Degree's of Separation

As usual, its nearing midnight and my mind is very awake. I was editing a photoshoot I recently completed, but then was lured into the wiles of the internet and fell into a lull.

I'm blaming Facebook for my current emotional condition - feeling anxiety over art projects incomplete, yearning for friendships that never included me except by the brush of proximity, a strange vision of being outside the snowglobe when all I have wanted was to be inside…oh, I could go on and on. Silliness. After about 10 minutes on Facebook, these feelings bubble up and build upon each other.  After I shut the whole thing down, I feel better.

and yet, i keep looking at the drama of social networking. Its just a modern-day version of "keeping up with the Jones" except its worse than olden days because now I know everything about the jones, smiths, robinsons and all of THIER neighbors.

I get a serious complex. 

Its this demented reality - intangible and distant. 

I have this great life. I am on a personal pace. I'm pretty happy. Yet, when I get distracted and start looking around at what is going on with all kinds of other people, trouble ensues.

So, Facebook and I are separating. 

I've thought about doing this before, but this time I'm serious. I have way too much to do and I cant afford to get distracted.

So, if you're following this blog, independent of FB, great. If you're here because I told you to come here rather than my FB page. Excellent. Leave a comment. If you're just stumbling upon me, please say hi!

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Love

   

This is how i imagine love:

public, yet a secret kept between two hearts

romantic like old cobble stone streets and colonial brick walls

red: rosy and warm

caught in an alley

noticeable - if you're looking

tangible

happy - like the faded memories from a 1970's camera

love.

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Two Turtle Dove

I am a bit behind in my posting! Ergo, two posts tonight...

I have been hand - crafting lately, which has been good for the soul, but negligent in the sleep department. So, before I rush off to bed I am going to go ahead and post this on here.

Delightful charms/pendants

And a hair pin, just in time for the holidays!!

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I'm Dreaming of a PINK Christmas...

7 days before Christmas and I am up late, crafting up a little tradition....

Yes. Finally. The 2010 Pink Tree is done.

So, sis, this post is for you! This years creation is courtesy of a ginger beer bottle, tissue paper, pink wrapping paper, a little bit of ribbon and a whole lot of hot glue. How I LOVE hot glue....

Merry Christmas Everyone - May your hearts and homes be full of light and color!

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Warmer for my Legs

Almost overnight, the weather became officially "east coast cold." Being a transplant to the DC area, I still reference my coastal roots and constantly realize the ever-different weather patterns.

Yesterday was full of snow flurries and a wind that was so cold it stripped me of any warmth in my body.  Yes, its officially winter if anyone was in doubt.

My solution? Legwarmers.  The idea? I've had a sweater (which by itself would be ill-fitting and not attractive) sitting on my project pile for a couple weeks now. I've been intending to create a skirt from it.  I stole the idea from another blog. This morning, I began work on that project. After cutting the arms off, I realized the potential amid the warm woolen stitchery.

"The 80's would be jealous of these legwarmers."

So, yes, I whipped these up this morning before work. Here's how you can protect your legs from the chill (or just have some cute oversized "leg - cowels")

Step 1: Find an old sweater. The thrift store is an excellent place to start. Or maybe your roomate's closet.

Step 2: Cut off the arms. Nothing I do is an exact science, but its best to stick along the seaming. 

Step 3: Begin stitching along the cut portion.  I used some fun contrasting medium weight yarn. I hand stitched the seam in true Tim Burton-esque fashion.

Step 4: Continue stitching along the top.  The extra portion of the sleeve that isn't stitched together can be folded down when you're wearing the warmers, so this is just for decorative purpose.

Enjoy!!! These are nice & toasty on such a cold winters morn/afternoon/eve!!!

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Dec-Orate the Hall with boughs....

Merry 3rd day of December! 

Below I have posted some pics of what the downstairs of my house looks like.  The mantle and tiny kichtke scene are my little brainstorm and heart.  After seeing some lovely ideas from the inspire co blog (check it out) I truly was inspired to create my own little “scene.” My roomate and I were up late bringing Christmas to the house.

I am currently doing a special little scene up in my bedroom. I am converting my dresser top into a fairy-like Christmas scene.  No pictures yet - I still am nowhere near being finished. But, its looking wonderful! This takes me a little longer because I have to make the main tree that will live there.

You see, my sister and I now have a Christmas thing. I buy her random jell-o molds and she insists that I create a pink tree. Every year. Every year!

How did this start? Strangly this evolved while participating in another annual sister tradition - the day after Christmas shopping. Forget all the craziness of black Friday, we hit the scenes after Christmas. Its always a ton of fun.  And we each find lots of treasures.  But, I digress.

