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Thursday, September 6, 2012

fall is the new summer


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tap tap tap...  is this thing on?  (that’s me tapping on a microphone, ahem)  is anyone out there?  

well, after a long and unplanned summer off from blogging, i’m back and here to say happy september!  i love this time of year.  i get back into a routine, wear more cardigans, switch back to hot coffee in the afternoon, and go crazy attempting clean and organize around the house.  september also has me in the creative zone, new projects and ideas are afoot... 

but, truth be told, i'd like to pretend it’s really just late june.  seriously, where OH where did the summer go?  i feel as if i’ve walked through one of those spinning doorways that they have in fancy hotels and big office buildings, you know, those ones that go round and round and you have to kinda jump out of at just the right time or you feel like you’ll be sucked in?  w h o o o s h  !  there was my summer.  don't get me wrong, it was one wonderful summer, but it certainly made me dizzy.  it was dizzy with work, dizzy with two-year old-ness, dizzy with a wee bit of relaxing by the kiddie pool (thanks to wine spritzers with a squeeze of lime).  OH, and perhaps best of all - there was that one week with sandy toes and swinging at the shore, our measly little attempt at a real vacation. i’m happy to report that it was somewhat successful.  


we're home from the beach now, but I'd like to be back here again soon... doesn't get much better than swings AT the ocean!

but, as some of you may remember from the last time we talked, i was busily getting ready for my first online workshop.  yup.  it happened, i did it, it was AH-mazing.  more than i could have ever imagined... !  i will fill you in more on this soon with an “official” recap of pages and paint, but for now, i am getting my act together for my IN person workshops at Squam....  and much to my surprise, it’s NEXT WEEK people.  one week from now i’ll be in those magical woods teaching new friends how to get messy with paint and collage.  there will be music playing and good things brewing...  there will be the lake out one window and the trees out the other.  cannot wait.  there will be delicious food and fabulous (adult) conversation to boot.  but, confession, i seriously thought that i had a couple more weeks, (note that part about me pretending it’s still june)... so it came as a wee bit of a shock when i actually decided to turn the calendar over the weekend - gulp.  what the what? we just had labor day?  why didn’t anyone tell me?  as i may have mentioned, i’m pretending that it’s still flag day.  ( june 14th, just for the record.  a random fact drilled in my brain from 5th grade ).  

anywhoo...  today i am packing up inspiration packs, pulling together class supplies, printing out posters and digging though the closet to find my winter stuff.  it gets cold up there in those woods.  i’ve been known to wear my long down jacket to bed with a hat AND a down comforter. chilly but cozy. 

oh, AND i just rearranged my entire studio in a crazy fit of september clean slate fever. not sure what i was thinking, but i best get back up there and put it back together.  

OH, and then there’s this guy who came to live with us over the weekend!  our neighbors moved to Rome and gave us their dog. true story.  how could we say no to that little face?!

our neighbors moved to Rome and gave us their dog. so that happened this weekend...  
never a dull moment these days...  but now i can check "get back to blogging" off of my list : )  

more soon.  missed ya.  stay tuned.  

how was your summer?  do you wish it was still flag day too?  (is it only me?!) 

xo *s 

25 comments:

  1. Ha, love your door description! My summer "whooshed" away too. But I can't say I'm sad, Autumn is my favorite time of the year.

    Someday I'm going to Squam...someday.
    Catherine Denton

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    1. oh me too, catherine. i should have said that i LOVE fall... :) i’d love to meet you at squam someday... happy fall! xo *s

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  2. I can relate so much. I can only WISH i was attending squam but looking forward to your report when time allows. I'm also wishing you will release your on line class as an open workshop some day...I missed out on round 1. I've seen posted art work and it looked like an amazing experience was had by all. Life with a little one is a roller coaster ride, a wild rumpus filled to the brim with goodness, challenges, leading to a heart bursting with love. Mine are grown, one began college this week and the other back in hs. I miss their childhood, wee ones I could hold and play with day in day out...so cherish these sweet days, fill them with all those things you hold close, enjoy all of it with a wide open heart. Have an awesome time at squam. I know you will.

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    1. susie- oh my goodness... your comment has me in tears. yes, a rumpus indeed! every night she “rumpases” around the living room (like max) before bed. :) and yes, holding on and cherishing as i realize next year will be pre-school! yikes! too fast... thank you for the reminder of how sweet it truly is.

      i will report about squam :) as for my online teaching with squam, don’t worry, we are planning to run the workshop again- just to give you a heads up! it was amazing... i’m still in shock from the goodness/hard work that was all wrapped into one... but looking forward to teaching it again in 2013.

      thanks again for saying hello xo *s

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  3. Oh and I almost forgot, that furry face will bring so much happiness to your lives. You won't regret it. Nothing beats 4 paws and a wagging tail to bring extra sweetness to an already full life. What's his name?

