I opened up a new moleskine notebook today and found a little string taped to the inside. How perfect. I love that someone actually took the time to do this.

Just so you know, I've not dropped off the face of the Earth. Despite work, I've been knitting like crazy. I'm trying to get ready for a fundraising event next week, where I'll be selling beasts. That's partly why I've not listed anything on Etsy in a while... I'm stocking up!

I was going through my archives hoping not to duplicate names, and found such joy looking at all of the previous beasts I've made; they really make me happy. I'm close to 175 beasts now. That's just crazy to me. What started as whim has completely turned into a huge family.

Nothing like a collection of beasts to put a smile on your face after a particularly hard week.

No offense, Blog, but I want to go away for a while.

I think about disappearing, not forever, just for a little while. A few nights ago I dreamed I flew to Switzerland for no reason. And last night I dreamed I flew to Africa, destination unclear. The thing I do remember was that I was putting on the most wonderful shade of red lipstick in the airport bathroom before we took off and I had such nice shoes.

But, fear not, dear Blog... I'm not going anywhere. But I need you to agree on one thing: you'll put up with my rants for the next few months. I think I'm busting at the seams with both the good and the bad, so please be patient.

I have a few exhibitions that are being fabricated and installed this Spring and Summer and either I let it all get to me, or I tell you all about it.

Ok?

Ok.

Let the show go on.

xo,
dvz

{image via hello friend}

The University of Melbourne has great tutorial on making your own herbarium specimens.

Go here for the step by step process.

So.... this image pretty much sums up my feelings about my day today.

Without going into too much detail, I can confidently say it was a very challenging day. No, actually, let me be honest: it was one of the roughest days I've had in a long time, professionally.

Working for one's self has its perks, I'm the first to admit it. That said, there are times when you just want to smash up cities as well.

Make-believe cities made of colored paper and blocks of wood... of course.

So there... I said it, oh you cruel-freelance-world-of-many-perks! Take that!

{poster and images by smyk, via ffffound!}

Dear Blog,
I don't believe I've shown you my workspace since I moved downstairs in the studio. I know it looks a little cluttered, but it works just fine for me.

It continues to change and I like how it displays the various bit and pieces that I call Work. I do wish it had more natural light; having moved downstairs from the very bright and airy upstairs certainly was a compromise... but I'm very happy with what I have started down here.

Love, Debi

This is Dimitri... he's a lover, not a fighter.

{he'll be on Etsy in a few days, along with some more beasties.}

update: he's on etsy now!.... go here.

The sun is finally out! I've really enjoyed the Los Angeles rain of late, but my word... the sun does feel good.

Hope you're all having a nice weekend.

{image by anja mulder}

Today is all about type for me. And I've decided I need this font.

More than I need chocolate.

And that's saying a lot.



And then I found this image rummaging through some old thesis files. The simplicity of a stencil. Can't say too much without going overboard. It's just great.

I'm really feeling the simple type these days...

Oh, and this is a fun site showing off some type.... aptly named we love typography. You can lose half an afternoon looking. Don't say I didn't warn you, ok?

My little orange knitting scissors died last week. Literally felt apart and broke in my hand. I had to start chewing through my yarn. No joke.

Mind you, they were made of the most pliable metal you can imagine. It was a surprise that they even cut through the yarn in the first place. It's no wonder.... they sold them at in the airport; a plastic spoon could have done more damage than these little scissors.

They were great, though, so I'm sad they are dead. They went undetected, ignored for years. I recently had a flight attendant ask me how I got through security. My reply is standard: most airport shops sell tiny sewing kits in the shops after you get through security, so it MUST be ok for me to carry them. Right?

And again, even with the knitting needles, I tell you.... everyone, the little ones are fine. I've never ever had a problem taking needles on the plane, but I keep them small... (nothing over size 3) and they're double pointed. But I knit small things, so it makes sense for me. Every time my heart stops when I'm at the airport screener: barefeet, no belt, life under scrutiny, wondering if my needles are going to make it... and everytime: success.

Anyway, back to the scissors. Obviously scissors are important to me. My sister gave me the most beautiful pair for Christmas, the lovely hand-made quality is stunning. Plus they are from one of my favorite stores, Tortoise, so it was a perfect present. The little white pair are my replacement airplane scissors, just recently purchased at LAX this past Wednesday. You can see the poor state of affairs my first airplane scissors are in. Dead. And lastly, my new land-scissors... when I'm not in the air, these great clippers (a little present from R) are perfect. Though, I do admit, they took me a very long time to figure out how to use correctly.

Phew.... that was a long one. Who knew I would write so much about scissors?

Airplants have been sneaking into my life recently.

And now these strange plant houses... I love them. Find them at My House Party.

{via for me, for you}

We're in lovely Seattle for a few days. Arrived yesterday to rain, of course. I used to live here, just over 10 years ago. Nice to be back, albeit, not for very long.

We went on a little drive this morning; you can get out of the city so fast if you choose. It's also nice to see moss growing on the trees and in all the little cracks in the sidewalk. All the vibrant green.... everywhere!