we have a winner!

Hello, Bonjour, Hello!

Maira Maira Maira!

Sorry for the slight delay in announcing the winner of our giveaway for a signed copy of Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything. But we had good reason.

When last we called upon the erudite, ever-reliable mathematical genius Monsieur Random Integer Generator, he was feasting on veal piccata in Milan. As you can imagine, it is not easy tracking down this raconteur connoisseur globe-trotting flaneur restaurateur. Wherever he goes, people want him to pick his nose numbers and winners.

He’s always in demand. Yes, he’s that good.

And for you, dear readers, we would never settle for anything less.

So we sent him a special telegram requesting his services.

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creativiTEA: loving amy flynn’s fabulous fobots!

amy
Raleigh, NC artist Amy Flynn is passionate about shopping and making things.

Fantastic, funky, fine, futuristic, flamboyant, fetching, fierce, fanciful, quirky and wonky.

Amy Flynn’s amazing FOBOTS (Found Object Robots) are just plain fun! She scours the world for cool junk to create her one-of-a-kind sculptures, fascinating characters who go by such whimsical, punny names as “Biscotty,” “Boobarella,” “Dan Sedan,” “Robot Robama,” and “Scubi Dude.”

A freelance illustrator for 25+ years (greeting cards, children’s books, giftware), Amy shifted her focus to fobots when the economy tanked in 2008. She admits to always having a weird fixation for robots and loving flea markets, so why not exercise her creative muscle by doing something that truly makes her happy?

family
“Family Out for a Stroll”

She lives in a 1920’s house and her first fobot was made from an original doorknob as well as other junk she found in her basement. Now, in addition to flea markets and scrapyards, Amy finds spare parts via internet auctions. She solders and bolts the pieces together and includes a numbered copper plate on the back of each sculpture. If the fobot opens, there’s a metal heart inside, just like the tin man.

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creativiTEA: hooked on kate jenkins

Crocheted food? Why not? Brighton based knitting genius Kate Jenkins is famous for it.

And no wonder — what a delectable feast she creates with wool and yarn, served with a good side of cheekiness.

Some of these pieces are from Kate’s New York shows. “Kate’s Diner” featured iconic food and drink items associated with NY eateries, and “Kate’s Café” was a full-blown café gallery with many British favorites. Also thought I’d whet your appetite with a few of her “fishy” creations.

Indulge in these calorie-free treats to your heart’s delight. Yum!

chickennoodlesoup
Chicken Noodle Soup

donuts

 

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hotTEA of the week: prince william

“As I learned from growing up, you don’t mess with your grandmother.” (Prince William)

hotTEA of the week: benedict cumberbatch

“The more charming person is the person who admits the other person is more charming.” (Benedict Cumberbatch)

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