Art work at a new venue

My art work can now be seen at a new venue, Evilena's Red Dresser in Frankfort, IL.

4"x6"   Crocus

wooden box, metal decorative frame

I have my work in their NEW fabulous shop which is actually their second store at: 20887 S LaGrange, Frankfort, IL 60423  815-464-2668    
Open Monday - Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5.

The vibe inside the new store is very industrial with the help from the wonderful ladies of COLLECTED.
 (These designers help folks restyle their dwelling by reusing their own stuff!
 They specialize in home and event styling.  )

burl wood box

  Evilena's took a fancy to my little boxes, the ones I refurbish and place an original watercolor painting inside. These are a few of the designs.  Check out the shop to see more.

felt lined for trinket or jewelry

 I also have a few small painting that relate to their kitchen kitsch feel.

5"x 7"

"Tomato & Cabbage -Soups ON"

  Jan Sabey, the owner is so enthusiastic and encouraging to me by accepting my work into her shop.   I truly appreciate she named the shop after her beloved mother, donates to charity, has a prayer box inside her store ( you slip a note into the box about what/why you need prayers ) and wants to feature original art.

Just blogging to keep you folks updated on this starving artist's latest.
Blessings,
 Barb

7 projects to occupy the long winter months

Hello fellow artists and welcome to my blog.
I thought you might like to see some other projects I create when I 'm not painting or throwing pottery.

Vintage mecury Christmas bulbs from 1950's ,

Elf from 1960's

I made this Christmas wreath from my precious vintage ornaments.  My idea was to keep them all together and I think they are protected from breakage by being fused together.  It was risky to use glue but it has worked out well. This wreath is stored in a special box and placed far away from any damage, kept deep in a closet.
The Elf on the Shelf was an added perk for my grandchild.

I also crochet on occasion because it is a good way to kill the time in the long winter months.  It has been a LONG winter in Chicago this year!

Crocheted scarf

Hand painted chopstick pin

Little Sprout hat

A blue  cowl neck/loop type scarf with a hand painted chopstick pin.
  The "little sprout" hat was custom made for my grandson, Wynn Elliott.

Letters made from maps

Food served out of suitcases and clothes hung on line

I enjoy planning events like this baby shower decor and using my vintage items like suitcases,cameras and retro baby clothing.  Not to forget my Baby Boy sign made out of maps.  The letters came out a little wonky but worked for the occasion.  The theme was Around the World and I was able to incorperate travel  and different countries in the decor.

Vintage cameras, suitcase, globe and umbrella

Fairy Garden

Fairy Penelope

As an avid gardener I encouraged my granddaughter, Penny, to make a fairy garden. Lots of family members helped but she was in charge of the pinecones and purple ribbon.  She is a little Fairy herself and loves the TUTU  I made for her!
I  quilt when I am not crocheting.  Here is a quilt I made for myself out of my vintage fabric.  I also combined some modern fabric I purchased; it is just a lap quilt that lives on the back of my sofa.

Mid Century Modern Quilt apporved by Noa LiLou and Wynn Elliott

I know it is hard to concentrate on the quilt when you have the two tubby pals to look at.  These chubby cherubs are 2 of the 3 granchildren born into our family in the year!

Newest Granddaughter Adeline Ivy with her big brother Miles

I just wanted to share with you as an update
 -there is more to my art than painting-
branching out of the studio keeps me creative and grounded.
 I hope you are creating and growing as we are in my family.
Have a blessed 2014.

tags: crochet, quilts, baby showers, maps, grandchildren, Christmas wreath, vintage mercury bulbs, fairy gardens, tutu for children, crafts, sewing, 2014 projects

Fall Recipe

baby granddaughter ,Penny

fall is here

oak leaves in the sunlight

the path I walk in the woods

I thought I would post one of my favorite recipes for Zucchini Bread/Cake
 

ZUCCHINI BREAD

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
•  1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup apple sauce
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• flavored cream cheese spread as a glaze

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar apple sauce together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool
5. I use pumpkin cream cheese spread (for bagels) and spread on top when the cake is still warm.  This melts slightly and is a glaze or frosting. Omit this step if you want more of a bread.

