I found the most beautiful branch on the ground this morning. CP and I were laying out the community garden by staking the beds, and lo and behold.... there it was, right at my feet.

I know it's not the right species, but it reminds me of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.

I'm heading back to LA today via train.

It's raining again.

I'm looking forward to staring out the window as we make our way down the coast.

{image by knautia}

Today Stanley sat for his portrait.
He was fascinated with the camera, as most giraffe llamas tend to be.

See more pics of him here.

{Beast no. 147}

This is my little moss pocket... my knitting experiment with metal thread. Right now, I've got dirty fingernails, soil all over the table and it makes me happy.

p.s. thanks Lex for reminding me :)

I'll be trying again with a thicker gauge metal, larger needles, other plant species... just want to make more in hopes I can take this somewhere interesting. I'm working with a fellow architect on a community garden in East Los Angeles... maybe this is something we can develop for the less sunny spots on the site.

... . . ... . .... . . . . . .. .

And on an entirely different note, a huge 'thank you' to everyone who has stumbled across this blog from the New York Times article. In addition to my regular readers (I love you too!) all of your comments, compliments and suggestions have left me so encouraged and inspired.

Hope you come back often... I've got more up my sleeve :)

And to all those who bought my cards and beasts on Etsy, again, thank you so much! I'm trying to keep up with all the orders and knitting furiously trying to get more beasts out into the world, check out the store in a next few days for new ones.

My experiment in pouring a concrete table top worked... I poured it a while ago, but then just let it sit there for a while, as I tend to do with a lot of things I make. So finally I bought some nice old rusty hairpin legs off Ebay and my little concrete table was born. I'm so happy with it. Now I need to try to pour different sizes, source some more legs, see what I can make of this experiment.

And... in case you read the New York Times, I'm in an article about out-of-work architects; exciting to see my name in print! Go here to read it online.... it's really interesting to see what 'creatives' are doing to keep themselves afloat. It's still scary out there. Love the idea of Architecture 5¢! And I'm suddenly craving ice cream sandwiches.

Everyone, this is Maarten.

He's good at bird calls. Go figure.

Beast no. 143

{update: sold}

How did it happen? An entire week has passed in the blink of an eye... and what do I have to show for it?

Well, for starters I am now fully recovered from the stomach flu, and I'm very proud of that. I also stubbed my big toe so hard that it's purple, and I'm not very proud of that, given that I was running around without shoes on doing something that required shoes. Serves me right.

And then, as always, I've been buried in the mountain called My To-Do List (elevation 10, 000 feet) but slowly getting it under control.

Plus, in case you needed the weather report, it's raining and raining and raining and raining and raining in Los Angeles. This coming Spring is going to be so green, it's going to be shocking. I love it.

{image via ffffound... Joshua scott.}

The chilies hung from the shelf for a few days, looking pretty on the hooks from the Christmas tree ornaments. And then I could stand it no longer... I roasted them on the fire pit.

Now we have loads of delicious roasted chilies with which to cook... they should last a little while and then we'll have to do another batch.

Oh my... this store, but mostly this particular display of oils by Waterfrom Design makes me want to be a better designer.

I do a lot of work designing museum exhibitions and exhibition spaces so I'm always paying attention to how we display objects and artifacts. Granted, museum work has different requirements than commercial spaces, but this casework is simply gorgeous... makes me rethink a few things.

{via dezeen}

How much do you love this?

As much as me?

{Peter Crawley, Illustrator.... via SeeSaw designs}

We went camping with a full moon in Death Valley and Panamint Valley a week ago.

I collected a few bits and bobs from the trip, including the wasp's nest that was built, but abandoned, on the inside of the car door.

And now... back to work.

These are my wishesfor myself for the year ahead:
- less time behind the computer, more time making.
- less starving artist routine, more well-fed artist routine. If you have tips for how to make this happen, do let me know.
- less being on the land, more being in the water
- less wishing...more doing

Ok... I'm ready.

January, here I come.

{note: I would have said 2010 here I come, but really, let's be realistic... one step at time. I'm already loading up my plate with goals, might as well ease into it, no?}

oh I forgot to add this: feet first blog (via made in england).
Their feet and the backgrounds remind me that I would like to travel more.

But's sort of a given, right?

{note no. 2: Just in case this post looks a little different to you, I switched out the top image... it was bugging me all last night. I like this new one better.}

Beware.

Hurried lettering on a finite amount of paper doesn't make for good grammar.. or space planning. You can only turn it over once.

See you in a few days... I hope you had many happy toasts and wishes at the start of the New Year!