Last minute xmas gift for the folks on your list who have everything....
This awesome Zombie ABC created by Matthieu Brajot.

Fresh Produce at Anno Domini

Went to Anno Domini's annual Fresh Produce holiday sale. I have to say the show wasn't as strong as years past, but I did fall in love with these two pieces by San Jose based artist, Lacey Bryant. These little oil tableaus are painted on found cigar boxes and at $75 a piece, they were a steal! Gallery AD will post available pieces on their site soon, so check out the other works by this artist and others!

The Pop Up Shop

On the way to happy hour at T Rex, the girls and I discovered this wonderfully charming little store called The Pop Up Shop which is literally that, a treasure trove of French finds that will last only 6 more weeks! From classic white ceramic ramekins to all things le petit prince, this store has wonderful and unique gifts. The prices are so reasonable and the proprietors are warm and welcoming! Check out their hours below...

located at 1316 10th Street off Gilman in Berkeley

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms, Step-Moms, Grandmas and women who spend their lives taking care of little ones. Each moment you give shapes who they will become...

Thank you.

Merry Christmas!!! The holidays bring lots of excitement, wonder and magic, and this Christmas was no exception. Of course there are several Holiday traditions I cherish, such as dressing up and going to High Tea and celebrating with loved ones, but this year making gifts was at the top of my list. I must say that Aaron surprised me with several beautiful handmade gifts including a fairy tale and this incredible shadow box. I am so lucky!!!!

He also wins boyfriend of the year award for subscribing to Felissimo's 500 pencil project. A set of 25 colored pencils will arrive every month for the next 20 months!!!! Here is the first set!
I made Aaron a shadow box in this display case. Two wax rabbits in a thistle grove...

With holiday install wrapping up at work, and Thanksgiving rapidly approaching I remembered (with a twinge of panic) that I needed to fill the advent calendar for Nad and Mi before December 1st. This is the third Christmas I've filled the calendar for the girls, and I have no doubts that it will continue to be loved and used until it finally gives out. It is after all only made of paper...

I love the idea of a tiny surprise waiting to be discovered. As a child, the anticipation of what I might find tomorrow felt like a best kept secret. As an adult I love to share in this excitement with Nad and Mi. We try to fill the calendar with something other than plastic junk with Hannah Montana's face plastered all over it, so I picked out some alternative treasures:

*glow in the dark wind animals because Nad is all about animal facts

*chocolate coins, a holiday must and favorite of both girls

*wooden necklaces to string, because above all we girls love to craft

* puffy butterfly stickers

* rubber stamps (of animals)

Our advent calendar was made of large matchboxes cut in half then compiled into a "chest of drawers" like format. Its was pretty simply and fun to embellish. Here are some other great advent calendar ideas I love...

from purlbee

from country living magazine

from canadian family

Really, the sky is the limit. This would also be a great thing to do with a partner too. I made a birthday advent calendar for Aaron and he still looks at it 3 years later.

The Holidays are here at Anthropologie! Paper poofs tumble overhead. Look closely; I am in there somewhere!

Funnels holding handmade ornaments sprout from wood stumps...


Little lamps on birch trees light the way for customers...

snowballs for sale, 5 cents each...

How many inches of snow this year? And a Holiday window to come....

A Year in Pictures 2008

A random sampling of my life in pictures over the last year.

Christmas Giving

Photos of girls who had a wonderful Christmas!

I made Aaron a paper magnolia. Inside the pod little curls of paper with written sentiments are tucked into each well. A few red berries unfolded from their hiding spot revealing little pictures or writings. I also painted this miniature for him...us as two rabbits.

Aaron did a beautiful job wrapping my gifts!  My favorite present from him is this bowl made of red and yellow winter leaves.

Christmas at the Napa House

Napa house is adorned in festive greenery, lights, and all things Christmas...

Our advent calendar, full of little goodies to enjoy the whole month long.

Beautiful bough of bay leaves and oranges atop our tea cabinet.

Our mantle, with stockings made from vintage blankets.

Our little Christmas tree in jewel tones!

Holiday Craftacular

PCM's Holiday Craftacular was this Saturday and I made all kinds of winter inspired miniatures to sell. I make paper shoes of all kinds, and love the few I made for the show. I also crafted my miniature scenes atop vintage teacups instead of inside domes.  This one of the woodland squirrel was loved by many and found a home.

I love these queen bee shoes. They stand quite a ways off their pedestal and seem to be teetering on these delicate dried blossoms.

My business cards presented on a bed of moss.

Woodland fairy slippers on a real dried mushroom.  I love these!

2 days until the Holiday Craftacular

Two days and counting to Craftacular!  The Don (Cheryl) of Petaluma's craftiest family interviewed me for their blog. Check out the interview here.  There were some pretty interesting questions including one on who I'd invite to the ultimate dinner party. Among the guests would have to be MJ of course. Will post pics sooner to show!

My First Holiday Show

A week from tomorrow is the Holiday Craftacular show hosted by the PCM. My first craft show coincided with their first ever Craftaluma last spring. I am excited to be participating in a holiday show and have lots of new work to sell. Come by handmade gift for the holidays and support crafters!!! My friend MJ will be selling her adorable paper chair mobiles as well as the cutest paper chair ornaments. I will be selling my miniature worlds in vintage teacups, gocco tea towels and beautiful hand-painted paste paper as giftwrap as well as many other paper treats! Come by and say hello!

New Pieces for Craftacular

New version of my miniature worlds...this time created atop a vintage teacup!  I am making these for the Craftacular show coming up in December hosted by the Petaluma Craft Mafia. The price point is lower so they will be the perfect holiday gift for any budget. I will also be teaching a class on these in March at the^workshop in Berekeley!