Happy 6th Birthday to S&C!

 You might have thought after the blog hop I would have been so inspired to run right down to my studio and MAKE something but no, I was making a mess and then cleaning in up -AKA rearranging the entire shop so it would be ready for our annual Birthday BASH!  Lots of fun this year.  We did have an enthusiastic yet wilted crowd.  The weather in DC has been BRUTAL. The triple H's Hazy, Hot & Humid. You know you are getting old when you talk about the weather and how it affects you...  And then add to that Mother Nature's gift of hot flashes and I just wanted to stick my head in an ice bucket!

 What did get for our birthday?  Lots of well wishes, a few (hysterical!) birthday cards and a SHED!  In a fit of fortuitous timing we got our neighbor's shed for the price of hauling it off their lot.  Amazing.  What a blessing to have a little extra room for cool pieces that we couldn't hold any other way.  One of trickiest thing about this business is that you have to buy things when you see them, whether they are seasonal or not (like the 8 turkey platters Bob just picked up from a client!) or not.

Our mission?  NOT to crap it up with things we will get to "later".  Stay tuned, my friend, stay tuned!

ANNNNDDDD the winner is.....

Art Quilt by Regina B. Dunn

I had SO much fun being part of Lesley Riley's Blog Hop (scroll back to see all of the details!) I wish I could give a class away to everyone who entered, but alas I can't so, chosen at random-

The winner of Lesley Riley's TAP class is..........Regina B. Dunn!  Regina is a fabric artist. I cannot WAIT to see what she does with TAP (transfer artists Paper).

I have featured one of Regina's beautiful works above and in her words below, an introduction to her work!

"I create fiber art and art quilts because I love the feel and the look of fabrics and I’m fascinated with various ways to combine them to express a thought or image. I love how stitch influences the interplay of light and shadow. My focus is often on nature themes (such as water) and images (such as landscapes) that have made strong impressions on me during travel. When completed, each piece that I make tells me a story of some sort.

Usually I begin with an idea in mind and choose a focus fabric or set of fabrics that I have dyed or painted. I add commercial fabrics and fibers to the mix as needed. Once the basic background is set, I embellish it with paint, beads, fibers, and/or found objects. Most of my works are stylized images or abstracts (such as the zendoodle art quilts).

In my earlier works, I experimented with various techniques and themes and some of my art quilts were influenced by Gustav Klimt. Presently I am working on a series about prayer flags and rock cairns which I came across often in my travels in India, Nepal, and Tibet. I feel that many personal meanings can be pulled out from the images of rock cairns and prayer flags and I’m hoping that the viewer will be able to relate to my pieces and find some of their own stories and emotions in my art as well."  Regina B. Dunn

See more of Regina's work at http"www.reginabdunn.com 

CONGRATS AGAIN!!!!

Polished and Polka Dots- TAP class Give-a-way!

Those of you that have been reading this week know that I am a big Lesley Riley fan.  I think she is a great example of preparation meeting opportunity.  If you have ever heard her speak about her career she talks a LOT about how things seemingly fell in her lap after she worked long and hard to be ready and was prepared to accept the project/book deal/ endorsement that fell into her lap.

In mixed media circles Lesley is known as a innovator in transfer application for collage.  So when the Manufacturers of TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) were looking for a professional to use and endorse their innovative product, they came to Lesley.  The rest is (transfer mad!) history.  Some folks are a little scared to try TAP or are unfamiliar with all of it's uses.  To that end, Lesley is giving away an e-class!  You can read more about it below.  I used TAP to enlarge some groovy mid century black and white images from a 1967 Newport News, VA newspaper fashion ad and transfer them onto fabric.  Then I embroidered and collage all of their colorized groovy details.

"Judy" by Theresa Wells Stifel

 Scope out this class; just leave a comment below to win a chance to take the class for FREE.  

Please tell me which of the girls are your favorite and you will have be entered to win!  I will be announcing my winner on July 9th, at the conclusion of the blog hop.  There will be one class giveaway per blog in the fun Blog Hop for all of the participants below!  You can leave one comment per blogger to be entered to win. So vote early, vote daily.

You can also visit Lesley's blog and leave a comment there to win a free 5-sheet package of TAP. Fun for all!  :o)

"Fiona" by Theresa Wells Stifel

 TAP was named the Most Innovative New Product at CHA in 2011

 TAP can be purchased online from LesleyRiley.com, Amazon, Joann.com and more.

