I'm On My Way

Just a quick note to say adios mi amigos. I'm off to the sunny tropics of Manzanillo and I am leaving my computer at home. We are on our way to visit my oldest son who is the boogie boarder in the first pic. And that's "waterboy" in the second pic taken by brother "the photographer" of course. These pics were taken a few years ago. Waterboy just got behind the wheel of a car for the first time yesterday so you can imagine he's a tad bit bigger now. So I will see you in about 10 days. We will be back on the 10th ready to get back into the xmas and party spirit. Take care friends and see you next week. k

Passionate About lampwork

Check out this gorgeous bead I found on Ebay. Somehow lost the link but you could just do a search on Ebay for lampwork and find it again. Am really short on time right now as we try to get ready for our big trip to Mexico. Hope you're all a bit more organized than I am right now. I'm thinking we really should do the Mexico trip the week before Thanksgiving when things are a little less crazy and we won't miss so much. Waterboy has three swim meets while we are gone. The photographer will be here with him but well that's NOT a total solution. k

The Etsy Spirit

I was browsing Etsy today for something fun and xmasy and voila look what I found. Now just pair up this darling reindeer with the perfect pair of earrings and you have the perfect gift. You can find this cute guy at Etsy shop Timothy Adams Designs. And on another subject I have been looking for some new music to download to my ipod to take with me to Mexico. Anyone found any great music lately. Or new holiday music? thanks in advance, k

Xmas, Emma Rose Style

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We drove through the snow covered mountains to Bend, Oregon and it truly felt like we were driving through a postcard. I just can't get over the fact that next week we will be sitting on the beach in Manzanillo with our toes in the warm sand. So I am going to try post a few fun xmasy items this week like these darling cards by San Francisco company Emma Rose Papery. I love the simple yet playful look, and of course I love the animal theme. k

Happy Turkey Day

I'd like to wish all you loyal Kstylers a Happy Thanksgiving. My family and I are off to beautiful Bend, Oregon for a visit with my brother, some great food, a lot of ping pong and some serious fishing. No, I don't plan to put one foot near the frozen river (boys only thank god) but I will be joining the masses in another kind of pursuit. So back on Monday for another week of blogging and then a little vacation for K as we head for sunny Mexico. take care and talk soon. k

Passionate About Lampwork, Hipkitty

These purse lampwork beads/pendants from Hipkitty Beads are just too cute for words and you can order the whole set right here right now. How fun to buy the set and make darling necklaces for all your girlfriends for xmas. Hmmm I just might have to make some of these for "my girls." love, love these, k

Beach Bungalow Style

I love these beach bungalow ornaments and house sculptures by artist Toby Atticus Fraley although I have to admit I am just a little bit influenced right now by the fact that I'm going to Mexico soon. Yep, R and I will be heading across the border on December 1st for a visit with our oldest son who lives in Manzanillo with his family and we are so looking forward to some beach bungalow time of our own. But first a quick trip over the mountain into beautiful Bend, Oregon for a Thanksgiving visit with my brother and family. First the snow and then the sun. can't wait, k

Recycled Sweaters, Ladylove

If I were at all talented in the sewing realm I would absolutely love this concept. Take your old or just dated sweaters and redesign them into fabulous baby couture. I've blogged about recycling sweaters before but wouldn't it be fun to do this for the baby or grandbaby in your life. Still time before xmas to pull this off. if only I had the sewing gene, k

The Photographer's Birthday

My son the photographer celebrates his birthday today and so I'd like to share with you these shots he took last weekend because they so speak to his talent and his love of the outdoors. The river you see depicted is The Metolius River found here in central Oregon and I believe it to be one of the most beautiful pristine rivers in the world. The silhouetted flyfisherman you see in both photos is my husband R and the photos themselves are part of a final project for one of my son's classes entitled "The Essence of Flyfishing in 10 Photos". The beautiful soft quality of the raging water was achieved via a long exposure. Otherwise there was no manipulation in these gorgeous photos. Happy birthday, J, mom, k

