MY PLANT OBSESSION

My Desert Rose in the pink pot (currently on hiatus from blooming)

My Collection of miniature braided ficus trees and a few succulents/cacti

My heirloom tomato plant at over 6 ft tall now - unfortunately, the tomatoes on it are still so small that they don't show up in the photo (we're talking half of a thimble here)

When I was a kid, my parents used to plant a garden in our backyard in the city. I relished the experience of planting seeds, watching them grow and, the best part, harvesting fresh tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, etc. This was supplemented with regular marathon trips to all of the local nurseries where my 2 brothers and I roamed freely amongst the damp, gravely pathways, practically bathed in every fountain we could find and got into plenty of mischief. I am sure the nursery employees cringed when they saw us emerging from our Country Squire station wagon. Chasing each other with garden carts while we laughed until we wheezed was the part we enjoyed the most. A trip to the nursery wasn't complete without one of us sustaining some sort of minor injury. Lesson learned : it's always a good idea to wear some sort of steel-toed footwear when you are riding rusty old shopping carts with lame wheels through gravel paths at breakneck speeds.

Somewhere along the way, perhaps by sheer osmosis, I caught the gardening bug and am now obsessed with plants of all sorts and growing roses and anything edible. I am a full-blown gardening nerd and have even been know to talk to my little green friends - Prince Charles and I would probably have a lot in common.

 I have limited space, so I must choose my plants carefully, but that doesn't stop me from my indulging my passion. Recently, I decided to add a few succulents to my small ficus collection.  I found some great (and CHEAP!) textured white pots at IKEA along with a braided Desert Rose that caught my eye. I know the pink pot is the one "off" piece, but I couldn't resist, since the color really grabbed me. It reminds me of that feature on Sesame Street where they used to sing "one of these kids is doing their own thing" and you would look to see which kid in the square didn't "fit". Remember that? Maybe not? Anyway, I digress, as usual.....

what do you like to grow?

THE LAKE COTTAGE

This charming New Hampshire lake cottage was a recent commission as a birthday gift for a client's father. This beautiful home is one of the oldest on the lake - my client's great-grandfather bought it around 1900. He sold the property next door for $1.00 after he lost it in a card game! If you'd like for me to capture a special family home for you, don't hesitate to contact me here.

TOMATO ENVY

(Photo courtesy of the Food Network)

I love Giada De Laurentiis, her show and her cookbooks. You've got to love her spunk, her talent and her adorable family. Now I have a serious case of tomato envy. Take a look at these huge screens of tomatoes drying in the sun on the Isle of Capri. Oh my goodness....

Have a terrific weekend!

NEW QUOTE POSTER

Can you believe it's already the middle of the week? Or maybe you can't believe it's ONLY the middle of the week? In any case, I hope your day ends well! Another day and another new print.....do you have someone this is perfect for?

You can find it here, right now.

KEEP CALM MUGS

I hope that everyone had a good weekend! Happy first day of Summer (for you readers in the Northern Hemisphere) The temperatures here in Florida have been in the 90's for weeks now, so I haven't exactly been hanging on tenterhooks for the start of Summer. On a side note, the mayor of Detroit has declared today "Ernie Harwell Day" in honor of my Grandpa, so here's to you, Grandpa! I am pretty sure that heaven doesn't have a need for Google Reader - you have much more exciting things going on in your new home.........

I don't know about you, but for me, with all going on in the world around us, this "Keep Calm" slogan seems to become more appropriate with every passing day. Just a reminder that my version of the Keep Calm design is available on coffee mugs now. Sometimes it's a great motto to go with your morning coffee or tea, especially on a Monday morning.

These two, plus more colors are available via my Zazzle site.

