11.26.2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! Thanksgiving is growing into one of our favorite holidays because it seems increasingly like it's the last one to be free of rampant commercialism. We really enjoy being at home together sharing our blessings of health, family, and a day off work! Since it's just the two of us, we're ordering our dinner - but I'm going to make this Chocolate Pumpkin Tart because I like my pumpkin pie with a twist. Have a wonderful day! I know I will.


{And I'm taking the weekend off, so I'll be back to posting on Monday.}

11.25.2008

Desktop Wallpaper

Since I work on a computer all day, I'm always looking for fun pictures to set as my desktop background. Often I use a photo that I've taken or one of Joe's paintings. Sometimes I like a more graphic approach. Jessica Jones' blog is a great resource. Through her site I found Push Me Pull You Design -they often have wonderful seasonal images (like the turkeys below). Metremade is a good source for fun patterns. (Jessica even offers some of her own designs - if you like orange.) What's on your desktop?


11.24.2008

Happy Everyday to You

Yesterday was our Primary program, and I had the privilege of kicking things off. As part of my introduction to the year's theme (I Am a Child of God), I read a poem by Dr. Seuss. I just want to say that I am glad that I'm not a clam!

Today you are you!
That is true-er than true!
There is no one alive
That is you-er than you!
Shout aloud "I am glad
to be what I am!"
Thank Goodness I'm not
a clam or a ham or
a dusty old jar of
gooseberry jam!
I am what I am!
What a great thing to be!
If I say so myself,
Happy Everyday to me!


11.21.2008

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: All In Stitches

I'm not normally a scarf person, but when I woke up today it was 15 degrees. I decided I should look into it. The All In Stitches Etsy shop has some super scarf offerings - including this "scarflette." What a cute way to keep your neck warm! (And without the hassle of where to tuck the long ends of your scarf so that they don't get caught in the zipper of your coat.)

11.20.2008

Thursday Tunes: Ryan Adams - part 2

I know I just posted about Ryan Adams two weeks ago, but I had to share more. This summer, Tony and I made our first-ever trip to New York City. It was a blast, and (needless to say) I had Ryan Adams' New York, New York stuck in my head the whole time. Today while I was looking for something else, I came across the video for this song. I've never seen it before. The opening indicates that it was shot on September 7, 2001. A large part of the video is from this angle under the Brooklyn Bridge looking back at the city. It's pretty incredible to think of what would happen just four days later. The song is great, and this video is great, and New York is great!


{I couldn't embed the video, but if you click on the capture above you can go watch it!}

11.19.2008

Lotta Jansdotter

Scandinavian designer Lotta Jansdotter is such an inspiration to me. Her work is simple and clean and fun. I love this apron and the cute place cards below. Last year around Christmastime I got her book, Simple Sewing. I have to admit that I haven't made anything from it yet, but I have big plans!


11.18.2008

Way to go, Joe!

My brother-in-law, Joe, is featured in the December issue of Watercolor Artist magazine. I got a copy in the mail from my mom yesterday, and it's very well done. His work is on the cover, and then there's a 9-page article with lots of pictures. Misty Trees, below, looks especially nice in print. Visit Joe's web site here for more inspiration.


11.17.2008

I did it! But maybe I shouldn't have...

On Saturday I finally went to Macy's to check out their Martha stuff. I want one of everything from the kitchen section, please! For now, I got these cute prep bowls.

11.14.2008

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Black Sheep Beads

Today I am giving away a trade secret - Black Sheep Beads! Pam's Etsy shop is filled with all sorts of treasures. There are lovely vintage glass beads like these white ones and unique vintage plastic beads and findings and charms and flowers... I especially love all of the interesting bead caps like these antique brass petals. Black Sheep Beads is definitely one of my favorite suppliers for my shop.


11.13.2008

Thursday Tunes: King Corn Soundtrack

Last year one of the makers of the documentary King Corn was in Columbia for a screening. I know that it's been shown on PBS, and it is very informative and well done. Corn is a huge part of America, and there are a lot of misconceptions out there. Watch it if you get a chance and pay attention to the music. I liked it so much that I bought a copy of the soundtrack at the screening. It's by the Wowz - they're kind of folk-rock and really fun.


11.12.2008

Thorne Miniature Rooms

When our relationship began, I was living in Utah and Tony was attending Northern Illinois University. So our first official date took place when I visited Tony and we spent the entire day in Chicago. My favorite by far was the Art Institute of Chicago. One of Tony's favorite parts of the Art Institute is the Thorne Miniature Rooms collection downstairs. The rooms are set into the wall at eye level so that you can peek into them. They are fascinating, intricately-detailed rooms depicting European and American interiors from specific time periods (with a scale of one inch to one foot). Here's a Massachusetts parlor from 1818. Notice the tree that you can see through the window. Which is your favorite?

11.11.2008

Sisters

As you know from a previous post, I really like the pre-Raphaelites. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (who did the painting below) had a sister named Christina who was a poet. We studied her a bit in my British Literature class in college, and one poem stuck out to me. Don't look it up because you probably won't fully understand or like the poem, but the last stanza is worth noting. I have four sisters, so this is for them:

For there is no friend like a sister
In calm or stormy weather;
To cheer one on the tedious way,
To fetch one if one goes astray,
To lift one if one totters down,
To strengthen whilst one stands.

11.10.2008

Webcams

I know it's a little late for this, but I was just thinking how interesting it would be to see the fall foliage from places all over the country. I found this great web site with links to webcams. I often look at the Utah State University webcams to see what life is like at my alma mater these days. The picture below is from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They're obviously past their fall peak, but pretty nonetheless. I also happen to know (I'm not sure why) that there is a webcam pointing at Loch Ness so that you can search for Nessie. Check it out here.

11.07.2008

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Photo Glassworks

The featured Etsy shop today is Photo Glassworks by Tracy Antonik. She makes photo necklaces using glass and wire. What you'll see in her shop depends on the day, but I usually like the art nouveau designs and the tree scenes.


11.06.2008

Thursday Tunes: Ryan Adams

I came to know Ryan Adams listening to the Starbucks channel on XM radio. I really like his mix of country, blues, alternative, whatever. I bought the album Gold and really love it. I was especially excited to discover that he had done the original version of "When the Stars Go Blue." This song caught our attention when we heard the lines "Dancin' in your wooden shoes/In a wedding gown," because I wore wooden shoes at our wedding! (You can see Tony carrying them as we walked down the hill for pictures.)



11.05.2008

New in My Shop

I finally had a chance to post a couple of new items in my Etsy shop: Green & Gardenia. I was really excited about the new supplies that I recently purchased - these tulip beads were too cute to pass up!

11.04.2008

VOTE!

I won't tell you who I voted for, and you don't have to tell me who you vote for - just do it!


{graphic via AIGA}

11.03.2008

Darlybird

Darlybird is a cute little online shop created by a stay-at-home mom. I discovered it last year, and I really love it. The items are creative and fun, and the prices aren't bad. I bought myself this necklace for Christmas last year (you really have to see it in person). And below are the NieNie earrings that I bought in conjunction with Design Mom's Nie Nie Day. Darlybird is still donating half of the proceeds from these earrings to the Nielsons, so it's not too late to get yourself a pair!