« January 2010 | Main | March 2010 »
You know what I love most about craft blogs? We spend more time talking about the things that we do like in the world, (the beautiful things, the inspiring things, and the lovely things) than the things we don't like.
We're all just a bunch of Pollyannas.
And I like it that way.
Now, excuse me while I go hang some crystals in my windows.
I am so looking forward to making invitations, it's ridiculous. I plan on waaaay over extending myself in this department.
Here are some pretty paper inspirations:
(photos from Martha Stewart Wedding)
Planning to include a boy in my life for all of eternity has made me a better artist.
Seriously.
I haven't been penning epic love poems or busting out a sensational new love song on the guitar (I don't even have a guitar), but I have been learning to expand the selection of colors that I deem awesome.
For as long as I can remember, I've been a pink lover. When I was a toddler, the checker at the grocery store asked me what my favorite color was. I told her: "magenta."
When I watched the last scene of Sleeping Beauty with my aunt I would "make it pink"
while she would "make it blue."
Sure, there was a period during Junior High when I thought pink was the devil's color. But I just refer to that time as "The Dark Period" now. I mean, seriously. It was Junior High. Nobody knows that they are talking about in Junior High.
Basically, I've lived my life in a pink rut. Then, a few weeks ago, Ashley dropped a huge bomb in my life. I have known the boy for six years now, and I have never heard him utter this words "I hate pink" before. But, out of his mouth those words came.
So, no more pink wedding.
No pink rugs in the living room.
No retro pink toaster.
Basically, I'm not going to be a bachelorette anymore, and our house should look like a couple lives there, not just me. Let's face it, I wouldn't be happy if we lived in a living room slathered with Manchester United posters, would I?
Here are some colors I have learned to love while tearing myself away from my pink, knee-jerk reaction.
Awesome, no? I can definitely both see us being happy with these colors in our futures and my brain cogs of inspiration are working extra quickly now that I have burst my little pink bubble!
A wee update on my 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days Project...
Crafty and Such
12. Investigate joining or starting an art group
I have good news... I am becoming a member of the Petaluma Craft Mafia!
I am so excited to make some new, crafty, local gal-pals! My first meeting is next month, but I have already met two members: our Donna Bella, who I already adore, and another super fun member who owns the coolest vintage/consignment store ever!
Huzzah for crafty ladies!
15. Go to three craft fairs.
I sold at two craft fairs this last winter. One was in Sonoma:
And at the Petaluma Craft Mafia's Holiday Craftacular:
20. Take three truly beautiful photos I am proud of.
Edinburgh Castle
Sometimes I feel like I just fall into an amazing photo. This was one of those times. My mom and I were just eating a picnic lunch in a park in Edinburgh, and there it was: a pretty tree and, a pretty blue sky, and a pretty fountain framing the most beautiful castle in the most beautiful city ever. I love that I took this picture with my iphone.
My New Family
I love the color, focus, composition, and the fact that everyone looks great in this photo. But more importantly, I love everyone in this photo. I can't wait to be able to officially call them my family.
Travel/Experience
3. See/Play in snow
Seattle, January 2009
The UK's record breaking, super fantastically freezing and snowy January 2010
Love/Family/People
17. Move forward with Ashley
I could wait until the wedding to tick this one off, but I think that an engagement qualifies. : )
Yay for 101 in 1001 successes!
This is a backlog of some things on my 101 in 1001 Project. I originally posted these on another blog, but now I want to post them here too.
January 12, 2009
I completed an item on my 101 in 1001 list this weekend:
My mom doesn't like it. The hairstylists loved it. I definitely like it, but didn't style it quite right this morning, so it might have been a bad day to do a picture of it. I also think that I may be making a trip back to the hairstylist sooner than usual (aka, three months instead of six) because I might get tired of it faster than I usually do.
Dare I ask for thoughts on the red-ness that is my new hair? : )
Here are a few more items I have check off my list this month.
Mom
and I went on a very pretty hike on a very sunny day. Yes, this
happened in January. I live in California. Please don't hate me.
I
bought this bag at my favorite consignment store. It cost $13 (or
rather, two t-shirts that people would tell me looked nice, but I never
really liked, and a pair of balled flats that fit really well in the
store but made me feel like Cinderella's evil stepsisters on every
other occasion that I tried to wear them). It has nice pink accents,
and manages to hold my wallet, camera, phone, and all the books, yarn,
tubes of lipgloss, markers, and journals that I know I will regret
leaving at home, even if I am just running out to buy a new phone card
at Safeway. Love.
I
went to the beach with my Dad, Stepmom, and their dog Sammy. The funny
thing is that I didn't even know we were headed out to the beach. I
knew we were going somewhere out in the country where Sammy could run
around like a nutcase, but I didn't know that I would get to tick off
an item on my 101 list (and see some glittery seafoam green waters) at
the same time.
Interview
Grandma M. Technically, this doesn't warrent a full check off the list
because I haven't properly organized and archived the interview yet,
but I do know how I am going to go about this process. I am
writing a blog post detailing my process of archiving my family
history, and won't cross 'Interview Grandma M." off until I post it.
March 25, 2009
1. Completed two embroidery projects. I love learning new crafts, so this was a particularly enjoyable task. I look forward to learning more embroidery techniques.
(pattern from Elsiecake)
2. Purged my book collection. I had way too many boxes of books in the garage that weren't doing anything other than taking up space and putting out real estate ads for rats across the county. "Come burrow here! No one will notice for years!" they advertised.
The variety of books that I got rid of was crazy. There was some old chick lit that I no longer felt an affinity with, books from college that I thought were really important at the time, some children's books... the purged collection was ridiculously eclectic.
3. Organize closet, dresser, jewelry, and accessories for convenience and beauty. I elaborate further on this one here.
Challenge: Explain "Rustic Elegance" to boy described above.
How to play: Write your best boy-friendly description in the comments below.
How to win: I will read the comments to boy, and whichever one make a light bulb appear over his head will win. Extra brownie points if you can not only explain what "Rustic Elegance" means, but also convince him that it is a totally awesome idea.
To help you with your quest, I've provided you with a little info about the boy below. Just pretend it's all relevant.
He loves music, especially grandaddy, bright eyes, and interpol.
He writes songs.
He prefers comedy to drama.
He has blue, blue, blue eyes.
He talks a lot, but also listens very well when he's not talking.
He's a big dork (like moi).
Also, his name is Ashley. : )
The winner will be announced next Wed-day, so get crackin'!
xoxoxo
Happy Valentines Day!
I'm so obsessed with paper and fabric flowers. I need to make some, like, rightnow.
Some Prima Flowers...
And some from Martha Stewart Weddings...
