A new home

The bits and pieces of rust and springs and coils that I have stashed away in my collage collection, are beginning to find new homes...

I love this rusty square nut.  I wonder what it held together so long ago.

Two old square nails sprout up at flowers.  Another fastener acts as door.

A coil curves from the peak.

The words from a Danish proverb, "The road to a friend's house is never long" complete the canvas. 

The bits and pieces of a time gone by have found a new home. 

Good Finds

I haven't just been lolly gagging around.  Really!  I have found some real treasures this summer.  While I am not a big garage sale shopper, once in a while see something while driving by.  This is what I found down the street.  Let me tell you, it was a steal deal!
I have always wanted a church pew.  I am not sure why.  I am not religious.  But our home was once a church.  This pew fits so nicely on our back porch.  I think I will finish it up a little bit, but I don't want to take off the aged look. The man who sold it to me said it had a nice "pakina" and asked if I knew what he was talking about.  I think he meant patina, but I didn't want to squash his good salesmanship.  It is the perfect vintage decor for the back porch - a great piece for entertaining, too.  I think it's just perfect!

My next find was a post-garage sale facebook photo that a friend put up.  I am not sure why I jumped on these, but they spoke to me. 

Anyone want a vowel?  These came from the sign of the restaurant space he took over.  The previous restaurant was "Mario and Wong's Wok Style Italian"  No wonder half the letters are Asian style; and no wonder the restaurant didn't work out.  My friend's restaurant, on the other hand, is fabulous.  If you like great barbecue and are in Denver, be sure to check out Oinks.  They are fabulous!
I am not sure what to do with them yet.  Perhaps a new focal point in the game room.  Who knows? We'll see, maybe these letters will give me a creative spark!

Recipe - Lemon Poppy Cookies

My friend, Angie, from The Purple Poppy asked me if I could make cookies for the 1-year anniversary celebration at her store.  I said, sure.  But not just any cookies - purple poppy cookies.  I said, sure.  A recipe from Martha Steward.  Again, I said, sure.  I crossed my fingers and knocked on wood that these cookies would come out the way she wanted.  I made a tester batch and everything seemed ok.  So, it was a go!
The recipe, from Martha Stewart's website, was actually pretty simple and easy to follow.  And if you don't look at her photo too closely, mine look pretty good.
I am delivering the cookies today.  If you want to try them out, go to The Purple Poppy anniversary party tonight.  The shop is located at the corner of 95th and Arapahoe Road in the Atlas Valley shopping center in Lafayette, Colorado.
So, I would consider this baking adventure a success.  Will I consider a career change, I am not so sure.

I made these!

Martha Stewart’s Poppy-Shaped Lemon Cookies
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
Salt

For Decorating the Cookies:
Royal Icing, plain and/or tinted (below)
Poppy seeds, for sprinkling

Directions
1. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest and juice until combined. Beat in flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

2. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and roll out to a scant 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out about using 2 sizes of flower cookie cutters. (It is helpful to place only one size on a cookie sheet for even baking.) Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Bake until edges just start to brown, 14 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely.

4. Decorate the cookies: Transfer each batch of tinted icing to a separate pastry bag fitted with a small round tip (you can use as many colors as desired). Pipe an outline of icing around the edges, then "flood" each cookie with more icing to cover. Immediately pipe a circle of small dots in the center of each cookie using a different-colored icing. Drag dots to outer edges using a toothpick to create thin lines. Repeat with remaining cookies and icing. Transfer cookies to parchment-lined baking sheets, and let dry completely, about 30 minutes.

5. Once cookies are set, pipe a large dot in the center of each cookie using the same tinted icing as the small dots. Gently sprinkle poppy seeds around large dot. Let dry completely.


