I'm on Hamilton Island with my sister. We are unfortunately stuck inside because of extremely heavy wind and rain. Believe me, I would not be on the computer otherwise.

On the bright side, I can finish my tag from What Possessed Me: upload the fourth picture from the forth folder of images on my computer, and describe it. Before I even started, I wondered what kind of random photo would come up and if I'd have anything to even say about it. Lo and behold, the image actually means quite a lot to me.

It is an image taken standing outside of the textile studio/workshop at the Design Academy Eindhoven.

Last February I went to Holland to visit the school. I had applied to the Masters Programme and was asked to come for an interview. I went, toured the school, had my interview, and was accepted all in one jet-lagged day.

The feeling of being accepted was incredible and I never would have thought that I'd even hesitate at the change to go. But the more I thought about it and my career and my interests, going back to school started to make less and less sense.

I decided to defer my acceptance for one year, and this past January the question of "to go or not to go," came up again. After some very long and not-so-easy talks with myself I decided, once and for all, not to accept.

So... this image haunts me a little. In my rational mind, I know I made the right choice. Though there is still a little part of me that asks, what if?

I haven't looked through this 'Fourth Folder' for a while now. I think I've been trying avoid it. And so, actually, this is quite cathartic.

I pass this tag onto:
girl.ferment
marie over at ici

Heading to Australia tonight to visit my sister. See you all in a bit.

Newly tagged by P.... and looking forward to it. Looking forward to a lot of things.

Oh yeah, and I hope this happens to my computer while I'm gone.

{image via i heart it}

A little collection of things found on some recent walks. One of the walks was to one of my parents' burned down neighbors' houses. Charred scissors, and melted aluminum and glass formed little puddles in the ground and hardened into the most beautiful shapes. There is always beauty to be found in the ruins.

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On a side note, my parents' house which survived the Tea Fire in Nov'08 has been featured on radio, TV and in the newspapers for being fire resistant. While a lot of good luck and the favorable direction of the wind had a major hand in the house surviving, my parents also made some really good design decisions in constructing their new home that contributed to the house's ability to withstand the fire. See them here.

And now the fire is long gone and regrowth is underway. Homes are being rebuilt in every direction and people are moving on. But I think about it all the time. Perhaps if you had lost everything, that would be the only thing to do: move on. No questions remain; things are just gone. But with a house still standing amongst all these ruins, the idea of loss lingers. And haunts. It's hard to comprehend complete loss adjacent to something completely unscathed. There is not a lot of sense in this, but eerily, a lot of beauty.

The idea of architectural loss is certainly an interest of mine. In graduate school my architectural thesis project was based on the idea of loss; the idea that buildings have lifespans and that they are also subject to dying. I think I am continually fascinated by buildings dying... intentionally or just haphazardly. Neglect turns out to be beautiful and misuse results in surprising afterlives.

Found this amazing artist, Jody Wong, via bencke corner.

I love how the drawings on the pages before and after resonate on the pages that are open. I know that sentence doesn't really make that much sense... you'll just have to look at Jody's blog to see what I mean.

Go now.... here.

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oh, right, almost forgot. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a hotel in Brisbane, Australia? I will be there for one day only. I know it's impossible to see any city in one day, but perhaps there is a interesting little place in a interesting neighborhood that I should stay at?
Many thanks!

Beasts now live on the walls of the studio.

Another little sneak peak of the house I'm decorating... the light is perfect right now.

The bottles and jars I found Italy, as well as the rusty candelabra. The glass fishing floats I found on Ebay and the terrarium I planted this morning. I'm so happy this all coming together after two years of imagining what it was all going to look like.

In between knitting, my museum work, and architecting, I am also a decorator/buyer. Two years ago I went to Europe to buy furniture for the house I was also helping to design. And now finally things are out of storage and the house is starting to look lived in. We've still got a ways to go, but I like this stage... things remain uncluttered and simple.

I am particularly proud of the orange iron chandelier I found in Italy. This is one of my favorite little rooms.

Thank you all for the comments on my last post. Looking now, a day later at the two designs, I can see that I was taking things a little too seriously. But this time yesterday, I was convinced otherwise..... So, long story short, I'm happy everything is cleared up :)

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And moving on....

I can imagine this on my table very easily... a stunning ceramic piece by Brian R. Jones... find his shop on Etsy.

Today: a weird coincidence...

I was just pursuing the pages of PoppyTalk Handmade and came across a design by Samantha Hahn, which my new I LOVE YOU card resembles immensely.

There was that moment of realization.... Gasp! Since my card appeared the day after hers on the web, do I look like a plagiarist? Did I get sucked into some handmade Valentine's Day sentiment vortex, and spun out on the same tangent as Samantha Hahn?

What to do? Is it ok to still sell the card? Do I graciously remove it? So weird. Am I over reacting?

I feel so deflated... sigh.

Loving Hella Jongerius' Home Props.

There's a new card in my store.... or rather, my stores now. I just opened up a new little shop with big cartel in addition to the one at Etsy. Going to see how it goes, but so far so good. I'll be loading more products soon.

I really like how clean and simple big cartel is. I also like that you don't have to be member to buy. Again, simplicity. Got to love it.

So... if you are interested in the new card, check out either Etsy or big cartel.

I had such a nice coffee today while I was at a meeting. Everything was all black and white, and in amongst all this... a spot of delicious brown.

The flowers in our studio are finally nearing the end of their bloom. Dying, but still so pretty.
My green thumb itches to get more plants into the studio. It makes me happy to look up from my work desk and see green.

Only seven days into the year and I've already created heaps of lists all titled "To Do."
Will it ever end, I ask you?

{image from here, via ffffound!}

4th street bridge Christmas lights

Hello 2009.

I'm back after a wonderful little road trip to Zion and Bryce National Parks, via Joshua Tree.

Walking in the snow :: Zion

Sunset Loop/Navajo Trail at Bryce Canyon

This time I remembered to bring along the old Polaroid, expired film and all. Took the back way home and stumbled upon an old, beautifully neglected road-side motel.... with a forlorn yellow chair.

Roy's Motel and Cafe, Amboy, CA

Happy to be home and back to work, but wanderlust still beckons.... I'll be heading to Australia to visit my sister soon. I think I could stay on the move forever.

Happy New Year everyone!