Wrapping it up - work is fun!

gift in the shipping box - ready to be closed and taped

Coming home to Seattle after a week in Palm Springs was made easier knowing that I'd be working on a fun job upon my return - creating a birthday gift for a client to give to a friend. Except for showing you the shipping box, here's a little photo essay from end-to-beginning.

wrapped and snugged into the shipping box with gold tissue

wrapped gift box

the gift box before wrapping

inside the Tiffany box

gift wrapping with lovely gold tissue and layers of satin ribbon,

custom calligraphy by Karen C.

glass Tiffany box with birthday card inside,

more of Karen's calligraphy

one of the card panels

the tri-fold birthday card

crystal box and little silk pillow that I made to fill the box,

along with the card

Not quite home from my vacation

Last Tuesday my sweetheart and I "vacated" to Palm Springs for the first time (along with six close friends). Needless-to-say, a good time was had by all. Sun, warm weather, delicious food, hikes, bike rides, swimming, great conversations . . . I am now totally relaxed. There were so many photo opportunities - everything looked new and amazing to me. The desert is enchanting.

Joshua Tree National Park - a rock wonderland

Joshua Tree bloom

boulders abound

The pool was equally captivating. We flew home on Sunday to Seattle's stormy weather . . . sigh. Leaves that were barely opening when we left were in full bloom - green is everywhere. But since it's still raining and cool, I'll hold this image close until our summer begins.

Colorful rest stop, in-between running errands

Virgin Mary of the handmade paper flowers

Spent Saturday running around like a crazy person. I'm leaving town tomorrow and have several jobs to complete. I did manage to make a brief stop at one of my favorite Seattle stores: Maxine's. Visiting Max's is always a visual delight. I wanted to photograph everything, but my Iphone was on it's last bit of battery. Here's what I caught before it died.

Santos and star crowns

More Santos and silver votives

After my walk, tasty breakfast reward

Walked Greenlake with my friend Pia this morning - still getting used to DST. Today's weather is stunning - Spring is busting out everywhere - it's glorious. I'll be photographing a lot of trees, flowers and more later today. Breakfast after my walk - Van's Gluten-free waffles, Nectarine Yum (fabulous and so addicting) and a tangerine Cutie. The Cutie escaped from my plate on the way to the table. Rose was not amused.

Even rainy days can be beautiful

Left the studio for lunch with my friends Susan and Kathy and snapped some photos in between the raindrops. Once again the Iphone and the Best Camera app make my day. Now I'm back (after a tasty salad at High Life) working away and here are "inside the studio views", again via my Iphone. All the rubber stamps (excluding the two BIG numbers) are from my word and drawing series.

favorite art from Ink & Peat and Lark Press in Portland

potential wish tickets and a photo found at an estate sale

feet and sidewalk petals

bark that caught my eye

In my opinion, Spring has sprung!

Today it's cold and gray, but we've had glorious weather for the last week. Couldn't resisit snapping tons of pictures on my walk to the studio on Friday.

beautiful tree on my street corner

tulips at fred meyer

early flowering cherries

daffs that I so want to pick . . . but won't

Some things that caught my eye

A couple of weeks ago I was in Medford and visited Prize - here are some of my photos. I so admire good display and their arrangements of common, eclectic and eccentric objects are artfully shown.

striped twine - didn't need it but wanted to buy it

didn't need these crowns either, but felt the need to be a princess

time to reread my Jane Austin favorites

I'm a total sucker for paper weights

I don't even like clowns