Don't forget-

Today is the Valentines Day Update!

coming together-

Every one's gathered together to get
their photos taken for the Update:

Preparing for an update is a lengthy process.

Obviously, there's the time spent making all the pieces - but once that's finished the actually website prep begins. I'm in the thick of it now- so here's an outline of what my day will entail:

• Shoot each animal on a white fabric sweep (love my new camera: Nikon D5000)
  
• Remove the background in Photoshop (I use a variety of tools to highlight and delete the background area)
  
• Hand write all the descriptions
  
• Scan and copy handwriting into each Photoshop file
  
• Program the new web pages (I write my own HTML in BBEdit)
  
• load all the new files onto the server (I use Transmit)
  

PRESTO! Instant Website Update- well it may not be instant but I'm happy to take the extra time to make everything look just so. Details- for me it's all about the details. Okay, now back to work.

(side note: I know I know - I've been giving you all a lot of sneak peaks of the pieces I'll be posting tomorrow- but rest assured, I'm not pre-selling anything.)

{^_^}

Ayumi Horie

If you were to come to my house for tea, you'd find my cupboards overflowing with pottery- especially with the work of Ayumi Horie. I just can't seem to get enough. These beautiful pieces make me happy each and every time I hold one in my hand.

Looking to start your own collection? Ayumi is posting pots from February 1-4 sporadically on her new Etsy Shop.

Today...

we celebrated my niece's 3rd Birthday with a Party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAZEL! I think I was inspired by the colors and the sweet toddler energy that filled my morning because this little lady (above) is something special. I've been working on her for the last few days, but this afternoon she came together with ease. mmmmmm Happy Sunday.

it turned out....

to be a big new teddy bear. who would have guessed?

colors

Some of the colors and patterns I've been
working with for this years Valentine's Day Pieces-

thismorning-

I've been working a ton this week trying to get everything done for next Wednesdays website update. I was up late last night feeling bleary-eyed and tired. I'm happy to report that in the morning light things appear be coming together. Finally instead of just bits I'm beginning to see beautiful finished pieces.

workworkworking

Step One: Sew
Step Two: Stuff
Step Three: Repeat

Even though I'm feeling worn out today {can you tell?!}, I really do love sewing. Sometimes just the simple perfect symmetry of piecing and the quiet repetition of stitching can become a mediation. That's when things are going well- and today has been more or less that way. But- I must admit there are plenty of frustrating moments in the studio when I get stuck in a cranky quicksand and I feel I can't get anything done. Lets hope for more of the former and less (okay lets hope for none) of the latter. Hope you all had a good day too!

FYI

this soup is making me really really happy.