creative inspiration

A dear friend passed this quote along to me. I think it was from the Zen of Creativity? It spoke to my very being as I'm working out the transition from full-time artist to full-time mom.

"The signature of artists is not what they do, but in how intense their motivation is to manifest the extraordinary...doing what you do in such a way that you create an emotional field that inspires others...a need to express yourself so much that your well-being is wrapped up in this energy."

and now, Fyn the great, peforming his latest tricks!

pb&j

One of our favorites - homemade strawberry jam, homemade peanut butter and Pleasanton Brick Oven Bread!
The table is an old card table covered in woodgrain contact paper! Red gingham napkins were a wedding gift from T's family.

Tommy's p-nut butter
16 oz blanched peanuts - process in food processor
2T olive oil - add to peanuts, maybe a little more
salt
brown sugar
honey
It takes a while to process, but it will form a ball and roll around in processor. Sometimes I add extra oil when I know it needs to be spreadable, for picnicking!

Jones' ice cream in Baldwin!

Ah, summertime! On our drives home from Grand Rapids, we love to stop at Jones' ice cream in Baldwin for some homemade ice cream. Recently, we discovered that both Fyn and I are lactose-intolerant, and will be watching Tommy eat the ice cream from now on, but this moment was worth celebrating.
Fyn's pants are made from my favorite Joel Dewberry faux bois wood grain fabric. I made the pattern from another pair of pants, adding a 3" cuff lining on the inside, so he could wear them longer. Good thing too, b/c when I tried to order more (as I wanted a pair in every size!) it was discontinued! So sad!

summertime at the lake

Remember when everything was new? The first time in the lake, on the boat and the dock - so enchanting. I fell in love my first time, and again as Fyn experienced each of them this summer.

reusable brown bag for lunch

After seeing oilcloth versions of this classic design on both martha stewart and design*sponge , I chose a waxed canvas, and made it with the seams inside, sewing the top hem last to keep it even. The vintage button and elastic loop closure keep it closed.

recycled+revamped at Reed's Lake Art Festival 2009

It was a hot, sunny day in East Grand Rapids. Thank you to everyone who came out to say hello, and especially those who chose new bags!

Fyn and Uncle Rob helped with the very early morning set-up at 6 am!

My dad came to play with Fyn while we were setting up and tearing down. It was a great Father's Day weekend with my family!