Laume's Studio

2012-01-13T18:10:00.000-08:00

Friend and artist, Patricia Hedegaard had a doll and cookie swap over the winter holidays and I participated, albeit a little bit behind schedule. Which worked out well as I ended up swapping with another dawdler who just happens to be someone I was very excited about making a doll to live with her.

I knew that her doll was a wee creature of the great Pacific Coast redwood forests, where she currently lives. I knew he was a he. That was all I knew until he started to form beneath my fingers.

Here he is almost ready to bake. You can tell already that he is a kindly soul.

And here he is all ready for his travels.

See his walking stick? The gazing stone on the top of his stick serves a very important purpose. It helps him to judge the health of the deep redwood forests. For, you see, he is The Mist Maker. He keeps a close eye on it. And speaking of eyes, sometimes you can see the mist forming deep within them. He can tell when the forest is too dry, or too wet (although too wet is pretty unlikely, as the forest loves being wet as wet can be), when it's lonely and needs humans to walk amongst it's giant trees, or when it's feeling a bit over trampled and wants a bit of time with just the inhabitants of the green and gray and then he thickens the fog and shrouds the valleys in its damp mysteries.

It's not very damp here, although he did enjoy his short visit before he left for his new home. He was intrigued by this giant maple tree and nimbly as you've ever seen, climbed up it's rough bark.

He sat for a moment to enjoy a bit of warmth from the sun, and then climbed some more.

He really loved being up high in the branches. He sat there a long long time, perhaps thinking of his own forests.

We went for a walk together, The Mist Maker, Hubby, and Moi. Surprisingly, he's a very sturdy walker for someone of his size.

He met some of the local wildlife. He thought Maggie was very sweet to give him kisses. He said she reminded him of a little black fox.

He wasn't quite as sure of the local felines. "Are you sure this one doesn't bite?" he said a bit nervously.

He wondered if this was an elk bone, or perhaps the bone of a dragon, it was so large.

He wandered around the yard, trying to keep up out of the heavy layer of dried leaves.

We had a very lovely time together, but as you can see, he is very happy at the thought of getting on his way. So with a wave and a smile, he left us to begin his journey home.

2011-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

I was blessed with a brand new granddaughter last week and while I was down helping my daughter for a wee bit with cooking and cleaning and what not, I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with some beautiful wee faeries, Olivia and Anastasia. Enjoy the magic.

2011-07-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Nothing particularly arty farty, just a walk through the local county fair to see a few fun crafts. I couldn't spend as much time viewing the exhibits as I typically do as I had a four year old and one year old in tow.

Silly and whimsical kitties.

More whimsy, and of course Halloween theme caught my eye!

Pink AND faeries - Joli loved it.

I liked the thin, soft, minkee backing and the butterfly quilting choices.

Cute flowers.

Sorry the photo is a bit out of focus but I think you can see that there's huge amount of piecing work in this large bed quilt. Very nice. It won Best of Show.

Fun bright colors, not sure what it's meant for - the wall? A table? This is about as artsy as it gets at the fair. The judges don't seem to know how to judge anything that's too far outside traditional quilting style.

I liked that the trees weren't all tree colors.

I can't help it, I love scrappy quilts made from a collection of theme fabrics. This one is all kitties! I've made monkey quilts, faery quilts, turtle quilts, cooking/food quilts..... probably others themes I can't think of right now.

I also love aprons and I actually wear them a lot. They were handy back in the "good ol' days" and they're still handy, I don't know why more people don't use them on a regular basis. This one had a beautiful soft edge with zig zag piping as well.

Another pink quilt that Joli loved. (Joli is a four year old girl, so, duh, pink equals love)

Nothing fancy but I loved the rich sherbet happiness of this quilt and the patchy framing.

Moving on to other crafts, I liked this welded spiderweb and spider.

I'd totally put this alligator in my garden.

And I'd double totally put Fred the Dragon in my garden. He was awesome. I wish they'd put him someplace with a more photogenic background.

There was a California Mission class, a clever way for all the California 4th graders to get another opportunity to show off their mandatory mission making. I helped my kids make several of these and joke (only I'm a teensy bit serious too) that I homeschooled William in part because I refused to be forced to help with another mission project! I think we studied medieval history for his 4th grade. But to offset that, he's actually visited many of the California missions in person. Joli was completely transfixed by the missions and wanted to leave the fair right then and there and rush home and MAKE A MISSION. Uhm.... No.

Speaking of medieval history, this was the best I could do with all the reflections, can you see this amazing carved castle!?!

Another photo that is just layers of reflections but I sort of like it. Joli and I were admiring the faery houses when a passerby corrected us, telling us they were actually BIRD houses. Yeah, yeah, whatever, did we ASK you?! I prefer our interpretation.

These metal creatures weren't entered in the fair, they were a vendor's art. We really liked them. Joli wanted the brontosaurus.

Instead I bought these three little worker ants. The one in the back, a little hard to see, has a broom and dustbin. Hopefully they'll keep my back garden paths all cleaned up so I can sit back and relax for the rest of the summer. They've only been at work for a few days, we'll see how useful they are as time goes on.

If you're interested, the artist has a website - Man of Steel Art. It's not a fancy website, his work is much nicer in person!

2011-07-15T04:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's been at least a light year since I've posted. Okay, I know, a light year is a measurement of distance, not time, but it sounded good. Anyway, it's been a long time, and I don't want you to faint or anything that I'm posting. It's just, I finally finished the last little creative bits on a dear friend of mine.

His name is Drift. He was wandering about on an Oregon beach when I found him, a bit waterlogged from the tides and all. We got to talking. Hit it off right away. I offered to take him home and he thought the idea of somewhere snug and warm - not to mention dry - sounded good, and so that was that.

But he was feeling a bit restrained lately I guess. Can't say I blame him, what with the cool, restless winds we've been having the last several days. He just couldn't stand it anymore and decided to go out into the gardens for a bit of a walkabout.

I don't think he was expecting the terrain to be quite so rugged. I warned him. I said "Remember, I've been so busy, I'm woefully behind on weeding. It's like a jungle out there." I don't think he believed me. Unfortunately, by the time he decided maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be out there on his own, he was lost!

Eventually he found a clearer spot. He decided to clamber up to a higher vantage point to see if he could find which direction to head back to the house. Aha! There it was, the back door. He just had to follow the cobbled path.

He thought he was home free when, oh no! Suddenly a pack of ferocious gargoyles were headed straight for him!!!! He was frozen with fear!

The creatures were almost upon him... he raised his staff to fend them off ....but wait. The giant creatures might have looked frightful but to his surprise they were unexpectedly gentle. They sniffed at him for a moment, and then as suddenly as they appeared, they were gone.

Drift didn't want to push his luck. He headed quickly for the house, where he gratefully climbed back to his cozy home on the poetry shelf. It might not be the most exciting location, he thought, but he'd had enough of that back on the beach what with seagulls and crashing waves and dark, stormy nights.

Still, he had enjoyed most of his outing today, up until he'd gotten lost. He might like to go out to the gardens again, although next time he'd wait until he could get a human to accompany him, in case those humongous gargoyles were still roaming loose. Until then he'd stay warm and safe on his little shelf, where gargoyles were the PROPER size.

2011-06-02T01:45:00.000-07:00

I've been busy. You might have noticed, if only in the sense that I've been absent here. But I've been working on some outfits for this year's Faerieworlds Festival (coming up soon! Soon! Soon! Panic! So much left to do!!!!)

I decided to finish Hubby's outfits first (so he'd stop bugging me) and next on to my outfits. After that come one or two ideas for the grandson. And then back to an optional outfit for Hubby. AND I have a chandelier to make - yes, a chandelier. And some other ... stuff. I suppose I don't have to list it all, but you can see why I'm feeling last minute-y.

Hubby was a pirate last year for Bad Faerie Day. He wanted to be a pirate again this year, only he wanted to be an even more AWESOME pirate.

We found him this scruffy old leather jacket. I think the fact that it's well used adds to it's pirate-y charm. Here's the front.

And here's the back.

And here's what it looks like redone as a pirate jacket. It's got new buttons that you can't see clearly here but they (serendipitiously unplanned) match the new tooled leather design of the sleeve cuff fabric. I was going to add more patterned leather on the pockets and collar but didn't think through the fact that I'd have to sew through four layers of leather. So, that's a no. But I still think it looks great.

A little extra fancy strap with matching buttons on the back.

And check out the amazing skull buttons on the cuffs. These babies were NOT cheap. But how could I resist!

Here's a little peek at the full outfit.

After the pirate jacket was finished, I started work on his Good Faerie Day outfit, a sort of elven Mad Hatter theme. I forgot to take Before and After photos of the pieces I refashioned, but here's the end result.

He's lacking the boots and pointy ears but, I think it turned out great!

2011-02-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Tralalalalalalala! OWOH Winner Announcement!

Being a night owl, I kept my comments open until midnight last night, certain that I could choose the winner immediately after. Alas, the weather gremlins had other plans and were out in the snowstorm knocking down power lines and running the poor electrical company crew workers a merry chase. Let's hope the workers appreciated both the overtime pay and the magical sparkling snow illuminated by a full moon.

Here she was last night peeking out between a thin spot in the clouds.

Lighting up the icicles clinging to the roofline and shrubbery. (Ni! Ni!)

And look, I wasn't kidding about the sparkling snow. You can sorta kinda see a few sparkles (in particular, look at the bottom left hand corner). You have to trust me, in real life, it was dazzling. And I took these photos on a regular camera setting with no flash. The shadows were even sharper in person as well, at 1 am-ish in the wee hours.

Other than a quick dash out to let the chihuahuas do their thing and snap a few photos, I was inside eating brownie sundaes and playing a fierce game of Scrabble by a card table near a roaring fire. No heat. Certainly no internet. And as much as we adore our cyberlives, sometimes it's good to get back to the most basic of experiences. Oui?

Well, enough already with the backstory. The point being, there was no online random generator to select the winner. No problemo. I happen to know a few fae folk who are willing to guide me to the once and future king... no, wait. Wrongstory. To the rightful winner. And, so they did. In their typically wise and amusing way.

The winner of my door prize is -

Marianna of Vintage Arabesque (love the name of your blog!)

The faeries say YOU must be the proud new owner of a handful of Butt Roses. Please let me know what color(s) you would like me to make your roses. Choose up to three colors. I'll email you backchannel for your mailing address.

**************

Postscript: I have mixed feelings about another OWOH event being over (and although it is indeed the final OWOH, check out Lisa's post announcing a new and, I believe, IMPROVED event beginning next year!). On one hand, I only managed to visit a fraction of the participats this year (but I won! I won one very perfect prize - tell you 'bout that later). On the other hand, I was spending all my spare time online. And let's face it - "spare time" - SPARE????

Now the prize deadline passed, the pressure is off. Whew. I do still plan to find snippets of time when I can lace up my cyberboots and spend time wandering through the links, discovering more new blog friends and returning to some of my old favorites. And I want to spend an equal amount of time here, preparing new posts for other creative travelers who may knock on my blog doors. (My other blog is here.) I also want to spend time doing some major revamping on both blogs. To say "Yeah, they need it." is an understatement. To say "Oh really, I hadn't noticed." is a clear sign that you need to go visit your friendly neighborhood optometrist.) It'll be nice, to slow down the pace. I look forward to many cups of tea together.

2011-02-11T23:39:00.000-08:00

I am slipping in just under the wire to participate in this, the LAST year (sniff!), of the blogging community's open house - One World One Heart 2011. Participants and guests go from blog to blog meeting each other and entering in all the lovely giveaways offered by creative bloggers around the world. (I'll put the link to all the participants at the end of this post for you.)

Although my blog has been around for many years, 2010 found my posts far and few between. Not sure why. It was an unplanned hiatus. Might have something to do with launching our last child from the nest. It was a busy year. If you haven't visited here before, a wee bit of info about me - I'm a creative soul with too many ideas and not enough focus. I am undoubtedly part corvid, always distracted by the flash of something new and shiny to pull me off in another direction. But I'm hoping this coming year will be one of creative focus and growth for me, and that will mean an unprecedented amount of artistic endeavors to post about in 2011! I'm making a public declaration, right here and now, to help me follow through and be a creative Goddess.

At the moment, life is crazy and busy. My creative plans of the coming week are to finish some much needed room painting. I've got myself a willing minion...er, I mean friend, to help me. Wish me luck!

And my giveaway? I'm giving away some Butt Roses!

Right now voices all over the globe are saying "Butt Roses! Yay! I've always wanted some Butt Roses!!! I LOVE Butt Roses!"

Well, in my imagination you're all saying that. What you're really saying (if I didn't frightened you and you've already clicked away to the blog of a less crazy person) is "What in blue blazes are Butt Roses!?"

Here I am in one of my many alternate personas as a Rose Fae, proudly wearing my Butt Roses on a green bustle. Hehehe. See! You DO want some Butt Roses, don't you!

Here's a close up of some of them. They're very shabby chic and organic.

And here's a photo of a rose in the hand to show you the size of a medium one.

I'm offering three roses to one lucky winner - one each of small, medium and large. My roses are in cream, taupe, and pink, but I can make your roses in a color or colors of your choosing. And no, you don't have to wear them on your butt. You can stitch them onto a headband or hair pin. Or a favorite cardigan or jacket? A purse? You could even just display them nestled into a bowl or scattered amongst your perfumes and combs.

Just leave a comment on this post with a link back to your blog or an email address so I can contact you if you win. Deadline for leaving a comment is midnight PST on February 17th.

As promised, here's a link back to the participant list for One World One Heart 2011. Please enjoy cyberflying about, meeting the many wonderful and creative bloggers around this blue globe. I hope to find time to visit old friends and meet new ones in between spilling paint on my kitchen floor and running to the store for more paint rollers.

And when you're tuckered out from your travels, I'm hoping you will come back for another visit. I'll put on the tea kettle. You can pull out a chair, knock a cat off the seat, and have a cuppa with me. Do you take sugar? Milk? No, not that one, that's an old paint can!!!! Well, I'll have it all cleaned up by the time you get back again, right?

2011-01-19T00:35:00.000-08:00

A Flickr group that is dear to my heart, mostly because there's a regular crowd of really lovely photographers - oh yeah, and because it's fun to see everyone's unique take on the unfolding sequence of new themes, is Shades of Inspiration. Recently the last moderator of the group has turned over the reins to a new person - MOI! I hope to shake things up a bit, enthuse the old crowd, encourage some new folk to join in the fun.

Every week or so there's a new theme to inspire you to go out and take photographs or share favorite photos you have in your personal collection. We've worked our way through most colors or color combinations several times over, so I'm hoping to branch out into new visual inspiration - textures, moods, words.... who knows.

This week's theme, while I'm off enjoying a holiday, is a simple one: Gray.

You can read the full theme announcement here.

And here is one of five photos (the daily limit) I put up today in the group files.

I hope to see your photos there soon.

2011-01-04T02:48:00.000-08:00

I should be fast asleep in bed. Instead I'm up playing with photos. Which one/ones do you like best? And why?

2010-10-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

Let's play a game called "Guess Where I Was While I Was Sketching This".

Learned something - I'm right handed so I should work from left to right. I was just sort of working all over the place and when I stopped I realized I'd completely smudged the right side of the sketch.

2010-10-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hi. Yeah. Long time no see.

I'm trying to find time to do some sketching every day. My studio, and art or craft work of any kind, has been trailing behind me weeping for attention for months. I'm determined to finish rearranging and fixing up the house to a new level of "adequate" before allowing myself studio time. But I had to do something. So this is it. Usually while I'm waiting in the car or over the table at a restaurant, free time, y'know.

Keys

The Hubby

I've really missed blogging. Just can't seem to find the time for so many things these days. I'm determined to get back to it. I miss the whole blogging community. Wonder if anyone still wanders by from time to time to see if I'm still here.....

2010-05-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

When I was in San Diego a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to wander about Balboa Park and the San Diego Botanical Gardens (formerly called Quail Botanical Gardens), just me and my camera. I was in a photographer's/plant lover's heaven in both places. I'll link to the photos I put up of the botanical gardens on my every day blog at the end of this post but I wanted to share these particular images here because they just scream at me to recreate them in other mediums. First thought was to work with them in fabric. Paint. Even collage would be fun. I'm hoping to carve out some time to play with them, maybe I'll even have a series based on waterlilies. Hmmm, why does that sound familiar......?

I'll just let you browse through some of my favorites.

Moving from circles to straight lines, here's some lovely shadow images I'd also like to use as a starting point.

And now for something completely different -

Eyeball trees! At least, that's what they look like to me. I had the very disconcerting feeling that they were staring at me while I was staring at them.

For more amazing plants and garden scenes - check out some more photos I took at the San Diego Botanical Gardens on Beach Treasure.

2010-05-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

When I was in San Diego last week my granddaughter had her heart set on having a pink owl. She pretty much has her heart set on having a pink EVERYTHING. You know how some little kids have an imaginary friend or two? Well, Joli has an entire imaginary world she talks about.

PINK WORLD!!!!

It's funny because my daughter-in-law worked so hard to make sure she created a gender neutral environment for her first years. Sure she had a cute pink dress or two (or three or...) but she also had little black and brown and blue and green and every other color dresses in her wardrobe and she had clothes that were obviously meant for "boys" as well as those specifically sold to "girls". All this to add background to the story of how she had her heart set on a pink owl.

So we made one together.

By making it together I mean we went shopping, she picked out the fabrics. I drew some designs, she fixed them. She was very specific - the wings needed to be a big higher, the eyes a bit bigger, the body a bit rounder.... and when it was to her liking, she approved the project.

I cut and sewed, offering her fabric and thread choices at each step, she chose, and I sewed some more.

And Pinkety Tinkety was born.... er, hatched?

She's almost as cute as Joli herself who, ironically, is wearing purple.