ANNECHOVIE IN OZ

(you can just barely make out my aqua "keep calm" poster in the mirror)

I'd like to thank one of my wonderful Australian friends and customers who sent me the scans of some of my prints featured in a chic Brisbane home that happens to be the "House of the Month" in Australian Home Beautiful. This house is a total renovation by talented designer and blogger A-M. Check out her fascinating blog here.

my orange chair slhouette on aqua hanging above the desk

I am surprised at the number of Australian readers, clients and buyers that I have developed long-distance relationships with. I have to say that I have a special affinity for you wonderfully warm and supportive people down under. It's exciting to see some of my work featured in Australian shelter mags. I just need to get down there and visit so I can meet you folks! Thanks to all of you, my readers - no matter where you're located - your support and kindness amazes me. Have an absolutely beautiful weekend!

THIS IS ME.....AS A CAT

Fellow artist, friend and blogger, Jamie Shelman is constantly churning out witty and adorable sketches and sometimes they just make my day. I loved this one, so asked her if I could share it with you - it's available for sale here. I could totally relate as I have a small fridge in my studio that houses Pellegrino, Dasani and chocolate chips. Jamie and her artist husband Tom recently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland from Martha's Vineyard and are quite the creative duo. Check out this online class she is teaching!

HAVE A TERRIFIC DAY!!

ORTIGIA

                                

As an artist, I am constantly either repulsed by badly designed packaging or enthralled by beautiful packaging. Lately my eye has been captured by the Italian line Ortigia. I have not tried any of the products (cha-ching) but the beautifully designed "housing" of the containers and boxes leaves me with the impression that what's inside is probably of primo quality. The line is a bit hard to find in the US but it is available online here. The scarcity kind of makes it even more appealing...... Have you tried this line yet?

THANK YOU!

Inspired Design

Bella Card Company

Wishing True

Nesting Instincts

Key West Style

Living Livelier

A Blind Pash

I want to thank all of the bloggers who have posted on my work lately - it's impossible to express just how much your support means to me. A huge thanks to all of you wonderful readers, too.

Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, everyone!

THE MACARON GOES SUPERSIZE

I recently had to make a run to my nearest IKEA for one of their terrific-ly cheap buys for my studio, the ALEX file drawers. I love it - even though what I saved on the price I had to invest in 36 hours of manual labor to assemble. Well, not quite, but you do have a little "project" on your hands when most everything comes flat-packed. There happened to be an outpost of the Parisian bakery "PAUL" nearby, so I couldn't resist stopping in for an authentic French macaron. Or, so I thought...take a look at this baby (below)

Is it me, or is this a SUPER-SIZED macaron? I placed my not-so-small hands beside it to show relative size. Have you ever seen a macaron this large? It looked more like a pastel Moonpie! I guess it's the American version, maybe even the Texas version, except that I live in Florida?? Hmmmm...

Carol Gillot over at Paris Breakfasts has been showing me macarons for ages now, so I had been longing to try one for myself. I was not disappointed, just a little, ummm.....surprised to see one this big.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * JANET HILL

Many of you may know of her already, but if you don't, I'd like to introduce you to the very lovely and talented Canadian artist, Janet Hill.

Where were you born?

   Brampton, Ontario, Canada

What would you take if your house was burning down? 

 My family (obviously) and my Kate Spade purses.

Your favorite book?

                 I have so many, but right now I'm in love with Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

 If you could have only 1 last meal, what would you want on the menu?

Champagne and oysters.

Janet's charming "Idea Space"

  

 Do you prefer hot weather or cold?

Hot

Favorite artists?

That's hard to choose! Um, but at this moment I would say Karen Kilimnik, Holly Farrell, and VR Morrison. All women...that's interesting.

Pet peeve?

                         Having to pay for 'boring bills'. Like a roof repair, or a new dishwasher. Ugh.

Best childhood memory?

For some reason, playing 'Winged Monkey #3' in my elementary school's production of The Wizard Of Oz comes to mind. It seemed like a pretty exciting thing to be a part of and I liked playing a bad guy or rather, a bad monkey. We had to wear black leotards with glow in the dark paint and our only form of movement was gymnastics. I was also pretty surprised that I was chosen for the role since they were after tiny gymnasts and I stood at least a foot above everyone else. However, I could do some pretty mean handsprings back in those days so that likely helped. Oh, and I also had one line 'We have to take Dorothy back to the castle now'. Pretty exciting stuff. I wanted to be an actress for a whole five days after that performance.

