Anahata Katkin

Calendar Art & Free Bonus

I hope your New Years was good fun.  I for one am not really a fan.  It's almost a superstition now that New Years Eve is just bunkaroo for me.  And this year was kinda more confirmation.  But!  I am a firm believer in the year to come and am ready for a productive and creative 2010!

Which is why we've really got to hand it to Etsy!  If you haven't popped over in a while you MUST have a look at what has now become a designers haven.  A world of self propelled creators who answer to their own artistic credo's and offer them up bravely to the public.  I have just spent a great deal of time enjoying the splendor over at Etsy.  This years line up for 2010 Calendars from truly independent artists is killer! I've listed my fave lineup and included prices because I am so impressed with the cost of these mostly-home spun creations & production at these prices.  If you want original art Etsy is the best invention ever.  

 My favorites are: YeeHaw's Tree Calendar $35, Be Happy Now's painting calendar $18, Jen Skelley's owl illo $18, & a most impressive collection from Stephanie fizer- her Kokeshi Darling calendar set $20, Odd Ball Press & the Tidal Wave $5, Jen Hewett's Fishnet pocket calendar $13, & Pink Roses 1220 big prints $10.  

 

And if you are feelin my designs for 2010 then PAPAYA is offering a special program for the next two months for blog readers here and over at the PAPAYA blog.  You can receive a free 12 Muses Calendar (which has glitter on every page!) free when you purchase 35.00 or more on our website between today (Jan 2nd) & Feb 28th 2010.  Happy New Years blogaroos!

Just enter this code when you check out. :  FREECAL12M-JANBLOG                                                   (Please remember this only applies to the 12 Muses Calendar)

 

Sabrina on Etsy

 Good news!  Artist Sabrina Ward Harrison now has a sweet Little Etsy Shop.  Looks like she may have some 12 X 12 Canvas originals sifting down the pipe.  There's a couple there now and the rumor is there may be a lovely series of her signature faces there.  I have one of her faces and am mesmerized by it.  Just a heads up if you're like me and have always wanted to own some Sabrina Originals...

Workin in the painted ladies

Revising the painting I did and doing the metamorphosis for good ol' PAPAYA!   Still have to add in the fonts but loving all the negative space.

Inspiration: Cool Winter Colors & texture

I think we can all use a break from the intense reds of the Holidays. I'm craving cold tones.  Loving that vacant palette that can be enchanting and haunting all at once.  I'm hoping to infuse some new designs this week starting with some color inspiration from these and other wonderful photographs.  Artists from Flickr Land: Top Left -abbytriesagain, below-such pretty things, below- L. Grainne, top right- Okinawa Soba, Below- Chotda

 

And some other fun news!  The Lucy b. perfumes I helped design are now available.  Using tropical, Australian oils and infused with flower essences for confidence and self esteem! Their line is truly special and responsible beauty.  Lucy b's cosmetics are some of the only cosmetics and fragrances I will wear!  It was really fun to help with their signature packaging.  Click here to learn more about Lucy b.  
 

Christmas Day

Feelin blessed this year.  Christmas was a little low key for us actually since we all kinda came down with a bug.  But not my son.  He was sneaking his DS Nintendo games in bed until the wee hours of Christmas eve.  This was all I could do to get him near the tree for gift festivities.  So cute.  I love it actually when I can catch him in his little baby-face mode.  It's slipping away these days.
It was wonderful to be back in the states this Christmas and to be sharing it with both my little man and my big one.  I couldn't ask for a better gift than being with both of them.  We had lots of extended family to start off the morning with quiche, berries, yogurt, and an endless warming station of coffee and chai.  I never did manage to make a proper "floor party"  but it was all so lovely and just right.  I still have enough catered Indian food to feed an army.  It's boxed neatly on the cold porch to keep racoons from finding the gourmet stash.  I really wish I could invite you all over for some samosas and rice pudding!  Hope your Holiday weekend was just what you needed.  xoxox

Merry Christmas!!

 Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!! Revel in the food, the wrapping paper and hopefully a little down time.  And if you are into movies at the Holiday times go and see AVATAR!!  My family and I went together and we ALL loved it!!  It was truly wonderful, impressive, engaging & awesomely fantasy.  A perfect "Make-em-all-happy" film that you can take everyone away from the house to see.  And love every minute of it!  
 I think I'm going again to see the 3-D version this weekend !  xoxoxox,

A "Floor Party" Christmas & Other Efforts:

(Top-Dandelion Ranch Flowers via OhJoy, Acorns from Pam G, and boy cameo from Amy Hanna) There's not much I can do to really change the full effect of my home this Christmas.  Not with so many colors, patterns and artwork happening all at once.  (I never am very restrained I must admit.  But tonight I'm pretending I could change my home with new Holiday colors and perfectly wrapped gifts. 
(from Style Me Pretty)   At my house we are worshiping a giant, all plastic, white christmas tree complete with oodles of costco-paper wrapped gifts underneath, Handmade ornaments as well as trimmings from the Dollar Store! But I must admit it's quite lovely in all it's garish splendor.  But these lovely photo's have me dreaming a very different kind of Christmas.  Once where we make handmade berry garlands, glazed pear tarts and homemade Sangria.  Somewhere between Anthropologie catalogues and a 1950's PTA meeting. "JELLO!?"  I don't know what comes over me.  But i'm going to indulge in my best efforts with a Christmas Morning gathering of breakfast delights, friends and family.  And ooooh how I miss wholesale flower markets.  GO!  Go!  If you live in a city you have no excuse!  Get your hands on oodles of blooms this year!  I'll be working my wannabe florist magic with the crap from Safeway!  (But they won't know...)
(Photo via Flickr) I'm also planning a "floor party" set up around the tree for the morning events and gift bonanza.  I'm thinking sheepskins and cushions around the plastic tree!  These Kilim cushions would be perfect since I already have lots of Moroccan rugs to match.  And they are certainly Chrsitmas-ie without having to have santa on them.  (sorry santa)
 I'll be signing off for some fun in traffic and super shopping over the next days.  I'll be back with evidence of the festivities.  in the meantime give me some of your links, ideas and Martha Madness too.Xoxoxoxo...

 

Inspiration: "Holi" a festival of colors

 Thanks to a tip from Sugar Power these gorgeous photo's from Flickr have been circling around the office. 
 
A brilliant display of tradition, faith and celebration.  I have such a love for India. It's colors, festivals and arts.  
 
Any place where people are willing to gather in the streets for complete immersion in dye and general town mess have a thumbs up from me.  These photo's are so special.  I love the vivid energy in all of them!

Cool Blog...

Tara Bradford over at the Paris Parfait is serving up some lovely photos and posts from her Paris perspective and further travels.  A friend sent me her link and I had a field day over there. Have a look-see!  Flea Markets, journeys and great photography!

 

Giveaway Reminder

 Just a little reminder that Holidays are sneaking in and that you may want to place your orders for those of you wanting to take advantage of my 

Bag and Print giveaway only offered through this blog.  Click here for the original details...xoxoxo