Snowing in Santa Fe

We head home tomorrow to sunny California, so today we have snow in Santa Fe! It's been coming down all day. We're not used to snow and it's been wildly exciting. I know, all you snow bunnies think we're just plain silly.

We are here as part of a home exchange and it's been really fun to live in the mountains outside of Santa Fe for a week. The owner of the house created handmade tile and installed it inside and out. There are totems, mosaic benches, tiled canals to the garden pond... 

Here are a few more shots I took outside before the snow started falling...

Tweet sweet in Santa Fe

We're on a home exchange in the mountains near Santa Fe, NM, and the home is adorned inside and out with the host's handiwork. It's quite amazing. She did her own kitchen, bath, entryways... and then moved out to the landscaping with handmade ceramic tile on benches, gates, arches, entry sign. There are totems and masks and figures everywhere.

A glance through the trees reveals my favorite touch – a few colorful ceramic birds sitting prettily on the branches. It's been such fun!

Coming clean about sponge-holders

These little fellows are sponge-holders. Yep, before you get all snarky, you should give it a try! You all need a sponge-holder (or two) in your kitchen!

I saw my first sponge-holder at a craft show in Hawaii and thought it was pretty stupid. But, I've been converted! I received one as a gift while back, and we love it. 

These are fun to make and a great way to warm up (and also try out glaze combos). I like having affordable, small items for shoppers desiring hand-made functional pieces. I try out different deco, sprigs and glaze combos.

Now, instead of putting your clean, wet sponge back down on your kitchen counter, you can plunk it onto the sponge-holder where it dries and is ready for your next clean-up.