Green & Gardenia: {daily inspiration}

Friday Featured Art: Fabric of a New Nation

2012-01-27T08:32:00.000-06:00

My next trip to the Art Institute will be to see the exhibit Fabric of a New Nation: American Needlework and Textiles, 1776-1840. If you haven't noticed yet, I've been really fascinated with fabric lately.

Thursday Text: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2012-01-26T08:28:00.000-06:00

Our book club read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society this month. I was kind of skeptical at first because it sounded like a very stereotypical book club book. But it turned out to be really great. And I just found out that there will be a movie starring Kate Winslet (expected next year)!

Martha Stewart Dry Embossing Kit

2012-01-25T08:23:00.004-06:00

I made some cards the other day using my Martha Stewart Dry Embossing Kit. I like how they turned out. (They were really hard to photograph, though!) You can see the kit here.

Pocket Pages

2012-01-24T07:06:00.002-06:00

The latest newsletter from Archiver's had this great idea. You can use 6-pocket photo pocket pages to organize your photos. The example in the newsletter had photos in 5 of the pockets with the 6th containing a cute card label. If I use this method, I should be caught up in no time! Go here for tips.

Trends & Traditions

2012-01-23T07:59:00.000-06:00

Also while we were in Utah, we visited one of my favorite stores: Trends & Traditions. It has moved from 25th Street up off of Harrison in South Ogden. I hadn't been there in a while, but I always find treasures when I go. This time I got this pretty bird ornament. Since it was considered a Christmas item, I got it on clearance. And since it's plastic I didn't have the usual troubles that I have trying to bring fragile glass items home with me on the plane!

Friday Featured Art: Holdman Studios

2012-01-20T07:51:00.000-06:00

When we were in Utah, we visited the Art Institute at Thanksgiving Point. It was really fascinating. Holdman Studios is based there. They are responsible for the magnificent windows in many of the LDS temples, including Winter Quarters and Palmyra. The top picture is of the skylight of the Nauvoo Temple. It's one of my favorites. The middle picture is of the windows of the Draper Temple. I love how they have almost a log cabin quilting pattern. The bottom picture is a glass flower that I made (with help!) at the Art Institute. If you're in Utah, you should go check it out.

Thursday Tunes: Sister

2012-01-19T07:48:00.000-06:00

The Songer siblings posted this song with a video for their sweet sister Sarah. It's really beautiful.

Dave Matthews Band, Sister.

Amy Butler Wristlet

2012-01-18T08:43:00.002-06:00

I made this wristlet using an Amy Butler pattern and that fabric that I bought in St. Charles (MO). The handle is really for the larger bag pattern, but I wanted something small that would be easy to hold onto. And I have enough fabric left over for another little project!

Starbucks Hot Cocoa

2012-01-17T07:13:00.003-06:00

I spent a long weekend away from posting. We returned from a big trip to Utah on Thursday night. Now we're home, and it's cold and snowy. So one of my Christmas gifts to myself has really come in handy: Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa. I got a box of hot cocoa packets from Target. Delicious.

Thursday Text: America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890

2012-01-12T07:58:00.000-06:00

Barbara Brackman designs fabrics for Moda. She also has some great quilt books out. America's Printed Fabrics 1770-1890 looks like a fascinating combination of history and crafting. I love that old skills like quilting are gaining popularity again.

Pottery Barn Iznik Collection

2012-01-11T08:17:00.002-06:00

Pottery Barn has a new line based on Turkish designs from Iznik. My husband visited Turkey last summer, and it was fascinating to see their use of flowers and bright colors in design. I really like these pillows.

Whitman's Sampler

2012-01-10T07:44:00.000-06:00

I finally found a Whitman's Sampler tin with the Mucha image at Russell Stover. I got it out an outlet store, so it was only $5. It's a pretty little box. I'll have to think about what to put in it after the chocolates are gone!

