Monday, August 30, 2010

The Little Grey Bird



Once upon a time there was a bird with a broken wing. He was a small bird, grey and quiet and alone. The bird sat shyly, looking out at each passerby with an impossibly blue eye full of sadness and longing. His sweet face wore an expression of heartbreaking hope and desperation, and you came to the bird with your heart open, offering him everything you had. The bird spoke to you in sweet notes and soft whispers and he told you a story that made you cry melancholy tears and your already open heart cracked wide apart so that it was pulsing and exposed and raw.

You sat there on the road keeping the little grey bird company while the weeds grew tall around you and the berries sprang forth on their thorned boughs. You told him your secrets and your desires and he chirped in agreeance and enthusiasm at your words. Little by little the bird grew strong while you fed him your thoughts, dreams and future.

After many days of golden afternoon light and stories told under indigo skies sprinkled with stars, you asked the bird if he was better, if he could fly. But the bird grew sad and he blinked his impossibly blue eye and told you he was damaged and needed you to stay. And so you remained by his side and you gave him more of yourself so that he would one day be able to fly. And the weeds tangled and went to seed and the autumn leaves fell all around and you sat by the little grey bird and kept him company until you were old and weak and all you had was the warmth the little bird offered.

And many days and nights later, I came along the road and I saw the little grey bird with the impossibly blue eye looking out at me with a face full of sweet sadness and he was all alone. So I sat down and told him my secrets while he healed by the side of the road...

and so the little grey bird sits, waiting for another person to fill him with their hopes and dreams while he tucks his impossibly blue eye underneath a perfect wing, on the side of a dusty and winding road.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

A Day of Finds


Had a full day! Woke up at 6:30 and headed to Niles for their annual Antique Sale. I came away with a few goodies and after a few hours of garage sale scouring and booth bargaining, I continued onto Oakland for..



... a walk in the Mountain View Cemetery with Miss Essential Monsters herself.


We stumbled on this outsider art shadow box on an unmarked grave in the "unfunded" portion of the cemetery. It was such an amazing find amongst the broken head stones and weeds of a forgotten group of graves from an Oakland's home for women.


After a few hours of graveside strolling I went to SF to see the Birth of Impressionism show at the De Young. You can't, of course, take any pics in the gallery (although I'm pretty sure I did at the Musée D'Orsay when I saw them the first time), but I did take some shots of some of my favs from the permanent collection...






Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Night Out


After a long couple of days at work, I treated myself to a night out with a friend. I started with a trip to Freshly Cut, a beautiful floral shop in Berkeley that creates the most unique and gorgeous arrangements. After a cup of tea, some good conversation and a much needed refill of inspiration, we headed to Adesso on Piedmont for drinks and hors d'oeuvres. My mojito was delicious and our appetizer was pretty tasty.


I ended the night at one of my favorite neighborhood cafes, the Elmwood on College. Tonight the Elmwood celebrated its first donation to one of its charity recipients (50% of Elmwood's profits go to a customer selected charity), Bread Works. The atmosphere was friendly as always and the food was delicious! Homemade strawberry sodas passed in fluted glasses on trays and crostini topped with local goat cheese and peach mint chutney circulated on pretty white plates.
I love that the food is sourced from local farms and everything down to the fresh fruit syrups in the sodas are made in house. I'm looking forward to weekend morning where I can enjoy a pot of loose leaf earl grey! (A pot, not a cup, served in a red tea pot! How perfect is that???)




Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Shadow Box Workshop at Saffron & Genevieve

Started the first sample for the Shadow Box workshop at Saffron & Genevieve...



Friday, August 20, 2010

Shadow Box Workshop at Saffron & Genevieve

I am so excited to announce that I will be teaching a Shadow Box Workshop at the amazing Saffron & Genevieve in Santa Cruz on Friday, September 10th. This space is charming and full of wonderfully unique and special antiques, treasures and things for the home. Come join us for a night of creation and inspiration and go home with your very own work of art!

Feel free to reserve your spot on our Facebook event page in advance!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Afternoon Wandering


Spent the last two afternoons wandering in the Mission after work and came across this etched (or carved?) concrete. I thought it was a nice detail, a happy discovery punctuating the somber grey sidewalk of Valencia St. I love the unexpected beauty a simple design can embody, especially when it is found by chance, by merely glancing down on a busy urban street!

