Pinecones.

Whenever we go to the pines, I come home with pinecones. Even on my frequent hikes, I run across them and bring them home. I have a thing for them, always have. As a child, I spent many an hour collecting pinecones. So I suppose it's only a natural progression for me to think of making some, in my particular medium - yarn.

So now. These two pinecones. One different from the other. I’ve fallen in love with them. Each one a labor of love. The cream pinecone is about 5” tall; the brown one is about 3” tall. They do delight me when I look at them sitting in their assigned spots.

When I began the process of making them, I thought it would be fairly simple.

It wasn't all that simple. It took several rewrites before I felt the pattern was working properly. A lot of time involved, and patience. I am very happy with the end results and feel it was well worth the effort. They do take a long time to make though. Did I already mention that?

I plan to make them in all different sizes. Different colors too. I am quite certain there is a small pinecone necklace in my very near future…Let me know if you're interested, dear hearts.


Much love...xo

The Chill Factor.

Coming soon to Fringe.

Only the coziest, warmest, softest,

most elegant and versatile oversized cowl

you’ll ever see.

In dreamy cream.

The Chill Factor Cowl.

It’s thick and snuggle-worthy.

A cowl that can adjust beautifully

to suit your fashion needs.

A cowl that converts to

a stole,

a hood,

a capelet.

For this cowl,

the harshest winter is translated into

an opportunity to shine.

It is armor against the cold.

Rustic, romantic.

Graceful, gorgeous.

Did I mention elegant?

An eye catcher.

The perfect showcase for your heirloom brooch

or modern sparkles.

Pin a fresh pine sprig

(or a red rosebud)

onto this cowl

and feel like a million bucks.

I envision this cowl

worn so many ways,

in so many settings…

at the top of a snow covered mountain

on the streets of a metropolitan city

or a small town Main Street

on a horseback ride

ice skating

a trip to the outdoor market

around a campfire

to a sports event

to a gallery

an outdoor café

a walk in the woods

reading in a cozy chair in a rustic cabin

down a country lane

lover’s lane

in a horse-drawn carriage

and on

and on…

Paris.

 

 {I didn't know it at the time, but Ron took a photo of me taking a photo of the ceiling in our Paris rental}

I have so many wonderful, sacred really, memories of last summer's trip to Europe. May I say a few words about Paris, dear hearts?

Paris: there's a reason why so many Francophiles exist.  I imagine there is nothing I can write about the city of light that has not already been written. I won’t even try. I’ll merely speak to my personal experiences.

The beauty of Paris inspired me. To find a way of capturing and recapturing the experiences, the sights, the feelings, the tastes, the light, the stirrings. I fell in love with my lover all over again and in a new way. 

The early morning light. The twilight hour. 

Every sight, every subtlety, positively demanded a photo, a written sentence, a sketch or even just a slow intake of breath and a smile.

It made me want to speak softly and slowly, to look my best, to remember every little detail. To move about in the city of light. To fall asleep and wake up in Paris is to feel a shift, a movement, an expansion…of my soul.

 

Four for Friday.

Here are four more stunning friends of a feather.

In shades of blue and green.

From a day spent at the San Diego Zoo.

 

I hope your weekend is filled with beautiful birdsong, dear ones!
Much love...xo

True Blue, by way of Monaco.

As you may have heard, Pantone's 2013 Color of Spring is Monaco Blue. One of my very favorite colors. We were in Monaco this past summer. So I feel even more connected to the color. So as you can imagine, I'm tickled blue about this. *wink*

One way I'm demonstrating my happiness is at Fringe. Here are two examples:

The Hot Toddy Lap Rug

{in monaco blue}

and 

The Wreckage Scarf

{in monaco blue} 

 

Both designs are now available at Fringe. 

~

We are slowly getting things ready for the holidays. The front of our house glows with Christmas lights, and the door is graced with a lovely wreath. Inside is a different story. We won't buy a tree until two weeks before Christmas. We love having our tree up through New Years so getting it a bit later ensures freshness. I've actually purchased a few gifts already. For me, that's crazy talk. We are notorious for waiting until the last minute for most gifts. I'm sort of proud of myself for being more on top of the gifts this year. I think I deserve a rumnog!

How is your holiday season so far, darling friends? I'd love to hear about it.

Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for being you. 

Much love...xo