Perfect place...

I'm feeling the need to escape today and I think this spot would work just perfectly. Don't you agree?

*photo found via white & wander

Toothful...

At least once a week I have a 'tooth nightmare', during the course of which I mysteriously lose all of my teeth. I can never really determine how or why, which only adds to the disturbing nature of the nightmare. Perhaps sleeping with one of these necklaces from verabel under my pillow would solve it.

Real home tour...

I'm here! Boy, are we off to a rough start this morning...scratchy throats, etc. (not at all related to tostadas and beer). :) Sheri Reed of Cafe Mom invited us to do a little home tour. You can check out all of the never-seen-before photos right here while I'm trying to get things straightened out here. Apparently it's supposed to snow a ton tomorrow and I'm feeling like I need to gather provisions, including a working DVD player (ours broke last night). How will we ever survive without watching Nemo...twenty...more...times?!

Flocks...

Great prints by Mark Hearld via St. Jude's Gallery based in the UK. For some reason I find myself wishing it was a dish towel. I'm all about usefulness lately. OK...I'm off to start making dinner. Guacamole, salsa fresca, tostadas, beer, and great friends...hooray!

Funny valentine...

I wrote something about our 'jar 'o hearts' last year, but now we have a new generation of valentines who need jars of their own. So, EZ E and I spent part of last week gathering jars, cutting hearts, and writing little messages. Actually, I spent part of last week doing all of that while EZ E flitted around the house and gathered dust bunnies to put in the jars (very thoughtful boy...and messy mom). We sent off our first valentine and I'm happy to report that it was very well-received.

I'd like to know...

Today is Monday, so that means it's time for I'd like to know, a weekly post dedicated to talented artists, designers, etc...all people I'd like to know and who I thought you may like to know of too. Today I'd like to know...Brooks Shane Salzwedal. These pieces are a bit different than what I'd normally find myself drawn to, but I love them. They're very atmospheric. You can see more on his website. Happy Monday!

This weekend...

Any fun plans for this weekend? Kicky and I are staying home while PRH and EZ E go to a superbowl party. Hooray for girls day! Pride and Prejudice here we come! Hope you all have a great weekend! See you on Monday.

*photo by steven beckly (prints available in his shop)

Inspired...

Feeling inspired by these pretty bird drawings by Kate Broughton. I'm not over birds.

Back at it...

Oooooo! I'm working in the studio this morning and then going to get my mom hair cut off. Today could very well be the best day ever.

Quite fabulous...

I dream of owning an original Betsy Walton painting someday. These plates she's been making lately are quite fabulous too.

To do...

If you want to start your own pheasant collection.

Collected...

I saw these lovely pieces by typehigh.nl and was struck by the idea of gathering items in order to create a portrait. There's something incredibly intimate about these pieces.

Geometric...

This wall installation by bente miltenburg is so rad. I'd love to see something like this contrasted against really old woodwork. You can see more of her work on her flickrstream or blog.

New fave...

I feel my pheasant phase coming on. Photo by the always brilliant Sharon Montrose (these are real animals, btw).

Red caps and speedos...

How funny is this Life Aquatic-inspired t-shirt? Bill Murray rules.

Steve Zissou: Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in 10 days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it. Anyone who wants to tag along is more than welcome.

Vintage...

Everything at thrush vintage is fabulous...including her haircut.

Masked...

How great are these prints by Laura McKellar (found via smaller)? Thanks for the link, Rach!

Poster size...

I've mentioned making poster-sized prints here, here, and here. Clearly, I'm obsessed. Here's the poster hanging in our bedroom. I found the embroidered bird piece at a thrift store (see the original hanging in my studio below) and, of course, thought the back was more interesting than the front. I scanned it and had it printed as a giant poster. I had intended to use it in my thesis exhibition but never did, so now it's hanging in our bedroom. That wavy thing going on is just from the camera, btw. My favorite thing about it is how huge the stitches are.

Giving and receiving...

My mother-in-law loves a good bargain which may explain why, several years ago, I received a half dozen pairs of thong underwear ranging in size from XS to XXL. My theory about thongs: 1) you either wear them or you don't, and 2) it's never OK for your mother-in-law to give them to you as a genuine birthday gift (no, not even if they're leopard print). I don't wear them and I don't particularly like to receive them as gifts. Nothing says 'you have a huge ass' like a pair of 2XL thong underwear from your mother-in-law, right? I'm only recounting this because my in-laws came to dinner this weekend. Not only is my mother-in-law a bargain shopper, she's also a birthday hounder. It typically starts about six months before your birthday, "What do you want for your birthday? What do you want for your birthday? You look like you're getting sick, hon! What do you want for your birthday?". My birthday is next month, so the hounding was in full effect, with the threat of underwear as a gift being a real possibility. I want to be left alone...but, barring that from happening, I do not want any thong underwear.

*hilarious card from up up creative

Good art, real cheap...

They're having a great sale over at 20x200. A few of our friends have participated in 20x200, including Kirby Pilcher whose print is above.