Favorite travel destination?

Just one? I'm cheating here and I'm going to say Charleston, South Carolina, and Cape Cod. Oh, and I'm pretty lucky (most days) to live in Stratford, Ontario which is a big tourist town....home of the Stratford Festival of Canada, but is probably better known at the moment as Justin Bieber's hometown- yikes. The good thing is that when I'm feeling a little poor, I can always play tourist in my own town.

Favorite Shop?

I have to admit that I'm a big Anthropologie girl. In terms of online shopping, I would have to pick Etsy - of course.

What is, to you, the best thing about being an artist?

Freedom!

I want to thank Janet for taking the time to tell us a little more about herself and share some of her amazing work. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop and blog - you will be very glad you did!

MADRE DE OLIVIA

I would love to introduce a wonderful jewelry line that I discovered on Etsy - Madre de Olivia

Besides being insanely talented, artist and proprietor Tamara Mello is one of the nicest and most helpful persons you will ever meet.

A perfect gift for the Francophile - a mini croissant on a chain!

My necklace (shamefully blurry photograph by ME)

I really liked a brass monogrammed and hand-stamped pendant that Tamara sold in her Etsy shop, but wanted to change the chain and add a gold starfish. Tamara obliged me in record time for an amazing value and the necklace arrived artfully packaged with a kind note attached. I have been wearing it ever since!

If you are looking for individual attention and some unique pieces from a wonderful Indie artist, then you need to check out Tamara's shop and pronto!

ANNECHOVIE AND ART NEEDLEPOINT

I am very excited to announce that Art Needlepoint is now carrying several of my most popular designs so that you can create your very own Annechovie piece! Art Needlepoint is a top-notch company based in Boston that provides needlework enthusiasts with the finest canvases and threads to create heirloom quality decorative cushions and accessories for the home. They also carry the work of my friend and fellow artist Harrison Howard, who is known for his exquisitely detailed and whimsical Chinoiserie paintings. Check out what's available here!

PAUL SMITH VS. CHROMOPHOBIA

Double-decker buses even look more stylish wearing Paul Smith's trademark stripes!


Check out this video of British designer Paul Smith giving a tour of his recently opened San Francisco boutique. I just love his total lack of self-consciousness and his sense of humor.

OK, a perfect match....Paul Smith stripes on a MINI!

A spunky striped swimsuit.

Paul Smith has that innately British knack for being hip, quirky, smart, fun and stylish all at the same time. Talk about innovative, he has a uniquely cool philosophy when it comes to design and business. He celebrates color and infuses all realms of design with life and personality. He decries what he terms"chromophobia" and somehow manages to make most of the other design gurus look kind of stale and stodgy by comparison. I think that he has reinvented the wheel. And with great finesse!
Have a terrific weekend, everyone! I'd like to wish all of my US friends a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday.
See you back here next week!

SMITH'S SWIRLS

I am captivated by Paul Smith's signature swirly stripes design on everything. The rug above.

 The shoes above.

The bag beneath.

And all of them are beyond my budget, but that doesn't keep them from inspiring me and giving me a great deal of joy when I look at them.  That's the beauty of photos, all of the pleasure, none of the calories. Is there a particular artist or designer's style that inspires you?

DESIGNING FOR THE GIRLS

My t-shirt design for the Fading Ladies

I was recently contacted by a fellow blogger who is an American expatriate living in India. She authors an amazing blog, The Existential Expatriate, about her life there, adapting to the culture and the ups and downs of living on the other side of the world. She and some of her fellow expatriates have formed a charity to help combat some of the social problems and assist the needs of the most downtrodden, unprotected and forgotten in society.

