I'm Giving Away through BUBBYANDBEAN

Checkout BubbyandBean.com just in time to celebrate 2012 win a giveaway of TWO 8x10 or 8x12 prints from my etsy store (clementseye.etsy.com). It is a fabulously clever blog I know you'll love. She also puts together some really wonderful give-aways!!!! GOOD LUCK!

bubbyandbean.com

Favorites.... just a few days late!!!

Sorry for the delay of this posting. I've been neck deep in "Nutcracker-world" since last Monday... 
This "Favorites" entry is shining a strong spotlight on one amazing company instead of a few items that I love. I must disclose that I have purchased their hats and know how incredible they are -

My Favorite is (drumroll).....

Jannio

Jannio is a collaboration of two women artists living and working in the French countryside near Bordeaux.  Dear friends, Isabelle is a schoolteacher and Janine is an English expatriate and textile artist.  The felting of wool is an ancient art, updated by Janine and Isabelle with the technique of nuno-felting, which adds silk or another delicate fabric between the merino layers, allowing the subtle pattern of the fabric to show through.  Jannio uses the softest and finest merino to create these wearable works of art.  A full line of their chic rasta caps, lovely hats, and darling berets featuring girls' faces can be found at Tea with Gigi on facebook.  

Contact Lara for pricing and more information.  

gigimcg27@gmail.com  

352-315-1122 <tel:352-315-1122> 
The latest styles at 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tea-with-Gigi/246500062053991

Isabelle and Janine themselves.  Isabelle is a French woman and schoolteacher who taught Janine, an English textile artist, the ancient art of felting and nunofelting.  I will forward you what I wrote in a brochure I just made for my stores that sell their hats.

The hats are fun and beautiful and whimsical and just, well, perfect. They have a style for everyone and will even create them for people like me with a big melon! They also accommodate very curly, thick hair so that you don't get unsightly hat-head! Did I mention they are French? Well they are, and that makes them even more chic in my opinion. Here are a few of their lovelies but be sure to check out their entire collection. Deck yourself out for the holidays!

The Colette rasta by Jannio of France in soft felted merino.  The pattern of the fabric can be seen subtly and blends beautifully with the fuzzy merino.  Warm, soft, lightweight, and chic, Colette is a hat that will turn heads.

 In creamy white with tiny grey pindots, the Maybelle rasta is lightweight, ultrasoft, and warm.  A chic felted flower dresses up Maybelle and has all eyes on you.  A winter hat from Jannio of France.

In incredibly soft felted merino with needlefelted touches, Scarlett & Her Red Bird is adorable coming and going.  A warm and luscious winter hat, Scarlett is lightweight enough for Southern climates and warm enough for Northern states.   

Contact Lara for pricing and more information.  

gigimcg27@gmail.com  

352-315-1122 <tel:352-315-1122> 

The latest styles at 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tea-with-Gigi/246500062053991

Holiday House Cleaning

    

I get very reflective this time of year. I guess everyone does, or at least hope that they do. The closets get over hauled, the exercise route gets tweaked, the general life wellness plan gets put on paper. Some, or all, of these may just be a fleeting fancy that doesn't stick... but some does and that can be life altering.

I've decided that my photography needs a little kick in the pants, so I'm having a sale in my shop on etsy. I'm looking at it as a "clean house" time. Let go of the images that need retired and start some new series that stretch my creative skills. So, let me know what you think. What images work for you, and by WORK, I mean make you think, feel, do something both good and bad. I have always felt that art should make you feel something, talk about something. The pieces that don't get to feel the love are going to be thanked for their loyalty and archived in the portfolio.

Thanks for your help with this cleansing process. I've always been bad at editing myself. And have a great time with your own reflecting or purging, or maybe a bit of both.


xo - h

It's Favorites Time Again

Some are etsians and some are just super cool things that would be perfect for a gift for a loved one OR a "from Me to Moi" gift for those of you that KNOW you have be EXTRA special but a bit under appreciated this year!


#1 The Prettiest Jump Rope EVER

#2 A beautiful boat to sail away in by Ann Wood

  This is the eleventh in a small series of signed and numbered paper mache sailboats made from recycled cardboard (mostly cereal boxes), newspaper, vintage buttons and found and salvaged fabric. Each boat comes with 2 merry wobbler passengers and a bit of ballast for smooth sailing. Measures approximately 10 X 12 inches.

#3 Meet Me in Paris Bracelet

One of many fantastic designs by BuyMyCrap.etsy.com
You can even order custom designs of ALL of your boyfriends to wear all together or one at a time.


around $48.00

#4 Recycled Pencils by Write with Moxie
In this day and time of ever expanding, there is something very special about putting pencil to paper. The idea of having the ideas and creativity pour out of you in your own handwriting is a beautiful thing that I think should be preserved.

