a little "play"

I spent some of this afternoon cutting words from a couple of paperback books -

old ones that I picked up for 50 cents, or something.

I like how they look, cut out and tossed together in a small box... just waiting to be part of something "inspired"..... works for me....

These two little collages are under glass and did not photograph very well at all.

Still, I do like what they look like, for the most part, and hope to be able to continue in this vein to find some "new," fun and interesting things to experiment with.

I hope that 2011 affords us all the luxury to seek out creative outlets that keep us excited and lead us to new outlets for expression.

I feel so lucky that we have all found one another and have remained part of our shared creative processes. I hope to see you all again sometime soon......

Happy New Year!

ObSeSsiOn

I can't stop

It is totally an obsession

I have now carved an entire alphabet.....whew...

I honestly don't know why I do it...continue to do it.

It is just something that I can do and finish and make a print - ta da!

Do you see the chicken stuck in there between the "D" and "E" stamps?

Guess you'll need an enlargement to really see it....

(the stamps are on the bottom - the prints on the top)

OKay....time for bed....yawn.....

xo

Holiday Hellos

Hope everyone is still full of holiday cheer. Wanted to wish you all a great 2011 full of arts, travel and good food. Miss you all.

AnGeLs

As I was walking around the living room this morning, I noticed a few angels that I love and decided to share with you....

Several years ago, I painted this little wooden angel. I had hoped to do a few of them for friends, but as seems to be my norm, I did just one other for my friend, Cheryl, and that was it. I still have the blank wooden ones, so maybe one day I will pick them up again...

(see the "Vintage by Crystal" Snow Bunny? cute!)

Hiding in the bottom of the earlier photo is this little Angel Jewel Box that I designed for Dept 56 years ago. There were two (the one below, too) and I forgot how pretty they are. They are just about inches tall and open up to reveal a secret place....

This little lovely was found at Hidden Treasures, a place here in Santa Fe that has some very delicious treasures - one's trash is another's treasure - no kidding! Could you have passed her up?

Last, but certainly not least, is one of the GLORIOUS angels from Danielle. Unfortunately, she had a small accident on her way across the pond (broken foot) which I mended with some cardboard and gold paint. Now, when she isn't flying around spreading joy, she can dance around in her new dancing slippers. I also sprinkled a little glitter on her wings to help her to feel better.....

Happy Holidays dear Pantry Violets!

I love you all and wish you the Happiest Christmas and All the Best in the New Year!

xoxo

MY ADVENTURES IN BOSTON - PART 1

Apologies for the delay in blogging on my trip to see Kate and Jamie in Boston!
I had the best time! Kate met me at the airport and took me to dinner with her family and then on to Jamie's where I stayed. The next day was very special - organised to coincide with my stay - I was guest of honour at Jamie's book signing in Weston!

Dragon Books in Weston was the venue - a lovely shop :

As we all know a famous author, our very own Jamie, I thought i'd share her book signing which was organised for the Saturday I was in Boston!

Here she is with friends, family and fans!

and there on the far left is our Kate! Three pantry violets in the one spot! The signing went really well and drew a good crowd as you can see:

and here is Jamie's lovely book - her first foray into mixed media in her illustration! Isnt it fabulous !

I'm sure you all remember Jamies printed figures - she worked on them at LSA and finished hem on her return home. The finished figures can be seen on Jamie's blog: jamieharperstudioblog - sorry i dont know how to add a link!

Thanks to Jamie and Kate my first day in Boston was fantastic and I have a signed book for my great niece Iris (only 1) but she needs to get a move on and learn to read before she can fully enjoy it - im sure her mummy will read it to her in the meantime!

xxdi

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas - and will see you later in the New Year!!! Yahoo. I adore seeing your inspirational pictures and posts, even though I've been relatively quiet myself - have been busy though - check out www.jellis.mosaicglobe.com if you're interested in one little project I've completed. Very Best wishes - Jodie

Here are some things I'm making at the moment in time for Christmas. Most of them have a distinctly Australian feel as they are made of vintage Australian tea-towels.