Dani Fiore’s Royal Icing
Ingredients
1/2 cup meringue powder
2 pounds confectioners' sugar (8 cups)
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions
1. Using a hand mixer with the whisk attachment, mix together meringue powder with 1 cup water until soft peaks form, about 1 minute. Using the beater attachments, add sugar and lemon juice; continue mixing until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

*tip- do not over whip the meringue powder, or your icing will be too fluffy and will never dry. The finished product should have a matte-finish, dry and crisp icing topping.

Enjoy!

Thinking of Mom

I am a mom to two wonderful girls.  I am so happy to have that role in their lives and to have each of them as my daughters.  This weekend is Mother's Day. My girls take great care make a special day for me.  Unfortunately, I am not always so gracious.   Sometimes I am sad or mad or just plain frustrated. 

Mother's Day is a bittersweet holiday for me.  My mom died over 12 years ago.  Amid the Hallmark hoopla and the FTD flower ads and cooking shows about making mom breakfast and tv specials about great moms, I sometimes struggle.

Since I lost my mom, I have felt that I belong to an awful "club" of motherless daughters.  It was one that none of my friends belonged to (at the time, I was only 27).  It was something that people were uncomfortable to talk about, for fear they would make me sad.  And I was sad.   Losing my mom changed my life, as I am sure it changes each person's life in unique and different ways.

My mom and me, sometime in the fall of 1992, in the Colorado mountains

In many ways I am stronger, in some I am more vunerable.  In some ways I am more shut off and others more bold.  It is hard to describe to anyone who hasn't experienced it.  My life is divided into two halves:  life with mom, life without mom.  My life before included getting an education, getting married, becoming a homeowner, and teaching.   My life after includes becoming a mom, not teaching, opening a business, closing a business, volunteering (a lot) and finding my way.

Since that time, some of my friends have "joined" my club.  And I mourn with them.  I have met other people who lost a parent way too soon.  And on this weekend that celebrates motherhood, there is little to acknowledge the mothers who aren't here. So, I take a moment to pause.  I think about my mom.  I think about friends who are in my club. I take a moment to be sad.  I don't want a "sorry you don't have a mom" card.  I am not sure what I want - perhaps just a quiet moment to remember. (If you want to see some of my memories, look at this post)

So if you're a member of my club, I am sorry.  Be gentle with yourself.  It's okay to be sad, to remember, and it is also ok to be happy and celebrate.  She would have wanted that.

Foodie Fieldtrip

Several weeks ago my friend, Shanon, and I ventured north to the city of Longmont, Colorado, for a fabulous foodie experience.

We arrived at the Willow River Cheese Importers.  Their red awnings and umbrellas mark a friendly welcome in this somewhat industrial neighborhood.

The shelves are filled with delightful treasures from Europe.  Dishes and pottery, glassware; cookies, crackers and candies; herbs, oils and seasonings, cookbooks, travel books, and cards; linens, napkins, and other kitchen and dining accessories. The rooms and shelves are overloaded with everything a foodie could desire.  Plus there are tons of nice treats for gift giving.

After looking all around the two rooms of the shop, we venture in to the coolers.  We aren't talking any wimpy cheese cooler; the Cheese Importers have warehouse sized refrigerated rooms.  In fact, you have to put on a parka to enter.  We put on the lovely blue and gold parkas, that look a little like what prisoners wear when working on the side of the road.  We ventured inside the massive cool room.

The cheese is displayed by type, with clear signs telling the country of origin and the taste qualities.  There are even samples placed throughout so that you can try something new.  Amongst the cheeses are speciality crackers, fruit pastes, tapanades, and other complimentary food items.  It is fun to look for the cheese that costs the most (up to $40 per pound) or the one that looks the most strange.  There are wonderful hand crafted cheeses from around the world.  And, if you take a look, many of them have small, inexpensive pieces you can purchase to try something new at home.

Then, you get to the olive bar.  "Les Olives de Provence" It is a glorious thing, for those who love olives.  there are olives of all types and colors, as well as capers, caperberries, and cornichons. 

We ended our lovely day by going out to lunch and looking in the few boutiques that are in downtown Longmont. What did we order? A gourmet cheese plate, of course. 

