Throwback

On new year's day I was sitting around chatting with my friend Elaine (who took this terrific photo) and found myself happily enrolled in a knitting class. We started yesterday, and all I can say is, I might be addicted. I walked into the yarn shop and felt myself immediately relax. Perhaps it was because the temperature outside was a mere 15 degrees and all that wool made me feel so cozy. But I would venture to guess that it was all the fluffy yarn and the comfy armchairs and the beautiful wooden needles that did the trick. And when they took my skein and rolled it with this crazy contraption - I wanted to burst. How is it that I didn't know this haven existed!?!

Of course my first project is a scarf - garter stitched, but I think I am really getting the hang of it. And of course, I am already dreaming of fabulous sweaters and fingerless gloves and piles of warm cozy socks. I haven't even mastered the purl stitch yet. I could be getting ahead of myself. I love this stuff!

Creative New Year

Getting laundry done in this creative new year has proved a bit harder than I would have liked. Ditto for going through the mail.

New Canvas - Rita Hayworth

So here is the latest from Mon Ami. It's the first in a series of "Paper Dolls".

Into My Life A Little Snow Must Fall

Latest "All About Me" layout:

Bath Time

Thanks to a fabulous teleclass with a hip tranquil chick, I decided to take a bath tonight. It was sheer bliss!

I've been working for several months now at making my tub a sanctuary. I have finally achieved it. Richard bought me a beautiful candle chandelier to hang over the tub and I found these sensational mercury glass candlesticks (on sale!) that fit my Paris theme perfectly. I propped them on the side of the tub. The candle light is the only light there is. And I installed some lovely damask curtains that make the entire space completely private. Throw in some lavender bath salts from California, a little bubble bath and one of these other-worldly candles and you have sheer bliss.

Note to self: must schedule more bath time.

Play Date

Today I had the most marvelous play date with a 9-year-old friend; thanks miss C! We began altering a journal together. It was so fun to rummage through all my bits and bobs and listen to her ideas for items and pages. I hope we get to do it again real soon.

Creating Again

I don't know if it's the new year, or that I signed up for a knitting class, or that I spent much of December making pettiskirts for my nieces (a task I would NOT recommend unless you are an expert sewer with serious sewing equipment), but I am back in the swing of the studio; the messy side. It's rather exciting for me. It's been a while.

I am working on an idea that's been floating around the studio for months and I finally decided to grab it and put it to canvas. I'll post a photo when it's finished. For now, here's a little teaser:


The working title is "paper dolls". Thanks to a dear friend (love you, A!) I have some seriously cool vintage paper dolls to work with. I am very happy with the piece so far, but each stage brings its doubts with it. Funny how projects can be so fickle. Some just fly together and others come together despite themselves.

I am also hoping to display my current works at a local coffee shop sometime this year. We'll see, but again, I am hopeful. Refreshing how a new year can infuse that sort of spark one needs to get off her tired ass and start working again. And it doesn't feel like work - yet. Let's see how long that will last.

New Year's Hopes & Dreams

I'm not too big on the whole New Year's Resolutions. I mean, "resolution" sounds to hard-edged, and mechanical. I'm more of a "hopes & dreams" kinda girl. So here they are, my hopes and dreams for 2009:

• to be more spiritual this year; tuned in to the natural world and the supernatural world, and ready for deep conversation, and life-changing moments.
• to be more creative; not afraid to take my art in new directions, or to see my art through in this same direction, open to new artistic and creative opportunities.
• to see and experience new things: places, foods, crafts, plants, the unknown.
• to be more mindful of my relationships, especially my family. I've taken those relationships for granted for far too long. I want to protect and nurture them this year.