Stamps, Purging + Best Trail Mix Ever

We finally mailed our invitations out. Being the artsy people that we are, we really liked the Abstract Expressionist stamps. I didn't realize until I brought them home how large they were. The Pollock and Motherwell stamps are about a whopping 2" x 3" stamp! I found it hilarious, and made sure to give some of our sillier friends both huge stamps on the front of their invite. It was also fun to pair up some of the stamps with our artist friends, since we have so many of them!



Every time the season changes, I feel the need to purge and donate many of the belongings that I no longer need or want. I like to take advantage of these moods, so I can finally rip my emotions away from a 15 year old tee-shirt with my name in plastic letters back.

My friend Kari used to say that she wanted to own a uniform of 7 outfits, and I thought she was nuts. Some days, that starts to make more sense. I definitely need a bit of a makeover in the clothing department, but that's for another day.

When I was going through clothes and belongings, I finally tackled a box full of projects and research from my Interior Design program in college. I trashed most of it, but it was fun to look at the old projects and sketches. I always loved the beginning of a project, where we could sketch and dream big. I'd sketch quickly and just let a roll of trash paper (or tracing paper) keep going and going so that the ideas would not stop. If it was 2am or time for a chocolate milkshake break after 2 days of not sleeping, we'd use my 11 foot long drawing as a faux wedding veil to tease one of our wedding obsessed pals.

Needless to say, this 11 foot drawing was one of the things I kept. And my final project boards with the original illustrations, I just can't trash those! Plus, it's fun to see how your work and style has evolved over the years.



On the flip side, it's funny to see how some things do not change. I'm looking at this latest recipe card I made, and my handwriting and line quality are about the same. I've gotten a little looser with my line work, but other than that, it's pretty close!

Moving on. Behold, the Best Trail Mix Ever. It's the Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix by Claire Robinson. My Martha Stewart-like friend in the office gave me a taste of hers, and I asked for the recipe mid-bite. I finally made it on Tuesday, and I am in heaven. Just thinking about it makes me want more.



I followed the instructions, but had to go out and purchase Grade A Maple Syrup on hand (you shouldn't use Aunt Jemima, which I'll admit, I love on pancakes sometimes!), and added pomegranate to the mix.

It is so good. And the colors are lovely too, with a green for the pepitas and a maple brittle that makes everything stick together. It satisfies the sweet, salty and crunchy categories (which is my favorite, probably since I was a biter as a kid).



Why aren't you making this yet?! Go on, and git!!!

Enjoy your weekends, everyone. I'm looking forward to a weekend in D.C. to celebrate my cousin's graduation part deux for her Masters from George Washington University!

Hierarchy of Precipitation

Oh, Illustration Friday, how I have abandoned you. Well, you're getting some attention this week. I won't make any empty promises to you, but enjoyed making a quick sketch for the week's topic in my new notebook.

The topic was hierarcy. I'm blaming it on the state of Alaska sized rainstorm drifting over the Northeast. Being the melodramatic person that I am, I'm acting like I've forgotten what the feel of sunshine on my face is like. (wink)

This is what we get for saying that it was too hot last weekend!

Post Card Swap

I found Girl Hula's blog by clicking through links of links of people whose crafts, art and photos I admired. She has such energy, and a unique way of looking at life. When she said she was doing a post card swap, I knew I had to sign up.

The theme is summer. We'll have to create and send about 15 postcards somewhere around the world, and in turn, we'll receive 15 postcards. Sweet, says the girl with the unreliable mail in her building!

I'm planning on using my gocco, and probably customizing the prints with watercolor or gouache. I have a thing for repetition. One of my (many) theories is that you can take any object, and repeat it over and over to create something cool. In the case of my summer swap, I'm thinking of popsicles, sprinklers, fire works, waterslides, pogo sticks and bikinis.

En Route to Bloomington

I've been busy getting my odds and ends together to be in Becky and Jeremy's wedding. Becky is one of Mike's three lovely sisters, and I'm really honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Not to mention, that it is the easiest job I've ever had. We got to pick our own black dress, the only requirement was that it was cocktail length. My main job will be frosting cupcakes Susan. It's going to be a lot of fun to see everyone and spend time in Bloomington.

