Lime green, like in Puerto Rico

We discovered Sol Food pretty quickly after moving up here. It was our go-to place whenever we wanted a treat, but it got to be an addiction. So much so that it took about 6 months before we could pass the restaurant without the lime green building triggering a strong craving in us like junkies. It was serious, but I can now report we've learned to pace ourselves like locals and old timers.

Not so smitten was a gentleman who wrote a letter (above) with a much different reaction to the lime green building. The restaurant proudly posts this letter at the front entrance. Funny how subjective design is. Check out the online splash page if you can, it's pretty stylish too.

inky blue, then a crow flew by

... the view from here, looking eastward toward Oakland and Berkeley.

 Did you happen to see the full moon, and from where?  Leave a link if you took a photo.

Other views of the supermoon from around the globe.

spontaneous joy park

 Robson-Harrington Community Garden and Park, San Anselmo

There is a new world trade center at ground zero in NYC. I had no idea. This actually took me by surprise when I saw it on the news. The tallest building in Manhattan. I must have heard about the sky scraper plan a long time ago but then blocked it out...I guess I've been hoping they might plant a grove of trees or a garden there instead. Such a dreamer, but wouldn't it be nice?  Something simple...humble...quiet. A place of contemplation.

Timothy "Speed" Levitch gives his point of view on the WTC site here.
"... a joy park of 16 acres, blazing green grass, togetherness, and spontaneous culture ... a landmark with a heart..."

cherry blossoms

When Daniel takes a trip my rhythm gets thrown off and I adjust to his absence like this: first I fidget, then I circle the house, then I jump in the car and go somewhere. My destination criteria this time was an uplifting place, good for walking, and where the probability of finding little treats was high. So I drove toward the bridge and ended up on Fillmore Street (a great place for treats) and detoured into Japantown.  Specifically the Kinokuniya bookstore. Oh the books in that store. I was tempted to buy some - lots - but decided on some pieces of fabric instead. I think the pieces are from kimonos, that's what the woman in the Japanese pottery shop said. And yes, while I was in the pottery shop I bought myself two tea cups decorated with cranes. Had to, treat time. Anyway, I'm thinking of making a noren with my kimono pieces and hanging it somewhere visible while I sip my tea :)

...and they look like the real thing. Erin's paper cherry blossom tutorial here.

in spring

Apricot Blossoms, 1993, Naoko Matsubara 

Rite of Spring, Pina Bausch

... two artists, and a season that inspires me.  what is currently inspiring you?

Flat Earth Studio
via All The Mountains

P o s t e r

Fibershed/Watershed used one of my linocuts for a poster.  Dustin, Fibershed's Graphic Designer, did a wonderful job on the layout - thanks Dustin!

p.s. slowly working my way out of blog break.  a little longer than expected  - xo

open up

Okay, I will.

I'll listen to what the signs are telling me.

Time to O P E N other things besides this laptop.

Just a little rest away.

Time for a blog break.

baci baci

see you soon-ish

sing this pattern

mbuti pygmy ceremonial bark cloth

bark cloth, fruit juice fixative or fruit juice ink, charcoal

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I was sneaky and took these photos yesterday at the Tribal Textile and Arts Show.

I fell hard for the rhythmic lines and pattern of the bark cloth and had to get a snap.

Thank goodness for the camera or else I'd still be standing there.

Oh, and how about that fruit juice ink - love that.

meka-leka hi, meka-hiney ho*

 

I found a surprise on my walk to the library and didn't know what to make of it.  Why was an aladdin's lamp on a public bench, and who left it there?  After weighing the options and contemplating the mysteries, I chose to leave it alone.  It seemed sweet and exciting to encounter, though a little creepy too.  So I played it safe and walked away leaving it on the bench, untouched.  The random act of weirdness was magic enough for me.

*Jambi's magic spell

best supporting branches*

Meryl Streep, Life Magazine 1981

The Meryl Streep tree

Out the side yard there are bay trees with mossy branches, and since the recent rainstorm, the branches have become so green they're glowing.  I keep telling my husband (obnoxiously repeating myself as couples do) that the tree branches remind me of a forest-y photograph I once saw of Meryl Streep.  After bringing this up for the zillionth time I decided to check the internet to see if I could find the photo.  It never occurred to me to do this before today, and after a few google attempts, I found it.  Seeing the photo was almost like seeing an old friend - still stunning and beautiful, though different than I remembered.  In my memory the tree branches were soft and mossy (like the ones out back) and Meryl Streep was lying horizontally.  Hum... funny the memory.  Though it really doesn't matter.  I found the photo I've been obsessing about (still holds magic), and now I have proof and can stop repeating the story.

