headtohead

these are cute.

2009-09-29T05:34:00.000+02:00

i am loving these new
shoes.
they button up at the back.

welcome back

2009-09-20T19:15:00.000+02:00

home .................

Hope all is well with you - I often think of you..

Sara

mmmmm

2009-08-11T00:13:00.000+02:00

Maraschino cherries,
from Italy. They are
tiny, delicious and sweet
but not sugary.
No red food colouring.
the possibilities
are truly endless !

mmm.

2009-08-02T10:30:00.000+02:00

whether you're frosty
or chilly: these beverages
are so delicious & fruity.

pretty package

2009-07-31T00:32:00.001+02:00

while it's not meant to be
an easter time package;
this wrapping & presentation
reminds me of an
Easter treat.

snoozing.

2009-07-29T22:28:00.001+02:00

fuzzy greetings from the poodle and i

2009-05-08T00:13:00.000+02:00

Greetings, from the
Knitting Companion.
We're beside the fire place
keeping warm.

a welcome sight ....

2009-05-04T23:09:00.000+02:00

a sight for sore eyes. flowers are always welcome.

love from the oven

2009-05-01T01:07:00.001+02:00

my chum has
started to bake and cook again.
this is a good sign.
for both of us.

happy wishes for December

2008-12-08T18:27:00.001+01:00

it's rare that i get to
see the Knitting Companion laying
on his back, in such a state of
utter relaxation.

Best wishes for the Christmas season.

one of my favourite cups

2008-09-19T20:27:00.002+02:00

i love this little cup and saucer.
the cup isn't very big - and doesn't keep
your drink hot for a long time - but it
is a marvellous cup. Whimsical and
a joy to use. and the saucer is just the
perfect size to hold a few biscuits !

hello from Knitting Companion

2008-08-18T22:56:00.000+02:00

table equals desk

2008-08-17T13:54:00.000+02:00

let's have a little drink together

2008-08-01T02:17:00.001+02:00

sometimes, when everything
is bad and getting ... well, not any
better at all....
you discover something
nice.
Say hello to "st-germain". a lovely drink.
let's have a little drink together.

Tchin, tchin !

from the fuzzy guy

2008-07-25T18:30:00.000+02:00

another planet

2008-03-17T21:49:00.002+01:00

I am so sorry that things are not as you thought - life in another country can be tough, isolating and damn well bloody strange . -

take it from me - I know and understand..........

exactly how you feel ..........

from one who has lived in a twilight world for the past 9 years .......... a world where one just doesnt belong ................ or feel at home ..........

but then we always have our friends to keep us in touch and alive .........

furry or otherwise ...........

without them - I would have gone mad ............

I understand ..............really........... I do understand

Zaz ;-)

helloooooooooo

2008-03-14T06:13:00.003+01:00

i feel like i've been
transported to another planet.
and in many ways: i really have been.

one day this will probably be a big blur.
right now - it's all just pretty raw.
and not pretty.

on a good note, my fuzzy
guy has adapted well to his ultra
urban surroundings. he's made new
friends.

new journeys

2007-11-10T12:52:00.001+01:00

we are both on the path of new journeys my friend.................... yours to a new country , new house, new life

mine is a new job, another new house possibly next spring, and a new life style for me with a retired husband...........

where will these paths take us ? life will be different - but isnt that what life is all about? we all need changes - enforced or otherwise - life would be so boring without that.

one thing is not changing though - we will still meet over the net - you and me - friends through a modern medium - not the ''pop in for coffee'' type friends but friends who are just ''there'' and who just ''understand'' how life can suddenly throw up these little blips that make us stop and rethink strategies.

You may be in sunny San Francsico and me in frozen cold Sweden but together we are artists who are joined together through our art ............... one day we might just meet - and drink that coffee ..............what a day that will be!