Marcus Fabrics - Judie Rothermel

2012-01-09T08:25:00.000-06:00

When we visited historic St. Charles, we stopped in a little fabric shop. I picked up a fat quarter of this design. It's by Judie Rothermel for Marcus Fabrics. I think I might use it for a little wristlet.

Friday Featured Art: Stairway at Auvers

2012-01-06T08:38:00.002-06:00

I mentioned the St. Louis Art Museum last week. They have a couple of great Van Goghs, including this one: Stairway at Auvers. It's fun to see his lesser-known works.

Thursday Text: Houses of the National Trust

2012-01-05T08:49:00.003-06:00

One of the books that I got for Christmas was Houses of the National Trust. It is fantastic. It's a big, hardbound book with tons of great pictures of houses in the UK that are held by The National Trust. It is a beautiful book that even includes maps!

Small Silhouettes

2012-01-04T08:41:00.000-06:00

After working on silhouettes for my Jane Austen class, I decided to make some at home. I got these little frames for $1 each at Michaels. They were white and had plastic instead of glass. I pulled out the plastic and painted them copper. I don't really like the color, so I think when it gets warmer I'll spray paint them gold. Kind of a fun little project.

Cadbury Crunchie

2012-01-03T08:14:00.000-06:00

Last week we visited fabulous historic St. Charles, Missouri. There is an 8-block strip of restored homes and shops from the 1800s. One shop that we enjoyed was The English Shop. They had some fun things imported from England, including Cadbury Crunchie bars. If you've ever had a Violet Crumble, they're pretty much the same thing. Yum!

Abraham Lincoln Presidential China

2012-01-02T08:07:00.000-06:00

I know I've posted about presidential china before, but I'm thinking about it again. We visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. (It is an incredible place, and everyone should go!) I liked the Lincolns' presidential china pattern - very pretty but also masculine.

Friday Featured Art: Interior with Young Woman Tracing a Flower

2011-12-30T08:34:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week we spent some time in St. Louis and revisited the St. Louis Art Museum. I thought that this painting was fun. The artist has a pet squirrel keeping her company!

Thursday Text: Kindle Fire

2011-12-29T09:25:00.002-06:00

Our major joint Christmas gift this year was a Kindle Fire. It's pretty exciting. I downloaded this version of the complete works of Jane Austen for $.99!

Fan Chart

2011-12-28T08:07:00.002-06:00

I finished our 6 generation family fan chart for Christmas. I used this template from Martha Stewart. I used a pretty script font, so the names our rather small - but it looks great on the wall. I made it 18"x24" and had it printed at an office store. So exciting!

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

2011-12-27T08:05:00.003-06:00

One of the things that we got for Christmas was a Cuisinart Ice Cream Make r from Williams-Sonoma. (It's on sale!) We tried it out on Christmas Eve, and it made some delicious ice cream!

Lone Star Lap Quilt

2011-12-26T11:03:00.001-06:00

I hope that you all had a great Christmas. We sure did! This is the lap quilt that I made for my husband's grandma. I was in way over my head with the lone star pattern, but I found some great clips on YouTube that helped me out.

Friday Featured Art: The Magpie

2011-12-23T08:33:00.000-06:00

Here's a wintery Monet to wish you Merry Christmas! It's called The Magpie, and it resides in the Musee D'Orsay.

Thursday Tunes: In the Bleak Midwinter

2011-12-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

I really love the Christmas song In the Bleak Midwinter, so I was not surprised to see that it was written by Christina Rossetti with music by Gustav Holst (two people I love). Here's the text.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,

Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;

Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,

The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Onitsuka Tiger

2011-12-21T08:20:00.001-06:00

I recently bought these Onitsuka Tiger sneakers by Asics from Zappos. Have you ever ordered anything from them? They are fantastic. Free shipping both ways, and orders often arrive the day after they are ordered. I ordered another pair of shoes that didn't quite fit, and it was very easy to exchange them.

Custom Wedding Printables

2011-12-20T08:09:00.003-06:00

I found some fantastic free printables from The Wedding Chicks through How About Orange. They have some really great monograms, and you can even choose the colors!