*clever title courtesy of Daniel

make you blue

-Japanese textile remnant recently purchased at an ethnic textile baazar
-Detail of my much loved Chinese bark cloth jacket found at a thrift shop
-Indigo seeds I will be planting in mid February

More indigo.  I meant to post this a couple weeks ago after a lecture I attended with indigo artist and teacher Rowland Ricketts.   The event was hosted by the Fibershed community and coincided with the building of the first Japanese indigo composting floor here on the west coast.  Rowland, who guided the building of the floor, gave a slide presentation of his apprenticeship in Japan where he learned the ancient process of turning newly harvested indigo leaves into sukomo, the end product for color dyeing.  The talk was fascinating and I feel like I learned so much.  I never realized what it took, how detailed, and how back breaking the process was.  And beside the hard work, the slide show reconfirmed my opinion of how beautifully the Japanese craftspeople do things.  I admire the careful skill in every step.  Mindful, thoughtful, meticulous.

-Rowland Ricketts website
-a photo of the composting indigo pile
-Fibershed videos, philosophy and projects
-The Fibershed marketplace, and where you can purchase indigo seeds

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To everyone who left camera suggestions - thank you!   Now I need to process the info and make a decision.  Can't wait to play with an upgraded camera soon...  xo

      

somewhere off Sir Francis Drake

A mid-morning walk in the fresh air was a necessity today.  Ever wake up and start the coffee forgetting how many scoops you put in the pot?  That was me this morning and actually again this evening.  Twice in one day.  I would say mama's a bit on the foggy side.  Anyway, back to the walk.  We came across a friendly stranger on our path.  Daniel pulled a paper fortune from his wallet and left it at the strangers feet.  We're hoping for a mitzvah.

.......

I am looking to buy a new digital camera.  I have a point and shoot and would like to graduate to a modestly priced camera with detachable lenses.  Nothing fancy or complicated, just good quality.  Any suggestions?

who rules?

 Milo does.

.....

In keeping with my previous post,

a 4" gouache painting of Milo the philosopher king.

playing with my food

 

I see a textile design here.

Turkish textile from the Ottoman period, late 1600's

Oh wait, and there is.  A Turkish textile designed a long long time ago.

I heard they used tulips, carnations, and/or lotus flowers as inspiration.

Not Brussels sprouts. 

around here

hazy Mount Tamalpais from the deck

and a ragamuffin hangin' in the filtered sun light

.......

Hope you had a merry holiday ~

cheers and good wishes for the new year!

xo

 

E r m i e

the textile magic of Jennifer Parry Dodge

One of my first blog friends.  A creative spirit with endless ideas and talent.

.......

Ermie

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photos courtesy of Jennifer Parry Dodge

*   G  I  F  T   *

poet's wreath...crepe paper, wire, antique millinery stamen, kitty fur

a birthday gift for my mother-in-law.  a headdress for the poet.

 .....

*laurel leaves are used for poet's wreaths, as in "poet laureate"

but I chose to make mine of oak leaves

    

Stitching the sky

Lately the color of the chilly twilight looks very similar to the indigo cloth I hand dyed back in spring.  This inspired me to finally pick up the cloth that's been sitting on my sewing table and experiment.  I played around piecing squares together.  Turns out the stitches look a little like constellations.  And by the way...I have no idea where this is going, I'm just following an impulse and keeping my hands busy.

If you are interested in indigo seeds, plant-dyed yarns, wool for spinning, knitting patterns, etc...the Fibershed online shop is now open.  Oh and while you're at it check out the imaginative cyclocarder ! 

home away

At the end of the day after running errands I made my way up to 18th Street (SF) in perfect time for a cuppa jo.  The little white lights were turning on and the setting sun illuminating the buildings (I had to pull out my camera).  After absorbing what I could of the great outdoors I settled into the cafe and caught my breath.  The cafe, my cafe ... a sanctuary away from home.  A quiet corner of the universe free of crazed shoppers and tacky holiday music.