New Blog Site for HandiworkIt

Hello Loyal Reader(s)! I am excited to say that I have finally made the move to Wordpress for my blogging. It took me forever to 1.think about moving the blog, 2. look into the details, 3. decide it was too much work, 4. wait 6 months until it kept bugging me, 5. do more research and find it easier that I thought and finally, 6. start the new blog.

From now on, I will be writing (more) frequently about life over at IndustriousLily.wordpress.com..
I was able to migrate all my old posts and comments to the new blog, which is awesome.
So come on over and check it out!!!

First new post: Little Oranges Studio Sale Update...

Thanks for reading here and I hope that you will follow me over to the new spot.
Best! Emily

Pasadena in Plein Air

Last week, on my usual round of vintage shopping, I ran across a painting that was quite a find. It was a small but beautiful plein air landscape painting. Signed by Vic Riseau and featuring the California poppies that I love, I was sold.This find prompted a little online research, where I learned more about Pasadena's long and rich history in the California plein air painting movement. This being one of my favorite styles of painting, I was excited to find that the California Art Club was hosting an event at, and in support of, La Casita del Arroyo (another local treasure) and I knew I had to go.

There were many talented painters selling pieces that they had done over the previous week in an intensive group painting initiative in support of the Arroyo and La Casita itself. As I walked past the wonderfully inspiring artists and their work, I came across the beautifully abstract paintings of Eric Merrell. His work is plein air painting with a touch of impressionism that makes his work stand apart from the rest. His use of color and light is refreshing and youthful. I am not a fine artist, but I appreciate those who have so much talent.

Above and below are a couple of his Arroyo paintings, from his blog, and it is worth looking at his site as well to see the breadth of his work. I hope to see more of it in person again soon....

Studio Sale Time!!!

Studio Sale is coming soon!!!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 12 from 1-4pm.
Tons to buy- details coming soon :)

Fourth of July!

We had great friends over for July 4th- it was a wonderful evening! What's even more wonderful??! Molly's amazing photos...Thanks, friend, for capturing the time together on film. Love it all!!!! Check out her photos here.

Americana!

Hello all! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend celebrating our nation's independence! We had a great time. We have had some of our good friends staying with us and the time has flown by (boo!). One of the highlights for our Fourth of July was the local parade. Wonderful!!!! Our little city of Sierra Madre goes all out for the weekend and the parade is no exception. I literally cannot post all the shots I took of the parade and couldn't choose favorites, so I settled on the John Deere tractor above (which was one of like 20!)- wonderful! Highlights of the parade included: classic cars carrying various mayors, city council members and (my favorite) Hometown Hero, a giant inflated triceratops, marching bands, the Flintstone mobile, military trucks and soldiers, at least two All-Star Little League champion teams, a belly dancer dressed as Lady Liberty, the Shriners and their awesome mini mobiles, many many fire trucks, local cheer squad, the Peace Corps, many Ford Model T's and a pack-horse train.....I think that was it. Did I miss anything else?
Anyhoo, it was wonderful! God Bless America!

Guilty pleasure...

Yeah, we are not what you would call country folks, and we are not really known to cowboy up for anything....but this movie was fun. Country Strong is a little cheesy, a little sad, somewhat melodramatic, a good bit entertaining, fairly predictable.....but not terrible. Enjoyable enough that we may have purchased some of the songs on our last iTunes shopping spree... Beau (Garrett Hedlund) and Chiles (Leighton Meester in a very un-Gossip Girl turn) were great and can actually sing. Anyway, if you feel like getting a little bit country, this is your ticket.

Fency Pants!

Yes, terrible pun: but still a very fun project. Check it out on our "house" blog. Yay for long summer days with more time to work after, well, work.