Carving Pumpkins For-EVAH...

This summer I was asked by Sunset Magazine contributor, Jess Chamberlain if I would carve a bunch of pumpkins for the October issue. I of course almost died, and had to say yes because Sunset Mag has been a longtime favorite of mine, and I have been a subscriber for years. I love the cozy, homey, west coast vibe it gives off. I save most of the back issues for recipes and places I still need to visit. When carving pumpkins you can use the same carving tool that I use for my linocuts. Any good art supply store will have them.(See instructions below).

 Sunset's very own Jess Chamberlain, Miranda Jones and photographer Thomas Story,were at my place for the day, and it was so much fun.The whole event was inspiring and happy. I love the way the feathers ended up looking on the console with the pumpkins. 

  My fireplace and my outdoor steps looking cozy and very October-ish...Like I have said on my blog before, carving is super meditative, and I ended up losing my focus only a couple of times having to ditch a few pumpkins in the greenbelt right next to where I live. Ok, maybe more than a couple. There might be a pile of pumpkins being eaten by the squirrels out there...But the ones I kept made me happy...

Thank you Jess, Thomas, and Miranda for spending those wonderful days with me! I highly enjoyed it, and am grateful for the opportunity! Happy Halloween everyone!

Do it yourself

Materials: Washable marker, carving tool(s), pumpkins in interesting shapes and varying sizes

1. Draw or photocopy a design to desired size. Seek inspiration in antique Audubon books (freestanding animals), and foliage from your own backyard.
2. Cut out top of pumpkin and scrape interior clean. (You can also chose to skip this step and not hollow the pumpkins.)
3. Copy desired design onto pumpkin with washable marker (freehand), ortransfer design to pumpkin.
4. Using a carving tool, carve into the design about 1/4 in deep, being careful not to break through pumpkin flesh (rather, scraping a hollow relief).
5. If you've hollowed your pumpkins, set them aglow with multiple tea lights, or battery operated candles.

Sunset Magazine- Photo by Thomas J. Story; designs by Jennifer Ament

My Show in Mill Valley...

I just got back from the most amazing time I have had in a lo-oong time. 

My friends Tiffanie DeBartolo and Tolan Florence put on a beautiful show for me

 in Mill Valley at Tolan's shop "Moss and Daughter's". 

The very old building that the shop is in, is stunning, and houses the amazingly delicious "El Paseo" along with Tolan's mom's shop next door, aptly named "Moss and Moss". It is a family entity that is comfortable, delicious, and breathtaking, and I feel so lucky that I was invited to have a show there!   

There were windows everywhere, which made it even more charming.

 Charming...

The above pic is from Tolan's mom's store. I loved this awesome Woody Allen oil painting.

 Loved these tiles in the wall of the building.

 El Paseo is a Mill Valley gem that Tyler Florence has taken to a whole new level. I seriously had the best steak EVER...It was ridiculous...And he is now doing wine...Which is AMAZING...

The old windows everywhere were so beautiful. 

 The walkway past the restaurant down to the shops.

The deviled eggs were the best I have EVER had...That is Bacon on there...With tomato jam...Kill me now...

The restaurant is big...With a beautiful outdoor patio...And the wine...Well...AMAZING..Also...This is where the fuzzy pictures begin.

 For some reason, I did not get any pics of Tolan,(again the wine), but here is Tiffanie on the right, who is one of my best friends, and also the owner of the killer indie record label "Bright Antenna", and also who inspires the hell out of me with her drive, focus, and most importantly, kindness. Our dear friend Shara on the left, has one of the cutest little 2 year old's you have ever laid eyes on, and is in the midst of practicing the art of being a mother, which takes it all, so I was just so happy she made the effort to come!

Annnnd here we go...Fuzzy pics....That actually look pretty cool.

The darling Caitlin Flemming, and the fabulous Grant Gibson,

(who I forgot to get a photo with!)

 Again, I blame the awesome wine...

 Some awesome new friends, who I won't name,(you know who you are) brought me these lovely little miniature liquor treats, which I did NOT drink, as I would have been kneeling in front of a toilet the rest of the night, but man were they cute...

 The slow demise into the depths of buzzed enlightenment begins here, and considering I am in Mill Valley, the land of Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, who I happened to run into the night before, it all seemed very, VERY appropriate.

 And lastly, a salute to my friends, old, and new, for treating me to such a magical evening...(You can see a little bit of Tolan on the right, I did get a pic!!)

THANK YOU to my friends Tiffanie DeBartolo and Tolan Florence for creating it all. 


Pics by me, and... my brother?

Just Checking...

Just Checking....Hope your week is going well...

Song Of The Week

Room of the Month : David Hicks

I love this game room, designed by David Hicks - (1929 - 1998) for so many reasons. The soft and hard mixes of a cozy couch with leopard and zebra accents, some brass lighting, earthy wood elements, and then the strong metal wall art, ( I wish I knew who the artist was!). Also,what happened to the good old game table? I love the sight of backgammon in people's homes. People who play games in their homes often seem like they are enjoying life in the simplest of ways. Anyone up for a game of Clue ?