Back in December…..

by Carol on February 2, 2012

In my “other” life I am a college instructor and Associate Director of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning at UMass Amherst, which explains (I hope) why I did not post at the end of the semester (read CRUNCH time). So, please indulge me here as I look back at December 2011.

The week before Christmas my artist daughter, Jess,  had her first exhibit in a NYC gallery.

Jess with some of her work; her first exhibit in NYC

So, of course, I had to go to the city!! I hadn’t been to NYC at Christmas in many years so, in addition to Jess’s show,  I was eagerly anticipating the snow covered trees, decorations, fab store windows and watching skaters at Rockefeller Center. We saw and experienced (almost) all of that in 2 days.

Carousel themed store window. Notice Jess in the mirror!

Skaters at Rockefeller Ctr

Baird & me at Rockefeller Ctr

But…..as it turned out it was warm –  in the 60′s, “sweater weather” with no snow in sight.  We had a great time anyway, roaming the streets , poking around the stores laden with holiday ornamentation, viewing the phenomenal, decorated store windows, eating excellent food, watching novice and pro skaters glide through the somewhat slushy ice.

It was a wonderful disconnect form the end of a hectic semester. The opening of Jess’ show was well attended and we even met a couple who turned out to be the parents of some Amherst neighbors! I’m once again reminded…it’s a small world.

and…..NYC is such an inspirational  place — anytime!

Inside one of the the stores - so elegant!

One small part of an elaborate store window

One small section of another incredible store window!

The Flower District smelled great! See the Empire State Bldg in background?

Temporary shops, restaurant and skating rink were at Bryant Park.

 

 

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On to Better Days!

by Carol on January 30, 2012

My daughter Jess, with her artist eye, saw this chair that a friend was discarding and said “Oh, I’ll take that!”

Jess's chair - before

 

She brought it to me… and then it sat in my basement studio for a couple of years waiting for it’s day to come.  I felt it was more than I wanted to tackle without more experienced guidance but, it became the first piece to I took to my new upholstery class a few weeks ago. It took me many hours (!) to get all the layers of fabric and foam and staples and nails off, even with help from my husband. Eventually the frame was clean, primed and painted with the silver metallic paint Jess chose.

 

She and I spent one afternoon wandering the many isles at Osgoods where she chose a beautiful bird and botanical linen print with a lovely muted aqua background.  Now I hope I can do it justice!

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Out of Hibernation this Weekend!

by Carol on January 28, 2012

I have no idea where the past 2 months went as far as blogging goes; I suppose I must have been hibernating.  Well, so much for that — it’s a fairly warm weekend (for New England) with no snow cover so I’m up and out – Hello World!

After much pondering and even more vacillating — I’ve decided to go for it — I’m shifting the design thread of my dining and living room towards mid century. Several related projects are underway. This week I’ve been working on painting a 1950′s laminated cedar chest with some jazzy Citrus Burst paint.

Mid Century Cedar Chest in Citrus Burst

The Gripper primer and 3 coats of Benjamin Moore color are done.  I’m about to begin some special little detail with a geometric patterned stencil. More on that soon.

just about to add the stencil...

Other news?  I started an upholstery class 2 weeks ago at the Holyoke Creative Arts Center.  I have two “seating” projects underway there.  I’m rockin’

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Spain Part 1: Madrid

by Carol on November 19, 2011

Fall color in the botanical gardens next to the Prado Museum

The snow was melting and the power had finally been restored when I left Amherst for Madrid to meet up with my daughter, Jess Greene.  She’s been in Europe for 2 months and most recently has been at an artist residency, La Fragua in rural Belacazar, Spain. We met up in Madrid and enjoyed a couple of days in the big city before journeying by train to Cordoba and then by bus to Belalcazar.

Vertical garden near the Prado

The first day we visited the botanical gardens next to the Prado which included fountains and water features, lovely shrubs and magnificent old trees, along with touches of Fall color. Then we went to the Prado which was gorgeous and overwhelming (no photos allowed there). In the evening we created our own tapas tour which was delicious!

The next day we got up early and headed to the Rastro, said to be Europe’s largest flea market.

The Rastro Flea

What an incredible array of booths: silver artisans, antiques, leather crafters,clothing, textiles….and much more.  It was a great place to find gifts to bring home to family (and some to tuck away for Christmas, too!).  We were there for several hours, until it closed, and probably saw about 1/3 of it.

Carol, "Now, how could I get one of these statues back home?"

Jess in one of the antique shops at the Rastro Flea

After a snack and bit of a rest, we headed to the main shopping district in the city and checked out a variety of shops.  I found 2 pairs of low, leather boots I had to bring home. One pair is grey & black tones with a knit sock-like top and the other pair is purple!   I really like the European styling of their causal shoes and boots and the Spanish leather is wonderful.

A sea of people in the shopping district

During our shopping time we noticed the sun was setting and the nearby buildings were reflecting a lovely golden light. So we scurried down to the area of the palace where there was an amazing sunset view over the gardens.  Breathtaking!

Madrid sunset at the palace

We finished up some more shopping and then wrapped up the day with another tapas tour.  I think our favoirte was the place that served shrimp in several different ways. Delicious!

The shrimp tapas bar

 

Shrimp tapas!

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Nor’easter in October results in a five day black out…..

November 3, 2011

We’re just pulling out of a 5 day black out here in western Massachusetts! It was only October 29 when a huge Nor’easter slammed us with 17″ of snow (up to 27″ in the hilltowns nearby).   Since the leaves were still on the trees this became a gigantic problem  — the damage is astounding. It [...]

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October Snow in Massachusetts

October 29, 2011

Nature’s unusual sense of design has struck again! Thursday night a couple of inches of heavy wet snow fell on my gardens – – this is the earliest we’ve had snow in some years.    By mid-day the sun had come out and melted it but today the forecast is for 11″ in my area [...]

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Madrid, Cordoba and more!

October 28, 2011

One week from today I will leave for Spain!  I can hardly wait. I’m headed to see my daughter, Jess,  who is doing an art residency outside of Cordoba. Stay tuned for updates and pictures!

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New York City – Through My Lens

October 26, 2011
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Open House New York  (OHNY) was last week. This is an annual opportunity to see parts of the city you don’t normally take in and to hear details about the design and architecture of the city that is more insider information than the visitor, or resident, typically accesses. What’s more the event is essentially free [...]

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Kasuga Lantern Installation Day!

October 23, 2011
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What an exciting morning here at Sweetside!  It was a real “DoubleBoba” day. I have long dreamed of and planned for a Japanese shade garden to take shape here. It’s what I’ve had in mind for over 5 years years as the perfect touch in a fairly secluded corner of my back yard, under tall [...]

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Siting My New Japanese Lantern

October 22, 2011
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Tomorrow I am siting my newest Japanese lantern, and it’s a real beauty!!  It is going to be the very first piece in my Japanese shade garden, located in a secluded back corner of my yard where the tea house will eventually be built. I’ve spent much of the Fall clearing out overgrown brush and [...]

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