Home-ly....

books always sustain me along my journey, here are a few favorites that I return to again and again....


I would like to thank all of you who left such encouraging and empathetic comments on my last post. They are so special to me and really went a long way....

So, I've been doing a little here and there type of stuff. Experimenting, making a few things for small orders, getting household stuff in order too. Had to take an impromptu trip to get a tag for a new-to-us car. Since we spend a lot of time around and about, hop on pop type short trips all over the place, I feel like I'm constantly packing, unpacking, cleaning, straightening, organizing. It is actually sort of soothing and methodical, in a way, and lends some grounding to this sort of helter skelter type existence.

I've still been experimenting with projects from Stephanie Lee's Semiprecious Salvage, along with a few other ideas using materials I have on hand like the bezel set marble pendant with the french text. I used to be fluent in French, now I just dabble with a lot of effort and a dictionary. This one reads, un autre or another.

However, it is difficult on my creative process. While I get lots of new ideas from coming and going, my process is usually long and difficult and to fit in these long creative jags amidst the constant flux of my life is even more difficult. It always has been. I don't really see it changing. I just always have to evaluate the process and try to make it smarter. Work smarter, not harder...that's what one particular professor always told me....

How do you fit your creative process into the time your alloted? How do you streamline your process?

Working on a post for tomorrow with a little something home-ly to give away for my 32nd birthday ;)

Swoon.....

I've been so busy working on my first craft tent display and production for it! I am so excited and can't wait to show you all some pictures. My hands are busy painting and my fingers are getting calloused from wrapping wire! Hopefully, it won't be all for naught or else I will.....ahemmmmm, have lots to list in my shop next week!!!

So as soon as I post this off to you I'm out to the studio to work my rump off.

I will leave you with the gorgeous work of Sugarboo Designs this morning for inspiration. I first saw these awhile back on Poppytalk but I didn't know they had such an extensive line of work until I saw them over at Coastal. Rebecca Puig & her husband Rick started Sugarboo Designs together a few years ago. Their mission is to make handmade products that add soul to the home. Each piece is made one at a time and many are based on original paintings by Rebecca.

And //shockingly// enough, they're from Athens, GA. All my favorites right now seem to be from Athens. I think we need to coin a term for all the great work coming out of Athens, sort of like the Black Mountain School??? Okay, maybe not. It was just a thought.

p.s. I would just like to add that the last piece with the frame with the Pueblo indian prayer is one of my very favorites. It reminds me of my family and why I wake up and do everything that I do everyday, especially my dear grandpa who passed in April. I was not able to be home for his funeral but I included this quote on the arrangement we sent....such a blessing we enjoy from all the lessons learned from our family :)

Straw Bale Dream House!

Today, I am in love with this. You could say this is my dream house. I just love all of the reused elements and the careful consideration they took in building it.

Since I have adopted the South as my home, my perfect dream house will have a wraparound porch, preferably almost as big as the house. Environmental sustainability a definite plus, although I just adore the old southern cracker-style low country feel but knowing it was made of straw bales?! Part of it would be screened in to make a sleeping porch or area to escape the bugs. I just love all of the reused elements and the time it took to make it.


Those gals over at Beauty Everyday are just incredible. Please check out their gorgeous blog. everyday. :)