Debi van Zyl

2012-01-28T15:06:00.000-08:00

Nice message inside the cap of a delicious sparkling beverage.

And it's true, or at least becoming true after a tough 2011 and a tumultuous start to this new year.

2012-01-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

The letters are final up on the title wall, but still more to do. The exhibition I'm working on, Breaking Ground: Chinese American Architects in Los Angeles (1945-1980), opens at the Chinese American Museum on January 19th. If you're in LA, come check it out! It's part of the Pacific Standard Time initiative.

2012-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

Letters for an exhibition opening in a couple of weeks. Just need to sand and paint them now...

2011-12-04T17:33:00.001-08:00

My very dear and talented friend Catherine has started making jewelry. And just in time, because not only have I a lost a few pairs of earrings lately (I'm so mad!) but I'm also just bored with the little jewelry that I have. She had a sale last night and I now own a pair of earrings that I love so much, I can't stop wearing them, even though I was in my pajamas all day. (Top pic, lower left, the ones with the triangle cut outs)

In addition to creating organic shapes mostly out of brass, she uses a lot of industrial pieces, like copper pipe fittings, or washers and she hand paints them with enamel paint or dips them in rubber. I love the colors, the art deco bold shapes, and simplicity of the industrial pieces coupled with the delicate chains. I'm so excited to see more! And I'm wondering if I can sleep in my new earrings...

2011-11-28T07:39:00.001-08:00

I drove to Austin, Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday. It took me 3 days to get there, but I decided to do the drive home in two days instead. I arrived last night after a very long day of driving, which included sitting on the highway for 2 extra hours without moving an inch just after crossing the California state border.

The upside: its not often you get to see people walking around, chatting, standing on the roof of their cars, and walking their dogs along the I-10.

2011-08-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hello again Blog!

This is a photo of my To-Do list. I got a lot of work done this week! I get such joy out of scratching out completed tasks. And when I use a sharpie it's even more satisfying. Done done done. Done!

A lot of things have happened since I last wrote; family stuff, relationship stuff, dog stuff, career stuff; it's all too much for now, slowly it will trickle out. Needless to say, this year has been quite eventful so far, and that's not all good. But I've come to terms with things and I feel good. One day at a time.

I have to share a few lovely things I've seen along the way and can't stop thinking about:

The most amazing house plant set-up. Home of Maurizio Zucchi. I need to get some plant stands like these And taller plants. Tout de suite.
{via yellowtrace... thank you CG!}

This beautiful artist in residency residence....
{via Neëst... more info here: J.B. Blunk Residency}

New blog love: odette

And lastly, clean graphics and branding approach by Anagrama.
{via Black Eiffel}

2011-07-22T23:01:00.001-07:00

Family is a funny thing.

And a hard thing.

And a wonderful thing.

In the last two weeks, I've learned about a long lost and very important part of my family. And it's been a roller coaster, to say the least.

I've learned about new branches in my family tree that I didn't know existed, which makes me happy, but it's countered with very sad news as well.

I have to mix the good with the bad all at once and I'm still learning about how to do that. But overall, I'm just really happy that I have new branches.

{image via Jennifer Davis}

2011-07-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

The little concrete vases with wire holders are lovely. And delicate.
Makes me want to get back to working with concrete and casting again.

{by Thai designer Decha Archjananun, via dezeen}

2011-07-15T17:24:00.001-07:00

I love this house.
{via ffffound!)

I love when new buildings take notice of their predecessors in a really interesting way. Reminds me of this building. And my architectural thesis.

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

Happy belated blog birthday for yesterday... 4 years old!!

2011-07-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

I am itching to travel. I can't go anywhere for a while and so I thought this map would be fun to have. I've been lucky to travel to many places, but there's still so many more!!

{via momstastic, available at uncommongoods}

And... I started a blog for my dog called me + my arrow.

Cause, clearly, I don't love him enough already:)

2011-06-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,
I didn't mean to disappear for a month... it just sort of happened. And to be honest, I did not think you about every single day like I used to and actually it was a nice little break, albeit unintended.

But in the last few days I've been thinking about you a lot. I've been wondering if I've still got it in me to post a message or photo as frequently as I used to, or even muster up the energy to read all the wonderful blogs I love out there and not feel a sharp pang of guilt that I've neglected you so... or, worse... I wonder if I really have anything interesting to say, and who cares anyway in this world wide web of beautiful blogs?

And then I remembered why I started you in the first place: to collect my own thoughts, observations and obsessions; to create a visual diary of the things that inspire me because my memory is like a sieve and I wanted a place to shelve the things that I think about and the things that I love and and look at them later. Initially, I had you all to myself, but along the way other people, total strangers, started reading you, and that became such an inspiration in itself.

