Yesterday my Man and I started the day early by walking up to Cafe Pedlar. I have been collecting images of coffee from them and really like this one.

Then we walked down through Red Hook to go food shopping at Fairway. On our return trip I snapped this photo. I love hearing birds pass by overhead.

It seems Hankies will be a continued affection for me (I would also say obsession). And because I wanted to see how the stencil I cut this weekend would look, I printed this hankie blank. Generally, I like it. I think the roses appear a bit too fragmented because I was hesitant to cut the 'bridges' that are necessary to maintain in the integrity of a good stencil. I am wanting to create a multicolored stencil, so I am going to cut another set and this time I will work harder to 'get' the roses right.

I have begun to start painting again. I don't know about you but when I engage in an idea, I love to research it. So I began thinking about calico, tiny florals and tone on tone fabrics. Little did I know that the term calico refers to plain woven cloth and not small floral prints, as I had thought. hmmm.

It dawned on me that I am trained in Textile/Surface Design and that I love decorative art. So that makes me think it would be great to embrace the decorative elements of textile design in my art. Why didn't this occur to me before?

So yesterday I sat and cut a small floral stencil. Now I can use this ditty again and again and in so many ways. Yippee.

When I first graduated from The Fashion Institute, I got a job working with fine artists. We started talking about decorative art and I got the impression that decorative art is frowned upon, self indulgent and has no real place in the world of art. Fooey. I love cloth, I am trained in the creation of it, I have been learning to draw and paint in light of my training at F.I.T and I love to sew. I no longer need that old, judgmental and confining idea in my mental toolbox. I dedicate these next few months to exploring decorative elements in my painting, sewing and art. I can't fight it and why should I?

Make no mistake about it, this is the year of the PJ's. I pronounce myself, Queen of Comfort.

Last week, Arrow was under the weather, a few people have asked about him and as he is so important to me, I figured I would give an update. Arrow got through whatever was bothering him and is his lovey-dove self again. They sure do know how to pull our heartstrings. I like the above photo because I see quiet in Arrow's eye. I have always wished we both spoke the same language and I could hear what he was saying. At the same time it is fabulous that we don't.

Someone asked for unadorned photos without any artistic perspectives. Someone just wants to see what I am working on. So here you go.

But really, I wanted to point out what folks have been doing with this idea over at the Rockstar Boro pool on Flickr. Like Lyric, Ilene has been reconstructing old clothing and reinvigorating it. I am impressed with her serged seams and love what she is doing. She says she has been wearing it a bunch and is eyeing other clothing in her closets!

You may also want to check out this, this and this. I can't link up to every photo but it is impressive to see what folks are doing with the idea. Head over there, check all of them out.

This is my first 'working day' of the new year. My Man was home for the week between Christmas and New Years, including yesterday. I love being able to spend extended periods of time with my guy.

I had wanted to do a post about the change of the year and all that entails but I can't. Last year is a blur. I feel as though I didn't have much of a year and I feel like I had a very full year where I learned a lot and did as much. What I can say is that last year taught me that I have more friends and acquaintances than I could have known. I am grateful and happy to know this and to have you in my life. So many people followed me through my journey with cancer, commented, followed me through facebook and commented, sent me cards, gifts, hats, good vibes and thoughts. I made it through with panache and incredible support. All I can really say is, 'Thank You'. And here is to a happier, easier and less doctor-centric New Year!

I started painting again today. I am going to put the wrap down for a few days and allow myself some creative breathing room.