Thursday, December 31, 2009


with all the Christmas preparations in the studio and at home
and all the end of year work at the office
i completely
forgot...
about
Maira Kalman's blog post last week
heavens to morgatroyd


but it the latest installment has been postponed to New Year's Day
PHEW!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Remember these fortune tellers?
I loved making these when i was a girl.
I watched a you-tube video so I could remember how to make them.
I think this would be a fun activity for New Year's eve.

I tried to load the video
but it didn't work
so click on the link above if you don't remember.

Monday, December 28, 2009

As I wrap up my 2009 season,
I would like to acknowledge an important cog in the wheel:
David Lynch of Wilton Woodworking.
David has been cutting my boards and frames for 10 years...
He easy going and reliable.
David's woodworking talents are extraordinary.
The music in the shop reminds me of my college days.
I keep promising him that I will have a
real woodworking project
for him some day.
If you need some woodworking
call this woodworker extraordinaire
Wilton Woodworking 203-762-7999
Wilton, Connecticut

Thanks David

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

photo from Completely Coastal

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The wind came roaring down from the north
and the snow flew.
It looks so beautiful now.
Nothing better than a white Christmas.
Christmas greetings from my house to yours.

I have been so busy that I did not get my decorations up until last Saturday.
I knew I had to rush before the storm.
Phew.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009


This is the kind of business I love to support; a business that gives back. The founder is an artist and an educator. All her knitters are from Peru. Read more here. It is a wonderful story of building a business an helping others.

mollygoggles was at the recent Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market in Chestnut Hill. I was there too and could not resist the beautiful scarf below.
I love my new blue scarf and I have been wearing it every day. It has been very cold in my neck of the woods and we just got a lot of snow. It looks beautiful.

Monday, December 21, 2009



Finally finished my last order and just in the nick of time.
I felt like an elf in the workshop.
Here are some happy helpers (miss is and dh).
This order made me smile as I worked.
A young girl I know will find this 24" x 48" memento board
under the tree on Christmas morning.
It was designed to display her horse show ribbons.
She will be able to hang the ribbons from any square.
No more help from Mama to arrange the ribbons.
I hope to get a photo in situ after Christmas.

Another view to give you some perspective.

Then I began my own orders
of bon-bon tea cakes,
my signature cookie,
to be sent to lots of people I know.

Saturday, December 19, 2009






Another custom order...

This one made from Vineyard Vines silk fabric.

A bride and groom ordered custom VV fabric for wedding ties and tote bags for their wedding party.

The pattern is a series of arrows with names of all the places the bride and groom have lived...or something like that.

I made a memento board and before I had time to blink, there was more fabric in my mailbox for a frame. I rushed to get the board done overnight and forgot to take a picture. In the middle of the mad rush, the power in the house went out for 1.5 hours - oh my gosh - what a night - I worked by candlelight! Just like the olden days.

Friday, December 18, 2009

jar of goodies
do you remember the magical thinking jar from my February 2009 post?
the idea came from inchmark
here is another version called:
moments in a jar - click here to see the interactive feature -
it is fun

saw it this morning via swissmiss
which was named one of the best design blogs
by the Times - UK
hooray for #14
i love swissmiss!

more goodies

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Orders, orders
and more orders.
Just when I think I am done,
I get another;
not that I am complaining.
The ladies who ordered these frames are really organized!
Check out the graduation dates.
The plaid frames are made from little jumpers;
cut-up school uniforms that the twins outgrew.
It should be a fun present in 2017.

If I ordered something so far ahead, I might not find it again.
I guess you need an old fashioned hope chest.

This lady might have better luck finding this one -
since graduation is only 2.5 years away.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Here is a good article from the New York Times - click here - about reading and life's distractions...the first few paragraphs are spot on...i am always saying: gotta go read that book...but in reality, I will not have time for a book until well into January...then the long-awaited hibernation... mrr design takes a long winter nap... to recharge the batteries...wish i could turn off a few other obligations...

illustration from NYT

Saturday, December 12, 2009


Stylebeat reported yesterday that Pantone declared turquoise will be THE color of 2010.

Looking back at my 2009 autumn and 2009 spring line sheets - the turquoise JUMPS off the page - look at the selection below - turquoise was definitely HOT for mrrdesign in 2009 -

Friday, December 11, 2009


oh my gosh is there a pea under there princess?
couldn't resist posting this pic

Tim Walker Photography as seen on

I have seen his work before,
in fact, I posted about his work and his recent book here
This photo takes the chandelier in the tree to a whole new level.
Click here to see my tree chandelier post

Thursday, December 10, 2009



And I certainly don't have a 'look' -- just a mishmash of everything that somehow, by instinct, usually turns out to be a warm imaginative, 'living room'."
Sister Parish

I think I will enjoy this recently published book...hint, hint, double-clue.

