Aprons for Christmas

These are the aprons I made for my sister-in-law and niece for Christmas.  I wrapped up the smaller one and put it in the pocket of the bigger one, then wrapped them both together.  Why is it that when things are smaller they are so darn cute?  I could hardly stand it as I was sketching out the pattern for the smaller one.  And even as small as it is, my niece is still swimming in it...  Maybe she'll still be able to wear it when she's a little kid helping her mom cook in the kitchen and not just a toddler stirring up a bowlful of blocks with a salad tong...

Crows on Christmas Eve

I went for a walk along Ballona Creek on Christmas Eve, and came across hundreds of crows spending time on the cement banks and splashing in the water.  I stopped and took photos of them for a while.  I really love crows...

keep Oklahoma

I don't really think this note needs an explanation. It's just pretty much awesome.

A Wednesday at the Hospital

Chris had surgery on his wrist on Wednesday so I went with him to the Hospital in Santa Monica. Recovering from a gnarly stomach virus myself, I spent much of the day curled in a vinyl upholstered chair in a dismal waiting room with framed faded prints of tropical island beaches. I nibbled on saltines and took sips of ginger tea and drew a blue footed booby. The whole day was sort of surreal...

another Monday pattern

thanks, spoonflower.com!

So this is the print I made to brighten up my nieces room in a wall-hanging:

And this is the fabric swatch I got back from spoonflower.com, where they print fabric for you for a pretty reasonable price:

The colors got a little duller, but not bad! I have a feeling all the money I just got doing some freelance work is going to get funneled directly to these guys for a while.

pot o' gold

With movies like 'Zookeeper' and 'Smurfs' coming out of this place, I shouldn't be surprised that Sony Studios might just be the gold at the end of the rainbow...

birdz

late night

late night pattern

This was on my computer screen when I woke it up this morning, from a late night last night...

sketchbook session

I will make some sort of pattern out of this soon...

and also

I am in love with Trader Joe's. They didn't have them in Rhode Island and they didn't have them in Colorado which means that I have spent my adult life, so far, not knowing what I was missing. My sister-in-law predicts the love affair will fade within the next three years, but until it does I am pretty happy. The loot above cost me about $36. And that's raw almond butter in there, gluten free bread, sun-dried tomatoes marinated in olive oil, shaved asiago cheese, and three bags of salad greens. Plus a bunch more. And as if the food and prices aren't enough- the staff is so nice that I forget where I am and they sell cheap yummy sake. AND there's one walking distance from my house. *sigh*

I can't believe I live here now

Walking home from the grocery store I passed a fruit stand and couldn't resist. They certainly don't have these in Colorado. I pointed out what I wanted from the fruit he had in front of him and he proceeded to cut up pieces for me. Mango, melons, jicima, coconut, and cucumber. Topped with chili powder and freshly squeezed lime. For $5. I'm in love...

baby hippos for Xander

These are some baby hippos that I sketched for my friend Xander, who is 3. I am going to send them in a letter, because who doesn't love getting mail?

aaaach!

My house is infested with spiders. It's true. I've done a pretty good job tolerating them in the last couple years- I keep a plastic cup and postcard on hand to relocate the ones that I find that I decide I don't want around- they're too fast or too big or too hairy (shudder...). This morning I found this in my bathroom. I don't know what's going on here. I left it alone. I am hoping it will take care of itself and not be there the next time I go in. I am moving in 4 days, and then these spiders will be someone else's problem.