A Potter in our Midst!

My friend and amazing cleaning technician Rita is a woman with many gifts... and now we have discovered yet another one of her talents! She is amazing on the pottery wheel!

Rita has always loved pottery and has given me several pieces over the years from other potters in the Carolinas. I am so excited for her to now be making her own works of art!

Family Vacation!

This past week I had a wonderful time on vacation with my family! We spent a few days relaxing, playing and just enjoying each other's company. It was so nice to have all of my children together again!

Erin loved reuniting with her horses!

... and trying to convert her husband Jacob into a horse man!

Mac chasing our dog Olive around - they both had a great time!

... and then they came inside and crashed.

All of the men folk decided to cook!

Pancakes and Grilled Cheese?? They just went for the kitchen so I didn't ask any questions! :)

Olive got a lot of love on this trip!

All of my children together! Left to Right - Mac, Megan (and grandbaby #1!), Sam, his girlfriend Lauren, Erin, and Jacob.

I hope we can all get together for another vacation soon!!

We love you, Joni!!

We have been blessed this summer to spend a few weeks with our favorite intern, Joni! She is a light around the studio with her perky personality. She is smart and funny and always enthusiastic about our studio projects. Joni's joy for life and for the Lord are simply contagious! Oh... AND she is also a student at UNC - Go Tarheels!!

Joni is also handy in the kitchen and has shared some of her sweet treats with us this summer. Our favorite are her oreo balls. Below is the recipe to try for yourself - BEWARE... they are delicious!!

OREO BALLS

25-35 Walnut size candies

1 pkg regular size Oreo cookies, crushed

1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened

1 pkg white almond bark

1 pkg chocolate almond bark

Using a blender, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.

Roll into walnut size balls.

Chill for 35 minutes in the fridge.

Melt 1/2 pkgs white and chocolate almond bark together.

Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.

Allow to harden on wax paper.

Takes about 15 min.

** If you want to make them festive, add colored sprinkles or an M&M at the top after dipping to cover the toothpick hole.

YUM!

For now, Joni is off to her next summer adventure. She is heading to India with UNC's business school! As the trip coordinator, she has planned visits around the country for herself and fellow students to learn more about the cultural differences in the world of business. We are so proud of her and excited to hear about her trip when she returns!

Have a great time in India, Joni! We will miss you!

A Visit with Claude

Claude Monet that is!

Well, not really (obviously)... but Joan, a designer at the studio, recently visited his home and gardens in Giverny! Her daughter Lauren is living in Paris, so she went to visit. Their pictures are so beautiful - see them below, and you too will feel like you have just visited with Claude himself!

I can just picture him gardening and walking around setting up his easel here and there. What a heavenly setup! I have read that he was a master gardener who loved flowers and let them grow untamed into lush, organic landscapes that outgrew their beds and created natural volume around his home. Simply gorgeous!

I know I am feeling very inspired - thank you for sharing your photos Joan!

A Baby Bear Quilt!

My friend and painter at the studio Mary Beth has just completed another quilting masterpiece! She has made a few of these bear quilts through the years for new babies in her family - the quilts are always so cute and I know they are cherished keepsakes!

This one is extra special because it is for her first granddaughter Keenan who will be here in August! She took the quilt to her son Dave and his wife Sarah last weekend - it matched their nursery perfectly!

Also, a fun little tid-bit about our families... Mary Beth and I were pregnant together with our sons as they were born in the same month. Now, Mac and Dave are both expecting their first children in the same month - and both are having girls! We are all so excited!!

New at Jo-Ann Stores!

Hi Friends! I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

This morning I wanted to share some of my new fabrics with you. These are now available in Jo-Ann Stores and online!

First, in honor of Memorial Day, is the Patriotic Collage collection -

I have always loved creating patriotic art. I love the stars and stripes and I love the rich history and symbolism found in our flag, the eagle, and other monuments of our country.

Next is the Natural Impressions collection -

The simple, warm colorway of this program would make for a beautiful quilt! I like to think my love for nature comes through in the delicately woven florals and vines.

And lastly, one of my personal favorites, the Humble Bugs collection -

The bright colors of this collection would be fun to work with this summer! I love the soft greens and purples that accompany the florals and the bugs as they seem to play across the fabrics.

I can't wait to see the quilts and other crafts that come from these collections - please share your crafts with us here or on facebook!