Christmas.lds.org

2011-12-19T07:58:00.004-06:00

The Church has a fabulous new web site for Christmas. It includes Christmas ideas and traditions, Christmas music, and Christmas videos. I thought that this one about a young Heber J. Grant was especially sweet and beautifully done. Find the site at christmas.lds.org.

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Happy Little Artist

2011-12-16T08:12:00.000-06:00

Etsy seller Happy Little Artist has some really great linocuts of the Salt Lake Temple. Sara told me about them when she bought the image on the bottom. I think I might get this one with the wheat image. They are really beautiful original designs.

1-2-3 Stitch!

2011-12-14T11:24:00.003-06:00

Today was my last Jane Austen class. It was a lot of fun, and I am sad that it's over. It's given me a lot of good ideas, though! This web site has some really fabulous Jane Austen-themed cross-stitch patterns. (Just do a search for Jane Austen.) This little pillow looks like a fun project.

Embroidered Pillow

2011-12-13T08:47:00.000-06:00

We had a Christmas decoration exchange last Friday, and we were supposed to make handmade gifts. I used some clip art to embroider this holly wreath on linen. I thought this little pillow turned out pretty cute.

Penhaligon's Scent Library

2011-12-12T08:04:00.003-06:00

We really love Penhaligon's perfume/cologne, so we picked up the scent library the last time we were downtown. It has 10 scents for men and women. My husband has the large size of Blenheim Bouquet - it smells fantastic. Of the ones that I've tried, I really like Lily & Spice - a beautiful floral scent.

Friday Featured Art: White Wash

2011-12-09T08:16:00.000-06:00

I have to feature Joe, again, because I just saw this painting on his site, and I love it. It's called "White Wash," and it reminds me of living in Missouri - there was an old vacant white house across the street from us, and I loved to look at it.

Thursday Text: The Mansion

2011-12-08T08:27:00.000-06:00

President Monson mentioned a book called The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke during his talk for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday. It's an interesting old book with a great message for Christmas. This is the 100th anniversary of its printing. You can read an edition with some beautiful illustrations on Google Books here.

Hobby Lobby Flowers

2011-12-07T08:41:00.001-06:00

Remember the cute little vase that I got at the barn sale? Here it is with some fantastic flowers from Hobby Lobby. They have really beautiful silk flowers and while they're kind of expensive, they're usually on sale. I just got three and cut off the stems and wired them together. I like how they turned out - I'll have to save up to make some more arrangements!

The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos

2011-12-06T08:36:00.004-06:00

Did you see the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday? It was really great. You can view it here. They introduced the new Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos that the Church has been working on. So exciting! Go here to preview.

Needlepoint iPad Case

2011-12-05T07:16:00.002-06:00

I saw this cute needlepoint iPad case in Country Living. It's from Lands' End, and if I had an iPad I think this would be a pretty fun cover.

Friday Featured Art: H.M. Brock

2011-12-02T08:42:00.000-06:00

In working on my latest class project, I discovered some fantastic tinted line drawings done by C.E. Brock and his brother H.M. Brock. This one is Elizabeth Bennet gazing on a portrait of Mr. Darcy at Pemberley (by H.M. Brock).

Thursday Tunes: I Vow To Thee My Country

2011-12-01T08:33:00.000-06:00

I Vow To Thee My Country is a beautiful British hymn set to a variation of Holst's Jupiter theme. You can read the lyrics here. Below is fabulous Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins with her rendition.

Ariat Boots

2011-11-30T08:12:00.000-06:00

It's boot season! I bought these Ariats a couple of years ago, and they're really comfortable. I wish fall was a little longer, though, because winter is coming fast, and then we'll have to wear snow boots!

Native Bees

2011-11-29T07:41:00.002-06:00

When we attended the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden in October, we learned about native bees. You can provide a habitat for them without doing full-blown beekeeping. All they need is a house like these ones and some blooming plants with lots of pollen. Learn more here.

