Let the good times roll!!!

Happy Mardi Gras! As you have probably figured out almost every holiday (Arbor Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day) is a reason to celebrate in the Stifel house hold! Bob makes jambalaya and his famous flaming Bananas Foster and we sit around drinking wine debating whether we should give up anything for Lent. Bob, being raised Catholic usually does, me the "unenlightened" Presbyterian, usually doesn't. That's not actually true in the past few years as a family instead of giving something up we have been trying to DO something new. They say it takes 30 days to make a habit so the 40 days of Lent would make a great head start on a healthy habit. I will say the clean bedrooms didn't last long last year, though. I think my Lent Habit will be something terribly basic that I am horrible at , like drinking enough water or stretching my bad back every day...
I got the second coat of paint on a good chunk of the main room downstairs yesterday. I am SO pleased with how it looks! I can't wait to have all of the nuetral work done so I can play with the accent wall.

Star Pupil - Star Teacher!

Lisa Rodriguez's "Draw from the Inside Out" Portrait class was fascinating last evening. In just two hours Lisa explained how to capture a likeness from the bone structure to the flesh. Lisa has a very laid back informative style where you don't realize how much knowledge she is imparting until you think back on it or you are waving your hands around in the air, trying to explain it to someone else! Karen proved a VERY apt pupil. She hasn't tried her hand at a face since high school art class - Look what she accomplished with just one workshop!

Lisa will be teaching again at Stifel and Capra. Please see the Event schedule on my website to get more details!

Coming soon! (Thank you Cathy!)

The Internet can be a wonderful thing! I opened up my inbox this morning and there was an email documenting a painting purchase from a gentleman in Washington state. I just love it when technology works! I think he is our furthest afield patron, although I have a client in Oregon as well. Amusingly, I am from Washington and he is from Philadelphia. Go figure!

My other Internet happiness this am was receiving my new banner. Doesn't it look great? Of course there is a foot and a half drop off on the front end of the porch so I had to nail it in by leaning ever so carefully around the pillars while Cathy steadfastly held the ladder and handed me tools. Afterward I am thinking, "what would she do? CATCH me? Ha! I'd flattened her..." So, plenty of points for bravery!

I am putting together the "which day are we doing what" schedule, so drop me an email if you were serious about helping. Even for an hour, every little bit helps. And Thank You.

PS - I had a cancellation on the semi-private portrait class Lisa Rodriguez is teaching at the shop tomorrow evening. It's from 7 to 9pm and $60. If you'd like to sit in, call or email me asap.

Just a WEE bit of spackle.....

Here is the PRETTY part of what got done at the new space this weekend! Cathy's Joie de Bead boutique is shaping up beautifully! She won't think this shot of her collapsed on the floor is so beautiful but is MUCH more flattering than the rear end shot of her on her hands and knees that I could have posted. Don't you agree?

Cathy has worked so hard in her space she shamed me into doing COPIOUS amounts of spackling today. And when I say a lot I mean ALOT! Wheeeew I am tired. I was all gung-ho to get in there and paint tomorrow as it is Ashleigh's day in the shop but I suddenly remembered I am slated to speak to 3 lunch shifts of Middle schoolers during the local City's "Career Week". Good thing it dawned on me what day it is.....

Cheers! I got my Occupancy permit!

Hooray! I picked up my Occupancy permit from the City Hall yesterday. I am SO excited to get rockin' with the Spackle and ordering the new floor (eek!)
for my space. We have the ground floor full; there will be four of us on the main floor. Stifel & Capra will move, lock, stock & barrel into the largest space. Ashleigh is expanding her My Two Monkeys space, Cathy Soltys of Joie de Beads and Phil Napala of Phil Napala Photography will have combination working studio & boutique space there as well.

The Studios at Stifel & Capra are shaping up nicely as well. The new working studios will be open to the public on our FIRSTFriday nights! Sandi Parker and Jane Coonce are committed to a studio. In fact I just sent Jane's March class schedule to my Robin to post on the web. Jane will be teaching oil painting: both still life & landscape classes on 3 March Wednesday evenings. Go to my website for the details!

A big First Weekend!

What a great week! Wasn't sure WHAT to expect from FirstFriday considering that it was February and the headlines are dim, but we had a fantastic crowd for the opening of Ashby Foote's show as the featured artist at Stifel & Capra this month. Ashby is exhibiting her distinctive silk painting as well as her latest oil and mixed media efforts. Stop by and see them before the show ends the 28th!



Yes, it looks a little odd to see a big guy with only two candles on his cake, but celebrations were in order for Bob last Thursday. It was the 2nd anniversary of the surgery that saved his life (or as we like to call it in the Stifel House Bob's "re-birthday"!) So, we had a fire in the fireplace, neighbors stopped in for a toast and our daughter presented his re-birthday cake! We're ALL happy you are still with us Bob!


I have made peace with the fact that I will NEVER be a jeweler so decided to put out DOZENS of tins of beads and findings from the curiosity shop that is my studio. Before you ask, yes there are volume discounts so grab 'em before they are gone!