So I did a little research and learned that book events were scheduled in my neck of the woods.
I could not attend the book event, but I discovered a new store called NEST in Dedham, Massachusetts.
So I jumped over to NEST's website, read a bit, then decided to pitch my frames to the five co-owners, thinking, if the owners like Sister Parish's style enough to have a book event, then they just might like my work, which embodies so many of the same characteristics as Sister Parish style: colorful, fun, unique, and handmade.
My instincts were spot on - I just sent an order of brown zebra frames and brown suede desktop memento boards.
If you live in the area, stop by Nest - the photos on the website show a wonderful assortment of goods. I wanted to stop by for a visit after my show last weekend but it was just too busy.
And to top it all off, my neighbor at the show last weekend, Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market, heard me giving my spiel to a potential buyer about how wonderful the frames are..."so easy to change the picture...just slip the photo in between the fabric and ribbon... the frames are in lots of fabulous boutiques... including NEST" - and low and behold, this gal's cousin is one of the co-owners of the store. Just goes to prove the old adage, the older we get, the smaller our world becomes. This same gal and I also went to high school together - imagine that - I ran into a lot of people at the Church of the Redeemer Christmas Market - it was wonderful to see old friends and to be back in the Boston area...

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

google alerts
are a good way to learn what people are saying about you.

I just received a terrific alert:
all the way from a college student in Georgia,
who actually worked with my daughter in a local Connecticut ice cream shop
and knew nothing about my blog.
She happened by my blog by accident.
I would like to think it was a case of serendipity.
so thanks Claudine for the sweet post.

has lots of recommendations for other blog reading

Why the slinky?
It was invented through serendipity.
"The Slinky was invented by US Navy engineer Richard T. James after he accidentally knocked a torsion spring off his work table and observed its unique motion."
from Wikipedia

Monday, December 7, 2009

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT POP-UP STORES?

It is the latest entrepreneurial wave in retail.
The press has reported on many NYC POP UP stores
aka
GORILLA BOUTIQUES.

Here this month, gone next month.

Last year these two clever gals and entrepreneurs
noticed one empty storefront after another in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
They missed the fun, specialty stores.
So Pam Lofblad, above, and Jana Peretti, below, took a leap and created
a POP UP store last May.
It was such a success they have opened another
for the holiday shopping season
in downtown Wellesley.
Check out the link above.

You will find my frames there now too!
After a successful show in Chestnut Hill
and a nice weekend visiting family in Wellesley
I popped into the POP UP store to see if they needed any more merchandise.
And they did!!
The store was buzzing with activity - lots of great products
and each week the guest artists change, so keep going back.
Today, a group of carolers came to sing when I was there.
Wonderful.
And there was a snow storm on Saturday night.
Sunday was beautiful with the fresh snow and brilliant blue, sunny skies.
I forgot my camera this weekend so no photos to share.

I did a little research and discovered that one of the earliest POP UPs was in San Francisco in 2003: LOCAL PATRON. Since then, lots of stores appeared and disappeared quickly in NYC, with the idea of generating buzz and excitement. It is also a way for local artists to display their work and for the local community to support the artists and entrepreneurs.

Here is how Pam and Jana describe their POP UP PLACE:

A Unique Boutique

What makes the Wellesley Holiday Boutique so special is our fabulous product lines and our amazing guest artists and designers. Every week we host different artists with exciting new merchandise... it's like a whole new store every week. Be sure to stop by often as you'll see something new every visit!

Support your local artists and become a LOCAL PATRON

Saturday, December 5, 2009

sis boom show goes thru today
check out headboard created by mrr design
behind the sweet little girl
lots more to see at the show
The location of the show is
40 East Meadow Road
Wilton, Connecticut 06897
(203) 761-0442
Get Directions to the Show!
See you there!

Friday, December 4, 2009



The Art of the Wreath

cock a doodle doo

charming minutiae
knit by Char of the Knit Wits
with help from other knit wits
(except me)

duck duck goose

this little piggy ...

a favorite pony

little sheep before they are shorn

head butt

garden patch - kale and corn

All together these delicious minutiae
make a wonderful and charming wreath.

And it makes me smile ear to ear.
Well Done Char and all the other ladies.
The wreath will be donated to Ambler Farm, Wilton Connecticut
and
it will be auctioned off to the highest, lucky bidder
at The ART OF THE WREATH on December 4th, at Ambler Farm.

