Trust Thyself

Wise and beautiful words from Emerson. This was a Christmas gift from me to Doug.

Christmas 09 Highlights

Anton reads himself a bedtime story before we got ready for bed.

Anne discovers the real joy of being right just ONCE. This was my favorite stocking stuffer.

Anton discovers the real joy of opening so many, many presents!

Puff and Gunther

In my lap early in the morning.

New Italic Envelopes

I've really been pushing the italic envelope - here are two recent cards I've done. I like the BIG nibs that give lots of drama on the page. These are done with a Pilot Parallel pen.

Christmas Color

Doing some last minute gift making and wrapping today. Too busy to write! BUt here are some of our lovely xmas decorations, and Anton enjoying the tree.

Love

Did this recently for a client - wonderful word to interpret.

I did a smooth and bumpy version. I enjoy both, including the pencil version.

All he wants for Christmas...

This is my DougieFresh and his stocking stuffer hopefuls. We went browsing at B&N the other night sans Anton. Quite a peaceful experience!

New Business Cards

I've started experimenting with the new Anne Elser identity and have decided it should not be static, but dynamic, and with one thing in common - that they all be done by my own hands. This first round of business cards is just the beginning - my take on the wonderous drama that comes from using a broad-edged nib. Love the stress in stroke, the value dips of ink and the paper is 140lb something. I can't remember.

Next round will be something new and different. Weee!

12 Reasons Why I'm No Longer A Christian

Been digging deep within my ego child's mind in the Enlightenment therapy/training stuff I'm doing. This list came from my coach Debra, who has really saved my life. You all have heard/read about her before on this here beelog.

I recently got into a scrap with a man who used to be my "wizard" of sorts - the man who thought of me as the daughter he never had, and whose ideas about god, politics, and religion I adopted as my own from about the age of 4. This choice of mine really wasn't a choice - but an offer of safety. We grow up mimicking our elders, thinking that if we model ourselves after them, our world makes sense, because it is all we know.

I realize now how trapped I was in a religious environment modeled after the idea of morality, humility, sacrifice and guilt. It was literally poisoning me. Today, I let go of its curses.

Now that I've realized I've survived my childhood and no longer need protection from god, the church or anyone, I see this world with such different eyes and with that, comes a new self.

I have had two children in my life. The first was my son Anton. The second is my new Self. The one who is everything there is, everything I am. And it's all up to me. Wow. What freedom there is in that statement.

I still have a lot of anger to sift through as I reclaim my own beliefs and create my own life. But I am on my way. Through. And shining the entire time.

Here goes the list:

Some Basic Axiomatic Positionalities of the Ego

from Reality and Subjectivity by David R. Hawkins

1. Phenomena are either good or bad, right or wrong, just or unjust, fair or unfair.

2. The "bad" deserve to be punished and the "good" rewarded.

3. Things happen by accident or else they are the fault of somebody else.

4. The mind is capable of comprehending and recognizing truth from falsehood.

5. The world causes and determines one's experiences.

6. Life is unfair because the innocent suffer while the wicked go unpunished.

7. People should be different than they are.

8. It is critical and necessary to be right.

9. It is critical and necessary to win.

10. Wrongs must be righted.

11. Righteousness must prevail.

12. Perceptions represent reality.

Recycled Kimono Flower

This beautiful necklace I got from Kaz at the Bobbe Gillis Gallery Holiday Market last weekend. She buys vintage kimonos and makes these beautiful flowers into earrings, necklaces and pins. Visit her blog here. Here Online shop is planted at Etsy.

Cousins

I adore these pictures of Anton and Mia. They look so grown up!!

Xmas Cookies

Here are some darling ones of Anton and Mia making xmas cookies. Mia made fast friends with Gunther, too. Discovered she's a cat person.

Mimi's Meatballs

My great-grandmother's meatball recipe. She was Norwegian - that's where the Davnes in my name comes from. I mentioned this meal earlier prior to Thanksgiving. Now you get to see the yummy results. Think I'll make this for xmas dinner, too. Anton pooped these little meaty bites in his mouth like it was nuthin. What a pro.

Ginger Bread House Adventure with Anton

Anton loves to help me bake in the kitchen. When it's time to make cookies, it's his job to lick the spoon, the bowl, the mixer beater and then to ask for more batter to put on the beater.

The same rules apply when making a ginger bread house. Before the icing had time to set, and while his sugar coma was in full bloom, Anton had covered his cheeks and fingers with about 1/2 a cup of it. We stopped to take a bath before bed when he asked me to clean his face. Here are some pictures of our fun.

Xmas Card 2009

I've been carving out time for this year's xmas card. Just sent them out this morning. The beginning step was a lino cut, then a cool gray felt marker tree branch, topped with a tiny black date and signature. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year world. I love you.

~Anne

Yamaha Paper Cat

I know none of you are too busy this holiday season to make a paper cat, right? SO I'm linking the directions here. Looks like fun, no?

Thanksgiving pies

I've been in such a rush with the holidays to take time to share with you what they look like in my house. These Thanksgiving pies were delicious - but we missed the apple. So that's what we'll have for xmas dinner. Yum!

Needle Books

Okee Dokee Friends,

There are ten needle books and two Project Boxes for sale at Dunwoody Needle Works. Get em fast cuz they're gonna go quickly!

Hand Towels

I made these for a dear friend who appreciates wit. They hang in her bathroom and were a wedding shower gift the year Anton was born. It was a fall wedding and I was on bedrest during the shower. With nothing to do but sit and wait, I did a LOT of needlework. Really want to make a set for myself. Bathroom humor never goes out of style. :)

My assistant, Olaf.

Here's Olaf, my studio assistant, warming up washi paper. He won't be at the Gallery Show tomorrow, but I sure will. Come by and see me!

Alice and Jerry

A tape and coptic bound book for sale at the Gillis Gallery Holiday Artist's Market this Saturday.