I have no idea where time goes, I turn around and it's gone. Miss Jimmy's is my passion and when spending time working there, time stands still. I went crazy this summer with ceramic tiles. I love tiles, and found so many places that they could be put! Concrete walls and tiles are meant for each other, and tiles are easier to clean than concrete. Plus, these tiles are one of a kind, hardly ever seen anymore tiles from yesteryear, thanks to my hubby, who works for a tile company.
It is the Anguilla tradition not to throw away things, so any tiles the company no longer wanted are brought home. It is then my job to figure out where to put them. So 1950's tiles now line the kitchen porch with lots of fruits and vegetables. Little tiles on the window sills, they are all just too cute!
Then there is the front porch, lined with flowers tiles, some sparkly, some with gold, some dimensional, all different kinds. Lastly, the studio, has confetti and diamond tiles, very festive. Turkish tiles are gorgeous, so three table tops got tiled in them. Is it over the top?? You bet!!
We went through our usual hurricane scares this summer with boarding up the house, then patching up the holes when the boards came down, so now everything has been patched and painted a sparkly white, our next few weeks will be spent beating back the bush (we had lots of rain) and raking the rocks in readiness for our guests coming. The cocnout trees were planted, some more flamboyant trees, some papaya trees are growing, some avocado's, and December is the month for the flowers to bloom. A great time to visit Anguilla.
a work of art in progress
Summer time is the time to make little improvements to Miss Jimmy's as it is our slow season and no visitors are staying at present. Last week we constructed a beautiful rock wall in the front of the house. The rocks themselves are interesting, they are primarily limestone, with lots of holes and odd shapes. We didn't use mortar, just stacked them on top of each other, but they have to be placed a certain way to not fall. A test of a good rock wall is will the goats knock any down as they walk on the wall? So far, no! There are goats everywhere, some belong to neighbors, others roam the island in herds.
We put in two flower gardens by the kitchen steps, with rock wall borders. The next test is will the goats eat the flowers? Hopefully they will not. But don't bet on it.
My indoor project is ceramic tiles. Walt brought me these adorable 3" kitchen tiles with all kinds of fruit on them, majolica from Italy. They are now marching across the backsplash around the sink and stove. I love them! Tiles are everywhere in this house, and outside this house! Because Anguilla gets very dusty, and dirt sticks to the flat concrete surfaces, we tiled the top of the porch rails and alot of the window sills. Easy to wipe off and clean now.
I absolutely love tiles, especially the sample tiles that Walt brings home from his job at the tile warehouse. I am preparing to make a few table tops, maybe a wall plaque. When finished, I will take pics.
Other recent additions, I found an antique picture with sheet music from the 1890's, cleaned it up and put a new mat on it, it turned out great. I purchased a new piece of artwork by Sylvia Kahn and framed it, a nude, done in gouache, for the bedroom. Something old, something new, something borrowed... on loan to Miss Jimmy's is an antique oak desk from my friend Mitsou, also in the bedroom. I love it and lust to own it some day. Something blue... gorgeous sunny blue sky days!
We put in two flower gardens by the kitchen steps, with rock wall borders. The next test is will the goats eat the flowers? Hopefully they will not. But don't bet on it.
My indoor project is ceramic tiles. Walt brought me these adorable 3" kitchen tiles with all kinds of fruit on them, majolica from Italy. They are now marching across the backsplash around the sink and stove. I love them! Tiles are everywhere in this house, and outside this house! Because Anguilla gets very dusty, and dirt sticks to the flat concrete surfaces, we tiled the top of the porch rails and alot of the window sills. Easy to wipe off and clean now.
I absolutely love tiles, especially the sample tiles that Walt brings home from his job at the tile warehouse. I am preparing to make a few table tops, maybe a wall plaque. When finished, I will take pics.
Other recent additions, I found an antique picture with sheet music from the 1890's, cleaned it up and put a new mat on it, it turned out great. I purchased a new piece of artwork by Sylvia Kahn and framed it, a nude, done in gouache, for the bedroom. Something old, something new, something borrowed... on loan to Miss Jimmy's is an antique oak desk from my friend Mitsou, also in the bedroom. I love it and lust to own it some day. Something blue... gorgeous sunny blue sky days!
