Some day studio

While home over the holiday I saw an article on creating clever home offices in one of Martha's magazines (Spring '08). Thumbing through the glossy pages I couldn't help but thrill at the cozy nooks--they're organizational heaven. Of course, I'm drooling over the enclosed pink studio (top). How fun would that be? Given the small size of our apartment the need for organization is vital. I still create a gigantic mess every time I pull out my supplies to make a book, but maybe I can find a way to store it all so it's easier to locate items and then have spaces to hide it all after I'm done. The some-day studio will have wide, shallow shelving units for the flat sheets of paper and board, there will be rows of silk ribbon, jars filled with buttons, large cannisters for paper scraps and a bookshelf for storing the final creations. There will be lots of bright white paint and soft pink and green accents. And inevitably a few pots of ivy that have been relocated to the studio so the living room doesn't look like a "green house!"

What will yours look like?

Forward momentum, intention and perspective

These peaceful images are from the artist behind the habit of being. I found her searching through favorites on flickr this morning. I look at them and feel soothed. They say surround yourself with beauty, simple and sweet, and you will be rewarded. They say that natural light streaming into your living space can be the most beautiful assessory. That the littlest stone or shell picked up on your walk can be the highlight of the day. I realize that the dust of Christmas has barely had time to settle, but my mind is already turning towards the new year. I'm thinking about what this past year has held for me, particularly the concepts of forward momentum, intention and perspective. I'm thinking about what this new year will hold as I take these tools and act upon them. So, with these thoughts and the tranquil images floating through my mind, I'll be curious to see what gets scribbled out onto my journal tonight!

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas! Wishing you all a wonderful, safe and beautiful Christmas!

XOXO

Self Portrait: Mary Jo

Are you as delighted with this self portrait as I am? I adore Mary Jo's beautiful and generous blog over at Trust Your Style. She has such fabulous give-aways and thoughts on fashion. Merry Christmas Mary Jo and Lady Jane! We love you!


The rug is from Dharamsala--I picked it up on a trip I took to meet the Dalai Lama. I still love the rug as much as the day I fell in love with it. I included a new clutch from my line with a bird detail; my most favorite pair of shoes; the akoya baroque strand with gold angel is also from my line--this one is special to me, a percentage of proceeds goes to ALS research in honor my father; I love the little Wayne Thiebaud book and also the vintage sewing manual, "Magic Style Touches". The little peach pin cushion I got from a lady who made and sold them at the Rose Bowl flea market years ago--it's still my favorite.

PS. from Mary Jo: I had no sooner put the shot together when Lady Jane, my big gray and white cat dove into the middle of it, pin-cushion and all. She definitely is one of my most prized possessions, so I guess it was perfect.

PPS. I probably misspoke about Lady Jane--she's not my possession, but I am definitely her favorite possession (besides the lizards she loves to drag in)!

Humbug

There is a distinct possibility that up until this past weekend I had actually succumbed to the Humbug spirit. Yes, it’s supposed to be a season lush with merry spirits, thankfulness and joyous bliss. I felt more like a prune, dry, withered and weathered. Sounds kind of sad, but it’s true. I didn’t have the energy to get into the Christmas spirit. I didn’t have the patience for sweetness. I didn’t want to be generous, I wanted to horde because I had so little to give. What I didn’t realize is that when you continue to push when you need to stop, fidget when you’re supposed to rest, and create more drama when you should be at peace… well, inevitably things start to wear out. This weekend I slept in. I took long walks, three of them, even in the bitter cold. I ate good food (which means more than Christmas cookies and chocolate). I wrote in my journal. And I did all of these things with the intent to nourish. Not to simply cross it off my list. Gosh, I never would have thought I would be the Scrouge at Christmas, but I was. Just ask my husband. Hunny, I promise to let you scrap off the car in the mornings if you want, I won’t bully you into giving me the scrapper because I think I could do it better. Promise! I still have the need for attitude adjustments, but at least a different perspective won’t feel so painful.

images from James Merrell

Friday Favorites

First set:
1. three persimmons in a bowl by blissfulimages
2. Old and pretty wood frame from littlebyrdvintage
3. Stardust by The Peach Tree
4. Natural fern sachet from lottahelleberg



Second set:
1. Crystal and hoop earrings from fadedwillow
2. Kitty in the wind by Blaedanielle
3. Damask - wooden gocco postcard from paperschmaper
4. tiled elegance by wunderbug



Third set:
1. Katie necklace by laurabailliedesigns
2. Silver pouch from picciolo
3. Personalized floral stationary by le papier designs
4. Cote d'azur by green cricket

Sorry for such a late Friday Favorites post! Today was a snow day, delicious, and I've been putting things back in order, catching up on snaggling Christmas stuffs, and generally chilling out. I can't tell you how badly I've needed to do all of those things.