At the start of your journey I wish you all the love in the world that you will stay open minded and happy - continue to make your art - and will always be ''my friend''...................

oh, my sore head

2007-10-29T14:36:00.001+01:00

in only two weeks the Knitting Companion and i will be
moving from our home in Montreal, Quebec
here in Canada
to the city of San Francisco, California in the USA.

there is still so much to be worked out and arranged.
not to mention my tons of "things" that have to
be sorted out.

oh - and legal arrangements are not finished either.
You can imagine that i have a constant headache these
past two weeks.

big move ahead

2007-10-23T00:19:00.000+02:00

The Knitting Companion and i will be moving
our lives and art to the other side of the continent.
We'll be three time zones away from here by
this time next month. We will start our driving-trip
in just a couple of weeks. It will be a whole new life.

hello from Canada

2007-10-05T23:54:00.000+02:00

my fuzzy companion and
i are Loving this ultra-warm autumn.
it's quite rare that we have summer time temperatures
this late in the year. it's been in the mid 20's (celcius)
all september, and now for october as well.

autumn in montreal

2007-10-05T23:52:00.000+02:00

the leaves there in Montreal
have begun to change colour ... it won't
be long now until they're creating a multi coloured
carpet below our feet.

my dear friend:

2007-09-25T00:50:00.000+02:00

Congratulations on the Start of your Degree course.
Your journey will be wonderful.

2007-09-19T19:01:00.001+02:00

CLASP was Fabulous !

i'm so glad i was
able to attend.

wow !

catching up

2007-09-08T16:26:00.001+02:00

A long time ago
i signed up for a conference.... i think we spoke about it in the winter
or the spring.

the conference in Denver, USA starts
next week. 3 days. it costs an arm & a leg.
I hope i get a lot out of this - i really need a kick start
and some business knowledge.

Here's the Link
for the Conference. It's called "clasp".
it's for jewellery artists/ designers/ makers.

images from montreal summer

2007-09-08T16:21:00.000+02:00

Received this lovely little skein
of silk last month from a friend.
what a marvellous and exciting gift !
Lucky Me. it's not a very big skein but she
promises that if i make it Narrow enough
there will be enough silk to knit a little scarf.

took myself to the museum of fine arts last month. It's SO close, why
do i wait so long ??
and, yes, this is a sculpture of a cow, outside the museum.

Little fuzzy boy enjoying the quiet, warm summer afternoon.

a visual catch up

2007-09-07T16:29:00.000+02:00

a few things
have happened this summer.
None of them were actually
work .... not even work related, i suppose.
I'm trying not to dwell on beating myself
up for the Not work issues.

but i do have some new socks completed.
Yes, they're for me.

the brown pair is knit with "lorna's Laces" and the
skein that's showing still in it's bag is Opal's cotton
blend. A lovely cotton/wool blend that still has enough
bounce. I don't like knitting with 100% cotton. And i'm
not a fan of 100% cotton Socks, either.
Below you can see a little swatch
i made with some Wonderful silk yarn. it's 100% silk,
and Helen C has some of this yarn too!
i have made a little hat - perfect for autumn & spring.
I've yet to start a scarf with the silk that's left over. I know
it will feel wonderful to wear and the colours of mauve
and lilac are rich and so luscious.

This is quite an event:
i actually read a book . A whole book. A book
without any pictures, diagrams, illustrations or photos.
I used to be an avid reader until 15 years ago. I stopped because
the time i spent reading, i wasn't "doing" anything else.
No art, no designing .... nothing of my Own.
I'm sure you understand. it's hard to describe.
This book was
so well written, and if you
decide to pick up a novel, i highly recommend this one.

denver -

2007-07-30T20:39:00.000+02:00

it won't be long now .... Denver USA in september:

garden update

2007-06-25T15:20:00.001+02:00

the garden is full of life again.

little update

2007-06-24T20:37:00.000+02:00

this is big news.
i've signed up. and booked my hotel.

This coming september, i'll be in the USA at a conference:

width=283 height=283 border=0 alt="clasp" />

spring time in Montreal

2007-06-09T16:00:00.000+02:00

hello from Montreal - this
image was taken just
a few weeks ago,
down town.

