Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Custom Dry Erase Board

I found a tutorial on the blog paper n stitch that showed how to make your own custom dry erase marker board. I thought it was a cool idea, so yesterday I bought supplies (fabric and frame for about $13, measures 12" x 16") and put one together. It's already being put to use by my computer desk.


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Inspirations: Vintage Books no.8

I thought that today would be a good day to spotlight a few more vintage books from my collection.

This first book, Our State Birds by Mary I. Curtis, was found at an estate sale for a family that was getting ready to move - not too shabby for $1! I mainly picked it up because I liked the cover design, but there are also some nice black and white bird illustrations in the inside, including a few amusing ones of Betty Draper-esque women feeding birds and watching them with binoculars. The end papers that are inside the cover also have a great map illustration with all of the state birds. The book is from 1947, published by Lyons and Carnahan, and illustrated by Julia Morrison.




This second book, Make and Make-Believe by Arthur I. Gates and Miriam Blanton Huber, was found at one of the used book stores in Syracuse and was also a case of picking it up because I liked the cover and the end papers. The inside illustrations aren't too shabby either, and are printed in a mainly blue and orange color scheme to match the cover. The cover design itself looks like it was drawing inspiration from Maxfield Parrish. The book is from 1931, published by The Macmillan Company, and illustrated by George M. Richards.




Thursday, June 17, 2010

Memorial Day watercolor paintings

I took one of my watercolor sketchbooks to Green Lakes on Memorial Day to do some painting. This particular sketchbook is more of a square format, and I finally got around to scanning the pages in.



It was a beautiful day and the lake was really busy. A lot of rowboats and paddle boats from the boathouse were being rented out by visitors.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Lobsterville Beach



A watercolor painting (12" x 9") of Lobsterville Beach on the island of Martha's Vineyard. This was a Mother's Day gift for my mom since she loves to go to this beach to look for sea glass.

Prints of this paintings are now available through my print shop.