Monica Lee Studios

Who's in charge here, anyway?

I strained my back yesterday...or maybe the day before...or maybe last week when I had my coffee spill disaster but whatever happened it all added up and I am flat out with a sore lower back so if you need to get in touch with me for any assignments, Dunkin is taking my calls. He is very  helpful.

Oops! I did it again!

So I decided that since not all gluten free baking is edible...I would try my hand a making candy this holiday. I thought if I pick a few candy recipes, master them that they could become part of our Christmas tradition. Now, let's remember  that before my gluten free life, I was a pretty serious baker. I didn't even own a candy thermometer and generally believe candy is too sweet. But I picked up a little  no name candy cook book (near the check out stand...which means the recipes may be a bit untested but how hard can it be, right?) UGH! My first try was a espresso flavored brittle that I thought might pull your fillings out! I followed the directions exactly and the softball stage and crackle stage of candy making are tricky and after looking it up on the internet, I was not convinced the directions steered me in the right direction. So on to the next recipe... it did not involve any thermometers (good!) but it did involve some prepackaged ingredients. Now, if you are going to create a recipes with prepackage pudding mix, evaporated milk then for pete's sake, either design the recipe around the oz. on the package or give a measurement...ie 1 cup of mix. I found myself trying figure out how to subtract oz. out of ingredients and so naturally the desert did not set properly. Fortunately, I have boys so all I had to do is hand them a spoon and tell them to dig in.
Anyhoo, I thought this illo was a perfect paring for my mishaps in candy making...too bad...I really used to be quite the cook! I did roast some lovely root vegetables for dinner Sunday night, parsnips and rutabagas...the boys were not quite as thrilled.

Snow puppy

 
Can you even see Dunkin? Yesterday we had a heavy wet snowfall, the new puppy did pretty well out in the snow. He is getting the hang of  his new little life as my office assistant. Although we had a bit of a mishap the other day...I was heading into my office, stepping over my baby/puppy gate with a cup of hot coffee in my hand AND oops! got my foot caught on the gate, puppy under foot, hot coffee all over the place! It was on me, the floor and OH NO! The puppy is wet too!  I was so worried that it burned him but it appeared that his white coat protected him. His white coat that became brown and white...poor spotted puppy!

Eyvind Earle Christmas Cards

So I finally decided on a Christmas card to send out this year. I just loved these! These are published by Pomegranate and the paintings are by acclaimed California landscape artist Eyvind Earle. He was a background painter for Disney Studios in the early 1950',. He worked on Sleeping Beauty and Lady and the Tramp. I just love this art.If you have a second check out his wesite, really cool landscapes! I always draw my trees with snow on them, it just says Christmas to me. And  as I look out my window today that is exactly what I see...we got a fresh blanket of snow last night! I have puppy snow pics that I will post tomorrow!

Snow Angels

 
I seem to be revisiting old art lately...This was a Christmas card from my greeting card line...many moons ago. Ilike the theme, making snow angels. I seem to have a lot of winter drawings with children in them. My son was so excited that it snowed this weekend. We went to a Christmas party at my neighbors house and their son went to our house for the night. We live in a typical small New England neighborhood and we could see the boys playing outside in the fresh snow from their kitchen window. They were put in charge of the puppy...it was so cute to see the boys, the border collie and the little white fluff of a puppy running around the back yard. It is moments like that that really make your season bright.

Christmas Cards

It's time to put together Christmas cards to send out to friends and family...I have noticed a lot of online sites offer a "design your own"  option. So even though I have actually designed my own for  greeting card companies, I will look over these options and see what they have to offer, stay tuned. Yesterday I received my first card in the mail, actually photo in the mail. I have come to accept that even if you send actual cards (uh-oh here comes her yearly lecture...) that you had better shove a photo in there because people ask, "why didn't you send a picture?".  When did Christmas cards become a chance to show off your family instead of  sending a warm holiday wish? I do like seeing families, don't get me wrong..., I just like a pretty card too. I want to actually open it, touch paper...see handwriting.  

When I was young my mother used to cut up the previous years cards and use them a gift tags...very clever. I think it is the memory of doing that that makes my genuinely miss an actual greeting card. My mother used to write a nice sentiment on a scrap piece of paper and then hand copy it into each card. So over the years I have tried all sorts of things, photos inside of cards, photo cards, letters with photos on them, NO photo.The illustration aboveis something I sent out one year when we never got together in time for a photo! I noticed that now every year my husband asks me, "What are we doing for a Christmas picture?" So there are two ways of looking at this "photo trend", it is either a nice new tradition for you and your family or another bit of evidence of a self centered society. Look at me and my children...oh and by the way Happy Holidays....Ouch! Doesn't that sound terrible?! Ack! Monica!  I don't mean to sound like Oscar the Grouch, it is just something to think about as you send out your holiday cards. Why are you sending them? Are you really sending out a bit of love to your friends at Christmas time, are you sending out a blessing and prayer? Maybe you are sharing your family with someone else's family and a photo is the best way to do that...hmmm something to think a about.

Skirts and Cards

 
The Christmas card I featured on my blog recently got picked for Kate Harpers Most Unusual Christmas Card list. The card was a result of the middle Santa skirt.  I started this drawing from the bottom up and I liked it so much that I stopped and cropped her. The card was picked up by Design  Design and then I started drawing skirts for other holidays...then I went a little crazy and drew skirts with pups...birthday skirts, you name it!  It has been a fun idea to develop!

Robin Zingone...hooray for you!

 
I was catching up on my blog reading over the weekend and I was sooo happy to see Robin back to posting. I knew that she had been ill...what a journey she has had! If you have a second read her thoughtful posts (and enjoy her art!) How about those post titles? Ha! A stroke is no joke...she hasn't lost her sense of humor!! I was also surprised and happy to read how well her clients were treating her during her illness and recovery, it gives you a little shot in the arm to hear that! So here is a bunch of flowers and a hug to you, Robin!

New Holiday Banner!

I have been enjoying mixing up my banner images, makes me happy!  This year I am so excited about the Holidays. Not that I am not excited every year but this year I get to see my entire family over the New Year since we are all converging in Phoenix for my nephew's wedding. My sister and parents and I are very close but we don't live close which is a real bummer. My family is relaxed and funny ( funny as in ha-ha) not as in weird. Well, maybe we are a little weird too, but still, I am really looking forward to seeing them all!

Channeling the State Dinner

As you prepare for a special Thanksgiving meal, take a moment to channel last night's State Dinner. Michelle Obama looks beautiful in a dress designed by Indian born Naeem Kahn. I am starting to think she can wear almost anything, she does get it right every time. She really knows her body and how to dress it. And how do you like that glass topped tent? Love it! Of course, the table setting is oh so elegant. Did I mention that I think I was Colin Cowie in a former life? You can see the more photos of the dinner here.