=:Happy Gifts:=

My first gift:

A few things from the ’80s

First, these two gorgeous people.  I found them in the photo album I’ve been scanning the last month.  He’s a drummer.  She’s an angel.

They’re older now, and have much better hair.  He was also the youngest LDS Bishop ever in his LDS ward.  Not then.  Later.  After the hair got better.

Second, the spirit of August.

I know it’s only March, but I figured we could use a little magic.  She is actually the wind.

The wind blowing.

The wind blowing in 1914 black and white (the world was not in color till some time in the 1950s and Gin is not 94 years old).

The wind, reading.

My second gift:

Literally—MY gift.  To me.  From Jeri, who lives across the street and has chickens, several of them, all of whom are in love with her husband.  She has several different kinds of chickens, but my favorite are the Aracunas.  Or Americunas.  Or whatever you call them.  They lay colored eggs.  Blue ones.  Green ones.   And she has a Plymouth Rock – which means brown eggs.  Lovely brown eggs that even run to dusty rose.

And Jeri brought me some.  Free, fresh, totally cool eggs that are sitting in a little crock (almost as good a word as “cobble”) in my fridge.  It is much harder to crack real eggs.  And the yolks are wonderfully dark yellow.  Just so you know.

My third gift:

Some totally cool links to interesting, charming, fascinating and some very beautiful places:

Cori has written some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read.  If you want heart and truth and charm, this is very good stuff.

Lindy is chronicling her artist’s journey.  This is a very nice piece with some yummy glimpses of her work.  She has a lovely spirit.

Quilting took a shot in the arm the day Sue  Spargo started her fabric and fiber and bead dance.  Here, you can see the fab detail of her designs.

And here, you can see Kelly’s work, too.  She has been inspired by Sue, and has contributed designs to a new book.  Her husband is a wood carver.  He’s got process shots of a sculpted horse’s head that are really interesting.

Wooliza is one of the places where you can find very charming needle felting.  I can’t remember if this is the shop or a blog, but whichever, it’s as fun as shopping, just looking.  And, of course, Lauri Sharp’s stuff.  Lauri is the nicest person.  I’m whining at her to come teach a felting class at my house, if she’s passing this way.  So if you’re interested in such a thing, let me know.  Not that whining every really gets me anywhere.

EmptyFridge.  This is a blog, and I am sending you to an entry that flatters ME.  Because I loved it.  And it made me feel wonderful.  And that’s not a bad thing, every so often.

Sproost.  This is a fun little site where you can take a what’s-your-interior-design-style quiz.  And look at some very cool interiors.

AllAroundUs.  Another beautiful blog by a person I do not know at all.  I don’t spend a lot of time just wandering around.  But sometimes I follow links on favorite blogs that lead me to other very cool people.  And sometimes I find people on Etsy, and follow them down to their blogs.  Like I did with the lovely Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits.

TownHall is a conservative sort of opinion place, but this article, Guy sent me – it’s how he feels about the Toyota thing, and I thought it was worth reading, too.

KathyCooper does Floor Cloths.  Trust me, these are SO COOL.  And I want to make one.  I want to make about five.

fadeeva is a Russian artist who does really stunning felt work.  I think she might work in other media, too.  But her wool sculpting is amazing.

Sam, my friend Marilyn’s husband, is an artist who can articulate the process.  He’s also silly as all get out. I’ve been reading his discussions of the mechanics of visual arts, and it’s been very intriguing and thought provoking.  If you’re interested in how a line becomes a communication, take a look.  The newest posts are a little more technical.  The older ones, a little more philosophical.

This video is about Haiti and the music behind it is an artist we’ve been working with for a long time now in the studio.  The video is strong, and the music is beautiful.

Mike McLean has started a blog based on a concept he has just written a book about – one that he has started building into his own life – it’s his Mission to Be Happy.  He’s such a good man, and I love his family.  This is a little insight into a pure heart that’s had a long, not so easy journey, and how he and his take life as a gift.  Well worth a read.

So anyway.  There are some things that might give you just a tiny vacation – eye candy, heart candy, a catharsis here, and inspiration there.  If you like any of these things, let me know, okay?  Because I’d love to talk about it.