What's wrong with these pictures?

All these things shouldn't work, but somehow they do! Our neighhbor Julie brought us the most awesome arrangement of homegrown dahlias and (YUM!) Swiss Chard after I told her how much my hubby Bob loved chard.

Smoking 126 pounds of pork and 10 pounds of chicken in the pouring down rain shouldn't work either but somehow monsoons make for tender pork BBQ!

A one legged guy lighting fireworks? That shouldn't be either but I have given up trying to stop Bob. His doctor did tell hime to resume his "usual activities" but I think he meant exercising though....

"it's the MOST wonderful time of the year..."

I am SURE I am not the only parent that found the adaptation of Andy Williams' old Christmas Carol turned school supply ad hysterical when it first came out. I am also sure that I am not the only parent that was thrilled that school started for the bulk of the kids on Tuesday. I will also note that there are distinct advantages to having a three mile commute. NOT getting stuck behind school buses is only one of the positives I can think of...
In our family we always take a couple of goofy pictures to warm up our faces in addition to our "serious" photos. Have to admit this year I like the goofy shots better... That last shot is me experiencing the fleeting freedom of someone else molding my children. (Thank you all of teachers!) Didn't last long before the list of things to do (5000 forms from said schools) intruded on my mood.



Today was a day of treasure at Stifel & Capra, I received tons of new to us vintage yummies. Racks of coats and dresses, funky mid century kitchen ware, a huge stack of hand made quilts, cozy chenille and lots of sparkly jewels. JenNi Santiago tightened up her jewelry line and Suzanne dropped off new paper art from Dave Jenkins. All of the paper work I brought to do at the shop didn't even get unpacked, let alone worked on.

I always view back to school time kind of like New Year's. A time to contemplate, establish new routines, etc. Can't wait to see what I cook up for fall!

Ni Santiago - Featured artist at FIRSTFriday

Tonight's the night! Ni set up this morning and we sold 5 pieces before noon! We are here until eight, stop on in.

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

Artists Helping Others - Opening TONIGHT!

The show is hung, the tasty snacks are in the kitchen, Phil Napala will be playing the piano, the art looks lovely and it has even stopped raining so hope to see you tonight at 6!

"Redoubtable Daffodils" Watercolor by Deborah Conn

No place like home!

It's tricky trying to be in two places at the same time, mentally if not physically.... We are having a lovely, albeit hotter-than-Hades time at the shore but honestly I can't wait to get home. I missed the ArtSpace fund raiser at the DogFishHead Tavern (Hmmm, wonder if I won a Prize? And frankly I am not technically savvy enough to work the art show from here with my sporadic wireless coverage.

I can't believe the "Artists Helping Others" show is this weekend! Sandi Parker's "Green Apple" will be one of the pieces on display at the show. I hope you can join us.

Dueling Sand Castles!

Bob's new "water"leg is serving him in fine stead as we headed down to the Delaware shore with visiting Stifel relatives. The weather is sunny, rainy, stormy, beautiful, hazy, hot & humid. Sounds like DC in August, eh?


I drove down by myself and did a little judicious treasure hunting for the shop. If I am feeling ambitious I might actually get them all tagged before I get home and I can just drive straight to the store and drop off the new batch of vintage goodies. Wait & See!

Lots of new goodies in at Stifel & Capra!

I really had visions of the summer of taking time to do strategic planning (even bought the Idiot's Guide to...), take the kids to the pool and stockpile art & crafted items for the 4th quarter. All I have to say is HA! And isn't that spectacular?

I have to figure out how to tell the farmer's market folks how to find us. Maybe I can sweet talk Beth into passing out cards at the Farmer's Market like she did when we first opened. I must say though I am thrilled with our sales through the summer. DC has a reputation as a ghost town so we have all been pleasantly surprised. I sold three paintings this week, Hooray!

