"Behind the Camera"

"Day in the Life of a Girl" via Norman Rockwell Museum

I don't know if you've noticed, but here at "Hiving Out" we have a serious soft spot for Norman Rockwell.

Call us sentimental, but we love the sweetness and nostalgia present in his images. Recently I came across a book that's making me love the artist even more. Titled "Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera," its a collection of the original photographic images which Rockwell used to create some of his more famous artworks. It is so interesting to compare the photographs to the final pieces and then also see how he worked as a director, scene and set designer, and, of course, artist of nuance and imagination. This is such a neat book to look through...

images via THERSIC

Holiday Images

Around this time every year, I wish that Norman Rockwell still created magazine covers. I think his artfully captured marriage of the exaggerated and the familiar is unparalleled. His depiction of expressions and, equally impressively, an overall spirit or emotion, are accomplishments that remain admirable and incredible decades after his pencils and paints touched the paper.

If you ever find yourself around Stockbridge, MA- there is no excuse- you have to drop by the Norman Rockwell Museum. It is home to 574 Rockwell works and celebrates his tremendous contribution to American illustration.

All images courtesy of google

Rickeys

It is getting warmer and before long it will be raspberry lime rickey weather -I can't wait! It is a New England staple of sorts and although there are numerous variations, including those with alcohol, I love the ones that harken back to the days of drugstore soda fountains. That was before my time, but I remember my mum would order a rickey when we went for ice cream at the local Brigham's. Even though I could barely understand the complete craziness of passing up a giant sugar cone of chocolate chip for just a drink, I was intrigued. They seemed "grown-up", so when I was about 9-years-old I asked if I could have one too. I have never regretted it- now it is the refreshing, comforting, taste of childhood summers that I am so looking forward to on our next trip for ice cream....in addition to those sugar cones full of chocolate chip of course. Raspberry Lime Rickey

Ingredients

• 1 lime, quartered
• 8 fluid ounces carbonated water
• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger raspberry syrup

Instructions
1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Squeeze each of the lime wedges into glass, and drop in. Fill glass nearly to the top with carbonated water, and top with raspberry syrup.

Images courtesy of google.com

Thursday, a Norman Rockwell toy chest, and Etsy

canvas print of Norman Rockwell's "Marbles" via misslieze

Yesterday would have been Norman Rockwell's 116th birthday. So in his honor I thought I'd try fill a toy chest inspired by his aesthetic. With bright and simple toys, classic games, and the smallest of finds - this treasure trove of mid-century nostalgia was such a pleasure to put together...

To begin, you'd need one beautiful box:

"The Gracie Toy Box" by modmomfurniture

And then lots of toys (mostly in tin, wood, and one in marble):

"15 Vintage Marbles" via BunacatVintage

"Wood Arrows" via sweetshorn

"Vintage Wooden Distressed Toy Men" via SassySisterVintage

"lil' Ellie, The Cracker Jack vintage plastic charm" via mygoodness

"wooden Bowling Pins" via sweetshorn

"Tiny Mountain - Miniature inlaid Wood Puzzle" via OrbitingDebris

"1940's Child's Illustrated Map of the USA Puzzle" via kelleystreetvintage

"Old Painted Wooden Yoyo" via RedEyeVintage

"Vintage 1940s Shooting Cowboy Tin Mechanical Clicker" via GreatOldStuff

"Chicken Tin Toy" via MinaLucia

"Vintage Tin Noisemaker Clown" via stilettogirl

"Vintage 1940s and 1950s Paper Doll Set" via CarolsNeedledEwe

A true toy box also needs to be readied for moments of reading and writing:

"Puff's Vegetable Garden - A Whitman Tiny Tales Book" via undoneeclectic

"Vintage Lot of Milton Bradley TruTone No-Roll Crayons" via vintagewarehouse

"Mongol Colored Paint Pencils in Box" via TheCottageCheese

"Vintage Little Golden Book - The Fuzzy Duckling" via MyraMelinda

And, of course, there must be the makings for dress-up play:

"vintage barrette, horses running along fence" via rosebudcottage

"Retro Blue Starburst Silk 1940s Hat" via LiDDesignsBoutique

"vintage seed, pearl, pink and petal fascinater" via fruitsaladvintage

"Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet" via RetroHeaven

"Beaded Floral Antique Purse" via TheFuzzyLobster

"Cherokee Indian Chief Headdress - mid-century souvenir" via WhitesHaven

Nickolas Muray

I love a good discovery! On the always fun blog, KRISATOMIC, I found and fell in love with the photograph at the top of this post. I just adore the crispness of color, the composition, the slight furrow in the sleeping girl's brow. Turns out that the photographer, Nickolas Muray, was one of the first major commercial photographers and master of using color.

There's a little bit of a Norman Rockwell feel to Muray's work, but that actually appeals to me because a lot of his images also have a sense of humor about them and are so beautifully composed and lit (plus, I'll admit it, I kinda a sucker for Mr. Rockwell too).

Below are a few of my favorite images that Muray took in the 1930s and 40s (these are part of the George Eastman House archive).

Turns out that Muray also had a long term relationship with Frida Kahlo and took gorgeous pictures of her that also captured his talent and love of color. Aren't these lovely?

Nickolas Muray'a photographs of Frida Kahlo via Smith Kramer Traveling Exhibitions