2010-05-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you ever come through Susanville and need a place to stay, you might stop at the Apple Inn, a lovely small motel owned by friends of my mother. The wife, Lorna, runs a bit of gift shop by the front desk and I stop in from time to time to say hello and see what she has for sale as she and I share a love of faeries.

This lovely faerie scene that she created was on display when I stopped in earlier this week!

An encounter between a human girl and a young fae.

Other smaller fae go about their business in their little home set amongst a "woodland" of mushrooms.

Sunlight streams through while the wee folk play and sing and tell stories.

And I have a story for you if you promise to keep it a secret, just between me and you and the faeries, okay? Come a little closer in, so I can whisper it to you....

Lorna made these beautiful mushrooms out of cardboard tubes and garden supplies. The tops of these large mushroom are made from the ready made sphagnum moss hanging pot liners. Hmmm, these look to be made with shredded plant material. There are several different kinds. She found these at the local dollar store. She painted and glittered. The tubes are also painted and glued to little wooden platform blocks, the caps glued to the top.

These smaller mushrooms are made from a variety of paper seed pots. Softened, molded, and dried again and then painted, glittered and glued.

The woodland floor is created with a variety of plants - both silk and plastic as well as real dried flowers and mosses. Butterflies, birds, faeries, and other woodland creatures are tucked here and there.

Most of the tall mushrooms have added faery lights wound up their stalks and popping through in polka dotted brightness.

Here's an "beneath the scenes" view so you can see how simple it is.

A photo taken without a flash to show you you it might look when the sun sets. It would be fun to add a garland of garden lights above the scene to enjoy it after dark.

The only thing stopping me from rushing out to create my own beautiful faerie window is the lack of a proper site free of clutter and safe from cats. But I can dream. A midsummer's night dream. Maybe someday...

2010-03-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

I'm finally posting that second round of photos from the wonderful sculpting beach retreat I promised you. Mostly just shots I snapped of all the amazing creatures in various stages of being created. After they were sculpted and baked, there was painting, embellishing, and dressing to be done.

I think the best idea is just to let you grab another cup of coffee or tea and let you scroll without comment. Keep in mind, these are photos of unfinished dolls. Most everyone still had more to add to them once they took them home. These are all "in process" shots.

I love how much some (most!) of these totems ended up looking like their people. Or, if not physically similar, had the same personality.

Here's Ash's amazing baboon faced totem. It was probably the most interesting story in the group as she was working so hard to make him go in a different direction and struggling, really struggling when she went to bed Saturday night. Sunday morning a friend suggested she simply ask her totem what HE wanted and suddenly he just took off in this amazing direction!!! Such good advice for any adventure or goal.

'

A tableau of characters posing for us. Mine are the creatures on the right, starting with the white raven. You can see mine are the least finished.

I did finish my little owls though. They were really fun to make. I used the same process for both and yet they each came out with their own personality.

Unlike most of the group, I didn't finish dressing my creatures, but I sort of made up for that by making FIVE things. White Raven wasn't finished because I had my heart set on using a few things I had at home for her apparel. So then I made Spike the Chihuahua so I could have a doll to dress. He didn't get baked soon enough though so I went on to create little owls while I waited. And then, messing around with some leftover wire and clay, I created the little mossy stick guy you can see painted but undressed in the middle there.

And that's it, I forgot to take any other photos of my own creations. I hope to get to finishing them all soon and I sure hope I remember to take photos of the process.

We couldn't travel with open bottles in our cars so the last night we did the environmentally proper thing (waste not want not) and polished off the rest of the wine and mead. And that, sadly, was the end of the workshop. Until next year?

Cheers!

2010-03-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

Here be dragons......

With steely eyes and dangerous claws....

...a powerful tail

.... and teeny tiny friends.

This gentle soul (most of the time, don't ire her!) is Penelope, and she guards the northern approach to the city of Yreka from all dangers that might come her way. Her maker is local sculptor Ralph Starritt.

2010-03-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I spent at a seaside house full of wild artist folk and fae. We gathered together for a workshop/retreat organized by the lovely art doll and painter Patricia Hedegaard. (The link goes to her old website, she's in the process of putting up a new, upgraded site, but it will give you an idea of her work.)

There was about a baker's dozen of us. Here we are starting to gather at the set up tables, before the creative chaos began.

The first step in the process, making our little wire armatures. They looked a little bit like a small army of "burning men".

We were told to put on our "creativity caps". Almost all of us took the instruction literally.

Another step in the process - picking out new eyeballs...

....for our art dolls.

The theme was to each make a totem doll. I wasn't sure what I was going to make almost up to the moment I began to work. I chose, or perhap she chose me, to make a white raven.

In the serendipitious way these things happen, there was a whole flock of raven makers and we were all at the same side of the workspace. This particular raven looks like he had a few too many beakfuls of that brewski.

Some of Patricia's finished (but undressed) ravens were hanging out on our table and it looks like there might have been some imbibing all around.

Most folks followed through outfitting their totems. I had some ideas that I couldn't complete until I got home, so raven wrapped herself in a feather boa and sat watch, unfinished, while I made some other creatures instead. I think she looks rather wise. I need to read up on the legends and stories of the white raven.

I made this wee owl.

And then I made him a friend.

Not everyone made ravens, not at all. There were several large totem owls.

Little owls finished, I went on to create a chihuahua. There were quite a few chihuahua lovers in the group.

This little guy is a masked creature - wolf? Coyote?

There was even a kind eyed elemental taking shape.

Of course creating is hard work. So we took breaks to take walks on the beach.

We also took time to sing and play (some of us very melodiously, some of us *cough* (me) enthusiastically if out of tune). We drank a lot of coffee and a lot of wine. We ate an incredible amount of delicious food. We took photos. So many photos that I'll stop here for now and post a part II in a day or two.

In the meantime, I've put some scenic photos from the trip up at Beach Treasure, nature's art.

2010-02-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Did I tell you about the day I walked into the local art gallery last month and spied a lovely hat in the items for sale? I was taken by it so I tried it on. It fit perfectly. I wore it about the gallery while I looked at the most recent painting show, pondering whether I should buy it. Did I really NEED another hat??? I even went in the bathroom to see how I looked in it. Rather cute, I thought, if I do say so myself.

So I took it off to check the dangling little price tag and noticed it was marked ........

"$xx - hand felted tea cozy"

Uhm. Oh. So. That's a first for me. I've worn tiaras, crowns, hats, dogs, even starfish on my head. But this was my first time in public with a tea cozy atop my brain.

Fast forward to Valentine's Day. Hubby's gift to me -

The tea cozy hat! I love it.

"Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on." ~Billy Connolly

Yes, but what about a woman?

See the hole in the back? I thought it was for putting a ponytail through. I know, go ahead and laugh. I tried some of my tea pots under it and it actually doesn't work well as a tea cozy at all. Too tight in girth, the hole is too high up to be an use, to hard to take off. So, hat it is. I'm going to sew up the hole.

And all that brown and green behind you? Now under a foot of snow again. So I'll have more opportunity to wear it before the cold weather is gone for the season. Now I just need a purple sweater or jacket to go with it!

2010-02-18T23:02:00.000-08:00

My card reader died recently. That's actually good news since I wasn't sure why my photos wouldn't upload. I was worried it was the actual USB port. It wasn't. Whew. Knock on wood.

So now, photos can be uploaded once more and all is right with the world. Well, at least with this tiny section of the world.

This last weekend was a big family gathering. I had all my kids and all my grandkids together. Except the teen. Who forgot to get the time off work to attend. Total bummer. I rarely get a chance to take pictures of everyone in one picture. Still, I got some great pics of almost everyone. Had a lovely time. I'll post pics of all the cute peeples, big and small, on Beach Treasure, maybe later tonight.

But here's a pic what I made for the shower. (Just a small gift. I'm practical. I'm waiting to see what they don't get from everyone else so I can fill in the gaps later.) I know it looks like just pieces of folded flannel but au contraire, these are big thick receiving blankets. Which my son had to ask "What are receiving blankets? Why do we need receiving blankets?" Oh dear. Well, I'm sure they'll learn fast! Some fabrics I chose just because they were cute, some because it matches Sam and Ashley - like their love of playing Guitar Hero, Sam's golfing, and if you know Sam, I had to get the dollar print.

I made a stack of receiving blankets for Joli when she was a baby and when she outgrew her need for them, Lisa cut them up and made them all into a flannel cuddle quilt for her. (although apparently Joli's daddy cuddles in it the most.) I told Ashley we could do the same thing with these blankets.

And I remembered to take a photo of the napkins I made for them for Yule. Looks like a few were in the laundry. I used some of my favorite Kaffe Fassatt fat quarters to make them. They have no idea how special that makes them, but the colors and style were perfect for their kitchen and they are really enjoying them. I'm trying to embrace the art of using my favorite prints instead of hoarding them for "someday" or "something special". I've discovered it's far more pleasurable to get them out there in the world where the fabric is used, by me, or someone who is special to me.

Napkins.... receiving blankets.... hey, don't laugh - yes, I'm really talented at making large, useful, pretty, hemmed fabric squares.

2010-02-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

Even with my busy schedule the last few weeks, I still managed to visit hundreds of new bloggers in this year's One World One Heart blogging activities. I was mainly just along for the ride, enjoying the travel, the sites, visiting old blogging friends and acquaintances that have gotten lost in the swirl of my schedule, and finding new kindred spirits to add to my blogging community.

I didn't enter that many giveaways. I decided to only enter those that jumped up and down and wiggled their noses at me. No matter how cute or useful or clever a givewaway was, if it was something I didn't need or already had or knew I would probably smile at and then set aside forgotten, it wasn't meant for me. I won a darling little red art box the first year I participated in OWOH and I still have it sitting on my nightstand holding wee things several years later. I wanted everyone's gifts to find their perfect homes and to be enjoyed as much as I enjoyed my little gift.

Rambling aside - I have many useful and artful gifted items in my home. Every time I see or use one of them, I am reminded of how it was given to me and I feel a little poof of that original energy, the care and love that was part of the gift. The odd thing is that some things I remember the WHO of it very clearly, the person who gifted me, the WHEN, the WHY, WHERE I was when I received it. Other items I don't remember ANY of those details! And yet, here's the thing, I still feel that *ping* of a warm hug even when the specifics somehow got lost in the black hole that is my brain's filing system.

As frustrating as it is (I wish I DID remember all the details all the time) it makes one ponder the power of gifting in general, even the secret, unnamed gifting of Pay it Forward or RAOK's or the randomness of winning a OWOH giveaway. It reminds me that every action carries with it an energy, good or bad, that I am responsible for creating. It encourages me to make sure that all my actions count, not just the big ones I get credit for, but the little, everyday ones that only I know I chose to give or withhold. Like a smile for the grumpy cashier or letting the car in front of me merge before the light changes. Those are a type of gift giving (and receiving) too.

So, humble as my giveaway may be, I hope the receiver feels that love *ping*.

And the winner is.......

Jasmine, of The Life and Times of a Magickal Mama!

Well coolios! I suspect the faeries had something to do with this..... hmmm faeries? Jasmine just happens to be a faery friend in real life, so I think I can predict with 99.99999% certainty that she will appreciate the fae magick of the wee charm! Jasmine, send me your mailing address backchannel.

Two wee faeries - my granddaughter Adorable Joli and Jasmine's daughter Beautiful Kiana.

2010-02-13T23:58:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to OWOH folk. Rough week. This week I've dealt with electrical outages, finding a plumber, an unexpected pet crisis and sad kitty story, and finally a weekend full of travel and family. That last bit has been lovely. But I won't even be back home 'til some time tomorrow, so I definitely won't be posting about the givewaway until Monday. That means it's fine for last minute visitors to comment, you have until 8 a.m. PST on Monday, February 15 to enter for a chance to win.

2010-02-11T02:38:00.000-08:00

Got lots to say but it's not gonna be tonight. Or rather, what you're gonna get tonight will be rambling and incoherent since it's really late and I'm determined to get this post up before I stumble off to bed.

I put photos from the Good Faerie Ball up on Beach Treasure. I'll remind you of the link at the end of the post. I saved a couple of close up pics, of a more crafty nature, to share here.

This is my friend Katie's wonderful copper Steampunk wings. (sorry 'bout the low light, I hate flashing folks) I love that they turned out like Katydid wings that Katie did. Hah! (If you're not familiar with the term Steampunk, first of all, what rock have you been hiding under, and secondly, Goggle "Steampunk" or better yet "Steampunk fashion" and you'll have more links to visit that you can carry home in your brass grommetted, driver begoggled, steam engined time machine.)

More copper Steampunk wings created and modeled by the lovely Mackenzie.

That's it for the wing pics but the copper aspect, being the best conductor wire around, segues nicely into what I want to talk about next - electricity.

The kind that flows into our households and power our days and, in my case, much of my nights. Or rather, the kind that's supposed to flow into our households. Two nights ago for reasons known only to the Household Gods, electricity stopped flowing to about half of our house. Suddenly I had no sewing machine, no space heaters, no bedside lamps, no microwave, no popcorn maker, no cordless phone, no music, no tv in the back bedroom, and last but not least, no espresso maker.

I did a few rounds of arguing with the circuit breakers and quickly reached the end of my working knowledge of currents and amps and all live and dangerous wiring. It took a couple of days before we found a local electrician and late this afternoon were, at a gratefully reasonable (knock on wood) out of pocket expense, fully re-electrified.

But while the power was out.... half the power was out..... I quite unexpectedly learned how deeply grooved were many of my daily rituals and routines. Not being able to read in bed, being forced to read at night on the couch and THEN go to bed, was surprisingly upsetting! No lattes was annoying. No microwave meant teaching my son about this old fashioned way of heating food - called an "oven".

The irony was that I'd spent most of the week after coming back from the faerie balls trying to push myself through some sticky inertia of unknown origin and into the studio. I'd finally managed to do so and was happily sewing away, when the breakers popped and the studio lost all power, my hardwon momentum coming to a screeching halt.

It wasn't until early this morning that something I said out loud, can't remember what now, suddenly laid the two struggles - getting the energy back to full capacity in my house and getting my creativity back to full capacity in my life - side by side in my brain. A lightbulb went off in my head. (Obviously it was in my head, duh, the ones in my house weren't WORKING!) There's a connection here, said one of the voices in my head.

Another voice piped in "Yeah a connection............ but what is it?"

Eventually everyone up there inside my skull started adding info and offering suggestions. Over the last week I'd been talking a lot to people (people outside my head) about focus. About channeling creativity. About making choices. On and on I went, talking to people on the phone, over a cup of coffee, inside the circus tent of my own mind. I bet you can come up with many of the same analogies - electricity flows, creativity flows. Circuit breakers, creative blocks. Plugging in to new ideas, plugging in the new CD player. Electricity can be channeled through wires or just poured out in an electrical storm. Creativity can be channeled into a specific goal or frittered away in unproductive (albeit pleasant) ways.

At one point I thought maybe I had it. By cutting off many of my electrical options,the message was specifically about how I should be limiting my creative options, in order to focus. And yes, that's the gist of what I've been trying to do, channel, focus my creativity. But if that was the message, you'd think the universe would have cut off the wiring to my internet connection and the big ass television in front of the comfy couch, and not cut the wiring to my studio. Not quite right.

Even when it's not the middle of the night, I haven't figured out the specifics of the "aha" feeling I get about the connection between creativity and electricity. I don't think I even care. What excited me was the idea of thinking of creativity in a new way. It makes me feel incredibly cheerful and optimistic to think of it not as something inside me, but as an independent force, a living current out there in the world.

Something about.... it's not me, it's my equipment. Like, the movie isn't lousy, the cable reception is lousy. The song isn't wrong, the radio receiver isn't strong enough to pick up a good signal. My ideas aren't weak, my.... well, my focus, to come back to the word, isn't set up properly. When I think about fixing my focus as a technical problem, instead of as a muse or an emotional or a life problem, it sounds a lot easier (and more objective) fix.

Okay, that's it. End of incoherent babbling. I tried to reread that last sentence and could barely make it from capitalized first word to the.... sentences stop at that little dot at the end, right?

Oh yeah, I was gonna remind you - faery photos at Beach Treasure.

2010-02-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

I'm finally getting my ONE WORLD ONE HEART post up, right under the wire. I kept thinking I'd rally and do something more clever but it's time to accept my limitations, mostly time limitations at the moment, and move on. I know it's late but I just couldn't pass up the party, I've met such lovely bloggers each year and each year a few lovely new friends have found me.

*HEART* *LAUGH* *DANCE* *CACKLE* *TWIRL*

This year's theme is a "Magic Carpet Ride" - a travel method I've not really given a lot of thought to before now, although I'm sure it will soon seep into some of my new ideas and obssessions.

But really, I'm more of a broom rider.

Sometimes I flutter about by wing.

It would be nice to have some Floo Powder handy from time to time. Or even be able to beam about like the Star Trek crew.

Most of the time, however, I rely on my own two feet and a good sturdy pair of shoes.

It might take me awhile to get places but I don't miss so much along the way.

Since I wasn't able to participate earlier primarily because I was off dancing and dining with my beautiful faery friends, I wanted my giveaway to be faery related this year. It's a small offering, but a heartfelt one.

A wee faery charm. It's just ONE charm. There are two charms shown in the photo so you can see both sides of it. There will, undoubtedly, be something else or two included in the package for the lucky winner. Not sure what yet. But if I wait to post until I know, time will run out on the party! I'll dig and toss about and I'm sure I'll find something a true faery soul will oooh and ahhhh about.

For a chance to have this little charm winging it's way to you, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post that will link back to your blog so that I can contact you.

Don't forget to come back and visit again after you recover from your magic trip 'round the globe. I'll still be here, puttering and fluttering, and hopefully getting more blog posts up then I have lately. I've got lots of faery pics to share both here and over on my every day blog, Beach Treasure, where I am also participating in OWOH and there is another chance to win a faery gift.

2/15/10 Update: ****This year's OWOH winner has been announced**** But please click on my main link and come on in for a visit!

