Paper Mountain majesties

late to the game with these, but I love them all the same! totems by Paper Mountain

Winter Mix

I've created a winter mix which you can listen to as you lay about digesting your Holiday meals or as you veg out and relax. Enjoy, and have a great Holiday!

■ DOWNLOAD ■
20mb.17min

Etc...

It is -3 today in Chicago (windchill of -30 or something crazy like that). While we're used to it here, it makes Holiday errands MUCH more difficult! Hopefully you are warmer than me right now. In any case, off I go!

Found this DIY tree decoration (above) by SuchPrettyThings and was inpsired by the color scheme! She has an explanation of how she made these bird ornaments over at her blog. Great tip if you're still trying to figure out how to decorate your tree.

ALSO Roberta at FatFinch sent me this link to a lovely article from the NYTimes about the recent death of WWII Pigeon trainer Richard Topus.

Snow & Folk Tales

Expecting 6 inches of snow today, which is a perfect opportunity to work on Christmas gifts (I am SO behind...I thought I had 2 more weeks!). Behind on blogging as well, but saw this beautiful series of Russian folk-tale inspired drawings from Raquel Aparicio and started daydreaming of them on my walls... (via)

How are your Holiday preparations going?

Barn Nesting

Less concept store and more lovingly curated museum of found items, Barn House is a barn not too far from Portland, that houses different vendors' vintage goods. The way they set everything up is amazing. Kinda like a Victorian woman's barn full of forgotten magical trinkets and wares. Their 2008 season is over, so check their space for next year's!

cabinet of curiosities

I wish I had an amazing cabinet like Bonnier de la Mosson's Cabinet at the Museum of Natural History in Paris!

Dola Makes S&P

I LOVE these hand painted owl porcelain salt & pepper shakers from one of my favorite shops, Dola Makes. Hurry, one left!

Sue Doesken

Sue's illustration for an upcoming book would make an awesome kitchen towel...

Bird Webcams

I'm all about Nature webcams (I'm a sucker for African watering hole cams), and there are a couple bird feeder cams for the lazy birder when it's too cold outside...

• Columbus, OH webcam
• UK Barn Owl Nest! webcam
• Scottish Seabird Center has several along their cliffs, feeders, etc webcam
• Estes Park, CO feeder webcam
• Weird German site of Antarctic Penguins webcam

I Digress

Hope the holidays were good for everyone! Mine was full of baked goods, explorations and movies. Snow has arrived here in Chicago and the temps have dropped. with Christmas coming up I'm trying to bust my butt with gifts and crafts. I started my Etsy shop (shameless plug alert!) and have added my wreaths which are for sale. Going to make more soon, and maybe some makeup bags. We'll see what time permits.