I could kick myself (really hard) for missing her at the Art Star Craft Bazaar. She's a Philly girl who makes the most delicious cermamic pieces. She will be at the Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta, GA this weekend.
Yasha Butler Ceramics : shop : blog
Despite the rain, the horrible thunderstorms they were calling for and the rumors about tornados, my friend and I took the El down to Penn's Landing yesterday for the 5th annual Art Star Craft Bazaar. And despite the weather, it was amazing. More wonderful artists this year, beautiful work. I only wish I could have gone again today because the weather was perfect to be in the city, along the river, looking at amazing art and craft.
Here's one of my favorites. These are photos of Eva Jorgensen's table and work. She is the designer behind Sycamore Street Press. Totally new to me, I was so happy to have been introduced to her work!
Pretty much in one weekend I made it to Warroad, Minnesota and Baltimore, Maryland.
Thursday morning I flew out to Minneapolis, took a twin-prop plane up to Warroad, spend the rest of Thursday and most of Friday touring the Marvin window factory with a bunch of other architects, then flew back down to MSP and arrived back in Philly at 12:30 AM on Saturday morning just as the boy was arriving home from Atlantic City. I unpacked and then repacked on Saturday morning and we mozeed on down to Wilmington, DE to grab some lunch and then on to Baltimore for a one-night stay.
Warroad is not the most exciting place on earth (neither is West Chester, PA for that matter) but the people there couldn't be nicer and the tour of Marvin Windows was mind-blowing. I love seeing how things are made and this was way better than the Herrs Potato Chip Factory tour.
I haven't been to Baltimore in over 14 years. It would be an understatement to say it has changed. We took the water taxi around the harbor and walked around Fels Point. We ate at an amazing tapas restaurant called Pazo in the East Harbor/Fels Point area. Did I say it was amazing? Sunday we slept late, had breakfast, walked over the lighthouse and headed on home.
It was actually quite amazing to be in two such distinct places in such short a period. We have an amazingly gorgeous country and a lot to be thankful for.
I am going out of town on Thursday and Friday to Warroad, Minnesota. Why I am going there? To visit the Marvin window factory. For work. I am half regretting it because the lows at night there are still in the upper 20's and low 30's and I am getting used to the unseasonably warm weather we have been having here in Philly (except for the past couple of crappy days). But I am looking forward to being away from work and meeting some new fellow architects. Then the boy and I are going to Baltimore overnight on Saturday for an extended date night. I will be checking out the excellent Baltimore Design Guide over at Design Sponge before we go. If anyone has any up to date recommendations for Baltimore please send them my way. We are staying at the Marriot at the Inner Harbor but are not against venturing out away from the tourist areas. And...
Erin has a new Inspiration E-Zine out.
Susan has some gorgeous pantry porn.
Jennifer is giving away one of her delicious LOVE prints. I am partial to the watermelon.
Saffron Marigold has some new beautiful Lavender printed textiles.
Katie Hutchison is seeking projects to feature in her upcoming book about small retreats.
What a group of lovely chickadees. I will be back on Monday. Can you believe it is almost May already?
You must see these beautiful hand-crafted and block printed bedspreads, duvet covers, curtains and more over at Saffron Marigold. I love the sari-inspired prints and the bright colors.
So pretty and so affordable. Their 26" x 26" cushion covers are $20! Saffron Marigold also supports Fair Trade. I received the most lovely email from Anisha about how Saffron Marigold came to be and just had to tell you about it.
I am doing what many other bloggers are doing, that is signing off for the weekend. Before I leave I wanted to point you over here. It is a photo tour of Martha Stewart's Turkey Hill farmstead that she owned for over 30 years.
It is a beautiful example of a classic 5-bay New England or Connecticut style farmhouse and hope that it was sold to someone who will really appreciate it as she did. Another reason I love this, is because from everything I have ever read or heard about Turkey Hill I get the impression that this house and property really transformed over time, with small and big changes throughout the 30 years to make it into the Turkey Hill we all know today. And I just love that drapware grey color of the trim and siding.
...last week.
Those are the days that I am thankful that 1. I now get to walk home, 2. I own a tiny little camera that I can carry everywhere with me and 3. I am alive.
I snapped the photos, but I take no credit for them.
We are getting ready for weekend house guests. We live in a 3 bedroom house but right now the boy and I have the two extra bedrooms taken over by office functions so we do not have a formal guest room. This works fine for us since, with the exception of my SIL, our family lives within driving distance as do most of our friends and the ones who live more than a hour away come to visit maybe twice a year if even that. We decided that we'll surrender our beloved sleep number bed for one night and camp out on the futon in the family room. My friend is prego and there is no way I would subject her to a night on that wafer. As you may recall I have been shopping for a futon replacement. We have gone back and forth about whether or not to get a sleeper sofa, but for our limited guest accomodation needs I can't see spending all the extra money for one and haven't been happy with the choices. I am picky enough. Jeez. Once the futon is gone (and I can't wait for the day) we will use an aero bed. I've slept on them enough times to know they are great for a weekend stay and very easy to set up, break down and store. I just picked one up a a great discount at smart bargains.
There are lots of web resources suggesting ways to prepare ones home for guests and ways to make guests feel more comfortable. My main concerns are always that house is clean, especially the bathrooms and the bed has clean sheets on it. I also like to make sure I have food staples on hand and some healthy snacks too. Luckily my friends and I are pretty down to earth so you won't find me making up spa baskets or tieing my guest towels with linen ribbon. I did like the idea pictured (idea and picture from Martha Stewart) above of a way to put out some drinking water if you don't have a carafe. Use two different sized drinking glasses like a DOF and a highball. Simple and thoughtful. When friends and family come to stay, it should be about the time spent together catching up and less about whether your guest accomodations rival the Four Seasons'. I think.
To celebrate the official opening of the Sundance Film Festival today, here are some (unrelated) photos of our little detour to check out the Sundance Resort while we were in Utah.
The Sundance Resort was everything I expected and more. Simple, rustic, relaxed, comfortable, natural, fresh, no hint of Hollywood anywhere. We had a beer and a huge plate of nachos at The Owl Bar. The restored 1890's bar is the original Rosewood Bar once frequented by Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and was moved from Wyoming. Of course I made a stop at the General Store and picked up a couple of gifts and a little something for myself. Sustainability is everywhere and has been since the resort opened from the solar panels on the Rehearsal Hall to the hybrid SUV's parked out in front of the Creekside building, organic cotton Sundance onesies (a gift for a friend who is expecting) to the softies handmade in Kenya.
on the way there, it's hard to find 'big sky' like this on the east coast...
entrance
on the bridge, creek next to The Owl Bar
quilt hanging outside the Deli and General Store
painting and entrance to the Deli
pond along the Rehearsal Hall
icicles at the Screening Room
If you are ever in the area it is so worth a visit even just for a couple of hours. It seems like a place that one could truly get away to.
I tried to convince the boy we should change our week in Utah next year to Sundance week but he's not one for big crowds. Maybe someday... In the meantime you can catch the happenings during Sundance, the festival on the Sundance Channel like I do and also watch shorts on the website starting on the 18th.
