Hallelujah...

Hallelujah by itselemental

If you've never heard this beautiful song sung by Jeff Buckley you must do so now. Hallelujah was originally recorded by Leonard Cohen in the 1980's. I believe.  Jeff Buckley's version is just so much more emotive (don't worry Leonard Cohen fans - he's still pretty cool in my book).  But Buckley's version is just so hauntingly lovely!  It was a sad day when Jeff Buckley lost his life.  The world lost a great talent.

Cover art for Jeff Buckley's Grace album

If you like "Hallelujah", check out "Grace" and "Lover, You Should Have Come Over".  Please do sit through the commercial and the long intro. Once his angelic voice starts singing you won't be sorry that you did.

The TAFA list

Autumn Afternoon by Ann Brauer

I am very excited to be a member of the TAFA list (the Textile And Fiber Art list).  Rayela is one of the founding members of TAFA and I could not be more thrilled that she asked me to join!

Wall art by Chandra Stubbs

TAFA is a fantastic community of fiber artists, businesses and galleries.  Some very talented people are included in the lineup.

Beautiful Bones by Arlee Barr

You can check everyone's work out here. Featured in this blog post are some of my favorites in fall colors. After all...it is fall now, isn't it?

Earth is the Sum of Its Parts with Strings Attached by Bonnie Samuel

Moss & Moss

Moss & Moss

In the great town of Mill Valley, California, on a quiet corner, sits the loveliest little shop called Moss & Moss. It's a shop that will transport you out of the place into a different time. A time when things were much simpler and life was unencumbered by the technology that tethers us to the rat race of life today.  Stepping into this lovely little shop will take you away from all of that into a world where you are only limited by your imagination. 

Come on in!

It's like stepping into your grandmother's attic where you will find unique antiques to jumpstart your collection if you don't already have one.  Or like stepping into the fine goods store where you'll find lovely little gifts to highlight your "Happy Birthday"s.  It's even like stepping into the old general store where you will find great gardening items to make your tomatoes happy. Or like stepping into your local artist's shop where you can find handmade goods and art. And best of all, it's all wrapped up for you in one little shop with the nicest, kindest and most fun proprietors!   (Don't believe the fun part? Just ask Larry about his piano while you're there.  He'll even play it for you!)

Julian at Moss & Moss

Marjorie and Larry are the owners of this lovely shop and are great patrons of the arts.  They kindly adopted some of my little worry dolls to display and sell in their shop. And so I said goodbye to my little loved ones (Quinn, Peetey Daniels and Finnegan Quigley) and sent them off to sojourn with Marjorie and Larry at Moss & Moss at 1 El Paseo Lane in Mill Valley, California 94941. So come on by when you're in town... 

 

And tell them I sent ya! ; )

Cairo Blues

I am a big fan of La Blogotheque.  I always seem to find some great artists on there that I immediately have to download from itunes.  Check this one out.  It's Leif Vollebekk's Cairo Blues.  I do love that bluesy sound.

Very talented friend

Bottles and Bottles by Anne Regan

Anne Regan is a super talented friend of mine.  I am so excited to introduce her to you.  Her art can be found in galeries all over the San Francisco Bay Area as well as on her website here.

Since we live near wine country, it's no coincidence that we are both inspired by bottles.  First the bottle is full, then I get inspired and next thing you know, the bottle is empty... ; ) 

This is one of her paintings that is now hanging on my wall.  I walk by it every day on the way to the kitchen and just love the colors and texture of it.

Anne also does a lot of beautiful animal paintings on marble that are so unbelievably realistic.  I can only imagine the amount of talent and the numerous hours necessary to paint one of these.

Lovely treasury

My good friend from childhood has a lovely store on Etsy in which she sells her gorgeous jewelry. It was recently featured on Etsy's front page.  Congrats, Auka!

Sweets

Sometimes a meringue is just a meringue.  And sometimes...well, sometimes...it's a work of art.  Not much else to say than that except...mmm...yummy!

Julian

This is Julian. Julian has a penchant for old writing instruments. From fountain pens to typewriters, Julian is always engrossed in restoring something or other. (He has used one of his favorite writing instruments to author a special little message dedicated to you. He has hidden it in his little vial and can't wait to share it with you)

As peculiar as Julian's little hobby is, he never lets it get in the way of his real job. And this is quite fortunate because he has a really big job to do. You see, he's a worry doll. He has trained for this job his whole life. His personal motto is "be prepared" and he proudly embodies it every day.

He even wears it stamped on his "wings". It allows him to be there for you day or night. Just project your worries onto him and he'll do the worrying for you so you can get some sleep.

(don't worry, his little heart can take it)

 

 

 

 

 

  Julian is 9 inches tall. His body is handknit and his legs handsewn with vintage thread out of vintage corduroy. He was then stuffed with polyfill. His hands, feet, head and heart are made of clay painted with acrylics. He was then embellished with a vintage Boy Scouts pin, an antique watchmaker parts vial, vintage metal buttons. Inside his vial is his little note written on a vintage cursive font typewriter.

Julian currently lives in a little cubby hole in my studio but he's ready to find his real home.  He can be found here at the moment.

OOh la...

More fantastic music recorded by La Blogoteque...

Sebastian

Meet Sebastian. He's a worry doll. He enjoys learning about history especially anything related to Magellan's voyage. Sebastian is an adventurer. He dreams of far away places one can only reach by sea. His active imagination allows him to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground though. And this is quite fortunate because he has a really big job to do. You see, he's a worry doll. He has trained for this job his whole life. Even earning him a #1 badge which he wears proudly on his lapel.

Along with his mariner badge sewn tightly to the back of his jacket and his unwavering will to help anyone in need he enthusiastically sets out to help you get some sleep. Just project your worries onto him and he'll do the job for you so you can move on to better things.

Sebastian is 10 inches tall. His body is handknit and his legs handsewn with vintage thread out of vintage corduroy. He was then stuffed with polyfill. His hands, feet, head and heart are made of clay painted with acrylics. He was then embellished with a vintage Boy Scouts pin, a vintage armed forces badge and tiny vintage shell buttons thread.

 

Sebastian is currently available in my etsy shop