Persuasion

2011-11-28T07:12:00.003-06:00

I just finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion for my class. I really love the book. It was even better the second time around. Have you seen the latest BBC production? It's the version that we'll be watching in my class. Yea!

Friday Featured Art: Hugh Thomson

2011-11-25T07:53:00.001-06:00

Don't you love this cover art for Pride and Prejudice by Hugh Thomson? It's from the 1890s, and it's fantastic.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:51:00.000-06:00

Have a wonderful holiday! Here are some pretty place cards from Martha.

The Key of A

2011-11-23T08:16:00.002-06:00

When we went to the Best of Missouri Market this year, we found a vendor called The Key of A. Most of their jewelry and accessories were made from old typewriter keys. Check out these great cufflinks made from Midwest Transit railway tokens.

Eddington Cake Stand

2011-11-22T07:47:00.003-06:00

Here's a beautiful cake stand that I saw in the British edition of Country Living. It's from John Lewis.

Cross-Stitch Family Portrait

2011-11-21T06:58:00.003-06:00

Did you see this fun project from Martha? The pattern includes 19 different pictures, so you can customize a cross-stitch to resemble your family. Fun!

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Dutch Door Press

2011-11-18T08:40:00.000-06:00

I featured Dutch Door Press three years ago, but it's time to talk about them again. Their Etsy shop now has prints featuring state birds and flowers. They are so beautiful. I like the North Carolina one with a cardinal and dogwood. And, of course, the Utah version is fantastic. I really enjoy symbols of my pioneer heritage.

Thursday Text: Ode to Autumn

2011-11-17T08:32:00.000-06:00

Here's a poem for the season: Ode to Autumn by John Keats.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'erbrimmed their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reaped furrow sound asleep,
Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers;
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cider-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, -
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing, and now with treble soft
The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

Home Made Cookie Stamp

2011-11-16T08:29:00.000-06:00

Here's something cute that I saw in the pages of the British edition of Country Living Magazine. It's a cookie stamp that says HOME MADE. Isn't that a great idea? It comes from Velvet Brown.

High Apple Pie

2011-11-15T08:19:00.002-06:00

Did you know that there really is such a thing as "high apple pie?" We saw some fantastic pies at the Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden in October. I think this is what we saw - the Levee High Apple Pie from The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. Yum!

Country Living UK

2011-11-14T07:55:00.003-06:00

I picked up a copy of the British edition of Country Living Magazine at Barnes & Noble. It is fabulous (but kind of expensive). One thing that was really exciting was the Christmas Fair that they will be holding this week in Glasgow. We did not find Glasgow that exciting/fun/wonderful when we were there, but I would definitely go back for this.

Friday Featured Art: Street in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

2011-11-11T08:32:00.000-06:00

The Kimbell Art Museum has a Van Gogh on display from a private collection. It's called Street in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. I really love the color. It's a fascinating piece.

Thursday Tunes: Handel's Water Music

2011-11-10T08:29:00.000-06:00

We went to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra last Saturday and heard Handel's "Water Music." It was very nice. Listen below.

Martha Stewart Crafts Paint Line

2011-11-09T08:17:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the new paint products from Martha Stewart Crafts? I found them at my local Michaels. There is a whole fabulous line of acrylic paints and stencils from Plaid. I'm excited to try them out!

Felicity Hall

2011-11-08T09:10:00.003-06:00

I found out about Felicity Hall through How About Orange. She creates modern needlepoint designs that are so beautiful. You can purchase a kit to make a pillow or wall hanging. There are even a couple of free patterns on her web site. Lovely.

Friday Featured Art: Near Sydenham Hill

2011-11-04T07:29:00.001-05:00

We visited the Kimbell Art Museum when we were in Fort Worth last weekend. It's a small collection, but it's pretty fabulous. I liked this painting by Pissarro: "Near Sydenham Hill," painted in England and given to his wife for their wedding.