So I'm back, I think... and maybe it's a little less frequently, but I'm back because my memory needs you! And I missed you, you good ol' blog... and I missed all the people that you bring with you from all over the world. AND I just realized that you're turning 4 years old in July and so I thought I better step up and get ready to celebrate.

Lot of love,
Debi

p.s. For starters, let me recap some parts of June and the things I loved/found/learned:

Losanges Rug by the Bouroullec brothers at Dwell on Design.

Mormor tableware by Gry Fager for Normann Copenhagen at Dwell on Design.

New loves:
Lottie + Doof - food blog
Ambatalia - gorgeous everyday textiles
Haven Vintage - Etsy vintage store
Design Tripper - Travel and hotel drool/love/jealousy

And, of course, Arrow.... who is now 8 months old and more energetic every day. I have to come up with new stuff all the time to save him from boredom and subsequently trying to chew everything in sight. My latest trick: Ice Hand! Latex glove filled with water and frozen.

He loves it. He grabs it by the palm and then tries to parade around the yard. But after a few steps his jaw is tired and he drops it and the fingers break off and fly in every direction, which is so exciting... for him :) And then he eats them, crunching them up like potato chips. And that lasts about 10 minutes. It's a nice break and I can get a little work done.

Kidding.

The Studio Dog of my dreams is still a lofty goal...

Idea via El hada de papel via craftgawker.

2011-06-01T18:40:00.001-07:00

I bought this letterpress poster a while back from Studio on Fire.

It reads:
"You cannot prevent the birds of sadness from passing over your head, but you can prevent their making a nest in you hair."

-Chinese Proverb

I'm really working on that nest today... want to get it out of my hair!

2011-05-27T01:43:00.000-07:00

2011-05-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

Some recent beach finds on a walk with Arrow in Ventura.

2011-05-15T13:25:00.001-07:00

Can't get much better chalk type than this, right?
Dana Tanamachi, via grain edit.

{R, if you are reading this: since I stare at an empty chalkboard everyday, do you want to give my eyes some chalky goodness??? Consider this a major hint, but a loving one.... I know you just bought some chalk.... wink wink, nudge nudge}

2011-05-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

My new shoes arrived yesterday.
I don't think I've loved a pair of shoes more, at least not for a very long time. I think I could literally go to bed with them on, that's how much I love them.
I never want to take them off.

{Crossover Clogs by Schuler & Sons at Anthropologie, my Achilles Heel}

2011-05-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

I learned a few things this weekend:

- Señor Fish on 1st and Alameda has a lovely courtyard, complete with globe lights.

- My favorite dish was the taco al pastor, hands down. And the calamari was pretty good too.

- my dog still eats grass despite my efforts to stop him; we took him to the dog show and that was his favorite trick: eating grass. And playing non-stop with his brothers and sisters.

And now, a new week ahead. How can it be May already? And how can it already be 90 degrees outside? I thought this was spring!

2011-04-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

I love this series "Working Artists" by photographer AndreW Paynter.
Especially the ones of Serena Mitnik-Miller since I love her painted blocks so much.

via simply lovely}

2011-04-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

It was harder to take photos of these wedding invitations than I imagined!

I'm going to re shoot and take better (and more) detail shots, but in the meantime I wanted to share the suite of printed matter I did for my friend's desert wedding earlier this year.

The driving force behind everything was to be "not-girly" and the bride and groom wanted a roadrunner and coyote to be featured. Since I was also doing the decorations and flowers, I wanted everything to compliment each other. One the simplest (and most graphic) flowers, craspedia, is also one of my favorites and it matched well with the yellow circle/moon motif and the string of lights was pretty much a given from Day 1.

I love how it all turned out... Better images coming soon!

2011-04-22T16:39:00.001-07:00

On this afternoon's walk Arrow and I found a few treasures.
He tried to eat the card, but I am quicker than him.
He was ready to devour it, but I was able to snatch it way in time.
You never know when you're going to need a spare 9 of diamonds.

2011-04-20T10:08:00.001-07:00

I'm working on a new project about marine debris and, simultaneously, I am totally inspired but totally depressed. We all *know* we have a trash problem, but the specifics of marine debris can be abstract, especially if you're not actively thinking about or using the ocean or waterways. If you don't encounter marine debris, it's hard to know how bad it really is.

In my research on plastics and what do with it, I came across this beautiful typographic project by Anna Garforth, called Trash Type. I wish our exhibit space was larger; I would have loved to do something like this!

p.s. if you want to know more about marine debris, visit these excellent websites.... it's shocking.
NOAA - Marine Debris
The Plastiki
5 Gyres

2011-04-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

Between R's accident and shoulder now healing, Arrow teething, and my work going full steam, I've been neglecting you, dear Blog.

And so, I give to you these images of Arrow trying to chew a bone bigger than his head, as an offering.

