weekend getaway...

This week I am getting ready for the fast approaching Lill Holiday Market. It's just about a week away and I have plenty left to do! Thankfully, a few of my other projects have just recently wrapped up, including the 30 day sketch and the set design for Museum. In the midst of all this, I decided to come up for a big gulp of air and headed to Denver for the weekend. A dear friend of mine recently moved there, so it was great to see her and explore a new city. We walked around town, visited some great shops (Fancy Tiger, Kozo, Heidelberg Antiques, and Gallagher Books), had a delicious brunch at Gaia, and hiked through Rocky Mountain National Park. Here are a few pictures!

weekend blurbs...

...sitting at a library desk with a stack of good books, working on my current set design project

checked out: "Sketch Book, Conceptual drawings from the World's Most Influential Designers", by Timothy O'Donnell, "Leon Ferrai and Mira Schendel, Tangled Alphabets" and a couple others.

...a couple of finds from the Kane County flea market.  I also picked up a few prints and some really delicious apple cider donuts.

... sidewalk art that I stumbled upon on a walk

...the lesser known public park, where I worked on drawings for the 30 day sketch.

... see the finished version on MAKE.

sunday...

Lounging on the grass in the park... 

after which,  I went to an antique market and got some great paper for collaging.  The thirty day sketch starts in just three days and I plan to use some of it in my book.  On top of that, I've just started a new set design and I'm in for a busy week at work.  I'll probably be visiting this moment in my mind a few times and wishing I could do a little time travel.

buttons...

Yesterday, at the shady end of the Logan Square farmer's market, I found someone selling buttons.  Sometimes, digging through buttons is more of a commitment than I'm willing to make.  There is a lot of digging and scrutinizing involved, there's a chance your search will not unearth anything that interests you... and there's the button grime.  And, in this case, there was a lot of button grime.  But, there were enough promising buttons peaking out at me, so I decided to put in a little time digging.  Here are my finds.  I plan on using them in my necklaces... after giving them a nice button bath.

in the apartment...

I originally had picnics and sunbathing in mind for Saturday afternoon, but as the rain started to come down on my morning errands, I ruled these things out and decided to relax in my apartment until the coast was clear.  I popped in a movie and set up in my kitchen to work on some collage bracelets.  I've made a few of these in the past, but either given them away, or stubbornly held onto them for myself.  So, these will be going into my shop (along with some collage earrings).  Just a coat of glaze, and they will be ready to go!

p.s.  I did finally emerge in the evening for a rooftop party with killer brisket and fireworks in every direction!  Happy belated forth!

new...

Yesterday I spent most of the afternoon and early evening working in my studio.  I made a few new necklaces - and spent this afternoon doing a photo shoot (in my kitchen: see my "sophisticated" photo studio set up below).  To see the full selection, check out my shop.  

welcome to oz...

Last night I wrapped up my zoot suit inspired costume design.  Okay, more like this morning.  How does 3:30 am roll around so quickly when you have a deadline?  Part of the cast will be dressed in zoot suits, and others will be in a modern interpretation of the zoot suit.  The modern version is a street wear look with baggy clothing, bandanas and chains.  I probably could've gone even more baggy on the street wear to mirror the same exaggerated look of the zoot suit... this is where budget comes in... (Oh, Budget!)  All the costumes have at least one part that is black and emerald green stripe to exude an OZ feel, since that's part of the show's theme.  Dorothy isn't show here in my pictures... but there is a Dorothy.

weekend projects...

This weekend I've been working on sketches for Harvey, giving my vintage boxes a new life and enjoying 30 degree weather (like spring!).  Despite the fact that it's warmed up, I've still been working on a lot of projects on my living room floor since my studio has no heat.  This tends to result in an art project explosion.  Funny how it happens in a matter of seconds, but takes so long to clean up... which is what I am about to do next since I have dinner guests tonight!  On the menu: moroccan-spiced chicken, minted carrots, apricot pistachio couscous... and ice cream of course.

the mess... and the results.

baby...

As I may have mentioned, my brother and his wife are expecting their first baby soon.  So, I've taken a little detour from my other projects to do some baby prep!  The last three weekends, I've hopped on the train to go to their house and paint the nursery.  Everything is almost done... hopefully I'll get some more pictures when the last touches are complete.  I also created the baby shower invitation shown above. 

This weekend: work, set design, boxes and falafels...

sunday morning in bed...

After a very long work day yesterday, I am spending this morning in bed.  Last night on the train home, I finished The Reader, so now I am looking for a new book to read.  If you have any suggestions, let me know.  On my plate for today (when I finally do get up!): painting my brother's nursery, hopefully breakfast, and if I'm lucky, a little antique market shopping.  Have a good weekend.