Now we just need to drive there safely, which we will. (Love you, Mom).

I didn't have lots to say, but exercised my hand with a quick, messy and informative sketch. I haven't drawn in awhile, and I needed this little activity to get the juices flowing again! I did it just like I used to when coming up with ideas back in design school, one of my favorite activities...

Or rather, I did have a lot to say, but communicated visually instead of verbally this time.

Have a great week! I'll be back soon.

Love, Mariss

P.S. Thanks for everyone's sweet comments and support about my "blaahhhs" in my previous post. It sounds like a lot of you are going through the same thing. Perhaps it's the change in season! xoxo

Declan's Show Fleece

I'm finally feeling inspired to use my "alpaca show fleece" purchased from the Southwind Farm in Connecticut last November. I was thinking of a cabled cowl and matching hat, but those just aren't special enough for Declan's prize winning fleece.



That cutie won second place in the nation! My knitting friends don't need to be reminded of this, since I wore the skeins as a necklace, stroking them and repeatedly commenting on my luscious score the entire drive home to Philly. (That's also why they love me though!)



I thought a simple caplet with some shaping and details may be more worthy. I may do a little lace band or edging towards the bottom. Although, I like the idea of knitting it simply. After all, this prize winning fleece is from a very manly alpaca (wink).



Can you believe that after finishing my chartreuse sweater and rainbow legwarmers, I'm going to knit with undyed alpaca? At least this gorgeous wooden carved button will add some of my typical "flair".

Femme Fatale Socks

I've often doubted the raves of hand-knitted socks from my friends. It's not that I don't believe them, I am just very picky when it comes to socks.

You don't realize the agony I encountered of selecting socks as a first grader. My poor mother would check my room constantly to monitor my dressing progress. I was like Goldilocks with the socks, one was too stretchy, this one too tight -- I would roll my knee socks down my legs into little tubes around my ankles. It was a constant struggle. God bless my mom.

Then I got to wear flip flops for the next 12 years until I moved to Indiana for college. So you can imagine my anxious anticipation when slipping on these hours worth of knitted socks.

Except that they were cozy, snug, stretchy and wonderful! I skated over my wood floors in pure amazement.



Of course I owe part of this to the lovely Schaefer Anne yarn. Additional thanks must go to Lisa for holding my hands during the short row heels, Misocrafty's tutorial, and Emily for teaching me the uber-stretchy EZ sewn cast-off.

Using old springboard diving skills, I maneuvered myself into prime picture taking angles. (Don't Mike's paintings make the best backdrops?)



I even made a small batch of chocolate chip cookies to celebrate.



Now I can cast on for another pair of socks, and work on my ideas for the Mid-Winter Gocco Swap. I'm in the process of transferring images in my head onto paper. Sometimes it takes a few revisions. This is very rough.



I know you're not surprised to see my multi-colored sketchbook. You know me by now, right?!


Just as my boss, Susan, was not surprised to see me rocking a lime green sports bra, acid yellow tee-shirt and red sneakers when I joined her for a workout today...

Polish Pottery and Dream Studios

After our lovely weekend at Lisa's mom's house, I wanted to make a thank you card for Jeannie.



She has the prettiest collection of hand formed and decorated Polish Pottery in a variety of patterns. She also had the teeniest crystal salt cellars passed down from Lisa's great-grandmother. I loved the little spoons.



Steady progress is being made on my Drops Jacket 103-1. The back and 3/4 of the front is completed. Isn't the moss stitch lovely?



I've been thinking of my dream studio lately. Working in facilities, I miss the more creative part of interior design. So tonight, I went back to my roots and did a quick conceptual sketch of one version of a dream studio. I forgot how much fun it is to create a space with no rules...or budget (wink).



Old school roller skates were included for extra efficiency, and to glide on the imaginary ebony stained herringbone wood floors...dream on!