Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Lazy Day
Today we had a long overdue visit with friends that we had not met with for some time because this one was busy, or that one was busy... you know, the way life usually plays out. The sunny weather was also long overdue and eating an uncomplicated meal with uncomplicated friends made the warm, spring day so relaxing.
It doesn't take much to entertain kids and there is nothing like childhood memories full of running around barely clothed, dogging refreshing bursts of water from a garden hose.
I am finding that black and white has become one of my favorite methods of choice when photographing people. For me, one is not so distracted by colors or backgrounds, which gives the images more of their own voice. My friend, who is shy of cameras these days, requested me not to take photos of her. But I would say that this shot reveals a lot of her character and who she is because I think one can tell a lot about a persons hands... not to mention that there is nothing like a mother's touch.
It doesn't take much to entertain kids and there is nothing like childhood memories full of running around barely clothed, dogging refreshing bursts of water from a garden hose.
I am finding that black and white has become one of my favorite methods of choice when photographing people. For me, one is not so distracted by colors or backgrounds, which gives the images more of their own voice. My friend, who is shy of cameras these days, requested me not to take photos of her. But I would say that this shot reveals a lot of her character and who she is because I think one can tell a lot about a persons hands... not to mention that there is nothing like a mother's touch.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Here a Chick, There a Chick...
It just wouldn't be Easter without Peeps...
If you are not from the United States, you may be asking yourself right now, what in the heck are Peeps? As a child growing up, I can remember every Easter we would color eggs, have an Easter egg hunt, and always get an Easter basket filled with toys and sugary goodies to satisfy even the severest sweet tooth. These colored sugar covered marshmellows, which come in all pastel shades, became an all time favorite of mine because the holiday candy is basically sugar in it's purest form. For many years, Peeps were only sold at Easter time, but now hearts for Valentine's Day, orange pumpkins for Halloween, and green pine trees for Christmas can be found.
A friend of mine travled to the States recently and she asked me before her trip if there was anything she could bring back for me... "PEEPS!", came my immediate reply. They added practically no weight to her suitcase and were delievered in time to make my Easter complete. The great thing is that since my German husband is not too fond of such sugar bombs, I got them all to myself. Thanks Eva!
Happy Easter!
If you are not from the United States, you may be asking yourself right now, what in the heck are Peeps? As a child growing up, I can remember every Easter we would color eggs, have an Easter egg hunt, and always get an Easter basket filled with toys and sugary goodies to satisfy even the severest sweet tooth. These colored sugar covered marshmellows, which come in all pastel shades, became an all time favorite of mine because the holiday candy is basically sugar in it's purest form. For many years, Peeps were only sold at Easter time, but now hearts for Valentine's Day, orange pumpkins for Halloween, and green pine trees for Christmas can be found.
A friend of mine travled to the States recently and she asked me before her trip if there was anything she could bring back for me... "PEEPS!", came my immediate reply. They added practically no weight to her suitcase and were delievered in time to make my Easter complete. The great thing is that since my German husband is not too fond of such sugar bombs, I got them all to myself. Thanks Eva! Happy Easter!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Der Hamburger Michel
We just finished our second spring show held near one of Hamburg's most famous churches, the St. Michaelis, also called Michel. Considered a landmark for sailors on the river Elbe, this beautiful church is dedicated to the archangel Michael.
Directly behind the church is a quaint little alley with shops and galleries operating in century old buildings. The narrow alleyway with it's leaning fachwerk buildings just adds to its charm, which would easily explain the attraction for many tourists. I don't think I will ever get tired of being surrounded by buildings that have their own story to tell.
Directly behind the church is a quaint little alley with shops and galleries operating in century old buildings. The narrow alleyway with it's leaning fachwerk buildings just adds to its charm, which would easily explain the attraction for many tourists. I don't think I will ever get tired of being surrounded by buildings that have their own story to tell.
Monday, April 6, 2009
"Project Month" Easter Deco
Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, flowers are in bloom, and now my fingers are itching to create. So this month I will be sharing a project each week, created from colorful and spring inspired fabrics, for my "April Project Month" series.
Even though Easter is next week, this is such a simple little project, that there is still enough time to make these adorable little Easter Eggs. (free downloadable pattern from Retro Mama) . Nothing says spring like Heather Bailey's Pop Garden & Bijoux fabrics found here.