2010-01-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

I've participated in this wonderful blogger's gathering for a couple of years now. Unfortunately I've been in too much of a tizzy to organize anything early enough to get in on it this year from the beginning. The game plan - to find some lovely faery treasures at the Midwinter festivities this weekend and offer them up as my giveaway when I return. Or maybe I'll be inspired and make some faery treasures myself.

I can't officially join the party without knowing what my giveaway is yet, but look on the bright side, less people will be visiting so those of you who do will have a much greater chance of winning! In the meantime, go check out the list of participants and start on your magical carpet ride right now!

Although there are lots of lovely giveaways out there, what I've enjoyed most the last couple years is finding a few new lovely souls who I feel connected to in this vast blogiverse, folks who find and visit me and other bloggers who I visit (although sometimes not as often as I would wish!)

So, stay tuned, I'll be back with my official OWOH post after the weekend.

2010-01-29T15:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging much (at all) lately. But I have been spending a lot of time in my studio. Working on the last of the holiday gifts, we just met with family to give them out yesterday. So I couldn't take photos until after.... Oh man, I JUST REALIZED, I did what I wasn't going to do - give the gifts and forget to take photos! Crap. Well, I made beautiful napkins. And an equally beautiful scarf. Maybe I can get the giftee to take a photo or two and send them to me.

Well, I couldn't take post photos of those beforehand, obviously. And I've been working on gathering, sewing, making all the different components of our winter ball attire. I could show you photos of that but I was so last minute frantic that I didn't have time, really, and besides it will all look so much better when it's all assembled with make up and the proper atmosphere. Tonight, tonight! The Good Faeries gather for dance and song and much frivolity. I'm bringing my camera!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with these random vignettes from my studio.

Mr. Parrot (he probably needs a proper name, hmmmm) perches high above a window. Every fabric pirate needs a studio parrot.

A wizard bear looks like he's got great forBEARance for all the stuff piled on top of him.

This is new puppy Magpie. She's aptly named as she thinks she can perch atop anything. I did not put her up on top of these piles, she leaped up there. Or perhaps flew when I my back was turned. I was digging in the closet and felt someone looking over my shoulder. I turned to see her there as if "What are we looking at, huh!?" She also climbs atop my head. I kid you not. Not my shoulder, as Rosie does, the actually top of my head, where she then tries to pull my hair out.

My son gifted me with this jar full of beach treasures. I love agates.

There's a whole wall full of books. Lots of pretties are balanced in front of the reading material or, as hubby calls it, our home insulation. The red butterfly is going to be on my head tomorrow night for the Bad Faerie Ball.

All that fluttering and leaping tires a puppy out. Ahe's learned to nap on the guest bed in the studio after her attempts to help me with the sewing machine foot pedal didn't go over as the enthusiastic helpful gesture that I'm sure she intended.

2010-01-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

My friend Tristan has saved you from another postless day on my blog by having an amazing art supply give-away over on his blog, Enchanted Revelry. Generous beyond belief, it's worth checking out. Of course, Tristan's little corner of the blogosphere is worth checking out on any day as his posts are always full of such gorgeous or quirky (or both!) images that I always end up smiling.

And while you're at it, you should probably check out his Etsy shop as well. He does collage work and other mediums, but I've always had a particular fondness for his vibrant art quilts. Here's a little peek of one above.

2010-01-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

A few things I picked up in a couple hours of antiquing during our holiday travels.

This big heavy shell. I showed it to Hubby.

"What is it? he asked.

"I don't know" I answered. "I just like it."

"You can't buy it, you don't even know what it IS."

Of course I looked him in the eye and then turned to the shopkeeper and said "Wrap it up!"

Tsk tsk, Hubby, he should know by now it's not a good thing to challenge my decision. (hehehe, I'm pretty certain I would have bought it regardless of his response to it!) But seriously, I'd love to know what it's original purpose was. I saw another one sitting on a window ledge on my walk today but I doubt that it was originally a window ledge holder downer. I bet the person who put it there just liked it. Anyone have a clue?

Also bought this very heavy cast iron candle holder. I'll show you too photos because this one with without flash makes it look darker than it really is and...

... this one with flash makes it look too gold. (although the wall color is more accurate in this pic).

Found a spot for both treasures already, always a perk. If only I could find the perfect spot for all my lovelies. That's my goal (or one of them anyway) this year, to finish sorting and reducing until all my favorite things are displayed and those things that are just "sitting around" earn their spots or are gone.

More new holiday goodies to see on Beach Treasure today. All tiny, all adorable. Go see!

2010-01-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

My daughter's new art work. A gypsy. It's new and still peeling so it will look less scabby once it's healed.

I'm not interested in getting a tattoo but I can still appreciate particularly nice art on people who like to get them, and Noel loves them. I think this is my favorite of all that she has. (so far, I'm sure she's not finished adorning herself)

2009-12-31T19:45:00.000-08:00

Doodling with Joli. She's studying my additions to her artwork.

"Hey, he's drinking a cup of tea. No. That's cahhhh-fee!"

A lady monster and a spider with chubby legs.

A blue full moon for New Year's Eve.

2009-12-25T16:08:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said I was going to make something for everyone this year but I was running out of time and Hubby suggested I give everyone a stick. No? Well, maybe I said it somewhere else... Facebook probably.

"A stick?" I replied.

"Yes. A stick. Wrap some yarn around it and tell them it's a magic stick."

Several members of the family asked, somewhat apprehensively "Are you really going to give me a stick?"

Well, you know I couldn't let an opportunity like that pass me by.

So I gathered some sticks. Special sticks from our fallen apple tree I'll have you know. Bought some embroidery yarn. I went with all the Hogwart house colors. Remembered them all except for Hufflepuff. I had to call and have someone look up Hufflepuff house colors.

Et voilà! Magic sticks!

I let William pick first - I knew he'd choose Slytherin.

Joe selected Gryffindor (of course) and industrious Lisa wanted Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw was left for Hubby. Looks like there's already some spell play going on there.

Of course they also received a few more non-stick gifts. I ran out of wrapping paper so I improvised with cardboard and paper bags and paper and markers. I even turned the bag handles into a bow. I rather liked the results.

2009-12-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

I finally managed to put up a few decorations. We won't be home for Yule or Christmas, so a little will do. And looked just as festive in the end, if I do say so myself. Without hours of taking down to anticipate.

A friend made me these beautiful Yule faery wings last year. They looked happiest in the window.

And I finally broke down and bought a tiny colored tree. I was going to go get the black one with red lights, but they were sold out. So I chose the other color that called to me. Maybe not the perfect match for my living room, but the red pulled it together and I can use it in another room next year maybe.

I just pulled out a few ornaments, not many at all. The red pom pom garland and the old stole fur was from the fabric stash.

Small but pretty!

2009-12-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

Our local Walmart has completely recreated itself. Trust me, if I lived anywhere else, I wouldn't even SHOP at Walmart. But we live one hundred miles from anywhere in any direction and we have limited shopping options in our community. We have Walmart. Or .... Walmart. And then there's always ..... Walmart.

They've been painting, tiling, and dismantling departments for months. I was out of town for the first week in November and I came home to discover the final reshuffling had been done and the phoenix, what there is if it, had been reborn.

I hate it. Everyone hates it. Even the Walmart employees hate it. It takes triple the time to shop because no one knows where ANYTHING is. It's like shopping in a maze. If you ask an employee where the tea pots are or even, where the housewares department is, they stand there with a puzzled look on their face, scanning the difficult-to-see new signs hanging from the ceiling. I don't blame them. I can't figure it out either. They're doing the best that they can.

Although yesterday I reached the end of my patience. We asked an employee, a young man, standing in the hardware department (which took us two circles round the store to find in the first place) where the foam insulation for pipes was located. He turned around in a circle several times himself and then waved his arm vaguely in one direction, flinging it the other direction once just to cover himself in case he was wrong, and said "Over there somewhere." And then he started to walk away.

Using my most potent mom voice I calmly, icily intoned "Stop! That is not a helpful response. Go find me someone who knows where it is." He stopped. He picked up a nearby phone. He called for help. No one arrived. I assume the person asked to come to my aide is still wandering around hopelessing searching for the hardware department.

There used to be a shoe department. Now the shoes are everywhere. There are women's shoes mixed in with women's clothing, children's shoes elsewhere near children's socks (which aren't, of course, near adult socks), men's shoes near... you get the idea here. Boots of any size are somewhere else again. Design by buckshot pattern.

There are wide new aisles. That's because they are now carrying about a third of the previous stock. Yes, there are more frozen food items and a lot more electronic items. But there's less of everything else. There used to be a office/school supply department. Now it's just one short aisle. There used to be a card dept., now..... y'know, I have yet to even see any cards. But most dramatically changed, they used to have a huge craft and fabric department. Now they have two tiny aisles. One short row of fabrics with another pile they've been forced to stack horizontally so you can't really handle it without the whole thing toppling down. Gone is... I'd guess 80% of everything.

In a town with no Michael's, no Joann's, not even a Ben Franklin or local quilt shop, this is a BIG THING. No, wait, we do have a dollar store, and you can sometimes find craft supplies there, but still. It's a big change.

Fortunately, I'm long past my stash gathering era, now embracing the downhill slide of stash BUSTING. But that doesn't mean I don't need supplies now and then. Stash busting means you choose to use what you already have in your supplies as the base for your creative projects, but that also implies that you are making things and will need to restock basics like glue, wire, dowels, pins, interfacing....

I know, think ahead. Restock when I'm traveling out of town. And of course, order online. Good ideas. But not very helpful for a spontaneous type like myself who decides to make something at ten o'clock the night before I need it done, or during a week of icy winter roads or maxed out schedules.

So..... uhm..... do I have a point here? No. I was just whining. Would you like a holiday cheese ball to go with it? I could go back to Walmart, spend a couple hours wandering about in search of the refrigerated section, and see if I could get you one?

2009-12-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a few days. You would assume, from past conversations, that it was because I was so busy making art and crafty things that I didn't have time to post. Furthermore you would assume that most of the things I was making were for gift giving so I wouldn't be able to post and show you any of it until after it was gifted.

Right?!

Sigh.

I wish this was true. It is not.

There were eighteen people on my gift list. I have made one gift. One. Uno. Une. Ein. ONE. This particular gift was to have two (two, dos, deux, zwei, TWO) components to it. I made one part. I started two other gifts but they're not finished yet. I have four days left before we start our holiday travel circuit. Four days to finish seventeen gifts, wrap gifts, pack, do laundry, clean, decorate, shovel snow, make fires, sleep, eat, take a few showers.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!

*Laume wipes tears of hysterical laughter from her eyes*

I'm actually okay with it. I've been letting my guilt and disappointment slip away, little by little, over the last few weeks. I had choices, choices between making gifts and experiencing holiday and/or family experiences. I chose the experiences.

I still want to make gifts. I have lots of great ideas swirling in my head. I'll keep working on them. Hopefully I'll be finished with them in time for next year's holidays!

But for this year, it's time to move on to Plan B. Which is..... uhm..... I'm not sure yet. I know what it's not. It's not to try to "make up for it" by going out and spending a wad of money on stuff I have no idea whether anyone will like or not like. I have a couple of days to finish up a few more things, and as long as the kids have something fun to open up, frankly I doubt they care whether it's handmade or storebought. They might care some time in the far future, looking back. But that gives me plenty of opportunities to make those memories in the years to come.

2009-12-09T01:08:00.000-08:00

Warm. That was the plan for the day. Just to keep warm. I had to run errands in the afternoon. It was a balmy 9º on the time/temperature sign on Main Street. It's -9º now.

So you can imagine my excitement when I came home to find our espresso machine returned to us. I had no idea how much I missed it until it was gone. The company (Saeco) was really great about repairing it. I was just about to check and make sure that it had arrived at their company and there it was, fixed and back on my doorstep!

And making even more delicious espresso. So tonight's plan - a rocking chair by the fire, my knitting, and my chocolate sprinkled cappuccino. Warm.

(For some cold photos, Beach Treasure.)

2009-12-08T02:36:00.000-08:00

This was in the free box at the thrift shop last week. With the cool icy blue and the bare trees and birds, I thought it looked very wintery. Turns out it's from the 1950's, a company called Lucent Dinnerware, this style was called Evening Song.

Not sure if I showed you this pretty tea pot I bought a few weeks ago. I think I spent $2. I think originally the gold covered the entire handle and spout. But I like it the way it is now, shabby and aged. It must have poured many a pot of tea, it must have hundreds of stories.

And now it can pour many more pots of tea for me.

It's been beyond cold the last few days. Almost as cold as I've ever known it here. Right now it's -9ºF outside. Hopefully this is as cold as it gets. BRRRRRR!

A good day to keep busy doing warm things inside. I've had the fire going all evening. Made a hot pot of split pea soup and hot apple rhubarb cobbler. Hot tea of course, as well as hot coffee. I might make it a triple play with a cup of hot cocoa to take to bed in a few minutes.

Ironing is a good warm activity, especially when I drag the board out to stand near the fire. Found some fabrics that I think will work really well for a project I'm starting. Being that time of year, I can't really say much more about that until after the holidays. Wink wink.

Anyone else up to any elf activities? You can tell me, no one you know will follow you to my comment box!

For some sparkly snow pics, Beach Treasure.

2009-11-29T13:28:00.001-08:00

Apologizing for not posting is becoming an annoying habit. So I won't. I'll just jump back in -

I appreciate all the sympathies and good advice about my decorating reflections and woes in my last post. Friends commented here, privately, and over on my Facebook page. Nothing I didn't already know, but it's always hard to give oneself the same advice you'd easily pull out and hand to someone else. I'm going to just decorate for my own pleasure, as little or as much as I want, and not feel guilty if I don't pull out all the stops in this transitory year.

The next question becomes, what do I want to decorate? How do I want to decorate? If I want to make a big impact, I should pick a style and go with it. Colorful fun retro? Paris shabby chic? Velvety Dicken's Victorian? Botanical and foresty? White and glittery frosty? Golden Yule? Whimsical pastels or Faery Bling?

I've been wandering through stores and surfing through the internet in search of inspiration, to see what calls to me this year. Unfortunately, nothing is the obvious favorite. I love it all. But I only have one house, a few rooms, so I can't do it all.

The other night I caught a show on HGTV - 25 Great Holiday Ideas. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the show, and there were some cute ideas. But honestly, there was nothing there that I hadn't seen done before, and often better, by all the creative bloggers I've visited over the years. Just thought you all should know how AMAZING you all are. You're definitely the best place to go for my own inspirations.

Of course when it comes down to it, if I manage to decorate at all, it will undoubtedly be with a hodge podge of things I already own. Not a problem, since I have far too many boxes. It'll be like shopping in my garage, only without a checkbook, and with mittens and gloves.

Instead of the big tree, I might just put up my smaller teddy bear tree. I haven't had it up for a number of years because I got tired of the younger cats knocking it down. Now that the cats are older and fatter, maybe they'll leave it alone. Ditto on my tree collection. I could put up my winter forest again, maybe add a few faeries. Set up a Yule altar. Bring out my holiday dishware. And gather a bunch of candles on the mantle. That seems doable.

And now, instead of spending the afternoon searching for accompanying photos, I'm gonna wrap this up and go start the holiday clean up in the studio. I just realized (a long held holiday tradtion, misjudging how soon everything has to be done!) that the month I thought I had to "whip this all up" is truly only a couple of weeks.

2009-11-10T16:29:00.000-08:00

For a number of years now I've thought Halloween/Samhain/Dia de Los Muertos was going to end up being a no family, quiet affair only to have family and visitors and fun all fall into place at the last minute. That happens a lot and I've come to depend on a "wait and see" attitude towards the way I want holidays or events or trips or even just afternoons to progress. Things usually have a way of coming together in the end if I do what I can to nudge things along and keep an open-to-possibilities attitude. Sometimes what comes together is what I wanted all along, sometimes it's something new and wondrous that I couldn't have experienced if I'd tried to plan it because it's not anything I could have thought to plan.

This year, again, it seemed like no one was going to visit and as October progressed I decided to stop fretting and simply enjoy each holiday activity for it's own pleasure, whether I shared that pleasure with others or for myself alone - whether it was the first cup of pumpkin spice tea or a walk under colorful fall foliage - and not worry too far ahead about the holidays themselves. I reminded myself to enjoy the season as it unfolded instead of putting too much emphasis on any one day or event. Ultimately I did enjoy the whole month and the culmination of the holidays were undoubtedly, unexpectedly full with plans, travel, and activities I could never have anticipated. I'm only mildly bummed that I only managed to drag out one box of Halloween decorations and that I only set up a few things.

On to the next holiday season -

The coming winter holidays will be very different for our family this year than from past years. The traditional activities and date markers won't apply, we won't be all together at one time but instead the three of us (myself, hubby, remaining teen) will be hopping from place to place spending separate time with each of our childrren and their families. It will all be new and uncharted territory. Much of it won't happen in my home. I plan on approaching it all with the same "enjoy the season not the day" attitude.

Still, along with the "be open to new possibilities" attitude, there has to be some planning of activities. Looking back on October, I'm happy with it for the most part, but I never truly did the decorating I wanted. I don't know why it didn't happen. Things just got in the way. No one else seemed to care (or help). I think activities and events took priority over decorating, including harvesting and football. Now I'm looking ahead to that stretch from Thanksgiving through New Years and wondering, with no big family gathering planned for our house, how will I approach decorating when it's really all for me?

Well, all for me and Hubby and teen William. But I'm the only one making it happen. I've had enthusiastic drag-out-the-boxes teen sons. William, the one remaining at home kid, is not one of them. I'm not sure if he even cares about decorations. I know Hubby enjoys the decorations - the seeing them part though, not the putting them up part.

So, without a big family to decorate for, what kind of decorating do I want to do? How much? I don't have any little kids, even the grandkids won't be here for the most part, to inspire me or compel me to put up a tree or bake cookies. I don't have a single family gathering to string garlands or clean house for. Since no one else will decorate or even help (unless pressed, grumbling, to do so), how much do I care about decorating, in relation to all the other holiday activities that will vie for my time and attention?