Because Christmas is soon approaching I've created a series of three Friday Favorites. You all are such wonders, creative artists with so much to offer, I've decided to showcase as many of your as I could.

Happy holidays! XOXO

Jewels

Clean and simple

I found this series of images refreshing! Clean, simple, nature-infused and bright with natural light. Gosh, I love it. You can find them here. And a whole bunch of other fantastic rooms and homes. I'll be adding these to my "dream home" folder.

There is still an odd assortment of things I want to get done in the next week before Christmas. Make sugar cookies (for Andrew), see the Nutcracker (this Saturday night--so excited, I'm dressing up), and catch up on all the Christmas Red Otter orders. This is one of the first times it's been busy at my shop over the holidays. It's kind of cool! Although I feel like I come home and sit in a pile of paper and glue till I go to bed.

Self Portrait: Picciolo

Welcome to the beautiful world of Picciolo! This is the next addition of the Self Portrait Project. I've known Jane for a while now and again and again I'm impressed with her beautiful craftmanship, her kindness, and her generousity. She is a truly remarkable women. Without further ado, Picciolo:

So, why these objects? Hmm, well the circus tent pot was bought for me bymy husband when we first met, and is one of those things you just know youwill keep forever. The little cockerel came from a car boot sale manyyears ago when I was a child and reminds me of family, as does the littlestoneware lion. The leaf tiles in the frame were a christmas present frommy mum and dad, and my dad made the frame, it is just perfect and a verytreasured item. The little feather in the other frame was found on a walkin the woods, and was pinned to the inside hem of my wedding dress as mysomething blue. My limpet necklace came from our favourite holidaydestination of Crete, and also reminds me of living by the sea and tripsto the beach when I was growing up. The heart shaped stone was given to meby my little girl when she found it on the beach, and the twig pencil sumsup my love of trees/nature and art/crafts all in one go. Sorry if I'verambled on a bit!

As always, if any of you feel inspired to create a self portrait of your own, simply contact me via my yahoo address (right under my profile picture). We all love getting to know one another just a little bit more!

Sprinkled Doughnuts

A little known fact about me: I adore sprinkled doughnuts. They're absolutely awful for me, for so many reasons, least of which is the fact that my trousers don't seem to fit quite right the next day. But, I love 'em!

The goodies from the weekend took the form of cookie making, baking, movie watching, walk taking, and heaps of relax-ating! I wasn't able to make it down to see my blogger buddies on Sunday, due to yucky weather, but it was fun chatting it up on the phone with each of them. What did you guys do this weekend? By the way, we have exactly ten days before Christmas!

Images from Terilyn Fisher

Friday Favorites

one: coping from RobertSocha
two: Neptunes Bride by Tissage
three: Sprout the Teapot from alinahayes
four: Reality by Sooooound

My list of things to do this weekend:
1. Take a long walk through my favorite neighborhoods (check out the Christmas lights)
2. Breakfast with friends who are passing through town on Sunday
3. Blind date with Vana and Callie (I'm keeping my fingers crossed girls, we need to stay healthy and have good weather)
4. Make Christmas cookies (YUM YUM)
5. Read Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher (annual favorite)

What's on your list?

Quiet moment

We struggle, we push, we strive, and pine. And then every once in a while we slip into the cool calm of an eddy and rest for a moment or two. These quiet moments are invaluable. It's been an intense few weeks and I feel like my reserves are about used up. But, today, well today is a special day and I'm able to rest for my moment or two.

I wish you a quiet moment, whether it's granted to you or you take it!

XOXO

Images from Anne Naumann

Avoca

While studying abroad in England I took a trip to Dublin, Ireland, with some girlfriends. We visited at the tail end of our Christmas holiday, so Dublin was still dressed for the season's festivities. I remember walking through winding cobbled streets decked in garlands and lights. We found this beautiful shop called Avoca in our attempt to find the Information Center (they aren't as easy to find as you would hope, by the way). It was piled high with brightly colored plaid throws, stylish frocks, candles, banners, stationary and yummy packaged mixes. An Irish stimulation overload, otherwise known as heaven! They have a gorgeous website, you've gotta check it out!

By the way, after soaking up the goodness at Avoca, my girlfriends and I crossed the street to a cafe that served lattes in simple white cups with matching saucers. They made little hearts out the foam. We were in love!

