Coptic Wonderland

Prepare to be enchanted! See all the coptic stitches in black and white thread? She alternated according to what was printed on the page. That's a lot of work and a lot of love! This made my morning.

My Own Table

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. (This post was written last night.)

And this year Doug and I have dressed our own table and begun our own traditions. I am very excited. We will have dinner, the three of us, in our cozy and colorful home and then we will bring desert to the rest of our in-town family. I'll bake three pies (my favorites!) and it'll be a wild desert party. Peter, Gloria, Mia, Mom, Dad, Manning and Marney. It'll be beautiful.

Last night I made, for the first time, Mimi's Meatballs and Nonie's Potatoes. These can be made ahead, so tomorrow will not be a stressful day in the kitchen. So now is the time for reinvention. Now is the time to create grace.

So last night I discovered I can cook! Man, the minute I previewed the meatballs, popped one in my mouth - I almost cried. I felt Mimi and Nonie, cheering me on - giving me tips and encouragement. Taste inspires such fond memories. I was filled with all the good ones from my growing up - it happened in an instant. And I was so grateful for the chance to choose to be happy and to make life new at every moment. That meatball in my mouth was freedom and forgiveness all in one.

Who knows what kind of thoughts fill a person's head when they're busy making a memorable, traditional dish that's been passed down from generation to generation. Last night was pure bliss. And I just tasted my past and future in one delicious bite. I tasted heaven. I tasted the now.

I'll close with one of my favorite Mark Strand poems. This gratitude, this memory, this love of both the past and present is why I love it so much.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Who knows, maybe I'll graduate to a turkey dinner next year. It doesn't matter what you eat - but that you make it with love.

Pot Roast

by Mark Strand

I gaze upon the roast,

that is sliced and laid out

on my plate
and over it
I spoon the juices
of carrot and onion.
And for once I do not regret
The passage of time.

I sit by a window
that looks
on the soot-stained brick of buildings
and do not care that I see
no living thing—not a bird,
not a branch in bloom,
not a soul moving
in the rooms
behind the dark panes.
These days when there is little
to love or to praise
one could do worse
than yield
to the power of food.
So I bend

to inhale
the steam that rises
from my plate, and I think
of the first time
I tasted a roast
like this.
It was years ago
in Seabright,
Nova Scotia;
my mother leaned
over my dish and filled it
and when I finished
filled it again.
I remember the gravy,
its odor of garlic and celery,
and sopping it up
with pieces of bread.

And now
I taste it again.
The meat of memory.
The meat of no change.
I raise my fork in praise,
and I eat.

Birthday Portrait

Here's a picture of Doug and Mom during a little birthday party we had for his 40th. Mom did a portrait of him - all smiles. All around.

Needle Books!

Hot off the presses, these needle books were SO much fun to make. Every worked with real felted wool? It will change your understanding of reality if you're used to the plastic stuff you get at WalMart. God bless all those sheep and Mary Flanagan.

I'll be selling these books and some project boxes during the holiday season at Dunwoody Needle Works. I think they'll be a big hit!

Needle Books In The Making

I've a new venture - Needle Books! They're made of felt pages, instead of paper and will be coptic bound with a ribbon closure. Found beautiful felted wool fabric by Mary Flanagan at Purl Soho and will be creating these books for sale at Dunwoody Needle Works. Very excited. Love the colors, the feel of the real wool and really hope they sell well in this new venue. I'll keep you updated as they become!

Fishy Box

Here's a recent keepsake box I did for a client with a fish paper exterior and a vintage map of Italy on the inside. Feet and a button closure add the finishing touch. Weee!

2010 Anne Elser Calligraphy and Bookmaking classes at Binders Art Supply

Hi Friends,

Beginning in the new year - I'll be teaching four nights a week at Binders right here in Atlanta and bringing back the ever-popular Calligraphy Two class. Monday night will be Calligraphy 2, Tuesday night is Bookmaking, Wednesday night is Copperplate Calligraphy and Thursday night is Italic.

Here's a list of class descriptions and live links for you to purchase a class right now if you like. Very excited about 2010 and to play a part in the positive, creative and energetic flow that Binders Art Supply in Atlanta is cultivating. I just love it there and know you will, too.

Click here for Calligraphy supply lists.

Click here for Bookmaking supply lists.

Calligraphy 2 w/Anne Elser (CLASS 1/4-2/8)

Calligraphy 2 with Anne Elser :: Mondays, 6 sessions, Jan. 4 - Feb.8 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. Theres good news for those of you who have already taken a Copperplate or Italic class from Anne and feel stuck - staring down that blank stack of envelopes with no idea how to tackle all that space. Introducing Calligraphy 2, an advanced calligraphy class designed for those who already know the fundamentals of any calligraphic face and are ready for the challenge of applying the words to the page. Whether you are addressing envelopes, laying out a certificate, document or quote of any size, this class will help you understand the concept of hierarchy on a page, drama, stable compositions and balance of elements. You will also be encouraged to take the plunge into the world of flourishing! Experimenting with color, gouache, inks and paper is also encouraged. Bring in your free spirits and lets have fun! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Bookmaking with Anne Elser (CLASS 1/5-2/9)

