molly irwin

quiet

I'm going through a bit of a quiet period right now.

Feeling very much into a summer non-schedule with late breakfasts and even later than usual afternoon snacks of fruit smoothies with the kids.  With the heat and the kid's activities there's just a whole lot of nothing going on around here. It's a very good nothing, mind you, just a quiet personal kind of nothing-ness. 

After reading a photographic tip on Kal'sblog yesterday, I ran around all day with my cannon set to 'aperture priority' just to try it out.  The sun was so strong however, the kind of sun that usually prevents me from getting the best images, but I'm happy with the way some of them turned out and I'll try the same aperture settings again in a softer, morning light to give it a more fair test.  

I've also started a mini idea file with several new project ideas -- one small sketch per card -- to be started when that motivation front moves in again.  I'm definitely feeling a need for a new sort of project brewing ... after the quiet lifts.

he gets me

For Paul to come home with this, wrapped in brown paper and strings ... yeah, he really does understand. 

There have been numerous times when Paul will, for example, catch me using a piece of doll house furniture as a sanding block, or applying spray adhesive over newspapers on our kitchen floor, to which he says "you need some better tools", or "you could use a better work space."  This makes me very happy that he enables my interests so.  Also, the fact there's only happy surprise with a gift like this on an ordinary Thursday evening.  You know, there's no expectation attached to say a birthday where some more romantic gift might be anticipated. 

How am I going to use this? Hundreds of different ways apparently. Right now I have no idea, but I'm going to thoroughly enjoy every minute of finding out. 

creative swoon

[Maureen Sullivan of Thomas Hobbs Florist, Vancouver, BC --  from an old issue, pre-dating the current publishing schedule, of Victoria magazine]

 

No, I don't suddenly want to be a florist.

I have, in the past [and still entertain the notion from time to time] considered becoming a shop owner, but that's not really what this post is about. 

Recently, I discovered a new flickr group called 'creative swoon.' While a lot of what's included there just doesn't' really do it for me, there are a couple submissions that do have that kind of romantic appeal, such as this, and other inclusions by Cori Kinderd. Her work and her inspirations are really something.

This had me thinking about those special things I've torn out and saved over the years and had me digging through my own mixed-up files for a specific bit from a magazine a couple of years ago featuring Carolyne Roehm at work/play in her brightly lit space, generously splashed with touches of red and white. It is an all time favorite of mine, but I couldn't locate it.

I did find the page above and many, many more forgotten pieces that I've collected as well as ideas I've saved for my home. It felt a little luxurious spending part of my day this way, but I must admit it reminded me of so many ideas and dreams and aspirations. 

Sometimes a board of current inspirations just isn't enough. It helps to feed our thoughts the stories that we told ourselves at an earlier time. If there are images to go along with it all the better. Hmmmm ... maybe this post is about being a shop owner afterall.

a weekend to remember

Our Independence Day weekend could not have been better.  It was just so enjoyable visiting our good friends.  The food ... the conversation ... the fireworks -- all outstanding.

The memories, in no particular order:

• Marty enjoying a Kettler trike (or as he called it "mine race car") in the back yard
• excellent views of fireworks from our friends' backyard; we could see nine or ten displays along the lake (depending on how tall you are.)
• kids running "randomly" (as Helen put it) through the yard each lit by several glow stick bands.
• a cool night, a hot fire pit, the sounds of the wind, the water and Keb Mo.
• a local parade that felt like those of my childhood
• the girls so happy to go visiting at the home of our friends while Marty and I napped
• Helen's first time sailing. Though she became ashen and slumped against my shoulder most of the time she reports that she "loved" the experience
• finding treasures along the beach
• kids soaking themselves in the water and sand; digging and building and just being so happy
• delicious food, both at our friend's home and at Three Birds -- just we grown-ups -- with plenty of wine and lively conversation.  Oh how I needed that.

Even a serious traffic delay on the way home yesterday could not mar the experience.  These are the memories of a quintessential summer break. 

I did take lots of people pictures, but I'll share just a couple favorite mood shots.

   

[Lake Erie sunset, taken through my sunglasses]

There was some talk over the weekend about how as an adult summer seems to be coming to an end after the fourth of July. Maybe it's because I'm fortunate to be at home with the kids and enjoying their schedule, but to me it seems that with this trip our summer actually commenced and we are looking forward to a couple of family visits in weeks ahead.

Kind of a big work week planned for me, plus lots of laundry and household organizing needing my attention.  So I'm off ... 

I hope you all enjoyed a happy weekend as well. 

today's little truths

• When kids are out on professional errands (boring!) we simply cannot wait for lunch at home.
• Full plates of three courses go uneaten (it's like sensory overload or something), but if i serve each item individually (veggies, pasta, applesauce,) they will clean their plates. Don't know why I keep forgetting that.
• As soon as I get out my art supplies to sketch with them, they are done with their materials and only interested in mine.
• When kids show interest in having a yard sale they will [happily] cast-off their stuff. I'm not too keen on holding a sale, but they want this, so I'm using it as a summer learning project: math, organization, business, negotiations, communications, and on and on. Do you think they can be persuaded to go the ebay route? Not likely.
• There is no point in making banana bread in this house without doubling the batch.

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We're outta here for the July 4th holiday. celebrate independence! celebrate freedom!

bird houses :: collection 1

Here's a peak at a crafty little project I've been chipping away on just for fun.  It's still a work in progress and these are just the first six in a collection of 18 or so that will be hung together on a big open wall in our home. 

I've been so inspired by the beautiful work of Tamar Mogendorff, particularly this photo of her fabric bird houses and birds shown as a grouping. There's no shortage of paper around here, so when I saw a bunch of unfinished bird houses at the dollar store in the spring I knew just what I wanted to do.

The houses have been sitting around in a corner for a while and I kept thinking I needed some kind of overall plan of action before starting; a color scheme or some materials limitations; something.  (perfectionism getting in the way of progress, really.)

However, with Paul and the girls gone for the weekend I just got started on one and then the next, and so on.  Once again the truth is reinforced: getting started is half done.  It's true in every case.

While I'm on the subject of 'inspiration', I want to point to an interesting post by Sharilyn Wright, of Lovely Design, in which she ponders the overuse of the word and"copycat" work product.

My thoughts on this project are clear. I'm not trying to re-create the subtle textile art of Ms. Mogendorff.  I'm aware of the many differences here. Also, my versions are not for sale, merely for personal enjoyment and I'm happily crediting my source. Position covered.

I'm particularly liking the map print, book text and vintage ledger versions. Another 'something new' for me with this project is working with some of the really good Italian papers.  Let me just say ... it makes all the difference; so buttery soft are they it's like working with fabric. A real tactile pleasure to be sure.

Here's one last shot with one of the unfinished houses to the right.

There are several more on the cutting mat now, so ... more to come soon and I'll share the entire grouping when I hang them on the wall as well.