my love for you is a stampede of horses.

Quilted: Beth Hoeckel.

I started collecting quilts in my 20's after I was lucky enough to inherit some beautiful quilts from my great aunt Lavinia. I've had sewing in my blood since I was a little girl — although I don't have the talent like my sister. But because of my background; New England crafters — all things quilt-like, if done beautifully appeal to me. So naturally I found Beth Hoeckel's quilt like paintings lovely and wonderful. And her drawings of siloettes with the quilt background — awesome.

She's also got a real eye for photography that I'll post soon as well. Too good not to!

originally found via attentive tumblr — amazing images on there!

ROA's Manatee in Miami.

I spotted ROA's beautiful manatee mural on White Wall's blog. Such a gorgeous piece. ROA gets a little bloody with this one, but it's still a sight to behold.

via White Walls (photography by Gareth Gooch).

New Work: Richard Pearse.

I chatted with Richard Pearse recently via email — about his latest group of work. Many of the pieces you see here are featured in Richard's show, WINTER IN THE COWSHED that opened last weekend at KRETS.

I have featured Richard's work a few times (first as a Reader Love post back in 2010). I've never asked him about his process or the time he puts into it until recently, he happily told me:

"I couldn't say how long exactly but if you consider all the cutting, gluing and then
contemplation & consideration time it all starts to add up. It's a
challenge managing time but I try to have around 3 or 4 on the go at
once to keep the whole gluing/drying phase of the process in check and
to obviously keep my mind stimulated by not staring at the same pieces
for too long - well at least thats the plan."

I'm not sure why (or why I am admitting this outloud), but I never actually realized that Richard cut and glued each and every piece of wood within his work. I just thought he was lucky enough to find awesome salvaged wood that he painted. That's what you get here folks, me admiting to being somehow oblivious to completley obvious happenings. Regardless, I now have an even deeper appreciation and love for his work.

Do you have a favorite of in this new group? It's so hard to choose, but I love the one right below.

Ahhhh!

I had to post this. Every now and then I will post a ridiculous cat pic on the blog's facebook page titling it "Just Because". I posted this today and it's blown up. So I am posting here for a few chuckles to get you through the next few hours of Monday.

found via Pinterest.

Percy.

One of the things that I want to start doing is adding a little more of my personal life on the blog. Mainly because I just want to get to know you readers better, and let you get to know me — I think 4 years is a good amount of time to start getting personal. ;) And also because I think it's a good direction to go: more personal, more fun.

A good friend of mine bought a home in Pacifica and with it came a feral kitty. Probably one of the friendliest feral kitties I have ever met! She gave birth recently (and has since been spayed) to 3 adorable little furballs.

I brought one home this weekend. I am not 100% sure if it's a boy or girl yet. I'm about 50% certain he's a boy after looking. Cause you know them's the odds.

At the moment he's in my bathroom and not very happy. But he's so cute. Through support and advice from friends, twitter and online reading of feral kittens — I think he'll be good. He sure is vocal. He's real funny cause he hisses like none other but will not bite or scratch me!

The above pic is when I first brought the little beastie home. Below is a pic from before he left his mama — taken by my friend. His/her name is Percy. 

Have you had experience with wild kitties that aren't stoked to be in your home? What have you done to ease them into their new surroundings? I'd love to hear your experience.