When there are no guests...
We frequently "work" on Miss Jimmy's, something always needs to be done. Summer is getting hot, the rains last week brought an abundance of new growth on the bush surrounding the property. Walter periodically beats back the bush with a machete, the best tool for the job. Gradually we are establishing gardens and flower beds,and planting trees.
There is one wild plant called "brides tears",or Mexican Creeper, that is prolific and although beautiful in it's own right, it creeps everywhere, climbing trees and choking other plants. It's flowers are tiny pinks and whites and when left alone in the "wild" area of the property, carpet the ground in blooms.
The real Miss Jimmy, whom the house is now named for, was an expert on bush and it's many uses. Alot of the plants here have medicinal properties and many uses. Miss Jimmy would provide people with bush remedies for whatever ailed them. Aloe is one of the plants that is still used.
I've gotten good at growing trees from seeds, we have avacado, flamboyant, coconut, and palm trees growing, among others. Amazingly, flamboyant trees will flower within 3 years of planting and bloom in the summer months.
The St. Martin artist Roland Richardson frequently paints the flamboyant tree, one of his favorite subjects.
There is one wild plant called "brides tears",or Mexican Creeper, that is prolific and although beautiful in it's own right, it creeps everywhere, climbing trees and choking other plants. It's flowers are tiny pinks and whites and when left alone in the "wild" area of the property, carpet the ground in blooms.
The real Miss Jimmy, whom the house is now named for, was an expert on bush and it's many uses. Alot of the plants here have medicinal properties and many uses. Miss Jimmy would provide people with bush remedies for whatever ailed them. Aloe is one of the plants that is still used.
I've gotten good at growing trees from seeds, we have avacado, flamboyant, coconut, and palm trees growing, among others. Amazingly, flamboyant trees will flower within 3 years of planting and bloom in the summer months.
The St. Martin artist Roland Richardson frequently paints the flamboyant tree, one of his favorite subjects.
This is a long holiday weekend, as tomorrow is "Anguilla Day", our independence day. There will be lots of celebrations and boat races, and a day off from work.
Miss Jimmy's is blessed this weekend with a friend and artist from St. Martin, who is staying for a few days. St. Martin is a 30 minute ferry ride from Anguilla, with ferries running about every hour throughout the day, the terminal being on the French side of the island. I don't know which is more fun, having a visitor from St. Martin or visiting St. Martin! Visiting is like going to Paris for the day, Marigot is a charming town that reminds me of New Orleans. It is full of cafes', bistros, restaurants, boutiques and shops, but laid back Caribbean style. Island hopping is fun, from St. Martin you can hop to St. Barts, or hop to Saba, Stasia or St. Kitts. You can see the islands from our eastern shore.
Yesterday we went shopping here in Anguilla, and shopping here is a unique experience. My find of the day, I bought a handmade palm broom for Miss Jimmy's house, for $8.75 EC! EC is Eastern Caribbean currency so the broom cost $3.28 US. What a geat buy,there is something special about hand made. US dollars and EC dollars are interchangable here, no need to do any exchanges, the shops take either one. The rate of exchange is $2.68 EC for 1 US dollar.
To make the weekend even better, my friend is an excellent French cook! I happen to hold the title of world's worst cook so this was a special treat for me to have a wonderful dinner prepared by her.
St. Martin has a rich and vibrant art community,and my friend brought me the lastest copy of Soualig' Art Magazine, a monthly publication in both French and English.
My quilting projects have been abandoned temporarily to enjoy the companionship of my best friend. Last week I worked in a frenzy with African fabrics and pieced 2 quilts and a wallhanging! I need a break before tackling the job of hand quilting them. Enjoy your weekend wherever you are!
Miss Jimmy's is blessed this weekend with a friend and artist from St. Martin, who is staying for a few days. St. Martin is a 30 minute ferry ride from Anguilla, with ferries running about every hour throughout the day, the terminal being on the French side of the island. I don't know which is more fun, having a visitor from St. Martin or visiting St. Martin! Visiting is like going to Paris for the day, Marigot is a charming town that reminds me of New Orleans. It is full of cafes', bistros, restaurants, boutiques and shops, but laid back Caribbean style. Island hopping is fun, from St. Martin you can hop to St. Barts, or hop to Saba, Stasia or St. Kitts. You can see the islands from our eastern shore.