This is a marvellous quote

2007-06-07T23:48:00.001+02:00

"One thing life has taught me:
if you are interested,
you never have to look for new interests.
They come to you.
When you are genuinely interested in
one thing, it will
always lead to something else."

Eleanor Roosevelt

the sun is out

2007-04-20T21:10:00.000+02:00

spring has been on the calendar
for a month already.
but snow has an almost constant
visitor this month.
Today the sun is out. Spring is here.
the snow is working hard at becoming a mere memory.

even though we had a nasty weather-week, now
It's warm enough now to sit outside without shivering.

there were no posies for easter in Montreal

2007-04-11T06:24:00.000+02:00

We had a lot of fresh snow
in time for Easter Weekend
here in montreal.

I knew you'd understand.

some Recent Updates

2007-04-08T22:10:00.000+02:00

a few photos to update
you with my life.
Since the first of the month,
we've had fresh snow. Several times.
Here, you can see the
view from my hotel room
recently, in Quebec City.
it's four hours drive from my city. and they'd just
had 35 cm of fresh snow the day before my arrival.

For my birthday, i received some
lovely silk/cotton yarn, that i've been
making into a springtime scarf.
Perfect for those days when you don't need your
winter coat - yet it's cool enough to warrant
something with your Spring time coat.
Something other than a big Wooly scarf.

Last week, just before our most RECENT
snow fall, i bought myself this tiny pot
of daffodils, for my kitchen window sill.
A nice reminder of Spring.
Especially nice to look upon since we've had
over 12 cm of snow since then!

we have Marmelade

2007-03-27T16:43:00.000+02:00

Marmelade.
Marmalade.
One is english & one is french. I can never
keep them straight. It doesn't matter though.

My guy made Marmelade this month.
it's fabulous and delicious.
So fresh & vibrant tasting.

this is too wonderful to keep to myself

2007-03-27T12:40:00.000+02:00

"Now then, you of noble mind,
who love this profession,
come at once to art
and accept these precepts: enthusiasm
(love), reverence, obedience, and perseverance."

(Cennino Cennini, 1370-1440)

Marvellous book

2007-03-26T16:42:00.000+02:00

I Love this book.
Do you know it ?
by Judith Viorst.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Einstein Coat

2007-03-10T19:46:00.000+01:00

This is the fluffy, soft
wool/mohair yarn i am using
for my Einstein Coat.
Not much progress to show you,
but at least the coat has
been started. This will take a lot
of knitting before it's ready to wear.

I really want to finish a pair of socks soon.
Since it's still peak sock-wearing season,
i have such motivation.

domestic views from Canada

2007-03-10T19:34:00.000+01:00

still lots & lots of snow outside.
But i'm fine with that. I don't want rain
or very high temperatures. I want it to melt
slowly.
Otherwise, we'll just have Lots of ice.
it's too cold at night not to have any rain
turn into glass.

tonight, we move our clocks ahead
one hour for the Earliest Daylight Savings Time
that Canada has ever had.

Today, i share with you some views from
my kitchen.

• A Bonne Maman jam jar makes an excellent
holder of English teabags. (Taylors of Harrogate)

• My "vat sized" mug for
times when i want an awful lot of tea.
I love the Cave Paintings on this mug.

• Finally, two chocolate delicacies from Italy.
Purchased at the lovely italian
shop at the end of my street. They turned out
to be chocolate Eggs inside.
A special for Easter Season!
yum.

italian views

2007-03-09T16:11:00.000+01:00

worth sharing.

we had some snow

2007-03-07T18:47:00.000+01:00

thank goodness i didn't have to shovel
anyone else's snow. our snow was enough.
See how small the Knitting companion looks
in all that snow !

Workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

2007-03-03T21:16:00.000+01:00

The museum
of contemporary arts, here in my city,
is holding workshops
for adults.
Have a look at this link.
Scroll down for "Creative Tuesdays".

