On The Windowsill

These are from the bouquet Eric bought for me. We didn't have a vase big enough to fit all of the flowers, so I separated some out and put them into this old milk bottle.

They looked so pretty on the windowsill yesterday afternoon. I like the way the stems are all lit up while only a few of the blossoms are illuminated.

The little white teapot was one of the party favors at my friend's tea party bridal shower.

Have a happy weekend!

Robin's Egg Blue

I submitted these two photos for last day of Poppytalk's Spring Colour Week.

As you probably know, I've got little cranes (and some bigger ones) floating around all over our apartment. I fold them whenever I have a scrap of paper around. It's nice to make something pretty out of what would otherwise be considered trash. I used real origami paper for this guy, though.

This bracelet was a Hanukkah gift from my aunt and uncle. It's a few years old at this point, and it's the only bracelet I ever wear. I might wear it for a few days or weeks at time, and then I put it back in it's pretty little box until I'm feeling bracelet-y again. Normally, bracelets aren't my thing, but this one never gets in my way and it's not too flashy for my simple taste.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. Will you be looking out for spring colors? It's just around the corner, you know. ★

It's Here!

Oh my god, you guys! Guess what came last night! Did you say "new camera?" YES!!! I can't believe how quickly it arrived or how much I love it! It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. Our other Digital SLRs (both the same model) were wonderful while they lasted, but this is going to be great.

In other news, I'm participating in Spring Colour Week over at Poppytalk (see the gorgeous Flickr pool here). Today's color is yellow!

A few months ago I strung together four vases (that I made from old light bulbs) and filled them with homemade tissue paper flowers. It's hanging in our living room window - mostly because there was already a ceiling hook there - and I love the way this yellow flower is fading at the edges but still has some strong color in the middle. The edges look a little pink because it's reflecting the fuschia from the pink flower hanging below!

I also took a picture of a lemon for today's yellow theme.

Lots Of Hearts

My computer troubles aren't over, but instead of letting it get to me I worked on a project. While I was uninstalling and reinstalling and downloading tons of things, I cut out tiny hearts. Lots and lots of tiny hearts.

After gluing them onto some paper, I framed them. Now I just need to figure out where to hang them! I'm really pleased with the result because they make me happy.

Unfortunately they didn't solve my computer problems. Now I'm off to deal with that. Wish me luck.

*Did you see this week's Lost in Thoughts?

Journal Of Drawings

Recently, I've been really inspired by Melissa Morris's 160 Pages (I actually wrote about it on the Everything Little Miss blog yesterday). I even started my own little journal of drawings for 2010. They're just quick sketches and short comments, but I like how it's going. I started on the 14th, and I've already done 10. This is the second one I did.

I've written about our disco ball before. One of my favorite parts about working from home is that I get to experience a sunlight party almost everyday.

Are you doing anything new in 2010?

Black & White Keys

Thanksgiving was a while ago now, but I haven't shared any photos. That's because I didn't really take many. I was sick, and picking up the camera, telling people to smile, and focusing seemed like a lot of work. So I didn't really bother. I did take a few photos at my Aunt & Uncle's house, though.

My Aunt is a wonderful pianist, and her piano is really beautiful. For a little while I was interested in learning to play. I got a small keyboard for Christmas in 6th grade, and during the winter vacation I taught myself to play Silent Night by making notes on the music in an ancient music text book, marking the keys, and pure memorization. I was so proud of myself! And then I lost interest. Maybe because the keyboard was mini, maybe because I got caught up with friends; I don't really know. Even though I didn't pursue it, I still listening to piano msuic and I think they look awfully nice in a living room!

*Don't forget to take a peek at this week's inspiration post.

JHill Design Studio Opening

Last night Eric and I headed over to South Boston (Fort Point) for JHill Designs' studio opening. It was really exciting to see Jennifer, the talented woman behind JHill Design, and her new work space. I forgot to bring my camera, but I had my blackberry, so I was able to get a few blurry photos. Stupidly, I didn't take one of Jennifer! What was I thinking?

Anyway, it was fun. And there were dogs!

We don't get over to South Boston very often, so I really like going there because the streets seem full of mystery since I don't know what to expect around the next corner.

A Miniature

When I was little, I was dragged to visited The Clark Art in Williamstown more times than I can count. While I didn't always enjoy the museum, I did love the sculpture of the ballerina - Degas' Little Dancer - that sits in the center of one of the galleries; seeing it was always the high point of field trips. The original was wax, but there were 74 cast in bronze [source]; it's one of the bronzes that I've grown to appreciate.

My family has a miniature replica that sits on a windowsill in the dining room.

I took this picture while I was home a few weeks ago. The lighting was just right.

*New holiday cards in my Etsy shop. Crane mobiles too!

