Friday Featured Art: In the Rain

Today's piece is a new oil by Joe. It's called In the Rain, and I thought it was especially appropriate because I found it on Tuesday when we were having a really crazy wind and rain storm. This is a really beautiful painting - as are the other new pieces.

Thursday Text: The Charming Quirks of Others

The Charming Quirks of Others is the latest Isabel Dalhousie novel by Alexander McCall Smith. It came out a couple of weeks ago, and I had one shipped in from the nearest library that had an available copy. It was good - very much along the same lines as the others. I can never remember their titles, but I always learn something as I read them. And, of course, I love to read about Edinburgh.

Lotta Jansdotter Doorstop

Another sewing project I completed recently was a doorstop - using a pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. The fabric is Joel Dewberry, and it's full of pinto beans. It was a fun little project.

Ebanista

I discovered Ebanista through Architectural Digest. They have incredible pieces. I would really love to have a fabulous gilt mirror someday. The only problem is that they don't list prices, and I would be very afraid to inquire...

Pottery Barn Aviary

Did you see the new Aviary items in Pottery Barn's latest catalog? I love this boot scraper and the door knocker.

Friday Featured Art: Lorado Taft

Last week, we drove up the Rock River to see this huge statue of Chief Blackhawk. It was sculpted by Lorado Taft. As we learned more about this artist, we realized that he created a couple of sculptures that we like at the Garfield Park Conservatory. He also sculpted the Fountain of the Great Lakes that we saw next to the Art Institute when we were there with my parents (see below).

Thursday Text: John Ruskin

We spent the day in Chicago last Friday, and it was a lot of fun. One of the things that we did was peek in the lobby of the WGN Building. On the floor of the lobby, there is a beautifully lettered quote by John Ruskin that we really liked.

When we build let us think we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work that our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone upon stone, that a time is to come when these stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, "See! This our fathers did for us."

The Young Victoria

I watched The Young Victoria the other day, and it was lovely. The story really is fascinating, and the acting was superb - not to mention the beautiful locations and costuming. (And check out her crown!)

Cardiac Pillow

My friend (the director of the place where I worked in Missouri) is having heart surgery today. So I made her this pillow to squeeze as she recovers. The embroidery pattern is from a Martha book, and the fabric is grey linen. I'm thinking about her today and wishing for a speedy recovery!

Doctor Who

I was finally able to pull myself away from watching Doctor Who on BBC America. I got caught up watching the episodes with David Tennant as the Doctor. As of this year, there is a new Doctor, so I can have my life back now!

Friday Featured Art: Pieta

Today's piece is another that I was reminded of by my art history class. Michelangelo's Pieta (the early one) is so beautiful. I love Mary's face and the composition of the piece. It resides in St. Peter's Basilica - I really must go there someday.

Thursday Tunes: October

I really love U2's song October, and I always think about it at this time of year.

October
And the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care

October
And Kingdoms rise
And Kingdoms fall
But you go on...

...and on...

Beanbags

Just for fun I made some beanbags out of the cute squirrel fabric that I got at Pine Needles at Gardner Village. I really love squirrels and their antics. I hope that there is a special place in Heaven for the squirrels.

National Portrait Gallery

I think I read about this in House Beautiful - London's National Portrait Gallery is a great resource for prints. They start at less than $10. You can get your favorite author: Jane Austen's silhouette or John Keats. Or you can get your favorite royalty: Diana and the princes (I really love this one) or King George IV. They have a great search feature and fascinating images.

New in My Shop

I've been working to put up some new things in my Etsy shop. Check it out. (If you're a friend or family and would like to order something, email me so that I can set up a listing at a discount!)

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: galleriedeilluminata

It's funny that I mentioned Duke yesterday, because I recently found an Etsy shop run by a guy (Mikel Robinson) in Durham. Galleriedeilluminata sells mixed media art and illuminations. I especially like the One Tree Hill image.

Thursday Tunes: Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown

When we were at Duke early this summer, we picked up a copy of the Methodist Hymnal. The other day I discovered a hymn by Charles Wesley set to a Scottish tune that I really like, called Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown. (Click the title to go to a page where you can hear the tune.)

Come, O thou Traveler unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee.
With thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery and sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name,
look on thy hands, and read it there.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair!
Speak to my heart, in blessing speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love.

'Tis Love! 'tis Love! Thou diedst for me,
I hear thy whisper in my heart.
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
pure, Universal Love thou art.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.
To me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

Ryder Cup Sweaters

Did you watch The Ryder Cup last weekend? I especially like watching golf when it takes place in the British Isles. The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor (Wales) was beautiful - when it wasn't raining. And I really liked the sweaters that the U.S. players wore with the actual Ryder Cup on the front. I don't know if it was bad luck to wear the trophy, but I thought the sweaters were great.

Pre de Provence Chamomile

I'm really into scents this week... Lately I've been using a bar of Pre de Provence chamomile soap. I bought a big square at the Macy's on State Street, and it lathers really well and smells nice. I would recommend it.

Autumn Wallflowers

Have you smelled the new Autumn scent at Bath and Body Works? It is lovely. I got a wallflowers bulb and then dropped and broke my plug-in thing a couple of days later. So I had to go get another one, and I picked up one of the portable scent things for my car in Autumn, as well. Such a nice scent!

Friday Featured Art: Without Any Ire

This painting is by Nancy Glazier and refers to the Millennium when the lion and the lamb shall lie down together. It's called Without Any Ire. It truly is a peaceful and wonderful print.