Sunday, December 31, 2006

2007 get it done




Two of my goals for the new year. Collage a day. on these great, huge playing cards (5x7). Would like to make this a Collage-a-long with exchanges, but don't know how to set that up. I'll work on figuring it out. In the mean time, they'll be going up on etsy regularly too. The second appearing here is "corner of my home", I pledge to learn flickr this year.

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Handwriting Holiday Card Ritual


Holiday card writing continues. If you haven't received our year in review newsletter and one of our cards...it'll be in your mailbox sometime in the new year. We're taking it a little slow this year...but, isn't it great to extend the time for getting handwritten cards? I love writing letters, and am hoping to do more again in the new year. Of course, what really keeps me going on the handwritten letters is receiving some back... Just a few handwritten words on a greeting card. Please.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Christmas Feast

Our festive Christmas table. Oh my goodness, this was *great* food. (we're making turkey tetrazinni tonight). We choose to have dinner just the two of us. Busy holiday season, a nice candlelit dinner was such a blessing. We are now slightly addicted to Whole Foods catered meals. organic food that rocks. Note too the beautiful placemats I received for my birthday. The pottery is fabulous by our friend Laura...we trade every Fourth of July when we are in Bend at one of our favorite outdoor art festivals.
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful winter celebration - christmas, hanukkah, kwanzaa, solistice, any beautiful tradition.
Blessings.

Monday, December 25, 2006

peace and goodwill



joy to the world.

blessings to all.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Missed the beach.



We finally went back to Half Moon Bay! We'd been so busy for the past few weeks, we had been skipping our weekly treks. No more, it was spectacular! Rainy and heavy mist (couldn't even see the foothills). These are our favorite times at the beach -- because only the most in love with the beach folks are out -- very few people. I forgot to bring the camera, so this is actually another photo from our last trip to Cambria.

Finished our Holiday Newsletter this morning. We'll be printing, embellishing, handwriting notes in the special handcrafted (not by me, other talented folks) cards and sending them all out in the mail this afternoon. Christmas/Holiday music, candles, hot cocoa, latte and fancy pens will be spread out around us.

Blessings.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

happy, happy....




done. (well, it needs to be blocked...i think this egg basket is going to serve an additional purpose as a great hat blocker!) isn't it cute? a pompom on top would be over the top, right? I have three visions: 1. pompom with red outside, pink in the middle, directly on top of the middle of the hat. 2. i-cord in pink with red pompom. 3. i-cord in pink with red outside and pink in the middle pompom.

I'll be making more of these, I love being able to throw fun colours together, and this is such a great pattern for this.

More finished objects to be shown soon.

Today marks the first day of *two weeks* of time off from work! Yippee. I love my job! Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Blessed Solistice. Happy Hanukkah. Bountiful Kwanzah.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

happy birthday to me...








Birthday party goodies! Thanks y'all. I had a wonderful time and love all the treats you made and brought. Thank you, thank you. The top photo is of a sweet little bird that I found Sunday morning on my "messy" table. Thanks Gayle, he's cute, and I am truly honored that you'd share a bird with me.
The Bird Story: Gayle and Cordelia and I went to Live Oak Fair last summer -- fabulous artists there. We were all admiring one woman's handpainted glass jewelry. Much of her work was bird related.
One: I like birds.
The Other: no, I like birds.
One: I have a bird collection.
The Other: I have a bird tattoo.
One: I've liked birds longer than you.
The Other: I have more than one bird tattoo.
One: My state bird is a red cardinal.
The Other: I like birds more than you.
(*lots* of people have stopped to watch this heated debate, first lookers wondering if these two women know each other, then I think they were waiting for a "girl fight"). The artist was a bit taken aback. I was trying to explain that they can *both* like birds, avoiding telling them that um, I like birds too. It was really funny. Two weeks later, that artist and I were both at the same show in Oregon. I went to see if she had a particular bird piece I had seen and wanted and reminded her of seeing her in Berkeley..."I was with the 'bird people'". "Yes", she said, "They really like birds". *smile* So, it was *quite* amazing to receive a bird gift from Gayle (she's a giver).
The gift pouch was handknit by Lynda...it's such a gorgeous colour and *so*soft*
The Celeste's Book of Wishes in the peapod paper (great) was handmade by Cordelia
A great gift certificate from my favorite LYS.
Handrolled beeswax candles from Gayle.
Yummy bath products from S&F.
not pictured...a subscription to Art Jewelry magazine, the current issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors, an Eva Cassidy CD and the holiday (red) t-shirt from Peet's.