I've signed up for a few of them.
My first one will be on March 13th.
I don't know what we'll be doing.
And it really doesn't matter right now.
I think i need some new stimulation.

what does friday look like ?

2007-03-02T22:40:00.000+01:00

from my house,
friday looks like this:

New pen and new ink!
now, i need a little lesson in how
to fill up this charming new inkpen.

Early this morning, this was the view
from my studio window.

it's snowing.
And Snowing.
And snowing.
Totally normal for this part of the world
for the month of March. It was a marvellous
day not to have to drive anywhere.
time to go back outside
and shovel.
again.

postcard from Italy

2007-02-21T22:47:00.000+01:00

some postcard views
from my brief time in Lovely Lucca.

I saw David

2007-02-20T16:58:00.000+01:00

back home now.
i saw THE David.
it was amazing.
because this is an "Icon" of
modern art, i hadn't expected
to be blown away.
But i was.
The David was totally amazing.
Awe inspiring.

Truly a sculpture of beauty and grace.

Dream

2007-02-20T12:38:00.000+01:00

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you
become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day
be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall unveil."
(James Allen)

Kitchen view

2007-02-03T23:42:00.000+01:00

sleepy guy ... who could blame him?

2007-01-09T16:43:00.000+01:00

My fuzzy
Knitting Companion
and i like to relax together.
I get to knit, and he provides
me with warm hugs.
Nothing is like getting cuddly
with a dog.

Almost Christmas

2006-12-21T22:28:00.000+01:00

Hello from Canada,

There has been a bit of creativity
going on.

There was some painting:

I thought i would do something
a little different this year...
I have used
some Sari Silk (Silks from India,
recycled into a "yarn", or so they say)
to tie my Christmas packages.

Made a spicey stew (soup? ) last night
for supper.
complete with chickpeas and lots of
chilipepper.
It's been ages & ages since
i've cooked the supper.
Glad to say this turned out
very well.

lots of Sleeping over here

2006-12-04T20:09:00.000+01:00

Hello from Canada once again.
there's been lots of sleeping
going on here.
I've had bronchitis for a week.
It feels like months!
The fuzzy guy has been
most kind & understanding.
We've been sleeping most days.
Not being well
means Not creating.
Luckily for my tired
brain, i have some socks on the needles.
so at least my hands have been
able to do some knitting
lately.

Very far from the garden ....

2006-11-16T16:55:00.001+01:00

Just back from SOFA Chicago & it was
totally marvellous.
I felt a lot like Alice, who had stepped
through the looking glass.
I am so lucky to have been there
to see "my" first SOFA.

From the garden ...

2006-10-28T00:25:00.000+02:00

There are
only a few flowers left in the garden.
I wanted to share them with you while i still can.
I took these photos after 5pm today.

We are expecting heavy rains this weekend
and high winds. Possibly there will snow and/or sleet
as well, so i think this is the end of the garden
for the year.

Autumn Splendor

2006-09-27T20:26:00.000+02:00

almost the end of September already

2006-09-25T22:13:00.000+02:00

Congratulations on your
big move!
have some images to
share with you ....
but the blog is not
cooperating.

we both need this .................

2006-09-20T10:47:00.000+02:00

Wednesday

2006-09-14T00:11:00.000+02:00

Montreal was in
the news today.... probably even in Sweden.
We're all fine here at the house of
the Knitting Companion. Shaken up, but safe and sound.
Wanted to let you know.

n.

inspiration

2006-09-07T16:33:00.000+02:00

your new ring designs are fantastic! I love the fine embroidery. I am so pleased you have found inspiration although I doubt I contributed anything to that!

This year has been a whirlwind but now, slowly, for me, the time is becoming more artistic - I have returned to figures that I had previously abandoned and created new ones.

I have exhibited and now have a head full of ideas that will draw me over into next year............ my inspirations are fueled by having you there.

I go back and look at the envelope you sent me - there is stuff I shall continue to work on into the autumn /winter .............I am still keen to persue the weaving.