Even though Easter is next week, this is such a simple little project, that there is still enough time to make these adorable little Easter Eggs. (free downloadable pattern from Retro Mama) . Nothing says spring like Heather Bailey's Pop Garden & Bijoux fabrics found here.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Surprise/Überraschung!
I got the sweetest surprise in the mail today... and it was totally and completely unexpected. Stephie from Siebeneinunddreisig, winner of the March giveaway/gewinnspiel, sent me the most adorable little note cards as a thank you. (designed by Lisa DeJohn)
Attached to the precious cards, which feature four different birds, was a yellow Easter chick that she made... perfect for this season. Just this morning I was thinking how much I have been enjoying the birds that have been coming to visit us each morning at breakfast.. and then these these little guys flew in. Wunderschön!...
... Und jetzt ein richtiges, riesiges, ganz herzliches Dankeschön an meine "Österreichische Freundin", die richtig ausgesucht hat, was genau zu meinem Geschmack passt. Die süsse Stephie lässt regelmässig englische Kommentare auf meinem blog, obwohl es für sie eine Fremdsprache ist. Tausend, tausend Dank!
Attached to the precious cards, which feature four different birds, was a yellow Easter chick that she made... perfect for this season. Just this morning I was thinking how much I have been enjoying the birds that have been coming to visit us each morning at breakfast.. and then these these little guys flew in. Wunderschön!...
... Und jetzt ein richtiges, riesiges, ganz herzliches Dankeschön an meine "Österreichische Freundin", die richtig ausgesucht hat, was genau zu meinem Geschmack passt. Die süsse Stephie lässt regelmässig englische Kommentare auf meinem blog, obwohl es für sie eine Fremdsprache ist. Tausend, tausend Dank!Monday, March 30, 2009
Girls, Goldfish, and Strawberries
As part of my birthday present from my husband, we went to an art exhibition featuring the work of Henri Matisse on Saturday. We took the morning slow and eventually wandered downtown, despite the cold rain. During the exhibition my husband decided that we should play a little game... which painting would I pick if I could purchase one? We made our second round after careful observation of each piece and much to my surprise, after sharing and comparing, we both had this painting on our list. This painting is of Matisse's daughter, who was often the subject of his work.
I can remember back to my college days, (when no one could afford real art) I had this poster from Matisse's 1911 painting, titled Goldfish. Of course it would have been nice to see it live, but even though it was absent, I was more disappointed that the well-known paper cutout pieces from the later part of Matisse's career were not included in the exhibition.
Someone once told us that "rule" in Hamburg is that if you don't like the weather... just wait 30 minutes. Unfortunatley, this did not prove to be true because the rain never let up. Instead of eating sushi out, the gray, damp weather influenced us to make our way back home for dinner and spend the rest of our evening snuggled up together on the sofa. And what better way to end the day than with chocolate covered strawberries.
I can remember back to my college days, (when no one could afford real art) I had this poster from Matisse's 1911 painting, titled Goldfish. Of course it would have been nice to see it live, but even though it was absent, I was more disappointed that the well-known paper cutout pieces from the later part of Matisse's career were not included in the exhibition.
Someone once told us that "rule" in Hamburg is that if you don't like the weather... just wait 30 minutes. Unfortunatley, this did not prove to be true because the rain never let up. Instead of eating sushi out, the gray, damp weather influenced us to make our way back home for dinner and spend the rest of our evening snuggled up together on the sofa. And what better way to end the day than with chocolate covered strawberries.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Art Comes in Many Forms...
Wishing a very vibrant, color filled, and awe-inspiring weekend. Ours starts now with a day in downtown Hamburg, art exhibition by Henri Matisse, and maybe sushi for dinner. Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Verden Show/Ausstellung
Just thought I would share a few photos from our show. As you can tell, the colors are brighter and more spring and summer like. It's so hard to me to resist color... from one look at my Dad's website, I think one could easily assume that my taste for color was inherited.
On another note, before I went to bed last night I logged onto Dawanda to look at something in my shop, and what do you know... there was my bracelet on front page!
On another note, before I went to bed last night I logged onto Dawanda to look at something in my shop, and what do you know... there was my bracelet on front page! 