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    1. well, funny name, but we’re just going with it- it’s Chooch. chooch the pooch... now if only knew how to walk on a leash (!) we’d be all set! :) it’s always something! but he’s a good guy, sweet and easy going. although i did discover he can jump the toddler gates. ahem. : ) *s

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  4. So happy to see your post today - i always look forward to them. My summer went like that too - we just had a week in Cape Cod and i feel like summer only really started then, and now schools are back already.
    So sad not to have been able to do your online course or attend squam due to family visits from overseas but hoping there will be another chance soon.
    Have a fab time at Squam - hope it goes really really well for you.
    x

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    1. hi silvia-
      thanks for saying hello! i hope there will be another chance soon for you too... stay tuned for early 2013 :)
      xo *s

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  5. i can't believe squam is next week either!! i just got started on my packing list today!! fall is my favorite time of year too....it's been too hot....and i'm looking forward to the cool weather at squam! i don't get cold very easily....i can't wait to feel that "crisp" in the air!! see you next week sarah....i went and copied a picture of my parents today to use in your class....can't wait!!

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  6. I was one of those lucky people that got to participate in your incredible online course this summer and all I can say is that I can't wait until part 2. It was a great way for me to carve out a little "me" time in the midst of summer activities with my family. Summer flew by this year - my son even said (as he was heading out the door to catch the bus) "...but I didn't get a chance to be bored yet!". ha! - a good summer indeed. Now, time to catch up on all my piles of unfinished things and to be just a tad bit envious that I'm not going to Squam.

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    1. hi there ellen!
      thanks for saying hello and for the nice things about the course! i’m SO thrilled to hear you got your “me” time... that’s really SUCH a HUGE thing that all we creatives need! yay!
      i hope you get to go to squam someday... it marks the start of the fall season for me, so i’m looking forward to switching gears and getting inspired in the woods with a new batch of students and friends. xo xo xo *s

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  7. Yay, you're back! I missed your posts! Have a wonderful time at Squam!

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    1. yes, :) and it was YOUR earlier comment that made me finally do it, so THANK YOU! xo *s

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  8. So glad you are back to blogging as I recently finished your beautiful book and am now a huge fan. I love every splatter and smudge of your work. It must be nice to be able to slip on a sweater. We are still having a sweatfest here in Altanta. I cannot wait to feel a crispy breeze.
    Squam sounds so dreamy. We need something like that here (only in October.)
    Your new man is delicious.

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    1. hi jenny! thanks for saying hello! i’m so happy to hear you liked the book :) yay! i love what you said above about splatters and smudges- so sweet, thank you so much.
      there is a squam *sort of* near to you in the outer banks in october... maybe you could make that one someday!?
      happy fall, i’ll send crisp breezes your way xo *s

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  9. i am jealous of the lucky souls who get to learn with you, talk with you, hug you.

    i miss your sweet face.

    have a beautiful time!

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    1. aw, thank you! you are too sweet, my friend. will i see you soon? october? by the sea? miss you too... hugs xo *s

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  10. I picked up your book again this weekend, and fell in love with it all over again. Thanks for the inspiration. Nice to see a new post from you as well. Would love to take one of your workshops someday. Good luck at Squam.

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    1. thanks so much, tricia! i LOVE that you “fell in love all over again” - you made my day ! xo *s

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  11. I know its silly, but I always dread July 4th because to me that means summer will be over too soon! although I love the clear blue skies, crisp air and soft fall light of autumn. It's bittersweet this year as the first Sep since the beginning that I'm not at SAW. My heart is truly in those piney NH woods with you all tonight. are you listening to Jonatha around a bonfire, have you heard any loon calls yet, are you drinking wine and sharing laughter and hugs around a roaring fire in your cabin??? Sending virtual hugs to all my tribe at squam tonight...

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  12. Hi Sarah! Happy autumn ^_^ it's lovely. If not freezing cold here in Ireland! I just got your book and I freakin LOVE IT! I will add a review on amazon and my blog when I've created some masterpieces! I was just wondering about gesso boards - here in the uk I've found gesso panels but flip me they're expensive! Are the ones you use like plywood panels prepped with gesso? Thinking of hitting up the DIY shop at the weekend xo

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  13. So happy to see you back to blogging - after pages & paint ended... well, let's just say I've missed the class, the inspiration, the whole thing! so thanks for getting back to us out here! LOL

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  14. Sarah,
    The class this summer was wonderful! I feel so lucky to have participated. Pages and Paint was transformative for me. I'm happy with the pieces I created and continue to dabble in my sketchbooks, but not as faithfully as I did during the course. I hope that SQUAM is wonderful . . . one day I hope to attend.

    Happy creating,
    Heidi

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thanks so much for saying hello! i do my best to reply to comments, please know i read and appreciate each and every one! xo *s