Bookmaking with Anne Elser :: Tuesdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 5- Feb. 9 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. We will be making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The objective here is to give you a fundamental understanding of how books are made - a backbone of knowledge so you can create your own books and journals. There will be an emphasis on neatness and craft and most of all FUN. Making books is a very rewarding experience. They make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks for yourself and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and again - a need to have FUN!
THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Bookmaking with Anne Elser (CLASS 2/23-3/30)

Bookmaking with Anne Elser :: Tuesdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 23-March 30 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. We will be making books and boxes in this class with a variety of materials and techniques. The objective here is to give you a fundamental understanding of how books are made - a backbone of knowledge so you can create your own books and journals. There will be an emphasis on neatness and craft and most of all FUN. Making books is a very rewarding experience. They make wonderful gifts, sketchbooks for yourself and journals, photo albums, etc. The only skills required are a love of paper, attention to detail, patience and again - a need to have FUN!
THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Copperplate Calligraphy (CLASS 1/6-2/10)

Copperplate Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Wednesdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 6- Feb. 10 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140.Are you fascinated with how beautiful calligraphy looks and want to try it yourself? This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. After we learn each upper and lower case character, we will spend the last two classes learning layout techniques for envelope addressing, a bit of flourishing and color experimentation. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pace and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes, letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for your hands! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Copperplate Calligraphy (CLASS 2/24-3/31)

Copperplate Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Wednesdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 23-March 31 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140. Are you fascinated with how beautiful calligraphy looks and want to try it yourself? This is an introductory look at Copperplate, an elegant and elastic hand frequently used for formal invitations, documents and bridal events. After we learn each upper and lower case character, we will spend the last two classes learning layout techniques for envelope addressing, a bit of flourishing and color experimentation. Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pace and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes, letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for your hands! THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

January - February 2010

Italic Calligraphy (CLASS 1/7-2/11)

Italic Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Thursdays, 6 sessions, Jan. 7- Feb. 11 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140, The Italic calligraphic face is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can be transformed (dressed up or down) with ease. A wonderful face to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. We will spend 6 weeks learning the Italic face. Students will be given handouts and guide sheets. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.
Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands. THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

February - March 2010

Italic Calligraphy (CLASS 2/25-4/1)

Italic Calligraphy with Anne Elser :: Thursdays, 6 sessions, Feb. 25-April 1 :: 6-8:30pm :: Fee: $140, The Italic calligraphic face is one of the most widely used and versatile alphabets around. It is highly legible and can be transformed (dressed up or down) with ease. A wonderful face to learn for the beginning calligrapher yet versatile enough to experiment with for the advanced. We will spend 6 weeks learning the Italic face. Students will be given handouts and guide sheets. We will also address spacing and layout for addressing envelopes.
Calligraphy is less about pretty handwriting, but more about DRAWING each and every letter. Its about establishing a pacing and rhythmic motion as you write - giving you a consistency of shapes and letters, and spaces in between words and lines. It is highly relaxing and meditative. Like yoga for the hands. THIS WORKSHOP OR CLASS IS AT OUR ATLANTA STORE.

Durably Dainty

A new spin on the seatbelt bag. Love this idea.

Holiday Artists Market 2009

Hello Friends,

I'll be selling more books and boxes at the Holiday Artists Market 2009. It's scheduled for Saturday, December 5th from 10AM to 7PM at the Bobbe Gillis Gallery in Midtown. Lots of fun vendors (quilts, jewelry, knitted items, books, pottery, ornaments and all things lovingly handmade) in a fun atmosphere. I just love the folks at the Gillis Gallery. Octane Coffee is across the street - other cool galleries nearby and a sweet little Italian grocery at the corner. Going to be fun!

Pencil Box

We made this in Production at PC. Telescoping pencil boxes. A is for Awesome. A is for Anne. :)

Orba Squara

I just love these guys. A PC student recently sent me this link to Orba Squara's site, because of the typographical play and general funkiness of the design. After listening to a few tracks, I was hooked. This is music your whole family can enjoy. It makes all three of us happy, Doug, Anton and me!

Diplomas

I've been doing the Portfolio Center diplomas for years now and just branched out into a new style. This is a combo of italic and copperplate wisping. Loved doing them. Love the students.

new shoes

Bunny calls these his "Ty Hops" instead of hightops.

Ikea

Anton and I went to Ikea the other day and he decided to become one with one of the bedroom furniture displays. Snuggle time knows no bounds.

Sada

I did this of Sada the other day. Snapped the original picture of her right before the rehearsal dinner of her wedding. Lovely neck. Mark Strand calls the neck the "sleeve of my voice." Such a beautiful metaphor.

Place Cards

These were the place cards I made for the dinner after Nonie's Memorial. I inserted one of her favorite quotes on the inside of the card, so it reads like an opened book. Made people cry. Made me cry!

One of the nicest things about the evening was a chance to better know the family of Nonie's companion, Manning. Manning's granddaughter, Marney took some fabulous photos and you can find more of them here: Adele.

Halloween 2009

Anton goes as a firetruck! I made this yesterday afternoon in a couple of hours and had such a good time doing it. Cardboard, three tubes of acrylic, Aileen's tacky glue and an exacto blade did the job. We all had fun trick-or-treating with Anton. Huge success!

To see more pictures, go here.