last week, my buddy and i took a field trip to the seattle art museum because first thursdays are for free. and that is a smokin' deal that you just cannot pass up. if you are ever in seattle, you should really go there. you will see magnificent things such as cars in the air being speared with lights, or at least something very near or of the same caliber, i am sure.
there are also many classic things, and many old things, and many modern things, and even things for your ears to enjoy, and pretty much every other type of thing that may fit your fancy.
sitting happy in the middle of downtown seattle since 1991, the SAM is neighbors with the very popular pike place market, which you may have possibly heard of. the original SAM came into existence far before then, however, in 1933. then, it held 1,926 pieces. today, you will find there over 25, 000 pieces. see, i told you that you could find almost anything there!
so there you go. a little tidbit about a grand place.
Memorial Day weekend (which I realize was a whole week ago, doh!) was surprisingly full of sunshine and restful relaxation. I had the pleasure of attending an annual festival that takes place in downtown Seattle, and let me tell you - people really come out of the woodwork to go to this place. Imagine every type of person congregating to celebrate art and culture from around the world! I mean, you can really unveil whoever the heck you are there. Like, your child's sweet little second grade teacher may don the gypsy outfit from the back of her closet. Or that next door neighbor of yours will likely be seen dressed as a pirate. And you will definitely see a group or two of black-lipstick-wearing-purple-haired teens. Without a doubt there is a large, large quantity of hipsters who are in their element. But at the same time, there are families with small children, college students, your favorite baker, and a gospel choir. I loved it. People watching alone was absolutely fascinating. I love the idea of all sorts of individuals being found in one place. The idea of folklife really is kind of a wonderful one. As stated in the mission statement, it "...creates opportunities for individuals and communities of the Pacific Northwest to celebrate, share and sustain the vitality of folk, ethnic and traditional arts for present and future generations."
Celebrating 40 years!
In other news, I recently bought a picture from the black apple on etsy!
can't wait for it to arrive!
Hope you're having a beautiful weekend, friends. I'd love to hear your plans
I love when ordinary things are made charming in unexpected ways. Like these prints of chairs on newspaper; simple, yet genius. Lately I feel like I've lost any creative ability that's ever been in me. Not lost as in it's gone forever, but maybe misplaced. Misplaced the way my car keys are misplaced almost everyday and it's frustrating because you know you just had them and you're running late and you can't go anywhere because you've looked everywhere - twice - and the dang keys still aren't there, and actually they are at the bottom of your purse the whole time, but by that time you're so mad and then-- well, no, I mean, what the point is, I was talking about creativity. Everyday I visit lots of cute blogs made by cute people who make or do cute things, and I wonder, where do they get this stuff from? How are there so many talented people in this world? And what inspires them?
Tell me, friends, what inspires you?
While I wait for those replies, I will sit here on my couch with the cat on my lap. Because I want some of that halloween candy I bought two bags of last night, but it's all the way over there in the pantry. And I want to watch a movie, but they are all over there in the cabinet. And I can't get up because that would disturb Willow, who is just too cute to be disturbed and she is purring so there's no way I'm moving. And I wish once again that I had gone to Hogwarts and could accio everything my way. Including some creative brain waves.
p.s. BONUS QUESTION. Just for fun, I would LOVE to know if anyone had seen anything ordinary turned extraordinary lately? Anything found unexpectedly?
Elise and I recently adopted a tree for the purpose of adding the pretty, pleasant, warming touch to a home that only delicately placed foliage can accomplish. His name is Bob. Bob is a ficus tree. His previous owner was a little old man also named Bob, who wanted assurance that his ficus was going to a loving home. Anyways, all this to say, although we love Bob (tree-Bob, that is), we probably maybe are not the best plant owners of all time. His leaves are a little droopy, but we haven't lost hope. We think he has every reason to be happy-- his branches are adorned with white Christmas-but-not-Christmas lights, and he also sits next to a beautiful replica of Starry Night.
Which if I was a tree, I think I would like those things, too.
I am having a love affair. And that affair is with my new favorite website, Pinterest.
Having been in such a funk lately, this site has really been my inspirational crutch. I have been so vacant this past week, between being sick and other emotionally straining occurrances. As far as mental energy is concerned, I have felt like an empty shell version of myself. My mind has been like jello. And as a result, I have had nothing to say or share here. Instead, I have wandered through the picture aisles of pinterest, indulging my tastes. And I must say that it has been a great way to be creative in the laziest way possible. My favorites have been some of the fabulous prints I've come across, and I think you'll like them, too:
I think my favorite is the Moustache Girl. And the Gentlemen's Tool Box. I think I'm going to start sharing some pinboards weekly, giving a smattering of my favorite gems I find during the week, just for fun. Go here to find the sources and links to each picture!
OH! And I almost forgot. I want to tell you all about my friend Paige at Prone to Wander and her BIG, fabulous, Etsy Favorites Giveaway!
