back to school

school started this week, and I'M STOKED!

with this heat the darkroom is really looking especially nice and cool!

hope you're staying cool

it's so hot!

We are having such a heat wave! All I want to do it nap with the cats. Sip iced tea and nap!

Is it really hot where you live too?

Just what the naturopath ordered

 Cary Pereryra is a Brooklyn-based herb florist that will make you a healing arrangement! I love this so much. Flowers and herbs are a bit more powerful than they usually get credit for, and to think that they also make such beautiful bouquets. It's a win-win!

(I learned of Cary through Gardenista. Have you visited it yet? It is absolutely wonderful and one of my daily reads)*

for you, Corinne

When a friend is very sad and has an overwhelming day ahead of them, you leave them some flowers on their doorstep. It's just what you do.

2 Things:

pic. 1

pic. 2

Firstly, my dear friend Claire sent pic. 1 my way right at that precise moment when I needed a little lifting and boy am I glad that she did---> this beautiful weaving of flowers and leaves and branches set off explosions in both my heart and mind! See it here.

and

The really lovely and exquisitely well read Wilder Quarterly also has an equally divine site that posts such inspired and wildly posts. Have you visited it? Go and get your fill! Now is the perfect time to dry your summer herbs, and why not make a garland of it and set it up in your living room while they dry? Do you know how good it will smell and how your walls will thank you for the instant lift? I love this!

Natural Dye workshop with Krissy Morrison

Krissy knows exactly what she's doing. Very inspiring indeed...

Colour Plantae is her line/business/work

incredibly happy that Cheri could be here for this workshop

very sphinx & the milky way

some of the usual suspects...

This past Thursday was the last of the workshop series that I created: Midsummer Nights Crafts, all held at the incredibly encouraging Shelter Half. I have to say, it truly was a superlative note to end on! Krissy Morrison of Colour Plantae lead an extremely inspired and informative class on the process of natural dyeing and the capabilities that can come from this ancient and gentle practice. Walnuts, elderberries and sourgrass, all hand harvested and transformed into batches of dye. The results were absolutely awe-inspiring and stunning. I couldn't believe how beautiful all the different patterns and colors came out;  all so unique with such vibrant colors. My affinity for plants and nature are of such paramount importance to me, and to think that this could all come from the earth in such an noninvasive manner really has my full attention and interest. It is a such a peaceful process and extremely gratifying. Thank you so much Krissy for sharing your knowledge and skill with us and for doing so with such grace and lightness. You are a breath of fresh air. And thank you Shelter Half for allowing me to hold a space for these workshops in your incredibly fostering space.

check out more here!

teeny dried flower/leaf mobiles

and some actual work that has been done (sometimes I spend a tad bit too much time foraging and not necessarily making...oh yes there is a difference).

Hunting & Gathering

 

I'm collecting for inspiration for a new project that I have been commissioned to make. I'm very excited about this one...

images from here.

Hanging String Gardens!

vogue

the lovelies!

thank you again Stefani for these delicious treats*

one of my favorites: staghorn fern

Last Thursday I taught the kokedama workshop at Shelter Half and I had such a lovely time. It was the third of the Midsummer Nights Crafts series (the last one is this Thursday!). Firstly, the loveliest bunch showed up and after quick introductions, I was impressed with how quickly they dove right in to get their hands dirty! Secondly I was further impressed with how adeptly everyone picked up the kokedama-making craft! They made such beautiful ones and with such ease and grace. It was so much fun and there was a wonderful dynamic between the group. A little bit of magic sprinkled here and there, genuine laughs in between bites of a buttery summer berry cake and good tunes playing on the record player made this a stellar workshop indeed! Check out more here.

*thank you Sara, Hannah, Kelly C., Stephanie, mom, Ken, Vivi, Kelly, Ava, Angie and Stefani! you were truly a brilliant class*

Contemporary Slow by HVD

A peek into Hermine Van Dijck's new handmade book. I want one!

Hanging String Garden Workshop

Time to make your own kokedama (hanging string garden)! I am holding the third Midsummer Nights Crafts workshop tomorrow at Shelter Half and it's going to be a lot of fun. Records, summer cake and light refreshments + always great conversations! Come and get your hands dirty!

more info here

161 S. La Brea

7 - 9:30pm

$65

* don't forget to rsvp at info@shelterhalf.com *

Away we went

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop

Porcupine Peak, Yosemite

Yosemite

one tired pupsicle!

me and my bao, taking a nap under the birch trees after a picnic and swim in the lake!

peeking out from our tent

Mono Lake

Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite

wildflowers of Yosemite---took everything in me to not pick them

I am so grateful to California and all her graceful beauty. It is so massive. Our road-trip last week was incredibly awe-inspiring and liberating (no cell reception). Nothing puts things into perspective quite like a return to nature, don't you think? I also have never swam in as many lakes, so clean, fresh and turquoise blue, than I did on this trip. Mother Nature, I love you. 

Wild lupine, mountain pennyroyal, larkspur, clover, phlox and poppies were in bloom in all the meadows and fields...it really was breathtaking. If only I could have a wildflower pop-up shop there...