Tuesday, March 24, 2009

per yesterday







So, Boat Lake is also known as Fountain Lake. Or, Boat (Fountain) Lake. Can anything be straightforward??

P.S. -- These pictures probably don't do it justice.

Monday, March 23, 2009

muir maiden

I just took a walk today, and a few words come to mind:

Stiff, cumbersome, heavy, unwieldy.

Yes, it has been a while since I've actually exercised. I can't wait until the weather is consistently warm again. I often have a sore shoulder, from carrying stress. I went for months without one, and I finally figured out it was the walking i did around Boat Lake all summer and fall (Yeah, it really is called that. Not impressed??). Bear with me while I get earnest.

I usually walk to the lake as the sun is going down, and everything looks so crisp. There were seagulls flying overhead today, and all the trees were blooming with white flowers. The geese were swimming, there was a breeze, and I just strolled around and listened to Bat For Lashes. I'm telling you, it's the most zen moment of my day, when I can really be in the present.

Anyway, me talking about it is not the same as being there. I'm gonna try to at least take a picture tomorrow to post. I used to think my friend was funny for sitting next to this lake whenever she would come back to visit Richmond. But there is something to it! I get it, Renee.

stocked



Oh my. That took a long time.

So, I updated my shop finally. This is the christening batch for my new etsy. I had close to forty sales in my old shop, but that is all gone now, as I have fully switched over to the new name. Goodbye old hearts, goodbye old feedback. And hopefully hello to other new things. Some of these items were lovingly created months ago. They deserve to be in a more appreciative home, instead of in the darkness of my closet.

Friday, March 13, 2009

lofty visions


via The Storque

Wowowow. I first saw Something's Hiding In Here at Renegade Craft Fair a couple years ago. Much later I saw their lovely living space on designsponge and fell in love (even more) with their aesthetic. It's really cool to be able to get a virtual tour and hear about their inspirations. And it's a rental! It goes to show what kind of modifications you can do to a space without really altering it permanently, such as the giant headboard with built-in alcove. So great.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

swoon

I was browsing the Black Apple blog today and saw the most amazing thing EVER:




Holy moly. This must be the best dressed eight-year-old boy in the world. I have a new style icon, Arlo Weiner. If you want to see more, you have to check out the original link, where he also describes how he put his outfits together and his inspirations for each.

Monday, March 2, 2009

all fresh and blank



Friends, it has been a long looong winter, yet again. As we speak I am huddled at the computer, thinking about making myself some hot cocoa. I haven't been putting a lot of pressure on myself to do a whole lot lately. And frankly, with the economy the way it is, I can't manage much more than depression and frugality.

BUT! The current situation has made me rethink my spending habits, which is always wise and welcome (somewhat welcome, anyway). I've been eating at home much more, packing lunches, buying generic... and on the non-food front, buying less of what I don't need. Which is not to say that I haven't been shopping, oh no. I am just choosy about what I'm buying. Things to ponder are, do I love it, or just like it? Will I love it forever? Is it useful? Is there something I can make do with right now that will negate the need for this item? And I happen to be doing much of said shopping on Etsy, despite my absence there as a seller currently (I'm sure anyone who cares has noticed the tumbleweeds blowing through my shop). If you follow my shop link over there --->, you will see that my favorites section is more than overflowing!

I think this is one of the best times to support handmade. People are thoughtfully hand-crafting useful things out there. I know I would rather pay for quality, and for things that I really want or need. It seems like a slow economy makes everything slow down -- slow down the eating, slow down the spending, slow down the driving here, there, and everywhere. I am so grateful for the good fortune of still having a JOB, and I find myself appreciating all kinds of things I don't normally think about much. Simple pleasures are where it's at!



Ok, I'm not usually so earnest, but you can't always be a cynical bastard, right?

Oh, and by the way, I haven't been totally slacking off with the making. I'm in the middle of a few small projects. I got a new sewing machine with my Christmas money, which I have been so happy with!! Janome is my new pal. And as always, picking up new hobbies, such as native american beadwork:



I know, I can't stop. There are too many obscure skills to be had. Well, I try not to apologize for not doing things such as blogging, but I would really like to be more consistent if I can. So, one small whip snap is in order, but that's all.