Do I want to decorate with my traditional boxes of stuff or do something different because I can? Since we won't, for the most part, be doing any of the activities we've traditionally done in the past, this is a year where I'm having to reinvent the holidays. This opens up lots of new possibilities but it also doesn't give me the structure that in years past have helped guide me. I could just muddle through or I could take things by the reins and go in a new direction, a direction that could be more meaningful to me than just "taking it as it comes". Although, taking things as they come often work out quite nicely. Hmmm. And sometimes taking things as they come, I end up looking back and wishing I'd taken more control.

It just occurred to me that maybe I worry about the decorating so much because I come from a family of BIG decorators. Obviously it's about activities or gatherings as well. We certainly have our share of family activities and gatherings, but the gathering bit was constantly in flux. Fun, but in flux. The one constant that the holidays revolved around for me was the decorating. Perhaps that's why it matters so much to me. Maybe it's not really about the decorating at all, maybe it's about bigger meanings and smaller rituals, not the ribbons and bows. Maybe it's not about decorating or not decorating that's bothering me at all. Maybe it's about, once again, reinventing the meaning of the holiday season. And maybe I already knew that. Hmmm. Thanks, me, for talking this out with myself (and hehe, with you guys too. Thanks for listening.)

So, first things first. I can't really even consider decorating - how much, what style, how soon, what purpose - until I tackle some serious cleaning and decluttering. AGAIN. I'd made big strides this year but I look around the house now and wonder where those strides disappeared to cuz, the house is obviously out of control once more! (I think because I feel the clock ticking on the last child leaving for college and I'm waiting to do some major rearranging - so everything already feels "temporary" once more).

So sit down. Have a cup of cocoa. And tell me - What sort of holiday decorating strategy (or none) do you use?

2009-10-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

The thrift shop down the road from me hangs clothes out on their fence to let people know when they're open. Usually it's something for kids or some old lady type sweatshirt, but yesterday there was an intriguing black and white floral tee flapping in the wind. I stopped to check. I figured the odds were it wouldn't be in good shape or in my size. But it was. So, in a hurry, I dashed in to pay for it. But, on the way in, I spied this hanging over the entrance railing.

Isn't it BEAUTIFUL! Faery ball material, oh yes! It says it's in my size but I have my doubts. The waist is teeny tiny.

No matter. I can cut and snip and do all sorts of Cinderella things to it. Sans helpful mice and birds of course. It's not really the lavender color of the first photo. And it's not really as pink as in this flash photo. It's more of a very dusty rose.

Here it is hanging straight.

It has three layers of tulle - two of rose and one of this greenish gold.

The seam is split (but not ripped) in the back and the dress had spaghetti straps that have been cut in half. So the price for all this voluptuous girly frou frou? TWO dollars.

Tra la la!!!!!

2009-10-29T23:22:00.000-07:00

I had the most fantabulous mail day today! No bills, only two pieces of junk mail, and three packages for MOI!

One of my favorite new bloggers is Julie of Mermaiden Creations. I met her during Vanessa's Halloween blog party on the 17th. I didn't even notice that she was having a giveaway (or at least, I didn't remember, that was one WILD party!), but I won. This wee little pendant came today, packaged in this wee bag. Isn't it lovely. Tipped green. I love it. I have a feeling I'll be wearing it a lot this coming year.

It's pretty as a silhouette too. I can hang it in the window when I'm not wearing it.

If that wasn't enough of a surprise, my friend Deirdre sent me this adorable little glass bead witch necklace. Why? I dunno. Just because. (Just because she's a sweet friend to think of me and share the fun.) I put her around my neck right away.

Package #3 was a HUGE box from my witchy Mom. Inside was this scruffy witch's broom. Can you see the handle? It's hard against the black of the fireplace. Very cute. But the best part - there's an on/off switch on the bottom. Turn it on and it dances and hops about like the broom out of the Sorcerer's Apprentice and sings and chants - something tweaked from Shakespeare's Scottish play. (You're not suppose to actually say the name, right?) "Double bubble, boil and flubble.... mwahahaha... Happy Halloween from witches three!!! Hee hee heeeeee!" Okay, I made that up mostly. I was laughing so hard I didn't really hear exactly what it said.

Good mail days make me smile!

2009-10-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I was on the way to the library when I came across a... well, not an estate sale. Some relatives clearing out an elderly parent's home. They were moving things into three spots - a rental truck for the stuff they wanted to keep, a large walk in dumpster for the stuff they thought wasn't worth anything to anyone (although there was indeed tons of great stuff in there), and the stuff inbetween they just set out on the lawn with a big sign that said "Free Stuff".

You can bet I did a fast u-turn and stopped. Spent quite a bit of time sorting through boxes and testing old furniture for stability and digging through bags of vintage fabrics and.... well, I left when I had no more room in my Subaru.

Here it all is, dragged in and dumped in, around, and behind the loveseat. I'm not going to show you everything, I don't have time to sort it this week, but I thought I'd show you a few different close ups of the treasures. And while we go through the photos, you can also play the feline version of Where's Waldo. Can you find the felines in this photo? There are three of them.

This one is too easy. That's Nut (pronounced "newt") peeking out beneath a set of four retro tv trays. I used to have some, Hubby loved them, but they were wood and bugs got'em. It was weird. So these will be fun. And bugs don't eat metal. And the colors match my living room. They need to be dusted off but they're in perfect shape.

Got an idea for using that old commercial frame on the top. That's a birdseye maple occasional table. And an old soda bottle box.

Can you find Miranda? The chair is one of the finds. It's sturdy, newly reupholstered, just needs the seat cleaned. I've got a little bookshelf corner that it will fit into perfectly as a reading chair. Those old drawers are painted all sorts of fun chippy colors - gonna use them for making altars/framed assemblage pieces. The yellow bag is full of old frames. The rest is miscellaneous bits and bobs and vintage fabric.

Find Charlie Weasley? More bits and bobs - an covered cake pan, some old metal hardware, lots more vintage clothing and fabric, and lots of things... I can't even remember it all.

An old chippy green children's chair and an old globe. Might make a couple more hanging globe lamps out of it. Or, who knows.

I think that's Nut again. Or maybe Yoda. And Charlie Weasley's ear. A sturdy wooden chair with a carved back, some old shutters that are all connected - I totally wanted to find some of these to use as a bulletin board, more fabric and odd miscellaneous, and a chandelier to spray paint (white or black - hmmmm?) and hang for decorative purposes.

But first things first. 1. Sort. 2. Find someplace to stick it all until I get back from yet another adventure this week. 3. Return and start making stuff!

2009-10-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

Today, some dolls.

One of my purchases at Halloween and Vine was this adorable wee goth girl balancing atop an "L" block. "L" for Laume of course! She's got a little skelly doll and a pumpkin, striped stockings, dressed in black, looks like she hasn't bothered with a comb in awhile. I think she's perfect, just like me. Heehehee. Overnight my hair can look like that.

She was created by Kerry Howard-Schmidt of Paper Moon Gallery. She used to have a website but it looks like it's down. Here is her Etsy site.

Don't know if these really qualify as art. Kitsch maybe. I've had Johnny up there on the bookshelf for awhile and so I was excited to find a crew member for him at the thrift shop last week.

This guy in the middle is Ice Bat. He's an Ugly Doll. I love Ugly dolls. Look here, I didn't know they had such a cool website. Ice Bat sleeps with me every night. I've thought of getting more Ugly dolls but I was a bit worried that Ice Bat wouldn't appreciate a sibling. He's seemed like an only child sort of guy. Sure, he shares the bed with Hubby, Hubby's monkeys, the cats, obviously Rosie, and an occasional grandchild. But I didn't want another ugly doll.

Until I saw Fang. For some reason I thought Ice Bat and Fang would get along. Fang isn't an Ugly Doll. He was handmade by my friend Mermie. She has more dolls up on her etsy shop, Mermaid Laughing.

Then, on this last trip, we stumbled upon Poe, a tiny Ugly Doll. He came home with us too. He was going to be my "travel doll", but I couldn't bare the thought of him having to sleep alone in my suitcase between trips so he's in bed with us now too.

As you can see, Ice Bat has taken both the little newcomers under his wing. Turns out he's made a very good big brother.

2009-10-26T00:16:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Bram Stoker's Dracula. Shudder. Scary! What a great book. It always amazes me how we think we know references to cultural stories and references, but we really don't, until we go to the source. (uhm, don't even get me started on how often I am startled to find I know more about Biblical references than most Christians who quote it to me - but that's another post for another time. Or not.) So, what was I ... oh yes, Dracula. I'd never even watched any of the Dracula movies from start to finish. So I read the book expecting... nothing. I always forget, between dips into the past literature, how much I enjoy a good gothic read. Or a new gothic read (Have any of you read The Thirteenth Tale?)

One of the surprises in the book, to me anyway, is how little of the story actually takes place at Dracula's castle. Most of the time the plot unfolds in England!

Unlike most literary or film vampires of contemporary times, who seem to be misunderstood and are often "Bite me!" sexy, Dracula was evil, scary, NOT someone you'd ever want to invite over the threshold. Unlike Edward or Spike or Eric or (insert vampire of your choice), Dracula was not a potential boyfriend or even someone you'd consider having a one-bite-stand with some impulsive evening.

But if the vamp himself was unappealing, the whole Gothic presentation of the book was very appealing indeed. Made me want to remake my living room into a Victorian library or sitting room and start wearing corsets and consider taking up fainting as a seduction technique. Well, maybe not the fainting.

Just recently someone on my Twitter feed posted this link for coffin couches. I liked this one, as well as the black one with green trim in the site's gallery of images. Classic black. Or do you prefer one of the more cheerful colored ones?

Of course, feeling sort of under the weather (like Lucy or Mina were, although mine was caused not by blood loss but by a nasty little cold bug), I had time to surf the net for all manner of coffin inspired decor. Coffin cabinets, coffin coffee tables, coffin beds, even coffin pool tables!

And then branch out and search "goth decor", or "gothic decor", or "vampire design", and so on, until your eyes turn red with staring at the computer screen. There's so much out there it's practically become mainstream!

2009-10-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

I totally lied about not getting any studio time in yesterday. Sorta. Although it's true I didn't get into the studio (except to grab a scarf for my night time walk), I did find time to work on a long abandoned knitting project. I finished off the first of a pair and started on the second. Yay me. If I can whip out the rest of the project then I can use my needles to start on a new project that I'm going to have to create a pattern to make.

I keep forgetting to show you the little faery Hubby surprised me with on our Faerieworlds trip in August. It's a storage box inside the tree stump. It's one of Jasmine Becket-Griffith's faery Gothlings. Love these wee moody creatures. I have Gothling bank checks and I always get so many compliments on them. This one is mass produced but it's well crafted and painted with fine detail that doesn't show well in this photo. I think she needs a name. Any suggestions?

2009-10-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

I tried to put this up earlier but Blogger was throwing a bit of a tantrum. I banged on the door for a bit and pleaded with it to come out and play but it just kept tossing error codes at me and refused to talk. Sigh.

When it was finally so late (it's actually am of the next morning) that I was only going to turn off the computer and go to bed, suddenly Blogger is pretending we didn't even have a fight. So, less witty, only slightly coherent, but at least I can get the post up, as I'll be too busy tomorrow.

Today was going to be another studio day, or maybe a decorate the house day, but I had to run a couple of errands and once I was out, my focus was scattered. I got my errands done, had lunch with the Hubby, dinner with a friend, and I did a quick in and out at several different thrift shops after discovering that the skirt I went back for at one thrift shop had been sold since I'd seen it a few days ago.

I wanted to buy the skirt then but couldn't remember why, so in a fit of being reasonable I left it. Then I got home and had an inspiration - it was perfect to finish transforming this summer's Will-o-the-Wisp outfit into a regal Ice Queen gown for this winter's faery ball. I would go back the next day. I forgot to go back the next day. I would go back the NEXT day. Ditto on the forgetting thing. Finally today - rats. Gone. So I went to ALL the local thrift stores (3) with no luck and resigned myself to be on the lookout for another one over the next few months. In my size. Did I mention - rats.

BUT, even rushing in and out (Hubby was with me and we had lots to do), I still found some awesome stuff. So that's the good news. Some books, a metal milk pitcher, a beautiful coffee table to eventually use in the breezeway (already put it in the garage, no photo). And...

This little celery green display shelf. It's nice and sturdy. I plan to repaint it something more fun.

Another little shelf - retro looking. Spray painted white it will work in the front bathroom, match the shabby white shelving in there, and towels will stack nicely on it.

Some nice clothes in earthy winter tones. Well, so maybe the pink isn't an earth tone. In case you're interested, from L to R: pink bandana, green jacket, brown skirt, gray waffle weave long sleeved tee, orange scarf, green khaki pants. All ready to wear except the pants which need to be hemmed and I need to add an applique over a worn spot on one leg. They were worth the trouble as I love that color green and they were brand new except for that one spot - maybe someone snagged it the first and only time they tried them on? And they were $1.

I bought this for the frame, not the print, although it's sort of a cool print in a spooky Yule sort of way. That's supposed to be either Bob Cratchett or Scrooge lifting Tiny Tim up on his shoulder. What's cool about the frame is that middle area is black velvet. Also, spooky spider web elbow length gloves.

A Brown Betty tea pot. Actually, it's a brown Brown Betty tea pot. A little glass display case, a bunch of mismatched, old, silver plated silverware (all pretty and different handles!), a tiny frame with a shadow box style glass, an oval glass frame, a giant metal key, and hiding in the bottom righthand corner a little leather headband that might use as a headband or it might be a neck choker when I'm done with it.

That's it, no studio time. And tomorrow is all about football. So no studio time tomorrow either. Maybe this weekend. Knock on wood.

2009-10-21T00:51:00.000-07:00

More spooky, I found this long slip of paper on the sidewalk on a walk the other day. I thought it was very strange - what possible purpose could it have ever served? It's got a coating, almost a laminate, on it. I thought it helped spookify up this photo - Still Life with Cat and Quince.

Or how 'bout this one - sans black cat?

If you'd like to see more garden produce (not all of it spooky), I posted about a bit of autumn harvesting over on Beach Treasure.

2009-10-20T22:58:00.000-07:00

You've heard of the Black Hat Society, yes? No? Well, think about it - who wears a black hat? A black pointy hat?

There ya go.

Well, apparently there's another, lesser known group called.....

The Black Cat Society.

There's an entire chapter of the group living here in our home. Here are just a few of the members posing to help me show off the orange, black cat tutu I made for a certain someone who wants to be a black cat for Halloween.

She loves to dress up and is still young enough that a tutu adds flair to just about anything she wants to wear - whether it be a Halloween costume, a pair of jeans and a frilly t-shirt, or just a pair of snuggly pajamas. Now that I think about it, a tutu should add flair to anyone's outfit, no matter your age.

"Hey, what about the rest of us black cats!"

Yes, I know, we have a few more black cats at this house that did not get in this particular picture. They probably deserve a post all their own... some other day.

2009-10-17T02:19:00.000-07:00

Not art related. Been so busy, still haven't gotten in the studio all week. I did sort all the new fabric and other bits and bobs that I've brought home in the last few weeks, piled it all into a box, and tossed it into the studio earlier, so I could clear the table off for the witches' tea I'm hosting over on my other blog today. It's one of the many stops in Vanessa's Hauntingly Magical Halloween Party. Make sure you pop on over to Beach Treasure for a witchy cuppa, and then continue on to Vanessa's link to visit all the other party bloggers. As soon as I'm finished posting here, I'm off to the party myself! (well, not really, I'm really off to bed and then, the minute I wake up, off to the party!)

So, only peripherally art related - but tea related is good. And since the last tea cozy I made was a Halloween tea cozy, this is connected to that - six degrees to Halloween, yes?

Last night I made a pot of tea for Hubby and I. I found this English tea pot on a sale table at an antique shop in La Mesa, CA. It was a lovely day rambling with my family. I love when there's a story connected to the things we have in our home. Anyway.... moving on with the story -

I stopped at a new thrift shop in town a few days ago and found something they had labeled a "toaster cover". It was 75 cents. I didn't think it was a toaster cover. I bought it, brought it home, tried to fit it over my very tiny toaster - nope. I knew it.

It was a tea cozy! A very fancy one! One of those that fits over the top and must be removed in order to pour the tea. I've been curious about this kind of cozy for ages. Do they keep the tea warm even though they don't have a bottom? Do they get steam up inside them? Well, I'm happy to report that the steam didn't seem to be a problem and it kept the tea incredibly hot for a very long time. I might be sold on this style. At least, this particular cozy, which is VERY heavily padded.

Slightly more art related, I stumbled upon these adorable art posters online, advertising regularly scheduled tea parties.

Not a witches' tea, but a Gothic Tea. I love this one, wish I could have a copy of it to hang.

Or this one. Love it too. And notice that these are offered year round, not just in October. This last one is in February. I want to go to a Gothic Tea Party! We never have anything cool like this here in town. I'm definitely going to have to get organized enough to hostess one myself. Right after I have a Witches' Tea and a Faery Tea and a Gypsy Tea and... I've got a long list of parties I want to have. Hmmmm, maybe I should start a tea club first, so I'll have people to attend the teas.

One more. Clever, clever posters.

Now, I'm off to bed. And hopefully you're off to visit more Halloween party links. I'm hoping to spend the day (after I wake back up over here) alternating visiting party folk and FINALLY playing in the studio. Knock on wood.

2009-10-15T23:55:00.000-07:00

It's frustrating to keep coming back here and having no new art to share. Especially since I've been itching to play in the studio. But I've been swamped with Other Life and I can't even complain, it's all been good. I've been doing some creative technique reading, I'm carrying my camera around everywhere after a few weeks of being in a photographic slump. It's not that I'm not feeling creative, I'm just not able to translate that into studio time.

