fancy framework

a progression of presents

a/ptr

http://aperturecinema.com/

 This wonderful nonprofit arts cinema in downtown Winston shows excellent independent films on four screens seven days a week.  You can have a cider, beer or wine with popcorn or candy, browse through books about film in the lounge area, and see such memorable movies as 13 Minutes, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Darkest Hour. It's one of the gems of Winston, and an incredible treat to have nearby.

hanging in there

iridescent insulation

Natural pearls are formed inside the shells of oysters when grains of sand get inside and cause irritation.  Oysters can't get rid of the particles, so they cover them with layers of a strong, smooth substance called nacre, which makes pearls.  Associated with the moon, honesty and purity, the pearl is June's birthstone.  In ancient China, pearls were believed to protect against fire and fire-breathing dragons.  In ancient Vedic texts, pearls are born from the Earth's water and the heaven's powers, fertilized by a flash of lightning!
  

it's that time of year again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re5xGtGUh5M

BEST cookie

My neighbor came by last night with his five kids happily buzzing like bees around him handing out plates of homemade cookies to all the neighbors.  All the cookies were covered in bright colors of frosting, so it cracked me up when the two youngest kids pointed to the gingerbread man and shrieked, "You got the BEST one!"

merry maker's mart

 It was a fun afternoon at Krankie's Craft Fair in the Wake Forest Biotech Place with over 70 artists and craftspeople selling handmade items.  Here are a few goodies I especially wanted to share:

  beautiful mug by Warren Moyer
www.sawtooth.org/classes/ceramics

charming cards by Orange Peel Press

www.etsy.com/shop/OrangePeelPress

interesting hand carved wooden spoons by Mtn. Momma Spoons

www.etsy.com/shop/MtnMommaSpoons

Wintergatan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&feature=share

Martin Molin built this amazing programmable marble music machine that uses over 3000 parts and 2000 marbles to trigger vibraphone, bass guitar, cymbal, kick drum, high hat and snare drum sounds using contact microphones. Hannes Knutsson's video beautifully captures the clean wintry feel of the fun tune, "Marble Machine."

simply sparkling

Every year for as long as I can remember, Auntie Julie gets the "best Christmas card" award, and here is another good one.

round up

a really good idea

RIP Megan Alsdorf

May 20, 1978-December 6, 2017

 the strongest person I ever met

I'll not forget the things you taught me

the fun times we had together

and your deep love for animals.

wee treasures sweet pleasures

Artomat machines are cigarette machines that have been repurposed to vend art. In Winston-Salem Clark Whittington created the brilliant idea, and he has over 100 machines in the US (plus one in Austria!) showing off wonderful wee works of art by over 400 artists.  For $5 you can buy a small block or box of handmade art such as a darling small purse or a real looking olive keychain.  My sweet friend Susan sent me one she got long ago, an amazing cast saltine cracker!

http://www.artomat.org/

 juice box Tetrapak by Mohan Mukhoty, Berlin, Germany

 earthenware Olive on the Go by Kelly Rush, Lincoln, Nebraska

 

 pewter Cracker by Herbert Hoover, New York City, New York

two special greetings

Are you ready for the holidays?  Here are two funny old-fashioned paper greetings to send to special people. The child doesn't look too thrilled but will probably have a grand time when he gets out of his teapot and opens all his presents!  Pulling on the tab under the bird lifts its wings, he's surely ready!

super moon

Last night the sky was all cloudy and the super moon lit everything up in the wee hours like it was day.  It was an interesting effect though you couldn't see the moon at all. Tonight it's totally clear, and at its perigee 16,000 miles closer than usual, the super moon is looking even lovelier.

cozy quiet soft sweet and still

 I brought home two sweet little pots of ferns from the charming shop House of Plants, and they will most likely do well in the natural afternoon light in the kitchen. The homemade hanging pot with wire hanger was waiting to be filled and makes a perfect cozy home for the ferns with a similar quietude to other wonderful afternoon things like soup and bread and books and naps.

mysterious architect

thankful for creative people who leave the extra tip

shades of white

I got a mattress tonight so the twin is ready for slumber parties! This got me in the mood for fun puffy ticking, and so here are some yummy details of interesting stretch knits and wovens.