in the studio - cacti sketching

Future brother and sister in law are getting hitched in a few months. I'm working on the illustration for their tote bag wedding favors.

California desert cacti ~ baja and mojave.

They live in Tucson. These bushes are regional.

Oh hello, iced coffee season! Though a storm is skimming past us tonight. I'm trying not to add to the collective grumbling about the weather....forget it. GRUMBLE GRUMBLE GRUMBLE! In 3 months we'll be soaking in the warm california sun, and toasting to mike and annie. xoxo

making a yacht tardis

This post title makes me giggle. Only Katie and Shawn would be the recipients of a Yacht Tardis. Why would I make these fine folks a Yacht Tardis? Because they're awesome, of course. Katie and Shawn live on a yacht. And they happen to be huge Who fans. Ergo, a Yacht Tardis.

This fridge magnet is a two-parter. The exterior is their house-yacht, Gallifrey.

When you open the boat, it's a tardis!

Felt puzzle pieces

In the picture above, you can just barely see the magnet in the upper-left corner of the gray tardis interior. The tardis is closed in this picture, with a matching magnet on the other side. I completed the tardis interior first. The interior is folded and fastened shut in the photo above so that I could complete the yacht exterior and sew it to the floor portion of the tardis.

I use Super Strong Neodymium Magnets - those two teeny magnets holding the tardis operation together also hold the magnet to the fridge.

Sometimes you have to try things twice.

I loved the colors.

They got married in San Juan Capistrano. Us lucky ducks got to go!

You can see the Tardis phone booth door on the left side of the Tardis interior.

Electron-tubey thingy-ma-bobs...or whatever tubes are sticking out of the central console.

I wrapped wire in a single teal thread to create the electron-tubey thingy-ma-bobs, and secured them in a hard vellum cover. If their function/name is stated in one of the episodes, I've no doubt Katie and Shawn will explain it to me.

Gallifrey needed a thread-wrapped life preserver, and wire hang rail. 

Packed for the trip, wishful scroll and all. Gallifrey had quite the journey. Imagine my surprise when nearly two weeks later, the UPS tracking says Gallifrey had been hanging tight in the Bell Gardens UPS facility for many, many days. I freaked out when I learned this facility is infamous for extended vacations, and sometimes unintended homes, for packages. Go ahead and read the forums, if you will, there are many. ~Incidentally, the mayor was arrested for fraud.~ BUT WHO (other than Katie and Shawn) WOULD WANT MY FELT YACHT TARDIS MAGNET?! IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!!

Well Katie and Shawn eventually received their miniature home/time machine/spacecraft. And I loved that I got an ecstatic note from Katie hours after the first thank you when they realized it opened into a tardis. SURPRISE! Much love, happiness, and space-time continuum journeys for you both. xoxo

katie and shawn

A view of the State House and Charles fireworks from their roof.

Katie and Shawn. Dave and I had the pleasure of being introduced to them back in 2009. A mutual friend invited us to their home for a clam bake and martinis on their roof in Beacon Hill. Katie and I spent more time together that summer, feeding ourselves lots of wine and good stories. I've loved them both ever since.

This spring, we made the journey out to San Juan Capistrano, CA to see them get married.

John (Chief Cameron, right) introduced us to Katie and Shawn. Us at their murder mystery NYE party, 2011

Katie and Shawn have always known how to throw a party.

Katie, Intercontinental 2011

Shawn, right, 2011

They love their friends, they love great food and drinks. Their wedding was the greatest party they've ever thrown.

In true fairy tale fashion, Shawn enlisted his Air Force comrades for the saber arch.

They were wed in a stunning Spanish-style Basilica. The priest is a dear friend of Katie's family, who have owned an estate nearby for many years.

Dave, John and I

The shin dig was perfectly curated; an homage to the 50's complete with old fashioned cocktails, art deco pieces, cigars and whiskey, and an AMAZING 7 piece band.

Boston <3

Katie, her mom and the lovely bridesmaids designed and created the center pieces. So luxurious.

Many, many well wishes to Katie and Shawn. <3 xoxo

eliza & steve

I know a lovely couple ~ Eliza and Steve. I call her Liza. And sometimes Lize.

Lize and I grew up in the same town. She is delightful ~ a friend I've known and cherished for many years. She is also one of the most talented and driven people I know. Simply put, Steve suits Liza perfectly. He's passionate, driven and fun. They both have a heart of gold, and this summer they got married.

By Sidney Bensimon

Liza started her own NYC-based plant delivery and curating company a little over a year ago. Being a self-starting, DIY kind of lady, it's no surprise she and Steve asked the people around them to help create an intimate, stylish and SUPER fun evening to commemorate their vows. Liza enlisted friends and family to create an extraordinary chuppah, hair, make-up, styling and the like.

Liza asked if I'd be willing to illustrate her table numbers. I think she was a little surprised at how excited I was at the prospect (mouth open, eyes wide, goofy smile and hands clasped). I love projects. And I love Liza. Easy "yes." She sent me a quick collage of her table inspiration.

Liza and Steve got hitched at MASS MoCA, one of my favorite museums on this spinning globe. My Memere lived in North Adams for ten years, and I came to know the town intimately. I have many fond memories of visiting North Adams' unique galleries with my grandmother, talking about art, love, family, and inspiration. Last January, I took a trip to the Berkshires with my best friend to visit MASS MoCA. I posted a picture of the Xu Bing exhibit on Facebook, and Liza texted me to tell me that's where they'd be getting married in August. I was delighted because the space is so "Liza and Steve" ~ modern, hip, approachable and creative.

So, it's official. I can officially say my work has been accepted into MASS MoCA (...by the hands of the food caterer). NBD.

The table numbers in my studio getting ready for their debut.

Packed snuggly beside the inspiration ~ Eliza and Steve's invitation designed by Eliza..

#3 ~ Surrounded by flowers and wine <3

These lovely guests are my friends. 

The chuppah was more  beautful than any picture of mine captures. It was created from fallen birch trees on her Nana's property in Lake Placid.

The wedding was unlike any other I've been to. And each moment was filled with a beautiful little touch that said "Liza and Steve were here" ~ Sam Adams upon check-in at the hotel, succulents for name plates, and a bag of s'mores for the after party bonfire, just to name a few. I wish I had taken more pictures ~ often forget to do that when I'm sipping cocktails with fine people.

Picture courtesy of The Sill

Phoenix cocktails

Xu Bing + Oscar De La Renta 

*whistles*

<3 

My personal favorite ~ #2 

My sweetheart.

How often does one get a private viewing of the phoenix?

We felt so honored to be included in such a beautiful affair. Mazel Tov Liza and Steve!! Xoxo