Why I love New Hampshire

An account of why the people of New Hampshire are some of the best you'll ever meet.  And I'm not just saying that because I'm from there...

Yesterday was the day.  I picked up my newly framed piece from the frame shop and made the drive up to Rochester, NH to drop it off in time for the museum opening next Saturday.  The sun was shining, iced coffee in hand, and listening to belting out the Backstreet Boys (thanks, Danielle, for reigniting that passion...)

As I drove up and pondered why I hadn't gone into the recording industry, it hit me.  No not the amazing opportunity of being a part of a new museum and artistic community...I had to pee.  The iced coffee went straight through me.  I still had 30 minutes ahead of me in driving time and said to myself between "I Want it That Way" chorus's, "You can make it, Laura.  Drop off the painting first."  I arrived at Rochester in good time and walked up to the Jenny Wren Gallery where I was instructed to go to drop off.  (Her gallery is acting as the museum gift shop!) Upon arriving at the door, there was a wee tiny sign that said:

Sorry to have missed you!  Feeling ill!

Wait, what?  No one is here.  Insert panic stricken face and have-to-pee dance. I've been in the city and 'burbs for so long that I forgot about that little part of small town New Hampshire.  When you're ill and you're the only person that works at a shop, you just shut down.  People will understand.  Down here in Boston, that's basically unheard of.  It was my own fault for not calling ahead so I couldn't be upset at anyone but myself.  But I didn't have time for that!  I had to pee!  So I collected my thoughts and pulled into a gas station.  

The attendant gave me the key, no questions asked. I didn't even have to buy a soda.  Thank you Cumberland Farms lady! 

With a clear mind and bladder, I was able to figure out my next course of action.  The Rochester MFA Collections Office!  I had also been given the shipping address for the office if I wanted to ship my piece up.  I decided to drive there.  It was 8 miles away.  It was also 4:30pm and I was pretty sure wherever this was, it was going to close at 5.  I hightailed it up to Farmington, NH according to my GPS directions.  "Arriving at destination on left."  It was a field. An empty, grassy, field. I forgot my cell phone so I couldn't even call anyone for help. 

LAST RESORT: The UPS Store I saw it on the way!  I'll just ship the piece down the street.  I pulled in at 4:57pm and opened the door, dreading being that customer that comes in right at closing... Of course, being in New Hampshire, I was greeted by the manager like I was the first customer of the day!  I gave her the address of where I was shipping and guess what happened?  

SHE OFFERED TO PERSONALLY DROP IT OFF FOR ME THE NEXT DAY, FOR FREE.  Yeah you read that right.  A stranger offered to go out of her way on her day off to hand deliver my little piece of art.  She even wrote up an insurance claim and mini receipt in case it was lost or something. My goodness, I couldn't believe my ears.  I instantly started mumbling my thanks and fumbled for a business card and told her to go and pick something out and I'd send it to her for free.  

Kathy from the UPS Store in Farmington, NH!

She then let me use her phone to call Matt, the President of the Rochester MFA, to let him know she'd be coming to drop it off or if he wanted, he could pick it up.  Wouldn't you know, the collections office was about 1/8 of a mile away from the UPS store and gave me directions.  So I ended up dropping it off myself, but still in awe of the kindness of a stranger.  

And then I met Matt Wyatt (who is a super amazing mixed media artist along with being the prez of a new museum!) and he and a few friends have been starting a revolution in Rochester, NH, trying to bring the arts into view for the public.  First starting with a gallery of rotating artists and has now transformed that idea into a permanent museum.  He's established partnerships with businesses all over the town from a art teaching space, to a gift shop, to a cafe! AND he's a preschool teacher on top of that!  I can't wait to be a part of it.

Moral of this super long story is: New Hampshire rules.  And I forgot how much.  NH, we've had our differences, but at the core, you're amazing.

Thank you Cumby's lady for letting me use the bathroom in a time of need. Thank you Kathy and the UPS Store of Farmington for your incredible offer and I hope to see you at the opening.  And thank you, Matt for inviting me to be a part of your museum and new art scene in Rochester. 

Party on...

