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.

Glitterfest 2009

I had the pleasure of attending the first "Glitterfest" on May 16 in Old Town Tustin, CA. I enjoyed seeing and meeting many artists that I was familiar with, from magazines and blogs. Everyone was very friendly, and the location was well chosen. The space was large enough, and easy to navigate. Rather than experiencing sensory overload, the organizers clearly put much thought into the placement of the vendor/artists. I appreciated the transition from genres, so that I could enjoy a visual rest.

Featured were jewelry artists, paper crafters, ephemera merchants, illustrators, and painters, to name a few. I purchased a vintage hymnal from 1875 that I will use to make paper crafts with. I introduced myself to Jenny Doh and she was lovely. The whole environment was welcoming and I look forward to purchasing items from the artists via their websites.

Birthday Gift

I put together this ensemble for my friend, Ruth. I purchased the 2 bars of soap, and the crown tag, at "Paris to the Moon" in Costa Mesa, CA. Its definitely in my top 10 favourite stores. The soap is from England and the packaging is beautiful. I also got a heart shaped
jewelry box from Japan, with Lily of the Valley on the lid. I made the tag myself, and included her name on it.

Paper Art

Check out Yulia Brodskaya, a paper/graphic artist from Russia.

Got Glitter?

Can't wait until Saturday! www.Glitterfest.com
Mixed Media Handmade Art & Vintage Jewelry! This is the "First Annual" show.

My Roses

Another from my garden. The first variety is called "Double Delight" and the second, "Perfume"

Before and After

Oh how I love spring! Every January when the rose bushes are pruned in my garden it is so sad. But when the roses come back in such profusion it makes my heart sing. Each year they get a little heartier and larger. These are 6 years old and they are the size of lunch plates. Every morning I go out to smell them. They are a true soft lavender colour and smell light and heavenly. These were taken early morning. This variety is called "Blue Angel"

Anything can blossom and thrive given enough time.

Beautifully Simple

No bow needed here. Modern & strait forward designs from Argentina.

In Honour of My Precious Sister

Here is a new blog I started to deal with my grief:

http://tealshamrock.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Martha Stewart's New Craft Encyclopedia

When I taught art, crafts had a bad name. Today they are intertwined with art history and borrow from the fine arts. By now you have probably seen this new book out. It has great exposure everywhere. I am pleasantly surprised at how detailed the book is. I do hope it is the first in a series of encyclopedia's put out by MSLO. She has lots of other books out on various subjects but this format is so easy to follow. Don't we need to see an "Encyclopedia of Parties"..."Encyclopedia of Valentine's Day"? The list could go on and on. Some of the pictures are familiar from her magazine and others are brand new. I look forward to trying out some of these projects.

Vespa

Three things is love...tartans, flowers, and a vespa!

Brand New Vintage Coach

Coach keeps reinventing itself. Everything is a brand new version of its old self. They are on a blitz with the new collection and I love it!

Shepard Fairey

I enjoy his innovative take on collage. You just knew there was amazing talent hiding behind all the street graffiti.

Delicious Spring Colours

For my next cup o'tea...a gorgeous wedding cake from http://www.peggyporschen.com/WeddingCakes.htm







This palette makes me want to daydream and start some art!








I want to live in this celadon-robin's egg-coral-peony-world. I was so inspired by this, that I changed my background colours

Dream Chair... ala Ben Sherman stores

Lovely!

Vintage buttons...artfully arranged