So, about 3 or 4 years ago during one of these adventures - I found a baby pink feather tree. Since pink is my favorite color and I had just moved into a non-roomate living abode, I immediately snatched it up. My sister laughed. In a “i-love-that-you’re-my-crazy-quirky-buy-random-arsty-fartsy-sister” type of way.

It kinda stuck. The next year she saw a craft project with a Styrofoam and tissue tree. Which gave her the idea for ME to craft a yearly tree. That was pink. She doesn’t care about the color or the size - she just likes to have the carrot of a craft challenge in front of me. I dont mind.  Every year since, she asks about that what my tree is for the year (so does her daughters). 

Even with advance notice, I still seem to wait until December to craft up the tree.

But dont you fret. The goodness is coming. And this year I will even post a tutorial of how-to!

 And a picture of our lil' tree! We had fun putting up colored decorations and a bright pink star at the top! And since our house is full of singing, we invited our caroling friends to the party~

Merry Christmas!!!

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Current Obsession

Tonight I made my first adventure into the land of eBay.

I suppose that is weird for a modern gal such as myself.  But, as a lover of the thrift store hunt, I have been hesitant to delve into electronic shopping for vintage treasures.

But, seeing as it was late into the evening, past the open hours of my neighborhood goodwills  - and my creative impulses were wide awake, I opted to give it a whirl. Tonights obsessions?

Cute little vintage ornaments & birds:

and ...

BarkCloth

Yes, I have these on my "watch" list.  Aren't the patterns lovely? There is something so magical about the creamy, heavy texture of this fabric.  Combined with incredible patterns this material sends me straight to heaven!

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Crafty Chargers

Fun project!!! I am in love. Sis, this would be a really great afternoon art project with the girls!

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B-I-N-G-0

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of overeating, warm hearths and cozy laughter.

If you're a part of the Simmons Clan, its also a time of white elephant Bingo. Yup. You heard me.

Nothing fails to wake you up from a turkey tryptophan induced droopy-eyed stupor like this family tradition.

Since I cant be with my family family this thanksgiving, I am adopting 10 other friends and bringing them into the fold to be showered with the gory of the game.

Then I realized I had NO bingo game. My Auntie is the queen of bingo calling - and each year, she dusts the bingo popper and pulls out the popcorn kernels to use as card markers. I mean, thats the tradition.

And then, the light bulb hit.

I can make my own bingo set. So good readers, that is what I am in the process of creating.

Pictures and directions to follow quite soon.

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Fog

I dont generally like the early morning. My roomates can second this statement. However, I was given a gift of beauty; a reward for waking up before the birds....

As I left my house, tea in hand, this is what I saw....

Glorious, enchanting fog - a misty morning with freshly fallen leaves everywhere. At 7:15 am, the morning is quiet and serene.

Continuing in this blissful light fog, I crossed over the key bridge  (for non-easterners, that is a major bridge across the potomac river) and saw this....

Unfortunately, you cant see how quaint Georgetown looks from this photo. 

Ahh, late fall....you warm my heart.

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Light

Tonight I made a healthy choice. I did yoga.  

I managed alright - my balance is off, my chi is probably whacked, and I was reminded how little flexibility is in those legs of mine. But, I feel really good about doing it. Its peaceful, good breathing, happy talking, feel good exercise.

I was jolted out of this zen state when the instructor (this is on a DVD) mentioned feel the intelligence reaching all throughout your body. I wasn't expecting truth to be in my yoga class.  I don't remember if he associated light to intelligence or if I did that all on my own. Light. Intelligence. Health. Happiness. 

Interesting food for thought during my supposedly intellectually benign exercise time.

Light is an interesting energy.  Independent - sure it is bright and powerful. But, you don't always see definition. Partner it with an object, and they are a perfect compliment.

These are doors at the National Cathedral.  With no light, these doors seem almost common place.  Pair them with a light source, however, and you've got magnificence. 

Just think about it....

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Confessions of a computer nerd..

Admittedly, I am a nerd. 

I wear glasses, work for a really big technology company, and geek out with the best of 'em when new gadgets and updates and whizzy fun stuff happens for my phone and computer. I know. I know. I am a nerd. Furthermore, I know not everyone is as savvy or interested in the tech world as I am. 

I am ok with that.

But, I am not ok when others treat their computers like its going to eat them alive. Or that its alive and going to explode unless you loudly and vehemently crack down on it.

Take my current coffee shop buddy. 

We're all sitting in lovely company of soothing jazz music - plunking away at our personal computers eeking out the last few drops of work for the day. And here he sits. Attacking his computer. I wish I could take a picture. I am really worried that there are weights attached to his fingers. Or maybe their are invisible moles popping up from the keys - like that arcade game where you had to "pop" the mole over the head.

Regardless, its kinda funny.  Loudly he punches the keys: "BAM BAM BAM" and furious clicks on the mouse "PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH" like rapid fire. 

