Nesting Dolls

One of my resolutions at the beginning of the year was to use my hands more often in the name of art. I did finish Baby Nephew's teddy bear on the plane to Memphis in March. I checked one handsie-creative-thingy off the list. Inspired by a post from a friend on FaceBook after re-reading this article, "OMG, Twins! I had my second creative outlet idea. Nesting dolls for the most adorable friend and her precious family. Sam Bosma's nesting doll artwork was so awesome, I had to recreate it in my own way for her. "I will make you nesting dolls if it's the last thing I do," were my approximate words on her post. I even watched a short piece on Russian Nesting dolls during the Olympics to get motivated. But it was a totally blank slate and it took me forever to start. And another forever to finish. Do I paint them first, then draw? I ended up drawing first, then using colored pencils, sharpie pens and acrylic paint to finish. There are so many options but in the end I loved showing the wood.

Janelle is a book club friend. Read the article. She wrote it for the Baltimore Magazine. It's hilarious, well written and honest. I was one of her friends who was excited about twins! I was a nanny for two sets of twins with 5 kids total ALL UNDER 6 my freshman summer of college. Twins rock! Yes, they will never let you sleep at night, but during the day they actually keep each other company, are best pals, and the closest of secret keepers. Janelle documents her family in the most delightful way on Instagram @momoffour30. Follow her. The boys are want to sleep and jump in and out of each other's crib as of late. Hilarious from the reader's point of view, devastatingly annoying from the mommy and daddy's bedroom I'm sure.

Janelle always wears these shades. They are so her and this family photo is the perfect representation of their adorableness. Don't you want to be friends with them? We are so lucky! They are so cool, laid back and laugh at parenthood vs. bitch about it.

Stole Ron's whole look from this cool anniversary present Janelle found on Etsy.

I stalked their FaceBook pages to get ideas and draw their faces. Ron's is my favorite because it has the farm they visit on the back. It was just so fun to draw again! Why don't I do this more often. It's such a great outlet.

Wonder Willa with her princess dress and pink princess crown.

The twins were the Wild Things for Halloween and I just had to give and ode to Max and the Wild Thing to Zeke and Gideon. I love how the eyes turned out.

Milo is a little rock star with a guitar on the back. Janelle is the Editor of Baltimore Bride and the "Love" project was perfect for her doll. Now looking back through my orders I can't find the link to the actual place I bought them but Google nesting dolls, and find the number you want. This is pretty close. Very fun project for a rainy day with your actual kids too. We love you Diamonds!

Charm City Cakes 2013 Summer Preview Party

It's been too long. But I've been having a blast and want to post some photos from an event I attended a few weeks ago before another month flies by. I am having a great time at my new job and have been in the news on-line a bunch this week thanks to our killer PR team. Thank you Profiles, Inc.! My dear friend Elizabeth came up from DC to attend the Charm City Cake preview party two Thursday's ago. We had to make a night of it and ended up going to Woodberry Kitchen for a quick drink and nibble beforehand. It was Liz's first time so I tried to be quiet and let our fantastic server Clare introduce her to the menu and concept of the restaurant. I sat back quietly nursing my delightful hand cut ice cube and the Attaboy! made with Blue Coat gin. All hail spring. 

We went for the beef tartar and meatballs to tide us over before the party.

Katie Rose, Maryalice, Duff and the whole Charm City Cakes crew welcomed us to the studio for a preview of their 2013 summer collection. 

We all received a high resolution CD of the cakes. I mean! How beautiful is the Olivia cake?

The Viv is maybe the sexiest cake I've ever seen. Who knew cake could be sexy. 

There were event planners from all over the DC/Baltimore Metro region and it was fun running into people I haven't seen in a while.

This gorgeous creature went to middle school with my Charlie and is working with Chicka! How Smalltimore is that? The bunny ears belong to a very smart and glamorous Baltimore Bride magazine editor. 

The cakes were displayed beautifully and reminded me of a fashion runway show.

The cocktail food was done by Copper Kitchen and was fantastic. The chef from Ixia, Kevin Miller, started Copper Kitchen and I keep hearing awesome things from this rising catering star.

My sweet friend Alexa just used them for a very cool event recently in Harbor East. I meant to post about it but just haven't had the time or energy to blog frankly. Gotta stay focused and every day I get home, sitting in front of a computer is the last thing I'd like to do. I am still taking a million photos so please enjoy my Instagram feed. I'm trying not to Instadump photos but feel a few of those posts coming in the near future.

We jumped into the kitchen to say hey. This is my favorite part of a party...the behind the scenes view.

I introduced B&O American Brasserie's chef du cuisine to Kevin and Duff. 

Meanwhile back in the main party there were cakes to be tasted. Oh my gracious!

The carrot was my favorite.

Copper Kitchen's cheese display was gorgeous with great use of copper pots for jam.

I've posted about the Charm City Cake Crew before here. It was fun to see the gang all dressed up.

They were inspired by a 1980's Trapper Keeper for this wall on the left. When I went to get my coat I felt like I was in Duff's childhood bedroom with these heavy metal stickers everywhere. How awesome is that? Reminds me of one of my oldest childhood friends! Forever young Erin!!! 

The studio has been repainted for a softer look. Now that they aren't on TV anymore they don't need the bright walls. The space looks gorgeous and so different. I like that they kept the Foosball table.

And the Maryland flag is still hanging proudly as well. 

My dearest Janelle, said editor, was also in tow with her trusty iPhone and creative eye. She did a great post on the party for Hitched a Baltimore Bride blog.

Geof and I caught up about coffee shops.

We were all given fabulous little goodbye gifties with sprinkles and a CD with all of the amazing photos that you can see here. Enjoy!

Mary Alice, thank you so much for the invite. It was wonderful seeing you and the gang. I love that we get to work together again. To all my event gal pals, big hugs and love always. Duff, thanks for noticing that I have four or five colors in my eyes. That was cool. You really are an artist!