Your ring inspires me- you inspire me - although we have not completed the 'head to head' collaboration in the normal sense of understanding , it is precisely what I envisaged .

A progression ...........................and one that is ongoing.

Sara

Ode to my lovely espresso pot

2006-09-06T22:29:00.000+02:00

I love this little stainless steel espresso pot.
I use it almost every day ....
and i love the way it helps me perk up for an afternoon
of work. I love the way it makes magical and
delicious coffee. I love the way it looks.
Not too heavy, not too light. A lovely design.
In my city, even in my neighbourbourhood,
we are very lucky to have a multitude of
shops for food and food-makings.
I buy
Italian espresso for my little pot.
and i'm so thankful to have it.

Here's to my coffee pot: may we have
a long and happy love.

inspirations from Canada

2006-08-25T18:54:00.000+02:00

A chili pepper ...
one that is not common in Canada.
it's been roasted on the BBQ.
then peeled and seeded.
then stuffed & deep fried. Apparently it's a mexican dish.

below - the view from the garden this week.

here
is my travelling
knitting bag.
You never know when you might stop long
enough to knit a few stitches.

working together

2006-08-24T15:13:00.000+02:00

this has been
the most productive season
i've ever had.
I am certain that our collaboration
has played a huge part in this.
I had a very quiet & low winter time ... then
everything seemed to come alive,
loudly and with vigour.

I am working with stones from rivers now.
something that feels so right. I'm still working
in fine silver, with pearls and gemstones, but now
with the river stones, unpolished, as the main subject.

I've always known that
ideas and plans often take their time
to stew & come to front.
I hope that this coming winter is not such a
desert for creation that i experienced in the past.

through art, ...

2006-08-15T22:53:00.000+02:00

Robert Henri said, "Through art, mysterious bonds of
understanding and of knowledge are established. They are the
bonds of a great brotherhood. Those who are of the brotherhood
know each other, and time and space cannot separate them."

2006-08-09T23:44:00.000+02:00

I can so relate to your poem (posted August 8th).
well written; well expressed.

it is such a physical betrayal to find the
view in the mirror is so unlike the one
you feel Should be looking back.

hhhhhmmmmmm

2006-08-08T22:20:00.000+02:00

I met myself , one day in May.
Is that me? I said, in disarray.

When did I lose that girlish grin
and gain this older haggard skin.

How did I age and when was it,
that elfish laugh and fined tuned wit

left my soul but to persue
a grown up person without view.

Bitter, aged and cynical
Now is it that me? or with recall

can I become now and remain,
an elfish, laughing girl again?

the wisdom to know ...

2006-08-07T15:30:00.000+02:00

Friendship with oneself is all-important,
because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.

Eleanor Roosevelt

perfect

2006-07-13T04:00:00.000+02:00

What a wonderful quote this is; and so
true.

"The faculty of creating
is never given to us all by itself.
It always goes hand in hand
with the gift of observation."

Igor Stravinsky

inspirations

2006-06-18T18:50:00.000+02:00

away from all the hustle and bustle of house and job hunting I had time to contemplate your envelope and its contents - hands , I like............but the colour green is not one I would choose to work in .

But I gave it a go and am rather pleased with these beginnings .....

I like the way the leaves and growth has sort of srepy out around the images and shapes - particularly the hand ones!

I also like the writing that weaves in and out ...............see! back to that old weaving again ;-)

What thinks you, Watson? :-)

Big News !

2006-06-07T00:45:00.000+02:00

The first envelope from Sweden has arrived !
I was so excited to find it in the mailbox.

I love that there's a map inside. And Notes.
And photographs and drawings. And paper-string.
and all sorts of things ! i've started to look through
it and enjoy all the musings of Sara.

I will save some of it for tomorrow.

in the meantime, i share a garden photo, taken
only an hour ago.
The peonies in my garden will be open soon.
the ants are working hard at opening up the buds.

beginnings

2006-05-31T16:06:00.000+02:00

the envelope was opened and read! I cant believe that we live in such different places.........you in the city and me in ...........well in the midst of the forest! Thats it! Forest forest and yet more forest.