It's a strange feeling to miss someone you never knew.  Steve Jobs passed last night and as I'm sure you've read all over the internet, people are heartbroken. But what we should all learn from this is, make your mark on the world, no matter how big or small, and make sure that mark is something you love and are so very proud of.  Hats off to you, Steve Jobs, for creating that vision and impacting so many people's personal and professional lives in every way. I have no doubt that Apple will continue to rock the party and fulfill Steve Jobs' vision.  

festival of lanterns: available in my shop

So party on, everyone, make your mark!

Confession Tuesday: Sometimes I wish

Sometimes I wish I was a lawyer.  Confession.

But that's really only after watching episodes of Ally McBeal, because this happens frequently:

And then I think about all those incredibly and unfortunately flawed characters and how I have the biggest crush on "The Biscuit" even though he wears orthopedic shoes, his nose whistles, and he hums John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt when he gets overwhelmed.

And I finish up every episode reminding myself that being a lawyer does not comply with my number one  life requirement: the denim jacket rule.

I'll be out most of this week from the blogging game, gearing up for my first craft show this Sunday, October 3rd!  See all the details in the Paper Taxi newsletter

My weekend in Photos

photo template: pugly pixel

This weekend I went out with my boyfriend, Lee, in downtown Boston and Harvard Square to take my new fancy-schmancy camera for a test run.  We encountered a lot of unexpected things like Hempfest (which was.....interesting but I couldn't wait to get out of there), cute shops on Charles Street, street performers, and that little girl in the pink sweatshirt.  I couldn't get enough of her!  Oh and that top photo?  My boyfriend helped a little old lady cross the street.  It was adorable.  Here she is in all her glory!

Can't wait to go out again soon!  The weather was so perfect and and wore my new boots.  If you're even kind of thinking of a new pair this year, I highly suggest these boots from Target.  Lee says I was turning heads everywhere we went with these babies on! And the price is ridiculous!  <--I'd suggest ordering a 1/2 size smaller! 

My first craft show is just a couple weeks away now!  Working on at least one more print and I designed a couple cute things this weekend as well.  Stay tuned!  (sometimes I give sneak peeks on my twitter or Facebook, so check start following me to get the heads up!)

Special Delivery!

A couple of weeks ago a childhood friend, Kristin, asked me to do a top secret super cute painting to help announce her pregnancy on her floral business blog, Ideas in Bloom.  I was so excited, I'm pretty sure I emailed her about 25 seconds after she asked!

Go tell Kristin congratulations on the Ideas in Bloom blog!  So excited to have been a tiny part in the announcement and wishing her and her husband all the best!

Interested in a commission?  Email me!

Oh and I put a new little signup in the sidebar!  Go sign up for my Paper Taxi newsletter for updates, happenings, general trivia, and who knows what else! (besides spam. I hate spam.)

Confession Tuesday: My Denim Jacket

Mary Poppins Meets 2009, originally uploaded by Starr Crow.

I never want a life when my denim jacket can’t double as a blazer.

Confession.

• It’s a jacket in early spring when you can’t stand to put that winter coat on one more time.
• It’s the extra layer you bring with you to the beach when the sun starts to go down..
• It’s the wrap you wear over that kinda fancy frock that you feel a little overdressed in.

My denim jacket is my blazer. I feel like a million bucks in it. I feel free to do what I want. I feel in charge. I feel like sticking it to the man.

Now bedazzeled denim jackets……that’s another story.

The cute blog of the lady pictured above!

www.athoughtistheblossom.blogspot.com

Confession Tuesday

I love clothes. It's just something I must own up to. Proof:

In Paper Taxi news...

• Just designed and sent away for my business cards
• Bookmarks in the works for some very special people at The Creative Connection
• Sent my first order to Australia. If you aren't following me on Facebook or Twitter (um why not? I swear I'm at least a little entertaining.) I've declared myself an International Sensation. And I like the sound of it.
• 1 week of my shop open and I have had 3 sales and about 1 bazillion new friends <3

I think that's it for now. Working on getting some greeting cards in the shop and some new prints!

image credits: photo of my addiction: me digital photo frame: pugly pixel