anthropology

Hello pantry Violets, but especially the english ones! Have you had the chance to check out the incredibly wonderful and inspirational Anthropology store that has just opened up in Regent Street in London? I had to post some of the photos as I was so impressed with the way they had combined clothes ( all completely desirable) with arty products, and bits of ephemera strewn beautifully across the store. Enjoy! It makes our Liberty's look positively pedestrian!

Xmas Cards

Christmas Cards! Whew!

When I look at these, I realize that I actually HAVE been fairly productive these last few weeks.

It has felt good to be in the studio, though my neck gets a bit stiff.... 

I really like some of these images....especially these two...above and below.....
The "Kitty Girl" is an old design that I have never submitted before.....

hmmmmm, not so sure about this little guy.....needs something.....
Ho Ho Ho everybody!....xoxo

Xmas Wrappings

Hi All......

I have been painting away up in the studio and here are a few (not great images) of wrapping paper that I have been working on. I love making patterns and hope that the company that will be receiving these in the mail will be happy with them. I'd love your comments, too, please..

November Calendar Girls

I am a little late getting these posted, but wanted you ALL to remember that there are two birthdays this month - Joanna on the 17th and.....

Sue on the 18th!
Happy Birthdays, Ladies! We all love you dearly!

Book Love

Violets,

I am loving this book. Check it out. It is originally a Danish book so you may be able to find it "abroad" as well. Sorry if the picture came out giant. Oh the book is called Scraps. I think some of it got cut off on the final blog page. I don't really know how to add a picture that isn't from a scan or photo.

Ah the weekend is here. Tra la la. Many projects to try. Hope you are all doing well and crafting up a storm.

more Christmas...

Christmas cards are still "in process" with many started and not so many actually finished...

I think that tomorrow, I will need to get the ones that I have sitting on my desk DONE, so that I know how many more I might need to do.

The ideas are flowing out of me - it has been a very long time since I had so much productive time in the studio....it feels GREAT!

I think these will be nice when finished. I need to enhance the colors a little, though. They seem to need a bit of a punch... plus, I need to think about the borders....

... hmmmm ...I actually did this one years ago and just need to finish up the color. I like it...

I very much enjoy the art of lettering. These words are not very "correct" calligraphically, but there is a nice flow. What do you think? Can I get away with the imperfection?

So many more, but I think I will try to finish some up before posting any more photos...

xo

Hey there ladies ! i have been looking over my mums shoulder at her obsessive blog hobby , and i absolutely adore some of your work ! you all look like you had fab time with julie arkell and i have told my mum to DEFINITELY go to the next workshop; i loved the stories and projects she brought back !
I noticed also that there is some of my work on 'RAGTALES' and saw your lovely comments so thanks !
hope your all enjoying the making and creating - thought i would upload this wonderful photo of us at our hallowe'en bash, i thought the devil in the middle looked absolutley dashing, and a little bit like my mum.
hopefully meet you soon as i have heard so much about you
lots of love Francesca x

One More Photo

Grayson went "Trick or Treating" with friends - an Orange "Oompah Loompah" and a Vampire. I hope they had fun and got LOTS of candy!

Happy Halloween

Here are a few of the costumes that walked into my house this afternoon:

My friend, Jodi, channeled Janis Joplin - really great glasses!

My friend, Anna was "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" which was so fun! (she wore a tree skirt - ha!)

Jodi's daughter, Dehlia, was a very cute BEE with the most amazing platform shoes! Un-bee-lievable!
And here is Grayson, though you would never know for sure. I made this hat years ago for him. He outgrew the suit that went with it, but chose to wear the hat again.....
Cullen and did not dress up...we went to dinner and watched an "American football" game. Our team (University of Texas Longhorns) won!  "Hook 'em Horns!"

Halloween cake wrecks

Dear Violets

I am sorry not to be contributing much to the site - but I can't seem to make this work most of the time, despite having tried often to comment on your wonderful postsand pictures.
As a slight contrast from the wonderfully tasteful images you are all putting up - I thought you might enjoy some of these rather amazingly awful Halloween (and other) cakes

Happy Halloween!

dear violets, hope you are all having a scary and happy Halloween... thought you might like to see this combined effort that crawled in from fran and I for our halloween table!

Snowy "Jump-Ups"

I think that little flowers peeking out of the snow is magic! 

It is amazing that I got a photo at all, since Jack (the 90 lb lab) was all over me!

WINTER is here.....

It is snowing! 

Actually, there is a huge storm coming...it's just the beginning.

There is more snow on the east side of town, closer to the mountains, 

but we have a nice little dusting...

I LOVE IT!

What's in the pantry today?

Hello Friends,

Hope everyone is doing well. I am gearing up for chilly winter. I guess it is time to say my final goodbyes to summer. At least I have some summer fabric to inspire me. These are two pieces I found at the antique mall. One is going on my apron and the other maybe a large bag.

Below are two pages I did for an altered book swap. I like the rich colors.(told you winter...)

We are deciding what color to paint our kitchen /family room. I vote for pumpkin, but Chloe wants this beigee-taupe color and husband wants... who knows what. Actually I don't care as long as it gets done. He started the project when we were in France and never finished. No furniture in that room since then. A boy came over to sell us some stuff for a fund raiser and he asked us how long we lived in our house. He was shocked when I said 11 years. I told him we kept it clear for dancing. He was impressed, but then I felt it wouldn't be good to lie to a ten year old so I came clean. Anyway any color (but peach) as long as it is soon.

Sewed a bunch of petals today during our all day in service. I was glad to have it with me in my little bag. Have a great week gang. xxoo t

marvelous mushrooms

Some stunning autumn weather brought us out of the house this weekend for a forage to our local woods....rain and leaves have also bought out an amazing array of mushrooms and toadstools...inspired Jone?

clothkits

Have made up my wonderful clothkits, Rob Ryan skirt which only took about 2 hours to sew up. It is such a brilliant company, everything was explained and packaged up beautifully! look at their website for more great designs! www.clothkits.co.uk/

HaLLoWeeN....

Had to get my mantle decorated for Halloween (BOO!)

I really love my collections.

Halloween is not my favorite, but one year my friend, Cheryl and I made some little witches and even after many years, they remain among my favorites.

Here is a detail of what the whole mantle looks like...

(If you look carefully in the lower left hand corner, you'll see one of the witches.

 Also in the basket under the BIG bat in the upper right)

Have a "sPiDeRy" holiday!

Mountain SNOW

We awoke to snow on the mountain yesterday... and it was COLD!

I took this photo on the way to the Teahouse for my daily cup of chai..

........(don't know how to get rid of this "underline" - yuk!)

Then in the afternoon, we were at the soccer game (football, for you Brits!)

and this was the mountain from the field. There are two more games today and it 

is supposed to be very sunny...and warmer? We'll see...

Christmas!!

So, I have been in the studio working on Christmas cards and thought I'd post a few so you could see what it is that I really do ........

This one still needs some work... maybe some words?

 

I love her, but must re-do so that you can read "Magic of Christmas"....

These two are images put together for wrapping paper.

What do you think? Some may end up as cards, too, though...

Off to do more...I am starting to get "In the Spirit"...... xoxo