Holiday Fairs Incoming…

And there’s a whole lotta sewing going on..This is a new Paola Prints chiffon scarf called Endless Summer. Morning glories and sunflowers. This Saturday, Paola Prints will be showing beautiful pillows and scarves- including a collection of new 100% cotton infinity scarves at the Central CT Community Women’s Club 45th Annual Holiday Craft Fair in Cromwell CT.  This is a one-day, juried craft show from 9:00-3:00 pm and will be chock full of exciting handmade gifts. See you at the Cromwell Middle School. This is a juried show so you know we’re a bunch of very special artists… Paola Prints will be
Read More

Your Home Can Be Your Personal Art Place

 “Artists are picky people. The objects they live with — furniture, artifacts, ceramics, works by other artists — are usually carefully chosen, and they look it.”* My parents were both ceramicists, clay their primary medium. They engendered in us a certain mysterious connection between creativity and nature. Potters surround themselves with organic materials including plants. As children, we were in the garden daily in warm weather, playing and raising flowers and vegetables. Bennington Pottery, Bennington, Vermont Last week we visited Bennington Pottery in Vermont, a business that put its town on the map and employed many local residents for years.
Read More

And So We Go On

The Christmas tree is pretty dry but I refuse to take it down until after January 6- the Feast of the Epiphany. It’s celebrated by many as the day the three kings visited baby Jesus. Growing up in the Catholic tradition, and, thanks to my artist parents, we always kept the tree up at least till the 6th. Truthfully, if you can manage falling pine needles, the lights provide welcome respite from cold dark evenings. A pleasant ruse to keep the holiday magic going a little longer. I’ll take it. All good things continue on. Indoors and outdoors. What do
Read More

Winter Blues

Everybody knows that winter is here and yet, in Connecticut, we’re not seeing too much snow on the ground. I’m not complaining- it’s just a reminder. Winter blues are on the runway, waiting until holiday excuses have melted away. Are you ready to face that time? I’m being proactive this year. Winter Blues, a new Paola scarf under construction, is my way of engaging intense color this time of year. It’s imbued with power to lift spirits as we head into the New Year. What are you doing? Color in Winter Many of us add red berries to evergreen for
Read More

Which Way Forward the Artist’s Work?

I read an article in the New York Times recently that chronicles a Japanese artist who has over a lifetime, worked painstakingly to create beautiful fabric using indigo dyes and the ancient process of katazome- the traditional craft of stencil-printed indigo-dyed fabric for kimonos. His work is gorgeous and meticulously fashioned. Related Images:
Read More

Cold Weather is Here to Stay in Connecticut.

Motoring through Thanksgiving signals the start of holiday preparation in earnest. And a time to spend more time reviewing photography for new new scarf designs. If you’ve been watching the emerging designs, you know I’m addicted to all shades of pink. With the holidays, I made a concerted effort to add the traditional reds and greens. Related Images:
Read More

Are You Feeling It Yet?

The holidays are in the air. Do you feel it yet? The skies are grey, the days shorter, the temperatures cooling. It’s always an adjustment, but one we’ll make in any case. We have no choice in the changing of the seasons! Related Images:
Read More

My Fairy Tale

My daughter, Bridget, is the fairy tale I’ve waited for my whole life. After having three madcap little boys, I was nevertheless captivated by the desire for a girl. When Bridget was born she was ill and we embarked on years of trials to get her healthy. What a girl. Difficult, refused to wear pink, and determined to be of her own mind. Related Images:
Read More

The Big Dig is Here

We’ve now had a couple hard frosts. Everybody knows the first step before that happens is to bring tender plants in before lingering flowers die or worse. House plants on vacation outside can pass away in sudden overnight shock. It’s so easy to do, but this year, all my plants escaped with their lives. Related Images:
Read More

Breathing Life Into Favorite Clothing

I just finished stitching up the latest new version of a jacket bought years ago from online retailer Orvis. I loved the jacket so much I bought two of them! Did you ever have a piece of clothing you wore everywhere, wishing you didn’t have to let it go? You don’t! Favorite clothing can live forever. Related Images:
Read More