Diving into my "images i like" folder, I found this ... it reminds me of Andreas Gursky's photograph of the harbor at Mumbai ... but with more breathing room {via re*move}

Usually when we head out to the desert I stop by my favorite vintage store in Yucca Valley, but this time we didn't quite have the time. As I almost always buy something, and at the rate at which I am accumulating stuff that I don't really need, maybe that's a good thing.

Instead, here are some lovely vintage seed packets that were given to me as gift a few years ago... collecting dust on a little shelf.

Two years ago, about this time of year, it snowed a little in Joshua Tree,. Not sure if we'll be so lucky this time. We're heading out there for the weekend and I think it's supposed to be sunny and warm.

The traveling is not really over yet. In a few more weeks we head out to Arizona.

Views straight up and straight ahead one morning in Eindhoven.
I would love a ceiling with exposed beams like this one.

My quick little trip to the Netherlands is over and now I am suffering from some terrible jet lag. The only good thing about the 11 hour flight home was all the knitting I was able to complete.

I also learned two things:

1. About 8 hours into the flight, a women across the aisle showed me another way to cast on stitches.
2. People get funny looks on their faces after they ask you what you are knitting, and you reply with, "beasts." And then when you feel compelled to say "monsters" it doesn't really help.

Nevertheless, I will have beasts, beasts and more beasts to show you soon.

*goodnight, I'm going to sleep now :)

Look what I got for Valentines Day! R got some lovelies for himself and then also surprised me with this pitcher from Heath Ceramics. I cannot wait to use it!
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I'm heading out of town for a little while and will be back on the 26th... if anyone has any tips on little cafes or markets, thrift stores, fantastic little shops, or just great places to visit in either Amsterdam or Eindhoven, I'd be forever grateful! I'm heading to the Netherlands and I would love to find some non-touristy places to enjoy a good little meal or drool over some lovely object in an obscure shop :)

Alice is keeping me company while I work.

I just bought this Gray Water Tower on Etsy... by up in the air somewhere.

Not only am I sucker for water towers for some reason (one of my favorite images below by Rachel Whiteread) but I am also always looking for nice plant stands/holders.

Despite my mostly dim north-facing living space, there is one lovely room in my apartment that gets the most gorgeous afternoon light, and to no surprise, it is where all my plants live. I will soon add another... I'm so happy, I think it's so beautiful.

I'm not a fan of my commute (this morning it took about 90 mins) but there is one part that I do like: the junction of Sunset Blvd and the Pacific Coast Highway. Here you can only turn right or left, or drive straight into the ocean.

I like it here because as you sit and wait for the stop lights to change, you realize you're at the edge of a continent. With all the hustle and bustle, it's nice to see nothing in front of you except for this great expanse of ocean.

I used to dislike olives, but sometime ago I willed myself to like them. Now I love them, especially with a few chilli flakes.

I took these photos this past summer, which how would sum up today's weather: mid-summer heat. Did I miss Spring? Did it get washed away with all of the recent rain we had? Next week I am going to a place that is much colder and will experience some nice sunny ice-cold days :) I have to say that I welcome the advent of Spring, but I'm just not ready for the Los Angeles summer.

The other problem is that I'm not sure I have an appropriate coat for my trip, so the hunt is on. It feels funny to shop for a good winter coat when it is 82 degrees (27 Celsius) outside ... wish me luck.

{postscript: I just realized I had already posted about these olives ... see? the heat is making my brain mushy}

how does she do it?!? These paper cut-outs and photos are simply gorgeous ... say no more.

{photos by heather}

I think I obsess over other peoples' kitchens because mine is so small ... currently I'm loving this one.

{image from Inside Out, November 2007, Issue no. 70... it's also in Hobart, Tasmania, another place that fascinates me}

Introducing Roscoe the Giraffe. He makes me smile :)

Happy weekend!

Just coming up for a little air ... among other things, I've been busy knitting and these are two of the most recent additions to the Beast Family: Karl and Remi.

oh, forgot to mention my new obsession, my polaroid blog.

I have fallen in love.

With a chair ... again.

This time it's the 8.0 chair, made of concrete by Canadian designer Omer Arbel. via designbeans.

Sigh .... unrequited love.

{I realize I'm a little behind the times with this as it was news in 2005, but come on... this one's a beauty.}

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In other news... there's a new show up at The Shiny Squirrel... definitely some wonderful things in the showcase and gallery.

I still haven't constructed my paper dolls made by Amy Earles ... but I don't think I can yet. They are so beautiful, just like this.

One day I will muster up the courage.

Thank you everyone!

