Happy New Year

I feel it. I know it is going to be a better year. Let's all put our good vibes into that thought!

Floating House

This is the evening blue light that I love and can never quite explain the beauty of being surrounded by it! And wouldn't it be great to experience it while sitting in this Floating House? Designed by MOS.

A Chair For All Reasons

"Sitting is a universal experience. Throughout the world, people settle into chairs, stretch out on benches, perch on stools, sink into sofas or cushion themselves with a pillow, marking the body’s state as being both stationary yet dynamic."

A Chair For All Reasons on exhibit at the Museum of International Folk Art in New Mexico.

The Big Picture

It does feel like this year was filled with despair and tragedy as seen in Boston.com's The year 2008 in photographs, "The Big Picture".

The Quick Brown

The Quick Brown checks Fox News regularly and notes any changes in the headlines.

Ask the Architect

Are you housing a burning question? The Hungry Architect's Ask the Architect is a place to start. I want to know why I have to keep remodeling and fixing the same thing every 6 years! Is there some cheap, wonderful way to add an overhang on my front steps? ;) Maybe some innovative architectural kit I could purchase?

What Lies Beneath The Surface

Austere and beautiful. The photos by Guy Sargent make you feel like you are the only person on the planet viewing some magnificent scene. What Lies Beneath the Surface series by Guy Sargent examines both landscape & architecture and is constantly evolving. Via Form Fifty Five.

Ho Ho Ho

Sometimes the news is so grim, you just have to laugh along with it ... Political Cartoons, Dec. 20-26.

Tangible Roots

"You should pop over and see "Roots", an interactive installation for the Brick Table tangible and multi-touch interface, where multiple people can collaborate in making music in a dynamic & visually responsive environment. When a user presses their finger on the tables surface, a vine-like structure will branch out and generatively maneuver around the surface– actively triggering sounds and loops. Harnessing “multi-touch” technology, a single user, or multiple people can very quickly create dense and lush generatively evolving sound collages and compositions, simply by pressing their fingers anywhere on the tables surface.

Thomas Allen

Thomas Allen via Blurberati Blog.

Unclutterer

Unclutterer daily tips on how to organize your home and office ... blogging again because I need to read every entry.

Making the most of a moment

I am a contributing editor at Mamapalooza and here is my first post over there:

Like all of you, I am busy. My to-do list is long, nerves frazzled, memory is going. Working mom/artist trying to find a little space in my day that is just mine. Lately I have been taking a moment to enjoy just a tiny success in my day, a smaller thrill. It is great to have an entire day to work on a project but in lieu of that ... how 'bout just a minute or two to savor something delicious.

1. I had saved all the links and instructions, with the hopes that one day in my lifetime I would have a week of freezing weather to make Ice Luminaries. I look longingly at the photos of glowing candles housed in iced cylinders ... thinking, maybe if I move to Montana I could have those in the winter. I don't live where gets cold enough to enjoy such a "free" candle holder. And my heart would ache at the thought of that.

Then the worst snow storm we have had in decades hit a week before Christmas. With pre-Christmas panic setting in, many items left on my list undone and family flying in for the holidays, the thought of Ice Luminaries completely left my brain.

While driving in brown slush to the grocery store the blue glow of those candles popped into my head and I yelped in pain that I had wasted 3 freezing nights. Last night I decided to punt. Before snow turns into a flash flood in our front yard, I took the opportunity to make "my" version. Grabbed a can from recycling, compressed 6 little cylindrical shapes in the snow and placed lit tea candles. For the moment I was in heaven. Making the most of the moment, even if it is not the perfect can bring much happiness.



2. When my son drove his car in snow conditions, that I had prohibited him to do and got it stuck in a snow bank, he was grounded. Later when we were there with the car discussing how to get it out ... I told him to leave it until the snow melted. During our heated debate over the subject he asked me why I was being so bossy ... and I yelled to the sky as loud as I could "I am the mother and we are supposed to be bossy"! Making the most of a moment.