If you'd like to see more I have a few in my ETSY shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrizewinnersParade

Merry Christmas everyone!

delights

hello to all of you!

yesterday, I was at my friend Beth's house for our

"annual holiday tea and crafts"

I won't share the craft that we did 'cause no one quite finished...

BUT, I did take some photos of Beth's incredible collections and

want to share them with you......

these two angels are precious

made of wool and felt and a touch of embroidery,

they touch your heart

I just found out that the grocery here has these bags filled with flour!

can't wait to go get some!!!

totally cracked up when I saw these

don't they make you smile?

beautiful heart - wax mold

a sweet, cheerful clock face

this collection of eggs takes my breath away

this little soldier was new to Beth and we all fell in love

we are going to try to "re-produce" him next time

last, but not least,

this little rack for test tubes filled with

tiny carved hands and other tiny figures

love how it is set against the lace curtain.....don't you?

December Violets

So sorry about the delay, sisters .....

Here are the December Birthday Girls!

On December 11 (that is this Saturday!) Carol has a birthday. Hope that it is a wonderful one for you, Carol. We wish we were there to help blow out "all those candles" (tee hee)

And, as luck would have it, our other two birthday girls were found in the same photo right next to one another !!! Our dear Julie Australia (xo) will celebrate on the 18th and Miss Kate gets a party right after Christmas on the 29th. That explains a lot about your jolly nature, my friend!

We hope you all have terrific days and get to have a little fun, too.

Happy HAPPY Birthday to ALL Three of YOU!!!!!!!

The Hairless Mexican

A new character is born.

The Hairless Mexican.

I had so much fun doing him,

and all of a sudden my father showed up...

More pictures in

The Vintage Fairy Tales

Love

Becky

FUN!

Today, I did a little stamping on some fabric and stitched up a few little lavender sachets.

L O O K at them!

These are little red feet underneath a skirt that has "trees" printed on it..and a little bird in the "tree!"
And, of course, a few little toadstools encircled with evergreen twigs....xoxo

The lavender is so yummy inside each little "pillow" - wonderful!

I have more orders for little ladies on boxes, so here are a few figures before they get their "real" personalities... they almost look like they are dancing, don't they?

It was a pretty productive day. I am hoping for more of the same tomorrow.....

Sausalito

Here is the view from the bedroom where Mom and I stayed in Sausalito the night before her hand surgery. We stayed with our friends, Ronzie and Keith (he is Mom's doctor) and what a spectacular place it is. Ronzie has an amazing eye for extraordinary things and, as you can see, they also have an amazing view of San Francisco Bay (whew!)

Above is Mom petting Zoe, the wonderful Standard Poodle who has adopted Ronzie and Keith as parents. She is a super-cool dog

Below, Mom and Ronzie just as we were about to leave.
We really had a wonderful time and thank Ronzie for the incredible hospitality she showed us.

We felt like princesses all cozied up under the comforters......and, man! You can't beat that view!

Oolie is back!!!!!!!

Dear Pantry Violets-

Sorry that it has taken me 5 months to post something.......life and travels have gotten in the way! Plus, I had to find my written instructions on how to post something and then actually DO IT!!!!!!!! My extended family is enroute to Tucson, Arizona to share Thanksgiving dinner and then celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday....WhoooHooo! Quite an accomplishment this day in age!

I bought this raw silk fabric on a recent trip to NYC and decided to make a Julie Arkell inspired "puff flower" broach for my Mom's gift. It took forever and I learned a few tricks along the way, but I know she will be thrilled! My biggest challenge was to not bleed all over the fabric.....with winter definitely here in Colorado and the heat turned on, my hands are all dry and cracked...... not ideal conditions for hand sewing!!!!! I also found some great Liberty fabric in Danielle's "miserable colors" which I hope to make more puff flower broaches from......get ready for an onslaught from me after laying dormant for a bit!!!!! LOVE to all- Oolie

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl

and she had a doll....

Have a great weekend all of you

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka

Please Santa......

Please Santa,

I have been pretty good this year.

This dress is on my wish list!

Enjoy the day

Becky

THE GREATER CRESTED SHOCKER

Here for your further amusement is a previously unspotted bird!

