Abundance

I've been thinking about how going without certain things for a time makes me appreciate them so much more once I have them again. Like when the sun comes out after many grey days or having groceries after weeks of empty cupboards, or like yesterday as I was looking for postage stamps I found a five dollar bill hidden in my checkbook. I looked at it like it was something I'd never seen before.
I think it's a matter of appreciating the small things and finding abundance within something humble; a realization I relearn time and again. You know when you look at one thing for a time, you begin to see more and more in it? Painting that simple elm stick is an illustration of the idea. I have since added another layer to it which I'll show you next week.  I made two stick pieces which will be in the The Incredible Print Show at Artstream opening Dec. 6.

I'm signing off for the rest of the week. I hope you have a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving and have time to appreciate a few of the simple things in life.

Till soon,
H

Moments

Some days are a collection of discovery moments. Yesterday I drew, painted and printed on different bits of paper, testing ideas that have been waiting impatiently to get out.  I now have arranged them in a little neighborhood, until I figure out how to blend them together.  They're getting along quite nicely I think.

I saw this yesterday and my heart completely melted. The Elephant Sanctuary is the "nation's largest natural habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants." If you give charitably yearly at Christmas time or otherwise, consider giving $60 to feed TWO elephants for a day.  There's so much sweetness there it makes me cry.

Have a good weekend,

H

Thoughts about simplicity

This morning I awoke to a thick fog, as dense as I've seen. It was a magical sight, like waking to find snow spread across the neighborhood. Happily the sun is breaking today, as we've had days of grey, and wondering where it is shining in the world. Ahhh, the power of light to break even a mental haze.

I've been working so hard lately that realizing Thanksgiving is one week from today is startling. This is one of those years that seems abbreviated in time and concentrated in things to do.  With the realization that the holidays are upon us, I feel frenzy tapping on my shoulder telling me to get busy. Busy making ornaments, printing new letterpress cards, stitching the gifts I customarily give to my family for Christmas, and the shopping.  Uggh, the shopping. I like the days of "Little House on the Prairie". Mary sews Pa a blue flannel shirt and Pa makes Laura a saddle and they're happy to be together around a table of homemade food in a warm house. I like that scenario, in giving and receiving.  So take a hike frenzy. I'm shedding light on your hazy plan.  I shall prioritize and do what is important. And perhaps being is the point rather than all the doing?

In addition I will say this is a good year to buy handmade.  I mean if we're going to be shopping we should buy something that has been made with love, by two hands, with thought and purpose.  Those are the gifts I like to give and receive.  One of my all time favorite received gifts are the hand-carved pinhole needle tools my husband made for me. And I love the sweaters, scarves & mittens my mom knits and the homemade cinnamon swirl bread my dad makes.  Those are beautiful and delicious works of art that I remember.

More than ever simplicity itself is a gift.

Enjoy your day,
H

ps. Martha's HANDCRAFT collection

Tweet

Howdy,

Popping in to tell you hello and say I will be a shy blogger the next couple days, {super work mode 'round here}, but you may hear a haiku tweet now & again.

Now I'm off to make veggie lasagna and stay dry. We had {some rather soggy} snow today!

Bye!
H

ps.  Click image for details.

Collecting

Good morning,

I'm really sleepy today and always feel more tired by the end of the week. How about you? So perhaps a little light-hearted inspiration from antique childrens books will perk us up. I like to collect these and look at the illustrations and type fonts. The rhymes are quirky too. The colorful book in the top image has narrow horizontal leaves which flip-flop changing the outfits and characters. This one is even an advertisement for Kellogg's toasted corn flakes!  The lion in the middle is holding a box of the cereal.

End papers has images from the inside covers of old books. I like the Velveteen Rabbit.

Have a bonny weekend!
H