If you are ever in Longmont, take the time to find the Cheese Importers. You won't be sorry you did.

Rachel Hanson collage at The Purple Poppy

I am so excited - I am nearly bursting at the seams!
Rachel Hanson collage is now available at The Purple Poppy!


Rachel Hanson colleges, hung on the walls of The Purple Poppy.

 I have been making my collages with no real outlet, save the walls of my own studio.  While the creation is somewhat fulfilling on its own, when Angie, the proprietress of The Purple Poppy, asked to hang my work at her fabulous store, I was so excited!  (full disclosure, yes, Angie is my friend, but I have never pressured her to carry my work, in fact, I am not even sure I asked her to. I did write about the store last fall; you may remember this blog post.) 
So, I spent last week adding minor details to seven of my collages.  I put hangers on the back, and secret details, too.  She requested an artist statement.  That's a nerve wracking task, what to say about oneself.  Then I turned that into a collage, too.

On Friday, I delivered.  She hung the work.  I must say, it looks great!
So if you're local, stop by and take a look. Say hello to Angie or Kerry. Take a moment to shop; The Purple Poppy has fabulous things: art, furniture, home accessories, jewelry, gifts, and lots of unique items.  While you're there take a look at my work, too.  I hope you enjoy. 
(You can find The Purple Poppy at the SW corner of Arapaho Road and 95th St in Lafayette, CO)
And now, I can return to the studio and make some more collages.

Recipe - Grilled Artichokes & Horseradish Dill Dip

I love spring.  I love the flowers, the rain showers and fresh seasonal vegetables.  Artichokes are one of our favorites.  They are great because they are low calorie and low carb and fun to eat.  Paired with a low fat or no fat yogurt dip they become a great appetizer, side dish or lunch.  Steaming them or boiling them is an easy option.  If you grill them, they somehow become just a bit fancier.  We had these last week, and they were delicious.

Grilled Artichokes
Artichokes
1 whole lemon, cut in half
2-3 gloves garlic
2 T olive oil

Thoroughly wash artichokes under running water.  Trim stem end to about 1 inch.  Cut off pointy top of artichoke with serrated knife, about 1 inch from top.  Trim pointy tops of artichoke leaves with kitchen scissors.  (Or, I found Globe Artichokes this time, and needed no top trimming.)  Rub cut surfaces with lemon half to prevent browning.
Fill large pot with 2-3 inches of water.  Squeeze lemon juice into water, then drop the used rinds into the pot.  Smash garlic and drop into pot.  If using a steamer basket, place basket (I often do not)  Arrange artichokes in water or on basket.  Cover pot and turn on to boil.  Boil for 25-45 minutes.  Depending on size of artichoke, until a bottom leaf will pull out with some resistance.  Do not wait until the artichoke is too soft.
Cool artichokes.
When cool, quarter artichokes.  Scoop out the choke with a spoon or small paring knife.  Toss quarters in more lemon juice and olive oil. 
Grill artichoke quarters on hot grill for 5 minutes per side, or until you see nice char marks.
Serve warm or room temperature with dip.

Horseradish-Dill Dip

¼ cup plain fat-free yogurt
¼ cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish (add more to make it extra spicy)
1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3-4 drops hot sauce (optional, to taste)
1/ 8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine yogurt and next 6 ingredients (through pepper). Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Serve with Grilled Artichokes, roasted or raw vegetables.

• Dip can be made 2 days ahead of time.
• Can be made without the cream cheese with similar results, I used fat free Greek yogurt for a thick texture when omitting the cream cheese
• Dip is excellent served with cut veggies

Collage - Home

Another collage in a series of Home collages.  This one is created from a vintage sewing pattern, paint and papers.  I used some rusty hardware and an old decorative button.  Again, an odd assortment of letters to spell out the simple word, HOME.  The quote is from one of my favorite poets:

Dwell in possibility.