The New & the Old- BIG NEWS for Stifel & Capra!

It's official! I signed off on a lease for a space almost three times the space that I am in now. Why now you ask? Despite the dismal economic news I truly believe there is a market for ornament with a soul. I think our community, both in Falls Church and the greater Washington area, hungers for the arts. I want to provide a home for those who crave a connection to things both well and hand made.

The new space is only two blocks away, right on the main drag in my little town. For twenty years 260 W. Broad Street was home to the Falls Church Antique Company http://www.fallschurchantiques.com/ Paul Quinn moved the business into the building right next door so vintage & antique lovers will have more than one place to explore! The new space happily is also in the same block as Natalia's http://www.nataliaselegantcreations.com/ . Natalia specializes in decadent desserts using all natural ingredients. She also offered yummy sandwiches and other special ethnic treats (pierogies at Christmas!).

So, follow the saga as I try to get the new shop open without losing my mind! Step 1: Sign Lease. Step 2: Go to City Hall and apply for Occupancy Permit. Step 3: Wait with bated breath to see what happens next. Step 4: Obsess about what to do with the Hideous Sixties Vinyl Tile that is in the main room of the space. (I must confess it isn't half as ugly in the photo as it is in real life!)

Stop in tomorrow night to meet our featured artist Ashby Foote! We hung her show yesterday and it looks great. Party starts at 5 and runs until 8ish. See you then-

This just in - Pink for good Mental Health!

Funny how certain things can brighten your whole day. Cathy Soltys and one of her lovely daughters came in to shop sit so I could try to make up for our lost "snow time" of the week (Yeah, yeah three inches of it...). I could have gone to the bank, City Hall and the art supply store (always a fun errand!) but I didn't want to take up too much time so I decided to do the shortest errand I had to do and then head back to the shop and the keyboard. Confession time. I am typing with newly polished Valentine colored pink fingernails. I still have all of my other errands to run but now I will feel a lot perkier doing them. Thanks Ladies!

Happy Birthday Robin! - Mclean Arts Talk

Happy Birthday Sis! Robin and her family came over last night so we would watch my nieces while Robin & Glenn went out to celebrate my baby sister's --th birthday. I was about to fill in the number and then wondered if she cares so I won't! It's so nice to be able to share holidays (and cake!) because for the longest time we lived 2000 miles apart!












My culinary trained hubby makes the world's best frosting as you can tell my niece's empty plate!
I overcame my distinct fear of public speaking yesterday and spoke to the members of the Mclean Arts Society www.mcleanartssociety.org and talked to them about my doll making and design. It was quite delightful. The members had lots of questions about the actual construction of the dolls and made many insightful comments. All in all a VERY pleasant experience for someone who gets sweaty talking to more than six people!

Here are the reference links that I promised to post:

http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Doll-Construction-Susanna-Oroyan/dp/1571200606 is the link for Susanna Oroyan's book.

www.pmcdesigns.com is Patti Medaris Culea's website.
http://epbdolls.typepad.com/my_weblog/ is Elinor Peace Bailey's online journal.

www.niada.org is the National Institute of American Doll Artists web site. Their next conference is Sept 8th through the 13th.

www.artdollquarterly.com is the lovely magazine full of inspirational dolls and their makers. Hope this information helps all of those that are tempted to give this a try!

New Beginnings for the New Year!

I am not sure if my husband made a new year's resolution to be patient with Stifel & Capra "stuff" invading our home but he is doing a fine job of it, being patient that is. So far I'd say 75% of my buying trip is tagged and in the shop but there is still a bit of a debris field on the dining room table. (This IS the before photo, I promise!) I also have this shoe box size container full of the funkiest vintage jewelry that I am hoping to get tagged and out for the big "thank you sale" that is tonight from 6 to 9. Maybe I can do it between customers (hahahah!).

My next step after writing this note is working up the FIRSTFRiday schedule for February AND the 2009 class schedule. I am REALLY excited about being able to offer classes. Heck, I think the biggest dilemma I have is that I would like to actually TAKE all of the classes instead of helping facilitate them!
One of the classes that Stifel & Capra will offer in 2009 is Deborah Conn's watercolor monotype class.
Debby's got such a talent with a watercolor brush! This is monotype class is a fresh take on traditional watercolor painting. A little looser, a little more forgiving, I think it is a great way to learn how this tricky medium works. My mission is to have the class schedule up before I go home. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

You know that you are getting old when your idea of a A+ vacation is getting to sleep until you wake up! That was my cheap thrill three days in a row when I traveled with my family to our place near the Delaware shore. I read ALL of the books Debby lent me and basically groveled in having nothing much to do. Ok, so my big exertion was climbing out on the roof and nailing the blown off gutter back on. It was more mental work than physical (it's kind of high up on the second floor) but it seemed more prudent than my beloved Bob crawling out there with his prosthetic leg! Felt very macha after that and then went treasure shopping and bought a LOT of new goodies for the shop. Loads of fun.