See you soon... promise.

2011-04-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

Please meet Mikkel, a quiet and sweet fellow.

Recycled from some very soft and fuzzy sweaters.

2011-03-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Studio,
We've been camping out in Santa Barbara while R recuperates at my parent's house. The short trips I make back to Los Angeles for work are the only times I get to see you.

I hope you are behaving well in my absence and not letting too much dust gather.

I miss you, see you soon!

Debi

2011-03-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

And here's Roger!

2011-03-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Meet Aiko. She's a jellyfish. Or something like that.

Learn more about her here.

2011-03-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Some details of the work I did for my friend's wedding reception and some snippets of a super party in the beautiful desert.

{I'll show off the invitations and other printed pieces next week.}

Congrats to W & J on their marriage. And a big thank you for gathering a wonderful group of old friends and introducing me to new ones.

2011-03-16T01:07:00.000-07:00

Oh Arrow.... you just like the sun, don't you?

You are getting so big. I'm not sure when I should stop referring to you as Puppy. And I'm not ready for you to grow into the size of your paws.

2011-03-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

My dear friend entrusted me to her wedding decor. We are days away, so right now the studio looks like a mini IKEA warehouse and a nursery. I like it.

We had a pretty tight budget and I can tell you... wow... stuff costs so much more than you ever think! So it's going to be minimal, but with the desert as the backdrop, I think it'll be just fine. I'm pretty cheap to begin with, and as far as wedding decorations go, I think we've done really well.

I also did her invitation last December. Tomorrow we all head out to the desert, and this weekend the ceremony will be in Joshua Tree.

The next few days are all about assembling the center pieces, installing the lighting and making sure things looks pretty.

I can't wait to share more pictures!

2011-03-07T12:12:00.001-08:00

Dear Mr. Motorcycle,

You are parked in our studio, so you better behave.
And please take better care of my Mr. R, ok?

Thank you,
Debi

2011-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

Do you remember, way back when, when I had jury duty... and I started my end-of-year-snake?

Well, it took me forever, but I'm happy to introduce Enid, the knitted snake from jury duty. She's finally finished and for sale and you can read more about her as well as see more pictures here!

Hope everyone's having a lovely weekend... the weather in Los Angeles is amazing right now, and actually (dare I say it) verging on a little too hot for my March tastes, but I'm happy to see the sun, nonetheless.

2011-03-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

I wish this was my closet.
I'm ready to simplify and weed out the things I never wear but continue to own.

{I apologize for not recording where I found this image.... I found it somewhere beautiful in this huge world wide web}

Also.... . . ... . . . . .. hello March!
I can't believe we're already into the 3rd month of the year....

2011-02-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

I've been working on something new... and the letters arrived today. Wish I didn't have a drawing deadline for another project tomorrow and I could just work on this instead.

2011-02-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

Our lovely dog made fast work out of one of my new cards.

Funny... the message of the card is exactly what I shouted (albeit more sternly) as soon as I realized it was in his mouth and he was ripping it to shreds.

Regardless, I'm very excited to report that Ye olde Etsy shoppe is open again for business. I'm rolling out the cards first.... knitted beasts are next, and then some other new products.

So... without further ado, please redirect your eyes to the Etsy shop preview to your upper right, a newly re-instated feature to the blog, and a very much missed link over these last few months of me spinning my wheels trying to make.... make make make

2011-02-19T17:11:00.000-08:00

At one of my favorite places with two of my favorite guys.

2011-02-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

A note to my besties... a very happy birthday weekend to you three!

2011-02-10T01:28:00.000-08:00

stamp

2011-01-31T23:48:00.000-08:00

I'm spec'ing some paint colors for the dinosaur museum. We have our big presentation tomorrow and this is one of the presentation boards, in progress.

I am watching paint dry, literally, and sticking my hand in it, by mistake of course; I do love the pattern it made, though, and I almost scanned my hand to get the texture.

2011-01-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

These are almost-beasts... very near completion.

I'm really pushing hard to reopen the Etsy shop soon.... I think I'll start the official countdown in a day or two once I know exactly when the reopening will be.

A countdown to a countdown... hmm. Kind of silly, when I think about it.

I should just get on with it!

2011-01-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of Exhibition Design is the final installation.

The show I'm working on is finally at this stage.

Yesterday, all the graphics went up (the image above is part of the title wall) and today the first wall objects and part of one showcase were installed. I'm very proud of this show, it's been a tricky one...

If you're in LA, I hope you can come and see it at the Getty Center. I'll post a link with more info as soon as they update the site. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: here's the link to the show...... http://www.getty.edu/research/exhibitions_events/exhibitions/brush_shutter/

2011-01-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

The studio as it exists now.

I could use an extra table for the sewing machine, but I'm not complaining... that will come. Along with the wall we still need to build..

