Sis Boom Barbara

Painter and Earth Angels' artist Barbara Strawser was the special guest at Jennifer Paganelli's festive, and ever so colorful, SIS BOOM open house this weekend.

Rosie and Kathy made the trip to Wilton, CT with me to visit with Jennifer and Barbara... And we each got to bring home some textile treats along with a car load of glorious new paintings to share with Barbara's collectors and enthusiasts.

Here's Barbara's display on the porch...it greeted all of Jen's guests...


As ever, Barbara's work is rich in story and sweet memory. She paints in realm where flowers continually bloom and angels abound. Her layering of gentle water colors and temperas find their magic in old -- and often decorated -- frames.

Kathy loved this sweet and gentle piece...it's in an antique Belgian metal frame...

...these make me want flowers everyday...
...and I love the face on her young one here...
Thanks to you Barbara for the last year of working together. I am so cheered we've grown to share a wonderful friendship among us -- with Rosie and Kathy too. We adore you and your beautiful creations.

Jennifer, many thanks to you and much love for making it all possible!
Please visit my gal pal Danielle's BLOG to see more fab image of the event...she is a gem (and her blog www.thevintagedragonfly.typepad.com is always inspiring!)

Email Jennifer Paganelli for your invite to the next Sis-Boom open house and we'll see you there!
xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earth Angels
PS More of Barbara's work can be seen on-line or email me at Jen@EarthAngelsToys.com to receive images of the 25 new pieces that we have to share...

Debbee's SALE

BIG NEWS from DEBBEE THIBAULT...
She is hosting a BIG MOVING SALE!!!

35-50% OFF on more than 150 designs, some long retired!
(e-mail for the list of what's included...)

Debbee just moved her studio space and uncovered a VERY LIMITED amount of inventory that she is willing to offer at super special prices. So, here at Earth Angels we are able to OFFER YOU THESE pieces at a significant savings while supplies last...what a great chance to add a piece to your collection or decor.

THANKS DEBBEE for allowing us to share these savings and long retired pieces with our customers. Please note: these items are available IN VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES!
(in some cases only 1 piece of each)

I CAN EMAIL YOU A LIST OF WHAT's INCLUDED IN THE SALE...
Also – Earth Angels will offer FREE SHIPPING on non–layaway orders!

To find out what's included in the sale, just email me at Jen@EarthAngelsToys.com

THANKS! and Thanks to you Debbee for this wonderful savings opportunity...and good luck with the move!
xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earth Angels

Inspiration Right Here

This is your weekly renovation update.Remember this is where we last left off...

The overhead cabinets were pulled down and at the dump, appliances were ordered and the dishes were on the counter pending storage solutions and walls being painted...

As confessed, this is a fit it in, make it happen project. So once the cabinets were ripped down, I figured I better get some color and style ideas together before I allowed myself to get too distracted with the next project (which is to really, I mean really, clean out my closet -- but more on that later...)

I need to know where I want to "get" with a look or mood in a room, and then I back into it with available treasures, decorations, etc that I have here and can move around the house.

So here are the QUESTIONS:
What color will we paint the walls...
What color will we paint the remaining cabinets...
What will we do for counter and backsplash now that they are in ruins?

So here's what I did...gather inspiration. I went around the house and looked for things that make me feel good...and the way I want the re-done kitchen to feel when I am in it...

....I am thinking of hammered aluminum, old fashioned bakery and ice cream parlor counters, piles of fresh but old linens, the deep sea and the night sky, things that are useful -- even if they are time worn, patina, cappuchino with whip cream, crumbling carved statues and friezes in dull marble like this...

I love this painting -- I bought it from Laurie Meseroll the day I met her...I could look at it forever and never tire of it...

Cheryl's pieces send me, especially this compact piece with silver findings and sailors...whimsy and age meet here... and any color can mix in with a monochromatic palette...

And I love my ironstone and transfer ware and crystal...recognize this hutch...it's been in the dining room for 7 years but it's next life will be in the kitchen...

And so here are the answers...

The Walls...Velspar 's "Homestead Resort Jefferson White" -- what a name (Kathy, you just have to get that job naming paint colors and fix this one, ok?!)

The remaining cabinets...Benjamin Moore's "Harbor Grey".

The counters...Carrrea Marble - the fellas at "House of Stone" will hone it for me to a dull, matte finish. They say they haven't done a kitchen in this stuff for six years because, yes it's a softer stone, and yes, it stains...BUT I like that! I also like that it is less expensive than granite, the faux stones, and well almost the laminate! I like that too!

More on the kitchen next week...The delivery of the fridge was botched and I am having trouble picking a sink and a stove hood...

Oh and a timeline...I am hoping we can make this all happen by the end of August...in the meantime it's a little like camping at home.
I remind myself to eat the elephant bite by bite (Michelle C. in CA - this reference is included just for you as you launch your re-do too!
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

Open Boat Alert

Yikes! I just heard the news...talented artists Victoria and Richard MacKenzie Childs are hosting an "Open Boat" this weekend..

