Happy Birthday, Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday, Seth! The big 2-9!! Take a deep breath :)
I love you so much.

BicycleBicycle!

It's official! BicycleBicycle is online and on etsy: www.bicyclebicycle.etsy.com. We are a collaborative of two awesome ladies pursuing the art of the handmade! Right now we have a couple holiday cards and gift tags -just to get things going. We have a laundry list of creative schemes ready to pursue each week, so check back often for updated merchandise. We also have a blog.

Etsy is an amazing community of handmade crafters. The amount of goods to purchase is unbelievable and inspiring. Happy holiday shopping :)

Some Landlocked Blues

A little weekend art project. Instead of painting on wallpaper samples, I made the wallpaper. It was a fun experiment. A seashell stamped background with a graphite illustration.

autumn

I drove to the orchard this weekend, and the leaves were so beautiful. I couldn't resist taking photos along the way.

Belated...

My artwork has been slow lately. The only excuse I have is that my freelance lifestyle was altered back to the typical 9-5 recently... like within the last month. Got to pay those bills! Getting in the groove of office life is hard. When I come home painting is far from my mind. It's usually more like this: take dogs to park. feed dogs. eat. beer. couch. sleep. boo. Time to get motivated!! I've been sketching a bunch and have updated my website. My friend Urn says I need to tell people when I update it so they can check it out. So! I've put like 15 new sketches in the sketchbook. Check them out! Meanwhile, The Keeper is my most completed work. (WWW.APPLEGANG.COM)

And a happy Monday goes out to all you working folks...

When I visit I like to eat cake.

After nearly a year, I ventured back to Seattle this week. An unexpected free flight (who could resist?) landed me in the arms of great friends, good food, and new adventures in familiar scenery. Here are some pictures from a visitor's perspective...

relocation of a creative destination

Due to rising summer heat, my non-air-conditioned attic space was just getting a little too toasty for my taste. So I relocated! To our kitchen. Who needs a breakfast nook anyway? I love this new space, and come winter time, I don't think I'll be moving.

a vermont moment *

1.2..3... Tea Time!

The 2nd Annual Mendon Mt Orchards Tea Party took place this past weekend in honor of Kate and Corey. A dual baby shower. Corey just had her baby, and Kate is due in just a few months. It was so wonderful and fun to celebrate the two sisters. I was lucky enough to make the decorations and this is how it all turned out. Process is everything :)

Babies!

Congrats to Corey and Tim! Andrew Smith was born today! A beautiful, healthy baby boy.

Waiting...

I drive by this scene frequently and each time I do, I can't help but wish I had a camera. Well, my mom and I were chatting about taking photos of Vermont from our point of view, and while we mentioned places we've always wanted to stop and photograph, this bus stop came up. Realizing we had an equal love for these three chairs, we hopped in the car, camera in hand, and took a bunch of photos. Here are a couple to share.

Dream followers.

Seth had a really awesome interview from Shay on her blog that is 100% snowboard driven. Nice job, Seth. Inspiring all on how to follow their dreams.

Little Muses

I am SO looking forward to this show! Check out the Three Graces Gallery blog and website for information about the other lovely ladies involved. I am lucky to be a part of this event, and am very much looking forward to seeing all of the artwork together. Kim Ferreira owns and operates this inspiring gallery by the sea.

Ocean Isle

Ever since I was a wee-little girl, my parents would take my sister and me to the Carolinas. Whether they realized it at the time or not, this once-a-year trip caused an obsession in my heart that I refer to as the "Paradise Sickness". I can't get enough of that hot, sunny, tropical weather. That ocean scent. That feeling of contentment, adventure, magic... Well, you get my point. I love the beach.

Longer ago than I can remember, we started vacationing specifically in Ocean Isle, at The Winds. It was a quirky resort with tacky decor, a creaking boardwalk, and nothing but good memories. It sat on a slowly eroding beach front property which was frequented by hurricanes in the summer. We loved it there. So, upon moving back to the East Coast, I thought what could be more fun than sharing this second home to my husband? Then he could finally understand how the Paradise Sickness came to be.

Well, we took a road trip there last week, and there were too many photos to share. I uploaded them to an album that you can view HERE. Cool! Hope you have fun looking at our summer adventure :)

Mountain Biking Season

Has officially started. We went on a super fun trail in Norwich, Vermont and took some pictures.