business cards

A few years ago, I designed business cards for my friend, Abeer, who is a Personal Trainer.

I just printed some more out for her and thought I would share them with you.

I think the colors are great and she really likes 'em, too.

Lovely Launceston

I have just returned from spending a few days in Launceston, Tasmania at an Arts conference. There were many great things to see including lots of lovely knit graffiti - thought I would share it with you. Enjoy.

sample of the sampler

Hello Pantry Violets

I have finally finished my sampler that I started long ago. I have enclosed a picture of the whole and two details. Hope everyone is doing well and creating some cool stuff.

School has started and we are doing self portraits this week which I adore. I signed up for an on-line metal work class (for jewelry) which I have enjoyed thinking about but have not gotten the torch going/glowing. I will let you know if I do. Hope everyone is well. xxoo taylor

from the '60's

Once upon a time I saw these little embroidered animals in a shop where I found many things that I felt I had to have.

They were quite expensive, though at this point I do not know what that was at the time.

Anyway, I saved up my money, which seemed like an endless task.

I don't remember if there was layaway, but somehow they were still there when I finally had enough money saved up to purchase them.

I found them again the other day, in a box, as I was cleaning out something - which is unusual in and of itself :)

I just love them. I think they are magical.

I guess that many of the things I have collected over the years have caught my eye (or my heart) because they are magical, or seem that way to me.

Close-ups below:
Maybe my love for stitching came from these little guys so long ago.....though I do not work quite as elaborately as these were done.

.........inspiration......

books galore

There are so many creative ladies out there! If you liked Joni's friend's fabulous creations, then you would certainly appreciate Rachel Hazell's work. Her workshop here at the beginning the month was an inspiration (boy, did I wish I could join in!) and her joyful personality a delight to be around. Check these out........

gift from Alison

My friend Alison is a bookbinder.

My friend Alison is one of the most creative people I know.

My friend Alison gives me the most delectable, delicious, delightful gifts ever!

I just got a package in the mail from my friend Alison......

The card she sent with it says, "...just returning some paper..."

Alison folded this yummy little paper goodie for me out of paper that I designed years ago.

Looks pretty good in this particular situation, don't you think?

FLAGS

....of INSPIRATION.......

I credit Shawna for this idea - tiny flags with words that can be tucked somewhere as a reminder......

For a close up of the different flags, check out polkadotponie....

WISHES

This little boat has a message that I think we all have for the newest Pantry Violet....

all the very best to the whole family!

the new arrival

On August 11 at 20:55 we were joined by this beautiful little girl. 52 cm and 3.8 kg, and a great labour with a wonderful midwife and the best labour partner anyone could wish for - Grant.

We have been home since Friday morning, and everything is going well. Grant and I are tired but ecstatic about this new little arrival, and of course Charlie is most excited about finally being a big sister.

No name yet, it is a tough decision and we are still searching for that perfect name. Will let you all know as soon as we have it!

CONGRATULATIONS!

There's a new baby girl in the world!

HUGE congratulations to Sam, Grant and Charlie

and the sweet addition to their family yesterday!

So, SO proud of you, dear Sam!

All the Best Wishes to You

sailing away

ADVENTURE........

Here is the ship with the "tattered woven sails"

First in a series, I hope...

What do you think, Shawna? .........this is for you.........

It Arrived!

....and it (they) is (are) incredible!

Di's package of treasure arrived late yesterday afternoon in the mail and I could hardly breathe as I opened it.....

You have known me well in such a short time, dear Di, and I absolutely love what you have sent to me.

I know that it comes directly from your heart and I will carry "bird talk" with me everywhere I go! Honestly.........these little gems are filled with so much love and good fortune that I cannot imagine leaving them at home to gather dust. They must travel forth into the world - kinda like Flat Oolie!

Thank you so very much, dear Di, from the tip of my heart.

....lucky...lucky...lucky....lucky.........sigh.....

AN ACTOR'S LIFE FOR ME!

Hello Everybody!

Here's a necklace I made this weekend for my boss Colin's daughter Demi who was recently 18 - she starts a drama degree in Birmingham in September - hence the theme.

The dark blob in the bottom left of the collage is a vintage theatre ticket - I scanned in the collage so that you could see it but it comes into my computer as a pdf file so it wont upload! The discs are from Paper Valise, Calgary - they have great 'stuff 'and sell online and there's a vintage silver theatre mask charm from Ebay - the universal purveyor of great 'stuff'! Hope you like it and hope Demi does too - she is currently in Palma but expected here

Wednesday!

xx

Di

Mosquero, NM

As we drove home from the Panhandle today, we went through this charming little town - Mosquero, New Mexico.

Clean, tidy and with a little surprise in store....

First of all, the "Panhandle" is the North Western part of Texas...and on a map looks a bit like a handle, if you stretch your imagination.

Mosquero is across the border in New Mexico and it is tiny.

Anyway, we were driving along the highway and I looked over:

...and saw this building all painted up with people on it.

(I made Cullen drive back by it.....well, I asked him nicely.....)

Here is the side of the building - bucking broncos and all!

Then, we turned to get back on the highway and Cullen said, "There is more".......
The lace curtains on the windows of the Post Office are so cute! I was thrilled...and then....

I said, "Stop the car! I gotta get out!"

First, the Town & Country Market, with ladies all dressed up and cowboys out shopping...then:

Erma's Coffee Shop and PAT's City Bar! wow....like going back to the Old West for a minute.

Below are a couple of details enlarged for your viewing pleasure....

It really made my day! So charming and well done!

Thought it needed to be shared, my friends....

xo

more birds....

Here is the next installment on the Bird Boxes for Curiosa.

This afternoon, I delivered 3 boxes and 2 Bird Domes.

Things are moving right along and things seem to be selling almost daily.....amazing!

a close-up of "Pourquoi change?"

two birds in a "tete-a-tete"

single bird with a simple song

love this one!

instead of words, I used music on the banner

mosaic

location: southeast corner of Montano & 4th Street, Albuquerque, NM

what: mosaic structure - Tree of Life-like....

The black & white images are based on Native American mimbres art and the colorful leaves and animals in the middle seem to come from Mexican influence.

I had forgotten where this was located, though I remembered having driven past it many times over the past many years. I was thrilled to find it again, as I took a different way to visit my friend, Penny at Los Poblanos on Monday. Glad I had my camera at hand to snap a shot.

Penny and I had a great meeting, along with three others, and we covered some ground on what we would like to do to move ahead on workshops in the North Valley - oh boy!

More on all that later.......

Beautiful crochet pieces by a friend

Hi everyone. These are the crochet pieces I promised to post by a friend of mine, Trevor Smith. He has graciously given me permission to put them on the blog. These are all crocheted and made without following a pattern. I love them and am the proud owner of the white one.

Though Trevor's work is not related, I thought I'd also share a site I love (below links) - its a crochet coral project that has grown around the world, Hyperbolic Crochet by the Institute of Figuring. I love this stuff! There is a special pattern and way of making coral pieces for the projects on the site. Check it out - the last coral reef project I know of happened last year in Sydney but the whole idea originated in the USA (by an Australian woman). Anyone can contribute so if you're feeling like it have a look at the pattern and go for it.

http://crochetcoralreef.org/

http://www.theiff.org/main.html