vintage valentines

My youngest daughter is a Valentine's Day babe. To celebrate, we have a little tradition of hanging vintage Valentine's Day postcards (reproductions available here) from our dining room chandelier. They are perfect in every way...from the charming sentiments to the wondrous early 1900s-illustrations. Happy Birthday my sweet Addie!

an exquisite look at linen

Artists have painted on linen panels and canvasses for thousands of years. My research on the process of constructing these surfaces has inspired me to stretch my own canvas. I'm using organic linen as well as hemp/organic cotton fabric for my current projects. I look forward to sharing more on this with you in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this exquisite video with you about linen production. I trust you'll find it just as fascinating as I did. Cheers!

BE LINEN MOVIE from Benoit MILLOT on Vimeo.

* BONUS video -- You may also enjoy this video depicting Bleu de Lectoure's triumphant revival of the French tannery's centuries-old natural dye-extraction process using woad plants (isatis tinctoria).

the perfect accessory for the job

I purchased this exquisite mechanical drawing pencil in 2000 from a charming stationery boutique in Paris. It is one of my favorite accessories -- I love the heavy feel of it in my hands and the silky-smooth flow of the lead when it travels across the paper.

Today I am using it to jot down all the ideas for paintings that I have swirling in my head. Now only if this treasured tool could buy me more time in the day to paint.

paper lanterns project

My girls and I recently made paper lanterns with left-over pages from another craft project, tape, and some organic cotton thread. As they say back home in the local paper, "a good time was had by all!".

Supplies include paper, tape, scissors, needle, and thread.

Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Hold the open edge with one hand while cutting slits on the folded edge, making sure not to cut all the way through to the open edge. Unfold paper, match up the two short edges forming a cylinder, and secure with clear tape.

Thread and knot a 6" string of thread (I doubled my thread) and pierce one side at the top of the lantern leaving the knotted end exposed. Pierce the opposite side of the lantern from the inside and tie a knot on the outside of the lantern.

chinese new year lanterns

February 3rd marks the beginning of Chinese New Year, a holiday we celebrate with friends and family. To mark the occasion, I've re-strung two of my favorite possessions, antique metal lanterns, with vintage red velvet ribbons. My plan is to display both (one for each of my daughters) on the front porch -- let's hope the weather cooperates.



Below is a little painting I did of my treasured lanterns.

my karate kids

For more than three years now my daughters have studied kenpo karate at one of Seattle's premiere martial arts schools, Alpha Martial Arts. Owner Chris Herrman and his team of instructors are helping my daughters grow into courteous, confident, and compassionate leaders -- thank you!


Laria and Addie earned spots on the school's junior demo team (AMA Wolfpack) that performs at city-wide events throughout the year. I thought I'd share this video from a recent performance at the University of Washington Women's Basketball game. Laria and Addie perform the fan routine. I hope you enjoy -- I did, but then again I'm a little biased. Cheers!

Click on this link to watch the video: AMA Wolfpack UW Basketball Demo 01/14/11 . Addie and Laria are standing in the front row (on the left) at the beginning of the video.

thank you Chanee, {me}longings

Chanee's Setting Some Sparkle post

Over the past couple of years I’ve spent more of my “free” time on my creative arts. Along the way, I’ve had the great fortune of becoming friends with some of the most talented artists and industry bloggers around, including Chanee Vijay.

I was immediately drawn to Chanee because we share a passion for sustainable living. Chanee also keeps a gorgeous blog, cleverly titled {me}longings, that showcases fresh earth-friendly home and garden decorating ideas as well as beautiful sustainably-designed pieces and vintage finds. Every visit is a treat!

Imagine my surprise when Chanee awarded me a Stylish Blogger Award. How sweet and unexpected. I love what I do and I blog when I can -- something I'm grateful to have the time for. Thank you Chanee --it's an honor.

By accepting this award I promise to share seven things about myself and fifteen recently discovered blogs that I find inspiring, creative and well worth a visit.

For starters, here are seven things about me:

1. Some of my favorite gifts to give are art supplies.
2. I would love to travel back in time to spend an afternoon baking bread with my great-grandmothers Relda and Velda.
3. My first published artwork was a yearbook cover I drew in 4th grade.
4. My favorite color is burgandy.
5. I wish I were a better cook.
6. Oils are my preferred paints to work with.
   
7. And I've built a house from the ground up--a four square bungalow with built-ins, two refinished antique claw foot tubs, push-button switches, and period lighting.

And for the blogs, I don't have fifteen and some of them have been around for a long time, but the ones I am sharing below are kept by some of my favorite people. I hope you take a moment to get to know each person on the list and the gifts they have to offer...they certainly make this world a better place for me.

you sentimental idiot
enhabiten
pi'lo
accidental frock
SPUN Collective

If they choose to accept this award they will:

• Thank + link back to the person who awarded them (me)
• Share seven things about themselves
• Pay it forward to 15 discovered bloggers
• Contact those bloggers about the award
  

Well, I'm off to share the good news with these lovely ladies. Cheers!