Happy New Year

Today has been glorious......and I'm counting on many of these in 2010. Happy New Year to you!

Winter Scenes

Loving these today......possibly because it's looking a bit like these here.
Woodblocks by Kiyoshi Saito and Tatsuo Kawashima found here.

Noticing Blues

I've been noticing and collecting blues lately...ahhhhhhhhhh.
images: my own (luminarias on our driveway Christmas Eve), leaf lantern from Pacha Design (I wrote about Pacha here, too), Gudrun & Gudrun via Mandarine, Reya Veltman on Etsy via Design Sponge, and my own (our mantel).

The Other Sleigh

Last year at this time, we went on a beautiful, snowy sleigh ride to celebrate the Christmas season. Here is my little sister's photo of the other sleigh. It's such a good memory for me.
This year we had a family-filled, happy Christmas. I hope you have, too. My family left today and I miss them. It's time to begin planning more visits!

Look What Maia Sent...

Isn't she beautiful?!
I first found Maia this past Summer and have so enjoyed getting to know her and her lovely daughter through her blog une envie de sel. Maia is a Colorado artist, which is especially fun for me. She has recently opened an Etsy shop, Les Voyageuses, to sell her gorgeous illustrations and paper dolls. The other day--out of the blue--I received this gift, my own Peregrine, in the mail! She's a whimsical, mystical, stunning, smart tomboy and I love her. Each time I look at her, I catch another incredible detail. Thank you, Maia, and I hope you have the happiest of holidays.

Beatiful Weekend

I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
We will ski and make final preparations for family arriving Tuesday. We're very excited!

A Favorite

She came from my sister last year, and she's one of my favorites.

Shhhh...

Two of my sisters will be fostering these sweet babies this year...Meet Shukuru and Mutara. They are two of the orphaned elephants being lovingly raised at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. As Christmas gifts, I'm contributing to the fostering of Shukuru and Mutara in the names of my sisters. I think they will be so happy to know they're helping ensure, in some small way, the health and happiness of these babies. The hope is that these beautiful animals will eventually be released into the wild. Read more about the orphaned elephants and rhinos program here. There is still time for you to foster one for Christmas, too!

Love This

I just love this image...by elisabeth, seen on her fine little day.

So Sweet

Found at Pieces, with many thanks to Blair.

Christmas Gifts

Happy Monday! I've collected five of these goodies to give as Christmas gifts. The other two are on my wish list...From the top:
Newton the Barn Owl-copyright Allison Trentelman of Nature Mandalas, Shelf City by The Oak Leaves, Flurries cowl from Windowsill, sticky notes by Michelle Brusegaard, Love Me Tender print by Maxim Dalton, Piglet photo-copyright Sharon Montrose, and linen apron by Pilosale.

Kerst Beauty

So pretty.
vtwonen

Quiet Inspiration

I hope you are finding peace and joy this season.
We are having a lovely December. The excitement of the season is building, so I'm taking a moment to sneak away, look for quiet inspiration, and to visit with you.
Images from Cocon via piou, and the beautiful Ritva.

A Little Break...

Hello to you! I've made a little decision here. Lately, I've been feeling a lot like Picasso's cubed woman you see here... A bit disjointed, I'd say. Too much going on for me. I need to be more together, calm, organized, present, focused. I'm aiming for the feeling I get when I look at these images...So, my lovely friends, I've realized that I need to take a little break from my blog baby. I will be visiting all of you, finding so much inspiration, keeping up on your news, and loving your creativity. And I think I will be back, probably after the new year (which will be here before we know it... really). And maybe I'll pop in a few times before then, too. Thank you, thank you, thank you for visiting me here. I have so loved and appreciated all of your support!

Images: 1. Pablo Picasso, Femme Ecoudee au Drapeau from Pablo Picasso's Birthday Auction, 2. Verne at OWI, 3., 5. and 7. via Remodelista, 4. via beautiful Lori of Automatism, 6. via the amazing Emma.

Beautiful Weekend

Thank you for your kind comments this week. I really enjoy receiving and reading them. Today, I'll leave you with these Ottoman pieces... that I can't tell you much about! I believe the auction site is in Turkish. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.

Modern Miniatures

Happy Thursday, everyone! This past week, I collected the above images while browsing blogland. Miniatures have always intrigued me -- the furniture, the accessories and the spaces that house them. I wondered what was out there...I've seen this Villa Sibi doll house before, and I love it (and want it) as a pure piece of art. Hoping to see more like this, I poked around a bit. I delved further into the modern miniatures people are creating, and I was floored!! Please look with me...
First is the work of Paris Renfroe of PRD Design...These are PRD's M112 Pods, 1:12 scale models of shipping containers, which have been outfitted (as is currently being done with life-sized containers) for very small, very cool human habitation. Renfroe's fantastic pods and his miniature (and life-sized) furniture are for purchase here.
Next is the work of Lena Dragon of Dragon Dee. She is an industrial designer, creating miniatures as a hobby...I am awed by the beautiful, intricate detail in these pieces of furniture! Dragon Dee's current pieces are for sale in her Etsy shop.
I am also charmed by the work of Doris Nathanson of Mini Modernistas, who creates furniture and accessories, like lighting...and this miniature Eames-like wall rack, currently for sale here on Ebay.
Below are the photos of two miniature interior designers. These inspired women are doll house and miniature collectors, whose work incorporates some of the pieces we've seen above. I love their creations and how they've photographed them. First, we have Petite Nouveau, who is currently working on a Kaleidoscope House. It's hard to believe these are 1:12 scale. I love this close up of the dining table with its tray centerpiece and the sofa and telescope behind. The bedroom is lovely, especially the dresser, magazine rack and the texture on the bedspread.
And finally, we see the work of Call of the Small, a mother of three and miniature enthusiast in New Jersey...Look at that tweedy chair with the books! Aren't these rooms amazing, and fun? I can see how one becomes passionate about creating spaces as beautiful as these. Many thanks to the artists who make the pieces, and to those who enjoy collecting them, for sharing their work with us through their blogs and websites. I think you rock!

Top images clockwise from top left: Dezeen, Mimimouse via Une Envie de Sel, rubbad on flickr, Tyin Tegnestue via SNYdesign.