Thursday Tunes: Ashes & Fire

2011-11-03T07:26:00.000-05:00

Here's yet another new $10 album that I want to buy from Amazon: "Ashes & Fire" by Ryan Adams. It sounds like it's one of his more country-sounding albums. Should be good.

Corner Bakery Cafe

2011-11-02T14:24:00.002-05:00

When we were in Fort Worth, I ate breakfast at the Corner Bakery Cafe. Have you been there? For two mornings in a row I ate their new honey banana oatmeal. It was heavenly. And it probably could be made at home pretty easily...

Silhouette

2011-11-01T09:19:00.002-05:00

Silhouette making was yet another creative project from my Jane Austen class. Here's one that I made with a traditional bun and frilly shirt. I also did one with my hair down - I'm thinking this could be a fun family project.

Live Oak

2011-10-31T07:05:00.002-05:00

We were in Texas this weekend. Fort Worth, to be exact. We really like all of the beautiful live oak trees that line many streets in Texas. They are evergreens that grow in the South.

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Maggie Jane's Vintage

2011-10-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

Maggie Jane's Vintage is one of the vendors that was at the barn sale I went to a couple of weeks ago. Her Etsy shop has some cute pillows and vintage linens. This patchwork pillow is so cute - and I like the quote.

Thursday Tunes: The Goat Rodeo Sessions

2011-10-27T07:32:00.001-05:00

There's a new album out that sounds like it is a great one. The Goat Rodeo Sessions is a bluegrassy kind of album by Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile (from Nickel Creek). It's only $10 on Amazon - you can sample it here.

Tartan Flower Pin

2011-10-26T07:26:00.003-05:00

My sister Beth called yesterday to tell me about these tartan flower pins from Lands' End. They come in three colors, sell for $19.50, and are back-ordered. Beth thought they looked a lot like the one I made last year (see below). My version was made from my family tartan (which cost about $30 for one yard of fabric). For the center I used a gold golfer button that was my great-grandma's. I like the fluffier version - but now you know that they can be made for less!

Men's Shirt Redesign

2011-10-25T08:19:00.002-05:00

Here's a fantastic project that I found through Pinterest. It's a cute redesign of a men's shirt from Old Navy by Tricia of Leafy Treetop Spot. It's always so hard to find cute shirts, and I think this is a great solution!

2011-10-24T07:51:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of Pinterest? It's defined as an online pinboard - you can "pin" projects and ideas. A friend from church told me about it, and I've looked at it twice and found tons of great ideas both times.

Friday Featured Art: Simple White

2011-10-21T07:15:00.000-05:00

Joseph Alleman has some great new works posted on his site. This one is called Simple White. The colors and lighting are very different than his other works. I like it!

Thursday Tunes: Bride of the Noisemakers

2011-10-20T07:09:00.002-05:00

I am really excited about Bruce Hornsby's new album: Bride of the Noisemakers. It's a 2-disc live album that runs about $9 on Amazon. We ordered it the other day, but it's not here yet - but I can guarantee that it will be good. Everything Bruce does is good. Except, perhaps, this silly picture of his band members!

Jane Austen Bookmark

2011-10-19T06:54:00.005-05:00

For my class project I made some bookmarks to hand out. The quote is from Pride and Prejudice. You can download a PDF of the bookmark below. It prints three on a 5"x7" page - just cut along the lines. I hope it works!

Jane Austen Bookmark

Lost in Austen

2011-10-18T08:36:00.002-05:00

I just watched Lost in Austen, and it was hilarious. It's an ITV series in which a girl from present-day London finds herself in the midst of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. She frantically tries to make the story go the way that it's supposed to, but nothing works out. Check it out from your local library.

Velvet Ribbon Bookmarks

2011-10-17T07:10:00.004-05:00

These velvet ribbon bookmarks are a fun project from Country Living. I worked on some over the weekend - I'll have to post them when I'm done.

