Enjoy your weekend and try not to overwork your entourage. via
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
2012 Calendar -- 12-Sided Geosphere, 3-D Calendar with Tutorial, Free Download
This was my #1 most popular download last year. The 12-sided calendar is also known as a regular dodecahedron. The upcoming year (2012) will be my 5th year with one of these on my desk. It's pretty tricky to assemble - especially at the end when you feel you need another set of hands. Do all cutting, scoring, and folding first; then all you have to do is to remember to do NOVEMBER last. It is the only month that doesn't have any fold-over tabs. It is helpful to have a chopstick or bamboo skewer handy to poke inside to assist in securing anything that's not sticking or properly aligned. This prevents bending the paper. I used card stock and scored all the dotted lines with the sharp tip of a compass guided by a see-thru ruler. Cut out whole design before scoring and folding. Cut solid lines, score dotted lines. I also had to adjust the pdf to "fit to printable area" since without that correction some of the outside edges did not print on my printer. If you have finished your shopping you might want to make some for holiday gifts. People love them and everybody needs one. You can't beat the price either. One sheet of paper, some glue and your time. The ultimate home-made present that will be used every day next year. Perfect!
Download PDF 2012 Calendar Template here. (showing MONDAY as the first day of the week)
Most American calendars show Sunday as the first day of the week. I used this template to make my 2012 calendar.
I don't know if I can correctly call this origami because it requires glue. I highly recommend YES Paste - Acid Free. An $11 one-pint tub lasts forever.
Last Minute Christmas Shopping in 1936
‘Twas The Night Before Christmas by J.C. Leyendecker, 1936 found on Google images. Maybe this will motivate everyone to snap out of it and make Christmas before the last minute. Me included.
I Love This Wide Christmas Tree
The cards with photographs are a nice touch. I don't see any lights...just old glass ornaments and cards with photos of loved ones and houses. I like the wooden barrel too. It is simply lovely. via
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Saddest Christmas Tree on The Lot
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to the Christmas tree lot late in December to find nothing but trees like this! via
Red Barn in Amagansett
I love this red barn. Wouldn't a huge green wreath with no decorations look fabulous on the gable end? via
A few of my fine bindings.
I'm always on the lookout for beautiful antiquarian books with lovely bindings. These were photographed with my trusty iPhone in my bedroom.
Christmas Table Setting
I really like this rustic farm table all decked out for Christmas dinner. I love the brown and white transferware plates with the big cloth napkins. The napkin rings made from upholstery webbing are topped with a candy cane. The topiaries, greens and candles in the center of the table are perfect. via
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Will You Cut Your Own Tree?
I used to have a grove of Christmas trees like this that I planted from seedlings. I let friends cut their own and certain plantsmen dug and replanted them. It was a great way to farm the land at my former home. This will be my 4th or 5th year with an artificial tabletop tree. I'll show it to you when I put it up. via
The Chickens and The Underwear
This made me laugh. The shadows are much more graphic than the laundry hanging in the courtyard.
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Have you any wool? via
by Mother Goose
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
And one for the little boy
That lives in our lane.
by Mother Goose
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
And one for the little boy
That lives in our lane.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Seamstress's Prayer
”...As the pieces come together, help me sew seams that are straight, so that nothing tears apart or unravels; and when it does, show me where and how to patch with just the right touch...”
The Seamstress’s Prayer by Jay Hanley
Interior Shots at My Cottage
Nothing monumental....I just liked the way the sun was shining on an antique splint basket early this morning. The wire basket underneath is filled with fire wood.
A client gave me this iron pot rack. I already have one in my kitchen so I put this one in the living room and I find it to be very handy and it doesn't take up much space.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Pony and Cat -- Stable Friends Forever
You know how much I love interspecies friendships! The pony clearly loves this cat and vice versa. via
Frosty Morning iPhone Pics at My Cottage
It is finally frigid here at the cottage. I ran outside in my bathrobe in my sock feet and quickly snapped some frosty images with my trusty iPhone. As you know from my previous posts, it has been unseasonably warm here...thus the little yellow buttercup.
Even weeds look beautiful under the cover of a morning frost.
A Royal Nap
Are you smiling yet? I can't tell you how much I love this photo of 'The 11th Duke of Devonshire taking a nap in the Lower Library of Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, circa 1995' Shot by Christopher Sykes. I love peeking into the private lives of English Royalty. via
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Great Easy Tutorial for DIY Paper Stars
I can't wait to make some of these out of brown paper. You could use wrapping paper, security paper, recycled paper. Almost anything. Contrasting colors would be good too.
Super easy tutorial HERE. Almost like origami only these stars require glue. Have fun.
An Important Royal Christening
The christening of H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. The sitters in this vintage postcard are T.M. King George and Queen Mary, T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of York and Infant Princess. Such a happy day. via
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches -- Yum!
No recipe. Just a great picture I found. You could use any Christmas cookie shape. Don't these look good? via
If You Love Diane Keaton, Read Her Book
I can't decide which would be better, reading her book or having Diane Keaton read it to me on an audio book! I found a great review of 'Then Again by Diane Keaton' at The New York Times. This biography had me at the dust jacket. I love her and blog about her often.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Full Moon Tonight | 12.09.11 | Goodnight Moon
Go out side and look at the full moon. It's beautiful. I zoomed in on it with my iPhone, stuck my head out the attic window, and clicked the shutter. I'll try this same shot in a couple of weeks and see if I can manage to get Santa flying by with his reindeer pulling that sleigh full of toys for good girls and boys.
The Queen Mum at Birkhall - Scotland
Times spent at Birkhall were relaxed and informal. In her late years the Queen Mum (1900-2002) enjoyed sitting with her corgis and admiring the views of her magnificent sunken garden. She was 99 in this photo.
Birkhall is an early Georgian house that was the favorite holiday home of the Queen Mother, where she and her husband (pictured below) would bring the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.
Vanity Fair Men of the Day caricature prints circa 1890 line the staircase wall. They are often called Spy Prints.
The hallway barometer was checked every morning by house guests in anticipation of fishing and other outdoor pursuits and the daily picnic. Lunch, their hostess would explain, is not a meal to be eaten indoors.
The walls are papered in Royal Stewart tartan and carpeted in a Hunting Stewart plaid. This is where the Queen Mum hung her pale blue gardening coats. Dog bowls and dishes and towels were always handy for the beloved corgis.
The walls are papered in Royal Stewart tartan and carpeted in a Hunting Stewart plaid. This is where the Queen Mum hung her pale blue gardening coats. Dog bowls and dishes and towels were always handy for the beloved corgis.
I found an old (1999) Country Homes & Interiors booklet I picked up on my last visit to England of the 20th century. It was devoted to 7 Royal Homes and Gardens. I'll share more with you from time to time. I used my iPhone to reproduce the photos from the booklet.
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