In addition to the recent tags and lots of encouraging comments on the blog, my I love you card has been posted in a couple places (laissez faire, oh happy day) and my beasts have been posted on mstetson ... thank you for all the support! It means a great deal :)

{post script: Just after this post my work was featured on Bloesem and Contented Me! Are all my stars aligned or something?!? My Letter-gram was also on Etsy Finds, a daily email from Etsy showcasing products and gift ideas. Thank you Irene, Kristin and Anda from Etsy... I'm really feeling the love and blushing a little bit from all the attention.}

Some milestones:

365 :: yesterday was my one year anniversary on Etsy

100 :: this past Sunday was my 100th post on this blog

In my world, these are big things ... so, thank you again!

A bouquet of beast bodies and limbs.

It's not easy to see, but there are a total of two bodies (front and back) two arms and three legs thus far.

Tagged again! This time by Karin, who was asked to show her favorite work place and has modified the tag to:

"Show me a special something (if you like),
some thing that is important or beautiful or meaningful or full of
memories for you - or all of that - and tell me about it."

I couldn't help but take a photo(s) of my current workplace (above), but to be good and actually fulfill the tag, here are photos of an old school map of Europe that I have had hanging in every apartment I've rented in Los Angeles. I bought it at a wonderful little store on Venice Blvd. about 9 years ago. I recently drove past and saw that it is no longer there.



Some reasons why this map is beautiful and meaningful to me:

1. I love maps. No ifs, ands, or buts... I love maps no matter how inaccurate, detailed, or even useless they are sometimes. I have a pretty good sense of direction and I tend to think of things from above and am north-centric, but I am fascinated by how differently one can interpret and represent orientation, scale, distance and landmarks.

2. This map servers as a reminder of 'what not to do.' It has fallen on my head a few times because I am very lazy and haven't really ever figured out a good way to attach it to the wall so that it won't fall on me. I used to have it hanging over my bed, but I have since learned my lesson. This is the region for earthquakes after all.

3. There is no copyright on the map, but it was produced when there was still a Yugoslavia, and a USSR and a Czechoslovakia. Changing political boundaries and countries who change their name have always fascinated me.

4. I am not positive, but quite sure, that the internet has replaced lovely roll-up maps likes these in school rooms. I remember times in school when the teacher had a hard time getting the map to roll back up so as to reveal the one behind it, or when something would spring loose and the map would not come down. All the kids would always laugh. I know that the internet has an amazing world to offer, but there is nothing like pointing at map or an atlas, or spinning a globe.

So there you have it... I pass this tag on to:
nina at mooidingen
maria at pêle-mêle
sandra at friederike!

I received an email from Gillian yesterday updating me on some beasts I had sent her (coincidently the same day I receive her postcard). As mentioned before, I did a swap with her recently and I am so happy to hear that Gavin and Arthur made their way to Australia and have been cavorting around Newcastle, having lots of adventures. Thanks Gillian... I love that Gavin and Arthur have their own blog!

{note to self: if people are taking the time to update you on the beasts that you send them, the least you could do is update your 'Where Are They Now?" page.... come on! It's about time." If you continue to promise this, it will become a 'boy who cried wolf' situation.}

Stumbled upon an interesting website today... Greetje van Tiem a designer from the Netherlands. Her portfolio is interesting but I am particularly enamored by her yarn made from recycled newspapers (above) via dezeen.

And speaking of yarn from recycled materials I've also found a new favorite, 2nd Time Cotton, created from "new textile waste originating in the apparel and textile industry." I just love that. I hate to waste an scrap of anything, so it's nice to know that all those cuttings on the floor actually end up somewhere and not just the bin.

On another note I'm about to buy some shoes that I have been obsessing over for years... the rain, my wet socks and the mud on the construction site have pushed me over the edge. I think I might have jinxed my early heralding of Spring last week ... it has been raining for three days and it promises to keep up for a few more.

I actually don't mind at all.. I love the rain. There is nothing better than the sound of the rain on the windows and being nice and warm inside. I don't feel like I'm in Los Angeles at all :)

I think there is something going around... we're all getting new coat hangers! I got this one over the weekend on sale at Anthropologie.

lottie and nina recently got new coat hangers too.

I get so excited when any of my cards or beasts or what-have-you are featured on the front page of Etsy... today it's my 'I love you' card.
Thanks syko for a great treasury collection!

wow.

i love these.... by anneke harmsen
see more of her work here.

{via silk felt soil}

Seems like the cold snap in Los Angeles is over already and (dare I say it?) today feels like Spring! I know it's too soon to really talk about Spring, but seriously... it's just so lovely outside.

And so... here is a very early tribute to Spring :: Heather's amazing paper cut flowers... incredible!

I was looking through some type catalogs this evening and of course I lingered on this page. I love this font, Tribute... it's fitting that the catalog (from Emigre) is called Love Letters, as I have a serious crush on this font and its ligatures.

