Sharing

The house is getting decorated for Christmas.

We're still missing lots of trim and detail around the house.  My living room is riddled with tools as always.  But we've found ways to bring in warmth.

"Sexy and weird" according to *Mila*.

A painting I'm working on for my parents.

Our "advent" calendar to count down the days.   There is supposed to be chocolate under each gnome house.  We're afraid we'll eat them all.

Can't call this my favourite Christmas story, but it reminds me of my childhood.  "Nets of silver and gold have we said Wynken, Blynken and Nod"

A curtain warmed up the ice palace that we live in.

I managed to "sew" 5 curtains scattered throughout the house. *Mila* scored one for her room, of course!

Put the tree up and we're tired of bandaging the tree with ribbons and scattering feathers.  Seems very 80s.  And yes, becoming a parent means accomodating for multi coloured lights and all the vintage ratty old decorations.....but most loved.

Even the bookcase was jazzed up with some disco balls.  Yep, more curtains!

SWEDISH decorations.

Icelandic disco balls.  They're Icelandic in my home.

Swedish pine cone.  It's Swedish when placed on top of the IKEA catalogues.  And yes, it is necessary to have so many copies!

Sarah will miss us and we'll miss  her.

Even Suma feels a lot cozier in the house.



signed, the willow

Why being a dottir is all that and a bag of lutefisk too!

Reasons that the Scandinavians rock.


felted ball rugs
source:  mjolk




icelandic silk velvet
source:  mjolk



the ability to find a way to work white and lots of it into the decor
source: i lay my hat and wish to stay



they're incredible artists
source:  camilla engman



they make the coolest plates!  Gadzooks, this is too cool.  And anyone who spells Kristine with a K is mighty fine too.
source:  meyer lavigne



signed, the willow

Little One Little Two

Well, we've all been sick.  Had some scary moments where we were borderline going to the ER with our little girl and it was avoided.  THANK GOODNESS.  Moments like that restore your faith in the Universe. 

One of the happiest things I ever explored was creating paintings for children.  I loved it.  I painted 2 Muskoka chairs for a pair of siblings eons ago.  Then there were cards for friends, all hand-painted, of course.  It was so natural how it poured from my soul.  I was driven to make little kids happy.  I love little kids.  Then something changed, I became a mother.  I aspired to do this for my little girl.  But so many things got in the way.  There were diapers, then laundry, bottles to sippy cups, fevers, ruptured appendix, a few anxieties over school, new friends, old friends, runny noses, playground visits, meals, meals, snacks, meals and cleaning up after all of those meals.

So, I want to bring myself back to a day when I created for the young about the young.

And here are a few of my newest (or more favourite) inspirations:

source:  Smallable

source:  tammy gravina

atsuyo et akiko

source:  sweet william ltd

source:  idledoll

source:  little home

source:  tante suzie

source:  depeapa

source:  caramel baby & child

signed, the willow

Cotton Ball Snow

In November we anticipate and expect snow.  When we can't get it in time for our creative brains, we create it ourselves with cottonballs on fishing line.  Now, we wanted marshmallows, but no go.  Too sticky for our fingers.

She's one super sweet window!  Thanks to Mandy Higgs for all of her tremendous help.

And now, let's see if our Fort survives the clutches of the Girlfriends and their Getaway!  Yikes.

signed, the willow

People to Love

amy blackwell






a beautiful mess



julia pott (thanks mandy!)





kelly grace  and I am completely and utterly jealous of kelly grace....for her talent and for her subject matter!  david suzuki?  what an amazing honour.





gosia - i met her at the one of a kind show.  she keeps finding her way back into my heart.  she's adorable!


signed, the willow

40? yes

source: Julia Pott on YouTube

Does this mean I am almost 40? Yes.

And does it age me as much as I want it to?

The video makes me feel like I might have to have a bath and get up and go to primary school tomorrow. Love Julia Pott. She's delightful. And me? I'm still 39.

signed, the willow

Steampunk

Ok, I have to admit that I am probably not going to go out and buy anything "steampunk".  But I am terribly inspired by the style and if *Mila* came home and asked if she could have a piece of steampunk art, I would encourage her.


source:  geahkburchill on Etsy




source:  a second time on etsy



source:  stephane halleux on ama-zingarts blog



source:  steampunkworkshop





source:  steampunk fashion



signed, the willow

Paper

Growing up in close proximity to trees, chip mills, as well as pulp & paper mills, I gained a strong affinity for paper.  Precious.  Delicious.  Treasured and coveted.  I still hoard papers.  Keep them sorted, stashed and hidden all over the house like a little squirrel.

I love to play with paper, and make things from paper.  Art being the primary utensil for my paper fetish.

Who else can I culminate on this post that also loves paper?  Hmmmm....

• Paloma Faith's video by Art Director Petra Storrs?  Watch her nice video here.
• and see more of Petra's stuff HERE

 

• Jen Stark?  WOW!

 source:  Critical Miami

• Peter Callesen?  Um, of course he loves paper!
• 
• source:  Peter Callesen

• Brian Dettmer?  OMG!  Books have paper.  Paper is art.  Books are art too!  Yummy.  Whatever you decide to do today, click on Yummy.  You will not regret!

signed, the willow

Happy Halloween Costume #1

Meet SUPER PINK.  Thankfully I saved this from becoming a very bad version of Lady Gaga.  Yes, thank me! 

Super Pink wears pink shoes.

"I'm sure that as I am only a dog, I will be allowed to go to the school Halloween party?"

Peace loving Super Pink!

Vote for me:  Super Pink!

Super Molly Cape!  Click on the link and you too can have your very own cape.

Just 5 more minutes til we rock the party out.

Happy Halloween.

signed, the willow

Season's End

signed, the willow