GO go go check it out, it's gonna be fun! She's really great and super nice, and the prizes are awesome.
Anyways, how is your week going? How are you, friends? I'd love to catch up with you all!
I cannot believe the talent of some people in this world. Sculptures that fit in the eye of a needle or on top of a pin-head? I think that qualifies as genius-- meet Willard Wigan. These are just a few of my favorites, but there are many many more of his incredible creations that are worth seeing.
Is that not out-of-control amazing?
So, I have one week left for my Shakespeare on-line class, and I couldn't be happier to be so close to finishing. Then, I can merrily once again read Shakespeare for pure enjoyment-- after a brief break, however. As much as I love him, a person can only take so much, you know? I have been seriously lacking in the timely-completion-of-homework department.
Goal: Finish my homework this week on time, and just be grateful that it's almost done! And also, to not become crazy.
AND today, I am planning on sending out the prizes to the winners of my give-away! I am so excited.
You are seriously the best. This week my little blog hit a milestone...I reached over a 100 followers. I started this blog for myself as a creative outlet, and really that's still what it is and what I want it to always be. I didn't start out thinking I would get a 100 followers, or any followers, but now that you are here, I am SO glad! Because I have gotten to "meet" so many wonderful people through this little thing.
So, instead of talking about numbers (because although I am SO excited, I don't want this to be all about numbers!) I want to celebrate by treating you because you are who encourage me and make me excited to keep writing.
So I am doing my FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY! Obviously the words "first ever" imply that I have never done this before, and I am not sure how often I will, but I am still excited and think that it will be a fun experience. PLUS, hopefully you will like the gift I have for you!
This wallet was originally a thrift find, and has since been hand painted by me. Acrylic paint was used, with a clear concealer over top to keep it from chipping or peeling.
The back is, what else, but Emily Dickinson's poem, Hope is the thing with feathers....
My blog namesake was inspired by this poem, and she is fabulous anyway, so I thought it fitting!
If you are interested at all, just leave a comment below indicating that you'd like a chance to win! I will keep the giveaway open for one week, June 17th. The winner will then be chose randomly. So readers, older or newer, please feel free to submit...I appreciate you so much, you are all seriously wonderful!
(And good news for me, I accomplished my goal this week for being creative and am feeling much better than yesterday. So, score! Btw--all your comments yesterday were so sweet and helpful...thank you:] )
Today is one of those days where I just feel no aim nor purpose. I woke up this morning, and groggily took my car Molly Belle to the shop. With no transportation, I am left to my own imagination on how to occupy my day, here inside the walls of my house. Under normal circumstances, this would be a dream-- but today I do not feel normal. I feel tired, I feel uninspired, I feel stuck, I feel heavy. Do you ever feel that way?
The poet Rumi had the right idea, I wish I felt this way--
In your light I learn how to love
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
I don't even know what to blog about today. I got on here hopeful, with really no intention, and found that I did not even know what to say. My head's a clouded mess. I need to get out, clear my mind. I almost gave up, but then realized that the only one putting expectations on me is myself -- so then decided I am just going to be and say what I am, as I am, right now.
Where do you find inspiration, dear readers? What do you do on days like these?
Tuesday, June 1
"Although her dress, her coiffure, and all the preparations for the ball had cost Kitty great trouble and consideration, at this moment she walked into the room in her elaborate tulle dress over a pink slip as easily and simply as though all the rosettes and lace, all the minute details of her attire, had not cost her or her family a moments attention, as though she had been born in tulle and lace, with her hair done up high on her head, and a rose and two leaves on top of it." -Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
I am loving these adorable drawings I found on etsy by Matou en Peluche. They are so sweet, and so so pretty.
Today really should be my day to conquer the Shakespeare homework that has been piling up and taking over my life. But I choose to be true to my nature and prioritize crafting and reading all of your beautiful blogs above my education. (Remember that make-a-goal monday post from about a month ago? I believe it was my very first one-- the one about not procrastinating? Yeah, I did really great for that week. And that week alone.)
Don't get me wrong-- I love Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare. I could read him all day long....if he wasn't my homework. Somehow that changes everything.
BUT I had no problem preoccupying myself otherwise.
It has been quite a long time since I've done any painting, and a certain plain, white little compact mirror was just begging me to give it a makeover and then take kind-of-crappy pictures of it.
And voila. Nothing to call the press about, but I had fun :] I tried to keep it from being too cheesy, but a little slipped in there. But how can it not, I'm painting a compact mirror, for Pete's sake!
In other news, I found a superb little treasure at TJ Maxx the other day:
Isn't that adorable? Cute little tin-bus full of tea...I love you.
This is my favorite part, I think:
Ope. That little old cat lady is so cute.
Happy weekend, friends!
Tuesday, April 27
not new, but special nonetheless. the genius of this never ceases to make me smile.
