dreaming...

birdsong

the birds sing for the spring.
calling out out to the sun, breasts bared
and throats full.
they sit on cold sullen branches, knowing
their pleas will come to fruition.
the world will not stay cold, the sun will not forsake.
watch the leaves like knife blades, pushing through the still hard earth.
green stalks do not yet bare their promise,
naked without blush.
the world holds its breath and waits for them,
all the while listening to the bird song.
they see all, and their song turns the earth.

... anon.

"overachiever" by little fish studios

"untitled" by lena corwin

"rabbit shoes" by sweet nellie

"little bouquet" by a creative mint

"little clouds in my studio" by atelier pompadour

in desperate need of some inspiration on these cold dreary days. i know i shouldn't really call them dreary... the sun shines brightly and we are not buried under snow like my friends up north. they feel dreary, and there is no escaping that. this time of year the cold seems to settle in my bones and i can't ever get truly warm. i have lived places that stay warm the whole year round. that is not the answer for me, because i know i will always suffer for the beautiful promise of spring.

visit the links above to find more lovely photos.

i want to live here (forever)...

oh my goodness, i want to go to there! i just saw this on etsy and it took my breath away. how beautiful is this new york state home, which was the residence and studio of the artist henry varnum poor (which he built himself)?! according to the website, "both medieval and modernist in style the house embodies the ideals of the arts and craft movement, which sought to recapture the lost unities of living, working, and creating sundered by the industrial age." according to the ny times, the property was in danger of being demolished a few years back, but it was bought with the intent of eventually turning it into a museum. i guess the artist's son has recently begun to sell of some of his father's possessions which were completely intact in the house. too bad. i would love to see it just as it is in these photos. my husband and i took the children last year to a self-built home of a local artist here in georgia. it was so inspiring to see the way this (self-taught) artist melded his living and working space. art and life were truly one.

some larger images, and click on the photos above to see them larger as well...

etsy favorites... (the world in miniature)

1) walnut sail boat, by littlesketchbook
2) tiny chinese blue and white teacup with little haworthia succulents, from tinyshovels
3) harry potter finger puppet set, made by claraclips
4) wooden cake topper- woodland little red and wolf, by the enchanted cupboard
5) nest on a sprig, made by winsome hollow
6) cottonwood carving whimsical fairy village, from riverotterrustic

as you could probably tell, i am obsessed with the idea of the world in miniature. i, of course, love to make little animals that fit in the palm of your hand. obviously, many other artists have this same fascination. miniature worlds abound on etsy. i could fill an entire blog with them (hey, there's an idea... hmm). i'll share some recent ones that have caught my eye in the past week. the little walnut sale boat reminds of the ones my son used to make in preschool. i just want to get in and sale away to a tiny little island somewhere. i love the tiny teacup i saw just today on etsy and reminds me also of another miniature favorite i bought myself last week...


this is an airplant, in a raw porcelain thimble cup, from pigeon toe ceramics... and it is so tiny and perfect! the little finger puppet set looks absolutely adorable as well, and i would love to have one of these for me... i mean my kids (not really, it would totally be for me). i love the little miniature red riding hood scene for a cake topper. how sweet for a child's (or child at heart's) birthday party. i included the little nest on sprig, even though katy doesn't have one in her shop right now. all of her miniature creations are so perfect... but i have a nest like this one and it is so sweetly tiny! i just love it. finally, i was really struck by the tiny detailing in the carved fairy village. i can just see hanging this on a child's wall and letting them imagine the tiny world that would exist within.

i hope you enjoy!

farm inspiration...

my husband and i spent a wonderful three day weekend at the serenbe inn outside of atlanta. it was set on a beautiful farm.... and i was in heaven. talk about serious inspiration, i want to make all of these animals now! the horse at the top was the sweetest. she was in the field next to the lake house where we stayed, and came over to say hello every time she saw me. my father was a horse trainer, and i had forgotten just how much i love to be around horses. i really miss riding. it just felt really good being outside in such a lovely, quiet setting. we went on many walks (including at night... um, hello millions of stars, i had forgotten you exist!), and hiked to a waterfall and old farm ruins. there is also a wonderful restaurant at the inn, the farmhouse, that has the yummiest farm grown food. did i mention i was in heaven?

also, the weather was sooo beautiful, and despite it turning colder again this week... i have the memory of this beauty to remind me spring is on the way!

little grey donkey...

i'm nearly finished with this little spring donkey. i had intended for her to have a little baskets of flowers, but i came across this vintage embroidery i had nearly forgotten about. it seems to suit her. it is such a beautiful piece of hand embroidery on the loveliest cream colored wool. i was so excited when i found it at a "junktique" sale before christmas. i just need to finish attaching it and she will be ready to go!

i'll have to make another with baskets:)

cheating...

ok, i'm cheating a little bit with my inspiration this week... letting someone else do the work. as soon as i came across this beautiful mosaic made by violetta from portugal, made from her flickr group recycled home i knew i had to use it. not only do i love everyone of these photos, but i just want to live in the world this image creates! i found these beautiful muted colors, and the creative ways these objects are displayed to be endlessly inspiring. i have so far to go in creating anything like this but i will keep trying! i hope you will enjoy them as much as i do.

sugar rush...

well, valentine's day started out with a sugar meltdown... and ended with one too. chocolate and waffles sound like such a wonderful way to start the day... in theory! it was very nice in between though. lot's of wrestling (it's hilarious to watch the two little ones try to gang up on their papa), playing in the snow, a cozy fire, and just enjoying being together. my husband made a wonderful dinner of oysters, salmon with pesto, grits and spinach. mmm. very romantic, despite the little monkeys climbing all over us, insisting on sitting in our laps to eat, and blowing out the candles (and wax) all over the table. i wouldn't have it any other way... especially knowing we get a weekend away for just the two of us at the end of this week! hooray!! i hope you all had a love (and sugar) filled day as well.

little giraffe...

new little giraffe in the shop, as promised! she is made from a recycled and felted mustard yellow wool, and a lovely floral kettle cloth. i think she would bring a little sunshine to anyone's day!

i'm working on a new little spring donkey now!

grey...

a lovely snow fell in atlanta yesterday! it was a very nice surprise (thanks katy!... she has snow on her birthday every year). it was a lovely marshmallow world, more beautiful because it was unexpected i think. you can see some more photos, if you like. i also have a little grey and white sheep in the shop as well!

sisters...

what more can i say than that? if you have a sister, you know what i mean... what they mean. i am lucky enough not only to have always had someone to share in everything in my life, but a sister who turned out to be my best friend too. i honestly don't know what i would do without you katy. you make everyday a brighter day. thank you for being you. you know we will always be "twins in the head". love you sweetie, and happy birthday!!!