3. This summer I ran across my M-I-L's gift that was meant for her last year. She was married last year and I found a Double Wedding Ring quilt. Last year was really the appropriate time for her to receive this gift. I decided to tagged the quilt and give it to her anyway as "Gift of Christmas Past".

Crispina

I so love the idea of what Crispina creates ... handmade recycled wool and cotton heirlooms. Need to blog it again.

The Lure of the Open Road

We are missing having my S-I-L here with us this Christmas. She has an exciting new job so I guess we will let her off the hook this Christmas.

She just sent me this lovely link, The Lure of the Open Road, 1944.

Vintage Thread

Delicious Days

Delicious-ness of Delicious Days.

Chest Hair T-shirt

Don't you love these Chest Hair T-shirt

Super Logos

Past Super Bowl logos.

Cubby-Blue

I love clicking around on the internet ... find the neatest things: Cubby-Blue, a collection of illustrations following the Cubs season.

Hooked

Stick a fork in this, I think it is done perfectly -- plinth block towel hooks.

Step Chests

Step chests following the original centuries-old Japanese design, we've combined sliding doors and drawers for varying storage needs." I wish we could build a version of these into the wall, many walls!

Recycled Glass Garden Chandelier

Maybe more for the summer ... Craftzine Recycled Glass Garden Chandelier. I have made a bunch of these individually and the backyard never looked lovelier ... need to make more.

The McLaughlin Group

The McLaughlin Group had the best and worst of 2008 on tonight. Pretty entertaining. I am sorry Monica, most of the time I want to slap you. And every time she starts off on her ultra-right-wing-conservative-short-sighted viewpoint, I shout out ... Eleanor! go After HER! (I know, it is the low point of my Sunday morning viewing ... when my blood pressure goes sky high while having my coffee).

Greed Gone Wild

The Year of Magical Painting by Geoffrey ... The Fallen Prince, portrait of Alan Greenspan, seen below. Geoffrey was a part of 20-20 piece on Greed Gone Wild. Hope you got to watch it. Scoundrels and Scandals of 2008. Let's face it, this was not one of our most glorious years as a nation.

Yo Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma has been invited to perform at the inauguration of President-elect Obama on January 20, 2009, that is so perfect.

Take a listen to: Happy Xmas (War is Over and The Wexford Carol.

I want Yo Yo Ma to teach me the cello! And what is on his iPod?

Pie Chart

The Chocolate Pie Chart from Mary & Matt's General Store via Hi + Low.

Snowy Love

In love with these wedding photos in the snow by Grazier Photography via A CUP OF JO.

Merry Christmas!

I know in the last few years I have not told you all thank you enough for reading my blog, commenting, communicating and making my little blogging world a happy place for me to be. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic year to come.

Etsy Furniture Finds

Vintage dresser with antique silver finish, I want it. Have no place for it.

Green lacquer tall chest

Take Out Light

Primitive colonial coffee table

Scorching Hot

Scorching hot art of Willie Cole.

Jon Eiseman

It tickles me to see Jon Eiseman's, "Birds of a feather", seen below.

The Lunchbox Auction

Gourmet sponsored The Lunchbox Auction, which benefits the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund of South Africa. The online auction features one-of-a-kind lunchboxes designed by celebrities from film, television, fashion, art, music, and the culinary world—including musician Michael Stipe, chef Mario Batali, and our own editor in chief, Ruth Reichl. You can view the lunchboxes and place bids. Bidding ends December 18 at noon. Got this from my SIL ...

Notes On Design

Very, very cool! gridr buildrrr via DesignNotes.

I am completely in love with Michael Surtees' New York City Colour Study.

Customize the news with Daylife.

D-Torso (A Herd Of Fun)

3-dimensional and structural toys by d-torso are unique and wonderful. Looks like something I need! Via Spoon & Tamago.

Chris Everard

Photographer Chris Everard, Lifestyle, Interiors, Still Life, Food via Under a Paper Moon.

Copper Pans

Ah, to buy these for my mom!