These are the ideas I took into consideration when starting Write with Moxie. By putting our own take on an ordinary pencil, we hope to bring back to art of writing in a modern eco-friendly way.


#5 The Lampshade for the "COOL FRIENDS" house

By designer Kate Boyce
Inspired by a light hearted look at the suburban landscape of Middle-England.
The designs are a combination of photographic imagery with scans of floral fabric from the 70’s and 80’s. The designs are printed with fade resistant inks on a high quality tear-proof paper which allows light to filter through beautifully. Finished with a protective polymer lacquer to deter dust and allow gentle sponge cleaning and topped of with a velvet trim over a professional rolled edge binding.

Large size - 45cm in diameter. 32cm high.






 












#6 Then there is always a great piece of art... It doesn't have to be expensive and it is such a wonderfully personal and can be intimate gift. For example there is "The Butterfly Releaser" by Elle Moss that makes you think and discuss and wonder...

Or one that takes you away from a cold dreary day in the depths of winter and reminds you that summer will arrive again...
It just so happens to be taken by me. It's ok to like your own work sometimes! It's titled Escape and can take you to a white sandy beach in the Bahamas if you squint just right.




So enjoy these few trinkets that will make your holidays brighter and have a wonderful weekend!

Back from Hiatus

I know I've been a bit absent lately... I apologize. Here is a treasury that features moi and I feel is a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the season.

What do you see in your life?

Etsy Artists Du Jour

I recently have be REALLY looking at the artists' work on etsy. There is some serious talent out there. So I thought I'd feature a few today and show you what I feel is so amazing.

Matthew Bull at matthewbull.etsy.com from Folkestone, England. He has a gorgeous view of the world and it shows a thoughtfulness and serenity. 

Lost in the Memories of the Sands

The next is an adorable mug by Lisa Townley at LLTownleyCeramic.etsy.com She creates these thoughtfully useful items that will make you smile on a regular basis and it doesn't get much better than that especially if it's FULL of fabulous coffee! Yes, I do love me a good cup o' joe in the morning, or really any time of day.

caffeine mug

Ok, and finally just in time for holidays and deck the halls and kissing pretty girls under the mistletoe I bring you thebakersdaughter.etsy.com and owner, NancyAndrews creating beautifully sparkly and refreshing things for your holiday season. These acorns or just divine and a must have! Yes, I said it, a MUST HAVE!

Set of 30 acorn bowl fillers

Happy Halloween

Nothing is ever as simple as a trick or a treat... it's a tricky treat or a luscious trick. Enjoy Halloween, embrace your inner child.

Friday Favorites

I was given this candle by my sister a few years ago for my birthday. You burn it and find yourself noticing a great smell but you can't put your finger on what it is. It's natural and wonderful and complex and solid. It also last FOREVER! My sister loves them so much that it is my go to present for her. It goes back to a rule my mother taught me... 

"Always give a gift that you would love to receive yourself!"

Cire Trudon
Balmoral Candle

$80.00

After the rain, mist rises from the plains in an earthy haze. Wet ferns, young plants and meadows... under the green sun, already draining the storm, they surrender their herbaceous vapors to the passing wind. This vegetable-based wax candle with pure cotton wick is biodegradable, allergen free and contains no pesticides. Housed within a beautiful glass vessel.

Martha Stewart Pumpkin carving kit

I bought this kit YEARS ago. WAY before I thought of having children so more than ten years ago, I just pulled it out to carve our pumpkins with both of my daughters. In fact I love this so much I may get a second one so we can carve pumpkins twice as fast! It's that perfect. No plastic bending here! Exacto knife blades, linoleum carvers and metal and wood tools. Well worth the money!

Tarte Vitamin Core Lipstick

I am always looking for the perfect lipstick. One that looks good on me, not too much, doesn't look like I'm trying too hard, doesn't smell weird, feels good on my lips and doesn't cost $50 per tube. I don't feel that is an unreasonable list of requirements! Well, here are two that fit that bill, both from Tarte so all natural, feels like a moisturizer and the color is chameleon like. Sheerer than it looks but not TOO sheer.Now only $8 at Sephora

I have Zen and Revive and I love them both!

The Lyre of Nature

Thank you to Nora's Necessity for introducing me to the Lyre Bird. It's incredible!

This gorgeous bird can mimic ANY sound it hears and loves to show off with it as well.

"A lyrebird's call is a rich mixture of its own song and any number of other sounds it has heard. The lyrebird's syrinx is the most complexly-muscled of the songbirds, giving the lyrebird extraordinary ability, unmatched in vocal repertoire and mimicry. Lyrebirds render with great fidelity the individual songs of other birds and the chatter of flocks of birds, and also mimic other animals, human noises, machinery of all kinds, explosions, and musical instruments. The lyrebird is capable of imitating almost any sound — from a mill whistle to a cross-cut saw, and, not uncommonly, sounds as diverse as chainsaws, car engines and car alarms, fire alarms, rifle-shots, camera shutters, dogs barking, crying babies, and even the human voice. Lyrebirds are shy birds and a constant stream of bird calls coming from one place is often the only way of identifying them and their presence."

