Winterized

It’s the kind of February where it’s ten in the morning and I realize I still haven’t eaten breakfast. So there’s oatmeal in front of me and a desire to avoid being sucked into the internet, so how about a blog post instead?

* I’m putting the finishing touches on a Valentine printable that’ll be available to download early next week. If you’re looking for a free Valentine, though, here’s one from 2019, 2018 and 2016.

* I’m about a third of the way through Little Dorrit. I’m fascinated by the social commentary and the intersecting plot elements, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Dickens. Although to be fair, I’ve still got quite a ways to go.

* My next fabric collection Cozy Up, comes out with FIGO Fabrics this coming August! You can see the collection here. I 110% want to sew a skirt with the patchwork inspired design.

* And the paper whites are all in full bloom. One decided to take a flying leap off the windowsill, though, but I managed to take a snap of it before said disaster.

Fields and Ferns

I have a backlog of 2019 things I made/drew/painted/sewed that haven’t made their way yet to this space, including this illustration. All that green feels like the perfect antidote to the grey and cold outdoors. I’m trying to hate on January less this year. I’m making myself go for a daily walk and am growing paper whites indoors, attempts at embracing the season. That said, I wouldn’t weep if there wasn’t another snow flake for the remainder of the winter…

2020

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020.

2019 (in no particular order):

* Created art for Itzhak, a picture book dummy with my sister, illustrated an article for Taproot Magazine and worked on assorted other projects that I’m looking forward to sharing about later in the year.

* Traveled to Portland for a signing, Squam Lake to teach, a library for storytime and Prince Edward Island for a book event.

* Made a day trip to quite possibly the most peaceful spot I’ve ever visited in Maine.

* Visited the Museum of Russian Icons.

* Sewed and knit and sewed some more.

* Tended a garden, read 27 books and started studying Polish.

Misses? No 5K this year after a minor injury made me reevaluate if I really liked running (narrator: “she didn’t”). And no summer beach day, but plenty of trips during the off season to the seaside are fun, too. In short, it was a good year, full of wonderful people, work I loved and a slower pace of life. I’ve come to the realization that I’m no longer cut out for marathon work weeks, pulling all nighters and countless weekends (especially after a certain, gulp, milestone birthday). Acknowledging that reality has made life a whole lot nicer, even if I still sometimes secretly wish that I could subsist on two hours of sleep.

So for 2020?

I’ve just started working on illustrations for a new book, I’m planning to create a calendar for next year, there might be a trip or two out of town as work permits and I’m knitting a new sweater. My goal is to read ten books this year. It’s less than last year, but Little Dorritt and Fatal Shore are both on my to read list and are going to take awhile. I want to start playing piano again more regularly. And that’s that. Slow and steady. Away we go.

Making and Marking

There’s snow on the ground, a biting wind whistling outside my window and the sun disappeared around 4:00, so it must really, truly be December.

So since November?

• Open Studios was fun and it was wonderful connecting with so many delightful visitors! I didn’t get many photos, but I did snap one of my table above. Every once in awhile, I scan Craigslist for commercial rentals, with daydreams of a shop in mind. It’s most definitely not in the cards at the moment, but someday/someway I’d love to open a brick and mortar storefront.

• I’m about 2/3 way through The Saboteur: The Aristocrat Who Became France’s Most Daring Anti-Nazi Commando, by Paul Kix. Parachuting! Car chases! Disguises! Explosives! A page-turner for sure, made all the more mind-boggling when you realize Robert de La Rochefoucauld was inflicting mayhem on the Nazis at the ripe old age of 20.

• I knit this shawl earlier in the fall and it’s a terrific pattern. I’m itching to knit a second (especially with January on the horizon).

Stitch and Sip

I finally finished this piece and if it were possible, would very much like to live inside this painting. The bathroom the floor above me flooded and I’ve just spent the past hour doing battle with a printer, so needless to say, time to sit, stitch and sip coffee looks pretty grand at the moment. Thank goodness for the weekend! I’ve also added this illustration to Society6, so there’s prints available over there now.

Randomly:

* I watched The Bookshop recently and loved it. It’s a quiet film, beautifully shot, with a wonderful, twist ending.

*If you’re local, I’ll be participating in the 5th Annual Woodman Artisan Craft Faire over the holidays. It’s a terrific show and Elena from Pine Tree Pop-Up does a wonderful job curating.

Plaid Ponderings

A little sketch from earlier this week, indulging in some 90’s flannel nostalgia.

And Happy All Hallows’ Eve!

Little Bay

Something I painted recently, while daydreaming about Newfoundland. I’m slowly adding original artwork to my shop (including this cliff climbing adventurer).

And if you’re looking for something to do next month, I’ll be participating in the Artists of Salmon Falls Open Studio, November 23 and 24. I’ll be there all day Saturday and again from noon ‘till closing on Sunday. I’ll have prints, fabric, original embroideries, books and more. If you’re in the area, drop by!