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Satin & Sand

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Satin & Sand

Category Archives: Design

Bursting at the seams…

18 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Crafts, Design, Fashion, Reflections, Relationships

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Beauty, In Absence, Love, Relationships, watercolor

© Joan Currie – watercolor

Absence extinguishes a minor passion and intensifies a great one – as the wind blows out a candle but fans a fire.
from In Absence by François , Duc de la Rochefoucauld

Trying to wait patiently for your return…

Hallowe’en…

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Design, Fashion, Photography, Reflections, Writing

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Hallowe'en, Hallowe'en costume, Poetry, Robert Herrick poem, Witch

© Joan Currie

To work magic is to weave the unseen forces into form; to soar beyond sight; to explore the uncharted dream realm of the hidden reality. – Starhawk from Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

My childhood Hallowe’en costumes were always some variation on the witch theme, with the capes becoming more and more elaborate as the years went on. I think I fared better than my siblings who opted for ghost garb.

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Beautiful Kindness of Strangers…

10 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Design, Health, Relationships

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Act of Kindness, Canadian Thanksgiving, Mark Twain, Miraculous Mary medal, Vancouver

© Joan Currie – Lions Gate Bridge

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Mark Twain

This past weekend I traveled to Vancouver to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with my family. One afternoon while we were watching the cargo ships and spawning Chinook salmon from a pier along the Burrard Inlet, my sister-in-law spotted a couple wearing matching pendants and approached the two to get a better look. The ornaments were Miraculous Mary medals and to my surprise, the man gave me his. I was very moved by his act of kindness and will treasure it for years to come!

Crown of flowers…

26 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Crafts, Design, Photography, Reflections, Writing

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Craft, Design, Fall, Grapevine wreath, Harvest wreath, Lord Tennyson, Photography, Pottery Barn garland

Tears, idle tears, I know what they mean, 
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more.
from Tears, Idle Tears by Lord Tennyson

The yellow flowers in my front door wreath evoked vivid memories of buttercup, daisy, and dandelion crown making not only with my daughters but also with my childhood friends – almost forgotten.

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Decorating Tip

I made the wreath from a Pottery Barn “Bittersweet” garland I found at my local store yesterday. I fixed it into a round shape with picture frame wire and then added some vintage amber buttons that looked like berries for more color (using embroidery floss to tie them to the grapevine). A lovely striped grosgrain ribbon worked well for the bow.

Our happiness…

18 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Design, Photography, Reflections, Relationships, Writing

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Art, Design, Intimacy, Lauren DiMarco, Love, Photography, Rumi

© Joan Currie – Mixed media

The stars will be watching us,
and we will show them
what it is to be a thin crescent moon.
You and I unselfed, will be together,
indifferent to idle speculation, you and I.
The parrots of heaven will be cracking sugar
as we laugh together, you and I.
In one form upon this earth,
and in another form in a timeless sweet land.
from A Moment of Happiness by Rumi

I love to linger in our own sweet, sweet world…

Model: Lauren DiMarco

Scrumptious velvet pumpkins…

16 Sunday Sep 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Crafts, Design, Photography, Reflections

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Crafts, Home decorating, Interior Design, John Greenleaf Whittier, Photography, Pumpkins, Thanksgiving, Velvet Pumpkins

© Joan Currie – Velvet pumpkins

And the prayer, which my mouth is too full to express,
Swells my heart that thy shadow may never be less,
That the days of thy lot may be lengthened below,
And the fame of thy worth like a pumpkin-vine grow,
And thy life be as sweet, and its last sunset sky
Golden-tinted and fair as thy own Pumpkin pie!
from The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier

I love to decorate for the harvest season!

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Decorating Tip

Thanks to YouTube videos (check out EAB Designs), I sewed some beautiful velvet pumpkins to add to my collection of bought ones. Inspired by the new Restoration Hardware catalog, I also dyed a beige vintage tablecloth given to me by my favorite aunt (who passed away several years ago) a light grey color for a more contemporary look. I think she would approve!

Leaving town blue..

12 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Design, Photography, Reflections, Travel, Writing

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Blue bridge in Dublin, Dublin, Photography, Wallace Stegner, Writing

© Joan Currie – Blue bridge in Dublin, Ireland

Our last impression of her as she turned the corner was that smile, flung backward like a handful of flowers.  Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety

Trying to make every parting a beautiful memory…

© Joan Currie – Morning blues – I will miss the lattes and banana bread!

© Joan Currie – My favorite antique store…

A poetic life…

25 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Design, Photography, Reflections

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Art, Design, Idea board, Mary Randolph Carter, Photography

© Joan Currie

Clutter is the poetry of our homes. it is an intimate view that is not always perfect –
a few dishes in the sink, books piled next to the bed.
Everything in its place may give a certain satisfaction,
but a lived-in room exudes comfort and warmth.
by Mary Randolph Carter

I love being at home surrounded by the poetry of a well-lived and interesting life.

“be generous” card – Danielle LaPorte.

Reconsider…

23 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Art, Design, Fashion, Photography, Reflections, Relationships

≈ 2 Comments

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Braided hair, Fashion, Mother Teresa, Photography, Relationships

© Joan Currie

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Mother Teresa

Sometimes it is better to turn around and start again.

Air guitar…

16 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by Satin & Sand in Design, Fashion, Photography, Reflections

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Bono, Lauren DiMarco, Rock Star, Sunglasses

© Lauren DiMarco

As a rock star, I have two instincts, I want to have fun, and I want to change the world. I have a chance to do both.  Bono

I am putting aside my rose colored glasses for rock star ones…

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