Better Gnomes and Gardens

Gorgeous website alert! Have a look at Alannah Hill.

left to right 1. Terrarium from Memories Under Glass 2. Purse from The Dainty Squid 3. Clock from Blue Forest Chalet 4. The Gnomes Book of Christmas Craft from Red Hen Studios 5. Apron from Boojiboo 6. Pocket Gnomes from Lillipilli 7. Stitch Markers from Sunneshine 8. Pendant from The Pendant Factory 9. Vintage Teatowel from Modern Card

Vogue Feature 'Garden of Delights' featuring work from 1. Stephen Jones 2. Zac Posen 3. Oscar de la Renta 4. Marc Jacobs 5. Vera Wang 6. Philip Treacy Couture 7. John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture 8. Thakoon 9. Stefano Pilati 10. Nicolas Ghesquière 11. Manolo Blahnik 12. Christian Lacroix

and the journey continues...

Well the mri results are in. There are a few lesions in the white matter of the brain but not enough to give a multiple sclerosis diagnosis so I am verrry happy about that. The diagnosis is peripheral polyneuropathy – a condition that occurs when the peripheral nervous system becomes damaged. In my case, probably caused by my compromised immune system - previously testing positive to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, cytomegalovirus (all linked to nervous system damage) – together with the congenital bronchiectasis and resultant aggressive drug treatments particularly for the ‘TB family’ bacteria. In retrospect I know that this condition has been around for a number of years but the symptoms have been explained as anxiety, lung infections, overexertion, depression. Anyway most of the symptoms have settled down – still have the ice block feet. tingling and weakness in left hand, and burning tongue and throat – but I can cope with these. Maybe they’ll go away as well, who knows…I couldn't get any answers from the neuro except for everybody being different in their prognosis. Supposedly no cure but treatment for any symptoms that arise. But I'm relieved that the wait is over and just look forward to getting on with life and leaving the last few weeks...well the whole of this year really (except for the love I've shared with so many lovely people)...behind!

photo by Laurence Philomene

Neurological Short Circuit

Hello my dears. My apologies for not posting soon. I've been unwell ...and in shock...diagnosed with a neurological disease. I'm spending time with my family and have been having tests. Have a lovely competent neurologist and am hoping for slow dehabilitation. So, definitely will be back when things settle down with the medication. Look forward to it very much. My love to you all, Chrisy

Red rabbits are running amok...

'Chaos' Mixed Media Painting above, and words below from Saint Victor. His paintings, and his commentary, are spectacular. Go. Look. I know you'll enjoy them.

In this painting I represent Chaos as a gift as illustrated with the big red bow with Chaos sitting atop a crumpled purple cloth representing the fall of monarchies at the hands of the disenfranchised. Her striped clothes represent the cosmic tango between order and chaos, yin and yang, working together in evolutionary harmony. The tornado in the back- ground façade is the destructive force of nature which is not evil or punishment, it is simply a natural force of the planet we call home and chaos theory in the other panel represented as a seemingly unrelated series of events, equations or concepts that in retrospect reflect a highly organized pattern tied to a much bigger universal picture. She is shown with the attributes of the fertility god Pan, which was later demonized by the Church, in representing something life-giving as being condemned as evil. Above the façade we see the sunrise dawning as new possibilities and potential arising with every occasion of Chaos.

l to r: 1. Kaori’s Latex Dreams 2. Timeless Vixen Vintage 3. Me and Matilda 4. Jillian Pye 5. Soft Spoken 6. Hopelessly Devoted

Let's drift off...

Houseboat Photos and Vintage Clothing from left to right: 1. Snarky Platypus 2. Tractordog 3. The Vintage Closet 4. Akbar Simonse 5. Plaid Pony Vintage 6. Henk van der Eijk 7. Amsterdam Hotel and Travel 8. Vintage Funland 9. The Vintage Junkie 10. Todd Shots 11. adVintagous 12. Art Is Shit 13. Vonenska Vintage

Or maybe I need to dream bigger...

Weekend Loungin Formula

Flying carpets / rugs....they're out there...

from Ceccialdi

They're out there. Rugs zooming off to new owners. Not necessarily with little poppets hitching a ride, but flying about nonetheless. Yes a new rug is only a mouse click away. Have a look at these beauties from Buyster Rugs. They're not expensive. They follow ethical trading practices. And I can tell you from personal experience that their service is fantastic. Try CSN Rugs if you're in the US.

For more lovely rugs, real works of art, do a bit of mouse clicking over at Etsy. Left to right, Crocheted Rug from Sago on Tuesday, Faux Bearskin from Fringe Collection, Handwoven Recycled Wool Sweater Rug from Five Forty, Nunofelted Rug / Wallhanging from Vilte, Handpainted Floor Cloths from Dwagonflies

Of course you could whip up your own floor covering like these below. I know the next two aren't technically 'rugs' but I couldn't resist sharing these clever ideas. This first pic makes me yearn for a cement floored studio where I could splatter paint about.

Here's one that's been painted onto a wooden floor by clever Genevieve Gail, with some tips on doing your own.

Or paint a rug of your own in any design and color that your heart desires. In this one a piece of vinyl/linoleum is flipped, and painted on. There are instructions here if you want to try it yourself.

Whether your rug comes to you flying through cyberspace, or flying from your fingers, keep your landing pad cleared and ready! And if your still hangin about here from the Halloween Party and giveaway in the prior post, be careful taking off on your broom; there are obstacles about...