The Peace Of Wild Things

I needed this, thanks, Gael. The Peace of Wild Things Poem by Wendell Berry.

Snow Lit Night

My week off is over. And although I did nothing I had planned on doing ... I feel like I have been off month ... so that has to count for something, right?

Delivering cookies to the neighbor.



Pica braving the elements. Snow deeper than he is tall!





And all so peaceful.

The Bag Lady Papers

Alexandra Penney - a New York artist and former editor of Self Magazine - lost her life savings in the Madoff debacle. Now she shares her wrenching trauma in a Daily Beast exclusive, The Bag Lady Papers via the best blog, Time Goes By. Thanks Ronni for what you do so well.

And to add to that, The Best of Bernie by Ben Crair. I guess I can't get enough of Mad Bernie and his financial dealings (or undoings). When is the book coming out?

Metal Juniper Tree

I ordered this adorable Metal Juniper Tree, backordered. No, they called me and had a small and large, I took both! And bought a couple of the sea urchin vases ;) Because I could. ;)

Colour Spring 2009

Pantone Selects Colour of the Year for 2009, and that color is PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa, a “warm, engaging yellow which embodies hopefulness and reassurance in a climate of change”. Via The FontFeed.

Pantone fashion color report spring 2009, download pdf. My only two picks are Dark Citron, PANTONE 16-0435; Slate Gray PANTONE 16-5804 ... the rest, well, I won't be wearing them.

License Plate Design Contest

WHALE TAIL License Plate Design Contest via CREATIVE JOB AGENCY on Facebook. Thanks Giao for the invite!

"The California Coastal Commission announces the WHALE TAIL License Plate Design Contest. The winning artwork will be featured on a new official DMV license plate and will be available for purchase by all California drivers. This is an opportunity to get widespread exposure and visibility for your work and take an active part in preserving California’s coast. A $1,000 cash prize will be awarded for the winning design. The cash prize was made possible by the California State Parks Foundation."

Snow!

I escaped the house today to do some grocery shopping (45 minutes in a line to check out) and to do some Christmas shopping, which I haven't done in the last two days being snowed in.

Tonight, snow is moving horizontally through the backyard lights. The wind would whip it up into a blur, white lines streaking through the air. Then flakes slow down and dance around right in front of me. I feel suspended in a magical life-size snowglobe. Stood in the doorway, laughing out loud. Snow flurries through the door. Pica got lost in snow coming up the back stairs, howling for help. David just came in from shoveling 7 inches of the white stuff off the front stairs. Crazy.

One Word

Jill did it and maybe I can too. Only one word.

Where is your mobile phone? Pocket
Where is your significant other? Shopping
Your hair colour? Reddish
Your mother? Talking
Your father? Texas
Your favourite thing? Quietness
Your dream last night? Blank
Your dream goal? Horns
The room you're in? Cozy
Your hobby? Brainstorming
Your fear? Incomplete
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Convergence
Where were you last night? Home
What you're not? Sane
One of your wish-list items? G5
Where you grew up? Texas
The last thing you did? Watch
What are you wearing? Sweats
Your TV? HBO
Your pets? Snoring
Your computer? Essential
Your mood? Uplifted
Missing someone? Faith
Your car? Decrepit
Something you're not wearing? Underwear
Favourite shop? Pottery Barn
Your summer? Green
Love someone? Honeybunny
Your favourite colour? Green
When is the last time you laughed? Kitchen
When is the last time you cried? Scooter

Takeshi Miyakawa

Fractal by Takeshi Miyakawa Design.

Bottled Up Buddha

"Thai monks from the Sisaket province have used over one million recycled glass bottle to construct their Buddhist temple. Mindfulness is at the center of the Buddhist discipline and the dedication and thoughtfulness required to build everything from the toilets to their crematorium from recycled bottles shows what creativity and elbow grease can accomplish."

Isn't that the coolest! I could build my own wing if I saved my wine bottles.

Obama Star!

