Photo: Tea Party Flower

I took this photo on Sunday. It makes me happy.

The Polaroid Project: The Early Bird Wins

Driving in the wee hours is so good for you sometimes.

(swoon)

The Polaroid Project: Fall

Oh “Fall”—my beloved season. You are a rascal. Where did you run off to? It is so cold here without you.

A Visit to GoodWill

I went to GoodWill looking for a treasure.

Stories...

they were everywhere.

Then I saw him, and I knew why I had come.

The Fruitcake Lady

Well, my day is made. I just stumbled upon this hilarious video and I must share. 

Watch and learn... 

HooperPower Hoopdance: Fitness Loves Fun™

Workout. Treadmill. The Gym. Lifting Weights. Excited yet? If you aren't, join the club. 

Almost 5 years ago I discovered the body+mind benefits of Hooping. It's true people, getting a workout can be fun. Here's a recent video I edited down of a two hour hooping practice session. Did it feel like two hours? Heck no. Did I feel like a million bucks afterwards? Stress-free? High on endorphins? Did I sleep like a baby that night? Yessiree. If you like what you see and want to learn how to hoop, you can check out the schedules (I teach classes) at hooperpower.com.

The Polaroid Project: Yellow Tree for a Rainy Day

It's cold and rainy in Chicago today. London-style misty rain. This polaroid feels like a big strong 10-minute hug.

Drawing: Stella

I just dug up some drawings for a potential job doing fashion illustration and, man it feels good. I love drawing. This one in particular makes me sigh a happy sigh tonight.

Book Covers: Rita

My grandmother Rita, a.k.a Maudie, was one-of-a-kind. Almost a year ago, I got my hands on some priceless photos of her that my cousins had and I sat down and designed a bookjacket for what I thought her biography, or a novel with her as the main character, could look like.

Wooden Sleeping Bag: ‘Again’ Video

I made this lil’ video for the hauntingly beautiful song ‘Again’, by the Chicago band ‘Wooden Sleeping Bag’. The footage was captured in Tennessee and Maryland. The dude in this video is the singer/songwriter/saxophonist from Wooden Sleeping Bag, Noah Tabakin. The drawing segment in the beginning is me sketching away to the laughter of children on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

Snuggler

I snapped this pic before a nap with the world’s greatest boy cat, Mr. Bones. He's been my pal since I was 16.

The Polaroid Project: Pride

I took this polaroid in October and at the time it felt like a strong juxtaposition to me—a visual oxymoron. Today the composition feels more like a gateway—a partnership of the symbols. I am so proud of my country.

September Rain in Chicago

The weekend of the Renegade Craft Fair was a very rainy one this year. I was helping my friend Kathy Beymer set up her booth that weekend and the rain soaked through my cowboy boots and socks sumfin’ awful. So, I squished my way west on Division Street and walked into Penelope's and asked “Do you guys carry galoshes?” Indeed they did. When I got home that day, I eagerly and confidently jumped out of my car into the pool that always collects in my parking spot when it rains. I usually have to 007-maneuver my way into, and out of the car on wet days, but not that day. When I looked down thankfully at my new galoshes under the cover of my red umbrella, I saw the ‘photo’ above. Glad I had my iPhone with me.

Fall Urban Polaroid Wreath

My great pal Kathy Beymer and I have been collaborating on all things creative for over 7 years now. A few weeks ago I was at her place and she mentioned an idea for a wreath of polaroids and well, you know how I feel about polaroids, so, I pulled out a heap of them that I had with me and we brainstormed this Urban Fall Wreath. Kathy has an incredible blog called Merriment Design that showcases all kinds of creative goodies with the step-by-step photo instructions for how to make them yourselves. Hop on over and check out her extensive post on the Urban Fall Wreath and many other treats.

SteamPunk Fashion Show: Oleander

My lovely and talented friend Marta and I worked our little butts off creating two costumes for the Steampunk Fashion Show under our tiny costume line named ‘Oleander’. The show, organized by Read My Hips Bellydance Company was loaded with edgy and boundary-pushing design. It was an honor to be a part of such a refreshing show. BCJ Photography took some really solid shots of all the fashions and performances for the evening.

Round The Bend Farm

[CLICK ON IMAGE to see it a bit bigger]

I spent alot of time growing up on Round the Bend Farm. This is a mixed media piece I created about one of those memories. The hottie in the Rugby is my incredible aunt Betsy. She inspires me. The shrimp on the teeny pony (that Betsy saved from the glue factory), is moi. 

The Polaroid Project: A Sea of Pumpkins

Fall is my absolute favorite season.

The Polaroid Project: My Trusty Boots

Since I learned that Polaroid won’t be making any more polaroid film (the horror!), I have been digging up the old polaroids that I've taken the past 10 years with my Walgreens-purchased camera. The old gal was picked up so my brother and I could instantly document our world-famous roadtrips through the Wild West, Norway and the like. 

I have been carrying my polaroid around again to document the regular moments of my life. Polaroids make normal things seem so emotional, moody and dreamy. Even taking off my boots for the day looks like a story. I think I'll continue to post my favorite captures on this blog under the title “The Polaroid Project”.

Owls are the coolest

[CLICK ON IMAGE to see it a bit bigger]

I have always loved owls since I was a teeny girl. I sketch them when I am in meetings at work, I've collected many a necklace with an owl pendant through the years, I have a few figurines I've picked up at flea markets scattered around the house, I even have a hoodie with owls all over it (thanks Mom). I secretly dream of being invited to a “dress as your favorite animal” party so I can make an owl costume. So I thought it fitting that my first post should be with an oil painting from a series that I'm currently working on. I think he's good luck.