Getting the DIY on...

Charlie (in all of her two-year-old wonder) collected these shells on a 7 am walk along the beach.

We told her that she would get a surprise. She thought it would be be something electronic.

(How happy we were to discover that kids can still enjoy the free things in life)!

DIY:

Collect shells.

Paint insides gold.

Drill hole.

String twine.

Tie off end.

Instantly happy child.

& Here is a little behind-the-scenes of some prep for an upcoming editorial shoot:

(oil based paint markers on fall leaves & dipping of pine cones.)

Two things I have always wanted to do but never found the time.

(Thank god for rainy island days & a nearby Michael's craft store)

The loves of my life... WHY WE RESCUE.

The Why We Rescue Purina crew (Theron Humphrey, Maddie the coonhound & Garrett Cornelison)
paid us a visit recently, and chose Frankie as the "Wisconsin rescue dog" for their on-going series.

In crafting the visual story... they shot an entire series on the loves of my life:
David.
Charlie.
And Frankie.
In the background that has become the love our collection family life: Wanda.

Why We Rescue is a yearlong story-telling documentary that is traversing across all 50 states highlighting how pets transform our lives for the better. This project is an opportunity to share everyday stories on how those pets can open our homes and hearts to the world. Along the way we are telling one shelter/rescue pet story in each state. Click on your state for an opportunity to share your story.

They stayed with us for a few days, shot an amazing editorial series, did some interviews-- and Frankie- our rescue mutt / our assistant camp counselor / first child... now gets to share his story of finding his forever family with the world.

Hear the whole story here;

And-- a few shots from their collection from the camp stay:

Northwestern cutlery- old school chicago grinders

Hidden under the train tracks in the meat packing district is a little shop that's been sharpening knives for decades. 

David was a kid in a candy store.

Charlie was a toddler in a knife shop.

(So we didn't stay long)

but long enough to find:

They have new old stock items, 

stock that hasnt changed in design in a hundred years,

an ancient stone and water grinder.

Original signage, a wall of lodge cast iron skillets

and walls and walls of knives.

ranging from $4.00 to $2500.00

Northwestern Cutlery = amazingness.

Friends with Benefits.

AKA: friends with cameras.

Meet Garrett Cornelison. Again. When he rolled in with the 'why we rescue' crew of Theron Humphrey and maddie the coonhound recently, he captured some sweet little moments of Charlie.

This type of bartering rooms-for-art is what we are all about. Our door is always open to ya'll!

 

garret and a shot he got the night he shot these charlie images.a storm rolled in over the lake....

New Old Stock discovery...

We just found an amazing stock of vintage shoes that came from a 100-year old 'Potter's shoes' in Cincinatti. (They are all Charlie's size) so she is stocked up for at least 3 months before her foot doubles in size again.

The source: etsy. (i love that site)

THE SCORE: (all size 7)

black and white saddle shoes (3 pairs)

tall white leather booties (3 pairs)

fire engine red leather shorties

dark brown leather shorties

WE BOUGHT A CAMP!

YAY!
It just hit the stands :)
Charlie as a brownie breaks my heart.
I mean, who knew they made baby moccasins that were this adorable??

Thanks to everybody who helped !!

Pick up the latest copy of MIDWEST LIVING magazine. or download it on zinio.