Funky Album Covers

Back when I was teaching second grade, the students took a yearly standardized test. I had to work extra hard to hide my disdain for this week of long days and stir crazy kids.

As near as I could tell, they were being measured in unknown ways about unknown skills that had no use for me in the current year. But I did find things out about what they didn't know...and that I could use.

One year, a test question asked which of the pictured objects used electricity: the choices were a saw, a shoe, a rabbit, and a record player. Seemed pretty simple, unless Energizer bunny ads confused some of the kids.

Not so fast. One by one, the kids raised their hands for help. "What is that?" they asked, while pointing at the nifty little sketch of a hi-fi. So much for the test questions being relevant.

The next day, I dragged the vintage record player out of the classroom closet, and played some records I brought from home. We had a blast listening to the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and old cartoon sound tracks.

I grew up in a house where records were treasured. I think I've passed that on to my daughter, at least I know her ipod is sacred. By the time she came along, the albums had been put away. She knows of them though. I saved a lot of my records, and still have a turntable.

There are many great websites dedicated to the LP. (For you kids, that stands for long play. Unless I just made that up.)

I found these on a site called LPCover Lover. It has lots of links to other sites. You can spend hours. Here are some I liked.

I recognized this as the work of William Steig, legendary New Yorker cartoonist and children's book illustrator -- he created the character Shrek. Really, he did.

Diahann Carroll has a gorgeous voice. I love this photo.

Dorothy Ashby played harp on Stevie Wonder albums, and other pop artist's hits.

Where do I start?

But seriously, wrinkled pants? On your album cover? Doc!

I wish this would've been one of the choices when they handed out the instruments for us to try in 4th grade.

I want this font. To use only when writing about guitars. I'll call it Guitar Boy.

Mi Picasso et su picasso.

You cannot expect us to believe there's coffee in that cup.

Who doesn't love a great Jack Emblow Sextet tune to get the broom rockin? Red pumps optional.

I just love everything about this.

Indeed.

After all that, you deserve a song. Can't beat this. My dad sang it all the time.

Your parents (and grandparents) were once free-wheeling, fashion-forward, and super awesome.

Thanks to my pal Aaryn, I've been looking at this website for a couple days.

It's sweet, it's sad, it's funny--everything we like in a website, no?

It's called My Parents Were Awesome.

The title of this post is their tagline.

The premise is simple--people are invited to submit photos of their parents.

Aaryn did, and her mom is the gorgeous brunette in the Brooklyn t-shirt below.

No one had any idea what this hair and these jeans did to your appearance.

Looks to be Annie Hall era.

He's rockin the Lenny Bruce look too.

Love the toucan wall hanging.

Her hands are beautiful.

Always a good plan to wear a nice leather coat to the photo booth.

Love the necklace, and the funky stuff for sale in the background.

I would have been friends with this person.

This dude has a major set-up. Gotta be Steely Dan on the turntable.

I bet his girlfriend took this picture.

Speaking of awesome parents, check this out.

Courtesy of Marybeth, another friend.

Thank you friends, for helping my blog write itself today.

Another Visit to Lotus Fine Art & Design, Woodstock NY

You were introduced to the beautiful work of Jamie Barthel here.

Lots of you loved her work--now take a peek inside her gallery, which we visited once again.

The space combines paintings, the lampshades Jamie paints, jewelry, fiber art, furniture--and a new home design service Jamie and her sister Tracy operate.

Ask Jamie about her "stop talking" card. We always have the best time chatting--she loves to laugh.

A new tulip design--brilliant!

If the lampshade won't fit in your bag, and you want a bit of Jamie's work to take home, check out the window hangings. That's how we first found the gallery. One of these was in the window of the corner deli, and a guy named Vick told us where to get one. It's a small town.

Jamie's work looks amazing on furniture too.

The gallery features a beautiful assortment of the stunning jewelry of Serena Van Rensselaer, a local artist.

These fuzzy creatures are a best seller--made by Jamie and Tracy's multi-talented mother, artist S. Marie.

Adorable knitted caps and sweaters, you must see in person to appreciate the detail!

Multi-talented mom as in fiber artist, knitter, and painter of these wood pieces! I was exhausted just hearing about all she does.

My own mom's single artistic contribution involved once flocking the Christmas tree after it was decorated. So you can imagine how even the idea of this sort of mother enchants me.

I left with one of the little votive holders. It's the perfect spot to store the Serena earrings I had to have too. It's possible to treat yourself very well here. (Tracy: Outstanding job at the husband distraction, thanks again.)

Visit the gallery here, and be a friend on facebook too, a great way to see the newest goodies.