Goodbye Old Decade

I enjoyed learning from and experimenting with this blog in 2009. Due to a constant flux of interests, I will move away from this and challenge myself with something new. My new blog can be found at http://jam-and-talc.blogspot.com/

This line from a poem by David Whyte helps this year's blog to close:
"Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong"

I belong in 2010 now.

Best,
Velvet

Tartan Christmas

I posted in October that I planned my Christmas theme to be tartan. I used men's ties as the garland and had lots of other tartan items around the room. This is a picture of the tree with some of the presents.

Sunset

I have a mini obsession with sunrises and sunsets. I'm not a great photographer, but I will take 50 pictures of one sunset. I took this one last month in Puerto Vallarta. Its mesmerizing to be on the water, and watch it change every minute. Its so peaceful...from the master Creator.

Huichol Art

I have been fascinated by Huichol Art for some time. I came across some beautiful jewelry, made from intricate beading, and started studying its origins. I had never heard of it before. The Huichol Indians are a very old tribe in Mexico, known for their incredible form of dress and handwork. Unfortunately there are only 3,000 of them left. Here are some pictures from a gallery in Mexico that I visited in Puerto Vallarta. The paintings are done by applying yarn to beeswax. They are vibrant and the quality is amazing.

Abstract Painting

I painted this a while ago using acrylics. I enjoy different art media, but when I paint I am inspired by artists such as Robert Motherwell and Franz Kline. One day I noticed it was taken off the wall. My husband used it it for an album cover for one of his Resonant Drift ambient albums, shown in the second picture. It was a nice surprise. The vertical words in French translate: Sorrow and love flow mingled down. I am not French but enjoy the language.

Tiffany Blue Bird

Doesn't creation just blow you away? I love birds and many different kinds show up daily in my backyard. I wish I knew all of their names. This photograph was taken by an etsy seller, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32211833. Amazing colours in this beautiful photo. The bird is called a "Racquet-tailed Rollar". I googled it and found more pictures on http://www.ejphoto.com/racquettailed_roller_page.htm . So cheerful!

Christmas Theme

I change my theme every year for Christmas. I consider it one of my gifts, so I don't worry about spending a little money on new decor each year. This year I wont have to spend much as I have accumulated some of it over the years. This years theme will be "A Tartan Christmas"
Our family has a few tartans in our history, and my flower girl wore a kilt in my wedding. All tartans are plaids, but not all plaids are tartans. It has to have a familial history and symetry of design to be a tartan. The great thing about them is that they don't all have to match. Layering various ones together creates a new synergy. The designs never really leave fashion or decor, they just get reinvented, as in the new Coach tartan bags and accessories.
The books are available from Amazon. Jeffrey Banks is well known for his tartan designs in fashion and now home decor. His new line is available on HSN.com

Will this BIRD fly?

Juicy Couture has a new line out called BIRD. The website says

The line features our latest twist on casual luxury and is created for you girls whose personality is evidenced through your cutting edge sense of style. Compared to Juicy's more laid-back options, Bird consists of sophisticated, fitted pieces inspired by timeless, vintage silhouettes.

www.bergdorfgoodman.com is featuring some of the pieces. Looks like an edgier side of Juicy.

Birthday Treats

These are some of the nice gifts I got yesterday for my birthday! My husband took me out to lunch at Houston's this weekend in Irvine and then to Fashion Island, Kean Coffee, and Hi Times. Last night we had Rustico for dinner. He brought me home the lilies, wine, and cash! Cards and checks came from family. We are having a family gathering this weekend to keep the birthday coming!

My friend, Suzanne, gave me this gorgeous antique perfume bottle. Look at the daisies in relief on the stopper. Oh its precious. It is adorned with "jewelry" and each piece is movable. The cross has a lovely patina. Thank you Suzanne!

New Collections

I am working on some ideas for some new colour collections. This will be a simple outline to get started. 4 Palettes:

Spring-Desert-Warm-Arizona

Summer-Ocean-Breezy-So Cal

Winter-Mountain-Cold-Pacific Northwest

Fall-River-Crisp-New England

Papaya Art and Sabrina Ward Harrison

A match made in heaven...two of my favorite artists have combined forces. I have had the pleasure of meeting Sabrina Ward Harrison and Anahata, the artist behind Papaya! art, at different times and years. I would love to know how this collaboration came about! I could not have dreamt anything more perfect. Check out the collection at http://www.papayaart.com/category.jhtm?cid=85

Ladies...shout a cheer to this!

