what has inspired me to work on it. Thanks!