Butterflies Flit Across My Path

I recently discovered The Butterfly Book by W. J. Holland.  It was originally printed in the 1930s, but I came across the 1945 reprint.  Mr. Holland knows just about anything there is to know about butterflies.

I've selected some of these beauties to offer in my shop. Tell me what you think about them. Do you have a favorite 'fly?

I've seen these matted and framed hanging in a friend's garden room. What a lovely idea.

End of Summer Blues

It's that time of year again. We're hoping to grab the last special moments of the season. The weather the last few weeks has been exceptional in New England. We've spent a great deal of time seizing the days.

I happened across a lovely book recently that captured the adventures of two girls one summer. The book is co-authored by sisters Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier.  It tells of their summer together in Europe. It was Lee's first trip to Europe and she was happy to meet and travel with her beloved sister Jacqueline.

There are clever illustrations and stories that the girls have included in this special book I purchased a copy for myself but you could get one too. This is a hard to find book.

Thanks Sandy for noticing the link to Amazon (edited) is

broken. Amazon is sold out again!

Star Trek - My Alternate Universe

My son is obsessed with Star Trek. This is a relatively benign thing since he's 14 not 34. (Ask me how this turns out 20 years from now. ha!). He's watched countless, I mean, countless hours of all things Star Trek. He doesn't seem to prefer any flavor of show or starship - his interests are pretty eclectic.

For Christmas last year, we gave him tickets to the Star Trek Convention that is held in Boston. He was out of his mind excited.  I don't think he enjoyed it as much as he enjoys his favorite on-line game, Star Trek On-line (STO).

And on the horizon is a new Star Trek adventure, Star Trek Timelines, which will launch in early 2015. We met the producers at the convention. They were awesome. Into the theme, but dedicated to creating an experience that explored the science and adventure part of the Star Trek mythology. Less emphasis on conquering and invading new worlds.  It should be a great adventure, if they pull it off.

We've even found space themed restaurants to continue the obsession in the physical world. In fact just today, we enjoyed lunch at Flying Saucer Pizza in Salem, Mass. It is themed up to the hilt with space. Especially poignant today was seeing the autographed photo of Robin Williams from his Mork and Mindy days.  We ordered an amazing pizza with burratta, meatballs, sauce and cheese. Over the moon good.

Tonight we're looking to watch Start Trek Into Darkness. And happy days, its available on Amazon Prime. It's a great riff on the Kirk/Spock years. We'll enjoy it one more time tonight!@#!

The Third Dimension of Creativity is only a Click Away

Have you ever been inspired to create something really amazing.  Well there is new technology that allows anyone with a good idea to create something totally unique. 

I went to a conference last year, Hello Etsy. A panel of creative types were describing the new trends in the maker-sphere that most excited them. Several panelists identified their top creative trend to watch as 3D Printing.  In fact, one participant mentioned he had his own 3D printer at home so his daughters could create their own doll furniture.  Amazing!

And now one year later, in my neighborhood, there is a local 3D print shop.  I walk past it every day and marvel at the objects that people are creating.  And if you don't live near a 3D print shop, you can use your favorite massive on-line shopping conglomerate as your virtual local print shop.
Shop Amazon 3D Printing Store - Unleash Your Creativity in 3D Style

Having Fun WIth Your Food - Bento Box Beauty

I discovered an amazing addition to my culinary tricks. A square mold for hard boiled eggs. What will they come up with next?

I know it sounds silly. And, I'm the only one in our household who has fallen in love with the idea.  And no, the eggs don't taste any different

After I bought my molds, one is labeled "egg" and the other is labeled, "appetite", I discovered there is actually a wide array of molds - in animal shapes, and heart shapes. And so on.

I found my square eggs on Amazon. But I imagine you can find them in your local kitchen specialty shop.

Bon Appetit!

Fun in the Sun - Summer in the City

Vacation man

I created this series of assemblages that thematically revolve around water and recreation. It took a little crafting but I'm pleased with how they came out. Mostly I am playing off some version of enjoy life, enjoy some downtime.

Although I couldn't help at least one social commentary piece. But that's okay too.

Cooling Their Heels

Checked Out

A small amount of resin, a perfect pose and an expressive shell or container. Voila, a mini sculpture. Visit Vacation Man.

On a Wing and a Prayer - Retro Cup and Saucer

I love a beautiful cup and saucer. I sip my coffee at a more leisurely pace from a cup.

A mug is a fast gulp, not a slow savour. I stumbled across this beautiful Red Wing Lotus Bronze pattern in one of our local shops last week. I thought it might suit me just fine.

When I got it home, even though I was still very much in love, I realized that the maroonish red color clashed with my kitchen. And even though I'm not a matchy-matchy kind of person, I couldn't really harmonize the c and p with my kitchen.

So, I am forced to place the beautiful set in my JBling etsy shop where someone can become the proud owner of this lovely item.  View more details.