It is really snowy, gray, and just blah outside right at this moment. Winter really brings me down. Which is probably why I tend to be drawn to reds and oranges this time of year. The warm colors that remind me of fire, and just seem to pop off the screen. Although spending some time inside the Garfield Park Conservatory in winter is the best way to take a free vacation to the tropics. I warmed up there the other day, I was exhausted yet all the plants and oxygen coming from them just woke me up and made me feel so much better. Something that is really easy to miss when nothing is really alive outside.

I feel like I am lagging behind here lately. Trying to get a ton done before the holidays and end of the year! Hoping to also have a new website design going up too. So been extra busy around here… there are also some surprises coming soon, been in the studio working on a handmade gift for a holiday party. Finally finished it tonight and will be able to post photos after the weekend! So excited about it!

Until next time…

I want to have the words
I want to know what to say
The ones that express everything
in their own little way.

I want to see the world
for what it really is.
To stand on the edge
and watch the waves come in.

I want to speak a language
that everyone can understand.
I want to give out hope
like snowflakes only can.

I want to go so far out
that I can’t see land
I want to stay afloat
in the middle of the ocean

I want to sing and dance and play
even on those darkest days
I want to know that in this moment
I am wholly me.

Did this for the self portrait challenge over at shutter sisters.
I feel lighter today like something lifted out of my subconscious, not sure yet what that is or how it will affect me in the coming days, but I feel like the fog has cleared up a little today.

I realized just now as I went through all my old photos that I have never taken a picture of what my studio looks like. I guess it could be that there wasn’t much of a studio to speak of, it was a table and a shelf in the corner of my basement. Today I spent the entire day rearranging and junking and organizing my space so that I now actually have a space. Not just a corner, but what feels like a room. It is still not as big as what I dream of having one day, and it is in the basement which really limits the amount of natural lighting seeing as there are no windows. So with that I present to you my new studio space… wheee!

After looking at these photos I realize that I have very busy studio visually! Good thing it doesn’t cause nausea in person.

I have to apologize for my lack of View Friday this week, been so busy preparing for my show. We hang our work on Wednesday so if you stop by the Salt Creek Wine Bar in Brookfield anytime after that you will get to see my artwork.

Here is a little glimpse of all I have been working on this past week…

And now time to get back to work…

Two years ago we planted a tree in the backyard, a pear tree actually so we can have fresh pears. (one day) It has been fun to see how it has changed so much in just two short years.

Here is a photo from when it was just planted…

You can just barely see it there, it is like a twig stuck in the ground. Over the years though it has gotten tougher and bigger, and fuller with more leaves.

This is the tree today…

It doesn’t blend so much in the background. We also planted a Maple Tree out front last fall, it is still a little twig, but getting stronger everyday. Will probably wait until next year to compare its growth.

Planting trees is so much fun for me, I love gardening but trees are just big substantial plants that can still be standing in fifty years. I really hope at least one of these two trees makes it for a good couple of decades before either new owners cut them down or some act of nature takes them. It is fun to see trees grow from just tiny little twig like trunks to massive ones that you can’t even get your arms around.

Trees are fun, you should go plant one and have some fun too!

Took a little trip down to the Garfield Park Conservatory on Friday. Was so nice to be able to enjoy the gardens in summer for once. I have only ever been down there when it is too cold to enjoy all the outdoor gardens. The palm room is still my favorite though! Some of the photos I took while I was there…

More photos from my adventure here.

So last year my Dad and I threw a surprise party for my Mom’s 60th birthday. I created the invites, and did most of the planning.  So this year my Mom and I did the same for my Dad. The party was two weekends ago, and I thought about posting the invites here on my blog. But since my Dad actually checks my website occasionally I couldn’t take a chance. So the party went off without a hitch and we caught him off guard. This will probably be one of the last suprise parties I throw for awhile, since they are so tough to plan. I am also the worst with keeping secrets.So here is a picture of the cake and the invite.

Converse Chuck Taylors that is, with Camilla Engman’s (RED) Design on them. Now I have to wait for nice weather to wear them. Wouldn’t want them to get too dirty!