A friend of mine is going to start a new business and I'm going to help her with the logo/identity system so the hunt for the perfect font, or combination of fonts, is officially on. While Tribute is probably not the one I'd go with for the project, I'm excited... not only for the design process but also because she's going to be selling sweets ... could it be any more delicious?

Two of my favorite toilet tops in Los Angeles.

{top: c.g.'s toilet; bottom: r46's toilet}

I have blogged about old cigarette cards before and it seems that I am slowly and rather unintentionally building up a collection. The other night R and I found some really amazing ones on ebay... he got some crazy medical ones and I couldn't resist these ones showing optical illusions. The little package of 25 cards arrived today all with lovely little mind-tricking graphics. These are my favorites.

A few days ago I was tagged by Janine de Waal of Fourwalls Design.

So here goes, seven little things about me:

1. I have two favorite colors: fuschia and Paynes Grey... and I only know this last color from it's paint name, but it is a wonderful dark rich blue grey. It looks like a storm cloud threatening to pour. Fuschia is happily my default color choice. When I'm stuck with something, I almost always choose fuschia to pick me up out of the rut.

2. I don't have any pets, but since I was small I've known that I will one day have three sausage dogs named Wynken, Blynken and Nod, after the children's poem. And I've always imagined them as puppies riding around me with in my bicycle basket...which I also don't have yet.

3. I have an incurable tendency to laugh when people fall over or slip. I know it's terrible and usually my laughter can distinguish between a bad fall and a funny fall, but still I can't help myself. In turn, when I fall down or slip (I'm fairly clumsy) I laugh at myself.

4. My first language was Afrikaans and English my second. But now I can barely remember any Afrikaans, except for a few things. I still have a few of my Afrikaans children's books hoping that I'll pick it up by starting to read those again.

5. One of my biggest anxieties is missing a plane. As a result I like to be at the airport hours in advance and enjoy just sitting and watching people.

6. I have good hand-eye coordination but terrible foot-eye coordination. In high school, when I joined the soccer team, after a few games the coach, in a nice way, told me he'd probably never put me out on the field again and asked if maybe I'd like to play something else. So I started playing lacrosse.

7. When I meet someone new I always think about what kind of animal they would be. I think of myself as some kind of rodent, maybe a squirrel. Or marmot... don't ask me why. It's just a feeling :)

I haven't decided who to tag next, or even if I am going to tag... that will come later.

{above image: unknown source}

Introducing Francisco ... my newest little beast.

Each beast goes out into the world with a postcard so that they can stay in touch. Lately I've received so many postcards with hilarious stories and updates from the beasts and new owners. I really need to make some time to update my 'Where are they now?' page on my website. Currently only a few beasts have photo updates and the goal is to post all the postcards and photos I get back. I love hearing from them and today I received one from Isak.

so much to do but for now... a big smile on my face.

I received a nice little email this morning wishing me a happy new year from ID Textile, a textile design laboratory in France led by Marion and Sonia. They have some a great collection of graphic floral textiles and I'mso happy to see that they will be having an online boutique soon.

I spent a bunch of time on their blog ... they've got lots of amazing links to some very beautiful and also very whimsical things. I went on a veritable blog-bounce and found some new favorite sites. I think I spent the most time looking at this Dutch Design House Demakersvan, thanks to ID Textile. I love the Lace Fence (above) and these wonderful Waiting Chairs (below).
I really want to start making things larger than an A4 piece of paper and a knitted monster. This is not to say that I don't love what I do, but sometimes I would really love to jump scales and work in a larger format. Being in architecture, I work at a much larger scale at 'my day job' .... but I think there is something in between for me too ... furniture?

Somebody.... anybody.... if you have a space like either of these, will you please invite me over for dinner?

I swear food must taste better if you're eating it in these beautiful and simple surroundings.

{top: from Marie Claire Maison, Sept. 2006
bottom: source unknown, but I'm pretty sure I either ripped it out of NY Times Magazine or the Los Angeles Times magazine some time ago}

....

Also, I have finally given my white giraffe a name: Russel (formerly known as Mr. White).

It's raining a lovely rain in Los Angeles today. It's supposed to continue for a few days which makes me so happy.

And now I am off to the museum for some Friday afternoon art. Have a good weekend!

I recently did a swap with gillian t. bencke in Australia ... and this is Arnott, a lovely creature and a new best friend. I'm not positive, but he looks like the quiet type and could be a good travel companion? Time will tell...

I blogged about g.t.b. about 2 months ago after she got in touch with me. I have long admired her dolls but now seeing one (actually many... pics of 'flies in milk' to come) in person I am so impressed by the craftsmanship and the individuality of each piece. Her work inspires me to be more thoughtful of my materials and compositions, and while my beasts are something different than her dolls, there is something to be learned from her color and material choices and presentation style.