SUNDAY, JUNE 14th
6:00-9:00 PM
Aboard the 102 year old YANKEE FERRY

You'll find the boat dock -- at the festivities -- on the Hoboken, New Jersey Waterfront.

What does this mean...well if you can make it, you'll get to tour their fabulous floating home and studio, shop for fabulous art and support the Hoboken Historical Museum (a portion of all art sales will go to the museum).

Log onto
www.VictoriaandRichard.com for more details...

Their events are not to be missed! If you can join the fun, let my pals know that I sent you...I am long overdue for a visit with my fellow Check Mate, Jane!

xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

Pics from Chick Nick

When I was down in New Jersey on the Where Women Create photo shoot at artist pal Nicole Bowen's studio, I nabbed a few shots of her home...

So many of you asked to see these images. It's a happy and lively place, much like the artist herself, and I am glad to know both!

Here's the front hall...from the minute you step in it's loaded with goodies galore...



Look at the yummy colors in her living room...like strawberries and cream...


...collections and her own handmade treasures are tucked in every nook and cranny...

And here's a part of her beloved "chick collection"... they are everywhere and all are lively and cute! Gee...remind you of anyone???

These few images are just a small sampling of all there was to take in...but they show her festive personal style and whisper of her glorious collections. Nick, I cannot wait to visit again this summer!

Congrats again on the upcoming piece in the August issue of the "Where Women Create" magazine...

I am so excited for you...and you really are one cool chick!
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

Sacks and Sweet Circles

Friendship becomes all the sweeter when its circle becomes concentric to another. Firends introduce us to other friends, and then the rings that link us become richer, more golden.

How fabulous that painter Jennifer Lanne invited Kathy and me to visit the home of her great friends, antique dealers and style-makers, Stephanie & Ken.

Stephanie is passionate about old things and her talents and knowledge for said, spin her inimitable look. She is a decorator bar none, a style maven, a design diva and a trend maker. Ken loves the creative process of restoring and re-building furnitre and does it with exquisite capacity and flair. (He's going to make some pieces for my kitchen that Stephanie will design but I will save that for another post).

Stephanie has adorned the interior of their home in layers upon layers of antiques and treaured objects. It's a symphpony of textures in what first appears a monochromatic palette. A careful peek reveals a tumult of blues, browns, creams, blacks and -- watch out -- peeks of green, lavender and red. These small doses of color speak volumes when they appear...

I was so overwhelmed I could barely photo what I saw...indeed, I didn't know which way to turn!

...here are some images of the living room...I love every nook and cranny...

And look at these shots of the parlor/sitting room...the earliest part of their home was built in 1790 and it telescopes in every direction with rooms and hallways and staircases galore, and so much charm...


...and here's an image from the kitchen that houses the table I am hoping Stephanie just might tire of, and sell me! hint hint Jennifer pass it along!!!

AND NOW FOR MORE SACKS! Stephanie's latest passion is 200 year old grain sacks...look at what she's done with them!

Here Jennifer, Stephanie and Kathy vogue...

...here Jennifer rifles through the case of sacks, the dates and names are enough to keep you reading and your mind wandering...Kathy loved one with her daughter's initials and a horse...

...here are yummy stacks of those sacks...
Stephanie is making them into fritniture, bags, pillows and more things that her imagination serves up...

Thanks for sharing your day, your ideas and your friends, Jennifer...(Jennifer also posted about Stephanie and her trend-setting uses for grain sacks...pop over to Jen's blog for some more on Stephanie and her sacks...For now Stephanie is just offering these goodies to the wholesale trade...
If you would like to contact her on terms or availability email oldsunnybrook@yahoo.com
or watch for her upcoming website at www.StephanieLloyd.com

Stephanie and Ken, it's sweet to have our circles collide and it's wonderful getting to know you...

And Kathy, thanks for always being up for an adventure!

xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

stitch in time

English artist Julie Arkell elevates stitchery to dizzyingly, and oh so festive heights with her embroidered sentiments and stitched sayings.

Long recognized to be at the top of her craft in papier mache -- her hand built creations are so wonderful and scarce -- she has also earned a nod in the realm of textile arts.

A melange of color and textures emblazon each piece in Julie's own brand of magic...look at these...






I just had to share her whimsies and their oddly sweet sentiments...

Thanks to all of you wonderful customers who appreciate and collect this artist's work. I've worked with Julie for 6 years now, and selling her work has brought so many wonderful and interesting people into my circle.

Enjoy your day
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

PS...As a treat for our BLOG readers, all of Julie's word and cameo pins are on SALE for $65 each...her watches $85 and her dolly pins, $90. You can see the offerings on the site.