Also fun was my introduction to Leslie Mason. Our mutual friend Sharon introduced us because she thought I would enjoy Leslie's latest project; I did. Party Animals 2009 is a timely calendar celebrating presidential pets and their First Families. Leslie put together a bi-partisan collection of presidents pets and pithy facts and dates that EVERYONE can enjoy. I am guessing some personal interests are reflected int he calendar. It is not every annual datebook that contains this year's Triple Crown dates!

I dragged a stack of canvases upstairs to jump start doing some collage work in the new year. My son asked what I was making and I told him that I didn't know yet! I'll let you know when I do!

ADVANCE NOTICE: We are having a private "Thank you" Sale on Thursday January 15th from 6 to 9. This event is not being advertised to the public but please fell free to bring a friend. All sales on the 15th will be discounted by 20% including fine art & furniture. So if you are having non-buyer's remorse over something that you didn't get at Christmas, come on in!

Happy New Year! Always remember-

What are these hordes of people doing? They were a very small part of the group that decorated the graves of war veterans at Arlington Cemetery. My husband Bob and another willing parent took some of his Cub Scouts to help with this annual effort. One Vermont Farmer donates all of the greenery (amazing!) and local volunteers disperse and clear everything after the holidays.
As this tumultuous year comes to a close, let us remember all of the blessings that we do have and remember those who have helped make our wonderful life possible.
As Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, every one." Happy New Year!

Happy Boxing Day & lots on sale!

My 15 minutes of Washington Post fame officially over I am basking in the glow of my Falls Church News Press "Movers and Shakers" delineation (thanks Sally!). Of course after all I ate yesterday there is probably more shaking than I want to talk about....

Amazing how eight hours a sleep can color one's attitude for the better. After a solid night's sleep I am feeling downright perky this morning. I gathered up all of the mark-down and sale items in one area of the store for the bargain shoppers to review.

I had a glorious Christmas. We went to late-ish services on Christmas Eve at Vienna Presbyterian www.viennapres.org . The staff and all of the musicians always work hard but it is really on display during Christmas and Easter. The music was amazing! Christmas Day brought an almost obscene cycle of eating and opening gifts with rounds of family. LOTS of fun and VERY loud.

In our post dinner food coma ironically we watched The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern eat on the "Bizarre Foods" show and wondering how bizarre other cultures would find our holiday repasts...

Merry Christmas!

"As seen in the Washington Post Magazine..."

I am having my taste of Andy Warhol's proverbial 15 minutes of fame this week. We received a really nice write-up in the Washington Post's Sunday Magazine. If you didn't see it here's the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120501807.html

The feedback from the articles has been very edifying. I know that we have talented people here but it is nice to know others think so too!

While basking in my editorial glory yesterday I got to hear glory of a different kind. My neighbors (yes, MORE talented neighbors) Elizabeth & Jay Benforado held an open rehearsal for the music they will be playing on Saturday afternoon. They really play well together, you are in for a special treat if you can stop in then.

King Arthur Confections - It's not too late to order!

Julie Fiorino of King Arthur Confections was a BIG hit last Friday with her sample brownies, blondies and her signature Buttermilk Coconut Chocolate pie! Yum yum! It's not too late to order for holiday parties or family dinners! Call Julie directly at 703-283-5376 to get more information and pricing!

I have been busy making Christmas presents for clients so am grumpy because I can't put most of them online. Here is a beautifully textured example of how sometimes simple is best! Believe it or not this lovely fabric is from the skirt of my client's wedding gown. I think the buttons are the proverbial "cherry on top" of this pillow. One of the buttons is off the sleeve of the original gown, think Kathy will know which button it is?

I received a wonderful Waterford crystal tree topper for a wedding gift way back when. We couldn't find the box when it was time to pack it up so I put it somewhere "safe". Think I can find it now? Aah, no. So the tree is topless at the moment. This, by the way is our "little" tree. You should see the big one! Luckily for me and my vintage ornament collection, my husband loves Christmas decorating even more than I do....

Are YOU on Santa's list?

Hard to say with this little clay figurine, I can't read his handwriting! Perhaps that is on purpose...

I got not one, but two calls today on my cel from loving husbands doing some advance shopping for their wives. Certain shoppers have caught on that we have our own parking lot (no mall), free gift wrapping (no tape) and most of our bling doesn't HAVE a size (seldomn does anyone ask, "does this necklace make my butt look big?" !). Spread the word!

With all of the bad news in the press, I was excited to see that people are entertaining this year. My hubby & I actually have "grown-up" parties to go to. Of course then there is the holiday ritual of finding a sitter...

I have spent yesterday and today unpacking, cleaning and tagging merchandise. It is amazing how long it takes to "handle" items once they are found. I have 2 HUGE cartons of things that I will be unpacking tomorrow along with my secret suitcase stash of holiday ribbon. A HUGE steal at five dollars a roll. Some of it is outdoor safe as well, so if you need that final fillip on your outdoor greenery do check it out on your next visit to Stifel & Capra.

Remember we are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm, Saturdays 10am to 5pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm through December. Come see what is new.