Thanks again y'all! Let's have lasagna again soon.

Friday, December 15, 2006

paul lynde or whoopi goldberg?


i have finished all my custom orders! woot! painted up some more backgrounds ready for inspiration to hit at any time (or more custom orders ;)) and then I went to Michael's for a little nephew & niece shopping (yes, i know i'm late) ...and lo and behold the very yarn called for in this pattern is on sale -- could there be a more distinct sign that this must be knit? i think not.

and i got some more christmas shopping done (plus, i bought yarn for several of these hats as gifts, of course, some people may get pictures of the pattern and snippets of yarn, but at least one person is bound to get the actual hat, because it's knitting up really fast (despite this being my first fair isle project)!

font collages






years ago i took a calligraphy class through the college I worked at -- one of my favorite benefits, free tuition -- I took all the art classes I could. And joy of joys, my *job* was to create class schedules, so in one of the communities (the more artist-y of the three communities I developed classes for) I asked all the artists I liked to teach for us...then signed up for their classes! *anyway* in this calligraphy class (which was actually a for credit class, which I didn't plan), one of our assignments was to collect 100 font examples. So, some of the pages were mostly fonts, as I continued to collect, I included more imagery and fewer words. I mentioned these font journals on one of the artist listservs that I shadow, and one of the members asked me more about this...so, a blog post was born! These are a few of the images.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

the foggy christmas tree


wow.
i love the holiday season -- parties and handmade gift making, greeting cards and especially the family newsletters and photos.

i'm not sure what i did with the camera to get this shot, but i like it. i love putting the ornaments on, the flood of memories associated, and then there are the ornaments i don't remember.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

don't you want a piggle too?


the new knitty is up and *chock*full* of wonderful patterns! -- these are the patterns that I would love to knit: center square, calorimetry, argosy, lauren, emerald, slingshot, blended hues, piggle and norberta (i am a dragon). of course, i still have a few other projects on the needles, and christmas gifts to finish and a few shows to prepare for....so perhaps in the new year, i'll get to some of these projects. I really love the Lauren project, I have a few skeins of handspun yarn in my stash (thanks MOM!) and would love to showcase them like this! I think every child (probably *mostly* girl children) should have at least one piggle in their wardrobe...so, I'll be knitting one of those for girls we know (plenty of time for Christmas 2007 ;)).

Our tree is up! I'll add a photo later, when the lights will look prettier. Tomorrow is Chex mix making day (after the morning art+craft show).

Friday, December 08, 2006

Holiday Meme


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg nog – thinned with skim milk, in a latte.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa prides herself on beautifully wrapped gifts
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Clear, though, I have been drawn to the retro look, so maybe at this next after Christmas sale…
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, kisses given freely year round here.
5. When do you put your decorations up? First snow/chill, we start sometime in November usually.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Eggs benedict Christmas morning
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Hard to pick. I’ll go with the year I had stopped believing in Santa and then we got bikes – and being the sexist kids that we were, we didn’t believe mom could have put them together by herself (dad was stuck out on the oil rig that year and didn’t make it home for Christmas), learned a lot about the stupidity of gender roles that year.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don’t remember how I learned it, probably playground talk
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, we tried it one year and didn’t like it, went back to the early morning fun and chaos, my middle brother notoriously got us all up by 5 am; at which point we were allowed to open our Christmas stockings *only* until our parents got up (usually within the hour).
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? *lots* of clear lights, special family decorations, a few new handcrafted ones each year, a very general red theme
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Miss it a great deal, though I do not miss commuting in it.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes. (lived in Alaska for a number of years, ice skating – and cross country skiing -- was part of the physical education curriculum).
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, I remember and very much appreciate them all.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? The love, the community that intensifies at this time of the year, decorations, celebrations, advent, children plays, thinking of loved ones as making gifts, family newsletters/photos, mixed CDs, cookie exchanges, potluck events, caroling, the smells of evergreen, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, mint….
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Christmas cookie exchange
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? New one this year…reading advent series by the advent wreath each night.
17. What tops your tree? Lights
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I *love* seeing that look in the eyes of the recipient when you just gave them the best gift! (especially if it was handcrafted)
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle bells, sung by the kids (really any Christmas song kids sing, especially when it's just spontaneous); O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; O Little Town of Bethlehem; so many!
20. Candy Canes... Yuck or Yum? Love the traditional! The simplicity, the grace, the flavour.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

deep sadness



Blessings and love for the Kim family.
more information

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Light a candle....

