Monday, December 31, 2018

'The day it snowed and snowed and snowed ...'

I usually post this story on my dad's birthday,  
(but as things go this time of the year ...)
So without further delay,
 Happy Birthday Bob Fitzgerald 
and here is your story, 
(with a few edits in text and in the illustration from last year :)  
Enjoy!!



'The day it snowed and snowed and snowed ...'
by Virginia Fitzgerald
dedicated to my Dad,
Robert Fitzgerald



My brother and I woke to a sky full of snow, and the feel of magic in the air.
Mom was worried about a big storm, but all my brother and I saw was a day full of merriment and fun.
After breakfast, we played in the courtyard, bundled in our snowsuits, hats, and mittens. 
During lunch, Mr. Schuller, the super, came by to make sure the heaters were working and warned us that this storm was turning out to be a big one! 
Mom watched the TV, as my brother and I watch the snow. 
Daddy came home early from work. He brought some groceries and some friends who were going to stay with us since they were stranded in the city. 
Suddenly our apartment was full of adults, neighbors and friends, music and laughter. We were having a snowbound party. 
As our apartment got louder and louder, the city got quieter and quieter. The snow kept falling, blanketing the streets; no cars were moving, all was as quiet as a graveyard. 
My brother and I gazed out through the steamed-up window watching the storm subside. Daddy joined us to admire the white wonderland, and then asked if we wanted to go sledding?! 
We explode with excitement!!! Yes!!!Yes!!!Yes!!! 
Mom didn't like the idea at all! She thought it was too cold, too late, too dark.  But Daddy convinced her, as long as my brother and I promised to go straight to bed when we got back. 
We promised!!! 
And so the bundling began again, this time with extra shirts and pants and scarfs and socks.  And when we felt as if we couldn't  even move, Daddy grabbed the sled and we tottered off.
The street was so quiet and white, it felt as though we were tiny mice in a giant's castle. All around us were large looming mounds of white, the sleeping giants, casting off dark engulfing shadows, made from the bright moon beams from the towering street lamps.
As we gazed around in wonder I noticed the sidewalk had vanished under these hulking mounds. They were impassable. I thought this would end our adventure right then and there, but my dad didn't waver. 
He trudged through the snow and into the street, where it was not so deep. My brother and I had been told to never play in the street, so we hesitated. 
But Daddy waved us on, explaining that tonight was a special night, with special rules. There were no cars out tonight, in fact, nothing at all was moving so we could be in the street. 
My brother and I looked around, he was right! 
So my brother and I clamored on the sled, my brother nestled in my lap, and we were off, down the middle of Dearborn St. Warm yellow lights streamed out of every window, adorning everything with an enchanted glow. 
As I held on tight to my brother and felt the cold air on my cheeks, I heard the sleigh blades skate along the snow, my brother's quick breaths and my father's boots crushing the freshly fallen snow. 
This was pure magic; to be out so late under the deep blue night sky, to be with my dad who left his friends to be with us, and to be surrounded by such snowy quiet, in the middle of the city, with my brother safe and snug in my lap. 
Later, we clambered back up the stairs, to our apartment, with our cheeks kissed pink with the brisk winter air. And after we pealed off all of our wet coats and boots and mittens and scarves, my brother and I said our sleepy goodnights to the party. Then we stumbled in to our toasty, cozy beds. And as my cheeks and toes began to thaw, snuggled deep under my warm blankets, and I held tight to the magical feeling I had from the day it snowed and snowed and snowed.



me and my dad
the end 




my styling mom and dad at a party

Monday, December 10, 2018

Holy - Moly!! Hang on, we are heading into the holidays!!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring, ting, tingling, too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling, "Yoo hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
And with the holidays,
comes pop-up shops, open houses, holiday sales and more.

Below is a quick rundown of  the holiday happenings for virginiacreates ....

TONIGHT, December 10th
4:00 - 7:00 PM (basically NOW)
Grand Opening at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Natick
Bubbles and bites and some 'dailydress ...' photos decking the walls!!
@31 South Main Street


Thursday, December 13th, 5:00 - 10:00 PM and
Saturday, December 15th, 4:00 - ?? :)


I will also be at both celebrations at the studios of the lovely and talented Bree Richey, of Bree Richey Designs. Stop by to find some beautiful and unique holiday gifts from local artists, as well as much holiday fun!!

And on-going is the pop-up shop at

Artisans are back by popular demand. Visit your favorites and check out their new items. Learn about new artists involved in the Roots & Wings community.

