Inspiration

Friday, December 18, 2009

It's snowing!

It's snowing in Lyon! This is relatively rare, in fact the last snowstorm was on the day my son was born, back in 1997. A view out our window today reveals the bare branches, each one topped with snow. This is perhaps the first and last snowfall of the year here, so I took some photos!





Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Inspiration

I get so inspired by materials: the textures, the colors, the patterns, the shapes.
I treated myself to some beads and charms recently.
Look at these sweet multi colored ceramic scarab beads from etsy shop thenile. I also got a bookmark with my order! I forgot to photograph it; I'm using it in a book already.

I don't know what I'm going to use them for yet as I don't make jewelry, but an idea will come.
For now, I have some in a glass bowl on my desk and a few lined up on the keyboard of the computer.




They've got hieroglyphic inscriptions on the bottom!



These gorgeous metal charms are from redvelvet in Sydney, Australia. Now I must learn how to oxidize metal to get the scarab and the owls to look like the African mask. If anyone has any oxidation recipes, please leave me a link! I remember using patinas and heat in bronze sculpture class, but I don't have a blow torch.


Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday Moodboard - Red and White like a Candy Cane!

Candy canes, peppermint candy which hang on the Christmas tree, and which you can pull off to eat whenever you want! We don't have any this year, for I don't know where to get them in France and my sister forgot to send some. But take a look at these beautiful items from the talented European Street Team! They remind me of the joy of candy canes!
Top left: ArtMind
Top right: alatceramics
Middle left: karlita
Middle right: sabahnur
Bottom left: dinafragola
Bottom right: nauli
For more Monday moodboards, go to fleur fatale's blog.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Monday Moodboard

I am working on a project in black and white at the moment, and I'm obsessed with the combination. Here are some wonderful items in black and white from the talented members of the European Street Team.
Top left: TomBjornDesigns
Top right: ikabags
Middle left: GogoKorogiannou
Middle right: Ayca
Bottom left: homelab
Bottom right: elaa
For more great moodboards, go to fleur fatale's blog.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Monday Moodboard

I'm in a white mood this Monday, the last day of November! Clean, pristine whites. Take a closer look at these wonderful whites from the European street team.
Top left: lapomme
Top right: staroftheeast
Bottom left: helis
Bottom right: ArtMind

See more moodboards full of work from the EST at fleurfatale's blog.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My Lovely Sales Fairy from Sweden

I have to show everyone my sales fairy, made by Carita of Jealousydesign in Sweden. She is made of silver with the cutest hair, delicate limbs and even a vest! She carries a pail of magic dust, which she lovingly sprinkles near my work area. And she has her own chair.

She arrived on Friday, November 13th and she brought with her lots of sales for my shop. Who says Friday the thirteenth is unlucky?






Here she is on the mantel, in front of her house. I suppose she goes inside at night, but by day she works her magic!
I can also wear her around my neck since she has a loop on her back so she can hang from a chain. Perhaps I'll take her outside to visit France.


Monday, November 23, 2009

Monday Moodboard

I wanted to start the week softly with these lovely items from the talented European Street Team!
Top left: artwatercolor
Top right: giftsandstars
Middle left: mistyaurora
Middle right: annarubyking
Bottom left: stemellina
Bottom right: ayca

For more moodboards, go to Fleur Fatale's blog!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Monday Moodboard


How about a calm meditative Monday? Anyway, that's my mood on this Monday in mid-November. Enjoy these beautiful items from the talented European Street Team.
Top row left: Jealousydesign
Top row right: artwatercolor
Middle row left: JKphotography
Middle row right: antigoni
Bottom row left: birribe
Bottom row right: bahaar
Go to fleurfatale's blog to see more moodboards!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Hawthornethreads

I was thinking about getting some fabric for my seven-year-old niece for Christmas. She's beginning to sew and I've already sent her some of my scraps, but I wanted some new pieces, something to inspire her. Well, just last week I received an e-mail from hawthornethreads
informing me that they have set up a new website full of gorgeous fabrics. I had bought from their etsy shop, and I can vouch for their excellent communication and fast shipping too!
How about a bundle of fat quarters? The one above is Holiday Magic Fat Quarter Bundle in Light.
This one is the Deer Valley Charm Pack...imagine the adorable things little hands could make with these. Tiny doll clothes, collages, gift tags, and so much else. There is an extensive choice of fabrics at Hawthornethreads, and I haven't decided what to get for Sarah. In the meantime, I've registered for their giveaway. You can register here.

Monday Moodboard

Lately I've been seeing some really gorgeous rich red items from the talented members of the European Street Team, so here are some of my current favorites!