I am also plotting and planning on how, when & why to expand our hours. I went to the office today to drop off new merchandise before I head to the beach to see the visiting passel o' in-laws and three sets of people banged on the door. I know we ought to be open on Sunday to catch all the walking traffic but the concept of a 7 day a week schedule seems to be a recipe for a nervous breakdown! I keep reminding myself how far we have come in two years. I really have to pinch myself.

Any opinions on hours in general? I know 10 to 5 works for people with flexible schedules. What would work for you? Tell me-

Catch 'em soon!

Dave Jenkins ran off with the hearts of the FIRSTfriday crowd last night at his art opening at Stifel & Capra. Dave and his wife Suzanne welcomed old freinds and a lot of new fans during the open house. Dave is our featured artist during the month of August so please stop in and see all of his work (this is only one area!) during our normal business hours.

August FIRSTfriday - You are invited!

If you are in town, DO stop in tomorrow for our FIRSTfriday fun. I'll be starting my day by hanging Dave Jenkins featured artwork and trying to figure out where in the heck I am putting all of the refreshments. I keep dragging displays around the stores trying to make some room, ha! I am sure it will all be fine by the time the reception starts. Really I am sure it will.

Betsy, my number one treasure hunter, just returned from a long vacation where she found some really cool goodies! My favorite is the wacky avocado shaped guacamole bowl with matching salt & pepper shakers!

I've been finding the most lovely vintage fabrics to play with, lots of embroidered pieces and vintage style fabrics to put together fun pieces with, like these bags; LOVE the buttons.

A confession: I am a little sad this week because our local elementary school started this last Monday. Why am I sad? Because my kids no longer attend that school! Before you scoff, when do YOUR kids start complaining they are bored? When are you sick of going to the pool? Wouldn't you be thrilled to have a 2 week vacation in October (that's when we used to go to Cape Cod!)? The kids never had summer slump, that lack of learning retention that teachers so love. Teachers stay fresher, so do parents! Or I did. No, now I am just wistfully juggling my calendar because my scheduled help evaporated at the beginning of the summer and I don't feel like I am doing anything with my full attention. Nothing like trying to be at work full time and home full time simultaneously... OK, now I can hear you laughing hysterically and saying "welcome to parenthood!" I know, I know, but is it any wonder I am looking wistfully at those yellow buses driving by?

Returning customers always welcome!

Of course I love to see new clients enjoying the various wares at Stifel & Capra but I really enjoy seeing returning customers even more. Especially when they drag a new friend in with them "SEE, I TOLD you that you would like this place!" It is extremely gratifying and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

It is especially gratifying when you meet a kindred spirit, in this case someone one with a good sense of humor but a sense of the ridiculous or is it sublime, like the lovely Gena buying one of my favorite chapeaus, the "Audrey Hepburn meets Dr. Seuss" ostrich feather luncheon hat! She mugged for the camera for me before she took it out of the shop. I really think that we should have tea or cocktails at the Ritz at Tyson's and ALL wear hats (I should figure out how to organize one of those "meet-up" groups I guess).
I dragged my daughter down to the eastern shore Sunday and Monday (thanks you Laura for watching the store today!) for a little girl bonding and to pick up some treasures for Stifel & Capra. Good thing we weren't going to sit on the beach because it poured, deluged, tempested (is that a word?) to the point you couldn't see across a lane of traffic, forget about across the wide oceanic horizon. But suffice to say I did collect lots of great treasures for the shop just in time for FIRSTfriday this Friday from 5 to 8pm. Mark your calendar and hope to see you then!

When is white not white?

When is white NOT white? When the "white" house that is your place of business is 30 year old aluminum siding that is faded grey and pitted with road grime so when it came time (long overdue!) to paint the trim I asked my trusty contractor Harry if there was any reason why we had to paint the trim white because it would just make the house look dingier. "what the heck?!" was his response and here is the result! Looks a little seaside gingerbread-ish but hey, I think it looks creative, what do you think?
Just a reminder Falls Church Arts www.fallschurcharts.org is still hosting ArtSlam at their new gallery ArtSpace at 410 Maple Street through the end of August. Here are the two pieces I have hanging at the space but you have to go see the entire show. I have sent two customers over to the show and they both reported back that they purchased pieces! I am a more than a little proud of myself, feeling like the referral queen! Yay!

