I don’t usually do sidewalk/pavement chalkwork, but today is the birthday of my favorite composer – Giuseppe Verdi…his music has been such a gift and inspiration to me. And since I happen to live just around the corner from Verdi Square, on the Upper West Side, I made a flower garland for the monument and laid down a crest in chalk, onto the stone walkway.
I’ve wanted to make homemade soap for a long time, and this year I finally did it. I made a batch of soap, using goat’s milk, beeswax and coconut oil, and decided to add pure frankincense and myrrh oils. The bars are Christmas gifts, so labels were in order. I designed the label, in pencil, and had Casey Rubber Stamps, in New York City, make it into a rubber stamp. The Wiseman Soap is ready for gifting!
Letterpressed invitations made from an original hand-lettered draft; my favourite part are the blobs of ink…
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto held a contest this year, for artists to design their poster. Pen and Ink on handmade (in Montreal) Paper, sealing wax.
I threw a little birthday dinner for myself, at home, for 18 friends last week and it turned out to be a magical evening! Having friends over for dinner on a weekday always brightens up a lack-luster week, and taking the time to add formality to the table with place cards, menus (or dipping your own beeswax candles!) etcetera, really changes the whole mood of the evening.
All the guests were artists in some shape or form, and everyone contributed to the evening with their presence, or their craft. The amazing girls from the Cake Opera Co. brought over show-stopping cupcakes that were featured on my collection of pressed-glass cake stands that date to the late 1800s. My classically-trained musician friends grouped together with their instruments (including a harp!) to put on an intimate, after-dinner session and I made 18 little programs that detailed the music played, complete with was seals on each one.
Everyone had a wonderful time, and we mutually wondered the next day if it had all been a dream…
Photos: Christian Humphrey
…needs a letter, baby! Saturday afternoon letter-writing, a hobby we should all pick up.
I am honoured to be a featured guest this weekend at The Wedding Co. Show at the Carlu. Stop by and have your name written out in purple ink!