PS. I know it's bad to add something to an already posted post, but I had to add this little diddy! Thank you so much! :) Come see here!

Self portrait

A new self portrait for you this morning! I hope you enjoy Jennlui, I know I did:

The selection of my items for this self-portrait photograph was a lot easier once I released the pressure on myself to define who I was through objects… at first I was totally stressing out with choosing just the right items that would speak for me, define who I was and that would show you my spirit. Then it clicked… which items do I use everyday, those should be in the photo. My journals, artwork, paintbrushes, books, essential oils, incense… through these things my artistic side is present, my spiritual side, the healer within me, my curiosity to discover more about myself and the world around me. All of this is present in my everyday things.

Survived

I adore the idea of making a pot of Earl Grey tea, gathering chocolate biscuits onto a plate and bringing it all into my bedroom for an afternoon of reading and relaxing! Maybe I'll do that tonight, after I get back from work.

It was an intense week and weekend, but they're done and I'm in one piece, incredibly enough. My sister and I did our first Arts and Craft fair on Saturday. What an experience--we learned so much! Such as: you go more and more crazy as the afternoon proceeds, it's true. Doing an art fair with a friend who's also your sister is one of the BEST things I discovered! I believe I'll do another fair in the future, but not for a very long time. Our apartment was in shambles last week and the living room floor was scattered with paper scraps, needles and random other sharp objects. Poor Andrew!

How is your Monday thus far?

Images from House Beautiful

Self Portrait: Red Otter

Almost a month ago I wrote a post on the idea of creating a self portrait by photographing the items you hold dear, letting your most treasured possessions describe you. There was so much support and excitement about the idea (thank you Mrs. French)! I've already posted three self portraits from Two Ellie, The Peachtree, and Quaint Handmade. They are beautiful, thoughtful, creative and enchanting. Each item seems to open up a different window into the individuals life! Thank you so much, ladies! I still have a number of self portraits to post in the coming weeks, so keep watch. Also, if any of you who want to get involved, there's still plenty of time. Just write me an email (see my email address on the right -->) and I'll s'plain all the details.

This is my self portrait, a look into Red Otter!

On a raw silk pillow, that my sister gave to me, sits a small collection of treasures. The small wooden cigar box has traveled all over the world with me. I picked it up at a tobacco shop in Edinburgh, Scotland when I was studying abroad for a year. The seed packet journal is the is the journal I talk about in my Etsy profile--during an economic crunch and in desperate need of a new journal, I covered board make from a cereal box and stitched together this book using fishing line. To the right is my favorite tea mug, for my endless cups of Lady Grey and Chai tea. In the mug is a felted brooch I bought on Etsy. A blue Waterman pen (for all my journaling) sits on top a large slate colored stone I found on the shores of Lake Superior. That stone seems to have an energy to it. I can hold it on my chest when I'm lying down and am instantly calmed. Weird, I know. To the right of my pen is a small ceramic bowl I made during my time in Birmingham, England. Inside the bowl is a Luckenbooth Brooch that my husband gave to me after he proposed and I said yes. We're to put it on the baby blanket of our first child. So many little items that carry powerful stories. I've described what you see in the picture, the stories. I hope that through these small treasures you can "see" me better!

Thank you for your patience this week! I'm so excited to catch up with you! Just two other little diddies before I go. Karen from Faded Willow just got ENGAGED--congratulations a million times over! And I just won a little contest over at Trust Your Style (thank you so much Mary Jo)!

Love to you! XOXO

Unimaginative

Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative. – Oscar Wilde

This quote made me laugh, it seemed to suit my frame of mind this week, hugely unimaginative, but productive. That's a good thing, right? I'm already looking forward to Sunday when I have nothing on my plate, no event to attend, no more books to make. Whee! I'll be posting a Self Portrait tomorrow *fingers crossed* Stay tuned!

Images from The Emily Todhunter Group

First of December

Happy First of December, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Goodness knows I desperately needed the time away. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of relaxation, and so much good food. Mixed into the fun and deliciousness were a few unexpected surprises. Because of those surprises we discovered the joy of meeting kind police officers that wait for you on the side of the road, we discovered what the interior of a tow truck looks like on a holiday, and we discovered that my parents are super heros! Andrew and I are glad to be home, safe and sound, after the flurry of activity.

Quick note: with work turning up the heat with our Open Houses this week (we have two, one in each location), and my little hands sewing inventory together for my Arts and Craft fair this weekend, I'll be a little out of the loop in the blogworld! I promise to come and visit your beautiful blogs very, very soon!

Love to you all!

images from Teen Vogue via Frolic