Penny and Miles ( he wants to have his hair the same as hers)

 

Happy Fall !!!

Spring Art Show at the Village Artists

The Village Artists will be having a

Spring Art Show on  Saturday May 5^th-  for one day only- !!!

10-3 pm- It will be similar to our holiday boutique.

Yours truly will be present and displaying my work. Stop on by and take a look at our co-op of artists- 

Village Artists Gallery and Studio
1957 Ridge Road, Homewood IL

"FERN" Sushi plate with chop sticks

Trinket Dish for rings and things

I use mine while washing dishes!

 

 

Also RetroBabs will be participating in the Vintage Bazaar in Chicago IL

Sunday June 10th at the Aragon Ballroom 1106 Lawrence Ave.  The plan is to share a booth with AmeliaBedeliaVintage from Etsy.  Delia is coming all the way from California to sell her wonderful vintage clothing!!

Here is a fun tid bit:  This ballroom is where my parents met back in the 1940's.  I admit I'm a romantic at heart because they were married for over 50 years!! 

2012 -the new year begins

Well folks, I had a busy Dec 2011.  The kids came for a visit all the way from California and I had a successful art show at the Village Artists.

Here I am at my display table of pottery and standing in front of my paintings.  The show ran from Dec 2 and 3rd to coordinate with Homewood's tree lighting ceremony.  It was great to interact with the community especial all the kids.  They were so excited to see the tree lit and Santa was transported down  Ridge Rd via a fire engine!  A good time was had by all.

I gave away some of my art as gifts as usual. 

Here you see some rice bowls I made.

I especially like the glazing on this one. (Jade green and black)


Also created a new paintings for the show and framed one inside a shadow box.

I know it is hard to see in these photos but the seashell painting is actually a shadow box, recessed about an inch into the frame.
As you know, I also refurbish vintage furniture.  My husband found this lovely chair in the garbage.  I used fabric with a theme of picnic goers from the 1950s- "living the high life".  I think I just may have to keep this one!!!

  This is another chair I refurbished and it is currently at the Village Door.  They are a consignment shop that gives their funds to cancer support.  I think their charity is fabulous and I wanted to support them.

I used a piece of vintage hunting fabric on this one.  I think it is from the 1940s- very art deco don't you think?
Well I will wrap this up for now.  Check out the Retrobabs blog to see my New Years Resolutions! And keeping with such....... I off to throw something on the wheel.
Blessings
Babs

Holiday Boutique at the Village Artists Gallery and Studio

Dear Family and Friends,
I hope You can come to an art show and holiday boutique where I will be displaying my work.  I will have jewelry, pottery, watercolor paintings and vintage boxes just in time for your holiday gift shopping!

Hope to see you there!

Collaboration

I have been making pottery for over a year and I've started dabbling in jewelry.  What I like to make besides bowls are leaves out of clay.  I have had a few of my designs on Etsy featured in the RetroBabs Vintage shop.

I made this maple leaf necklace for the fall.  It happened to catch the eye of a wonderful artist, Barb Herb-Bonk.
She makes beaded jewelry and asked me to collaborate with her.  Barb created these designs using my pottery leaf and medallions.

I think they look fantastic and she really enhanced my work!   I am thrilled.

Making jewelry is another outlet for my pottery.
Here are the designs I came up with for the Village Artists show.  The show will be a Holiday Boutique on Dec 2-3rd in Homewood, IL.   They are located on Ridge Road and the gallery will features many artists from the group.

You can see I took a different route, than did Barb, but I tend to like simple jewelry.   I fashion these leaves and medallions out of clay slabs, hand sculpt them and then they are glazed at a high temperature in the kiln to give them that patina. 

I hope you can come to the show and celebrate the holidays with me!
A heartfelt thanks to Barb for a wonderful collaboration and using my pottery in her jewelry.
Blessings
Babs