Thursday Text: Forget Me Not

2011-10-13T08:33:00.001-05:00

I hope you had a chance to watch the General Relief Society Meeting two weeks ago. If not, you should really take the time to read President Uchtdorf's talk, Forget Me Not. It was really great. Here's an excerpt.

"I want to tell you something that I hope you will take in the right way: God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect.

Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not.

And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.

God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."

Burghley House

2011-10-12T08:23:00.000-05:00

While working on a Pride and Prejudice project for my Jane Austen class I learned about Burghley House. It is a fantastic estate built in Elizabethan times, and it served as the filming location for Rosings Park in the latest version of Pride and Prejudice. It looks like an incredible place to visit.

Na-Da Farm Barn Sale

2011-10-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

Did you read about the Na-Da Farm Barn Sale in the latest issue of Midwest Living? It was this last Friday and Saturday, and it was not too far from where I live. So I went on Saturday. The barn setup was really fabulous. Here is what I ended up with: 1. hobnail milk glass vase (I love the ruffled edge), 2. baker's twine, 3. leather cuff bracelet "all who wander are not lost" Fun!

Saint Louis Toile

2011-10-10T07:27:00.002-05:00

When we were in St. Louis a week or so ago, we discovered Saint Louis Toile at the Missouri History Museum gift shop. I think this is a great idea - custom toile for your city. As far as I can tell, they don't sell the fabric separately, but they do have some great pillows, dish towels, etc.

Etsy Shop by Color

2011-10-07T07:59:00.002-05:00

One of the things that I really love about Etsy is its functionality. It is such a fun and easy to use website. Did you know that you can shop by color? Just pick a color, and they'll find items to match!

Thursday Text: Pride and Prejudice

2011-10-06T08:43:00.002-05:00

My class has finished reading Pride and Prejudice. We're going to start watching the 1940 film version tomorrow. Here are a couple of quotes from Elizabeth on her engagement that I thought were perfect.

To Jane:
It is settled between us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the world.

And later:
I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.

Indigo Wild

2011-10-05T08:39:00.002-05:00

Indigo Wild is the company behind Zum soap. They are natural soaps made in Kansas City, and the scents are fabulous. These examples are lavender rosemary and sea salt. Yum!

Memory Game, 2

2011-10-04T08:01:00.001-05:00

Here's another fun option for a memory game. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright version from Bas Bleu.

Memory Game

2011-10-03T07:47:00.002-05:00

This is a memory game project from the Purl Bee. I think it's a beautiful idea!

Friday Featured Art: Roping the Bear

2011-09-30T07:49:00.000-05:00

I was looking for an image by Minerva Teichert, and I found this great painting. It's called Roping the Bear, and it's held by the BYU Museum of Art. I love the '30s style.

Thursday Tunes: Sting: 25 Years

2011-09-29T07:45:00.002-05:00

Sting: 25 Years The Definitive Box Set came out on Tuesday. It's 3 CDs and a DVD and includes a hardcover book with complete lyrics. I already have most of Sting's stuff, and I have The Police box set, so I'm wondering if I need to get this, too. At $110 I'll have to think about it for a while... (Maybe I'll just get the highlight CD that comes out on October 18.)

Sundance Jewelry

2011-09-28T07:33:00.003-05:00

I found an old Sundance catalog the other day, and it reminded me how fabulous their jewelry is. Aren't these jade earrings gorgeous? And the flower posts are super cute.

Persian-Style Rugs

2011-09-27T07:30:00.002-05:00

Pottery Barn has some great Persian-style rugs among their offerings. When my husband traveled to Turkey in June, he learned all about rug weaving. Pottery Barn's versions seem pretty authentic and are imported. (Perhaps I'll have to find out if they're really Turkish!)

General Relief Society Meeting

2011-09-26T07:28:00.002-05:00

I hope that you were able to watch the General Relief Society Meeting on Saturday night. It was fantastic! I especially loved President Uchtdorf's talk (of course). You can find the archives here.