I am happy that my plants continue to thrive. Plants make me so happy. I can't imagine my work space without them.

2011-01-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

I am drooling over these spaces.

{via solid frog}

2011-01-19T00:04:00.000-08:00

I know it's a poor excuse, BUT would you believe it????... my puppy ate my blog!

It's certainly believable... he eats everything in sight. Or at least tries too. I am really good at sticking my hand down his throat to pull out god-knows-what. Doesn't even phase me anymore. I don't mind though. He's worth it. I love him to bits and pieces, and then some.

My days are flipped; I work at night now (when I can muster up the energy) and take care of Arrow in the day. Its pretty hard to get any serious work done in 2 hour stretches here and there. R takes over at night when I need to head to the studio.

Sure, he's a dog... easy enough to say, but really, I think there's a little human baby hiding inside of him... that's how demanding it is to raise this puppy.

My goal of training him to be a studio-dog is going to take a while. A studio full of yarn, fabric, paper scraps, and delicious little tidbits I find here and there amount to an all-you-can-eat buffet for a puppy.... suffice it to say, this is no place for Arrow while he has this appetite. So while I wait for the studio-dog of my dreams and train this little guy, and if you don't know them already, take a look at some other really great blogs that inspire me get back to blogging:

Man Make Home
House of Brinson
April and May

2011-01-10T16:05:00.001-08:00

This image oddly matches my mood today.

Hard to describe.... yes, but trust me; it's a good match.

{love the work of Anna Gleeson; definitely worth a look... via catkin and teasel, via I'm revolting}

2011-01-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

With the help of Meg Mateo Ilasco's books, I'm slowly figuring it out... where I want my business and craft to go; what I need to do to get it there.

The biggest lesson I'm learning is about self-promotion and that being successful means a lot of (invisible) work behind the scenes to make myself more visible to the clients I want to attract.

So, that's one change I'm ready for, though it's going to be hard. I'm not one to say "hey, look at me!" but I'm going to try.

2011-01-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

I don't know yet what the change is; I just know that something's got to give.

2011-01-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

We woke up to this amazing sunrise on the second day of the New Year. We've had such torrential rains recently, its so nice to see the sun.
I love the shadow of the Christmas tree on the wall. It's a tiny tree and sits on Arrow's crate (for lack of floor space). I think it's time to take it down and make way for different sunrise shadows on the wall.

2010-12-28T15:08:00.000-08:00

Meet Arrow.

He's the reason I've not been here in a while... Since we picked him up last week from Karen, every single subsequent minute of our lives has happily gone into raising this puppy: eating, snuggling, peeing, pooping, playing, sleeping.... repeat. He's an absolute handful, but also the most wonderful little thing ever in whole wide world.

Of course.

It's been really nice this last week as we're off work and staying home more than usual. And when we do leave, we've been taking Arrow everywhere we go. The second half of our Christmas was a trip to Santa Barbara and on our way home we stopped at the beach.

My heart m.e.l.t.e.d watching him meet more people, other dogs and discover the waves. I'm so proud of my little guy.

I could go on and on about little Arrow, so to keep it short, he is:
- insanely energetic (no surprise: he is a Vizsla and a puppy)
- ridiculously handsome
- not yet grown into the size of his limbs and falls over everything
- an amazing sound machine (howling is loudest, but he can also do some crazy sounds in his sleep)
- a snuggle machine; there's a reason they say call Vizslas velcro dogs
- so warm when he falls alseep on one of us. I call him my little Hungarian electric blanket.
- my favorite dog ever.

2010-12-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

Sooooooo.... I missed the Christmas-merchandising-boat.

That boat left the port a long time ago, but I thought I could just swim really really fast to catch up. I honestly thought I could get it all done in time. And I'm just finally admitting I couldn't.

Here it is: the 21st of December, and my Etsy store is still not stocked, my 2011 calendar remains unprinted, and my unfinished beasts sit awaiting legs, butts, and faces. I just couldn't get ready in time to sell for this holiday season. I feel disappointed in myself that I couldn't pull it off this year, but each year as my freelance exhibition-graphic design business grows, my handmade one shrinks.

On the one hand I am extremely happy that I'm so busy, but on the other, I am sad that I couldn't strike the right balance: I really want to be able to make more things... by hand... on my terms.. But, it's really hard.

I am in awe of and bewildered by the blog-people that I see making stuff ALL the time.... and selling it, and having jobs, significant others, children?

How.the.hell.to.you.do.it....huh??

BUT.....

Despite all that, and as a measure of self-worth, I am very happy that I have finished a few projects for some good friends that, I hope, will bring smiles to some small faces. In my "off-to-the-post-office" haste I neglected to take photos of all the beasts I sent off, but I did remember to take some of this giraffe-llama who is on his way up North.

