Block Party @Space Gallery This Sat

This Saturday I'll be participating in the Block Party at Space gallery in downtown Portland, Maine! Pickwick Independent Press, of which I am a member, is having a little coming out party at the event. We will be making large 4x4 ft and 4x8 ft prints with the use of a steam roller. Yes that's right, a giant steam roller!  I am still working on my woodcut (my first ever as a printmaker!) and can't wait to see how it turns out. The party runs from 6-9pm and it's free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

Heirloom Jewelry Recycled- by Harvest Gold Jewelry

Harvest Gold Jewelry - is a Husband and Wife team who have been designing and making gold and silver jewelry for over 25 years! They live in Western Maine in a beautiful house over looking the mountains and Kezar Lake. They have a standard line of Jewelry- as you can see in their Etsy shop-  but they also specialize in making one of a kind custom pieces, often recycling a family's heirloom gold or stones into a new ring, pendant, or bracelet. 

Above is a recent engagement ring they made for a customer using a family stone, and the bride's father's gold wedding band.  It's a lovely story that I encourage you to read on their blog. I have seen their jewelry in person, and each piece is made with beautiful craftsmanship, attention to detail and with a lovely finish. Their custom work is unique and very creative. See examples of past custom pieces here.

You don't have to live in Maine to meet Bill and Lynda, you can hear their story by checking out their video. Bill and Lynda also have a gallery- Harvest Gold Gallery, where they sell artwork and artisan crafts from local and national artists.  Here is their website!

The 8 Month Bump, a prego update

Here it is, the beginning of my 8th month of being pregnant -a mile stone for sure with still plenty of time to drum my thumbs and wait... wait to see and meet our baby, to pack away my 3 pairs of maternity pants and start this new chapter called "parenthood" dun dun duuunnnnnn. The thing that's so deceiving about the start of the 8th month, is that you don't have 4 weeks left, you have 8-10 weeks, since typically most pregnancies that run full term end at the END of your 9th month. anywho...

Today was a fun day.  I got a special gift in the mail from my thoughtful sister, a dress/tunic from Roberta Roller Rabbit, that I am modeling in these pictures. I love Roberta Roller Rabbit's pieces- I have a bathing suit cover up and another tunic- that sadly does not fit my pregnant frame, so this gift was very perfect! Thanks Liz! What a great way to feel pampered and to break up the monotony of my one drawer of maternity clothes!

Today I also received this Pregnancy Tea I ordered from FlyingBirdBotanicals.

As for how things are moving along in there- baby hiccups are a common event- they feel like the baby is playing percussion to a very rhythmic beat.  The overall movement has morphed into what I think of as a baby whale (inside the momma whale, boom- beat you to it!). There are still random kicks, but the movements are more like a whale rising to the surface of the water and then back down again. And what is rising to the surface- is becoming more defined- here's the back, that's the little butt, and that is definitely a foot!

Other than that- we are now meeting with our midwives every 2 weeks instead of every 4, we begin our birthing classes at the end of the month, and I'm heading to DE for my baby shower in the middle of this month... and besides all the pregnancy stuff- I am working on my art and knitting up some small baby items.  I have some fun ideas- that are non-baby related, that I will share at the end of the week in their designated posts. So stay tuned.  That's it for now!

Harvesting- An ETSY treasury

Another week, a new ETSY treasury by yours truly.

Check it out here.

The Cruise: a must see documentary

This weekend we watched "The Cruise" a documentary chronicling Tim "Speed" Levitch on his "cruise", his job as an NYC tour guide on a double decker bus in 1998. His ability to share historical facts about NYC in a fluid, comical, and often poetic style earned him a cult following and thus this movie was made.  I found myself smiling the entire time, finding amusement and enjoyment during even the most philosophical and/or darker moments of Levitch's observations about his own life and his relationship with NYC.   Check out a classic clip from the movie- HERE.

And after you've seen the movie, watch the three part series on Youtube- filmed after the attacks on the World Trade center on 9/11. Levitch provides an astute observation about what should be done with Ground Zero (his observation happens at the end of Part 3).

A monkey and his cat

“A wild-long tailed macaque monkey has adopted an abandoned kitten at Ubud’s Monkey Forest in Bali.”

I thought this was cute, and a nice way to start your holiday weekend! Have a great Labor Day!

Everybody, cut footloose- A Dancing movie montage

Happy Thursday!

NOW Check out this video- of a movie montage of dancing scenes set to the song Footloose.

Happy September! Now for Some Inspiring Links

(image from Rowan Summer Crochet book)

September is kind of a heady yet inspiring month. No matter the temperature, it marks the change of the seasons, a transitional time of year... and according to Vogue's documentary "The September Issue" September is a time to reinvent yourself. THIS idea is all over the magazine stands- with almost every magazine cover donning the word "Makeover".

For me, this year's September is lining up with the my intense nesting phase. Of course I am always one to work on home body projects... And since I will reach my 8 month mark next week, I have begun a little list of projects I want to accomplish and so I thought it would be fun to share some inspiring links, books etc to inspire your own fall makeovers, or projects!

Poppytalk- has a link for free downloadable wallpaper! Remember if you are renting you can always wallpaper a large 6x8 ft panel!

LoveMaeStore- is a great etsy decal shop that offers reusable fabric decals for you interiors. they are so cute!

OnePearlButton- offers a one hour tutorial for making your own ipad sleeve.

Anna Maria Horner- (love her blog!) has a fun DIY tunic making project! This is exactly what I've been looking for to make my maternity dresses, I will try this with some linen for a fall tunic (stay tuned!)

Rowan Sumer crochet book- I've been wanting to revisit (ie- relearn) crocheting, and this Summer Crochet book as all Rowan books are- is incredibly inspiring! Plus I have all winter to learn and work on these patterns.

Prettylittleworldfashion- offers a fun blog post with inspiring images on pretty storage ideas!

ThisIsGlamorous- a gallery of images for decorating from summer to fall with the use of wicker.

StyleBeat- offers us fun ideas of playing with paint care of J-Crew and Anthropologie.

I hope this inspires your own fall projects!  Any specific projects you have on your list this year?