On to the next...

So here is my completed man child.  Some would say a portrait of my teenage son, but he is truly at that stage where he either either acts like a child or a man and not really so much in between!  The jacket is made of old sheet music because he LOVES music, singing , playing composing.  I think he looks cool enough to be in a band from this shot, don't you?

On to the next!  Inspiration came from an unlikely place on this next piece, Facebook stream!  An artist friend of mine Ashby Foote, was tagged in a photo as she was heading to Brooklyn to a party at the train station.  I thought it was a glamorous mysterious photo so I asked her if I could use it as inspiration for my next collage.  I have the background painted and laid out and have started working on the the figure all in one day.  And there it sits because then I spent the rest of the week working on pulling expired consigner items, receiving and tagging new merchandise (over 100 pieces in 2 days! Whew!) and whipping the shop into shape so we can be ready for our big FIRSTfriday opening. 

If you are local, do stop in!  5 to 8pm THIS Friday.  Stay tuned for more details.

They are selling like well, ducks...

It's always fun when I get hoisted by my own petard.  The last time Robin and Nancy hand delivered a batch of Nancy's cute as a button crocheted critters I remarked that she didn't need to leave me any more ducks as we had a flock.  So they didn't leave any.  So we sold out four days later.  Serves me right.  There are more coming soon.  Teenage girls bought the last three.  One has his own Facebook Page.  So sue me.

FIRSTfriday was it's normal WAY fun.  Had a great, albeit later crowd of fun-sters.  Falls Church Arts threw a retro dance party as a fundraiser down at the Creative Cauldron space so the crimped haired, skinny tie kids that came in were fun to watch.  I refrained ALL evening from making a "Hey, I wore that in 1985" comment.  So proud of my restraint...

Fun on FIRSTfriday - Inside and out!

We had a great time on FIRSTfriday last weekend.  Attendance was down a WEE bit as it was the local school's homecoming but actually that enabled folks that were there to actually see what was in the shop!  So the artists were happy that sales did not suffer!  Dace Jenkins, our silhouette cutter extraordinaire was here with his wife and family.  I am surprised that Dave's didn't explode from all of the compliments.  Here is an example of one of the charming pieces we have in the shop. (all of the color gradations are done with cancelled stamps.)  Dave's feature wall is up until October 31st.

OUTSIDE now that I have finally sold my sainted, benighted hoosier cabinet we have some wonderful additions for your porch or sun room.  Falls Church resident, by way of Georgia, Deborah Hudgens brought in the prettiest plant and container combos that we have seen in awhile.  We sold half of her stock by Saturday morning.  She is coming in later today to bring in a new batch of goodies so you can have some fresh ones to pick from!

Amy Fromm graced us with her presence as well Friday.  The Interlaken Soak Co. is beckoning me to add "soak my head" (body, feet) to my list of things to do.  Now that the bbq, art show FIRSTfriday is over for now maybe I can jump in the tub.  But wait, I haven't told you about the new consignment store I found or the new local pizza place or.... 

Happy 50th Bill & Nicky!

Here are Bill & Nicky hanging with some of their old cronies (their words not mine!) at the 50th wedding anniversary party we threw in my back yard.  Dinner was yummy. Kudos to Bob for prime rib and Robin for cakes!  I made all of the salads and set the tables and the bar(!) with my lovely vintage cloths.  Now you know where the shop stock comes from!  Everyone seemed to survive the sultry weather to raise a glass of champagne.  Hip, hip HOORAY!!  Love you Mom & Dad!

Speaking of parties... Do you like that segue?  Make sure you stop by FIRSTfriday to meet Debby and Amy or pop over on Saturday for our 3rd annual Birthday Bash! (details at right or on Facebook.)

See you then!

Quite the Event!

