Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Washington D.C.


Hello Friends,

We had a fun trip to our nations capital. We visited the newly renovated Smithsonian Museum of American History and they had the most amazing exhibit of the Star Spangled Banner. You know, the flag that inspired our national anthem? It's huge and threadbare and they have it displayed in an almost completely dark glass enclosed area. But when you think about it being hand sewn and out of hand woven fabrics and all that it has been through, it's really quite amazing. Most people think it was made by Betsy Ross but it was actually made by Mary Young Pickersgill. Can you imagine how Mary must feel after all the work and old Betsy getting all of the credit? Betsy made this flag. I love American history now that I'm older and I could spend hours just looking and reading. However, the boys don't share my enthusiasm and are generally only interested in the guns:(






This is the view from my husband's uncle's apartment. See the Washington Monument? And the building directly below it with the tiny windows is The Pentagon.


Someone forgot their own sunglasses so someone else had to do without. Can you guess who?

Stylin huh?






Since we are at the point in the summer where standing next to each other long enough to take a picture without fighting is impossible, this is what I had to settle with.




Remember him from Ice Age?


What about him from Night at the Museum?


Also at the Natural History Museum were some really BIG bugs. Alex got to hold this worm thing and they had cockroaches the size of a lemon.




The Museum of American History also has Julia Childs' kitchen.
So cool! I can just see her standing in there with Jacque Pepin makin lots of buttery goodness.

In other art related news....I have a few more Vintage Spoolies to share.





Jolly Pumpkins ...



and a Happy Skelly.



All of these pieces will be named and numbered in the order they are made. I am doing a show here in NJ in late September so I am trying to figure out how to make enough stuff for that, do a shop update and work on the accumulating commissions I have.

Any ideas?

9 comments:

Diva Kreszl said...

OH GOODIE !!! Where is your show going to be exactly??? As a native of the Jersey Shore I would love to see your work up close & personal!!!

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

The show will be held at the Smithville Mansion in Mt. Holly NJ. I will make a more official post when it gets closer. I would love to see you there!

Sue said...

Great Washington pics. I did not know that Betsy Ross was NOT the maker of the flag (I'm Canadian, but we got a lot of US history in school). I love history!

Great spoolies!!! As to how to organize your time? I don't have a clue - I have the same problem! Good luck!

Elma said...

Oh I want a spoolie:) They are just so darn cute:)

jen duncan said...

sounds like a great trip and it looks like uncle has a killer apartment! Sorry--no suggestions for getting more time aside from doing without sleep! Good job on doing a show, tho. I know you'll pull it off :-)

Micki Wilde said...

I just new those pumpkin spoolies would be gorgeous!
You sure don't disapoint do you? they are fab!! ;)


Micki x

Anonymous said...

Your spoolies are awesome! I love each and everyone!

My boys would only have liked the guns too! The bugs would have been a huge hit with Sam ;)

Michelle said...

Love it! WE are at the same point. I even avoid putting them all in the car together, it is just asking for trouble! I also lose my sunglasses to the little person. Guess it pays to be cute!

Christine said...

I don't have the answer to your last question~I'm exhausted thinking about it :)

One of these days we're going to have to make a summer trip to DC~perfect for kids learning about our history:)