And so... a new year begins... I'm excited for what lies ahead.

We're back ... earlier than expected, but still having had an amazing time. To get away from the city and all the crazy Christmas rush, hurry, and hype we went camping in Death Valley. We had planned to stay until New Years Day which would have been truly amazing, but alas, an early return was upon us. Death Valley National Park is spectacular and so large - the things to see are endless. The places we camped are accessed via some serious 4-wheel drive roads (one of them was a series of 4 dry waterfalls) and the reward from the grueling crawl-drive was total beauty.

Death Valley is littered with abandoned structures. The entire region has a rich history of mining and prospecting, as well as a lot of boom and bust. Ghost towns, abandoned mine shafts, empty swimming pools fed by hot springs, little mining encampments ... all of the left-overs were a feast! I spent more time taking pictures of the decaying buildings and foundations instead of the really amazing rock formations.

The first night we were lucky enough to sleep in the Geologist's Cabin (above) at Striped Butte. This extremely well maintained and popular cabin was a highlight. Its remoteness reminded me instantly of the Papa Stour holiday cottage in Scotland (with which I am mildly obsessed) and upon stepping inside the first thing I did was take pictures of all four interior walls.

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Another night we camped out a place called Tarantula Mine which, despite the scary name, was another highlight. Apparently who ever owned the land continued to mine there until the 70's so the structures are a real mix of old and new - a newer, but totally decaying trailer (details above) and a couple of rusted out trucks from the 40's and wood shacks. The 'photo shoot' has finally forced me to actually learn how to use my dormant flickr account. See more here.

Wonderful way to spend Christmas and fantastic weather, albeit freezing at night, but good for star gazing. We'll definitely be heading back soon ... being out there makes me want to build a little house in the middle of nowhere that I can call my own.

Happy holidays!

Thanks to everyone who has made my first blog year a fun one... and thank you also for leaving encouraging and helpful comments - cheers!

See you in the new year.

The last of the birthday gifts: a wonderful little perforated metal stand. I'm not sure which era it is from... the 50's? 60's?? I have seen a few of these, here and there, at flea markets etc. and always wanted one, but never really took the plunge. So it's a wonderful gift!. I first tried it at the couch so that it could hold magazines but it never looked quite right with everything else. So it has found a home right next to my desk, where it's actually very useful to me. Plus, I don't have any space for plants or flowers in my work area so it's nice to have a greenery on the side.

It'll be a late night tonight given some upcoming deadlines... it's not hard to load up on the caffeine when I'm drinking out of one my favorite mugs. My mom got these when she was living in England in the 70's and dared to get rid of them a few years ago, so I scooped them up. They're so tall and skinny and fit so perfectly in my hand. Plus the stamp on the bottom is gorgeous. It says 'R.F. made in Wales' in a lovely little font.

Another wonderful birthday present: a pair of Bauer Pottery salt and pepper shakers, which again, fit right into my kitchen's apparent color scheme!

One deadline down, three more to go for Monday! Hence my little absence.

Keeping me sane are my wonderful birthday presents, well christened and much loved. First up: Emile Henry tajine. Now that I have cooked several meals in this, I cannot imagine how I lived with out it. Not only does it cook food oh-so-deliciously, it is also a truly beautiful object, and lucky for me, compliments everything else in my kitchen.

While washing the dishes this morning I noticed how bright and happy everything looked on the tea towel. I love red. Moreover, I love red alongside blue and yellow.... and white, and black and grey... and everything. Thank you, R... I love my tajine.

Speaking of surrounding yourself with beloved objects, I point you towards this thoughtful post on sprink.

And thank you to all for the nice birthday wishes! It was a lovely weekend indeed.

It's my birthday today! I'm heading out of town for a few days for a little birthday fun with two very good friends of mine who also have their birthdays this weekend. Good old Sagittarians :)

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

I bought a few of these cigarette cards at a flea market years ago, recently rediscovered them and subsequently purchased even more on Ebay. The illustrations are beautiful, reminding me of simpler days... and actually they are really informative! I have a another bunch framed in my bathroom. I don't have a garden (alas!) but these "Garden Tips" cards are quite lovely... I already know how to dig, but who knows, perhaps I will need to know make a dovecote one day :)

I like the softness in this image. I took it at the Salton Sea.

We all know how distracting the internet can be (or, for that matter, our very own persons can be - a recent post on skinny laminx that made me laugh out loud because I can so easily relate). I have a big deadline for Tuesday but instead of diligently working towards that I am fixating on Hella Jongerius' Office Pets (via karin's style blog). If they were all rolling around in my workspace, could they make it easier for me to work on this beautiful Sunday afternoon when I should really be outside enjoying the Los Angeles version of Autumn? ... Maybe :)