Get out those paddles and raise 'em high!
All to support one of my favorite places in town.

Here is last year's wreath made and donated by the Knit Wits

Thursday, December 3, 2009

I am excited; I just got the ok to participate in this show.
Last minute room for a newcomer!
Stop by if you are in this neck of the woods
lots of great items for sale.
Buy a tree or a wreath or just get into the spirit of the season.
I am burning the midnight oil these days
and the candle at both ends.
(sorry for the weird formatting -
I cut &pasted and cannot make it look better)


Christmas Market

December 4th, 10 am - 5 pm

December 5th, 10am - 4 pm

$1 admission

a bargain and all these great vendors - come check it out

CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

CHRISTMAS MARKET 2009

379 HAMMOND STREET

CHESTNUT HILL, MA

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

LUNCH 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

B DESIGNS – Elegant letterpress printed stationery and gifts

BALBIANELLO, INC. –Luxurious apparel of the finest natural fibers for men and women

BOOK AND TACKLE SHOP – Rare and out of print books

CATCH ALL – Unique linens for bed, bath and tabletop, personalized accessories

CIRCA DESIGN – Innovative and contemporary natural stone jewelry with a classical persona

DEAN’S SWEETS – Extraordinary Maine-made hand-dipped dark chocolate truffles

DEDE CADIEUX DESIGNS – Freshwater pearl and semiprecious stone jewelry

DESIGNS BY LILLIE – Needlepoint shoes, pillows and more

DISCOVERY TOYS – Award winning educational and fun quality toys

GALATEA FINE JEWELRY – Fine and fun jewelry and accessories

GIGI AND ME – Unique jewelry, accessories and gifts

HENLEY AND SLOANE SHIRTMAKERS – Classic, English style shirts, ties and accessories

ISABEL HARVEY– Fun, chic and trendy jewelry

J. MCLAUGHLIN – Classic clothing and accessories for women and men

JACARANDA LIVING – Fine embroidered linens and hand made gifts

JARDINIERE – Elegantly wrapped, delicious toffee

JAY’S TREEWORK – Turned wood gifts

KATE LANDERS EVENTS – Children’s custom clothing, partyware, tableware and gifts

LIZA HENNESSEY FINE LEATHER GOODS – Handbags and blankets

MOLLYGOGGLES – Hand felted scarves and wraps, luxurious baby wraps and sweaters

MADELINE’S HOMEMADE LLC – Homemade fudge sauces

MY DESIGN- Handmade decoupaged plates, trays and coasters

MY OILCLOTH INC. – Inspiring oilcloth handbags, totes and accessories

NOTABLES – Stationery, monogrammed gifts and accessories

THE RED PILLAR – Decorative arts, antiques and whimsical watercolors

SARA CAMPBELL, LTD. – Festive clothing and accessories for women

SARAH MORSE JEWELRY DESIGN – Handcrafted gold and silver jewelry

RUSSIAN TREASURES – Handmade Russian Christmas ornaments

SMATHERS AND BRANSON – Hand-stitched needlepoint belts and accessories

THREE HOUR NAP – Children’s bibs, blankets, shams, loveys and accessories

…and other vendors

HANDMADE WREATHS, CHRISTMAS TREES, BAKED GOODS AND MUCH MORE!

ADMISSION - $1.00


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

This SIS BOOM extravaganza starts on Friday, Dec 3rd.
Don't miss it if you live in these parts:
40 East Meadow Road
Wilton, Connecticut

In addition to all the fun and whimsical SIS BOOM designs
you will find beautiful bed linens and equestrian riding pads
and of course plenty of great stuff by moi

and did you know,
the NYT had an article the other day about
the resurgence of the handcrafted, vintage and local objects...

"holiday gifts with a story to tell.... the human touch rules... merchants and makers of the decorative arts reported that anything that hints of the hand is hot" — “People are taking ‘buy local,’ one step further... what makes gifts in particular special is knowing there’s a person who made it and a story behind it. I think people want to buy things that tell stories, especially in an age when so few store-bought items tell stories.”

I think this article is spot on and points to all the wonderful, creative work that is available.
So here's hoping the local, handcrafted, products will bring joy to a lot of people this year.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

ta - da
my latest creation

It is called the DREAM BOARD aka THE PAMELA
because my friend and fellow knit-wit gave me the idea
Thanks PAM

Mattress ticking with letters cut out of SIS BOOM fabric
in bright, fun, smashing colors
and bordered by a happy pink ribbon.

Pin up your Dreams for NOW, SOON & SOMETIME

You can use tacs or slip papers in between the ribbon and fabric
24 x 24
(photo is not the best)