There's always next year... and maybe, just maybe, by then...... I can sew properly.

Bon Voyage beasts!

2010-12-18T14:57:00.000-08:00

Apparently I don't remember sh*t from Grade 8 sewing class... my thread keeps breaking, the stitches at the back are completely different than the front ones, I use the foot pedal like I'm driving a car on the highway, I'm a sewing mess!

I experimented with a few pieces of fabric that I was willing to sacrifice, but quickly moved to on to sewing with paper, which oddly seemed less precious and less serious. I just relaxed a little more with the paper.

Because I am crazy and impatient and need to make something immediately, I started a garland....at least the beginnings of one. I realize I am very far from making that apron I was talking about. At this point, I can sew about 4 triangles (that's my record) and then my thread breaks. I've got some ways to go, obviously. Luckily this wonky garland (once I finish it) will go very nicely with my unintentional amoeba-shaped glass ornaments. Ahh.... there's nothing like experimental holiday decorations.

I've decided I need to take a beginners class. This whole idea of remembering how to sew from 18 odd years ago and "teaching" myself isn't going to work....

2010-12-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

An Exercise in Self -Control, by Debi van Zyl

To my huge surprise, R gave me a sewing machine for my birthday last week. After years of hinting about wanting a machine to anyone who would listen, and years of asking my mother to hem my pants for me, I finally have one of my own. Finally!

So, R gave me this lovely present over a week ago and until last night I've let it sit in its box right by my desk, unopened. I've walked into the studio each and every day with such longingness to open the box and start sewing; it's been torture. I should have worn blinders or something... seeing that box out of the corner of my eye was killing me.

Why you ask? Why not just open the box? Because I know myself too well... opening that box would have created such a distraction from "real" work that I never would have made it through this last week of deadline madness. I would have been sewing non-stop. I don't even know what I would be sewing, but it I'd be sewing it. I've collected so much fabric just for this purpose, it's crazy. The poor exhibitions I'm working on would be dust in the wind; I would have forgotten about them as soon as I threaded my first needle. And no one would have come to my friend's wedding as I would not have completed her invitations. It's all true... I'm not exaggerating.

And so, last night after the last set of drawings were off and the invitations were in the mail, I finally opened the box. And I threaded a bobbin. And I threaded a needle. And then I went home.

Since R and I have been crazy busy with work we've not seen each other much lately. Going home to make a nice dinner sounded wonderful, though I admitted to him that the sewing machine was luring me back to the studio... he graciously said to go, but again, I had to exercise a little self-control. I would have stayed up all night sewing!

So this morning, I got up early, letting R sleep in-ish (of course he heard me get up!) and I stole away down the hill to the studio on foot in the rain to be reunited with my sewing machine!

Now the flood gates are open, now I can sew to my heart's content! Of course I have to practice before making anything. The last real time I sewed with a machine was in Grade 8 in Home Ec (do they even have that any more?) and I made an apron. I need an apron, I was just telling R the other night... looks like I have my first project.

The End.

{Wow. That was a long story.... Thank you R. You are an amazing gift-giver... I'll see you in a few days when I'm done with the sewing frenzy, ok?}

2010-12-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

The first question of the day is: where is my camera? I can't find where I've left it... again.

I was going to take a photo of the scarf I am making for a friend but instead, and until I find it, let's all just feast our eyes on Sandra's scarves instead.

Second question of the day: how talented and awesome is Sandra Juto?
The answer is very....

2010-12-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

Yay!! Happy (almost over) birthday to me!

{image via ffffound!}

2010-12-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

I'd like to be this lady on a bike.

My secret bike obsession is growing daily.... It's something I'm not going to be able to ignore for much longer. And just to taunt me, our new studio is exactly 1 mile from the house, perfect for biking. After all the hours, days, and years that I've put into my long career of commuting in Los Angeles, it feel likes like a luxury to have options.

We're in the foothills of Los Angeles and the studio is fairly far away from the majority of my clients who are in the "city" so I can't get out of driving completely. But... one of my New Year's resolutions is to stop driving to work on days I don't have to go somewhere other than the studio.

Actually, let me start again... the first resolution should be to get a bike. (I used to have one, but the sad truth of it is that I drove over it by mistake with my car and killed it. That is another story entirely, but it should be noted that I do not own a bicycle at the moment).

Second resolution should be to cut down on the driving.

Third resolution should be to get shirts with heart cut-outs in the back so I can be this cute on a bike on the way to work.

Hmm... 2011 is sounding pretty fun so far, if you ask me.

{downtownfrombehind via cup of jo}

2010-12-05T14:53:00.001-08:00

Dear Santa Claus,

I hope you read my blog.

I also hope that you bring me one of these planters.

I'll leave you some really good cookies by the fireplace, ok?