The other hot news about the new space is that there is a 2 for 1 matching grant going on until the end of July for fundraising efforts for the ARTSpace. The big push right now is for chairs, yes, chairs. For $35 you can provide a literal seat for any of the upcoming performances! Visit www.creativecauldron.org and click on "1001 nights" for all of the fun fundraising details.

Three not of a kind.

In a happy coincidence I have received a bunch of commissions lately, most flattering with previous clients! With all of the nebulous responsibilities of running the shop it is nice to sit down and actually make something tangible. This first piece was a wee bit tricky has the hipster twelve year old that did the collage wanted lavender but not anything too frilly. How 'bout this funky vintage fabric? Love it!

These other two are for recent weddings. I love doing wedding and baby pillows; they are always received so well. It's a nice practical way to display a memory of a special day!

A good time was had by all.

But don't we always? Have a good time that is. Here we are getting ready to blow out the candles on our yummy birthday cake (thanks for picking it up Duane!) last Thursday night during our birthday sale. The folks that came out were so supportive and positive in their comments. It really reinforces that we have a good thing going here at Stifel and Capra.


Another good thing is the new Art Space in Falls Church Arts. ArtSlam at ArtSpace had their opening Saturday night. The space is little more than a shell at the moment. Concrete floors and can lights. More amenities to come though. Lots of wonderful art. I think they sold half a dozen pieces the first weekend so stop in and see the show if you can! For details visit http://www.fallschurcharts.org/.

Celebrate Stifel & Capra's 2nd Birthday!!!

Stifel & Capra turned 2 on the first of July and to celebrate we are throwing a birthday party at the shop tomorrow. We're open from ten in the morning until nine at night so DO stop in and check out all of the sales, promotions and specials that the artists and vendors have put together for you. Birthday cake is served at six o'clock. Stop by and sing "Happy Birthday!"

For all of those who are wondering, the beach WAS lovely the weather was fantastic all week. It only rained one day and that was a designated treasure hunting day for the store so all was well. We were in Lewes, Delaware where the people are friendly, the sidewalks roll up at six and the bay side beach is welcoming and easy to use. This was brought into shining focus last week. My friends, the Burns Family were visiting us for the weekend and my friend Marty looked around and started laughing, "Wow, you weren't kidding this is an accessible place!". Why you ask? Looking across the beach we saw my beloved one legged husband, their son,who has the use of one arm, his other son who just got diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, so they were testing him on the beach, and the folks at the umbrella next to us daughter had diabetes as well and was wearing a diagnostic device. Looking down the beach we saw a Down's Syndrome child, three walkers and beach wheelchair that Bob had to use last year was in motion carrying someone to the water. Like I said the beach is VERY accessible! And certainly soothes your soul.


We got a taste of how the other half lives when we went down to Rehoboth Bay to take the Bay Site seeing Cruise (first time ever and we've been going for 7 years!). We enjoyed the bay, the marshlands and bird watching, learned cool things about the ecology of the bay and were boggled by the pleasure boats and the "cottages" we saw along the shore. This red roof one is where you will find me if I ever win the lotto! But in lieu of that I am back to work. Vacation but a distant memory...

I am outta here....

But YOU need to come to the store while I am gone! Keep all of my resident artists on the right path for me will you?

Please remember, we are not participating in this month'sFIRSTfriday celebration but you can read more at http://www.FirstFridayofFallsChurch.com

Do remember out big second annual Birthday sale is Thursday July 9th from 10am to 9pm. Some interim mark-downs have been taken.

I'll be back with a truckful of treasure on July 8th so see you then!