Gift wrapping is not a contest (yet).

Ah, Christmas. I don't always have such a good excuse to wrap pretty packages--a birthday here and there, of course, but at Christmas I really end up working in series on gift wrapping ideas.

The other day I was remembering a present I wrapped once for a friend--it was a tiny thing I covered with a scrap of pretty paper I'd saved from a bar of Chinese soap (which also smelled pretty!) and tied up with a tangled bow of the finest gauge of brass wire--all tiny and sweet with a wee little tag springing off the top. She loved how it was wrapped so much that she hung it on her studio wall. I don't know if she ever actually opened the gift--in fact, I don't even remember what was inside the package.

Here's a detail of this little cute one I wrapped up for friend--I think it's my favorite one so far this year. She's one of my fav friends, too, so it's fitting.

Happy Holidays!

If you have a mismatched chair or four...

Jordan Wolfson
Interior with Three Chairs and Stool

Van Straaten Gallery in Denver's Santa Fe Arts District is now hosting a group of paintings by Jordan Wolfson through January 16. You have to see these in person to fully appreciate them (like so many things). I especially recommend you spend some time looking at his two triptychs up close, then get as far away as you can and check that out. Actually, all of the work is fun to do this with, so you might want to schedule some time (luckily, there's no sculpture in there to bump into, right painting snobs?). I talked to Jordan and he wanted me to be sure to tell everyone that he's willing to do commission work in your interior as well. I assume he'd be willing to bring his own director's chair if you don't have one, but otherwise I think you'll want to provide your own assortment. At least I would.

Jordan also teaches some very popular classes at the Art Students League of Denver, just in case you were wondering.

It's time!

They're here and they're cute. Go to the grocery store immediately and buy yourself a bag or two because these are the only snack you need this season. The first time I remember eating Cuties was when I was in England. I had an insane flatmate named Gloria who was a Spanish diva and a dramatic exclaimer. If I were writing a script that she was a character in, I would probably have to put exclamation points behind everything she said because that was how she was. "I cannot live without mandarins!" I obviously didn't care because on a few occasions, after the onset of my addiction and a few miles walk to the source of fruit in a cold and wet English winter, I 'borrowed' some of hers. So there you have it. I'm not above stealing mandarins, so I'll assume you aren't either and sit here in the corner and eat these while watching you suspiciously.