Thank you!
Debi

{via the heart breakingly-beautiful General Store.}

2010-12-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

My sister and I went to a glass blowing class a few weeks ago. It was so much harder than I imagined. It turned out to be a Christmas ornament making class, for which we were not mentally prepared. She and I had much more grandiose ideas about what would happen in the class. We imagined fiery furnaces, large pipes, thick leather gloves; instead we got pre-blown glass tubes, individual burners and some safety glasses.

For some reason I had imagined we'd start off big. We'd start off with some big crude stapes... I imagined I'd walk away from class with a mildly-revolting-but-interesting clear glass shape that maybe, just maybe, I could turn into a terrarium. I was so very wrong. Instead I made some really wonderful but very wonky Christmas tree ornaments.

R bought us a little Christmas tree for the first time last year, and turned some of the urchins I collected from my dives into ornaments. I'm looking forward to this year's little tree and seeing what he does with these little oddities.

2010-12-01T08:07:00.001-08:00

I need some new storage for the studio. Half of the studio is functional, the other half still sits on the floor in piles.... would love to have this totem collection by Pastoe.

Oh, and happy December 1.... can you believe it's December already? What happened to 2010?

2010-11-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

I forgot how much I like San Francisco. It's been a few years since we were there last, and we're just back from spending the holiday with good friends.

Saw the Post-Impressionist Musée D'orsay show at the De Young, finally visited the Heath factory store in Sausalito, and bought some goodies at the Ferry Building. My only wish was that the Alameda flea market was on. That's on the list for the next time we go up... that and the California Academy of Sciences.

p.s.... how awesome is this map of SF? thanks for the link, renee!

2010-11-20T08:54:00.000-08:00

It's raining in Los Angeles and time to cozy up.
Wish I had a window like this to sit by and knit all day. And I wish I had those needles!

{I wish I could know who this lady is, I love her house, love all her knitted home accessories, but I couldn't find her name or a way to find out more about her.... via plaza.... via pinterest}

2010-11-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

You lucky Londoners... the temporium is coming! A concept pop-up shop set for Brompton Road Dec 9-19.

I've got my far-away-window-shopping eyes set on Jacqueline Rabun's Alphabet pendant collection... How nice and perfectly simple would it be....a D in Arial?

Also showing are some of my old favorites:
Faye Toogood of Studio Toogood
Donna Wilson via Theo

{via rgl}

2010-11-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

Trying to make... make... make...
. .... . . .. . in between things... . .. . .. . . . ... here and there...
little by little.

2010-11-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm in turbo mode with all the exhibitions I'm working on.
In short, this is what's on my mind lately:

1. dinosaurs
2. paper airplanes
3. chinese calligraphy

. . . . . .. ... . a strange combination!

2010-10-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

I have an "everything" drawer at my desk and today while looking for some wayward tool, I found this single lens. It's from some old magnifying glass whose handle broke. I stripped it and kept the lens.

Of course.

I keep everything.

Hence the very existence of the "everything" drawer, right?
{Ok, I admit it.... it's two drawers worth}

Then I spent about half an hour taking the most random photos you can imagine. Almost all of them are out of focus and let's just say some things on one's face need not be magnified.

Nevertheless....I present to you these two.

2010-10-26T16:57:00.001-07:00

8 hours later....
... . .. . .. . . and my civic duty served... in a waiting room.

this is the 30 inch beginning to my end-of-year-yarn snake no. 2...to be completed and for sale soon.

2010-10-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

At the art sale I also bought a print of Yu-I's.... I've been following her blog for a while as well as her work. Despite us both living in Los Angeles, having mutal friends, and having attended the same architecture school, I had never officially met her until Saturday. Finally it all just came together.

Funny how that goes, eh?

This one is from her Princess Kavalan series from 2008. It's so beautiful. I'm waiting to take it to the framers and will hang it in the new studio.

{the lower image show two of my many favorite sections of the print, blown up}

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

Tomorrow I start jury duty... so I might disappear from a while!

We'll see....

2010-10-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to a little art sale where a few friends were selling their wares. I had to restrain myself from buying more, and I ended leaving with only two pieces. One of which is this ceramic rattle by Phi Lequoc.

I'll have to see if I can get some more images of her work... the installations she has at the space are so beautiful.

I will show you the other piece I bought later, perhaps tomorrow....?

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

In other news: this is the current state of the studio.

We need to build the wall next. R will have his metal shop on one side, I will have my little studio on the other.

And storage... that's a big problem. I really need to tackle that soon!

2010-10-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

I love these hand drawn patterns by Holly Maguire.
These little images don't do them justice, you have to go her website to see the loveliness up close.

2010-10-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is Rolf. He's my first beast pillow!
It's hard not to find a position he's comfortable in.