Vintage Fun from the UK

These are ideas that float around in my head. Catherine Colebrook beat me to it. Lovely and precious!

Beautiful Gifting

If you need gift or wrapping ideas...this Canadian company ships to the US, comes wrapped in a style to match the gift, and no tax. Obviously a lot of thought has gone into everything they do.

Reading List

Today I'm reading the new Lucky with Hayden on the cover, and the Stationery Trends catalog from the LA gift show. Later maybe another chapter from the Ravenscar Dynasty.

Beautiful Mosaic

Recently we took a trip to Half Moon Bay, Ca. What a gorgeous place! This huge mosaic was bolted in large squares to the side of a building on Main Street.

My Store?

Also came across this clothing store, with my name on it.

Great Logo

Done a bit o' travelin recently. I came across this indie coffee house in Paso Robles, California. This artwork was hanging outside. Unfortunately they were closed, but I had to take a picture. It's even more impressive in person. The painting is on metal and anchored to the wood planks with nuts and bolts.

Art Spool

I was so excited to come across this pixelated art. Devorah Sperber "paints" with spools of thread. I had never seen this before, but am thrilled to find people who are really thinking out of the box when it comes to art.

Vintage Scottie

Here is something new from Dooney & Bourke. Scottie dogs were very popular in the 1940's and 50's, especially on Christmas cards. Vintage scottie themed items are often available on ebay and Bonanzle.

Start Spreading the News...

My dearest friends are planning a trip to NYC for their 3rd anniversary. This is a painting of Lady Liberty, by Peter Max, one of my all time favourite artists. I did my senior project on him at University. She bids you a great trip and so do I!!!! 

Writing a scooter

I love my Vespa notebook by Cavallini and my Christmas cards by Meri Meri from a few years back. These are on display in my studio.

New Vintage Dolls

I don't collect dolls. But if I did...

Hostess Gift

I put together a hostess gift for a friend. I made the tag but didn't sign it so that she could reuse it. It was created with pink toile paper and daisy carsstock on the bottom. I used a scalloped punch for the battenburg lace paper and the glitter cardstock. On top I put a green rhinestone and then some polka dot ribbon tied at the top. In a chartreuse cellophane bag (purchased at Cost Plus,) I put some shred (purchased at Target, also in chartreuse colour), a Mor soap, a mini picture album, and a Caldrea dish soap sample. Sorry for the blur!

Kelly Wearstler

I enjoy the work of Kelly Wearstler, and the designs she implemented in the Viceroy Hotel, Santa Monica. The style is called Regency. I took these pictures when we stayed there. I'd like to add a little "rock and roll" to it, to make it a little more whimsical.

The Next Big Thing

Little pies are the new cupcakes!

A Tale of Two Worlds, Part II

I mentally live in a different world. My thoughts shift when I am being creative. I think in terms of a Betsey Johnson-Tarina Tarantino-Regency-Former Punk Rocker-Mod/Ska-April Cornell-Anthropologie-Old British Ladies Drinking Cups of Tea-Ben Sherman-Fred Perry-Bettie Paige-Rachel Ashwell-Take me to Paris-kind of life. Both worlds can coexist because of the basic principles of design. When great colours, shapes, and ideas collide, it can all meld together beautifully. I was playing with displaying some vintage jewelry. I used props from my laundry room that has a "French Laundry" theme. My studio and my laundry room are the 2 main spaces void of the danish modern look.

A Tale of Two Worlds-Part I

I physically live in a modern world with clean lines and careful editing. Spending hours in MOMA, NYC is a must. I decorate my house with major influences from Danish Modern design and I love the late 1950'-early 1960's. I feel that it works for our family and that it is timeless.

The pictures are from my downstairs hallway and formal dining room. The drapes are silk, the wood is cherry, the rug is Kashmir and signed by the family. The serigraph is a Barbara Hepworth. I painted all my hallways a museum grey, and the dining room a stormy blue in the same mid tone. Most people do not perceive the colour shift, but they always notice the walls and comment. I loosely call my style "Modern Masculine." I carefully planned the house for one year, and shopped for 4 months while it was being built.