I had plans to do this as my Christmas card, thrill some friends and disgust other friends and family members. I wanted Obama-star to have a little spring behind his head so he would move slightly. But for the life of me I couldn't get the donkey-elf to look like a donkey. Everyone in the house was critiquing it and I have decided to move on and give up on this idea ... since I don't have any days left. Did I mention that next year I am going to be much more organized. (Am I starting to sound like a broken record?)

The Carbon Atlas

The carbon atlas: "New figures confirm that China has overtaken the US as the largest emitter of CO2. This interactive emissions map shows how the rest of the world compares. Global C02 emissions totalled 29,195m tonnes in 2006 – up 2.4% on 2005".

Thrifty Holiday Music Download

Oprah's Favorite Things for a Thrifty Holiday free music download via Dawn's blog.

I'm Tired Of ...

I'm Tired of Global Warming Bracelet - stop global warming. Love it, live it and wear it.

Tina Frey Designs

Tina Frey Designs modern designs in resin. Love the Capri Bubble rings.

Calvin Trillin

Charlie Rose - A conversation with author Calvin Trillin, mainly talking about his new book. If you missed this, you should watch. Brilliant!

Valerie Arntzen

Stumbled upon wonderful work of mixed media and assemblage artist Valerie Arntzen, from Vancouver, BC .... beautiful!

The Hungry Architect

My favorite neighbors, Rick and Laura, are becoming quite the bloggers. Can't wait to see what he blogs about next. ') He helps me in every aspect of my home remodeling and is a genius. I'm lucky to have them both right across the street. And the other plus ... their incredible kids. Delivered all kinds of homemade-candy-goodness two nights ago and I am sure I have gained 10 pounds since then. Should blog about the 15-foot Christmas tree they have in their living room right now ;)

Santa Hat Refused

I couldn't get Pica to stay still for the "Santa Hat" photo, so my Sleeping Beauty got the hat instead. ;0 Can't wait until he sees this on my blog.

Hvass & Hannibal

Hvass & Hannibal Design and Art Studio via Free People blog.

Gabriele Siegl

Gabriele Siegl's flight of fancy.

Sock and Awe!

Now I wish I had thought of this, Sock and Awe! And I didn't even get arrested.

Wines Of Substance

Wines of substance, Washington State Periodic Table of Wines, love this packaging! Via Blog of Mr Sean Cornell.

Let It Snow

M is out with friends sliding down a closed steep street. I have a big fire roaring. Mom is reading, Pica on her lap. I am off on vacation. (Still have lots of work to do ... I need to focus!) But we have big, beautiful flakes swirling around the house. And it is magical.

Tiny Xmas Trees

Tiny Xmas Trees by Because We Can. Wonderful!

The Best Tree

Dutch artist Jane Schouten has created the best Christmas tree ever (yeah, I said ever) via UPPERCASE gallery. More of her delightful handiwork here.

Swishing

Swishing, Ethical Fashion, Clothes swapping.

Vintage Santas, Free Tags

I found these Santas to use as table decoration years ago. Print him out on a heavy stock, cut around the Santa, use an Xacto knife to cut a slit to put guest name or greeting then wrap the green base around and tape inside. Hi-res version here. There are a couple of sizes on Flickr, look under "all sizes".





I used this one for a tag. Cut around Santa, punch a small hole. Hi-res here. I fit several on one 8.5 x 11 page. It really doesn't take long to cut him out.

I Do Now I Don't

He turned his breakup into a business ... I Do Now I Don't.

Chill Out, You're At The Beach

Not sure what to think about cooling off beaches so your feet won't get overheated. Chill out, you beautiful people, the Versace beach is refrigerated from Times Online.

Round Robin

With everything else going on here, I am desperately trying to catch up on the Round Robin art projects piling up in my art studio. Added this bird and bird nest to one. Finished two, one more then off to the next artist.

Bad News Keeps Coming

I needed a couple "news-free" days. At a certain point last week, I thought my head would explode if I heard one more breaking news story about scandal and corruption. My question? Can this country get its' moral compass back? Ever? Most of do the "right thing" every day. Rich and powerful ... those rules are not for them? And we are all (this means the world community as well) paying the price, in many ways. And will for many, many years to come.