Made from felt this time; the belly of the bird and some of the feathers taken from a small scrap of needle felt I made in the 'Wild Women' workshop ages ago - combined with angelina - fusable fibres - for the remaining feathers. A bit of angelina cut 'a la danielle' for the crest together with some crochet cotton and sewing thread - a black felt beak and a couple of vintage bead caps for eyes and 'voila'. Its remarkable what you can make in an evening with the scraps left from other projects - its more satisfying than therapy and a much cheaper alternative! I'm hooked. My sister has machine sewed some bodies for me so my flock is set to increase - be prepared!

Love to All

xx

DI

Toadstools!

Toadstools in da room!

Have a nice weekend all of you!

Becky

American Cousins

Now, I know you American ladies do not need this recipe, but thought us cookerettes from the other side of the Big Pond might like to get in the mood with this recipe from The Jewels of New York (the young couple who will be leading a cooking workshop for us in April next year). Thought I might substitute Butternut Squash for the Pumpkin.... and leave out the bacon, of course - is that a big mistake?

Roasted-Pumpkin Soup with Apples and Bacon

serves 2

2 pound pumpkin, such as cheese pumpkin

1/4 onion, cut into small dice

1/4 carrot, cut into small dice

1/4 rib celery, cut into small dice

1/4 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and cut into small dice

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

2 bacon strips, cut into lardons

1/3 cup dry white wine

2 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock

1 teaspoon dried sage

2 bay leafs

1 tablespoons butter, softened

salt

fresh-ground black pepper

Cut out a lid around the stem-end of the pumpkin and set aside. Scrape out and discard the seeds and strings. Put pumpkin on a baking sheet along with the lid. Rub the pumpkin flesh with butter, salt, pepper and garlic. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large oiled pot over moderate heat, add the bacon and cook until crisp and browned. Then add in the onion, carrot, celery, and apple and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.

Stir in wine, broth, sage, and bay leafs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fill the pumpkin with the broth mixture. Roast until flesh is soft when pierced about 30-45 minutes.

To serve, top pumpkin with the lid. As you serve scrape the flesh from the sides into the broth and ladling it into bowls.

Ooo.... hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, by the way!

tOaDsTooLs

When Oolie was here, toadstools began sprouting up everywhere....

Here are the ones that I whipped up to sell at Doodlet's Shop in downtown Santa Fe:

And these, below, are the charming groups that Oolie made with beautiful old German ones.
They are the spun cotton and are delightful! Aren't they soooo cheerful?

By the way, check out: inspireco.blogspot.com

I was invited to be a part of a sweet online magazine and the Winter/Holiday Issue is out!

Ask Oolie how much work I did to get the directions drawn out (!)

but it's worth it to see it online now......fun ideas.....

BiRtHdAy gIRLS

How appropriate that the November Birthday Girls are here

together in this photo!

We ALL laughed so much that night!!!

Joanna - Happy November 17th! Sue - Happy November 19th!

Hope the entire month is great for BOTH of you......

xo

DIDNT DANIELLE DO WELL!

Hello All!

What a fine Saturday Danielle and I had soldering on her kitchen table!

Here are Danielle's first little pieces:

Once Danielle had mastered the basics we moved right along to dobbers which are technically more challenging being circular! Here are the results:

A little Becassine and a family photo combination :




and then a celebration of brides from Danielle's family photo collection:




Finally, we had a joint effort for Danielle's lovely daughter Francesca - made from a fabulous biscuit wrapper from Florence which Danielle had stashed away - too beautiful to stay in a box - I prepared a large and a small dobber to frame the best bits and Danielle soldered it - how fab is that!




After soldering our socks off Saturday, Sunday was the time for a bit of R&R. Danielle took me to Petersham Nurseries where they have lovely plant and lots of designerly gifty stuff which is a joy to behold:



As well as lovely, lovely flowers and some ornamental cabbages - Danielle has some of each in her garden!


After an excellent Sunday Lunch with the family it was time to pack up my car and head home again. Next time we are going on a shopping trip round London so there will be no holding us back from bagging a bargain! Thanks to Danielle, Nick, Francesca, Christian and Finlay for a fabulous weekend!