2153 North Alberta

I'v been busy lately with some lovely House Portraits! Here is a view of the first of two I'm posing tonight. You know - the photos don't do them justice. The colors don't show well with flash and overhead lights. I should have taken the pictures today - with the sun... but the day just went too fast.

I think I will take some more pics tomorrow before I send them off. I hope they are well received!
Thanks so much Amanda!!

Go Phillies.

We had an exciting time this past week. The Phillies won - which is a great thing for my hubby. I'm not the most faithful of fans as I didn't grow up in Philadelphia. But I'm very happy for all of the people in my life who feel relieved / elated by the big win.

I had a wonderful gift from Philly last week too. This copy of Philadelphia Home came on Friday - featuring my custom House Print Tea Towels. The lovely editor Emily contacted me after seeing my towels on the front page at Etsy. I feel a little star struck to be on the same page as Ligne Roset - as well as the other fab. local designers.

So here's to Philadelphia - where I met my husband in college, best friends, and have migrated back to after many years.

Go Phillies!

40 Parker

Here is a photo of the latest House Portrait.

I really like the more sophisticated color palet.
Hopefully Anne will approve!

Back and Busy.

Things are getting busy.

My trip to California last week just added a bit of distraction and fun and sadness as my very wonderful uncle died - and we were celebrating his life. I couldn't cry when I was surrounded by my family, as I love to see them and it was a happy reunion of sorts. But when I left on the Bart to go see my best friend in Piedmont - the tears came. I am so sad that he is gone - it is a part of my life that confirmed my kid-ness. And now that things are changing - I feel like I am on the front line of life - as the previous front line is getting thinner.

Ok - enough of that - just had to give the reason for my delinquency and absence to my posting.

All kinds of nice (other) things are happening:

1. With my new house - it looks like camp Graeff will begin in a week or so. We are going in - with a kitchen or not. Will show pics in a couple of days of progress.

2. Started a new consulting job in New York - back in the saddle again. I'm working with some very nice people - doing some fun top secret things. Perhaps I might be able to fill you in later ( I'll need to ask my boss ;)

3. Finished a very pretty House Portrait - "the House with the Red Door" - is now called "40 Parker" - and some pics will be posted next.

4. Received a very nice convo from Flowerpress this morning that we ( a bunch of us on Etsy who hand print tea towels) are featured on a fairly well read blog called My Home Style. Here is the link if you would like to see!

I have been especially delinquent with my Printsy Thursday - I have some favs. I would like to show - but I think many are out for vacation( I have not gotten permission yet) - I may post as soon as I have the OK.

OK - back to work...

Thanks Scoutie Girl!

Well, we are back from a great weekend away. First to see some fun and creative tree houses last Friday ( will post about next) and a couple of days in Avalon, NJ ( great weather and fun friends).

Just a little thanks to Jan at Scoutie Girl for posting about my houses on her very informative blog. I don't know how she "scouts" out all of the great finds each day - but am happy she found me!

Now to the rest of my morning tea!

Welcome to the Neighborhood.

Whew... so glad to have these finished to photo today! I love how they turned out. The "owner" requested bright colors - and I love brights too. Really reminds me of Fiestaware.

Just thought I would post these final pieces to give the full picture of the development of the Charlotte custom house portrait. I don't know what the official name of this one is yet - but will be posting some in my shop next week. Happy to have another member of the house group!

Thanks for looking!

Say “Cheese”.

Tonight I will be beginning a portrait of a lovely home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Because this is such a perfect subject for a linocut – I thought I would show how I go about interpreting a photo into a portrait.




I received these two photos of the house via e-mail. As you can see, the pictures capture the whole front of the house. Because this home is quite close to it’s neighbors and faces the street directly – I like the picture to be as straight as possible to the structure. If the home had some land around it – or was set back at an angle – I would request a number of different views to get a feel for it’s personality on the lot. In any case – these pictures are very nice and give me a good view of the details.

The sketching comes next. I was very optimistic this morning that I would have had an image ready to post by now – but it just wasn’t meant to be. With a morning of cleaning (very necessary) and an afternoon of fun kid’s play-date and t-ball – I’m just spent. Will have some sketches by tomorrow – so stay tuned.

Now this is fun!

Now this is fun!

I had this urge last month to take some pictures of houses in my neighborhood. There are some great house shapes on my street. Some are Sears’s kit houses from the 20’s and this one is a Victorian from the late 1800’s. This image shows a linoleum block that I cut out using the victorian as a reference – a sort of portrait.


The best part about linoleum printing is how satisfyingly quick and easy the printing is. Carving the block is another story. I used my rolling pin and meat pounder to press the paper onto the block– but will upgrade to real tools as soon as I have a chance.


These are the first prints. I plan on doing some in bright colors – I love seeing the multiples.


On a couple I have painted in the sky with gouache, which gives a moody feeling. Check them out in my shop when you have a chance and let me know if anyone has any good tricks for printing. I have a hard time getting the ink to print completely evenly.

All for tonight…