(www.wikipedia.com) 

90 minutes... that's all

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought you might like reminder of how easily you can make a huge difference. My fourth grader's class volunteers 4 students a week to help with lunch at a neighborhood soup kitchen. Her first day was Tuesday this week. Volunteers cook a meal of soup, salad, main course (meat loaf, green beans and mashed potatoes in this case) and dessert for the guest, some of Charlotte's homeless population . The also get coffee and milks and juices and sit at a table and be served, like in a restaurant. The volunteers are the "servers" they take orders and get the food for the diners. This week it was four girls, a chaperone and myself from our class with other volunteers. They did such an amazing job. They were so short staffed that the girls all had to fly solo. They were nervous and a little scared. They had never "met" a homeless person before. The director shared that if they had not been there we probably couldn't have served restaurant style. They would have had to wait in line and many would not get to eat because of the time allotment. 
The girls met some really wonderful people that day, as did I. There was one table that really took all of us by surprise. A family walked in with three children under the age of 5 and it broke our hearts. The girls lost a little bit of innocence that day, but they gained a perspective of people and an appreciation of the world that they live in. Everyone can't wait to help again. My daughter even wants to get up at 7 to help cook before school starts next week. 
I am so proud of all of the girls, they made a difference this week in a large group of people's lives.

We are helping this soup kitchen for Thanksgiving this year as a family. I'm not saying everyone should do that but at least bake them a pie to serve or a couple of dollars to help out. It makes a difference and sets an amazing example for the next generation.

A COOL GIVEAWAY FROM BUBBLY and BEAN

Bubbly and Bean is a really fabulous blog that I follow. They are having a fun giveaway that I thought I'd pass along. I actually won something from a blog giveaway one time so check it out, you might win!

October GIVEAWAY >> Win $120 Worth of Goodness!

I'm so excited to announce October's group giveaway!  You can win a prize package of goodness from several of Bubby and Bean's amazing October sponsors - worth $120! 

Going Green

I love green, especially chartreuse-y green. Here's a treasury I made this morning.

clementseye.etsy.com for more

Favorite Things #2

This is a really amazing car by PLAYSAM. It's a "kids" toy, BUT it's sleek and cool and feels so great in  your hands.

This PLAYSAM Streamliner Formula 1 car in black designed by PLAYSAM Sweden and crafted in wood is a great gift for anyone aged 3 - 93. Comes beautifully packaged in an elegant gift box.  

I'm in the process of buying my dream camera and after seeing the amazing "camera wall" in my blog posted yesterday (Surround Yourself with Things You Love) I've gotten all nostalgic. I still have my first camera, Canon AE-1 Program, that was given to me for my 10th birthday to take my first trip to England and Scotland with my grandparents. I love it. The feel of it. The look of it. Even just the thought of it. So, yes I'm SO EXCITED about my new camera, but I have a love and passion for my good old friend, the film camera. If you are just learning to create images I would highly recommend an old school film camera to really understand how it all works together and appreciate the beauty of it.







As fall is all around us I pulled out my fall favorite nail polish. It's a chameleon. It doesn't look like anything special, sort of brown a little grey, BUT put it on with purple and it is transformed to an amazing silver grey. Or a lush brown with a chocolate brown sweater. Or khaki-ish with a great beige or white. I've even gotten my Florida Mother who has had coral colored nails as long as I can remember to take the leap. She LOVES it!!!

My last favorite is more of a DREAM list item. I am IN LOVE with these boots. They are so hip and cool and completely impractical that you MUST love them. By Hasbeen. 

Surround Yourself with the Things You Love

image from http://number-nineteen.blogspot.com

I'm now officially trying to create this in my office. I LOVE old cameras, and I LOVE photography, it would make me so very happy to be able to sit there and look at them for inspiration. What inspires you? Do you surround yourself with it?

All about the Romance today

Check out some of my favorite creators' treasures...

We All Could Do More #2

Periodically, I think we all need reminded...
I know that a little reminder every once in a while of how fortunate I am. I have beautiful, healthy children, a wonderful husband that I still adore 18  years after our first date, a budding career that I love, I'm healthy, my family (for the most part) is healthy and loving, and I have the most fabulous friends on the planet! So, when Susan threw out that she was looking for an image to donate and create into a limited edition notecard set where all of the proceeds will go to the Somalia Relief Fund, I was all for it. I just got the link yesterday that they are up and ready for purchase. 
If you don't help here, just help someone today either financially or physically. Appreciate how fortunate you are!

Blank Notecards, 100% to Somalia famine relief, 3 sets of 4 cards each, different pics, different photographers, matching envelopes SET ABC