Sir, there's really no need to abuse your computer so.  It will respond the same whether you type naturally or beat it to a pulp- touch sensitivity isnt a part of your 4 year old HP keyboard. I promise. I truly promise.

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French Fries. Pomme Frites. Fried Potato Strips.

This has nothing to do with anything crafty.

This is nothing artistic.

Its simply a notification of my obsession with French Fries. Hot, delicious fries of yummy potatoes. 

Lately I have been wanting to eat them everyday.  It doesn't matter where they come from. Johnny Rockets - a classic cut, simple flavor with no salt; Five Guys - cajun style or naked, I eat both kinds; Wendy's - they have to be FRESH or I will ask for a switch - and eat those babies with a frosty! 

Really, I dont mind where they come from. These lovely hot morsels from heaven. I love you.  I have to resist the urge to eat them everyday.

Yes, world. That is all. I heart fries forever.

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Kindling

As usual, I have a million sparks of creative thought in my head.  From lyrics, to installations, to clothing redesign and all the paint, colors, and layers in between. I've been scheming about the luscious sounds and smells of autumn - rich burgundy's, heathers, sunset orange mixed with cinnamon and clove.

Amidst the twigs, images of owls and such - I am rustling up projects and finishing up my newly redesigned website -- so, tonights post isn't something I created today, BUT I did craft this scribble up over the weekend. It's a little poem inspired by an interaction I had with a friend of mine.  I was reminded how fragile we all are - so, pour some tea, have a little read and enjoy the wind outside.

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Apple Pickin'

boots and buckets

A wise man once told me:

"Do something twice and it's a tradition."

Apple picking at Crooked Run Orchard  has become such. I discovered this lovely little place last year - right after my arrival on the east coast. 

There's plenty to pick - from apples, pumpkins, gourds, herbs and other fruits depending on the season. Its this quaint place in purcerville, va - a small town with small town charm. I love finding {local} places to get my food.

It was a simple day - an hour drive to the orchard. Then I roamed about picking apples and exploring. I stopped by the towns organic market to pick up some local honey. 

check out my day below...

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Bits & Pieces

A week has flown by since my last post - so much for daily blogging. 

I am listening to the beautiful rain - apparently there has been a flash flood advisory in effect today. Meh.

Todays project came by way of baking. I worked a closing shift which put me at the office at 11am.  I was going to be adventurous and get up early to work on projects, etc. 

The reality? I stayed in bed while it poured outside. So much for productivity. 

However, I did get some creation done today.  Kitchen creation in the form of cookies.  Remember, I work with a LOT of guys.  The gals I work with closely are vegan. I'm not too comfortable cooking vegan friendly, so my baking treats end up in the welcome mouths of my male coworkers. Its an easy way to bring happiness to the team.

Proof that they were kinda tasty....(I had the tin of cookies out for about three hours - there were at least 2 dozen cookies in the tin)

Bits & Pieces Cookies

Start with your fave chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Add:

1 banana

1 tbs of cocoa

2 tsp of oil

3 (ish) handfuls of butterscotch chips 

2 (ish) handfuls of dried cranberries

I added an extra 1/2C of flour to the recipe along with an extra teaspoon of baking soda. Partially because of my lame oven and the altitude i'm at, and partially because the banana and oil made the dough a little too sticky for proper baking.

Its not exact. Believe me when I say I didnt pass chemistry. (well, maybe I passed, but barely got by). I just like to experiment with whatever ingredients sound good and happen to be on hand.

Enjoy! 

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I De-chair!

Today's project was going to be some sewing related.

See, I have proof:

Then, I got this fantastic idea for a slip cover - no sewing required! I mean, I love sewing, but by the time I got home, got a snack and was ready to be crafty, it was already about 930 - and the downstairs space (where the sewing machine is) was occupied...so thus, the decision to switch gears.

Cosmetic Consult:

1. boring *yawn* chair
2. boring *yawn* chair

Supplies Needed:

1. 2 Pillow cases. Matching are best. I picked mine up at a thrift store for $1 each!
2. Ribbon
3. Saftey Pins (optional)

Plastic Surgery:

1. Take the first pillow case and drape it over the back of the chair as though it were a pillow.  Invert the upper corners to avoid the whole "ugly pointy corner" look."
2. with the second pillow case, cover the seat chair. 
3. At this point you can choose to saftey pin the bottom pillow case to a bit of the drapey fabric of the top pillow case. Its not necessary, but if there are small animals or children around which would prevent the case from staying in place on its own, small saftey pins will keep your project in tact.
4. Tie your ribbon around the top of the chair.  You can use matching or contrasting ribbon and I just chose to use bits I had leftover around the house.

Presto! You're done. In under 10 minutes and for less than $5! Unless you needed to buy the chair at the thrift store too...Here's your finished work:

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