day one...

Growing up,  I had the same art teacher from 4th grade all the way through high school graduation.  Every single year, our first assignment was to draw our hand.  Since then, I always start each one of my sketchbooks with a hand drawing.  Today I was feeling out of practice.

30 days...

Towards the end of June, I decided to give myself a thirty day challenge to get certain areas of my life in order.  My goal: get through a laundry list of to-dos that had been out there so long I had just started ignoring them, and to rejuvenate my daily routine.  Specifics on the daily rejuvenation list: exercise, pack lunch for work, no coffee.  Laundry list: take car in to the shop, go to the dentist, explore the option of getting additional studio space, get renters insurance, etc.  The results: the laundry list is done!  As a result of checking these things off my list, starting this month, I will have additional studio space, which is perfect timing, because I'm having an open studio on the 23rd.  Also this month, I will be sending my car "out to pasture" (after having gotten the verdict from the mechanic) and signing up for I-Go, which I feel really good about.  My only shortcoming in the whole thirty days happened just four days from the end, when I decided I would exercise upon waking up from a nap - and ended up waking up a 6:30 the next morning!!  Argh.    

Despite missing that day, I feel like I've found the rhythm I'd been looking for, and accomplished some things that will have a big impact on the rest of my year.  So, as a follow up, I have a new 30 day challenge.  In the spirit of preparing for my open studio later this month, I will be doing a drawing a day for the next thirty days, starting tomorrow.  I have a fresh new sketch book and pencil that I'm really excited to start using!  Check back for the results.

now listening...

My most recent music purchase: Zee Avi.  She is originally from Borneo, was discovered on YouTube, and is now touring.  For more of her story or music, check out her website.

calling...

Today I came across these calling and escort cards at a sidewalk sale.  I love the different shapes and sizes and fonts; and I am always intrigued by little cultural rituals that have died away.  I laughed when I read the response card to the escort card - picturing a couple standing awkwardly, exchanging cards instead of conversation.  I'm sure it didn't exactly happen that way, but google didn't help me out too much with the history of such exchanges when I looked up "escort cards" or "dance cards".  I'll have to do some more searching.  In any case, I gave in to my weakness for paper ephemera and took these home.  

new...

The new collage bracelets that I made on the rainy forth of July weekend are now for sale in my shop!

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!