Monday, August 16, 2010

A Few Good Finds...

Went to the Depot for Creative Reuse after work. This place can sometimes be one of my favorite places to pick up treasures. Sometimes, its just a mess with no finds and rude employees, but I had a good day today. I bought many things, but loved these rolls of bias tape that I use for wrapping presents or tying up fabric. I also had an incredibly serendipitous find later in the day, but I'll post about that later :) Happy hunting!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Happy Weekend


This one's for Tracey! Happy weekend!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Eye Candy


Two of my favorite things... books & things ordered by color!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Life from Scratch

Inspired by a vintage ravioli maker purchased at the Flea, Sarah and I undertook the task of making our own ravioli. Okay, we cheated a little by buying fresh pasta sheets...






They actually looked pretty professional!

...and they tasted wonderful!


For dessert we made a slump, a type of cobbler made with fruit and biscuits. Again... delicious!!




Happy Summer eating!!!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Rosie Cupcakes


So I've been indulging in these amazingly delicious cupcakes over the last few weeks...
After all, who could resist a blueberry pancake cupcake with maple frosting and blueberry jam??? If that doesn't sound delicious enough, how about a chocolate cupcake with chocolate orange frosting and candied orange peel, or perhaps a salted caramel cupcake with caramel frosting???


Want to hear another secret? These most amazing cupcakes are...vegan.
I never thought I'd be in love with a dairy free anything, but these cupcakes are life changing!!!!



Best of all, Rosie sells her cupcakes every Sunday at Beer Revolution near Jack London Square.
She's also doing a special event tonight for the East Bay Express also in Jack London if you are in the area.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Workshops at SFCB


San Francisco Center for the Book

TEACHER HIGHLIGHT

This week we introduce you to Courtney Cerruti, SFCB's newest instructor!

Courtney Cerruti

New instructor at SFCB! Join us in welcoming a new instructor to SFCB, Courtney Cerruti. Educated in California and France, Courtney now designs and teaches various art workshops around the Bay Area. Working in many mediums, but primarily paper, Courtney creates whimsical and magical objects, always with an eye to the narrative aspects of each unique piece.

Image courtesy of Courtney Cerruti

Feathers, Fur and Scales
with Courtney Cerruti

Saturday and Sunday
September 24 and 25
10am - 5pm
$225

Create your own totem animal using found and recycled papers and a wire armature. Immortalize your pet schnauzer or your beloved parakeet with pages from old, worn out books in this ingenious workshop!

Image courtesy of Courtney Cerruti

Image Transfer
with Courtney Cerruti

Tuesday
October 19
6:30 - 9:30pm
$55

Learn various image transfer techniques to use with paper arts, collage, fiber arts and more. Explore transfer options using inexpensive materials and go home with a wealth of knowledge and a packet of samples made in class.

Image courtesy of Courtney Cerruti

Faux Bois (Wood Grain) Accordion Book
with Courtney Cerruti

Tuesdays
November 30 and December 7
6:30 - 9:30pm
$95

Learn the techniques of faux bois (false wood) painting that's beautiful enough to rival Martha. Create an accordion book using your own one of a kind faux bois papers.

Image courtesy of Courtney Cerruti

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Feathers, Fur & Scales


Here is the beginning of my sample for the new workshop Feathers, Fur & Scales I'll be teaching at SFCB. The Fall Schedule should be out soon. By then, this little guy should have some wings and be living in his new home, San Francisco Center for the Book!

I'll also be teaching an Image Transfer class as well as a Faux Bois Accordion Book class! More posts soon!

Monday, August 2, 2010

eucaylptus buttons & magnolia pods


I am collector. I collect memories, images, objects and things that tell a story. Sometimes I like things that are damaged, sometimes I like things that sparkle or shine, and sometimes I simply like the hunt for that one elusive treasure. I can't quell that curiosity and desire to discover something magical and wonderful...
I especially love to walk and look for natural objects. Interesting leaves, seeds and pods often wind up in a pocket or bag and the collection grows with each step. Tonight I collected two things that I absolutely love...

eucaylptus buttons & magnolia pods




Hope you find an unexpected treasure on your next journey!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Happy Sunday

A good Sunday must include at least one cup of tea!