Yesterday we went shopping here in Anguilla, and shopping here is a unique experience. My find of the day, I bought a handmade palm broom for Miss Jimmy's house, for $8.75 EC! EC is Eastern Caribbean currency so the broom cost $3.28 US. What a geat buy,there is something special about hand made. US dollars and EC dollars are interchangable here, no need to do any exchanges, the shops take either one. The rate of exchange is $2.68 EC for 1 US dollar.
To make the weekend even better, my friend is an excellent French cook! I happen to hold the title of world's worst cook so this was a special treat for me to have a wonderful dinner prepared by her.
St. Martin has a rich and vibrant art community,and my friend brought me the lastest copy of Soualig' Art Magazine, a monthly publication in both French and English.
My quilting projects have been abandoned temporarily to enjoy the companionship of my best friend. Last week I worked in a frenzy with African fabrics and pieced 2 quilts and a wallhanging! I need a break before tackling the job of hand quilting them. Enjoy your weekend wherever you are!
The delinquent blogger
I am delinquent, maybe the world's worst blogger. I am reappearing with new resolve to change my delinquent ways and beat the drum again for Miss Jimmy's Artist Retreat, Anguilla, and a way of life that surely artists can enjoy.
I have a dual life as an artist, since I am foremost a quilter. Very strange to be making quilts on a tropical island? Yes, and no. Our visitors are often from the northern climates and enjoy taking back a colorful, warm quilt that reminds them of their visit. I sell from the Estate Hope Art Studio, which is located in my home on Crocus Hill. I am a passionate, prolific quilter and use every and all fabrics known to mankind. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)This week it has been African fabrics. There's nothing like the real thing!
Miss Jimmy's, on the other hand, is our other house, a stone's throw away, actually a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk, and is devoted to giving artists a place to live, work and play while here. Alot of my guests have been visitors to the studio and so far word of mouth has worked very well in renting Miss Jimmy's.
Unlike other retreats, this one does not involve any teaching. It is a retreat from the ordinary, a place to soak up sun, sand, and a colorful island culture. A place where you can spill turpentine without worrying.
Our guests have been fine artists, writers, dancers, photographers, and musicians. We don't draw a line on art!
Quilters would be just as welcome, and a sewing machine can be provided for your use as well. Fiber artists, explore using coconut fiber! Go to the beach every day, then drag stuff back to Miss Jimmy's and paste and glue and sew or whatever it is you do. The idea is to explore the island, be inspired by the beauty here and then make stuff.
Miss Jimmy's is a creation too, and always in progress. I vow to blog about it frequently and stop my delinquent ways!
I have a dual life as an artist, since I am foremost a quilter. Very strange to be making quilts on a tropical island? Yes, and no. Our visitors are often from the northern climates and enjoy taking back a colorful, warm quilt that reminds them of their visit. I sell from the Estate Hope Art Studio, which is located in my home on Crocus Hill. I am a passionate, prolific quilter and use every and all fabrics known to mankind. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)This week it has been African fabrics. There's nothing like the real thing!
Miss Jimmy's, on the other hand, is our other house, a stone's throw away, actually a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk, and is devoted to giving artists a place to live, work and play while here. Alot of my guests have been visitors to the studio and so far word of mouth has worked very well in renting Miss Jimmy's.
Unlike other retreats, this one does not involve any teaching. It is a retreat from the ordinary, a place to soak up sun, sand, and a colorful island culture. A place where you can spill turpentine without worrying.
Our guests have been fine artists, writers, dancers, photographers, and musicians. We don't draw a line on art!
Quilters would be just as welcome, and a sewing machine can be provided for your use as well. Fiber artists, explore using coconut fiber! Go to the beach every day, then drag stuff back to Miss Jimmy's and paste and glue and sew or whatever it is you do. The idea is to explore the island, be inspired by the beauty here and then make stuff.
Miss Jimmy's is a creation too, and always in progress. I vow to blog about it frequently and stop my delinquent ways!
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