a little something to tide you over...

We have so many seasons, here in Vermont. I'm going to be brash now and say, out loud, that probably the coldest of the winter weather is behind us now. Which means we can finally break out our more fashionable caps, maybe. March winds are wonderful for flying kites; if you need to keep them (the wind or the kites!) out of your hair, I have just the right something...

Three "Classic" Flying Hen Studio caps in early spring fabrics. The two woolen caps are reversible; army blanket wool on one side and lavender Dupioni silk and brass satin on the others. These were made with the needs of the Northern woman in mind, practical and luxurious.

The denim cap is an everyday favorite, unlined except with a striped grosgrain ribbon. All are available as of today at The Bobbin, 299 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont.

new retail tags

Here is a batch of hand-printed retail tags for the spring 2010 caps.

My Second-Favorite Holiday

There are lots of reasons not to celebrate or support the practice of celebrating Valentine's Day. From it's deep roots in European patriarchy to it's current capitalistic expressions, it is full of flaws. But, so am I, and I just love an excuse to spread to love of craft! Round about mid-February, we Northerners need a little excuse to light candles and set gluesticks to scrap paper in the name of Love!

Halloween is the ultimate crafter's delight because the social expectations are low and there is as much room for costume, theater, and creativity as one cares to assume.  Valentine's Day is my second favorite, because it's social weight is light enough to leave folks with room to play around; a perfect excuse to open the studio stash of paper scraps for a free-recycling love-in! We invited a few souls over to open the suitcases of fiber mystery; gave them scissors, glue, envelopes, and stamps.

Of course I can't show any of the missives, but I do encourage everyone to take this late winter opportunity to light the candles, pour the wine, and mix the magic of collage with postal service in celebration of our human predicament!

"Living the Dream"!

First week of going back to school as a mama has had its challenges but I'm still on my game. Most of the week, though, the house has looked like this:

Well, it's been really, really cold here in Burlington, VT. So the living room is also the playground for most of the day! New schedules confuse me until I absorb them. Here's a confused me in the studio trying to decide whether to exercise or finish sewing the three caps in various stages of production on the worktable:

Since last Tuesday, which was the first day of the semester and hence the beginning of my new life, I have managed to:

1. Read and complete all homework.

2. Not contract any new viruses (I'm knocking on wood right now).

3. Sew a new set of lacy party flags.

4. Not sew at all on the caps on my worktable.

5. 1.5 hrs of yoga

6. Go to work a couple times.

7. Send a postcard in the mail.

8. Made a batch of truffles with cacao nibs on top.

9. Lose my school folder containing everything EXCEPT my homework (really hoping to find that any minute).

10. Bake muffins with my little guys.

11. Make and wrap a birthday gift for my mom. Happy Birthday, Mom!

12. Almost went to a party. at night. without the kids. but then I really just wanted to snuggle them like I always do and fall asleep.

These are snapshots; to tell the truth, I can't remember most of the week. I feel tired but happy to be, as my friend Rachel says about life as a mama-worker-student-artist, "Living the Dream"!