You are surrounded by inspiration, excitement, city life and a buzz....................I am surrounded by ......................nothing.

Nothing except nature.

You began with hands - the colour green - and a truly amazing enquiring wondering of what people leave behind after graffiti.

What a beginning - wow!

My brain has been buzzing all day - brainstorming

green - green fingers .-green gloves- green prints - prints on surfaces - obscured writing - plants and the blossoming - blossoming???? Of plants , ideas, a partnership?

Tracings - outlines - ideas - outlines on textures - distances..................

distances between city life and the forest - hands stretched out to connect , to join together - a combining of cultures................................

backgrounds - an afterthought - destruction as in graffiti - a cry for help? Is graffiti a cry for help - a message left by someone for another person to read?

is our collaboration a message to each other - are you trying to understand me and me you?

Interesting beginnings ......................................................... thank you.

Sara

Home again,

2006-05-30T01:21:00.000+02:00

I am very happy to be back at home.
I share with you some views from my garden.
Everything is growing rapidly and
looks lovely and lush.

I am impatiently waiting
for receipt of the envelope
that was posted from Canada to Sweden
last week.

alone

2006-05-29T07:17:00.000+02:00

my other head is off at a conference - although I think she is back now ! :0) Good - cos I miss her around.

But I have still been thinking through some ideas to get us off the ground ........... and look what I found this morning! We have been talking about weaving huh? well there is an interesting bit here - I cant wait to get this project on the road - I will try to get some ideas off to you this week..............................

figures figures figures!!! I have collected some great images - hope that you find these inspiring too!

Sara

from chicago

2006-05-26T02:43:00.000+02:00

ooh - have some great ideas for collaborations !
saw a project done in glass jars .... so inspiring !
more again when i'm home next week.

errands

2006-05-20T12:22:00.000+02:00

I too am a bit overrun at the moment - but that doesnt stop me thinking! I am going to base my ''art work'' on figures - whether doodles, sketches, collages all things - I want you have loads of inspiration and plenty to work with !

Its a pity when life gets in the way!

But it is working out well in my head! - in the meantime

some flowers to brighten your day ...................

Sara

I love this quote .....

2006-05-16T14:35:00.000+02:00

"Freedom is found along the guiding lines of discipline."
(Yehudi Menuhin)

today i look forward to a full day of work.
I am looking forward to getting some new pieces
made. No, not yet for our own
collaboration project, but for
my own "job".

Work can commence
as soon as i accomplish some
out of the house errands ...

n.

thoughts to ponder

2006-05-16T14:30:00.000+02:00

"The most basic, primitive and necessary visual information
is found in luminance variations. The parts of our brains that
analyze a scene are colourblind."
(Margaret Livingstone)

Picasso noted that "Reality is to be found in
lightness and darkness."
But this comes from a painter who
rarely thought in terms of colour.
A shimmering orange sun
razzle-dazzling within an
equal-intensity grey-blue sky was not his style.
You could call this Picasso's handicap.
Many a fine
style has evolved from a decent handicap.
(Robert Genn)

nadine.

Monday from Canada

2006-05-16T00:28:00.000+02:00

Oooh:
thought provoking ideas ???
wow. i hope i can live up to that.
i don't feel very thought provoking so far.

howdy doody

2006-05-14T21:34:00.000+02:00

welcome from Sweden!

The beginning of a collaboration, a blog, and a joining togther of 2 artists through thought provoking ideas!

''The start, was just a start, she said,
a new and different world.

and if we meet in other worlds,
our thoughts are all but old.

We've met before? I questioned her,
in another place, somewhere....

but now the time is standing here
the time to be , to dare.........................''

................the beginning of a collaboration......................

who knows what will happen..................

what will evolve..................

ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....................

Sara

Welcome

2006-05-14T21:14:00.000+02:00