I feel like I've won the artistic lottery this week.  Finding out just last Friday that a studio space had opened up at the Emy Frentz Arts Guild, I inquired as if throwing a "hail mary".  Little did I know that within 72 hours of that first contact I would have the key in my hand and a name plate on my door.  The only requirement was to pass the artistic interview (which Axel did most of the talking) and to sign a ridiculously short leasing contract.  When I asked about the casual nature of the contract she simply replied, "you're artists, what harm can you do?"

The building itself is an old stone church, nestled in perennial gardens, the sanctuary has been divided into several artist studios and also a gallery.  The studio that I am blessed to call mine is even more spectacular because it sits atop a private staircase and contains the most beautiful stained glass window. Literally a crown jewel.

I come into this space with no particular goals, no expectations, really just trying to let be what will be here.  There is a corner where Axel can relax, plenty of room for sewing, writing or just playing around with fibers, and it even has a bathroom (or as I call it, a water source for wet felting).  Wonderful energy here, peace and quiet, and most importantly, a community of people who share my passion for shedding new and mo light to our time here on earth.

Certainly more to come on my celestial studio, but for now a few preliminary snap shots.

Our favorite place in the world happens to be a ditch, along a windy country road.  Every year, a local farmer collects his crop of fall lovelies and displays them in old school fashion

It's a "pay on your honor" kind of system and you can find just what you need to spruce up your home for autumn.  We love it...period.  Random people pull up, grab what they need and leave, but we seem to linger, as Axel absorbes the spirit of each individual pumpkin.

I am so anxious to bring the camera, every year my best photos come from pumpkin day.  Something about a pale child next to such vibrant colors is simply beautiful.  My tree hugging child is not much for photos, but he did find lots of smiles yesterday when he realized, for the first time, that he could pick out a pumpkin of his OWN!  

After finding just the right one for his room, he proceeded to find pumpkins for each of our rooms as well.  I had predicted going home with the biggest, ugliest pumpkins in the patch, the kind I would have wanted as a kid, but he went for the tiny ones, near symmetrical in shape and with a perfect "handle" for him to carry.

We came home with four pumpkins, one for each of us (Oscar of course gets his own).  Since he picked from the pile marked $0.50, we were indebted $2. I felt like giving them a tip, but then I remembered that this year we're getting off easy...next year he'll want a monster!  

...the tree hugging everyone's ok with.  The dog hugging needs work (at least thats what Oscar thinks).

Up until now I have been a believer in raw photography...now I believe in photoshop.  Tyler, my brother asked me to take his senior pictures this year...yes, I still have a brother in high school, and I was honored to capture his grown-up self this past weekend.  Feeling that the time was right, and I personally have liked myself in fewer photographs lately, Jahred and I invested in youth/software that is cheaper than botox.

Because I'm not yet a pro, I am experimenting with different effects to see exactly how far I'm willing to go.  I do think I'll keep my photos honest, but playing with the colors is oh so much fun!

Because this is Tyler's last "first day of school" I thought I would include Axels first "first day of school."  A big year for both of them.

Axels first day of pre-school, only the red eyes were removed.

Andy (the middle brother in our family) turns 24, Axel decorated two cakes with candles.  Some color work was done on this photo.

Tyler's senior pic.  Selective coloring on this photo.  This could get addicting!

Do something everyday that scares you...right?  Well this morning, I stumbled upon " THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT" and thought, wow, this is exactly the kind of project we need right now.  Do I have any previous sketching experience...no, am I completely interested in the art of drawing...yes, is the world ready to see my mean rendition of the Sesame Street characters...you bet!  You are sent a sketchbook, given a random topic and a barcode, then you complete the sketchbook over the next few months.  

When the time is up, you send it in, and all the books together tour museums around the Unites States.  Upon completion of the tour, the sketchbooks will reside permanently in The Brooklyn Art Library.

The topic assigned to Axel and I . . . "Science Experiment Gone Wrong."  Perfect.

Once again we're in a new semester, and Jahred has yet another new schedule.  Seriously, it keeps a Mom on her toes organizing clinical rotations, pre-school, gymnastics and yoga (thats for me).

Since Jahred is occasionally home during the day, he thought he would take it upon himself to document some of Axel and I's strange behavior (we had no idea normal people don't do these things).

First of all, we made an interesting new toy involving five vintage silk scarves from the thrift store and an old can from Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs.  Total cost of toy, $1.25 (it was 50% off day for the scarves).  Amazingly simple was the construction of this device: tying the scarves together, slitting the lid of the bread crumb container...you get my drift I'm sure.

Loads of fun with this game, pulling it out, stuffing it in, and most of all, running wild dragging an unbelievably long tail!

The other behavior apparently bordering abnormal is the fact that Axel thinks there is a whale in my mouth.  Yes, a whale.  It took me a few days, but I totally get why he might think this.  In several movies, books and folktales, people or fish get swallowed by whales.  It's fairly common.  And what do you see as you are about to become lunch?  Well, it's the same anatomy of our own throat; a pink bulging tongue, a round dark opening and a uvula right in the middle.  No idea how this game got started, but Axel simply loves looking for my whale, and although he has searched for whales in other peoples mouths, mine is the best...trophy anyone?

So there you have it, our dirty laundry and guilty pleasures.  Two and a half years alone with a child can seriously drive you mad, unless of course you have some cheap entertainment.

A picture story of another summer gone by. 

Check my Etsy shop for LOADS of new product and lower prices.  

I can feel change brewing, and not just in the weather...the next few months will hopefully be filled with positive new beginnings.  As life for my family moves on, I may soon be saying goodbye to Etsy...but in these next couple weeks, I plan to give my shop a huge booster shot for an incredibly fashionable Holiday Season!

It is said that the sense of smell is the most nostalgic.  Just one whiff of something can submerge you in memories both fond and forgettable.  To an artistically tuned person, I would argue that the sense of touch packs a wicked punch as well.

Just in time for fall, I've discovered a new fiber by Araucania, and am truly falling for knits and purls all over again.  This beautiful yarn named "Panguipulli", after a Chilean lake surrounded by volcanos, waterfalls and thousand-year-old trees, lives up to it's geological significance.  It's component, simple, 100% Merino Wool, hand dyed in Chile into several decadent blends, divine for your fingers...not to mention your face.

This lace/cable cowl pattern jumped out to me from Ravelry, and with a few adaptations it was set for my new favorite yarn.  In just under 5 hours, the cowl is complete, ready for wearing, or in my case, giving.  I may just have to make myself one of these as well, since impulses drove me to buy three skeins of Panguipulli in just one yarn shop visit.  I can't get enough!

To all my fellow knitters...welcome to fall...go nuts!