October's FIRSTfriday was perennial favorite Ann Carney's initiation into the chaos that is FIRSTfriday of Falls Church. Of course it was spiced up by the second annual it's "almost Halloween so we have to do something" wearing of the hats. We let Ann get away with an elegant felt & satin number while Betsy (my favorite treasure hunter) and I went a little more untraditional route... Thank you to everybody who came out to meet Ann. I think she felt a bit like a rock star with her Falls Church fans coming in just to see her!

Speaking both of jewelry AND Halloween, Joan Fedora brought in absolutely hysterical seasonal jewelry. She even made me a pair of blue faced witch earrings!

Thank you also for those that have been wondering where the heck I have been because of the lack of blog entries over the last two weeks. I have been suffering from complications from a long ago neck injury. The short version of the story is if I hold my arms a certain way they go numb. What way is that? The position where one would be driving, sewing, writing, typing...

I tried to cut back where I could but it seemed like everything just suffered and a whole lot just didn't get done. Sounds like a clue that I am supposed to be taking better care of myself. Can you relate?

So step one, slow down and watch the ergonomics, two, I guess it is back to therapy and three it's time to return to yoga. The tragedy is all of my repetitive motion issues are completely related to my creative process. Why couldn't cleaning house cause me pain? I'd be happy to outsource that one!

AHO Wrap-Up - FIRSTfriday tomorrow...

I assume it is a sign of the times or that half of DC is on vacation in August because although the show looked great, Phil played a mean piano on Friday and we were inundated on Sunday we didn't raise half as money for CHO & Homestretch as last year. *Sigh* I am more than a little bummed because these charities support those folks who are right on the edge. A twenty dollar bill away from losing their homes or families that are boot strapping their way back into an apartment from a shelter. If you can help even a little please go to http://www.cho-va.com/ or http://www.homestretch.org/ for more information. Thank you to everyone who did support Artists Helping Others 2009. I appreciate your time and talent.
For all those that are back in town, I hope you can join us on tomorrow. FIRSTfriday festivities run from 5 until 8! See details at right with photos and more info at http://www.stifelandcapra.com

A good time was had by all!

Thank you to everyone who came out to play this weekend! Both Margie from Down to Earth Designs and Charlotte from Harp Voyages put on quite a show albeit VERY different ones.

After the raucous crowd on Friday listening to Charlotte's Harp music on Saturday was BLISS! She played her original compositions as well as some of her personal favorites.


The resident artists did a fantastic job setting up their studios and transforming them into galleries for the evening. Phil probably made the biggest splash with his champagne greetings!

On a just as artistic but unusual venue - paint diva Robyn McGarry debuted her sample board for our next project: Trying to transform the icky bathroom and anteroom plus hallway into a fun and funky transition area and dressing room for all the vintage clothing shenanegians. I am SO excited about the concept Robyn put together and can't wait to see her in action!

FIRSTFriday is May 1st!

Can you BELIEVE we have been in our new space a month? I can't believe it. I feel like an old lady who needs to soak her feet because I have been on them so much.... Then there is the pesky problem of keeping up with the paperwork, oh if only I could actually type this would probably be easier...

Maryann Ogle of Terra Landscaping has put together the prettiest urns with lovely flowering and green plants. She also has some lovely plant stands for sale. They are all one of a kind so get them before they are gone!


I spent the evening hanging new art (thanks Debby & Beth!) in anticipation of FIRSTFriday. Yes, tomorrow is May 1st so we at it again! The store is open from 10to 5 & then the merriment continues from 5 to 8pm. Margie will be there with her trunk show and please remember Charlotte will be playing her harp from 2 to 4 on Saturday.


The new art & items in the space are simply astounding! Next Monday I will begin featuring all of our new artists and treasure hunters one by one. It's quite a cast of characters!









GOOD NEWS ABOUT PARKING FOR FIRSTFRIDAY!!! The kind and generous doctor next door has allowed us to use his parking lot after 5, so hopefully that will help ease congestion a bit! Hope to see you this weekend!