I was asked by Jennifer and The Fading Ladies, as they are called, to design a t-shirt that included the popular "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan, but with a decidedly Indian twist. The inspiration was a photo of Jennifer's daughter, Helen (another popular blogger from Dallas who authors "Monograms and Manicures") atop an elephant during a recent visit to India.

Working with the Fading Ladies has been nothing but a joy and I am so thrilled to be a small part of supporting such a wonderful outreach to homeless and abused little girls. There is so much suffering and abuse in this world and oftentimes women and girls are the most victimized, whether they be on the street or suffering in silence in what appear to be "privileged situations" in life.

It's so wonderful to see these women take it on upon themselves to better the lives of the people in their adopted country and I am 100% behind the Fading Ladies and the charity these shirts will go to support. Here's a little more about it-

The Salaam Balaak Trust runs five 24-hour full care shelters for homeless children, one being devoted to girls.

These shelters provide the children a sense of home and security they lacked while living on the streets.

They aim at restoring the childhood that was lost and teach them independence. Provide education and social values and financial self-dependence to become mature and responsible citizens.

The Arushi shelter in Gurgaon, Haryana is devoted totally to the care of girls.

If you're interested in buying a shirt for a very worthwhile cause, they are available in several colors here.

AT HOME OUT EAST

I have a special love for architecture and houses and enjoy painting portraits of homes all over the country and beyond. These works make a wonderful gift for a homeowner or a way to immortalize a period of time in a family's life. I'd love to discuss working with you - please contact me here for more details.

Have a great weekend!

A FATHER'S DAY SUGGESTION....

Are you looking for a unique gift for Father's Day? Do you have a father or a husband that is a baseball fan? You might be interested in this unique, limited edition poster created by my graphic designer brother, Josh Harwell. It features my grandfather, Ernie Harwell's famous poem on baseball. I am including an excerpt here written by my brother that explains his love for baseball and the poster in his own words:

“I guess what I love the most about the game though is all the memories of my childhood and the connection it has for my family. My grandfather, Ernie Harwell, had the privilege of calling the Detroit Tiger games for 42 years, so I grew up listening to him, going to games with him and loving all things baseball.
One of the many perks of my baseball family is that Grandpa was always giving us baseball related items that he received. One such item was the album Terry Cashman’s "Talking Baseball". My brother and I listened to this for hours on end, and I can still sing you most of the songs word for word.
You see, wedged in between all the wonderful baseball songs on this album was my Grandpa reading his definition of baseball. (I can also still quote this… just ask my wife!) I loved listening to this poem/essay, and last summer, when Grandpa was diagnosed with inoperable cancer, I instantly knew I wanted to make a piece of art from that essay as a tribute to him.
I really enjoyed creating this piece of art. It was a privilege to create something special for a man who was always giving of himself to others, and I put all of my heart and soul into it. I really debated about offering this poster for sale, but I decided that in the end it was something I wanted to share with all those who loved baseball and my Grandpa. He enjoyed sharing his life and love of the game with everyone, so a poster in tribute to him should be about just that.
The 18 x 24 poster is pictured in the heading of this post. It’s limited first edition signed and numbered by myself and printed on 80# cover. If you are interested in purchasing one you can find them on my Etsy site.”

ANNECHOVIE GIVE-AWAY ON FLOURISH DESIGN AND STYLE

Sarah, a great blogger and friend from Calgary, is hosting an Annechovie give-away this week on her blog.

Be sure to check it out and enter here!

MORE PARISIAN GOODIES

Happy Monday!

I had a busy weekend and was able to check quite a few items off my to-do list and I am regaining my footing as far as work goes. I am settling in and loving my new place - very efficient and comfortable. I also spent some time at my local garden center as I have decided to take another stab at growing tomatoes and am reading up on successful cultivation of heirloom varieties. Call me crazy, but the scent of tomato leaves is wonderful. If you have any tips, please feel free to share. I hope that you had a nice weekend, too!

"St. Honore" is the latest print on stretched canvas from my dessert series. It's from an original painting of a Parisian delicacy. It's available here.