  Also look for it (or ASK!) at your local art, craft and quilt shops.

"Sharon" by Theresa Wells Stifel

Here are the details on Lesley's class. Thanks for stopping by today! Visit the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it!  Lesley is drawing winners from all of the TAP fans who leave a comment on their entry. You gotta play to win!  
June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Fashion Conscious - TAP giveaway Day 3

One of the most traumatic things about ME selling vintage clothes is that none of them fit.  And I don't mean "none" as in the "wow folks were sure smaller back in the old days" but "Hi, my name is Theresa and I am over six foot tall and NOT built like Twiggy" kind of small.  Explains why I sewed all of my own clothes as a teenager.  Might explain why I wear black 90% of the time (no, wait that is just laziness!).

The good news is all my life I have loved matching things up.  People (have 2 marriages to my credit), jobs (was a recruiter for almost 20 years) and personal shopping for clients in my shop.  I can eyeball almost anyone and tell what will fit and what will look good on them.  Makes me happy to see them all dressed up and looking GOOD! and of course I get bragging rights about their "fabulous-ness" as well...

The collage above was made from a 60's "fashion preview" brochure from a long defunct department store.

I used TAP to layer the fashion images directly onto acrylic paint on canvas (Only in a WELL-ventilated area with proper equipment, of course, cough...).  The free form "Thread Sketch" in the lower quadrant I learned to make at Art & Soul in Virginia Beach from the lovely and talented Elin Waterston.  Try her class if you can; it was a delight.


TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) Blog HopDetails  
Visit me on the 29th and the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it! 

Here are the details on Lesley's class.

June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Who is the making of YOU? - TAP class giveaway day 2

I have only taken half a dozen art classes in my life and one was a fun workshop taught by Lesley Riley when she was first introducing TAP (Transfer Artist Paper).  Lesley pre-printed a bunch of images and we were supposed to experiment with transferring the images onto different surfaces and then bind them into a mini book.  Subversive me did not do this of course.  I took all of the little transfers and shifted them and incorporated them into larger pieces of art.  I THINK 3 years later I have actually used them all! (No one ever claimed I worked in a linear fashion!)

For this piece I lopped off the dunce cap on this little girl (because she is obviously NOT a dunce!) and transferred her onto the paper toweling I was was blotting my brush with, combined her with a doily that was too spotted to use au natural and voila'! a great card for mom.

Have fun blog hopping across the internet to see what these other amazing artists can do with TAP.  You can even win a video class with Lesley below.  If you are local to the DC Metropolitan area please check out our fun workshops at www.StifelandCapra.com.  We are in the process of getting more dates together for the summer so check back often!

There are a BUNCH of new changes happening at the shop artists moving out of town and therefore leaving me (SOB!).  And BIG decisions on what to do with the space.  Bob & I have made the command decision (gulp!) to expand our classroom space so we have more elbow room and turn the former classroom/sunroom into a SALE corner.  Rather than have markdowns scattered throughout the shop we will concentrate them in the hope that shoppers will be magnetically drawn upstairs!!!  After all who doesn't love a bargain?

Here are the details on Lesley's class.  Visit me on the 29th and the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it!

June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Have some fun - win a class!

I am tickled to announce I will be part of a Blog Hop to give away free classes to promote Lesley Riley's TAP.  Not familiar with TAP (Transfer Artist Paper)?  It's an awesome product that can transfer onto to stone, metal, paper, fabric and more.  I will feature some of my own art work this week (shocking!) and also introduce you to some other talented artists that feature TAP in their work.

"Copper Fantasy" is a mixed media work that features a TAP transfer on copper sheeting as its focal point.

Here are the details on Lesley's class.  Visit me on the 29th and the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it!

June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Modify and make it your own.

 When my sister, my husband and I first bought our "near the beach" house in Delaware over a decade ago we learned what in real estate land what was quirky and charming to some was downright dangerous to others.  See these rustic fence post guard rails on our salt box Cape Cod upper balcony? They only had TWO horizontal rails!   My ingenious hubby and some friends created a grid of 1x6's, stained them to match perfectly and you can see how nicely they match. (Although they do still look a fence built to keep livestock from straying!)

 The balcony shows off our ever increasing collection of seaside art.  Although in the beginning I called it the "bad ocean art collection" I had to modify my title as we kept finding pieces and a lot of them are downright wonderful.  So I decided to let "bad" be in the eye of the beholder..

