This video was sent to me by a friend of my big brother and was made by Ben Cornish.. I may have been like 15 years old. Sadly, Rico passed away in one of those you can’t believe he is gone and was too young situations.

This is so awesome to see…

The Fab Jacquie Blackman nominated me for the “You Make My Day” award… I am so touched!

In the spirit of the YMMD Award I will:

“Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.”

Here is my 10 Things List (you all know I love a list) with links to my 10 favorite blog reads:

1. Lisa Congdon Art +Craft: this woman really is a brilliant artist. I am in awe of her images.
2. Montessori By Hand: Meg is very inspirational in the things that she makes. Great tutorials, great pictures!
3. Jodi’s Weblog:Jodi is a force of Art, knitting, and all things that lie in-between. Her work is amazing… and accessible through her etsy site.
4. Criminy Jickets: Dave is a great read… and pattern writer! Look for his dishcloth and sock patterns.
5. Brooklyntweed: Jared Flood’s blog is amazing… great pictures and insight into his patterns.
6. The Purloined Letter: Harriet has a very interesting perspective on most everything… and knitting to boot.
7. Go Knit in Your Hat: Carol not only is the creator pf Black Bunny Fibers… she is hysterical. Hands down ROFL.
8. Path to Freedom Journal: How interesting is urban homesteading? Very.
9. Insubordiknit: Jacey spins everything into creative, artistic other things.
10. Carole Knits: the eye candy and volume of knitting alone make me smile. She makes Fridays a complete joy!

Whew! That was rough limiting my reads. There are so many of blogs that make me smile! Go check all of these guys and gals out. I am sure that they will make you smile too!

Sea of Possibility 2007

Mama and her Cowboy 2007

These were taken while on a walk in my neighborhood. I love these photos. They really capture the cowboy in all his wonderment.

(knitting related content to follow soon friends… promise!)

Stand

Patterson Park Pagoda

Tree

Harbor at Night

A few shots from my hood… I am turning them all into gocco prints this week.

I love creating every day!

I took a drawing that I made and turned them into these using my new Print Gocco.

I printed on some old maps from a 1966 World Atlas… there were countries in the atlas that don’t exist anymore.

Here are some close ups:

I love how the differences in the maps really change the design. I have some things to learn about controlling the ink and dispersing it evenly… but as a first effort… I think it is pretty good!

It has been forever since I blogged about my fibery pursuits. I have many, many things to show you! I will break the pictures up into a couple posts… so as not to overwhelm us all.

Right around Halloween I had some shelves installed into my studio ( that wreaked havoc into my psyche, schedule, and life in general)

Here they are:

Three shelves that run the length of my studio wall (roughly 15 feet). Well worth it. They are so strong that I could lay on them with all of you and they would hold us. Seriously… no worries on them falling down.

I got a HUGE box of lovely fiber from my friend Meg. Fiber from HER sheep.

Look at how amazing that color is!

That would be the name of the sheep. I love that. I really freakin’ love that.

Wanna see what my plans for it are?

Felting friends. (Meg.. your sheep do great in this department)

It has become my reward for when I do a ton of this:

That isn’t even a quarter of what I dyed today.

Meg also included this:

Look at those curls! I am in fiber heaven. Meg… I am truly, and deeply grateful.

What are my plans for this felting?

I am working on a series of mixed media pieces. I am going to do some collaboration with my friend Jody to include photography in the pieces. I felted the first 3 pieces I need to start today.

I am overwhelmed at the thought that the fiber comes from someone’s flock. I know all sheep are in someone’s flock. But not someone’s flock that I can ask her to go say thanks to them for me. Or that I can know all of their names. Somehow.. that will work its way into the series of collages. It just has to.

I’m off to pull out my knitting and watch Pushing Daisies.

Can you stand the possibility that this brings? I can not.

I went to the art supply store today to buy some dyes (ran out and have no time to order). While I was there I saw my FAVORITE pencils.

I picked up the woodless stick of graphite and it felt so good in my hand. Cold and familiar… like a lost friend.

I flashed back to my freshman year of art school… when you get to buy the “Big Girl” supplies. The pantone color paper kit, the x-acto’s and the charcoal. The graphite sticks… the paper with the crazy tooth to it… the 500.00 splurge when you are 18 is crazy… it’s like a million bucks. You have no reference for that. The supplies get arranged and re-arranged in your ArtBin container (I have now opted for the B&D toolbox). All of them provide the possibility of new beginnings, new creations, and life in its purest and best form.

I ended up getting a few things to get me back on track. I happened to have my camera and iPod in my bag. This shot was taken from the cafe’ next to the art store where I spent a precious hour tuning out, drinking coffee, listening to my iPod (I am very partial to the I AM SAM soundtrack), and sketching a project that is in my head.

For a minute, or 60, I was 18 and lost with no where to go and no one to need me. Talk about pure bliss.