But I do, finally, have some photos to share of some of the art I bought at Halloween and Vine. I'm just now unpacking my bag of goodies.

I loved most of the pieces brought by Nancy's Metal Art. I grabbed up this simple metal crown. She also had some fancier crowns. I wish I'd brought home one of those as well now, but at the time I was trying to spread out my spending so I could get at least a little something of my favorite affordable things. Many things were, realistically, out of my price range but I'm happy to report that there were others who were happily willing to spend lots of money on real art. Yay for supporting artists! I'm just happy I can afford my small contributions.

I tried the crown on this week's birthday boy. It's very heavy. If it fell and landed upside down on someone's bare feet, trust me, we're talking impalement.

I'm not sure where it will finally end up, I'm thinking the garden, but for now it seems happy atop one of my many balls.

I also brought home this metal raven. At first I was going to buy one that was on a garden stake, but I liked the flexibility of being able to place him atop a flat surface inside or out. Sorry about the fuzzy silhouette. I always end up taking my photos in less than perfect lighting.

Here's another shot of him, the flash isn't flattering, but you can sort of see the great metal surface detail. Plus, I know that at least half my readers will spend time trying to read all those titles. Who am I to deprive you of the opportunity.

The last thing I bought at the show was this bracelet from one of my favorite booths - Edgar and Edgar. It was down to three possibilities and this one came home with me. It's really too bulky to use as a bracelet. I'm planning on turning it into a necklace and simply displaying it between opportunities to wear it. The images are glued, sealed, and lazer cut on some heavy backing. There's a lot of work in the making. Perfect for cemetery lover me! The artist, Kimberlee Edgar, also gifted both Hubby and I with big spooky bars of dark chocolate. Clearly a woman after my own heart.

2009-10-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

I participate, as regularly as I can, in a Flickr creative group called Shades of Inspiration. It's a fun bunch of photography friends and we all jump in with ideas to use for each week's theme. We started out with shades - brown, turquoise, plum... and moved on to color combinations - red, white and blue, or pink and brown. We also dabble with noncolor themes - like "reflections", "wet", "time", "vintage paper". Sometimes themes can be interpreted as a color OR not - for instance we did "rust" - either the color or something rusty.

This week's theme is black and white photography. It's been really interesting to see what images translate well into b&w. Both sharp contrast and subtle differences seem to work. Some photos need color, others that work well in color still work well in b&w. Most interesting, finding images where removing the color gets rid of unnecessary distraction and helps you focus on the subject matter or composition. It's been one of the better themes for really helping me see my images in new ways. It's been more work, but I feel as if I've learned a lot this week.

Of course I've been using lots of spooky images and they seem to be particularly amenable to being drained of color. Sort of like photographic vampirism. Mwahahaha.

Here are four images I've used this week. I like each of these both as color and as b&w images and I share both to show you how each presentation makes a difference. I'm not going to share my perceptions, instead I'll leave it to you to come up with your own and hopefully to share them with me to see if, or how, they differ from my own.

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To see more photos from the group, both mine and others, here's a link to the group photo pool.

2009-10-09T13:14:00.001-07:00

This blog hasn't exactly been overflowing with Spooky offerings yet this month. Sorry. Busy! And now I've got a weekend brimming over with family and football plans, so I'm just going to have to leave you with a few links and try to get more going on here next week.

Have I ever mentioned the artist Kipling West? Probably, but this is the perfect time of year to mention her again. I love her quirky, adorably strange and sometimes unsettling images.

I love her Halloween Tarot.

Here is her website, which doesn't seem to be updated recently, but still has lots of pages of past projects to enjoy.

Here is her blog, which is updated regularly.

And here is a group blog, 7 Deadly Sinners, that link to her and six other quirky artists.

And to totally get you through a weekend of spooky surfing, here is the EHAG blog. EHAG stands for Eclectic Halloween Artists Group. There are posts on the group blog and links on the sidebar to all the artist members. If that doesn't keep you online for hundreds of hours, then you're a faster browser than I!

There's more over on Beach Treasure, a lot of linky visual spookiness in a new post about haunted mansions today. So, check that out.

2009-10-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

A couple photos I took recently. The first was at the local Little League field. I think originally it said "Use Trash can". But I liked the message it became even better. The second one was in a shop in.... Petaluma. Had to think there for a moment. Aren't those doors just amazing. Don't they look like they came off the back of a gypsy wagon?

I've spoken many times about my love affair with found art and ephemeral art and trash art, refashioning and reusing and recycling and so on and so on. Well, it turns out that there's a name for all that in a big ol' green pile - Eco ARt. Or Green Art. Or Environmental ARt. Take your pick of labels. But y'know, I never really looked at it that way before. I just like.... old stuff.

So last night I was flipping channels and there on the Sundance Channel was a show or special or series (I went to the website and couldn't quite figure out which it is, although there's all sorts of links to assorted artists and articles - so go there too, and click away) about Green Artists. It was completely fascinating. It made me want to race into my studio and start MAKING ART. Of course it was 3 am so instead I shut down the house, mosied slowly into my bedroom, and read a book instead. But still. I'm still feeling fired up today.

Some more photos, slightly sinister, I took on my walk.

a gust of ghosts

a creeping of creatures

a dying of dreams

a whisper of wasps

a spine of sorrow and stones

2009-10-03T23:40:00.000-07:00

Been busy with family and football (that's the nature of the season), so just another quick post sharing some more of the goodies I brought back from my trip. I had to laugh when I did a quick scan of the photos because, although I'd chosen to share these particular things for their seasonal spooky quality, they're all things I plan to display or wear all year round. I'm just a spooky girl at heart.

I have a growing collection of crows, blackbirds, and ravens around the house. I seem to find one on most any trip. This one, with the uplifted wings, was quite unique. Here he is looking down from a high book shelf. He's standing near the last remaining tower from a paper castle William made in his childhood. I wonder if I have a photo of the entire castle tucked away somewhere.... hmmmm, I'll have to look for it.

Some crafting supplies I picked up while shopping for the yarn I shared already. Aren't those keys fantastic!? And the little Halloween charms. The other charms in the top left were actually purchased by Hubby. I'm sure he'd share one or two of them with me if I needed them. You can't really tell there's a package of silhouette confetti up there in the right hand corner. And where do you think the little sign would look best hanging?

Another collection we like to bring home from our trips, something "round and breakable". It all started with me buying art floats for Hubby. Sometimes the "round and breakable" thing isn't a glass float, but this time it was a lovely orange float we stumbled on in a charity shop in Sonoma.

Who expects to find a quality silk and rayon scarf at a Halloween store!? This is an Emily Strange scarf in a spooky cobwebs and cats motif. It was even half price. Some people might consider this only suitable for October but I will definitely wear it all year round.

And MORE scarves!!!! I dug a dozen out of a $2 each bin and whittled it down to these four. If I'd had more time, I'm sure I could have found more. One can never have too many scarves. Right?

That bin of scarves was inside an amazing shop we discovered in Sebastopol called the Aubergine Vintage Emporium and Cafe. You could wrap an entire vacation around this incredible shopping opportunity as the main destination. And when you're done with your day of shopping, they have a cafe and live entertainment at night. We didn't have a lot of time, so I had to choose between taking photos and shopping. Except for this photo of the fun "statue" outside the store, I chose to spend my time pawing through the merchandise and trying things on. (I do wish I'd managed to take a photo of their cool dressing rooms. I can't even explain them. You'll just have to go check'em out yourself.)

2009-10-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

The first day of posting spooky was sort of a frustrating one for me I'm still having internet issues and couldn't get online to post this last night. I also couldn't check my mail, hubby couldn't contact a friend, I couldn't check my ebay page, buy some pants online, and William couldn't do his research for a paper. The cats and Rosie aren't big internet users, but the rest of us are and I'm fit to be tied at having such sporadic service. But, let's move on....

I've got lots to share, as I get photos uploaded. Here's just a peek at some random spookiness.

My big splurge at Halloween and Vine (which was wonderful, more about it in another post another time) was this gorgeous leather crown by Monique of Mythica Masks. I love masks but can't wear them because of my eyeglasses. So a crown is just the thing. This owl called to me (hooted?) the moment I saw it. Night owl to night owl, we bonded. I tried to buy a smaller, more practical leafy headdress with a crescent moon but heart won out and owl came home with me. This photo doesn't really give it justice. I'll have to to create an outfit especially to highlight it for next year's Faerieworlds and in the meantime it will be beautiful art just being on display (someplace high, owls like high, and it will be out of the cats reach).

The rest of what I have to share are goodies I bought to make things - fell in love with this retro looking paisley in deep, rich, autumn tones. I bought enough to make a skirt with the border along the bottom and extra for a scarf or two.

These shredded lovelies were in the Halloween fabrics. Ooooh, totally awesomely, bizarre. It also came in gray, very zombie. Not sure why I didn't grab that colorway too. It didn't call to me at the time like these two did. But now I wish I had. Dang. It was pricey though, even on sale. So, I have to be good and use this up before I can justify buying more. (LOL, that's so funny. Like I often actually do what I tell myself to do and not buy fabric for no reason - ha! Good one!)

What am I making with it, you ask? Ah, you'll have to wait and see!

The fabric on the left is a quilting cotton. It's the center fabric in the one and only quilt I ever made for myself. A quilt everyone seems to want for their own. I didn't have any more of the fabric left, so finding it (it's a rather old print), I picked it up so I could include a bit of it into any new Halloween quilts I make for friends or family.

The heavier cotton on the right has very blingy silver writing and I'm thinking BAG.

JoAnn Fabrics - $1 rack. Thought they'd come in handy for paper play.

I seriously have more ideas than time. But since I don't have much selection in town, I grab things when I get a chance when I'm traveling in areas with more shop density. The white and black skeins were what started it all, I need them for a specific project. Just need to make myself a pattern to use and get the project that's still on the needles I need finished and off.

The green/blue skeins in the back - they had a sample square knitted up and it made a very creepy, drippy, blendy Frankenstein sort of pattern. Maybe if my brain wasn't totally firing on scary right now, I would have used different adjectives - pretty, oceany, dreamy - but creepy sold it to me. I'm not sure - scarf? hat? wristwarmers?

Today was a thrift store score day extrordinaire. I even discovered a new thrift shop has opened in town. More to share later. But just this one bit - I found this black and orange shawl. They'd marked it down to $1 because there was a small hole near one end, which also had a bit of wear. I didn't mind as I thought it would make a great tablecloth or table display cover. But then I wore it around all last night and even brought it to bed with me to cover my shoulders while I read, so I guess I'll use it as a shawl after all, raggedy or not. It would look great with a black outfit. And a matching black and orange chihuahua.

Last but not least, here's Onyx. He's our cat that our daughter left with us years ago and we didn't know he was feral. It was almost a year before he came out into the same room as the rest of us, longer before we were allowed to touch him, and years more before I could safely pick him up. He's still a bit spooky. Here he wants in but his requirements are beyond ridiculous. The door has to be completely wide open. No chihuahua or other cats can be blocking the way within site of the door on either side. The person holding the door open must not be standing IN the door but flatten him or herself against the wall behind the door to the best of their ability. If possible it should be ME holding the door and not Hubby. And not looking at him. No cars can be distracting him by going by on either street. Yeah. Sometimes my patience wears out and I leave him out. Though he's a beautiful, if silly cat.

More post spooky over on Beach Treasure and don't forget to check out the links to the other Spooky participants. It's a small but select and growing crowd!

2009-09-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

I'm late getting this up as I've been off having lovely holiday adventures - lots of photos for this month's spooky theme! But first, down to business. If you'd like to participate on your blog in my annual October's Post Spooky, it's easy. Just follow the simple steps below:

1. Pledge to Post Spooky all month long. This doesn't mean you have to post every day, just that every post you put up in the month of October has to have some sort of "spooky" element. It can be fun, silly, scary, interesting, real, fantasy, or just generally autumny. It's your call. If you have other, non-spooky news to share, just add a spooky twist to it or something spooky to the end of your post, a "P.S." (Post. Spooky.) Mwahahahahaha!

2. Add the fun button shown above to your sidebar linking back to this post so that other people can join in the fun and can find the other Post Spooky participants that will be listed and linked all October long in my sidebar under the button.

3. Once you've added the button, let me know so I can add your name to the participant list.

That's it!

I'll be Posting Spooky both here and over on Beach Treasure through October and into the first week of November to include Dia de Los Muertos celebrants.

2009-09-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

For several years I've been trying to figure out how to attend this show. Every year family commitments, usually football, intercepted any plans. So imagine my excitement when I discovered the team had graciously scheduled a bye week on the date of the event this year! I'm finally going to Halloween and Vine!!! Be sure to click on the link and check out all the wonderful artists who will be attending.

Along with the show, I'll be visiting my old Sonoma County stomping grounds. I'm planning to do some serious dining, as only Sonoma County can provide. Sourdough bread, fresh catches from the shore, specially prepared vegetables, a glass or two of the fruit from the many Sonoma vines, perhaps a trip to one of the many Gravenstein apple farms.

Almost time to pack my suitcase! Note to self - leave room in the car for new art work, a few bottles of wine, and a box of apples.

2009-09-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on this photo tonight, thought it was something I'd already posted but apparently I just slipped it into drafts and forgot about it. This giant fork and spoon was a thrift find this summer. The book is in the photo for size comparison. Aren't they awesomely over the top!? As soon as I get the rest of my kitchen painted, they're going up on the wall.

2009-09-22T13:21:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me a package yesterday. There was a cute little Halloween tree inside, which I forgot to snap a photo of.... another day perhaps. But before I opened it up, I couldn't help but admire the artistic collage design made by the many stamps on the outside of the box. (click on the images to get a full screen view)

And before I forget - Enjoy the Autumn Equinox everyone! Have a very blessed Mabon.

Still Life with Basket of Apples - Paul Cézanne

2009-09-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

A little refashioning going on. And my first gift making of the season as well.

I found this tee at the thrift store the other day when they were having a bag sale. It didn't fit anyone I knew, not to mention it had a really silly Bible verse on the back side of the shirt. (There are some lovely Bible verses, but this wasn't one of them). But this side was perfect for a certain princess in our family. So I cut the tee up.

And made this! I'm thinking it will be a great addition to a bower full of pillows in a princess' bedroom. I like how it's black and pink - a little frou frou but not over the top.

2009-09-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

"I don't want any trouble. I just wanna be alone and quiet in a room with a chair and a fireplace and a tea cozy. I don't even know what a tea cozy is, but I want one." - Buffy Summers

I would have posted this last night but my cable internet server has decided to pull down the shades and turn off the lights every night. GRRRRR. Might be able to get it fixed finally today, knock on wood. But at least it's working right now. Knock again.

I finally got some studio time and finished the tea cozy I started last week.

It's a pattern I adapted from a tea cozy my mom bought me long ago at a craft sale. I like it because it doesn't have to be taken off the tea pot to pour like this type of cozy. I've never used that type but I also wonder if it keeps the tea hot as long as there's no bottom, and I wonder if there's a steam issue that requires airing or washing after use because the spout is covered.

It also doesn't have to be a perfect fit nor gathered and tied like this type of cozy. Although this type works well, they used them at the tea room, it seemed a bit fussy to get on and off.

There are other variations - quilted, sewn, felted, crocheted and knitted. All have their pluses and minuses I suppose. The main problem I've seen with many is that they have to be fitted to a specific size and shape. Still, I can see how one could become intrigued enough to try out different kinds. Me, I just like this one and since it works well, I'm sticking with it for my first efforts to make them myself.

Here's a peek at the inside fabric. Theoretically it could be used in reverse as well, just the seams would flare out around the bottom with the orange side out. This size fits a medium to large tea pot. I'm going to have to figure out how to scale it down if I want to make a cozy for my smaller tea pots. So far I don't have a cozy for them, I just drink the tea a bit faster.

I moved on to another project, sewing up some small rips along the seams in these lovely stretch velvet gloves I found at the thrift shop. Only took about fifteen minutes and now they're ready to use. I thought of embellishing them but they'll be useful with more outfits just the way they are.

If I was more organized, I woulda created a spooky little vignette and had a nice background. But I was all about getting things done, not getting distracted last night. But one more photo, 'cuz I thought myself clever and added a little spider to the elastic gather. EEEKK!

2009-09-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

Autumn is in the air. I can feel it.

The ghosts are getting restless.

Wee mice and busy harvest gnomes are hard at work gathering seeds and nuts.

Jacks both silly and spooky are awakening in the heart of sleeping orange squash.

Witches and dark fae can be heard swooshing past in the windy night.

I had hoped to get a head start on autumn activities, but summer, she was a full one this year. I'm running, skipping, flying and pedaling to catch up.

I'd hoped to have an autumn holidays swap, similar to the winter holiday swap I hosted last year. It seems rather late for it, I think I've already missed most of the larger swaps. Honestly, I don't know, I've been too busy to even check.

BUT....

anyone up for something easy, something fast, something with 80% less saturated stress and 90% more fun!?

I'm proposing the FAST FALL FAERY SWAP!

You could add even more F words if you wanted. (F words - nope, not gonna go there) Words like FLAT, FLITTER, FLUTTER, FRIGHTENING, FRIENDLY, FRAMED, FORAGING, FLAPPING, FANGS, FOREST....

You get the idea.

Here's what I propose. Something that's both seasonal and magical. Autumn Faeries, Foraging Gnomes, Sparkly Skeletals.... anything that's small, easy to ship (hence the FLAT idea might be a good plan) and takes one relaxing stretch to create. One afternoon with a pot of tea in the studio. Or one evening on the couch while watching the new fall television shows. It can be something to display in our homes or perhaps wear. A little artist's trading card or a collaged faery, a tiny Fimo gnome, a beaded witch.

I know, I know. I've been gone. I doubt I have a handful of blog readers left, much left a handful of potential swappers. But I'm throwing the idea out there. It would be fun.

Any takers?