We've modified HOW we use the house too.  When we all had corporate jobs it was a place to come and escape from our stressful crazy careers.  Then we had kids and it turned into a place to make memories by doing the exact same thing EVERY time we came.  My kids are teenagers now and bewtween their busy schedules and Bob & I both working in at Stifel & Capra trips to the show have turned into business trips: treasure hunting for merchandise for the shop, long conversations about "what's next?" that can only happen when a two hour drive takes 5 and you don't have your car charger, and delusion that the shore could be a place of respite again.

To that end my family came down for just 2 days and swore to take a real Sabbath from work.  The reality was there was some email checking and facebook posting but the big event was not living by the clock for 48 hours.   Two days of sleeping until we woke up, eating when we were hungry and moving with the sun.  Of course, Bob just said "Oh my Lord, look at the time; we gotta go!!!" So, back to our reality!  Suburban, filled and busy, trying to make a living while making a life, reality. It's all good.  Or will be if I can make a dent in my to-do list!

A new way of looking at things- Part 1

After Posting the lovely Lesley Riley's guest post I looked at my own blog and realized I had drafts in the system that are MONTHS old.  Sadness.  Working on the theory that if you haven't heard it is all new to you here it is...  From April 27th 2013

Paint squirts right out of  pump. I heart Jesse Reno!

 I ran away from home on my birthday!  My kids are old enough to be offended but I went anyway.  Where to the Art & Soul Mixed Media Conference in Virginia Beach to take ONE CLASS.  A 2 day class to be sure, from my favorite wild haired, tattooed man, Jesse Reno. Jesse's art  is dark, mysterious and just a little bit creepy for me but I really respect him as an instructor and his is one of those little voices I hear in my head when I am so busy working on my "to-do" list that I don't make art.  And uh, why isn't making art ON my to do list???  A question for another day!

Stage 1 - frankly, I liked this as is!

The workshop I recently took is called "Freedom to Create" and it about how by disrupting what you THINK you WANT to make you come out with something deeper, literally more layered and more tremendous.  This philosophy applies to life as well as art making.  As I met Jesse for the first time 6 years ago I can attest to the fact that he DOES practice what her preaches. Because his life now doesn't look like what he thought it would be six years ago.  That he seems more content and yet more enthused about his life.  Who doesn't want a piece of THAT?  Without giving away Jesse's lecture you can see a little bit of the process here.

Stage 2 - Obscuring the rhythm

The coolest part?  This is all finger painting and oil pastels!  So thrilled as when I normally try to mix colors everything usually ends up, uh a not so delightful shade of brown.  I cloistered myself this time at the retreat.  I had gradiose plans to work on my blog, fire up my Thriving Creatives event and instead sat on my balcony, looked at the water and just rested.  And slept the sleep of the overworked and comatose.  This is a good thing.  The question begs, what's next?

Finding the soul- it's in there!

As soon as I - Guest Post by Lesley Riley

If you hang out in the Mixed media world like I do you probably have heard of  artist/teacher/podcaster/mentor Lesley Riley. I have had the pleasure of working with her through some extended coaching sessions and by attending her AWESOME Red Thread Retreat.   Working with Lesley brought me to the semi-shocking conclusion that I KNOW what to do, I just don't DO it when it comes to furthering my own artistic career.  Am pretty good about helping other people but my own agenda, not so much.  I was heartened and chastened by Lesley's post yesterday and asked her if I could share it with you.  Does her post post feel like a call to ACTION?   Rather than telling you what I feel inspired about I will charge ahead and see if you can see the difference in me.  Wish me luck.

AS SOON AS I...
 

Just between you and me, I don't always practice what I preach.

As diligent, productive and focused as I try to be, I'm only human and subject to the same laws and time clock of the physical universe as everyone else is. Hopefully, that's also why you listen to/read my words - because you know that I know what you're going through.

My daughter called me out on it today. When I said, "As soon as I finish...," she shook her head and said, "You always say that. There's always something stopping you."

She's right.


My reasons are totally legitimate, real and important:as soon as I finish the tax audit

as soon as I finish my book

as soon as I get the next online class done

as soon as I get back from my teaching trip

as soon as I get this studio to my liking

as soon as I can hear myself think 

So the question is, have I overscheduled my life or am I just avoiding the harder things with uncertain outcomes? I know that time isn't just going to open up for me. I know that how we spend our days is how we spend our lives (Annie Dillard).

