Secret Valentine Exchange 2016

For the past two years I've participated in Sanae's Secret Valentine Exchange, and it's been a great experience.  I've expanded my sewing skills, and received some beautiful gifts.   This year's exchange is fast approaching and I am stumped on what to make!  Brainstorming on this cold, clear afternoon...

Year of Making - 2015

Inspired by this blog post, I'm committing to a Year of Making.   I found Kim Werker's ebook on the subject helpful, and also plan to read her book Make It Mighty Ugly.   Like many people, I think, one of the biggest obstacles to my creativity is a fear of failure, and that's a fear I hope to conquer in 2015.  Making something ugly on purpose sounds crazy to me-- like a huge waste of time-- but perhaps it's just the ticket to moving forward, finding my creative voice, and gaining new skills.
I've done a bit of practicing for the year this week and, sure enough, have made a few things I'm highly unsatisfied with.  Winning already!!!

Linen dish towels for my Secret Santa pick at our staff party

Commuter Cowl -- came out much too big

Celebrate Spring

Our Spring/Easter/Ostara celebration this weekend included dyeing (and then eating) LOTS of eggs. Also this lemon cake and this chocolate cake.  And lots of strawberries too.  Oh, and sangria.  I was in a food coma by Monday morning and considered taking a sick day. Our little girl doesn't yet know about refined sugar, and we're trying to keep it that way as long as possible.  Her Spring Treats consisted of a tin of dried figs, sidewalk chalk, and a wooden horse.  Which she LOVED.
Here's our own little chickie during the egg hunt:

January 2014: The Month Of the Hot Beverage.

In my favorite new mug

The extent of my holiday cheer this year. Except I also decorated our little Jade plant with some tiny vintage glass balls, and made a smilax wreath for the front door.  I love these lights and would like to keep them up all year.

This is the first year we are celebrating the holidays without my grandma.  I really really miss her!  It doesn't feel right, and I'd love to just go away for a bit.

Fantasizing about staying here and exploring New Orleans.

Is this thing on?

So, um, that was a short 2 years!

Not much has happened.  Well, except for this. Oh, and this:

Which is actually now this:

In my spare time I am finding lots of inspiration in these blogs.

happy holidays!

This made me laugh this morning.

window shopping

some Etsy things that caught my eye lately

orange and gold necklace

dala horse necklace

black pyramid ring

clan bear

Also: this ring, this bag, this tank

We were married.

I finally understand what the fuss is all about with this whole wedding thing. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. Even the ceremony part, which I was kind of dreading. And, after all the planning and making and cooking and fretting, the evening was over in the blink of an eye. It's now just a blur of flowers and family and Jackie being the cutest dog ever, firelight twinkling through the woods, raw oysters and wine, dancing to my favorite band and laughing with friends. Big sigh.

Back soon.

Memorial Day weekend 2011

("vintage" Gourtmet reading on the porch and a mix of blood orange and grapefruit juice)

(finally getting around to making my Wiksten Tova top)

(Jackie's helping)

(Receiving lots of guests-- one of the best parts of his day)