adventuring

"We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T. S. Eliot

In just a few days, I'll be leaving Boston for two weeks. This doesn't seem like a big deal, and even as I type it and look at the sentence it seems so small - but it feels so big.

I haven't yet had the chance to travel much in my life. The only place outside the US I've ever been is Canada, and that was with my family when I was younger.

This is my first real, big adventure. 

I am so nervous, but so excited.

I realized how much I am going to miss my family, my friends, and my pets while I am gone. Instead of letting that realization feed the nervousness, I am trying to focus my attention on how lucky I am to have people and creatures who I will miss that much. 

I'm so excited for London, Madrid, and Paris.

Just as much (maybe even a little more?), I'm so excited to return to a summer in Boston with my friends.  

I probably won't be back on here until May 12th, but when I do return there will be soooo many photos and sketchbook pages!!

I hope you all have a beautiful two weeks, and I will see you soon!

Lots of love,

Amanda

nancy drew novel

Show Postcard No. 4 by Three Graces Gallery!

And now, some pictures from the mystery party (mostly courtesy of Caryn)!

The party, hosted by Ellen, was sooo much fun! Everyone really did well with their costumes and staying in character.

I hope you're all having a beautiful weekend! xo, Amanda

shop announcement - buy one get one!

Hi, everyone!

I am leaving for Europe very soon now, which means my shop is going to be "on vacation" from April 26th through May 12th. 

Until then, I am having a buy one/get one free sale on all prints and paper dolls! Just checkout with one and tell me the second you'd like free in message to seller or a convo.

Above is a chicken I got at work today. It was love at first sight for me and these chickens, and this was the last one left (and he had crooked eyes - aka I had to have him). I know chickens are female, but for some reason I can't stop calling it a "him." Oh well!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and Happy Marathon Monday, Boston!!! I might post a few marathon pictures later. :)

xoxo, Amanda

she had the mona lisa on a string

 I attended a murder mystery party tonight, at which I played Jessica, ex-wife of the deceased and gallery owner. :) These are just some photobooth pictures I took while getting ready, but I will post more pictures of the actual party soon!

I have wanted to go to one of these parties my whole life! It was so much fun. My camera acted up horribly, but someone else at the party took lots of great photos so I plan on sharing some of those.  :)

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

Spring rain feels magic sometimes.

xo, Amanda

my love is like a gold, gold fish.

Show postcard #3 by Three Graces Gallery!

book reviews

Lazy rainy paint morning.

I have to head out soon for real-world obligations and I don't want to leave!

I forgot to mention that Karen Finneyfrock's book was reviewed by Amber Tamblyn in Bust magazine!!

I have always wanted my art in Bust magazine. Now, for the first time, it kind of is!!

I hope you're all having a lovely rainy (or not rainy) day.

xoxo, Amanda

cotton candy sky

I hope you're all having a beautiful start to your week!

xo, Amanda

postcard revamped

show postcard No.2, reinvented by Three Graces Gallery!

the hummingbird is ruby throated

"there is written, her fair neck round about..." - Sir Thomas Wyatt

--

This lady is available here in my etsy shop! She's a new kind of paper doll for me, and I had so much fun making her! She comes in two pages - her portrait and her collection of collars. She can be used as a paper doll or you could frame her wearing your favorite collar.

Have a great weekend, everyone!! Any fun plans?

xo

Amanda

happy accidents

On my bus ride to Kenmore today, I was looking out the window when I spotted this dress hanging in the window display at Urban Renewal. I have been looking for a great white vintage dress for the longest time, so I jumped off the bus at the next stop and ran up the street to the store. 

I was so excited, asking if the dresses in the window were for sale, and I think the people working there thought I was crazy. Urban Renewal is kind of like a Good Will or Salvation Army, so they kept reminding me that I wouldn't be able to get any of the half-off ticket sales that were happening today because it was a display dress and I kept assuring them that that was okay - it was only $7.99!

It's a little big but I can have it taken in or just add some notches to the belt. It has absolutely no tags so I think it might even be handmade. I think it's from the 40s, but I often doubt my ability to pinpoint such things. I know a lot of you who follow my blog are vintage experts - what era do you think it's from? 

I love the pleating on top and the way the shoulders stand up just a little but don't have that shoulder-pad look.

It is very rainy here today. I did some work at my old school, picked up some prints, and now I am listening to Mancini on pandora and packaging etsy orders. Sometimes I really enjoy a good rainy day.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo, Amanda

things of beauty (waiting for spring)

The glass jars that fluff comes in.

This digital postcard created by Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co., who is in Paris right now!

 excited for the sun.

(Elizabeth Taylor)

Pinhole cameras made out of vintage books by Engrained on Etsy.

Listening to:

1) please, please, please let me get what I want - The Smiths

2) That Teenage Feeling - Neko Case

3) Big Jet Plane - Angus and Julia Stone

4) The Ship Song - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

5) ThisYear's Love - David Gray

6) there is a light that never goes out - The Smiths

7) Mushaboom - Feist

Have a beautiful week, everyone!

xoxo, Amanda

opening night!

Friday night was the opening of my show, Depending Upon the Nature of the Beast, at Three Graces Gallery, and it was such a beautiful night!

On the left is the old-fashioned photo stage I created. I wanted it to look like the setting of one of my paintings. Further below are some pictures of it in action. :)

There were already birch trees in the gallery, which made me so happy!

ladybug cupcakes

with Rachel 

with Val

my sister! :)

Ellen

Kate

Julia

Eleanor

The back windows of the gallery look out over the harbor. We had spring snow and it looked so beautiful.

the three graces pose

My family, who helped me so much!

Friendly Toast after. Breakfast for dinner!!!

It was the most wonderful night!! Thank you so much to Kim for making a beautiful opening night, and to my friends who came all the way to Portsmouth for it.

The pieces are now available online here. 

I hope you're all having a beautiful weekend!!! Did anyone else get random snow?

xoxo

Amanda