Finally, Paper Orchid

I have been searching for something fun and original in the way of cupcake wrappers for a long time so I was ecstatic to come across these on favorite blog black white bliss. And these are just a few of all sorts of designs and motifs you can find at Paper Orchid. I'm thinking of how I might use this idea in my holiday entertaining this year. Will keep you posted. k

p.s I just them on belle vivir also. These are really going to take off. k

Announcements

Hi everyone,
I have received a variety of fun announcements this week so i am going to try to include them all here.
1. First I received an email from Victoria of SFgirlbybay letting us know about a new weekly series she is doing call The Unexpected Guest on Mondays. It's a behind the scenes look at the homes and studios of artists, crafters, bloggers and designers. Be sure to check in on this fun new feature.
2. Jessica from Funky Finds has also contacted me to let my readers know that she has just posted a review of the Stitch indie craft bazaar in Austin, Texas and that she is also hosting a swag bag giveaway relating to that post.
3.And finally I have an email from the fabulous swank lighting group and they are offering a free pair of Barovier & Toso lamps murano lamps valued at $3400. They have a registration page for the contest on their website swank lighting.

Passionate About Lampwork,Manueles

One of my greatest joys on Kstyle is to bring you my lampwork finds and wow check out this fabulous set by artist Manueles. You can go to Ebay right now and bid on this original work but be prepared for a very hot auction. You will be competing with at least 8 bidders and the current price is already at $290.00 but oh how sweet these beads are. I love to find the fresh and new in the lampworking world and these whimsical bird beads are just that. love, love these, k

Modern Teddy Bear

Yes I know it's not a softie and it's not a cuddly teddy bear but I still love this Scandinavian interpretation by artist Kaj Bojesen. Would be so cute perched on a window sil or shelf and there is just something so clean elegant about this guy. I love it even if I'm not sure a child would be equally enthusiastic. k

Inspired By Nature, Miller

I took the day off today to spend with Waterboy as there was no school today and he was dying to see the movie Across the Universe. And wow, really well done movie that beautifully portrays the sixties through an anthology of Beatles music and lyrics. So just a few short posts tonight to get back into the Kstyle swing. Love this wall sconce by artists Rachel and Tom Miller. Would be so gorgeous in a dark hallway of narrow wall area. Love these, k

Napa Style

Yes I know it's a bit early for Xmas but the knitted wine scarfs and hats I found today while browsing Napa Style are just beyond adorable. These are definitely in the running for my gift this year, maybe atop a bottle of "Hot Dam" or other liqueur. And I so wish I had been knitting these while sitting in the car for the last six weeks instead of the never ending scarf. So I thought I would post these now in case any of you out there are knitters and like this idea as much as I do. Oh and I love the church mouse door stopper which you can also find at Napa Style. so many goodies here, k

Handcrafted Excellence, Krieger

Just a short post tonight as just got back from the water polo award banquet. Its been a fantastic season and we are so proud but also very ready for just a tiny bit of down time. Swim season is just around the corner but less intense as meets are mostly held here in Ashland. Anyway came across these to die for metal clocks by artist Karen Krieger today and just couldn't wait to get them on my blog. You can find them at The Artful Home along with quite a few other pieces from her collection. i really want one of these, k

Exploring Etsy, SanFran 67

I really love the paper art trend that we are seeing take off and these three dimensional pieces by Etsy artist SanFran are really stunning. I love the layered, graphic look and of course the nature inspired theme. I would love to own one of these pieces. There are lots more to see on the site and some are in vivid colors but I like the muted tones the best. fabulous, k

Passionate About lampwork, Swank Lighting

I've covered a lot of lampwork on Kstyle in lots of different forms but this is the first time I've featured this gorgeous artform in handblown lamps. Ed Sexton and Doug Taylor literally unearthed a forgotten stash of original murano lamps which were made in the 40's, 50's and 60's for the Edward P. Paul Company. They were then painstakingly rewired and refitted to make the stunning pieces you see in the pics above and are the mainstay of their company called Swank Lighting. Plan on spending a few minutes browsing through this extraoridnary collection. lots of eye candy here, k

Inspired By Nature, Silver Garden

We're back from our final water polo tournament of the season, YAY. Both our team and waterboy did great and we are so proud. But we are more than ready to finally put our suitcases away and stay home for awhile. Spent just a bit of time today browsing Etsy and found these gorgeous silver rings with leaf motif from Silver Garden. Love the simplicity and "fossil" sort of look. gorgeous, k

The Photographer

Here are a few pics from J's camera. The middle one made the paper but I love the last one with the birds nest on the women's head. The lighting is just spectacular.

Off to Eugene today for our LAST water polo tournament and then hopefully a bit of sanity will return to our lives. have a great weekend and will see you Monday. k