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Dishfunctional Designs

2011-09-23T07:27:00.000-05:00

Did you see this Etsy seller in Country Living? Dishfunctional Designs makes jewelry from broken china pieces. I also liked the bent spoon bracelets.

Thursday Text: Agatha Christie

2011-09-22T07:21:00.000-05:00

Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books? I have not, but I've seen a number of the Masterpiece Mystery episodes of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. After Shakespeare, Agatha Christie is the best-selling British author ever. I think that I would like to read one of her classics.

Monogrammed Pillows

2011-09-21T07:11:00.002-05:00

I checked out the latest Martha Stewart Living from my library. It had some great ideas. I really liked these monogrammed pillows. See more monogram projects here.

Boden

2011-09-20T09:44:00.002-05:00

Are you familiar with Boden? They are a fabulous British clothing company. They do a great job with color, and they have fantastic dresses.

Archicenter

2011-09-19T07:12:00.001-05:00

We were in Chicago on Saturday, and we had a chance to stop in the Archicenter. It's the home of the Chicago Architecture Foundation. They do walking tours and river tours, and they have a fabulous shop. It has lots of great books, posters, and quirky gifts like these skyscraper bookends.

Friday Featured Etsy Seller: Norajane

2011-09-16T07:21:00.000-05:00

Norajane is an Etsy shop that sells mostly stamps. It looks like a lot of them come from Rubber Stamp Tapestry, but it could be a good source for other options. Isn't the sewing machine cute?

Thursday Text: Tears, Idle Tears

2011-09-15T08:21:00.000-05:00

I've been in the mood for poetry lately. Here's one of Tennyson's that I love.

Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean,
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more.

Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail,
That brings our friends up from the underworld,
Sad as the last which reddens over one
That sinks with all we love below the verge;
So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.

Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns
The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds
To dying ears, when unto dying eyes
The casement slowly grows a glimmering square;
So sad, so strange, the days that are no more.

Dear as remembered kisses after death,
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned
On lips that are for others; deep as love,
Deep as first love, and wild with all regret;
O Death in Life, the days that are no more!

Masterpiece Classic: Sense and Sensibility

2011-09-14T08:26:00.002-05:00

My Jane Austen class just finished reading Sense and Sensibility. I really love it. We're now watching the latest BBC adaptation of the book. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. I watched it a while back and liked it better than the version with Emma Thompson...

Borders and Frames Download

2011-09-13T08:22:00.003-05:00

Here's an example of what Cathe Holden made with her borders and frames downloads. I really love this idea. Check it out at Just Something I Made.

The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor

2011-09-12T08:38:00.000-05:00

Have you heard about the big auction? Elizabeth Taylor's jewels are going to be sold by Christie's in December. Here are some highlights of the collection. I love the charm bracelet.

Friday Featured Art: Christ in a Red Robe

2011-09-09T08:34:00.000-05:00

One thing that was interesting for me to notice at the Nauvoo Temple was that they have Minerva Teichert paintings hanging in the chapel and the hallways. Of course her works are of a much later period than Nauvoo, but I feel like they fit in nicely. This is Christ in a Red Robe.

Thursday Text: Happiness in Marriage

2011-09-08T08:12:00.001-05:00

Here's a quote from Pride and Prejudice. My class will be reading that next...

Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of choice.

So true.

Nauvoo

2011-09-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

We went to Nauvoo over Labor Day, and it was so beautiful. Every time we're there I am so grateful that they rebuilt the temple. It is fabulous.

Genealogy Fan Chart

2011-09-06T10:08:00.003-05:00

I went to our Family History Center last week and discovered some great features on the new FamilySearch. I'm getting excited about genealogy again. I even made up this fan chart of Jane Austen's ancestry to tie in with my Jane Austen class. So fun.

Friday Featured Art: Huddled

2011-09-02T08:40:00.000-05:00

Huddled is a recent painting by Joseph Alleman. It is oil on panel, and I really like it.