Artisans work include pottery, quilts, ceramics, cards, scarves, multi-media sculpture, mugs and accessories, jewelry, New England local honey & candles, and many more unique and finely crafted items. Surely we have something for everyone on your shopping list! We even have a slime-making artisan!

Mon-Fri, starts 11/14 (Opens 11/14, Mon thru Fri thru Dec ??)
4:00-7:00 pm
Pop Up Shop room, 1st fl. across from the rest rooms near the Wings studio.

Some of our Artisans:
Kathy James of Little Bird Beads
Andi Lindsey, Bazaar Quilts
Marci Zieff, Creating Calm Crystals and More
Virginia Fitzgerald, Virginia Fitzgerald Art
Eujin Kim Neilan, myUniT
Cheryl Dunlap, Just Bee and Me
Cathy Weaver Taylor, Phoenix Rising Art
Ashley Kane, Mala Beads
Shop 4-7 pm daily, Monday thru Friday. Or schedule a time to stop in. Contact us: (508) 315-8088

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Remember this December ... Happy December from me to you!


Remember this December,
That love weighs more than gold!

Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon


Here is my December printable calendar for your enjoyment!!
 I am so pleased with the quote that I discovered for this month, 
it is a new quote to me and one that celebrates what I love about this time of year!! 
Happy December 

peace

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

for your tuesday enjoyment, a myriad of 'dailydresses'


As I am prepping for a presentation for a possible exhibit opportunity I've realized
that i don't have a good collection of my 'dailydresses' online.  I need to add these to
my website, however until I do I am sharing them here.


These selection includes ephemeral dresses that I have made during the course of my every day, with random materials and detritus that have inspired me. 


I have also included images from my 'dailydress inspirations' which consists of an origami dress with an inspirational quote.


My 'dressproject' began with an ephemeral dress on Wells Beach in Maine on a family vacation.
My first dress, 'brenda's dress ...' was made out of beach stones.  


and the beach and rocks continue to inspire ...





I also have many ephemeral dresses made out of food.  
Besides my passion for eating and good food, I believe the plethora of food related dresses comes from me being a mom and having young girls when I started my 'dressproject'. 








Other inspiration comes from nature ...






 

and art supplies ...





The following images are from the series, 'decemberdress' (2013) in which I made a 'dailydress' most days in December as a kind of therapy.  You can see more and read more about this series in my post, 













I tell people that I have made over one thousand dresses since I started my 'dressproject', 
and I see no end in sight. 


Thank you for your interest and peace, 

Monday, November 26, 2018

It's Cyber Monday!! I'm spreading the word :)

tapestry on society6
knapsack on society6
HAPPY CYBER MONDAY!!!
aline dress on redbubble

Just wanted to send out the links and sale codes to my online shops as today is Cyber Monday.
zipper pouch on redbubble
I have two online shops where you can find a myriad products featuring my designs, one is Society6 and the other is Redbubble.
I have the LINKS to my shops as well as some photos BELOW.
Each site features some different products and there is a variation in designs as well.
My shop on Redbubble included my illustrations and patterns, as well as some of my 'from the land of dragons …' & 'lilith contemplates …' photos and many of my images from my 'dailydress …' blog.
Society6 features some of my most recent work, my collages. 

small zipper pouchon society6
Some of these products make great gifts for groups,  the 'get thee to the library ...' small zipper pouches makes a nice gift for your book group members.  Many of the designs would make great teacher gifts, a mugs with books or a 'let it go ...' mug.  I also have some designs that work for men,  'dapper dad ...' and 'man of the hour ...'.
'dapper dad ...' coasterson society6


Sadly navigating these sites can be confusing, however these sites are the best way for me to get my art out there, until I set up my own online shop (something I have wanted to do for YEARS!!)

coffee mug onsociety6
I'm hoping to make them as clear and easy as possible, 
however if you have questions, please leave a comment and I will help guide you as best as I can.

Hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday and sending much love and peace for the coming weeks.

** the description under each product picture is a direct link to that product's page.

Cyber Monday @ Society6:
Cyber Monday promo (up to 50% off and free shipping on almost everything)
 with code: CMSHIP

Virginia Fitzgerald shop on Society6:







Cyber Monday @ redbubble:
Use code 30CYBER
Expires November 26, 2018 at 11:59pm
Virginia Fitzgerald shop on redbubble:
aline dress on redbubble
here is redbubble's a-line dress, a dress that I own and LOVE,  with an image from my 'from the land of dragons …' series.



Here are the redbubble leggings in my 'live, laugh, love …' design which is a BIG favorite in my yoga class, with Maggie Sky!! 




Again, thank you and peace,
XXX, Virginia
www.virginiafitzgerald.com