So thrilled that after 9 days in the wilderness Kati Kim and the girls were found and are doing well physically. James Kim went out on foot three days ago to try to find help, they are continuing the search, please pray/send positive energy. I've been so worried, lighting candles and praying at least once an hour. I don't really know this family, but the blogging community is such an important part of my creative world, and many of the artists / bloggers I read regularly know this family personally, I'm hoping and praying for another miracle!
for more information.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Finished Socks!



That accomplished feeling. Don't you love it? I finished the Bird Muse Ornaments. Listening to the Creative Mom podcast (I heartily recommend...give it a try) while I add all the ribbons and package them in their little bags. Also, finished the Diamante socks - the vibrant colours aren't showing up all that well, believe me though, it's a gorgeous colourway - I think it's called Monet's Garden (Cherry Tree Hill yarn). Warm and toasty. I've begun the Pomatomus socks -- I'm experimenting, because I *love* the magic loop toe-up for its efficient use of yummy sock yarn, I'm trying to adapt the pattern using Trekking XXL, colour 62 - a subtle black and grey stripes). Hope you all are enjoying wonderful wintery crafts too. I have been so drawn to the variety of advent calendars out there...maybe I can have one next year, this year, it's the simple but effective Trader Joe's chocolate calendar ;). We also have two advent readings that we do each night one before and one after dinner (Living the Days of Advent and the Christmas Season 2006 and Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas).

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Mermaids are a new favorite


Paper bits and matte medium seem to be everywhere in here. I have been working feverishly on Christmas ornaments for the little show a week from today. I'm hoping to finish this batch of little birdies tomorrow, then I'll begin on the next set of ornaments. Yummy lattes in this, the new mug I referred to in a recent post. Holds a goodly amount of the black gold ;) and the handle is something else! I love the heft of it. I also really enjoy Cambria and our friend who so graciously offers her family home to us on occasion. This mug has goodness all around and in it.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

i put my eggs in two baskets....




Spent time in the studio organizing and putting together boxes and packages to send out to their new owners. Spent a long time in lines at the post office and the bank -- I forgot it was Saturday...the mid-week trip to Cambria confused me a bit I guess. But, my week is jam-packed with work and work & church parties in the evenings, so today was errand day. Now, I'm a reward type of gal - sometimes my reward is just taking the ipod to the purple lounge chair on the deck, other times its a super hot flat latte at Peet's. Today Peet's was the reward for not screaming while standing in long lines. So, I following the last errand I headed to my local Peet's -- only to see a large sign on the glass door telling me that they were unable to make espresso drinks today! *what*? so, home I went to make my own latte (which is really better anyway, because I really only love the Major Dickinson espresso at Peet's the other blends are a little too bitter or watery for me). So, freshly crafted latte in my new favorite mug, I set out to capture all the wonderful treasures I picked up on "retreat"....
Now in the high energy phase of making Christmas ornaments for the big sale next Sunday.

Friday, December 01, 2006

do you need a thermos?


We just returned from a much appreciated short relaxation "retreat" (of our own design - no internet or phone access, lots of oceanside walks/hikes, microwave popcorn, sunrise & sunset watching, feeding the squirrels on the paths and a few other special treats) to Cambria. Such a sweet little town. I have my favorite little section of shops, finally found good espresso last trip and went back this time regularly. Also found some wonderful treasures which I'll share tomorrow. Best buy treasures were from a church thriftstore sale! Church sales make my heart race! Here is just one of the shots.... isn't that water *gorgeous*?

Monday, November 27, 2006

good winter coverage


diamante socks update....
and this Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn is *so* luxurious. I love the magic loop sock knitting! and there is still a good bit of yarn left, I think the leg of the socks will be about 2 more inches...good winter coverage :)

Sunday, November 26, 2006

draw a card



it rained today! i love rainy days, especially in our house, it's quiet here, so quiet that i can sit in the living room with the big picture window, curled up on the couch with my sketchbook and a yummy homemade eggnog latte listening and watching the rain. knitted a bit more on the latest socks. we watched the best movie tonight -- a must see Akeelah and the Bee. Keke Palmer, Akeelah, is a fabulous child actress and singer/dancer, she has a single on the soundtrack and on the DVD.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Christmas Bells are Ringing.