2009-09-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

I had an unplanned blogging hiatus over the last of the summer and yet there was so much to blog about, not the least of it all our faery adventures. I've been posting about Faerieworlds over on Beach Treasure and hopefully you've popped over there to catch all the amazing photos of faeries of all personas and persuasions. All of the posts could just have easily been blogged about here, so filled with art, beauty and creativity. But I put them up there, am still putting them up (I still have another day and a half left to still post about), it seemed the way to go.

I've saved out a few pics to post here, so I can share the links to these lovely artist's websites. You might want to stop here, grab a snack and a beverage, so you can relax and visit at a leisurely pace.

This is my friend Patricia Hedegaard, a dollmaker extrordinaire from up in Washington state. Here she is cuddling a few of her "naked" creations. She had lots of faeries in her booth but she was working on these Halloween folk while vending and visiting and enjoying the festival. Now that's the way to multitask! Here is her website and here is her Etsy link.

Here is silly Ammie. I call her Apple, which fits her perfectly as she's refreshing, sweet, and just the perfect amount of tart. She makes beautiful wands, quills, handmade papers, books and journals. Visit here here. I bought a gorgeous wand from her this year that I've thought of ever since I saw it at last year's festival.

Beautiful Katie Lennon dancing, one of her many talents. She's also a wonderful artist. I bought a small woodcut print of a crow (one of our shared fascinations) from her last year and this year I bought a tank top with another of her wood cuts on it, a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe. (I've worn it several times already Katie and it's really soft and a nice fit - good choice of clothing companies!) Fly on over to her website.

I don't know these vendors but I have a feeling it would be easy to befriend them, I loved their dark romance style. Did you catch the photo I took of one of the vendors reading to Joli. So sweet. These are some fun and quirky souls. I didn't have time to choose anything from their booth at the festival but I'm planning to saunter on over to their website and purchase me something alluring some dreary evening when I need a pick me up.

This is, of course, our very own Victoria, posing here with my little skelly friend. He looks very cosy, doesn't he. What I might not have mentioned is that she's a budding fashion designer. Well, maybe I've mentioned it once or twice. But have I ever remembered to share a link to her design page with you?

Our friend Matt's pirate booth looked incredible. The flag was lit up at night as well. Well, when the electricity was working it was lit up. I love the crisp colorful FUN of his artwork. Definitely check it out here. Arrrrrgh!

For two years I've resisted being a silly fan but this year I finally broke down and asked if he'd mind posing for a photograph. Why deny it. I'm totally a silly fan of the amazing Brian Froud. I'm actually a fan of the entire Froud family. I hope soon to be able to participate in one of Wendy Froud's doll workshops. I just keep missing the opportunity. Brian and Wendy, and their son Toby, are all not only incredibly talented artists, they are also all very genuinely lovely people. You could get lost in their World of Froud website for hours, days... well, it is the faerie realm. And you know what happens to time when you wander there.

Remember, more Faerieworlds photos up on Beach Treasure.

2009-09-03T23:58:00.001-07:00

I went to the local thrift store today. It's been a while since I've shared treasure hunting pics with you so I thought I'd share today's finds.

I found this hand sewn and embroidered orange cloth. It looks sorta peachy in this photo but it's really more of an autumn orange. The rocks atop it were in a box of goodies my mom sent to me recently. I also found the beautiful green hor d'oeuvres dish. It's a rather expensive European company but it has two small chips on the edge so I got it for 85 cents. Yes, I know, why 85 cents? Why not 75 cents? or maybe one dollar? LOL. I liked the unusual long length, it seems a nice way to display something delicious.

I paid $3 for this miniature dressmaker's form. I'm planning on embellishing it with different outfits - maybe a witch's dress this autumn, a snowy faery for the winter holidays, and so on. And it's pretty enough as it is for now.

I haven't spoken much about refashioning and wardrobe issues lately, but I'm still spending time with my clothes. Over the summer it was all about making outfits for Faerieworlds. And now, having lost several sizes, I'm trying to go through and fine tune my wardrobe both for fit and design. I'm all about making sure everything in my drawers and closets are about who I am NOW and not who I was last year or ten years ago.

Of course who I am now is not your run of the mill "mom wear" type of dresser. I'm a bit .... odder. And of course an important part of being odd is having lots of fantastically odd hats. I've found a number of great hats over the summer and today I found two more! Now I just need it to be cold enough to wear them.

Okay, let's face it, this is NOT a good photo of me OR of the hat. But trust me, it's a cute hat. It's black felted wool with a soft gold trim. It's much larger than it looks in the pic.

It's hard to take photos of yourself in hats. This one is a crinkly black velvet number. Crushable and bendable. I love it.

I won't force you to look at photos of the rest of my finds one at a time. Here's the whole pile of it, thirteen pieces. One of the nice things about shopping used is that it frees one up to buy unusual items that you might not be willing to buy new, and more expensive items you can't afford new. I also tend to buy more "basic pieces" when I buy used. So I found myself some nice tanks (a lot of my old tanks are now too big to wear underneath anything, where they belong). I bought one oversized shirt simply for the beautiful batik fabric - everything orange was half price and so I got somewhere between a half and a full yard of orange batik for $1. I also bought two dresses that were oversized because, for $3, I thought they'd be fun to go completely wild with them, cut them up, reduce them, turn them into tops or skirts or who know what. The appeal was they were gorgeous natural fabrics. Also two cute jackety wrap thingies, two pair of capris, a striped boys tee shirt (orange and black, can't resist), that pretty orange and black piece in the front is a nice dress and...... I think that's it.

More wardrobe news, I sorted my skirts today because I knew they didn't all fit anymore. I was hoping to get rid of more than I actually did, but I'm happy enough to have weeded out a decent sized stack. I'm going to offer a lot of the sorted out skirts to the mommy-to-be of my latest grandaughter-to-be. She could wear some of the floaty skirts with a nice long sleeved tee over her expanding belly - I think it would be really cute! I set a couple of my favorite skirts aside to attempt to resize them. A few more went into the costume supply box. And three are in a Maybe stack.

I also scored on a big bag of books - you can check out the titles over on Beach Treasure.

2009-08-31T00:43:00.000-07:00

You know you're going about things the wrong way when the holiday anxiety starts before the holidays themselves. For a number of years now I've been frustrated at the difference between what I want the winter holiday season to focus on and feel like and what it really ends up becoming. I want it to be a warm, loving time when we celebrate the circle round to the birth of a new year, a time to enjoy the still moment between seasons, a time to enjoy the company of friends and family.

Somehow all that shines through, but a lot of it is overshadowed by the harried, commercial, stressful nature of ridiculously unrealistic expectations and busy schedules.

One of the traditions that is difficult to keep in control is gift giving.

Throwing in a completely random but adorable photo of Rosie as a gift stocking from last year's family photos. Just because I can.

Gifts - the giving and the getting, the buying and/or the making. The wrapping and the sending. I get exhausted just thinking about it.

I've tried to find a balance between the pleasure it brings me to make, buy, wrap, give, and receive gifts and the stress and time that it generates well before (making things, figuring out what to give those hard-to-give people on the list.... etc.) and well after (credit card bills come due, gifts might need exchanging or a place for them in ones home needs to be established).

I've tried different approaches, with some successes, some not so much. Making gifts seems the way to go and it always makes me feel good and get in the mood when I'm in the midst of being a holiday elf. But sometimes making gifts, especially once you factor in any shipping costs, ends up costing as much as buying something. And it's time consuming. I enjoy giving my time and energy in this way but sometimes there just isn't ENOUGH time, especially as our family isn't what you'd call a teensy crowd.

I've tried convincing people to focus more on the fun of gifting in small quantities and it's hard to get everyone on the same page. This year, with the added stress of the economy and limited budgets, I think I finally have everyone ready to listen. And I've announced that, regardless of what everyone else does, this year I will be doing a NO BUY holiday season. Several family members have already agreed this sounds like a fabulous idea.

This doesn't mean we won't be exchanging gifts. We like exchanging gifts. But we're going to be continuing our Yule tradition of creative gift giving and dropping completely the residual Christmas gift buying frenzy of years past. So, gifts, if one gives them, will be handmade, or foraged, grown, found, or perhaps even purchased second hand (or purchased handmade by someone elses hands).

Last year I gifted a couple people with donations made in their name and it brought great pleasure to everyone on all ends of the interaction. I hope to do more of the same this year.

Mainly, I hope to make or gather gifts for everyone. I've got some ideas, more ideas are percolating. Teens and the men in the family are the most challenging. The women and kids are pretty easy to please.

Another random photo from last year thrown in because it makes me smile. This package was obviously not wrapped by Martha Stewart. One of the "boys" wrapped it actually.

Trying to get the balance just right, I'm not planning on being militant about participation, even for myself. It's a goal, not a hard and fast rule. If someone in the family has more money than time, knock yourself out doing the shopping-frenzy-at-the-mall routine. If I stumble upon a few bits and bobs that I think will add to the fun, I'm gonna buy them. And if I run out of time or inspiration, I'll be kind to myself and purchase a few things. The idea is to turn DOWN the commercialism, minimize the financial drain, make things easier and more fun. As much as we can without turning off the spigot and drying up the celebration entirely.

So, that's the plan. And this is my "public announcement" to firm it up in my mind. There are a lot of changes happening this year in our traditions. It will be one of those bridge years, holding on to or storing for future years those traditions we still love and hold dear, and walking away from some that no longer fit our evolving tribe of family and friends.

One more point - every year I find I've started too late for these homemade holiday ideas to come to complete fruition. That's why I'm posting this so early, well before I've even jumped into my first and favorite holidays of the dark half of the year - Halloween, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos. (ooooh, I'm starting to get in the mood - more on that soon! Anyone up for a swap!?) I'm hoping this starting early in planning will help take the stress out of the "last minute and too much to finish" phenomenon. But on the other hand, I've got plans to get back in the studio and work on non-holiday related projects as well. The real question this year will be - is there time and room for both of these paths?

Feedback - what's everyone else up to these days? What plans (if you've even started thinking about it yet) do you have for this year's holidays, and has the economic down turns of this last year influenced your plans?

Last comment - I'm finally getting posts up about Faerieworlds over on Beach Treasure. Mundane and magical, studio life and day-to-day activities all blur together inseparably during this time of year. So don't miss out on all the creative fashion and costuming (I hate using the word costume but it's a useful description here) going on over there. Lots of great photos and links to some wonderful artists in the last couple posts and more posts to come. Keep checking in there.

2009-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

There's a word for it - pareidolia. It means seeing meaning, faces, in random scenes. Science tells us we do this because the right combination of shapes and shadows triggers the hardwired need for face recognition that helps infants bond with their caregivers. Okay, sure, that makes sense.

But sometimes, doesn't it feel like more than just shapes and patterns. Doesn't it feel like there is a presence, a sense of spirit? Particularly in nature. Maybe we're catching a glimpse of the otherworld, the fae, the wild elementals that hide from us mere mortals.

On a trip to Burney Falls this summer, there certainly seemed like there were more than just rocks, more than water, more than plants and sky. What do you think? What do you see in the photos below? Did I capture anything or anyone that you can see?

2009-08-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

I can't really think of anything to add to the viewing - just watch the beauty.

2009-08-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

For more Peter Donnelly - his website.

2009-07-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy what with lots of family and friends visiting. We've been trying, difficult because of the scorching temperatures lately, to fit in as many fun group activities as possible. Photos of all that silly stuff on Beach Treasure.

But the festival date is quickly approaching and I'm squeezing sewing and creating into all activity lulls. Here's a peek at the outfit I just finished for Joli for Bad Faery Day.

She's a little fire faery. She doesn't have on the little tights she'll wear underneath it, and she's got it over her green shorts and top, but it's still cute. She's waving the little sparks on her hands around for us.

One of the things we've done is gone treasure hunting for costume and refashioning finds and whatever else we can find at the local thrift shops. I found this awesome giant gilded fork and spoon for the dining room or kitchen wall. (the book is in the photo so you can tell how big they are) Now, I just need to find a good spot to hang them up.

2009-07-21T11:15:00.001-07:00

The beautiful and kindly Victoria, a fashion designer in her own right, (she's got the shop closed up while she's over here on holiday) has graciously offered to help me withsome of the outfits still in need of being created. I told her my general idea for my granddaughter Nonny's outfit and just handed over the whole thing. She did such a fabulous job!

What little girl wouldn't love these wings!
(you can click to open these photos)

The wings match this magical princess faery dress. I love it and I know Nonny will too!

2009-07-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's always a tough choice - share right away (patience is NOT my middle name) or keep the secret until it's time to reveal. I do love me a grand entrance. ARGH. I decided to split the difference and give you all a peek.

A tiny glimpse at part of my Bad Faery Day outfit.

And a little bit of crochet that's part of my Family Faery Day scrappy faery outfit. Yes, that's a finished piece on top, you'll just have to trust me on that one.

2009-07-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

On Friday we were off to Reno for a day of shopping and relaxing (mostly shopping), culminating in a late night stop at the airport to pick up our British Faery friend Victoria who will be staying with us and we'll all head up for Faerieworlds at the end of the month.

Since then we've been busy both about town and in the studio and these things along with an internet cable that's been annoyingly off and on, has kept me away from any computer time. But while the server has been gracious enough to work this morning, I thought I'd throw up a post showing, no, not all the fae garb we're working on - not yet - but some of the goodies I bought in Reno at the fabric warehouse. A lot of it with the idea of using for future costuming.

You can't really see, but both these fabrics are both stretchy and sheer. The one on the left also has sparklies embedded in it. I have some other flesh colored fabrics to match it, thinking of making an "almost not there" faery dress next year, and the purple and tan on the left might make good wings.

I got several yards of the flowy pastel sheer on the left, thinking skirt and/or scarves for any day wear. The blue/gray/black floral is stretchy and floral - wings? Don't have any plans for it yet. Nor for the black with embedded rhinestones but it will make a great addition to something I'm sure. Us faeries are just attracted to bling.

More bling, and polka dots - faeries also love polka dots (and stripes) - at least this faerie.

I'm hoping this beautiful green will work for a kilt for Hubby. I don't hink it's 60" yardage - hmmm, I'll have to unfold it and see. We bought what was left of the bolt, which is enough length (I looked up the yardage needs and the how-to-fold-a-quilt info AFTER we got back home) but they recommend the 60" bolt. If it's a 44/45", well, we'll see. If not, I love the green. And the stuff on top is a faux suede for making a matching pouch for carrying important faery equipment - like a water bottle and a cell phone.

Just some pretty bits and bobs, clasps, ribbons and such. The thin cord on the left is brown for some of the embellishments for my Good Faery Day outfit. Some of you know what it will be, the rest of you I'll leave some mystery on the subject. Clue - the color is a key.

What a FANTASTIC find! Hubby had no idea why I needed to buy all these. Victoria immediately loved them. For wristwarmers of course! Super cheap and perfect all shabby chic just as they are or embellished on some fun manner - lace, beads, ribbons... "For your costume?" Hubby confusedly asked. "All those?" Of course not, for ANY time. Well, any time it's cool enough for wrist/hand warmers. We're melting in 100 degree temps at the moment.

Last but not least, a beautiful red and black sheer. Daughter-in-law Lisa is gonna be in a black and red outfit on Bad Faery day and I thought this would make a great wrist or arm sleeve for her to add. As you can see by my hand under a layer, it almost looks like a tattoo pattern on the skin. And if she's not interested, I'm sure this will make a gorgeous scarf for yours truly.

That's it for now. The studio is finally in use. Victoria is making several woodsy, mossy, nature lovin' pieces. I'm currently flipping back and forth between making scrappy strings tied with bells and breaking apart and reconstructing some skeleton bones. Stay tuned in the coming days to find out what and why I'm refashioning with such odd materials.

I usually put artsy photos up here, but today they're over on Beach Treasure, carnival bright lights.

2009-07-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hold onto your brain, I'm about to take you through a roller coaster of mixed metaphors -

Do you ever feel like you're just going around in circles? Dashing from one project to another, always playing catch up, forever dropping the ball, never ahead of the game?

Me too.

Sorry, don't mean to be a Debbie Downer today. I woke up feeling the adrenalin rush of the "last minute" but raring to jump in and tackle the world. Then Stressed Spouse and Surly Seventeen-Year-Old woke up and started hacking away at my mood. ***POP*** There went my energy bubble.

But it really IS the last minute - lots of deadlines looming larger, larger, larger and I don't have the luxury of staying down. Good thing I'm hardwired to be optimistic. I'm finishing up this quick pop in and then I'm gonna eat some breakfast, gulp some more caffeine, add some medicinal dark chocolate to my day, and get back up on that horse, focus on the silver lining, take it a step at a time, slap on a smile, pick myself up, dust myself off, and.... well, y'kow. All that optimistic shit.

I have finished sorting out unsorted supplies in the studio. Still have to wrestle it all out to new storage in the garage. Garage is still a mess, so that's going to be a challenge. I think that particular bit is my biggest stress. Once I get that tackled, I suspect I won't feel half as overwhelmed.

So, that said, off I go. *Laume adjusts her shoulder pads, pops her mouth guard in, pulls her helmet on determinedly and, without looking back, heads off to tackle her life*

2009-07-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie - pop on over to the amazing Anne's blog for a chance to win this pretty.

Anne's been a real inspiration over the years for me, whether she knows it or not.

Actually, that's a good post theme - who inspires you? In your art or in your life? Pick one (or more) people who have made a difference in your world and let them know. It doesn't have to be a big thing, just drop them an e-mail or give them a call, mention it the next time you see them face-to-face. It will make their day, maybe even their week, I promise you.

2009-07-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

If all goes according to plan, soon this blog will be filled with almost daily updates on all the faery fashion creations that I have to make in the next few weeks for this year's upcoming Faerieworlds. Squeeeee, I'm getting very excited. At the moment, I'm still working away on mucking out the studio so I can get in there and create. Two iced espressos with vanilla soy last night helped me make a lot of progress. Hopefully I'm just a day or two away from enough mess cleaning to switch to mess making.

