by Marja-Leena 
This glorious amber sunrise met me as I walked into the kitchen about 8:00 am this morning, after a clear frosty night! The sunshine stayed with us all day so we were able to put up the outdoor holiday lights and gather greenery and berry branches for the winter planters. More photos to come of the frost….
by Marja-Leena 
about 2:00 pm on December 1st looking southwest from our back deck
After the monsoon month of November with its tease of snow,
sunshine, weak as it is, delights now in December.
Yesterday morning a stunning brief surprise when driving around the bend of the road:
sun on brilliant white snowy mountain tops peeking above tall dark evergreens.
The camera of my mind’s eye etched the scene to memory.
by Marja-Leena 
‘Tis the last day of the month of November, and the last day of this month’s challenge to write a blog post daily. I’ve not done this before and must admit It has been a struggle sometimes, especially the last while when I’ve been extra busy in the studio and then very tired in the evenings. I’m not sure I’d do it again, though my friend Jean speaks very well for the daily practice. Thank you all for reading!
Now on to December and preparations for the winter solstice celebrations. I managed to print my cards today so I feel a gratifying sense of accomplishment.
by Marja-Leena 
Busy days now. After completing the printing of two editions last week, yesterday I did some more work on the third piece which I plan to edition on Monday. Today I put together a stack of prints for the print sale on Wednesday. Then I started to design my Christmas card, a bit late, but hopefully I can get it ready and printed sometime this coming week as well. Somewhere amidst all this I need to start the letters.
I enjoyed a quick break from my work today to step outside into the garden to have a look at the amazing drops of rain and melted snow (from overnight) beading on the leaves and buds. I had trouble getting them in focus with the macro lens, being too busy to get the tripod, but these two worked well.
by Marja-Leena 
Do you keep a cup or mug on your desk to hold your pens and pencils? Next to this computer is a desk lamp with a heavy indented base which holds my ‘stuff’. This evening I had the urge to clean it up a bit, then another urge to scan it all – a virtual ‘show and tell’ if you like. Not that exciting, is it? What do you have in your pencil cup?
by Marja-Leena 
detail of a tie-dyed table runner I created a long time ago – not related to subject below
Many question the purpose of art. Here’s one answer in this wonderful story about art and healing*.
(*link expired, sorry)
by Marja-Leena 
Here are some glimpses of the printmaking studio in which I work – my desk with the proof on the wall which I printed last week, and our wide-format inkjet printer, affectionately called Lucy.
by Marja-Leena 
Somewhat related to my ‘textures of home’ series, but much more personal, featured here are some very old Finnish pendants and a brooch that have been passed on to me. These styles were and still are commonly worn with the Finnish national costumes.
I don’t know if these were made by Kalevala Koru but I rather think so for the company’s designs are based on replicas of ancient Iron Age jewelry discovered in Finland and Scandinavia by archaeologists. I’ve just learned a bit more about the company’s fascinating history and that it’s fully owned by women in Finland. Some of you may know the name Kalevala comes from the Finnish national epic poem.
These may not be priceless precious jewels but I love that these pieces are made of local heavy brass or bronze and are not shiny and new looking like some of my newer Kalevala Koru pieces (though I love those too). To me they feel full of history and ancient culture as well as being family heirlooms. I do wear these often particularly the dark pendant which is my favourite.
Added January 25th, 2012: Thanks to a nice surprise — an article about a 1941 Kalevala Koru catalogue at the Finnish Kansanperinne-blogi (ancient traditions blog), I’m now able to identify two of the pendants, second from the left and the far right one, as being Kalevala Koru creations, and the date! I’m so very pleased to know this.
Added December 30th, 2012: While looking for something else on my blog, I came across this photo of my mother, wearing the pendant on the right. Read the story behind it in the comments.
by Marja-Leena 
first short-lived snow on the mountains, October 27th
In the printmaking studio this morning, I’m thrilled with the first large proof of my new print!
Over town this afternoon for an appointment, then joined by husband. We met his sister who is here from the Island for the weekend. Joined by Erika, we all went to a Lebanese restaurant for a fabulous meal. (Our first ever Lebanese meal was in Montreal this past June!) Home this evening for more tea and conversation, then early to bed, tired from our respective full days! This is all I can manage… good night, all!
by Marja-Leena 
As some of you know, we visited Montreal last June and met in person long-time online friend Beth and her husband. I’ve been wanting to show this special and beautiful gift Beth gave me, a little sketchbook about 10 x 12 cm. (4″ x 4.75″) that she skillfully crafted. I treasure it and think of Beth every time I look at it. Today, better late than never, I did my first little sketch into it.
Inspired by an image I saw somewhere a few years ago of a prehistoric rock carving in Roughting Linn in Northumberland, UK, I’d done a quick pen doodle on scrap paper and later taped it into my larger working sketchbook/notebook. As I contemplated doing a series of rock art images in Beth’s book, I remembered that image. I used graphite aquarelle pencils, a black aquarelle stick and a damp little paintbrush – what fun!