Progress Report.... part 1

Today I spent some quality time working on the portrait of Mr. French and I do believe that I've made some headway! Hooray! 

I may have jumped the gun by telling a certain someone that this thing would be done by the end of the weekend (oops).  I often forget that oil paint takes several days to dry and then there's the fact that I'm not quite finished yet.  Oh the joys of wishful thinking.  Luckily, that certain someone is quite understanding and hopefully won't mind waiting on Mr. French for a few more days. 

More to come!

Mud and Drywall

I'm currently in Canton, New York, helping a good friend finish the top floor of his bed and breakfast, 24 East Main.  It has been so invigorating to put down the knitting needles and pick up a broad knife and a spackle tray.  There is also something to be said for a full day of physical labor; I've been sleeping and eating like a champion.  More on the progress of the B&B later, but for now, I think it's supper time.

'Tis the Season to Be Curling...

... and skating and bobsledding and luge-ing.  The winter games have officially begun and I, for one, am absolutely thrilled!

Call me crazy, but I do believe that the Winter Games are ever so much more romantic than their summer counterpart.  I mean come on... biathlon anyone?

It's true, seeing those swimmers swim and those sprinters sprint is pretty darn exciting, but track and field events look pretty tired compared to the glistening snow and the shiny skiis, skates, helmets and sleds.

I'm also a sucker for those fabulously sparkling figure skating outfits.  Holy Tanya Harding-err Nancy Kerrigan I want a closet full of those things!  

And did I mention that as a spectator, curling up in a knit-blanket to watch the games is much more enticing when it's -10° outside?

Whether you prefer the summer games or the winter games, here are some tasty winter treasures that have the potential to bring out everyone's inner Olympian... even if we never make it off the couch.  So I urge you, fellow spectators, to feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it's bobsled time!

Be Mine

The Beatles said it best. All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.


Okay. So if love is, in fact, all you need, why is there such push for romance and gifts on that notorious holiday that falls on February 14th? Nowhere does it say that little conversation hearts are necessary... right?


So Valentine's Day. I guess I understand the fact that we're celebrating love and all things mushy, but why just on one day? And when did this celebration get so incredibly over the top? It could be such a great idea for a holiday, and yet, every year I find myself a bit repulsed by it.


Maybe it's because I worked in a flower shop and all those red roses conjure an image of a less than agreeable customer who waited until the last minute and now...



he/she is angry because he/she needed those roses because he/she really messed up by forgetting his/her anniversary and if he/she doesn't bring flowers home on Valentine's Day boy will they be in some serious sh... trouble!


It's not even that I'm not the romantic type. I am! But somehow those goofy teddy bears and giant cards and boxes of chocolates always seem to come off as a shallow knock-off of the emotion we're really trying to express.


In honor of a less syrupy version of Valentine's Day, here are a few ideas that come from outside the proverbial chocolate box. Because let's face it. Love is all you need, but I wouldn't mind a gift or two as an added bonus!

Monsieur French

Mr. French will be the subject of my next portrait and his parents are very supportive and enthusiastic. French is an amicable sort of chap with a great sense of style and though you can't tell from the picture he is rather rambunctious! I'm pretty excited to start painting. Look for future posts of the progress of the painting.

Free Shipping on Stuffies!!!

Good news! From now until Valentine's Day I'm offering free shipping on every Stuffie in my Etsy Shop. Stuffies are one of a kind, hand sewn little critters made of recycled socks, sweaters and the like. To sweeten the deal, if you mention this post in the "notes to seller section" I will take an additional 7% off your total purchase. Spread the love...

P.S. This is Margot the Jellyfish and she wants you to take her home with you.