d.Sharp Journal

the find

Got The Find from the library - def. going on the list of books to buy.

Williams and the design experts at New York City's most popular thrift store, Housing Works, show not just "what" to look for in vintage decorating, but also how to recognize a treasure.

The decorating charms of John Derian, Simon Doonan and others are featured - good stuff.

Natural born architect

 

I found this vintage wood molecule building set a while ago. I like the colors and the kids like building with it.
Last week, this favorite toy of ours inspired me to get some toothpicks and mini marshmallows so we could build some geometric models.

 Being summer and hot, the little marshmallows were stuck together in constellations. C selflessly took on the task of separating them: 'this looks sticky, I'll take care of it' {munch}, 'this one is broke' {munch}, 'these are all stuck together, I'll take care of them' {munch the whole blob}.

Meanwhile, M and I started building.

Knowing how much C loves sweets, I asked him to stop eating and start building before the whole bag was gone. Surprisingly, he obliged.

 He took two toothpicks in one hand and jammed a row of three marshmallows on top of them. He showed me his creation - " See, I built a popsicle!" {Munch.}

props to them.

I know, I know - enough with the squirrels and chipmunks. But this - cute. The hosts of Bad Manor Squirrel Diner set the stage {their balcony} with props for the squirrels. Check the slideshow.

me cavewoman

Nice to be home. The boys and I had a fun time with my mom, brother and niece and nephew in eastern Oregon {C calls it Black Blutte, last year it was Black Boot - in no hurry for him to pronounce it right}

One morning we went to Lava River Cave. Renting propane lanterns, you can go about a mile in. Almost to the end, I turned back with the kids - C's hands were freezing, it was about 40 inside. We had a great visit. Thanks big brother.

le winner

It made me smile to read about your memories of France, favorite things and future plans to travel. Some of mine, here. May we all travel there to gather up new memories!

et le gagnant est......

Random Integer Generator {from Random.org}
Here are your random numbers:

39

Timestamp: 2009-07-16 15:36:23 UTC

Jan, who looks forward to a trip to Paris with her husband, is our winner! Hope you like the paper Eiffel and hope you have a wonderful time when you make it there.

toss up.

Coming home tonight and back to posting in the morning. I will pick a winner of the Eiffel giveaway from all of the comments made before the closing at 8{my time} last night and will announce as soon as I can. 

 Three hours in the car, just me and the boys - could be good, could be not so good.

I am a mac.

Hi all,

I have had such a great time reading all of the Paris/France comments this past week. Now I have a lot more reasons to make it back there , hopefully sooner than later {my Geritol years}.

I am out of town right now - I had some posts to share but they are on my computer, which I haven't been able to get online out here. I am on my brother's PC and I feel so inept on it, like I have four thumbs. I would not have thought that, but I guess I haven't been on a PC for many a year. Anyhow, I will get some posts out as soon as I can.

One more day of the giveaway!

Hope you are having a nice time wherever you are.

Best,

Denise

collection of characters

Country Home{RIP}  used to have an annual article on 10 types of objects to collect. I like these shots of collectors/dealers - they have so much character. Do you collect anything? Is it quirky or sentimental?

You can never turn your back on a four year old boy.

Good times last night in the studio.

very clever

The crows are constant companions in the studio - the top floor windows face into a big maple tree. A few weeks ago, we went through our annual noisefest as the babies are born and start to shriek for food. I have had many clients, hearing the cacophony, that stop to ask "what are you doing?" Nevertheless, they are probably my favorite bird. I came across this amazing video {via} that shows how clever they are. The experiment:

In an experiment conducted by behaviorists from the University of Oxford, a small bucket of food was placed inside a tube; the crow was unable to reach the bucket because of the length of the tube. She then picked up a short length of wire, and, after a few futile attempts to snag the bucket with it, bent the wire into a hook and lifted the bucket from the tube. What's more, the crow repeated the behavior in nine out of 10 subsequent trials.

So cool that the crow bends it. Reminded me of this great Attenborough vid:

Although they are smart, I hope the crows outside my studio window don't fashion themselves a bullhorn.