Top left: FebystanDesigns
Top right: MKaae
Bottom left: Karlita
Bottom right: Kreativlink

For more Monday moodboards, you can visit fleurfatale's blog.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Monday Moodboard


My mood this Monday is bright and these beautiful things would brighten anyone's day!
Top left: swiedebie
Top right: ayca
Bottom left: barbarix
Bottom right: lovelycrochet

To see more moodboards, go to fleurfatales's blog!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds make a delicious healthy snack. I get my seeds from the market, where they sell pieces of pumpkin. The merchants usually throw the seeds away, but one of my favorite merchants gives them to me once a week. So, if you don't know how to make them, here's how I do it:

First, separate the seeds from the pulp, rinse them and drain them in a colander.
I dry them slightly with paper towels.


Spread them out on a cookie sheet with about two tablespoons of vegetable oil.


Bake in a pre-heated oven, 425°F, 220°C, gas mark 7. I roast mine for about 20 minutes, but the baking time may vary in different ovens, or if you like them very crunchy.
Stir the seeds once or twice during this time to make sure they are evenly roasted.






When they are a golden brown, remove from oven and add salt. If you are on a low-salt diet, you can add herbs, or other spices.



Enjoy these whenever you want to munch on something crisp!





Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday Moodboard: Get Some Sun!


Turning the clocks back is somewhat depressing: suddenly it gets dark early and we know that the days are getting shorter anyway. Everyone loves the sun and I'm an advocate of hibernation for humans! I wish I could sleep right through the winter! Most of us can't but we can surround ourselves with sunny colors. So, get out and get as much sun as you can and check out these European Street Team shops:
Top left: kreativlink
Top right: artwatercolor
Bottom left: ayca
Bottom right: malam
For more Monday moodboards featuring items from the talented EST, go to fleurfatale's blog.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Trip to the States

I spent last week in the States, not for a pleasant reason, but I did get to spend time with my sister and her family, and we tried to have a bit of fun. Her house is decorated for Hallowe'en, and she lights her special lights each night: the jack 'o lantern, the devil, the skull...the house is aglow with spooky images! Lots of her decorations are from the early seventies; they decorated our house and our grandparents' house when we were kids.




Much to my surprise, my mother had kept a bust I did of my husband when we first met.
I was just out of art school and I did this in the living room of his apartment! Clay and plaster everywhere, you can imagine the mess. Well, I don't think it looks like him, not that he has changed much, but I didn't capture him too well. My kids laughed and said I should try to do better, it isn't a good likeness.





My mother also kept lots of photos, souvenirs, holiday cards, and believe it or not, this trophy that I received when I graduated second in my class from High School. Horrible, isn't it? But I suppose my mom kept it for sentimental reasons!



We had some blue crabs for dinner one night. I found them an especially beautiful blue color, so I had to take a "before" photo.
Vegetarians, look away, since the last photo is an "after" photo. All cooked and ready to be eaten!




Monday, October 5, 2009

Monday Moodboard

Well, it's Monday and my birthday! I've made my first moodboard, something festive featuring some of my favorite EST artists.
Top left: staroftheeast
Top right: carmenesque
Bottom left: fleurfatale
Bottom right: sigmosaics
To see other moodboards, go to FleurFatale's blog!

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Voter


My Mosaic Sun Temple is in the Voter this week on etsy! Wow! It's the first time I've been included. I was nominated by Dawn of LaTouchables. Thanks Dawn! The theme is the Autumn Equinox and there are lots of lovely entries. If you like my Sun Temple, please vote for it!

Monday, September 7, 2009

And We Have a Winner!

I can now announce the winner of the European Street Team's weekly challenge, the theme of which was "The Enchanted Forest." Alatvian, the creator of this magical Turquoise and Jasper Necklace, has been chosen! BIG CONGRATULATIONS to her!



Thank you all so much for letting me host the challenge; it has been lots of fun!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Entries

And here are the magical entries!


Enchanted Forest - Long Blue Cloak/Jacket with XL Pixie Hood and Sleeves by Vaisto.



Untitled Bracelet by Gr8jewellery.




Enchanted Forest - Necklace made of Filigree and Glass Beads on Brass Chain by Vadjutka.

















Wooden Acorn Necklace by DeerLola.






Enchanted Palm Frond Pouch by Kraplap.


Enchanted Forest Felted Triangle Wrap by Ingermaaike.








Turquoise and Jasper Necklace - OOAK - Natural Beauty Series by Alatvian.












The Enchanted Forest 2 in1 Necklace - The Princess and the Frog by Amoronia.








In the Middle of the Forest - Canvas Wristlet by Happybee.







Frame Handbag in Chocolate Brown by Karuski.






Enchanted Forest - Fancy Fiber Necklace by Antigoni.















This is the Enchanted Butterfly Necklace by Happyment.







This Enchanted Forest Bracelet is by LeelaBijou.








OOAK Drop Cut Raw Amethyst Pendant with a Flower and a Pearl by Toosis.







Green Flower Bouquet Headband by Queenece.



Felted Magical Romantic Magnolia OOAK brooch or hair clip by ayawedding.







This is Le Hibou - The Owl Acrylic Painting by Chichiboulie.






This lovely creation by Binkaminka is the Storyteller necklace. Look at the lovely linen pendant!