Hunting with the talented Sarah Blasko

The fox is a group of 27 discreet species that are distantly related to wolves, coyotes and dogs — all from the canid family or Family Canidae. The fox, however, is not a dog, and cannot breed with a dog. It also cannot be tamed, and though these animals are quite attractive, they are not considered to be good pets, making both the owner and the pet miserable. via wise geek

Upcycled Brooches/Pins from ReRead. [If you're in Brisbane this Sunday, check out these pins, plus plenty more handmade goodness from Etsy Brisstyle members, at the Brisstyle Indie Designers Market. Full details here.]

Paying Attention

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean--
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down--
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention,
how to fall down into the grass,
how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed,
how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?

[The Summer Day by Mary Oliver]

Post inspired by three beautiful little girls who make sure I keep paying attention to the important things. Breathtaking photographs by Jacqueline Roberts in JPG Magazine.

Cushion/Pillow Covers from all corners of the globe. Small parcels = little postage. 1. Revision Design Australia 2. Bambina 3. Gabriel Pardo 4. Heidi Devlin Home

Better Gnomes and Gardens

Gorgeous website alert! Have a look at Alannah Hill. For more garden eye candy visit Erin's Art and Gardens.

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...

Headless Halloween Party n Giveaway

Welcome to the Sleepy Hollow Halloween Party. It’s scarey here, but there could be treats. What’s that? Shhhhhh… I hear a voice, a deep and tad menacing voice, drifting on the wind...

What fearful shapes and shadows beset his path, amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy night! With what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the waste fields from some distant window! How often was he appalled by some shrub covered with snow, which, like a sheeted spectre, beset his very path!

How often did he shrink with curdling awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet; and dread to look over his shoulder, lest he should behold some uncouth being tramping close behind him! and how often was he thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scourings! (from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving)

And as the headless rider rode off into the distance, he was heard to cry............

I think he’s dropped some treats from his saddle bag. Look there below, it’s magnets of cream and gold, and tags for writing your own cautionary notes. Mich from Mich Vanetta and Koot has provided this tempting giveaway.

To get your hands on these treats, see below. Don’t forget to leave a separate comment for each entry.
1 Entry – Leave a comment on this post
1 Entry - Follow this blog
1 Entry - Follow Mich’s blog
1 Entry – Visit one of Mich’s Stores, either Mich Vanetta or Koot and leave a comment with a link to your favourite item
3 Entries - Blog, tweet, facebook this giveaway and leave a link. Getting the word out gets you 3 entires! Go ahead and leave three comments. You can do this as many times as you want.

This giveaway is open worldwide and the winner will be chosen by random number generator on October 24th at 11pm etsy time.

Enjoyin the Halloween vibe? Want more? You're in luck as many bloggers are having Halloween Parties today thanks to our gorgeous host, Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist. Go visit Vanessa for links to the other party hosts. Happy Halloween!

WINNER! Congrats to Kathie from My Net Finds!