In the meantime, a few random about town photos for your viewing pleasure:

Some fish swimming along a home's retaining wall. I've shown you pics of this wall before, a friend helped create it.

When I drive up this street, I always enjoy the magnificent tree trunk columns on this home.

This gorgeous girl graces the front of an uptown shop. (I think the purple swirly across her face is supposed to be her earring hanging on the other side, the wind must flopped it) She's been there for years now. The building if for sale. I hope the new owners (if there are any in this economy) will keep her up.

2009-07-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

I receive a thrice a week newsletter from Kristin Espinasse's lovely French Word A Day blog site. Yes, it's called "word a day" and it's really "word three times a week" but, hey, she's a busy mom and writer. So, completely makes sense. You can visit her at her blog and you can sign up for her mailer there too.

I bring it all up though because I was totally taken with today's word, which is:

éclaboussement (ay-klah-boos-mahn) noun, masculine : splash (of water, color)

One of the great things about the French language is how artfully descriptive their words are. Don't you wish we had an English word that meant "splash of color"? I mean, we can SAY "splash of color", three words. But the French think it's important enough to have an official word to describe such a vision/event.

I love color, whether it be in small surprising amounts or in big joyful in your face amounts. Sometimes a photograph, regardless of what the photograph is of, really, it's all about color.

Appropriately, an example - Paris windows.

Another French example - Bicycling along the Seine.

More color? Okay - Chandelier in the Peppermill Casino, Reno, Nevada

Or a splash of bright color surrounded by deeper color - Daylily (my garden)

Homework time folks - I want to see some more splashes of color. Take a photo. Post it on your blog or online photo site and then let me know so I can go see it. Or even just show me a favorite photo you've found online that expresses a "splash of color". Or, not a photo. Maybe an outfit you wear, or a room you've designed, or a painting or other art piece you've created. Come on, Splash me!

2009-06-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've been busy in the studio. Cleaning and organizing, not creating. Although I guess you could say I was creating new space and opportunity.

Mostly I've been sorting boxes and piles that have been stacked in there for about six months as it was all "art" stuff. But, despite it's ample size, the space is simply too small to be a creative work room, a guest room, a library, an office, AND a store room for multiple art mediums. So, I've decided to find different storage space for everything that isn't textile. It's still gonna have to be all those other things, but moving all the supplies for paper, assemblage, painting, knitting, and who knows what else to another location will free up enough space so I actually find things and work comfortably.

There's several places in the garage and breezeway that will work just fine for storage. For additional work tables and areas too once the yard sale is over and those areas are also opened up. For now I'm just trying to get everything into it's proper boxes and the boxes near, if not exactly in, their final storage locations.

Just two stretches of hours on two days has accomplished a lot. I had to take a couple days break for extra family activities and responsibilities, but that was okay, I put the time to equally good use - weeding like crazy and playing with two of the grandsons.

But now the house is quiet again and it's time to get back to organizing. I should really be in there now instead of on here typing atcha, but I wanted to put up a post on Beach Treasure before I let another day get past me.

I didn't realize, when I took the photo, I captured a rune (or rune looking) shape in the water. I'll have to go look up the meaning. Anyone recognize it?

Speaking of artistic creations, no one does it better than Mother Nature. I STRONGLY encourage you to grab yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, strap on your cyber-walking shoes, and click on over to Beach Treasure to join me on a hike through Fern Canyon. The only better way to spend the time would be if you could be there in person.

2009-06-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

A few window shots from my stroll around the plaza in Arcata, CA. I was with friends, so just these few.

A pretty mermaid showing off her strands of pearls.

I totally loved this window dressing behind the mermaid. All tulle and shiny and texturey fabrics, in shades of foam and green and aquamarine, like an ocean kelp forest.

I need to recreate this somewhere in my home. Maybe in the same colors, some of my favorite. Or maybe another color theme to match wherever I find to use it. Not sure where. My bedroom behind the bed?? The breezeway screens? Bath window? Or maybe in the gazebo, the one we haven't figured out how to make yet?

Two windows in front of an art shop had gorgeous origami art. It was hard to take photos as the direction of the light made for some serious glare.

The shopkeeper ushered me inside to try from the opposite direction, which made most of it become a silhouette. But I was able to take this pic of the origami pond. Don't miss the turtle on the right.

2009-06-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

I've been at the beach for the last several days. In fact, I've been at lots and lots of beaches. Spending time with rocks. I love rocks. Rocks ROCK! (and if the waves hit them just right, they ROLL too.)

For your viewing pleasure, some rock photo art.

Someone else made this curve of rocks. I came upon it and photographed it before the waves erased it.

Rocks pinning down their shadows.

Sing along boys and girls - "One of these things is not like the others...."

Beautiful symmetry.

A stone imitating a shark fin.

More beach pics up on Beach Treasure. (beach pictures on a blog called Beach Treasure - whodathunk!?)

2009-05-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

While I was traveling last month I had the pleasure of discovering the loveliest little (well, not so little really!) yarn and knitting shop in the small town of Independence, Oregon. Since Independence is one of the three small towns nearest our property, I was excited at the prospect of future visits to Rose & Ram Knit Shop & Studio. The owner Jan was just as lovely. (she was wearing a ghost tour t-shirt - I don't think you can go wrong with someone who has a cool t-shirt like that!) We gabbed for the longest time.

In one of the windows, a cute felted koala and gecko. I love the gecko. And bags, and scarves. She had lots of creations on display to inspire.

This knit and felted bird house was one of my favorites. She has the pattern for sale if you love it too.

Jan (on the left) and another local shopkeeper who stopped in (on the right). They were supposed to be pretending to be helping a "customer" but uhm, well, it's hard not to pose when the camera comes out. Check out the curvy paper floor lamp. Too cool.

There were luscious colors everywhere you turned. I really should have taken a photo of some of the taller shelves filled with deep autumn colors. I am NOT going to tell you how many of these skeins ended up coming home with me, nor will I admit to how much I spent. Just doing my bit to energize the economy. That's all I'm gonna say.

Clearly I favored all the adorable knit animals around the shop. Not sure if those squirrels are cute or evil looking but I want one nontheless. And the fuzzy little hedgehog too.

I'm not actually knitting much anymore. I knit a lot more when the weather is cold and the nights are longer. I have spent a few minutes here and there while watching television working on a second pair of wrist warmers (in the wine red I wanted and finally found thrifted). Mostly though, all my energy and creative efforts have been spent in the gardens. An update on how that's going over on Beach Treasure.

2009-05-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

There's no studio time still, not with a busy little granddaughter visiting plus working hard to make beauty out of the chaos that is the dug up courtyard/backyard. But, on the way back from dropping off some videos yesterday, I stopped at the thrift shop. There was a potential new desk for William's room sitting out in front. The desk turned out to be too wobbly to bother with, but I found an entire box full of gorgeous tapestry, shinies, and velvet fabrics.

I spread it all out along Rosie's fence so you can see them. Not very good photos, but you can click to enlarge. A couple are small pieces, but most are two, three or even four yards. Nice big usable amounts. From the left: a half yard or so of paisley quilting cotton, larger amount of brown glossy tapestry, shiny blue - enough for a faery gown!

L to R: a plum floral Asian looking print, a shimmery burgundy with even more shinier polka dots, a .... dang, there's a name for this soft gloss pink cotton fabric but my brain is fried by the wind today and I can't remember...

A yard or two of midnight blue velvet, a heavy cotton floral (I'm thinking bags), some cranberry velvet, another tapestry piece in red and gold.

A small piece of satiny white, a gold and purple tapestry, a gold tapestry, and a deep burgundy with a golden shimmer.

Plus, dozens of handknit cotton wash cloths (and a couple of thick cotton hand towels) - these are the best for both kitchen and bath use.

Joli decided to make a nest of the blue fabrics. Isn't this what all us quilters and seamstresses swear we go home and do - roll around in our fabrics? When I called her name a muffled voice answered "I'm not in here!"

All bow to the Princess Joli!

"Luke, I am your father!"

"No Grammy. It's DADDY!"

She looks like a magical little flower.

I also found a couple decorative shelves for the wall, some night gowns, a couple skirts, a top and some glass blown earrings for Lisa and....

... this amazing green velvet dress for the faery festival. It's my size but the zipper just isn't gonna come together for me, I have a large rib cage. So Lisa's sister is gonna use it this year, and next year I think I'll refashion it into a corset and skirt for me.

All this for an embarrassingly small amount, practically pocket change. I love small town thrifting! Once I finally get finished with the garden and the painting and the cleaning and everything else on my to-do list, I've got all this great fabric to turn into .... well, the possibilities are endless. Anyone have any ideas?

2009-05-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Long ago I promised the rest of the photos from the botanical gardens. Finally -

The children's area was filled with all sorts of goofy creatures. Here's Ashley not quite sure if she's creeped out by this strange bird.

This was a little children's play house, but I'd love one slightly larger and more open as a gazebo in my yard.

I love water features. This one was totally unexpected.

Bright blue fountain in the middle of "nowhere" around a curve on a less traveled path. A treat for investigating more than just the main walkway.

Ashley found a fuzzy friend.

Part of the gardens were color themed. This was the purple section. The other colors weren't blooming much. Purple must be a spring color.

Another odd creature. A bug? A ......?

Hidden deep in the forest....

A blue bird.

The front of the purple gardens.

These flowers were so tiny, barely a quarter inch across each, but in such great numbers that the bush was aflame!

None of these strange creatures look particularly Disney-ish. More Grimm's Fairytales "be careful if you mess with me". Perhaps Tim Burton does The Nature Channel?

I like how the moth wings are so sheer you can see the flowers through them.

The biggest thing in the gardens, the Sundial Bridge towering in the distance.

My favorite work of art there, my son Sam.

2009-05-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

I promised the rest of the pics from the botanical garden but.... been busy. For now, I finally remembered to take a photo of this carved wood piece at a local Mexican restaurant that I've always loved.

It used to have a neutral background but the restaurant recently changed hands and the new owner added the blue paint. I'm glad they left the Virgin de Guadalupe and I think I like the new colorful background.

Check out my new lawn ornaments over on Beach Treasure.

2009-05-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

My daughter-in-law Lisa made this beautiful crib baby quilt to contribute to a fund raiser for pediatric cancer research. It's to honor a beautiful two year old, Tuesday Fiona Whitt, who recently lost her battle with neuroblastoma.

Go to Lisa's blog to see how to enter for a chance at the quilt.

And go here to make more donations and see all the other great fund raising gifts will be given out.

2009-05-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

The dust bunnies have.... ahem.... gotten a weeeee bit out of hand. Will post more garden photos tonight. Perhaps tomorrow.

Not only am I under pressure to get the house somewhere within calling distance of orderly, but, I'm dealing with zombies.

2009-05-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

Wait! Don't go! You're not in the wrong place. I changed my blog template, or rather, I started the change. I was tired of my photos not fitting in the old format. I also felt like some people might have had a problem with white print on dark background. I've lost a lot of my sidebar gadgets and links but the sidebar has needed updating for ages anyway. Maybe now I'll be more inspired to actually do it. More to come. But for now, let's move on to more garden photos.

Today I'm only sharing one garden feature, but I took a zillion photos of it.

A million (or did I say zillion?) photos, and not one photo of the work in it's entirety. Oops. Here's the most overall pic of it I have. Isn't it amazing! It curves on to the right and the left and there's another solo animal and in the middle, the bottom of it just visible, a fountain.

A close up of Mr. Turtle, ready for children to climb on his back.

The creator is a mixed media artist named Colleen Barry. Surprisingly, she doesn't have a website or even a blog so I can't link there for you. You can Goggle her name and find other sites that show photos of her work however. She must have ordered these letter tiles for her signature. And I love the little dancing skelly with a heart.

I spoke with Colleen for a brief bit. Signed up on a mailing list for a possible class in the autumn. I so hope the timing works for me to take it. I've been a frustrated in-my-head mosaic artist for years. The only mosaics I ever attempted got left outside unfinished and with no grout, fell apart through a series of rains.

She said the tile and other pieces for this work were partially donations. It's like dozens of single pieces that also make a cohesive whole. I could have spent a lot more time finding all the pretties hidden in her design. Had to take a photo of the lady bug parade for Joli.

The top of the fountain. It was mottled shade, difficult conditions for photographing, and yet it fits the mosaic well, makes it difficult to tell where the mosaic ends and the shadows begin.

And the bottom of the fountain. Silly me didn't take a photo of the whole thing. Sheesh.

At the foot of the drinking fountain.... was it a drinking fountain? Didn't photograph that either, but hmmmm, I'm certain it was there..... anyway, these embedded keys were one of my favorite bits.

Another favorite, agates and spirals hidden on the back side of the wall that curved behind the benches. Forgot to go to macro so it's not the best photo. I was pretty blown away by it and a little distracted.

The other free standing animal, a friendly green frog. Or is he a toad?

A section of the beautiful back of the sculpture. I thought those shimmery white tiles in with the blue were glass that you could see through but now I realize that can't be possible. Maybe they were mirrored tiles. I guess I'll have to go back and look again.

Yesterday's pics didn't open for me like I'd hoped so I tried a new technique today, knock on wood. If you can open the photos to a larger size, you'll see that square tile says "Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child." That confuses me. I'm not sure if I agree. Maybe I'm hearing the intent wrong. It sounds sort of "Mold the child to fit the path" to me. What about Thoreau's different drummer or Frost's road less traveled?

Oh no! Watch out little green ladybug!

The center of the wall is this gorgeous butterfly. I like that I unknowingly captured Sam and Ashley in the background.

A coolio bat.

A dragon fly with glowing green eyes.

It makes me want to run out and make a dozen of these gorgeous mosaic balls. I wonder what the middle is made out of? Do they make cement balls? Okay, here's where you can stop and make ball jokes. I'll wait......

It makes me want to collect all these wonderful different bits and pieces. Much to the family's consternation, I already have a huge pile of broken ceramic and glass stored in the backyard. I have it in my head to have a mosaic making day or weekend with others. I have no idea who these "others" might be. And there's the little thing of having to put my backyard back together again. It's rather Humpty Dumpty after the fall-ish at the moment. We'll see if I can do what all the king's horses and all the king's men could not.

Okay, blogging is hard work. After all that chatter, I think you can leave me here to sit a spell. You can check out Beach Treasure. I think I'm going on about books again over there.

2009-05-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

On the last day of my latest trip, I spent a lovely day with my son Sam and his girlfriend Ashley. We strolled through a local art and botanical gardens. I've wanted to visit these gardens for several years now and we managed the perfect day to visit. Not only was the weather beautiful but they were sponsoring an art in the park day and so the gardens were free to visit.

I really hope I set these photos up right so you can open some of them up.

Spanish lavender

There were many water features. I liked the fish doubled by their shadows in this pic.

A single water lily was blooming.

Sam and Ashley playing peek-a-boo in one of the fountains.

Another water feature, this one said it was made to create music with water. I thought these shapes seemed reminiscent of pelvises. Pelvii? Anyway, I'm sure there's some symbolism there, but I'll work on figuring it out later.

Flying fish? No, fish scene through the reflection of plants above.

There were several of these art pyramids and also a booth that I believe were asking for people to sponsor the creation of more. This one had a mosaic waterfall down one side.

Much of the garden and surrounding park land was left in a natural state for the region. With the river and mature oaks, it was beautiful without any human touch whatsoever, although it was people who saved this reserve from development in the heart of the city. Also very ecologically smart as the temperatures sore into the 100's on an almost daily basis during the summer, making water conversation important.

And now to take you someplace deep in the forest....

Perhaps a wee bit frightening.....

Or simply peaceful and far away.....

This enormous stick structure had to be the awesomest thing in the park.

So many people were enjoying it, it was hard to get photos. We'll have to go back on a gloomy day, or perhaps in the middle of the week, so we can have it to ourselves. Sam and Ashley .... okay, just Sam, kept saying he wanted to climb up into it. Strictly forbidden. It wouldn't probably last long otherwise. But you could go inside it, which was neat.

Doesn't it look like a scene out of the movie Willow, or maybe Lord of the Rings?

There was lots more to see. Too much for just one post. I haven't even started on the children's section, or some of the more formal garden areas. Stay tuned....

Some family pics up today at Beach Treasure.

2009-05-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

Did I really miss a half a month of posting!?! I'll make it up to you, I promise! Promise I tell you! Not much time, busy busy me, and none of it is studio busy. But I've got lots of pretty photos from my travelabouts. So I'll try to have something here every day for your viewing pleasure. Will that help heal the scars my weeks of abandonment may have caused you?

Chico street scenes and street art

Tiled columns

The Fifth Beatle

William, Hubby and Rosie waiting for lunch

Tiled bench

Robin Hood and fae hiding in the green - appropriate photo for this Merry First of May!

Beautiful architectural detail

Rainbow Phoenix

I liked the urban feel of this entire shot, but also the colorful mannequins. Mannequinettes? You can't see the name of the shop covered in leaves but it was Boho... uhm. I forgot. Inside it was like an art gallery for refashioners. Everything was a one of a kind and tres funky designed item of clothing, handbag, scarf, jewelry piece and a few nonwearables. Great place to get handmade and upcycled stuff if you don't have time to do it yourself and also a great place to get inspiration if you do have the time.

A pair of bicycles getting all cuddly. They seem to be a couple, don't they?

2009-04-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the Spanish Village ARt Center in Balboa Park.

More San Diego photos at Beach Treasure.

2009-04-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

Are you reaching for anything in particular in your life?

Does it feel within reach?

Do you know what you're reaching for?

I pulled a new faerie card the other day. Two cards in fact. Been trying to post about it for a couple of days now. Hopefully tomorrow.

2009-03-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

With all the organizing and cleaning, I found two large boxes of Spring/Ostara/Easter decorations in the garage the other day. I haven't decorated for spring in years. I don't think we even decorated eggs last year. It's hard without an infusion of small kids (or even big kids) to inspire me. I did think about it this year, for Ostara. But then I thought, I'm not eating whole eggs at the moment, and Hubby shouldn't really be eating them either. I suppose we could have blown them out and used the egg whites and done something with the fragile empty eggs. But, maybe too much to expect with all the busyness of late.

