Edinburgh Christmas lights 2013

Sun wind clouds

Dominique Falla - Meet Me In The Sunshine

After a week of Spring we had a return of snow on the hill, freezing nights and blasting gales. Then they said we'd have a nice sunny weekend. It peeked out occasionally but was motly grey so I thought posting this cheery piece of embroidery thread art by Dominique Falla will encourage the sun to come back. Not that I don't like clouds, some clouds are great, especially when you can make them inside a room like this art installation by Berndnaut Smilde.



Innova - Xuan bamboo lamp

Where my head's at...

Kwon Seulgi - Untitled - Brooch - 2011
silicone, pigment, plastic, thread, wood, stainless steel


Kwon Seulgi - Untitled - Brooch - 2011
silicone, pigment sterling silver, thread, stone, glass bead, stainless steel


Kwon Seulgi - Cell 10 Brooch - Oct 2009
silicone, pigment, plastic, stainless steel



Chanel Spring 2012 Under the Sea


Studio Bertjan Pot - Cluster Light 2009


Ernesto Neto - "Simple and light as a dream...the gravity don’t lie...just loves the time" 2006
Installation view fromTanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York
Photo: Fabian Birgfeld, photoTECTONICS.
Courtesy of the artist and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York (Via Moment/C)

Etsy finds in Greys Blues Yellows

Okapi - Silvergrey Neckpeice


idea2lifestyle - Moon Water Skirt Pants (very very tempted to buy these)


Lacasadecoto - Pouf Crochet Aqua


MaLieb - Leap of the Heart


CoMod - Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Side Chair Rocker


Uzura - Hemp Bag with Organic Cotton Lining



Kelansartcouture - top piece, bottom piece.


MadebyCassandraSmith - Yellow, Blue and Seafoam Painted Antler


Adatine - Rabbit Diet Brooch


SuiteOneStudio - Porcelain Bowls

I've been really wiped out recently, partly the M.E. but also a bit of a cold that doesn't escalate, but refuses to leave. So what's a girl to do but immerse herself in Etsy. I looked at lots of things but these ones reflect today's colours, greys and pale blues with moments of brighter blue and yellow when the sun peaked through the cold February sky.


Thaitee - Lady Jane Dress


UpInTheAirSomewhere - Aqua Paper Bowl


Nellianna - Chestnut Origami Paper Lampshades

More Winter Colours

Indoor Hyacinth is more vivid than than outdoor plants in January

This was about 2 weeks ago, still in flower but determined to fall over at every opportunity. I usually grow them in soil and can pop a skewer in as support, not very attractive with a hyacinth vase. Out in the garden the pinks are paler, which fits well with the grey greens and frosted leaves.


Clematis stems with their own brand of winter beauty

Hydrangea Petiolaris (Climbing Hydrangea) has straddled the shed roof.

Clematis 'Markham's Pink' seed head

Osteospermum (perennial)

Frosty Hebe, the one I posted the frosty close-up of the other day.

I intended to do a big post of art that looked liked winter gardens but I need to sleep, here are two, hopefully I'll have time for more later in the week but family are in town so I may not blog much.

The work of paper artist Peter Gentenaar looking like a winter flower.

Paperstring chandelier by Nithikul Nimkulrat.

DIY Halloween Lighting Ideas

I like to set the mood at Halloween with home made or customised lighting.


I make paper Pumpkins to work as wall and window decorations, lighting and masks.

• Fairy lights, which are a year round feature, get a Halloween twist with orange paper chain and shreds of orange crepe paper (only on led lights that don't get hot).

• Tealight holders and glass jars get wrapped in orange paper chopped with jaggy tops and grouped to look like little fires.

• Rather than doing scary faces on pumpkins I prefer something more decorative or abstract so that I can keep using them past Halloween.

• Paper pumpkins ensure I still have a spooky vibe on the night. Made from orange paper and drawn on with marker pen then cut out. They look great in the window with tealights behind them (safely in jars) and if you attach two lengths of wool either side they double as pumpkin masks if you have guests who don't have the time or interest to make anything. The one in the photo above is in front of a small table lamp with a 4w energy saving bulb to give a gentle light.

Jung Jung's Knitted Vegetables

Intricate and detailed Cloch Lace knitted vegetables by Jung Jung.

Finally a good use for old drained batteries - power an Energy Seed Lamp.

Tiny Buildings

Tiny Buildings: Post Office Blue, 1976

I was doing a search for stuff related to my mobile home eco-renovation, but what google showed me was a wonderful blog called Tiny Buildings. A place documenting the work of Sharon and her late husband James, who in the 70's began making "tiny buildings crafted from business cards, packaging and other nice papers." read the lovely story of how she started here. Sharon continues to make them today and they are the most delightful and personal creative recycling I have seen.


Tiny Buildings: Wedding Chapel Three, Maryland 2007


Tiny Buildings: Hiltl Cottages, Zurich 2005

Marcel Wander, white pieces

Lots of white of at Marcel Wanders...



Crochet Chair


Zeppelin light via Stumbleupon.


Art on tiles, Platina White


Sponge Vase for Moooi

White all around

3 photographs from my trip to K's wedding at the Ice Hotel in Jan 2006...

This is the wall of K's suite on her wedding night!

The famous Ice Chandelier

Lighting above the hotel reception desk

Below, some inspiring white architecture, art and lighting as part of my 'all things white and beautiful' posts for January...


Kengo Kuma architecture via Floornature
Kengo's one man show is on in in Padua until 27 January, see link above for details.


Kengo Kuma: Weak, teahouse, via Interactive Architecture


Jun Aoki: Xel-Ha by Afloat (photo: Ana Daici)


Jacob Hashimoto: untitled 2002 via Artnet


Tara Donovan: Untitled 2003 via Ace Gallery (detail)


Tara Donovan: Untitled 2003 via Ace Gallery


Fuijiki Studio: Aquascape via Architectural Review Awards