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Seven Great Things About Getting Older...
1. Getting plants for the front yard...
2. Inheriting vintage 1920's linens that were your husband's great grandmother's...
3. Reading diaries about British life in the countryside in 1906 (before there were blogs)...
4. Working with new tools that make sewing even more fun...
5. Completing your favorite tea service with the matching platter...
6. Viewing art exhibitions from world-renown artists...
7. Receiving a bouquet of tulips from a friend...
2. Inheriting vintage 1920's linens that were your husband's great grandmother's...
3. Reading diaries about British life in the countryside in 1906 (before there were blogs)...
4. Working with new tools that make sewing even more fun...
5. Completing your favorite tea service with the matching platter...
6. Viewing art exhibitions from world-renown artists...
7. Receiving a bouquet of tulips from a friend...
Monday, March 23, 2009
Just Another Day
Last year I went with my husband's grandmother to a very well known artist town/community not far from my husband's hometown called Worpswede. Around the turn of the century several well known artists lived in the area and many painters works were inspired by everyday life in the region. To remember our trip I picked up this post card from Heinrich Vogeler (1903) I couldn't resist this sweet little calendar flower girl from my favorite month, certainly receiving compliments from the gentleman wishing to have her affections.
On another note, this is the perfect picture to celebrate this special day for me... I can't help hoping that I will hear this song today, but it will have to remain my little secret just how many years I have been 29.
On another note, this is the perfect picture to celebrate this special day for me... I can't help hoping that I will hear this song today, but it will have to remain my little secret just how many years I have been 29.Saturday, March 21, 2009
Art Show/Ausstellung
Our first spring show starts today... it will be lots of German practice for me, but I love meeting new people and interacting with customers. Lucky for me most people find my American accent, wrong sentence structure, and terrible grammar to be quite charming.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Spring Green!
It seems these days that I really have "spring" on the brain, and what better way to celebrate it than to say it with green! I wanted to share a few of my favorite artists on Dawanda and what fantastic things they have created. Enjoy...
Sieben Morgen, based in Stuttgart, creates fabulous prints, gift tags, buttons, and journals. Everything in this shop is fantantic and this sweet bunny is just absolutely adorable.
Another talented Dawanda artist, Lieselchen, makes makeup bags, coin purses, digital camera straps, cards, buttons, and funny little wallets shaped like panties. What I love about Simone's shop is that she is not afraid of color and that she uses unusual fabrics like this one from Jay McCarroll.
London based artist, Abigail Brown, makes the sweetest little Creatures in Boxes. Each handcrafted friend is made with both new and recycled items and comes with it's own box perfect for gift giving.
Denzzil's Shop makes these amusing little birdhouses from right here in Hamburg. His designs are unusual and are always a conversation piece that would make the perfect home for feathered friends.
Sieben Morgen, based in Stuttgart, creates fabulous prints, gift tags, buttons, and journals. Everything in this shop is fantantic and this sweet bunny is just absolutely adorable.
Another talented Dawanda artist, Lieselchen, makes makeup bags, coin purses, digital camera straps, cards, buttons, and funny little wallets shaped like panties. What I love about Simone's shop is that she is not afraid of color and that she uses unusual fabrics like this one from Jay McCarroll.
London based artist, Abigail Brown, makes the sweetest little Creatures in Boxes. Each handcrafted friend is made with both new and recycled items and comes with it's own box perfect for gift giving.
Denzzil's Shop makes these amusing little birdhouses from right here in Hamburg. His designs are unusual and are always a conversation piece that would make the perfect home for feathered friends.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Favorite Seasons
My brother has a theory about birthdays and favorite seasons... he says that usually when you ask most people what is their favorite season that they name the season in which they were born. I do think that his theory could hold some truth and found his observation interesting when I answered his question with "spring" as my favorite season. In fact, I celebrate my birthday this month. He has not come up with a "favorite color" theory, but it may be no coincidence that mine is green.
... Just a few photos from my walk at my in-laws this week.
... Just a few photos from my walk at my in-laws this week.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
And The Winners Are...
Thanks to everyone who participated and all your great comments. Please stop by often and feel free to comment in German or in Engligh. Stay tuned for next month's giveaway! Congratulations Lotta's Kleider and Polka Dots!Allison
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