{I'll be putting him up for sale soon, along with loads of new beasts, cards and more.... so stay tuned for my shop's re-opening.}

2010-10-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long day. I'm off to bed.
Where are my Ls and Ps when I need them?

Back at it again in the morning... see you.

2010-10-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

I can't help but pick things up off the ground.

2010-10-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Apparently Darby and Beatrice are very comfortable in the new studio. I like how Darby has his leg hanging into my binder... like it was his binder! Possibly staking a claim?

And Beatrice, that is a frown to be reckoned with.

Les petites bêtes sauvages... seemingly cute, but territorial, amongst other things.

You have to watch them. And your stuff.

p.s. speaking of beasts.... I have a few coming into the world soon. Camping, road trips, and vacation does wonders for the knitting itch that gnaws at me.

2010-10-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

I can't quite describe the things I'm thinking about these days.
These images get close.

boots :: dinner (lost this link) :: N :: cutlery :: book :: storage :: boots2

{inspired by mood}

2010-10-11T19:24:00.001-07:00

Back in Los Angeles, and still working on the studio.... picking up a paintbrush after vacation seems like torture! Today R started the gorgeous blue chalkboard that will be his space. We still need to build "the wall" and deal with storage, but we're getting there!

2010-10-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

It is difficult to take a fitting image of the Colorado River. It is so wide, so grand, so red and muddy. We went from Moab to the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers which took us 4 days.

The geology is amazing, the scale humbling, and the quiet at night is surreal. And the stars!

I knew it was a muddy river, but I was surprised to never ever see the bottom, so thick it was with silt. An 8 foot+ deep river looked no different than one of 6 inches; my oar was the only measure.

The last day we waited for Tex's shuttle boat to pick us up. Our little tent is nothing in this landscape.

A few more days of camping as we make our way back to Los Angeles... see you soon!

2010-09-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

travel memento: taken at sunset after the truck got stuck in the mud.... another story completely.

2010-09-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

A is for almost....the studio is almost a studio.

B is for blogs I'm reading.

brown paper journal
cirkus
saipua
designwatcher

C is for camping + Colorado river + canoeing = C ya!

I'm heading out.... will be back in October!

2010-09-12T19:14:00.000-07:00

S is for Second coat of paint.

Two and a half walls remain before we can say we're done. One of R's walls will be done with chalkboard paint and we were able to get a mix that wasn't black or green. Thanks to the best paint store in LA, Jill's Paints and their advice, we went with Syndey Harbour's Chalkboard Paint because it has a clear base so you can mix any color you want!!

2010-09-09T22:30:00.001-07:00

I cannot tell you how many times I had to refer to my beloved fan decks today. Countless times. Paint colors, PMS colors, I-feel-like-I'm-going-crazy colors.

The results of the day:
- R and I picked a color for the new studio. Mythic Paint Ghost Story 142-1
(Sorry Benjamin Moore, you lost out on this one)

- I'm working on some signage for this amazing place in China, and the printer is in, you guessed it, China. Time is tight and there's no chance for color proofs. And even with all the Pantone color matching goodness in the world, good old random values of CMYK pulled through and gave us a better color on all the printers we tested. Fingers crossed.

And fan decks closed.

For now.

2010-09-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is what our new studio looks like... three coats of primer, newly sealed concrete floor and a long way to go.

At least we picked the paint color today.... will show progress as it happens.

2010-09-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm packing up my studio and moving. And man, am I finding out about my hoarding tendencies.

I'm heading to a new studio space which is still in the beginning stages of becoming a space. There's still a lot of work to do, but I'll share more when we're up and running.

This is just one pile, one small car load... so much more to move!

2010-08-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm in Texas.

{image by Zack Seckler via yay!everyday}

2010-08-25T16:01:00.001-07:00

Ah ha!

I think I will try this pose... surely something creative will come from it!

{Adalyn's Party Trick 1 by Dr. Henry Jones}

2010-08-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Going to the desert in the middle of a heatwave might be considered madness. But from what I understand, it wasn't that much better in the city.

2010-08-17T17:23:00.000-07:00

Going camping in Joshua Tree... if we don't melt in the August sun, I'll be seeing you next week.

Happy end of week, to you all!

{images by desert fete}

2010-08-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Greg Hatton,

I'm writing to tell you that I think you've designed the most beautiful set of stools in the world. I am no expert and certainly no authority, but that's how I see it.

If I had my way, these stools would happily furnish my life. I'd not separate them; they'd always be close. In fact they look like they're perpetually in conversation with one another.

Sincerely,
Debi

p.s. I also love the mushroom window display, but I can only take so much in one day, so I'll have to talk to you about those later.

2010-08-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

These pictures by Margaret Durow describe exactly my August mood.

