live . craft . learn

what inspires me : part five

a different kind of challenge

in other news... tonight is our neighborhood holiday progressive party and as usual we are the final house, also fondly referred to as the endless "yeary cocktail hour", and i already have visions of a few laughs and my yummy double cocoa chocolate cake in my immediate future.

the littles are headed to the inlaws for an overnight {yay!} and mike and i have some cleaning, some drinking and some holiday reverie to attend to. but that little beauty up there will be the beginning of a sweet little adventure starting today, and i'm looking forward to sarah's amazing way with graphics and honesty to push me out of my safety box and beyond the layers i sometimes hide behind.

so... here's to a new year. i've got a kir royale toast at the stroke of midnight reserved just for all of you.
be safe and see you next year!!

xoxo

what inspires me : part four

1. chevron linen stripes bag, 2. Linen Yarn Porn, 3. Favorite Vintage Linens, 4. Linen Shoulder Bag, 5. Waiting for some linen, 6. Linen Handbag/Tote with Freshcut, 7. linen bag, 8. linen love, 9. to show linen in public, 10. Linen Sachet Detail, 11. Linen and Patchwork Note Taker, 12. Ask Purl Bee: Linen Patchwork, 13. 30. japanese craft book, 14. Japanese Craft Book #2 excerpt, 15. Japanese Craft Book - Zakka 1/7, 16. Japanese Craft Book #19 excerpt, 17. Japanese craft book, 18. Little Framed One, 19. Fabric strips., 20. The Flower Garden, 21. Japanese Linen Craft Book 2/8, 22. Red/Aqua/White bag from Japanese craft book., 23. Wallpaper, 24. Seamless Repeat Pattern, 25. Seamless Repeat Pattern

apparently i need to get my japanese craft books back out and head back to my sewing machine. because all i see on flickr and dream about at night is slub linen, handcrafted handbags and vintage marimekko textiles. hmm....

what inspires me : part three

this girl because she believes "All people have creative potential" {and so do i} and i adore how her pictures always tell a story and are unbelievably beautiful.

because i believe in enjoying her experience and out of respect for her i didn't steal any pics for this post.

what inspires me : part two

i've got a lot to do today, which only explains why i've spent the better part of the last hour going through my blog roll and chatting away over at SIStv, right? however, i am going to get my butt in gear right now, so i decided that i would leave you with a little bit of print and texture inspiration {something i think i'm going to do everyday until the new year}.

so today, meet julia rotham, i adore her prints and illustrations, especially the clock print above. but also make sure you check out her book by it's cover site, where she shares some amazing illustrated books she has collected!

what inspires me : part one

all of these amazing altered book pages are from the humument   by british artist tom phillips. an amazing collection of art i absolutely love how the words are reworked on the pages. there is color and depth and texture, all things i am constantly attracted to when i create. you can find more amazing altered pages and info here.

happy holidays!!

from the crazy half of my family to yours!

thank you my sweet friends for laughing with me, crafting with me, dreaming and growing and saying hello! i am blessed to know all of you and appreciate all of the comments, love and support you have shown me this year!

{{hugs}} & {{smooches}} !!

my daily ...

this is my new mini book class i'll be teaching at picture me perfect in fremont, ca on february 16th {contact the store for more info}. i can't even begin to tell you how excited i am. october afternoon. hambly. american crafts. tinkering ink. ki lace. vintage embellies. handstitching. embossing powder. stencils & paint. all detailing your daily... i hope all you nor cal girls can join me!

xoxo

1.0

i wasn't going to post today because i have too much to do... but after getting sucked into the vortex that is my blog roll {dude... do i really have 218 blog feeds book marked now!?!} i found this after catching up on this girl's life {yet another blog and girl i adore}.

happy 5 days left til the magic begins!
xoxo

i am so lucky.

the littles and i spent today with my sweet friend lisa {and her two sweet littles} who gave me these amazing handmade earrings... can you see them? wood. silver. hambly rubs. dude! i am so lucky!! not just because of these, although i was dropping hints all over the SIStv message boards after she posted her incredible wood challenge that i needed some, but because of you! you sweet readers! thank you so much for coming here and reading my ramblings, for enjoying my craft work and just being the sweetest and most supportive group ever!! {{smooches!!}}

and, apparently these girls are pretty lucky too!! my rak winners...

poster 1000 : Carolr | December 16, 2007 at 12:02 PM

and random winner :  Greta | December 18, 2007 at 12:47 PM

email me girls with your addys and i'll get your awesome packages out asap.

happy wednesday!!
xoxo

oh my!

you, rae, are too good to me! i love them SO much!!
thank yous & giant internet {{smooches}}!!