I sorted through the boxes. I'm keeping a few tiny things. A handful of tiny spring animals - some of them were the boys' tiny toys when they were small. A gaudy blue and white plastic rabbit that we've had forever - don't know why, don't know how or when, but he's a family "heirloom" so I can't get rid of him. A flower garland, a few paper decorations for collage. A bunch of miniature irridescent eggs. A few other things. Not even enough to fill a shoe box.

I had a lot of stuffed rabbits. I have barrels and barrels of teddy bears that I used to put out for Yule and I started in on rabbits for Ostara. But I only collected a box full before I decided not to go crazy two seasons in a row.

I'm only gonna keep these three, who pulled on my heart strings for assorted reasons. The white bunny because I suspect he's actually evil (in a Dr. Horrible sort of way), the little brown one with the steroid enhanced ears because he looked like White Bunny's obvious sidekick. And the moth eaten wool knit bunny was mine as a child. I'd forgotten completely about him!

I haven't been in the studio at all. Family and home responsibilities have been thick and deep. But I did bring my art journal out to lunch with me yesterday and wrote/drew in it. I had big intentions to draw in it every day but that hasn't happened. It's been very intimidating to me. I think one of the problems is that I only use it when I'm out and about and I'm feeling so stiff and out of practice with drawing that I don't want to "ruin" a page. Hence the "Don't make this pretty" comment below.

I'm tearing my hair out because my teen had left his brain on the shelf the night before and forced me into being EVIL MOTHER again. Sigh. I hate being EVIL MOTHER.

What I need to do is bring the collage work I want to do into the journal. My expectations of a journal collage page and a separate "art piece" collage page are completely different. Maybe that will free me up to feel I can be messy and unconcerned about the outcome.

Remember my guerilla heart? I walked the bike path the other day and I saw a bit of red fluttering from a distance. My heart fluttered in response - it's still there! But no, it was only the scrap fabric that I'd used to tie it to the tree. The heart was gone.

I'm not sure if that made me sad or happy. I assumed it would disappear. It makes me wonder where it's journey went from there. Did a deer eat it? Did a punk kid pull it down and throw it in the river? Did some stranger feel it was speaking directly to him/her and bring it home to help heal a hurt? I like to think that latter happened.

My plans to hang the second heart have gone astray as I've LOST the heart! It was in the pocket of my jeans so I'd have it ready when the time was right. But now it's missing. I've checked all the pants I've worn recently, the laundry, my shopping bags. Don't have a clue. I'm assuming it either jumped out of my pocket where and when IT felt the timing was right, or it's around the house somewhere and will turn up again when it wants to be found.

2009-03-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

Playing with my macro and supermacro....

This old red wagon has been being used as a planter on my front step for years. It sort of "emptied" itself over the winter, I think the bottom finally rusted out so badly that it all ran out with the rains and snow. Perhaps it's time to retire it. I love the old chippy reds though.

I had my lens within an inch of this spider but he didn't pay me a spec of attention. He was too busy trying to fight this little.... I don't know what this other bug is. I don't think it's a beetle. There are a ton of them in our yard and they seem pretty innocuous. Anyway, these two were really going at it and eventually the not-beetle guy decided it was in his best interest to find another spot to relax.

Spring is popping out all over my yard. This daffy was in just the right spot for the setting sun to set aglow.

We're busy moving things in the backyard, including our compost pile. Best way to eat organic is to grow organic. (Although the sticker came from a storebought veggie.)

I noticed an odd thing about my Lady de Guadalupe statue yesterday. Over the winter, her skin has turned GREEN. It's a lot more obvious in person.

On the other hand, perhaps it makes sense that MY statue would turn green. "I think I'll try defying gravity...." Lalalaaaaaa.

2009-03-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

Isn't the purpose of a sign to SAY something????
What do you think this sign should say?

Still busy cleaning, working, decluttering the big outside and garage spots. UGH. But, progress is being made. A sad moment - I discovered some bins I thought were covered and safe.... okay, I was pretty sure they weren't, but they'd been sitting there for so long I'd forgotten what was really in there, I thought some old clothes - turned out to be filled with old and antique quilts and lace. They had gotten wet. And were mostly, almost all, completely mildewed and unsalvageable.

I tried not to think about it too much. I tried to think about how it was that much stuff I could toss instead of try to use or decide to pass on. Much easier if it goes right into the dumpster. But, oh, there's no way to let this pass without wishing it had been old clothes instead of such lovelies that were ruined.

I saved the sturdiest of the ruined laces and old linens and I've run them through the washer a few times. There's no way to stop the staining and holes but, if they don't completely disintegrate, I have a vague idea of perhaps using them. I guess I never give up on things 100%.

I have started on another pair of wristwarmers. Did I mention that? I had my heart set on a wine colored pair. But I didn't want to buy any new yarn, I wanted to use what I already had. I dug through my stash a second and then third time and my determination was rewarded. I found, if not the exact color I imagined, then very very close, several skeins of a deep burgundy wool in my stash. I got so much use out of my grey wrist warmers. I think this color will be the perfect alternate pair.

2009-03-17T23:49:00.000-07:00

I've got a deadline for clearing out the back yard for our sewer work to be done, and that means I also have a deadline for cleaning out the breezeway, so I have a place to stash all the stuff I have to get out of the backyard. This is all good - it's long overdue. I got a good start today, except for being distracted by the arrival of my new espresso maker, and by the time I got back to work I was losing light. I'm going to have to make better use of daylight hours, it got difficult to keep at it after it got cold and dark.

All this is to say I'll probably spend minimal time in the studio for the next several weeks. I was able to work on my ATC project again last night (the one I keep hinting I'm gonna explain and then I don't). I was gonna take a photo of it each step along the way, but I forgot to do that too.

So I took a photo of the mess that is the card table where I'm working on them instead. I piled up the actual ATC's and stored them in that little red and green box to keep them safe from fuzzy cats and coffee spilling Hubby. Exciting, isn't it. (<---Sarcasm---)

2009-03-16T01:56:00.000-07:00

I stopped by my friend Shirley's bead shop the other day. I haven't managed to get by too often recently and this was just a quick ten minute visit on my way to another appointment. Still, I had my camera with me and so I had the opportunity to snap a few photos of Shirley's wonderful artistic love of the whimsical and absurd.

Three black and white plastic huskies protect a wall of black and white family photos.

Three chickens roost on her old Singer. Makes sense, of course, because.... uhm... well, just because. Why not three roosters on an old Singer!?

The light coming through the back of the shop made her plant glow in stained glass colors.

And who needs an alarm system when you've got guard rats in the front window!

2009-03-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

I've made a significant shift in my productivity in this new year. I can feel it. I can explain it from a number of different perspectives, and point to a number of different factors in it's evolution. But I just thought of another one. 2009 - Nine has always been a powerful number for me. Maybe part of the extra energy comes from that deep connection.

It's a great relief, after many frustrating years of feeling in limbo. I'm not saying I've discovered the answers to all my questions, it's just a shift, not an epiphany, but I'm still grateful for it. I'm trying to take advantage of it, ride it's crest for as long as I can, and spend as much time as possible working creatively.

Of course along with the new energy, comes new frustrations. I'm having to rethink a lot of how I structure my day. I've come to the realization that I need to spend a lot less time online, and yet I draw a lot of my inspiration and networking and friendships from this small, white, plastic box that opens up and gives me such a wider view of the world. For now, I've settled for making posting my blog posts a priority but it's much harder to find time to visit all the blogs I want to visit regularly. I'm still visiting people, just more sporadically, catching up on a few weeks (or, gulp, months) of posts at a time.

I think this photo sums up a lot of what my life is like.

There's nothing in the photo to give you a clue to the size of things, although it doesn't really matter. I'm looking down over the bridge and that's a really, really big rock, only a small portion of it sticking out of the water. What's important is the idea that for all the part that you can see above the water, there's a much larger part that's hidden.

The rock below the water level is the bulk of daily life that gets swallowed up by day to day living - all those things that need to get done to keep self and kin fed, clothed, bills paid, etc. The part of the rock above water is the part of each day one has left to do ...whatever else one wants to do.

To take the analogy even further, depending on how fast and high the river is flowing (how fast and busy life comes at me), the degree of dry stone that stays above the rush of things changes. Some times there's more time and energy left to play with, sometimes there's nothing left of the day, the rock completely submerged.

So, that's all to say that I'm trying out different combinations of what activities get a place there on the smaller dry spot, and what activities I have to let float away for now. It's hard because I want it ALL above water. But that's not gonna happen. And if I stay with the analogy I started, that would translate into being "high and dry" - uhm, that sounds like it might be a stuck and uncreative place. With no river flowing by, there's no place to dip into for new ideas. So, it's back to juggling and making decisions.

******

More on street art, this time publically sanctioned art. Our town has a few unique treasures, one of them is the many (and over the years there are more and more of them) city murals. I don't take them for granted, per se, I enjoy them every time I walk or drive by one. But until now it hasn't occurred to me to take a photo of them to share with you. So, here's a couple I walked by yesterday.

If you could read the words along the bottom, this is a photo of Lassen County's founder (apologies to the Native Americans who had already found this area and had been living here for a long time before then) Isaac Roop and his daughter Susan, who Susanville is named after. You can click to enlarge these photos.

This one is on the side of the local Iron Horse gym. It's a tribute to the logging history of the community. The local mill only recently closed, after something like 70 years of being in business. I like how it was made to look like an old photograph, right down to the corner photo tabs.

Here's another photo to show you how large it is.

I'll try to remember to take photos of more murals as I wander about town in the coming year.

2009-03-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

Walking along the river trail the other day I glanced over and saw...

...why, it looks like a wee doorway. Let's get a little closer.

Wow, am I really seeing this? Is that a little set of stairs? Quietly now...

... a little arch of leaves. Is that... is that a doorknob!? I can't believe..... woooshhhhh...

.... I'm really seeing a.... oh. Well. I swear, for a moment there I thought I was seeing a wee faery door. But wow, it sure looks like it could be one, doesn't it?

Now that we're off the trail, we might as well finish climbing down to the edge of the river. I'm sure we'll find something to photogra...... wha!!!!!

I can't be seeing this! Wait. I need to rub my eyes for a moment. Let me take another look...

Oh. I see. Well, it does look a little fae made, doesn't it. But for a minute there, I thought I was seeing.... that was weird.

2009-03-12T23:52:00.000-07:00

Remember the link to Girrl+Dog I posted a while back about the Guerilla Knit Art Challenge? Or whatever it was called. I found out about it too late to officially participate, but it inspired me to do some guerilla art of my own.

I ended up quilting instead of knitting something. But it was the ideas of doing some piece of art and a) putting it up someplace public and b) releasing it to it's own fate that appealed to me. It was a very small thing to do but in this community where most people don't do odd things, it felt very brave and slightly scary. I was tickled with myself for ACTUALLY DOING IT.

So, let's pretend you're walking along the local biking/hiking trail along the river.

Your eye is caught by a flash of color in the faded winter palette...

You get closer... something is caught in the tree?

No, it looks like it's wrapped, tied into the tree. There's writing....

I hope this is the point at which people smile. Do a little tap dance or salsa, maybe a couple high kicks before moving on.

Maybe one more, a pirouette. A twirl to say "bye bye little heart!"

I wonder how many people have seen it? I wonder if it's still there? It's been there for several days now, maybe tomorrow I'll go for another walk, nonchalantly pass by the spot and have a look. It might look like a lonely spot in the photos, but a lot of people do walk by there, just not nonstop.

I have another heart stuck in my pocket, waiting for another spot. I've got a couple of location ideas but they have more constant public exposure so putting it up without being seen, I haven't figured out how I'm gonna work that yet.

Here's the link again, this time to the general Grrl+Dog blog instead of the single post. If you scroll down through the last two months posts, you will see lots of photos of guerilla knit artists.

2009-03-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

Mark's story didn't make tonight's Colbert. Maybe tomorrow night? No big deal for me as I watch almost every night. And you can catch every episode online after it's aired.

What's more annoying, I couldn't find the magazine. Our local Walmart usually carries it but this issue was gone - either they didn't carry it at all or it's sold out. I'm thinking it's probably the former. Although apparently the issue has sold out from the publisher. I'm sure I'll find a copy eventually.

I got that table full of paint and stamps and other art supplies set up in the living room. And....

that's as far as I got. I still don't have the images I want to use picked out. It's a LOT HARDER than I thought it would be! Maybe tomorrow I'll make more microscopic progress? Although, hey, I'm actually pretty happy with daily progress no matter how small.

And now I'm gonna make some Scottish oats and take it to bed with me. Perhaps a strange bedtime snack, but it's what I'm craving.

2009-03-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Today I was gonna show you some more environmental art I made. (Not sure if Environmental Art works as a description. Hmmmm. Outside Art? Found Art?) But I've bumped the idea in order to give you a heads up on Mark Lipinski's championing of controversial quilt artists and Joann's playing censor.

You can read Mark's blog here or News Google him and/or his magazine and find out more about the controversy. I wrote a brief but appropriately snarky e-mail to Joann's telling them how I feel about censorship.

Fortunately this sort of thing tends to backfire on the stupid people. Apparently Mark is going to be getting a "Colbert Bump"! Be sure to watch tonight's show. And if you've never heard of The Colbert Show then, sigh, you really need to have someone help you push that big rock off of you.

2009-03-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

I followed through on my "environmental art" challenge to myself. I wandered around outside and found a dearth of ideas springing up in my head. So I wandered some more. Until something did "spring" up.

I like how it came out, but I wandered a bit more, trying to stumble upon another idea. I have this elm weed in my flower bed. It'll have to come out. So I played with it a bit.

Ever wonder where lassos come from? Why, a lasso tree of course!

Also good for making bubble hoops. Hmmm.... maybe I'll try dipping them in bubble soap if it warms up more, and see how that looks.

This creating art out of nature turns out to be harder than I thought!

And then, I had an inspiration! Here's the series of thoughts that tumbled out of my brain - Lots of dried flower stalks still toppling about in the garden.... Waiting for spring and fresh flowers to appear.... No color.... Shades of Inspiration Flickr group theme this last week was "rainbow"....

And here's what happened when I connected the dots between them all-

Rainbow Flowers!

Did anyone else take me up on the challenge? Come on folks. Just something simple. I wanna see! Wanna see! Wanna see!!!

2009-03-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've been really struggling to fit everything in my days this last week. The Rosie was sick and required much holding and worrying over. Teen has been sick too, a lingering cold, and I've alternated between bringing him hot cups of tea and yelling at him to still manage a few minutes of chores. The weather has been cold, snowy, rainy, wet, slushy, cold, icy... most of this all at the same time. It makes me feel housebound, when I haven't been out in the mess shoveling or slushing around on errands. The day fills up and what gets tossed is, of course, art time.

The studio needs a freestanding heater to be warm enough to work in there and even when I remember to turn it on earlier so I can get in there later, the electrical breaker for that side of the house has suddenly decided that's one thing too many plugged in. ARgh. But even if I can get the studio warmed up, it is now so full of boxes and STUFF that it's almost impossible to set anything up to work. Very. Big. Sigh.

I think today I'll set up a card table in the living room and try to gather up the things I need for step two (or step three or five or .... I don't know, depends on what you count as a step - do I count going to the store for supplies as a step? cleaning off the table as a step?) of my ATC project - which I was gonna tell you about but then didn't - and see if I can work on them in front of the television tonight. Although, bad night to choose, Sunday is a television wasteland.

I'm telling you this because I think that if I do, it will inspire me to follow through. Hahaha! Maybe I will. Maybe I'll get in the studio digging for supplies and just end up cleaning instead. Or working on something else. Or maybe the Teen or Phone or Some Other Distraction will drag me sideways.

Someone sent me a link to this photo artist today. Isn't he (I think it's a he, I have no idea) fabulous!? I love these images. It reminds me of this lovely blogger who I've been remiss in visiting for a few months. She uses all natural supplies while the former's appeal is the juxtaposition of natural and unnatural, but the similarities are that both use the natural world as a backdrop and both create something unexpected in that setting.

I used to create images like this when I was a child. I didn't take photographs of them. I just did it for my own pleasure. They lasted only as long as I saw them, or perhaps they lingered until a foot kicked them or the wind toppled them. I'm not sure what compelled me to make them. I think I saw natural patterns and designs all around me and decided nature was as good a palette to work with as crayons or paint, and I tried my own hand at making them.

Nowadays I tend to think of creating art as something that happens in the studio and finding art is something that happens through the lens of my camera. I forget that the two concepts can be combined. A few times in the last few years I've spontaneously played with creating in the world around me and those unplanned moments stand out as blissful living-in-the-moment memories. Why don't I remember to do this more often? If this sort of play brings me so much joy, why don't I do it on a regular basis!?

Fortunately, as an adult, I've had the advantage of having a camera to capture a few of these creations. Nothing too grandiose, just simple ideas. But still, they change the everyday into a surprise.

The Rock Tree

This one was actually William's idea. I forced him to spend an entire afternoon playing in the mountains with me. He was most unhappy about being dragged out on a planned "bonding with nature" event, but he really got into the spirit of things once we got out there.

Crabapples

I went for a walk at a botanical gardens in Reno one autumn day and ended up playing for the better part of an hour with these crabapples that had fallen in the parking lot.

Peering Down at Me

Bottle Face

When they put in new sidewalks in front of our house a few summers ago, they disturbed a lot of fill dirt that had been brought in from other places to make the road. One of the workers found an unbroken dairy bottle and that inspired me to spend one late afternoon digging for my own treasures.

With the economy these days, and the cost of art supplies, this also appeals to me as a way of making low impact, environmentally friendly art.

I'm challenging myself to make some unexpected, ephemeral art today. How bout you - wanna play?

Create something, post a photo of it, and let me know.

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