Q-tips

When Eric and I moved in together two years ago, I bought a q-tip jar. I'd always wanted one, because all the beautifully styled bathrooms in magazines seem to have them.

When it's time to refill the jar, I take my time aligning the q-tips so they fit in just right. Maybe it's obsessive, but I love the result.

My own glass q-tip jar. Sigh. :)

*Check out today's Lost In Thoughts!

A New Vase

My sister recently went to Alaska. She had a wonderful time and she definitely wants to return at some point. I'm super lucky, because she brought back a beautiful, blue glass vase for me.

Today I made some paper flowers, so the vase wouldn't be so lonesome. I had fun making them, and I was guided by a Zakka Life tutorial (via iDiY). If you want to make your own flowers, don't be afraid to try some variations (I did!). I also added old twisty ties as stems.

Moving Day In Boston

Ah. September 1st in Boston. Moving Day. Our apartment is situated right inbetween BU and BC, so September brings tons of new and returning students. But folks aren't just moving in, some have to move out. And that means that the sidewalks are littered with old furniture and the dumpsters are overflowing into the road.

Since we're staying put this year, I took my camera for a little walk.

It was quite the scene. There were bright orange stickers on every piece of furniture on the sidewalk warning people not to take said furniture for fear of bedbugs.

I saw VHS tapes and records, men carrying new couches and old, a girl watching two grown men struggle to move a huge TV, dressers, mattresses, cookie sheets, fouton frames, and the list goes on.

Of course there were moving vans galore, but I especially liked the Gentle Giant. They have an awesome phone number, too: 800-GIANT-MEN (too many numbers, right?)! Amazing.

Welcome to September.

[Don't forget to check out the new stuff at ELM.]

Before & After: Cabinet

I was sick and tired of looking at the faux wood finished cabinet in our office space, so I decided to do something about.

Rather than buy something new, I decided on a DIY upgrade. Saturday morning we headed to Home Depot and picked up the necessary supplies for my endeavor:

• paint (2 colors)
• paint brush
• steel wool
• knobs

I knew that Eric would being spending most of Sunday hovered over his computer and his latest batch of cases (his homework) for class, so I was happy to have a project. It should be no surprise that I took pictures as I worked:

I did all that with only 1 accident (spilled 1/2 a can of paint, but that's why I used the HUGE tarp, covered the couch with a sheet, and the TV area with an old towel). After letting the pain dry over night, I filled our cabinet back up this morning. Ta da:

I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's not perfect, though. I don't think the steel wool phase was as effective as I expected, and I'm guessing the paint will come off easily if scratched. We'll have to be careful, but I'm much happier with how the room looks and we didn't spend much money at all. I turned an existing piece of cheap-o furniture into something that looks (I think) a little more sophisticated and actually fits our tastes. Yay! I'm so pleased with myself. :)

Paper Dragon

I woke up this morning and decided to make something with my hands. It was a great way to focus my energy and start the day.

A few years ago I made a paper dragon for my mom (based on a picture I'd seen in a magazine ad, but of my own design). I wanted hers to be good, so I made a practice version first. I never got around to making a nicer one for myself, so that was this morning's project.

I chose yellow and gold to cheer myself up. My happy little dragon.

Don't forget to check out yesteday's Lost In Thoughts (if you missed it) and the new Bon Voyage card over at Everything Little Miss.

★ Happy Friday, happy weekend, and happy dragons! ★

Newspaper Baskets

A few weeks ago I was inspired to make a basket out of old newspapers. I got a little carried away, and decided to try to make nesting baskets. It was successful, and I gave the first set to my sister as a birthday gift.

My mom liked them too, so yesterday I made these for her. I worked much faster this time around, because I had a good system. I used some glue to hold the first four strips of paper together. I also glued a strip around the top of each to finish them off nicely. Binder clips are my friends. The Wall Street Journal was my newspaper of choice, but I think any would work. These baskets are surprisingly sturdy, too. There's a tutorial here, if you're interested.

Happy weaving and happy weekend. Enjoy the sun!

Giveaway, Fenway, & Last Day

I've got 3 completely unrelated topics to cover today.

ONE

The first is a fun Everything Little Miss giveaway over at Carrots 'N' Cake. It's easy to enter, and 2 winners will be picked tonight. Just visit Tina's post and follow the simple rules of the game! Each winner will get a set of the apples cards and a garbanzo bean card (9 cards total).

TWO

Look at this cute light switch cover my mom got for us.

I put it up yesterday morning. It's perfect for our bathroom light, because nobody can ever find the switch. I'm hoping this will help draw attention to it so guests won't be so confused. (Thanks mom!)

THREE

Today is Eric's last day at Salary.com. July will be a bit of a summer vacation for both of us. It's good for him to take this time off, because by all accounts HBS is very intense. He starts in mid-August, which is creeping up on us very quickly!