I know that if I really want to make that quilt for Quilt National or write the book that holds it's own against Annie Dillard's books, that I will have to, not make the time, but TAKE THE TIME.It's all about intention. Intending to do what I really want to do, no matter what. It means not doing all the quick, easy or "for others" stuff that fritters away my day.

Having my spirit so weighted down and my days eaten up by the tax audit has really made me think about how I want to spend my post-audit time (as soon as I finish my next book of course!

I know I do not waste time, but I am not really sure what it is I am doing that keeps me from all the stuff I say I'll do, as soon as....

I don't yet know is what I am going to give up in order to carve out the life I really want to be living. I do know that in order to feel complete I need to take more time for myself. Often we cannot see what is right in front of us. Sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose, in your own backyard or in the magic of the ruby slippers you had all along.

So I ask you - what am I not seeing? Are you and I in the same boat or have you already tread these waters and have an answer you will share with me? Let's talk.

LesleyRiley:ArtistSuccess  | No Struggling Artists Here
301-793-5311  |   info@artistsuccess.com

Copyright 2013 Lesley Riley. All Rights Reserved.

You may absolutely share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!!!!

Pearls of Wisdom

20% off Joie de Bead Pearls all through April!
 

 FIRST Pearl of wisdom? To quote Ferris Bueller "Life moves pretty fast." My daughter turns 17 today. I, on the other hand feel like, uh 105 as I got up at 4 am to take her to crew practice. As you gasp in horror wondering, no, the kids normally practice AFTER school but it has been so windy here lately that they called a practice this morning. Glorious but cold.  The first regatta is Saturday so I am guessing that actually practicing on the WATER as opposed to training inside , is a good thing.

Sabrina Cabada - Featured S&C April Artist

 SECOND Pearl of wisdom? DON'T drink coffee at 4am.  The dock bathrooms aren't open until later.

Mommy Daughter ZipLine Bonding

 THIRD Pearl of Wisdom? Sometimes fast decisions are the best.  When another mom chickened out of the zip line and offered us her tickets, my daughter said, "Sure! We'll take 'em, right MaMa'?"  GULP, "Sure, sweetheart, let's go!"  I am apparently more adventurous than I think I am.  LOVED IT.

Bob's Ganache is the BEST

FOURTH Pearl of Wisdom? My husband is the best cake maker in the world. 'Nuff Said.


Rather be headed toward the sign on the right!


 

FIFTH Pearl of Wisdom? Being Self Employed is not for Sissies.  Yes, there is freedom and creativity, but there is also copious amounts of juggling: family, schedules, finances and decisions.  Hopefully the Lessons Learned from these Pearls are all positive ones.  If not, now, then when we make our millions by perfecting the Ultimate Guide to Getting It All Done.  Now THAT is what I want for my birthday...

More IS More

Figure Studies by TW Stifel

 You know, just when I thought things were getting a little stable around here and I could focus on some of my big long term projects around here I got hit with some major changes.  I was facing the fact that folks that have been with me for years (some since the beginning in this location) literally have out grown their Stifel & Capra spaces and are moving on. 

Twin Oak Studio Signs and "Brooklyn Bound" by TW Stifel

 The myriad of feelings run the gamut. Panic as I am scrambling to find new tenants in the midst of being sick for the first time in years and all I want to do is lay down. Overwhelmed as folks come out of the wood work presenting all of their lovely wares. Chagrined over the feeling that I am rejecting some one's best efforts because it's not a good fit for the shop or my style.  Enthused as I bask in other's artistic efforts.  Motivated as remember how I love to foster creativity in others.  Fear as I wonder whether all of the folks who SAID they wanted to take classes really WILL.  Sad as I recognize despite protestations of getting together I won't see the "departed love ones" once they are ensconced in their new routines.  Grateful for the "thank you for your support" & the "don't worry you will be fine, I believe in you" conversations.

NEW CeCe Caldwell Paint Display

The most overwhelming emotion is one of bemusement.  It bewilders me that people are astounded I am giving out direction postcards to Kelly's new Stylish Patina   home a mile down the road or talking up to new Studios and & Gallery at Gallery Underground in Crystal City .  Why wouldn't I?  The fact that these new venues are opening is amazing.  It means business is hopping and life is getting better for a lot of folks. Two Falls Church gift boutiques closed about the time I opened 5 years ago and I was constantly flummoxed by the people who asked if I was happy they weren't still in business! 

