willow

i love willow...can i have one of each please?

all images are © willow.
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~*~have a happy and safe holiday !!! i'll be back in the new year <3

music

happy first day of winter!

paco peregrín

luscious photography from paco peregrín!

all images are © paco peregrín.
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romka magazine

i can't remember where i first saw mention of romka magazine, but i love it. the idea of it being favorite photographs rather than 'best' photographs really appeals to me. photography to me is all about evoking response, not necessarily about being technically perfect or representative of what is popular. i guess i try to think about all forms of art that way. there are three issues currently, all free to download!

"ROMKA is an online magazine which features the personal favorite photographs of international artists, amateurs and professionals. It is dedicated to the idea of showing one's treasures without the pressure of self-portrayal and a clean online portfolio.

the condé nast store

colorful gowns


girl's best friend



stockings montage


flowered hat


alfred lunt & lynn fontanne

the condé nast store has tons of brilliant images from magazines, new and old, that you can order as prints and notecards. i can spend hours browsing some favorite images from favorite magazines. perfect for finding that perfect gift for a loved one!

all images are © condé nast

oh yeah...

i won a yokoo cowl!!! you can get your own here...it's the warmest. and it's purple...and i've wanted one forever. thank you yokoo <3

i've been...

i've been drinking too much coffee...it makes me crazy...

finishing reading laurell k. hamilton's anita black vampire series, which technically falls under the category 'paranormal romance.' that title makes my skin crawl (and not in a good way)...although the books are good and smutty. i'm on the 16th book...only one more to go!

i went to see the fantastic mr. fox and loved it...amazing.



i'll be closing both of my shops at the start of the new year (for a week or two)...i've got some great stuff planned for a re-open. i just need some time away from the computer and to get some projects wrapped up. i will be posting here though!

in my spare time i've been playing little big planet...it's so much fun.

have a happy day!

anna emilia laitinen

anna emilia laitinen's drawings and illustrations are wonderful and magical and extremely detailed and simple at the same time. i could look at them for hours and hours!
she also has a blog which makes me want to move to finland.

all images are © anna emilia laitinen.

cel jarvis

lovely fashion photography and portraiture from cel jarvis.

all images are © cel jarvis.
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laura plansker

i love laura plansker's dioramas...they are these intriguing comprehensive little worlds that really capture a moment. her creations have so much personality! i can't even begin to imagine the work that must be involved. very impressive.

all images are © laura plansker.
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ruffs

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i love ruffs...i include them in my work when inspired! i came across a fantastic article all about them on coilhouse's blog.

all images are © their respective owners.

winter tutorial

i've been wanting to prepare a crafty tutorial on here for a while now...i saw something similar to these at terrain (love that place...for those of you not in the area, you can shop online here), and thought...how easy!


gather some star anise...try to find unbroken pieces...if you have a natural foods or ethnic grocery near you, you should be able to buy them in bulk.


you'll need: brown or copper floral wire (i'm using green so it's easier to see), wire cutters, and assorted pieces...beads, vintage millinery flower stamen, odds and ends of plant-like pieces. or you may just keep it simple!


cut the wire and bend it to fit around the star anise.


once it's bent around, you'll twist it underneath and you're done. or you can...


add a bead...


for a more seasonal look...or...


some vintage silk flower petals...i was lucky to find some white poinsettia petals...


or add some kitschy leaves...i secured these with a slice of glue stick (for a glue gun)...you could also use glue...


or you could...


add some glitter...i looked for a super fine glitter, like an embossing powder...


and now i've got a bouquet.


you can use these for a variety of uses...gathered in a bouquet...as table decorations...as gift tags...package decorations...gathered together and wrapped with floral tape, as a boutonniere. or clustered together and made into a garland, or tree decoration. they smell lovely too!

did you know that if you add a star anise (while heating) to steamed milk it will give your coffee a lovely aroma...also add to hot milk (while heating - remove before serving) with a touch of sugar and kids love it...it's a relaxing drink for cool nights.

have fun!