Eric, congratulations! You've had 3 successful years at your job and you have 2 exciting years (and the rest of your life) ahead of you. I'm so proud!

New Shelves

My new shelves! We put them up last weekend, and they've made my life much more mangable.

Almost all the things you see there had been piling up on the floor next to my desk. I've been accumulating a lot in my efforts to get Everything Little Miss off the ground, and in our small apartment I didn't have any place to my new stuff. Solution: shelves. They are wonderful.

I spent hours on Monday getting everything organized just so. I'm really happy with how the room looks and I feel like I have so much more space.

What a difference a few shelves can make!

Have you made any simple changes lately?

Don't forget to check out my new designs at Everything Little Miss; I added 4 cards to the shop! And if you missed yesterday's Lost In Thoughts, you should take a peek and let me know what's been inspiring you this week.

Happy, happy weekend!

Making The Bed

I've been making the bed everyday since I got laid off. I never used to make the bed.

Well, I've discovered that my mom was right. Getting into a nicely made bed is so much more relaxing than getting into a jumble of sheets and blankets. It's not like it's hard to make the bed. I don't do any hospital corners or anything, I just straighten out the blankets and arrange the pillows. It takes like 35 seconds. Easy peasy.

Today's question: Do you make your bed? Why or why not?

Wondering what the picture has to do with making the bed? Those are our sheets. Girly, I know, but I love them. I actually got them before Eric and I moved in togther, and since sheets are expensive I wasn't about to get rid of them! I got them four of five years ago, and they're a mix and match set. I chose a pink fitted sheet and red pillow cases. The only problem with these sheets is that they aren't as luxuriously soft as our set that's made with organic cotton.

Happy Friday.

Family Weekend

Yesterday Eric and I drove out to UMass to see my sister, Emily, dance. We met my parents and brother there. This is her first semester as a member of the Stage Crew Dance Team, and my family's first time seeing her dance with this team. It's not easy to become a member of the Stage Crew team, and I'm so proud of her. She was wonderful and beautiful. The whole team was great, and you can tell the girls work hard. 

They performed in the Mullins Center as part of the 22nd annual Color in the Cage event. Stage Crew was really only one of 3 dance acts. The other performers were members of color guard or baton twirling teams. I've never been to anything like that, but some of the stunts (is that the right word?) were very impressive. A lot of it made me giggle, I'll be honest, but I appreciate these people putting themselves out there and participating. It certainly doesn't look easy. 

While we were at UMass we also got to see Eric's youngest brother, Will. We took him to lunch at Antonio's (yum) and before we left he got us soft serve ice cream from the dining hall. That was a mistake. While he was getting the ice cream, it started to rain. And by rain I definitely mean downpour, torrentially. We had to wait a bit before we could actually get to the car, and even then we had to make a mad dash. It was fun, but sort of ruined our good-bye.  

Since we got to see my parents, I brought the Mother's Day gift I made for my mom. Yep, more cranes. I made her a mobile of 100 cranes. There are 5 strands, and each has 20 different colored cranes (the same 20 colors on each strand, but no duplicates per strand). I folded all of the cranes on Tuesday, and I strung them all together on Thursday. 

Right now Eric is out with his mom, just spending the day with her in Boston. He's taking her out to lunch and anywhere she wants to go. I'm going to go enjoy the sunshine.

Happy Mother's Day & happy weekend! 

A Little Bird

This morning I woke up to the beautiful sound of birds singing, and it put a smile on my face. 

In case you can't tell, this is not a live bird (though I wouldn't mind getting one). Doesn't he look curious? I can relate to that. I'm a big asker of questions. I'm always wondering about things. Why this, why that? I think the bird's expression is enhanced by the slight cock of its head. Or maybe it's in the eyes. No matter what, I find this little guy lovable. Plus, that yellow is gorgeously peppy.

He's normally attached to my inspiration board, and keeps me company while I work. I actually rearranged my inspiration board today. Recent additions inclue a bag that once held lemons and a candy wrapper. Yum. Candy!

Check out Everything Little Miss for the latest edition of Lost In Thoughts.

My Mobile

I folded about 57 paper cranes today, so I could finish my mobile project. 

I've been thinking about putting together a mobile for years. I saw a crane mobile in Oh Joy on the 17th, and I was motivated to finally make my own. Now you know why I started making cranes last week. 

I woke up this morning and knew this project couldn't wait any longer. As soon as Paper Source opened I ran over (literally, because I figured I could get some exercise in while I was doing my errands) to pick up more origami paper. When I got home I sat down and folded and folded and folded and folded and folded. When I used up all of my paper, new and old, I had to string them together. I'm in love with the outcome. 

Woo hoo! Another project complete.