I am a FIRM believer in the "More is More" theory.  The more you have, the more there is to share.  Think of a thriving downtown with lots of dining and shopping.  Think of parties with people dancing, more is MORE!  If you have ever had a meal at the Stifel house you know we believe that there is never enough food.  

Estate of the Nation Chair, Handbasket Yarn Scarf

 I try really hard to provide an extremely eclectic offering of vintage goodies, art and craft at  Stifel & Capra.  I try to avoid having artist work that are too similar in the shop because what kind of choice would you have if they were all alike?  Not these artists & artisans .  With all of the talent in the world and all the great American Pickers out there I think there is room for everyone to be in the business of helping our patrons create happy birthdays, happy anniversaries, happy holidays and happy homes!  Do you agree?


Persimmon Street Ceramics

Thread Painting Latest

As Bob & I only have 2 children, I never went from Parental "Man to Man" to Parental "Zone" Defense.  Obviously with 6 kids Valerie has the logistics thing down pat!

Valerie's brother and wife commissioned me to make this non-traditional family portrait of the kids and the special "tree at the Beach" that they pose in front of EVERY year.  Makes me want to head to the shore!

Let there be light.

 

God Bless my hubby Bob.  He just installed lights at the shop to light up those corners that freak you out if you are a middle aged woman of a certain age...  Love you honey!

I spent the ENTIRE day entering Karen & Christine's inventory.  I am helping them clean up/out their mom's house.  Fun, yet bittersweet.  I am thinking their jaws will drop when I tell them that their little vintage  London Double Decker bus is worth thirty bucks! Like I said, I DO like my day job...

Creating Complex

Sadly my to-do list & call of the urgent totally dominates the whisper of create. I don't a creative block or lack of desire but I don't make anything that is not without a deadline or if all of the decks are clear. Martyr complex? Perfectionism rearing its ugly head? Not sure, all I know is art making seems to a reward for getting the rest of my life in order and caught up rather than an integral part of it. this I have struggled with for YEARS. It's not like I don't know what to do, I just don't do it...

Art Coach Lesley Riley once asked me once if I really WANTED to be a professional artist as I wasn't acting like it (putting it last always). Again contemplating the middle aged mom martyr syndrome.

Steps this week to change? Bringing everything I have to do onto the desk in my studio so at least all my supplies are tempting and taunting me visually. Believe it or not this is working, I am going to go make/finish SOMETHING! uhhh right after I fold the dryer buzzer that just went off... Berating myself for the fact today is Thursday and my week at home is almost over and I am on duty at the shop all week next week...  Good thing I LOVE my day job...

first things first? really?

Sorry friend.  I have grandiose notions of maintaining everything but if I do all those others things "first", doing the books, working, parenting,et al, uuuuhhhh blogging seems to be taking the back burner.

I really have been doing cool things, just haven't had time to write. 

Maybe I will do flashback posts...

*sigh*

A look back...

 I finally stopped moving long enough to download all of the photos from my camera since my last post (yikes, in NOVEMBER) and what did I see? If I don't stop and take pictures I have none. The curse of being the "good" photographer in the family means I am IN none of them either.  I suppose the key is rremembering that I love taking photos (and to bring the camera too,of course).  

Of course my busy-ness pales in comparison to lives lost nationally this year to events both natural and unnatural.  I don't know about your house but it put quite the pall on my season as I think of all those who lost so much this past year. I feel my blessings every day.


There are some good shots in there AND stories to go with them so I will have to post some "blast from the recent past" posts if only to catch up with myself.  We had a family sit down last night where I "made" my husband and children tell me all of their crazy goals and things they wanted to do and have before the end of 2013.  They thought mine was fairly lame as it included keeping the house clean.  But I find that when my space is clear, so is my thinking. 

 I love the New Year with it's clean slate and it's shiny new to-do goal list.

Done & UP!

I have emerged from my cocoon.  Well, you can't really call working from dawn to dark to get things done on a deadline being in a coccon, but I have a quite exhausted, yet satisfied feeling of delivery.

Got my awesome patron BJ's order sewn and delivered.  In between chastising myself for not having it done sooner (although I did have it done when she needed it so WHAT is my problem???) and loading the car & picking up my buddy and curator Debby, I took a VERY deep breath and tried to recalibrate.