I've been collecting really wonderful papers for years and have known for quite some time that I simply have more in my stash than I will ever be able to use on my own. So, I'm putting together packets to share with everyone. This is version blue. Next up, version pink.
Also experimenting with structures of PMC, these are the first of Christmas bells!
I have been one of many so drawn to turquoise and red lately! I had to create some earrings. The tree of life ones say "bless your heart" and the floral antique button texture says "bloom". I was just not able to get a good series of photographs this afternoon, maybe tomorrow I'll be able to get enough good images for another round of postings. I'm off to the kitchen for a different sort of creation -- turkey stock! Then I'll see what I can do about the freezer disaster - shuffle enough around in there to make room for stock and soup and maybe a little casserole.

Friday, November 24, 2006

holiday gift list creation



i love fall!
the weather is perfect today. a bit of a bite in the air, sun shone bright for awhile, blue sky with a hint of clouds.
i'm wearing my blue-ish handknit socks...the sunset ones are threadbare already on the bottom of one (do I drag that foot?) and am once again enjoying the christmas mix this time while slowly paging through magazines (Real Simple and Cooking Light), and a few of my past visual journals for nailing down the list of things to create for gifts this year. (I'm also really hoping for some etsy trades and purchases too).
hope you all are enjoying a comfortable day at home too.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

this thanksgiving


just a few of the things i'm thankful for this moment...
whole foods thanksgiving in a box (i really should have taken a picture of this, *amazing*)
my studio
my family and friends
this video, Joan Jett - I saw her in concert when I was in high school - looks like she's back
wait, wait don't tell me podcasts

been really thinking a lot about advent lately -- working out how to begin a more mindful practice this year. of course, i really am drawn a little to this practice (which i know very little about), in my mind, it's not so much the presents to open, more about the visual reminder, like advent calendars, to sit down, slow down, put aside the big box store juggling and early morning sale battles, and reflect for at least one moment each day during advent.

oh my goodness, i almost published this without photos...i'll be right back, gonna take a shot of the messy table right now.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Messages



Have spent a glorious day in the studio, filling orders and playing delightful Christmas music! My artist friend, Cordelia asked her mother to make me an instrumental Christmas mix, Cordelia said her mom *loves* to create CDs full of grace, dance and inspiration. She most definitely has a gift for this, right after a fast paced, get your blood going instrumental, she slows it down to a more meditative mood. Fabulous for working at the messy table.

And on the photo front - I dug deep - last year's Christmas tree, full with a mixture of gifts for us and from us to be hand delivered. Please click on the picture of the sand - do you see the angel's wing? This is one of the very first photos I took with this camera. I bought this camera to take this picture. We were at Cannon Beach one weekend and I noticed on our walk that there were dozens of these incredible formations everywhere - such a glorious blessing. So, bought the camera and went back the next weekend to capture (outside of our memories). My memories are better, they were more pronounced and abundant before camera, I will always count that walk as one of my most cherished memories.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

so not a sock a day....






My second pair of magic loop socks. Diamante pattern. I finished the first pair of Cherry Tree Hill socks pictured, will post that photo soon. I have one more skein of the Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn in the stash (and all three of the top Sockotta skeins to finish, though I have started one sock) and 10 skeins to try my hand at dyeing, gotta buy the dye and all the materials to get going on that (thrift store pots and bowls and utensils), I'm guessing that'll be sometime after Christmas. I did have every intention of knitting up several socks for Christmas gifts. But, one art project after another kept me from getting much knitting time in. Now, I'm hoping for two finished pairs. These and one from the blue tone skein remaining in this shot.
This time the Magic Loop method is getting its true test. The reason I wanted to learn Magic Loop (specifically toe-up Magic Loop) - to get the most out of the yarn, to knit and knit until I run out of yarn. Very different from the previously shown Superwoman socks, random yarn remains. Someday said random yarn will become: Pembrokeshire Pathways Socks, I have about 5 inches started on these in the blue. So, that's my sock progress. Stay tuned for further adventures in felted bags, felted bowls, and ipod cozies.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Harvest Festival


If Barbara Walters ever interviews me (ha), I'll tell her that if I were to be a tree, I'd like to be a Japanese Maple. The way the sun and wind plays with the leaves, the changing colours, the deep breathes and centering they bring about. I'd like to shock and awe -- in good ways.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

The Bird Muse Has Arrived



These little sweeties are being unveiled a few at a time.
$17 for the original mixed media collage. $5 more for the 5 x 7 frame. I've been having a few problems with etsy lately...timing me out during brief visits, so if you experience any problems, please don't hesitate to contact me directly about anything you are interested in. (sorry about the camera reflection in the framed image).