Green Knitted Sweater

I got this lovely gift when it was still warm out and since then I have intended to write a post about it. I guess it is the snow that reminded me of my new sweater. My dear friend 'Lime Lady' knitted this for me. I had seen one in a cute shop in Fort Collins when we were out shopping together. I had forgotten all about her offer -- she would knit it if I would embroider it. So I am playing around with possible sewn additions. Below is one idea with embroidered flowers, maybe a bird, or just colorful patterns .... Pretty just as it is -- thank you G!

Blue Crystals with Pearls and Quartz Chips on Sterling Silver

My latest creation -- a necklace and earring combo for H. Whew! Pearls were back-ordered, then the wrong color, and each little wrap took.... but finally it is finished and I'm happy with it. Hope she is too.

perfect for a gala

Frosty trees, birds and more

A heavy fog and freezing temperatures from the night before resulted in everything covered in a beautiful shimmering frost. As the sun rose, you could hear the frost whisper crinkles of defeat, as water dripped from branches above.

The next day we enjoyed more egg nog and games for the eve's celebrations. For the day of dinner, I contributed my grandmother's recipe of Melt in Your Mouth Cranberry Pie, and my own concoction of italian sausage apple dressing. Many wonderful gifts were exchanged, but most of all we were able to delight in Dax's first Christmas. Thank you all for such a delightful holiday.

Now to prepare for 2011...

Happy Happy Merry Merry

Happy Winter Solstice!

to celebrate: an evening of ornament and winter-themed poem exchanges, egg nog, hot toddies, rugelach, the game carcassonne and more....

party hats and favors

stars and garlands hang from the ceiling

my silly shots of the lunar eclipse the other night

it was so worth staying up late

Olive Oil Granola With Dried Apricots and Pistachios

Thanks to L.Z. in Ohio for sharing this fabulous, delicious recipe from the New York Times! My favorite granola yet -- love it!

Remembering a Delicious Summer

Reminiscing about warm weather, sitting on the front porch with a glass of wine, eating fresh food. C.R. had made a delicious version of eggplant parmesan and a bright green salad. I made pesto pasta (with basil from my garden).

Order by Midnight of December 18th...

Order by Midnight of December 18th, and I will mail via Priority Mail and they promise to get it to you by the 24th!

Happy Holidays!

new Winter Collection just added to etsy
Order by December 18th and I will mail your package by December 21st via Priority Mail -- USPS says you'll get it by the 25th!

become a fan on my facebook page for the latest updates, sales and coupon codes

Sneak Peek of Photo Shoot

Today my friend S helped with a photo shoot of my jewelry (and we also took pics of her jewelry). Here is a sneak peek of what is coming to etsy soon!

currently working on: Design for Upcoming Ansel Adams Exhibition

www.ftcma.org

Girl Scout Jewelry Projects

candy bracelet (click for pdf)

Just finished two jewelry projects for my friend's girl scout troop! I hope they enjoy them as much as I did. If you decide to print and use -- please do, just credit me. Thanks :)

pastel petals (click for pdf)

The Tree is Up

Sugar cookies (snowflakes with eggnog frosting and little one filled with raspberry or apricot jam) and eggnog (from a local organic farm) aided our tree decorating attempts -- which I believe turned out quite successful. Although we decided we still need some red (or pink/orange) ornaments to fill in any empty space!




a felted snowman from my mom and vintage plastic reindeer adorn the mantle

before

after the frosting

Ronnie's Updated Website

I just finished working with Ronnie Koenig on the 'facelift' of her website. Ronnie has written for Cosmopolitan, Penthouse, Self, Redbook, Marie Claire and Best Life. She is the former editor-in-chief of Playgirl magazine. So much fun to do a clean, simple, fun design.

Glowing Sunrise

A couple weeks ago, I awoke to an orange glow filling the room. I peeked out the window and saw a beautiful sunrise. So I jumped up and grabbed my camera -- which was in the studio, where I took a shot of the kitty in the window as I headed out. C woke up and grabbed his camera too, so we both documented the sunrise in our pjs on the back porch.

within minutes, the sky was less intense

after we came inside, Sam sat on C's lap at the table and as you can see, there was still a glow

Happy Thanksgiving!

Many thanks to the Drieth family and to my mom (who traveled out here) for a lovely Thanksgiving!

Congratulations!

Stephanie from Colorado Springs is the winner!
Thanks to everyone who entered and for all the kind compliments.
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Celebrating One Year of Blogging!

I just realized I've blogged my first entire year!
(actually a year and 4 days)
To celebrate this and the upcoming holidays,
I am giving away a pair of earrings.

You will be entered to win if you comment below on this blog post and mention your favorite holiday earrings (for example: your mother's pearls, or a long sparkly pair for NYE…). Winner will be randomly chosen on Sunday, November 28th (so you must enter by midnight on the 27th). Good Luck!

Hammered gold-plated handmade earwires with red iridescent dotted glass beads -- simple, playful and perfect for the holidays.

My Grandmother Blanche

This morning I looked back through some photos I took last year when I visited my mother for Thanksgiving. We had gone through her mother's trunk and I documented some of the treasures inside.

inside of trunk lid (center)

inside of trunk lid (corner)

fabric

her notes in one of the student books -- review review!!!

handmade lace

hand-stitched fabric applique/embroidered basket with flowers

young Blanche Baldwin Peck

psst... there is a sale going on

Treasure....

A recent trip to Florence, Colorado and today's insane ARC finds have left me with lots of possible projects, but right now I'm gazing at it all in a happy daze....

close-up of C's retro tie he found

retro star at bottom of a little dish -- another C find

pyrex dish with leaves - perfect for Thanksgiving

detail of retro curtain -- which may become a tablecloth and/or apron

detail of Mexican blanket

detail of retro apron

Florence has such fun stores to search for hidden gems and treasures... and they're all located in a small old downtown, great brick buildings, interesting architecture, mountains in the horizon.

Florence finds: old little toy bear, 2 handkerchiefs, trinkets for jewelry projects
(not pictured -- rocks!)

weird fun colors....

The Pour House -- decent coffee (we had triple shot americanos to make them strong enough for our tastes), great atmosphere, tasty scones -- the perfect place to take a break between all the little shops. For dinner we went to Pueblo's locally owned, sustainably-minded Bingo Burger for delicious grassfed beef burgers and local brews!