I felt like a cartoon chacter that shakes it's whole body in the air and goes "balalalalalup" to recenter.  Happily had a lovely time with Debby hanging the show to lots of compliments from the show director and musical director at 1st Stage.   The photo above is our work in progress!

The musical "Alter Boyz" opens Friday.  My Artist Reception is 5 to 7pm on Sunday December 9th.  A bunch of us are staying after to watch the show get your tickets at the 1st Stage website if you care to join us!

For now?  Waiting for my kids to get home from school so they can help me put out new merchandise for the BIG shopping weekend at Stifel & Capra.  Wish me luck!

Black Friday Brunch - Nov. 23rd

Join us at the civilized hour of 10 am for our yummy annual Black Friday brunch. Bagels & champagne (while they last!)plus one of a kind gifts for you from or resident artists and artisans. Who needs doorbusters? Open 10am to 8pm

Small Business Saturday - Nov. 23rd
To say thank you for helping us serve you by following our dreams, enter to win drawings throughout the day for Stifel & Capra gift certificates. Grand prize? $100 to buy a present for our favorite customer - YOU! Open 10am to 6pm

Cyber Monday - Nov. 26th
New this year! If you don't get want to brave the crowds, shop vintage at S&C's website to get 20% off! Go to theStifel&Capra Shop and be sure to use coupon code 2012Cyber20 for special savings!

Equilibrium, Schequilibrium...

 I did these two pieces called "Equilibrium" AGES ago to characterize my mom practical side and my la-tee-da sides.  The gal at the top is balancing all her facets, work, kids, spouse, job, logistics, homekeeping, driving while managing to keep every hair in place and a smile on her face.  Babe number two is having a Calgon "take me away" moment dreaming of blue skies, flowers, & making art.

The reality?  If you want canvas number 2 you have to (get to?!) sandwich it among canvas number 1.  Frankly I am feeling the pressure of my deadlines on every front but it is all good.  Except for the reports due, the looming laundry, the embroidery elbow, the disheveled post flood shop cellar, the very ill friends, the friends without power, the crippling neck pain,    As the wise Lesley Riley says, "Just take one step, and begin."  OK, girl, deep breath, get the heating pad out, go to sleep and start again tomorrow.

An Ill wind that blows nobody good

 Nothing like a epic natural disaster to remind you that most of your problems are of your own imagination.  Am still saying my prayers for those caught in the devastation. 

Shockingly, Hurricane Sandy pummeled our neighborhood but we retained power.  Happily as the sump pump in the cellar of the antique building my shop is in was going full steam!  The stacked stone foundation was no match for Sandy.  Thank the Lord for my hubby with the shop vac!  We scooped up sixty gallons on the floor.  Bob ALSO saved me from the "black screen of death".  And yes, we DO have the system backed up.  Now.

Sandy took the bloom off my "woman power, let's all make stuff and find ourselves" first Red Thread Retreat that Lesley Riley hosted up in the hills of Maryland.  I met some AWESOME ladies, especially our instructors Claudine Hellmuth and Nina Bagley.  These ladies are legends in my mixed media world and are just as lovely in person as their work.  Above is only a SMALL part of my stash that I took to make goodies.  More on that next time I promise.

Actually got a couple hours in on my next piece (Ya gotta get the eyes right or you are doomed) for my solo show at 1st Stage that opens in TWO weeks, EEK!  Man, do I have a lot of work to do.

Putting on my dancin' shoes.

 So, here is "Brooklyn Bound" with a new hair do, SOOooo much better than the first attempt.  I wish I looked that good waiting for a train.  I will admit that even in my heyday I wasn't much inclined to ride or drive a couple hundred miles for a party.  Now, it just makes me feel old.

 Another thing that makes me feel old is how many people don't understand Bob's "Sincere Pumpkin" sign.  Don't people watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" any more? 

 Next collage profile?  My daughter in MY dancin' shoes.  Well, actually they are more like my standing around trying to look cool and I never wear them because when I do I am seven feet tall shoes, but a girl can dream, can't she?

These snappy Italian loafers a la' Ellen DeGeneres are probably more my speed.  Mary had these at our last flea market.  Watch the Stifel & Capra Facebook Page for all of the details for next month's Holiday market.  Last outdoor shopping extravaganza of the year.