Monday, December 31, 2012

Farewell 2012

It's time to put away glittery stars and brass bells..........


   
      Take off the red ribbons.........



     Wrap cherished treasures in tissue........


     Pack the antique Santa's away in their carved wooden box........


     Remove the fantasy from my already glorious chandelier
      ( that I bought 26 years ago for 75 dollars ! )
 


     Put away the ornaments and gilded leaves........


     Create a white winter still life for the patio table.......


     And start fresh.......

     Wishing all of you magical days, vibrant health, abundance,
      and a festive spirit.........
                                   Happy New Year,       Vicki

Monday, December 24, 2012

To all of you far and wide


                  I wish you a most joyous Christmas........


                        A day of dazzling delight.................


                   A day to pause in thought for the suffering.......


A day to remember voices of our loved ones who no longer are with us.....


                                         MERRY CHRISTMAS


May it be splendid,   Wishing you many blessings...... victoria

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas past

I spent last Christmas in Paris, I had been to France before but never to Paris,
It was bitter cold, overwhelming, and a feast for my eyes.....everywhere I looked was
inspiration and delight.... I was enchanted, the child in me was seduced in splendor . 


I marveled at the architecture ........



The city was scented with winter blossom .......


The vegetables were freshly picked and presented in artful display......


The palette was hues of slate bejeweled in gold.............


Narrow streets decorated with neon lights and marvelous little places for a hot chocolate .


Brrrr cold,  all I wanted to eat was French onion soup.........this one the best .


And a glorious sweet of course........


Daily in search of treasure to bring home, the books & prints were surveyed .......


Miles were covered with discovery of stately elegance ......


Carousels were throughout the city bellowing with festive music and children's laughter........


And then there it was, the iconic structure I've seen all my life, but to stand near it was stunning.......



But it was getting dark and we needed to shop for our Christmas dinner........


A "very" fresh bird to prepare, did I hear them saying  pick me, pick me, oh goodness I'm in ecstasy......
I can't imagine this in our butchers window, I did become comfortable with it, If your going to
eat them, might as well meet them first......... !


CHEESE, we must have that, and a lot of it.............!


Christmas eve morning we went to a flea market ( now I'm really in heaven) these are my finds.....


Yes all this !.............


I shall never forget my Christmas in Paris, It could not have been more wonderful,
I thank my friends, Marni and Paul for taking me and zabie for your elegant apartment .....


This Christmas I'm snug and home with my
loving husband,  everywhere is covered
in berries and bows, baubles and greens........
A sense of joy following me .............
Wishing you HAPPY days,  and the Merriest Christmas ~ vicki

Monday, December 3, 2012

Making Christmas cards

I try to make most of my Christmas gifts and cards, It puts me into the spirit of giving and indulges me in creativity, this year I'm inspired by one of my favorite places, Yosemite .
Most years I attend a retreat in late October with several artists .
 If you've never been by all means
add it to your bucket list of places to visit .


I spent many childhood years camping in this enchanted forest .....


The redwoods stand magnificent.......



Wildlife is abundant and protected........


These are my Christmas cards done with walnut ink on white rag paper
mounted on black, I add a little china white watercolor on the falls .


May your Christmas be full of wonderment and joy .



More Christmas to come, until then decorate, cook, enjoy family
and friends, and take time out for yourself to quietly reflect .
Wishing you Happy days ~ vicki