PAPAYA! BLOG

Getting Closer!

Still Life Watercolor

Another floral painting with watercolor in my journal on the Mexico trip!

Slave Driver:

 Everyone's been pulling together in preparation for the PAPAYA! LIVING store and all the behind-the-scenes prep that goes along with it.  These guys came in last weekend for some added muscle in what has been a sea of packing material and unending goodies.  This is what happens when you're bad though!  Very very bad.  Poor Sarah was forced to unpack orders wearing her box of shame. Now there's proof that even a box looks good on this girl!

Creature Comforts

This little missy is our new extra soft, five-month-old, critter kitty, "Angel".  Named of course by my son.  We have another one named "Valentine" that came home with us the same day (guess what day) but he's been hiding ever since.  Angel however makes herself at home anywhere and has taken a liking to my bolga baskets.  Just a shout out for kitties this spring too.  Kitten season will be here soon!

Bonjour Nathalie Lete!

 

I received this yummy little book yesterday published by Paumes Books and have devoured every page. Nathalie Lete has been going strong in Paris for years and in the last several years found a loyal and enthusiastic following here through her licensing with Anthropologie. Her work has that freestyle illustrative flow that makes me want to run to my journal to sketch, doodle and paint my cat wearing Uggs or some other imaginary fun children's book topic. Here is to celebrating the perfection of imperfection!

"Each of us is an artist, capable of conceiving and creating a vision from the depths of our being." Dorothy Fadiman

Miracle in Marrakech

 I about fell over when I saw the spread in this months Elle Decor.  The article features a home in Marrakech custom designed by a London couple. Designer Liza Bruce & artist Nicholas Alvas Vegas.They've done a dreamy job creating a colorful, bohemian world full of juicy hues and enough negative space to celebrate their treasures.  Pure magic to me.  
 It seems that every nook and cranny is adorned with thoughtful, colors, texture and treasure! I cannot say enough how inspired I am by this thoughtful, creative home.  What a spread!  Now how to interpret these lovely ideas in garden, Ashland!  Come on spring!

watercolor journal

 In Mexico we had a chance to play with some watercolor and our travel pages.  I'm such a sucker for reference material that it was really freeing to try and work on this page without them.  But alas I pulled out some scraps and peeked for some lilly support!
I'm learning i just might like watercolor if I give it a bit of time.  It feels like knitting or sewing to me.  A precious skill that takes a little time and TLC.  Something I like. I think watercolor may be my new movie-side hobby!  I just want to keep playing around with easy-to-grab materials and paper.  

Making handmade Envelopes & Cards

One of my true creative loves is working with paper. It's such a forgiving medium to experiment with. Not overly precious, since it's so inexpensive... you can really dig your scissors in and experiment!

I like to buy decorative paper packs from India, and piece together all of the different patterns and colors like a paper quilt.  Using spray glue to adhere delicate Chinese folk art paper cuts, and my trusty  tool kit to make eyelets, I could get lost in creating with paper all day long.

To see more of my handmade projects visit my photostream on flickr... Hope you all have a happy creative weekend! xo

Magenta Mexico!

  There's literally just a swarm of lovely pics from our trip last week from Queretaro & San Miguel Allende, Mexico that I'll be posting them bit by bit.  This batch shows the insanely colorful world that just makes each street, corner, cafe and plaza a pure delight!

 I cannot think of a woman alive who is not enchanted by the notion of a courtyard.  And the reality is all the more dreamy.  I have to return to this courtyard at our hotel in Queretaro one day for some watercolors and wine!

I'd Love To Eat "What Katie Ate"

I'm constantly inspired by the Australian foodie photo blog What Katie Ate. Katie Quinn Davis, a graphic designer-turned-photographer and food stylist creates a beautiful feast for the eyes.