Berkeley Botanical Gardens with G'ma Dale.

Patterns galore...such a wonderful environment...inspirational, serene, full of  beauty

for more info on the UC Botanical Gardens, click here

Flora-bunda

A quick snap of a spring arrangement for Ratcliffe Architects front desk.
I sure hope they are ready for the Easter Bunny

A little carving perhaps? Day One

Starting a new project...to design, carve, and print some cards...
In the Linoleum block method.
One of the hardest parts is to come up with a design that will hold my interest for the whole process...
I looked to Florence Broadhurst, an Australian wallpaper designer who was popular in the 50's and 60's and was found murdered in 1977 ...whoa! unsolved murder as well...very tragic
But she was fabulous designer and my inspiration for this creative sojourn

Initial sketch

transferring image to block of linoleum...attempting to anticipate the thickness of the carved lines...

Carving has begun

...and continues

detail of the itty bitty carving spaces... haven't cursed myself out yet for the intricacies...yet

and to be continued on another day....gotta go make some money

Ginger at Gumps... Bridaluscious-Lalique table

This table is just plain ol' sweet.... a spring frolic.
Working with a very traditional pattern 'Gold Aves' by Royal Crown Derby, my intent was to ramp it up and take these golden birds to a less formal and more colorful place.
The effect is still quite traditional in its elements, but hopefully carries a nudge and a wink to make great grandmama smile

The look taking form...playing with different greens and eras

Found a great fabric at Britex for the chair covers.... ahhhh bliss, nothing like a pretty trellis pattern in a wacky green hue ;)

The Final look...

...a sweet garden planted up in the middle of the table, macaroon kabobs, beetle green capiz shell place mats, lavender sorbet bowls, fussy lacey gold napkin rings... and punctuated by a calligraphic flourish ...

Ginger at Gumps ;) - Bridaluscious part two. Table installation titled Angle of Repose

Here I wanted to create a scenario that would represent a couple that is comfortable with life and has lived with an ease that incorporates both the urban scene and the bucolic world of the Mendocino coastline...not the typical bridal registry client...hmmmm

The root balls were found in the back of the Gumps basement...a quirky score :)

First step...making a plan

making a bigger plan...again working with textures and a pop of color

Final look...large armchairs upholstered in vintage carpeting, hanging vine sculptures, stacks of books under the table help round out the look from top to bottom

Petrified wood slab, pewter trays, linen table runners,  hand painted napkins, and felted coaster/placecards...all about the texture

the calla lilies photographed pinker than they were in true...realistically a burnt pink, sumptuous

heres a detail of the felting process for the monogrammed pieces...initial layering of the wool

the felting process begins...warm water and soap

eh voila!

Ginger at Gumps...Bridaluscious... another year another play in pretty

This one is based on a new china pattern from Haviland 'Le Bresil'.... a yummy eclectic pattern based on the amazonian rain forest... a view that has been somewhat sprinkled with the sweetness filter.
The table was located at the front door of the Bridal event, so I  was a bit thwarted with my initial approach...to portray a somewhat 'Heart of Darkness' vision... dark brooding sexy gloomy with a little bit of the Teddy Roosevelt's amazonian conquering of the wild river thrown in...
Ah well...for the client...all those sweet brides to be.
So here are some depictions of the steps that happen in pulling together a look.

The bare bones of the look... working with adding some textures

Fleshing it out...playing with accessory pieces

The final look. A vision of sweetness at the front door...Coffee and Cognac anyone?

Beautiful flowers by Kathleen Deery

Snippets from the daily life with Craigy the Californian

Grill Meister is in town… need I say more?

Yup…the Capt is keeping up his beauty regime at the local nail joint.
A pedicure is in order, and catching up on who's doing who in Hollywood via a 2 month old PEOPLE mag

So... to complete the transformation… a morning juice consisting of Beets, Kale, Ginger, and Apples…sooooo good…at least I thought so, and considering that Craig didn't want seconds…I don't know…he might just be a Carolina boy after all.

Craigy the Californian …part 3… a Sunday at Muir Beach

Busy day …lots of babies and dogs… but weather was perfect…fog held off just long enough

A relaxing day at the beach with friends…Lucy and her visiting student, Niklas, Yolanda, Craig the Californian, and Rebel the dog…and me