-Emily Dickinson

So, why am I making all of these collages?  I guess I am not really sure.  It might be some sort of compulsive behavior.  I have oodles of materials.  I am lucky enough to have a designated space.  But, I have not been to art school.  I am not an artist.  I do not show in a gallery or sell at a boutique.  And, for most of these collages, the only people who have even seen these are you (and there aren't many of you, dear reader) and my husband.  So, what in the world am I doing with these?!?  It is a question I keep asking myself. 
I find that if I let the materials sit, if I don't go into the studio, I feel antsy.  I get ideas about what to make, I need put them together.  So I do. 
What am I doing, however?  I guess I dwell in possibility.  I dwell in the possibility that I may someday be able to show them somewhere.  Maybe sell on-line.  or at a coffee house.  I consider the possibility that I may give one as a gift to a friend.  I need courage to make these leaps.  I need to consider myself an artist.  I consider the possibility that I will refine my craft and make them better and more interesting....
Until then, I make more.  I wait for courage.  I dwell in possibility.

Art with Hearts - another collage



"An understanding heart warms all that are graced with its presence."

 Another collage with a prominent heart, paper mounted on foam core to add elevation.  The piece is on a flat canvas, but I didn't like the flat look, so I built a box from scrap wood and placed that behind the canvas.  I painted the wood to mimic the design on the paper.  I also used metal objects, shiny red brads, a Chinese fortune, and a wooden piece with the words "care more"

Side view - showing you my handi-work with the painted wood behind the canvas.

Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dear Friend!

Two fabulous birthdays in one week - plus Valentine's Day right around the corner!  What a busy week!
Have a happy Friday!

Artist - Matthew Doubek (part 2)

This week I told you about local artist Matt Doubek.  I couldn't fit all I wanted to share into one post, so here's more on Matt.

(Photo courtesy Matt Doubek - from his facebook page.)

Matt's art encompasses painting, drawing, graphics, illustration, and collage.  He utilizes satire, whimsy and skill into his pieces. 


A work in progress for Every Good Cowboy (show at the Pirate Gallery)

 Not only does he make art for the walls, he makes creative installations and furniture items as we.  You can see this table as part of an installation at the Denver Art Museum's interactive display on the second floor. 

My girls were excited to see Matt's work at a recent trip to the Denver Art Museum.
 "His work is famous!"

Along with his friend and fellow artist Sam Mobley, Matt is opening a two man show of their take on Western Art.  It's sure to be filled with humor, whimsy and fun, along with great talent and skill.  To view more of Matt's work, check out the Pirate Gallery in Denver this month. 

The elusive Western Jackalope, photo courtesy Matt Doubek

(Oh - if you're looking for my Friday recipe, it will be posted later today)

Artist - Matthew Doubek

Mannequin hands creeping across the tops of the fluorescent lights at Matt Doubek's studio.

My daughter and I took a field trip to visit local artist Matt Doubek at his studio.  The studio, an unassuming, converted garage in the heart of Louisville, is jam packed with art supplies and collage materials and inspiration.  A veritable heaven for a pack-rat like myself and my 9 year-old.  I gave her the camera and she started snapping photos.  (So interesting to see what caught her eye.)
My purpose for going to Matt's studio was two-fold.  First, I wanted some inspiration and advice for my own collage work.  Second, I wanted my daughter to see a working artist in his element.  We were both thrilled with what we found.  It was a bonus that Matt was prepping for his upcoming show at the Pirate Gallery in Denver.
The studio itself is filled with pieces of past work, like this one:

There are sketches, scraps, and bits of inspiration everywhere you look:

He had several works in progress, the painting hanging against the cinder block wall, had some additional embellishments from his daughter, which Matt readily incorporates into his work:

And this sketch was waiting patiently on one of his work tables.  I can't wait to see what he does with it:

Matthew Doubek and Samuel Mobley's show Every Good Cowboy opens at the Pirate Gallery on February 4 and runs until February 20. 

Hope to see you there!