"'I can't wait to begin to tell my side of story, says Illinois governor". Oh, yeah, and we can't wait to hear it. Hey, Blagojevich, do the honorable thing and resign so we don't have to endure anymore of this incredibly stupid story.

And this enrages me even more ... "Gov. Rod Blagojevich prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office this morning, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," one of the pastors said."

Bernie Madoff's Mad Money. "The details are already rich and in some ways hilarious. Madoff's auditor was a tiny firm in Rockland County, which consisted of three employees: a 78-year-old living in Florida, a secretary and a 47-year-old accountant operating out of an office the size of a small bedroom. When skeptics warned the Securities and Exchange Commission about Madoff, they were repeatedly brushed off. The SEC investigated Madoff in 2005 and 2007 but came up with nothing, which tells you much about the quality of SEC investigations in these heady hedge fund years."

Inside The Madoff Mysteries.

I honestly don't know how you can get away with something this big without someone noticing. Hell, if I am late with one credit card payment, I have a barrage of phone calls, nasty mail ... so please, someone explain to me how this guy can get away with secretly moving billions of dollars around and losing it without anyone knowing? Lots of foundation and charities devastated. Not to mention other world banks. Will the rest of the world ever forgive us for all of this mess?

I am trying not to listen to much news on my couple of days off.

This is how I feel about it all ... image by Chris Hays from Orlando Sentinel slide show.

Snowstorm

CraftStylish's Jeffery Rudell is making a Snowstorm, in a simple garland.

22 Degrees

22 degrees in Edmonds and that is cold for us! New snow on the Olympics, picture taken by me in my pajamas and house robe on Sunset Drive this morning.

Business Card Design

Cool business card designs part one at creativebit and part two.

18 Smokin’ Hot Business Card Designs at Freelance Switch.

35 cool and inspirational business card designs (some repeats) at CrazyLeaf Design blog.

Couldn't leave this wonderful calendar made of matches out of this post, designed by Yurko Gutsulyak, seen below via Design Crush.

Nicholas Hughes

Nicholas Hughes, seriously beautiful images. Via Camilla.

Diamond Prince You Want To Kiss

Honestly Ruth, if I had an extra $1500 dollars floating around I would buy you this Diamond Frog Prince Ring, really!

And so many other froggie goodness at Trend de la Crème.

Cookie Exchange

Mom and I went to a wonderful cookie exchange today hosted by a friend from work, who is a baker. I made the Triple Chocolate Raspberry Brownies. I was still high this morning from licking the bowl last night! I should have read the invitation more carefully, I individually wrapped mine ;0. I used this vintage Santa as the tag. When I scan him in properly, I will link to a big file that YOU TOO can print and cut out for a fun tag. I was in such a hurry this morning I forgot to take pics of the final product. HO HO HO.

Clean' Graffiti

As a mom of a graffiti artist, this hit a good spot for me. Although he hits the free wall ... well, you never know. I will share this with M, a great alternative to spray paint -- Clean Graffiti by artist Paul Curtis via the amazing Dear Ada with an eye for the unusual (see wonderful video here).

Loves Me Loves Me Not

Mr Jones Watches "Loves Me is a kinetic brooch - the front of the case features an animated display which is driven by a watch mechanism inside the case. The design is inspired by the game of effeuiller la marguerite in which “loves me, loves me not” is spoken while plucking the petals of a flower; similarly the display on Loves Me alternates the phrases 'Loves Me' / 'Loves Me Not' and so acts as a never ending flower."

Wedgie

I throw my panties away when they do this, isn't that called a wedgie?

Sunshine Tattoo

Sunshine Tattoo by Yu-Chiao Wang. Just make sure you put it on the same place every time! It would better as a bracelet or maybe built into a shirt sleeve so you wear it everyday, in the same place. Via Stylehive.

Mark Klett

Photographs by Mark Klett documenting Saguaros.