August is one of my favorite months. There's just something about the heat, the sunlight, the mornings, something. Can't put my finger on it.

{found the lovely m. durow via the fabric of my life, a nice little blog I chanced upon}

2010-08-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Found these on Intelligent Clashing.
No idea where they came from, who made them, or anything.
All I know is that I love them.

{update: got a good tip...by Eden Batki available at IKO IKO.}

{click on image to see them larger}

A word of caution: you can get lost inside intelligent clashing. I'm warning you now... leave some bread crumbs as you go so that you can find your way back.

2010-08-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

Beautiful gifts in the mail today.

Thank you, Marilá.

A wonderful original work in exchange for another.

2010-08-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

I can't stop with the blocks.

By Serena Mitnik Miller, published in Arkitip.

{via identical eye and intelligent clashing}

2010-07-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Have you see these laquered blocks by Judith Seng? And my dream dining room table?

They make me want to not blink
and just stare.

That fugitive space between solid and deep color...

then suddenly nothing
but plain wood.

l.o.v.e.

{via kickcan & conkers}

2010-07-29T07:46:00.001-07:00

Feels good to get back to circles.

I can't stay away.

More to come... stay tuned.

2010-07-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Aren't these so pretty? Hand cut and crumpled.

Owen Gildersleeve for Poogla.

I'm not exactly ready for Autumn... I'm quite enjoying the summer. But oddly, these leaves make me want to eat soup and bundle up. And jump in a huge pile of them on the front lawn.

Though, not necessarily in that order. I should save the soup for after the jumping.

2010-07-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Introducing Henrik Schnäke...

.... a fine example of a knitted snake. Don't worry, he doesn't bite, isn't creepy at all and eats marshmallows. Happy to live behind pillows on your couch, his little head sticking out waiting for his next meal.

{available here}

2010-07-19T18:28:00.001-07:00

I am itching to go camping. But I'm a desert camper and this heat wave is sort of cramping my style.

A good friend turned me onto a desert fete, a blog that has caused much distraction these past few days.

The author recently camped at the river... ah the river, cool rushing water, I want YOU!

{see the lovely flickr set here}

2010-07-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't designed any cards in a while... and now all of sudden everyone I know is having babies, they're leaving town, they're getting older, they getting engaged and married... enough is enough right?

I thought I could really use a pack of cards for all occasions. So of course... what else was I to do?

And while these aren't for ALL occasions, they at least cover 6 of them.

Find them here!

2010-07-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Fête des Lumières artwork by Romain Lenancker.

From last year but still blows me away.

See his blog for more goodness.

{images via behance network}

2010-07-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Cathy Pack has launched her long-awaited website.

Trained and licensed as an architect in the hard world, she's also incredibly talented in the soft world. A lot of her work pertains to fabric/space textiles, soft barriers, and the intersection of clothing and architecture. She's an amazing seamstress (of course), has a perfectly trained eye, a keen sense of detail, and thankfully a refreshing perspective of the world; an asset to any project.

Plus she's a taiko drummer!

I'm fortunate to be able to work, collaborate and muse on future endeavors with her.

Congrats to you, Cathy!

www.cathypack.com

2010-07-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

The multiverse.
I like it.

{via yayeveryday!}

2010-07-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

Curaçao ... . ... .. . .. . . ..... was candy-colored, noisy and sweaty;
still and quiet, and many shades of blue;
dfasdfsd windswept and arid; unrelenting and abandoned.. .... . I loved it.

the air was humid and heavy at night, perfect for slow dinners and lazy laughs on the patio. I was caked in salt, my clothes were crusty. I ate goat and iguana in an unforgettable restaurant. I saw alien cities in dark water lit with bio-luminescence; secret little creatures in the dark, suspended skyscrapers above the reef.

It was all so beautiful. Each part, very different.. . .. . . .. making up what turned out to be a very interesting island.

{thanks to JB for photos}

2010-06-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

It's vacation time and I'm getting on a plane soon. I'm heading to Curaçao to go diving. Do behave yourself and please water the plants while I'm gone.

Love,
Debi

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

p.s. these pictures are from the last time I was at LAX, or rather the long-term parking lot 'C' at LAX under the landing path (my favorite place!). Upon arriving back at the car, we realized we had left the car lights on and the battery was more than dead. It took three hours for us to get recharged, back on the road, and finally home. While waiting, I just walked around the huge parking lot. I found someone's car keys lying on the ground, eaves-dropped on a boisterous conversation between security guards in the bathroom, and took about a million photos of planes landing... of course.

p.p.s. did you watch the games yesterday? Both USA and England played with outstanding results... being citizens of both countries and having the games being played in South Africa (where I grew up, but of which I am not a citizen), I was absolutely overflowing with pride for EVERYONE! I just needed Canada in there, and then I'd be complete!