Trying to Get a "Nice" Picture

Pop looks innocent, doesn't he?

But he's the one tickling and nibbling...

...and saying things that will crack Annie up right before the camera snaps.

All I want is one "nice" photo!

Easter Dragon Dress

Annie was given this little Easter dress from her friend Autumn.

It fits perfectly! It's lined, has taffeta, tulle, and a pretty ribbon on it.

Annie said it was too "girly girl" and that she would only wear it if it had a fierce dragon on it.

Annie sketched out the dragon, and I used ribbon, embroidery floss and a small blue bead for the eye. I'll try and take pictures of her in it tomorrow!

Who Loves Easter?

Easter is still a big deal around here! At ten, Annie is as enthusiastic as ever, begging us to dye eggs and bring out the decorations. Her friend Robert (see below) at 12.5... not so enthusiastic. I wonder how long it will last around here? I hope for a long time.

Oh! We learned something new this year about boiling the eggs. Annie Googled it while we were in the kitchen getting ready. Start by putting the eggs into the pot and do not boil them, or they will crack! Slowly cook them on medium, we did it for at least 45 minutes and they turned out perfect. I ate one to check.

Beauty

My beauties last Sunday in San Juan Batista.

Razzle and Dazzle

I love these pictures of Annie during tonight's performance of the play Aladdin. It's a local children'sproduction and Annie played Razul the guard. She was fantastic! She really hams it up and uses her body, voice and face to express herself. What she really wants is a reaction (laughs) from the audience, and she got some tonight.

(Click on the above to enlarge. Great expressions!)

Spring Fever

Hello blog friends!

I can smell Spring in the air, and it's giving me new energy and vigor!
Yea(!), because I've been dragging a bit (a lot) since the remodel, trying to catch up and waiting out a few cough-colds things and the doldrums that followed.

Annie's beautiful singing voice and piano music has been filling the house these gray days, lifting our spirits, turning darkness into light, despite one rain storm after the next here in Northern California.

Little Harpo, below, is also showing some real vigor and tenacity. Just yesterday she scratched her way out of the house to chase the UPS man. She has a real thing for him. She chased him to his truck and then chased the truck five or six houses down on a very busy street, as onlookers pointed and gasped. You have to remember she is only about twelve inches tall!

As I write, the canaries we raise are all singing loudly, filling the whole downstairs with songs of Spring! It's all around me!

Hope you are feeling it too.

It is amazing how much things can change in just two short weeks! My studio has grown to more than double it's size with the removal of a few walls, closets and a hallway. New lighting, hardwood floors, custom shelving, tables and storage have been added, plus an already enjoyed snack corner. (See Clara, Asher and Alabama above, after they slurped all up the orange slices. Sorry you didn't get any Caliope!)

I left some original details, like the old built-in cabinet, above.

Added these new honey + amber glow oak floors...

And there was so much more room for all my artist friends this week!

I know how much I like to spread out when I work in the studio. Three cheers for more elbow room!

Just look at the light! Balanced and bright.

Annie went straight from her bed to the studio this morning. A My Little Pony accessory making session is still going strong over here.

I love the new custom shelves with a suspension rod support system designed and built by my brother, Master Builder T. Kern. He guided me through this whole renovation process and it has been wonderful working with him.

I'll post more pictures after I spend this weekend playing in my new studio!

A special thank you to
Annie Louise O'Farrell Hinz
William Hinz
LaLa Pat Sieler
G r a n d m a B e t t i e
Thomas Kern
Nieters Family

and all my wonderful artist friends and their families!