Link Me

This is my shameless attempt at some free marketing. If you like my blog, and you haven't already, please add me to your blogroll and I'll put you on mine. Let's keep the world connected!
(image from flickr)

Be Creative, Write a Book

Ever dream of writing a book? Now you can, and get it published too. Click here to see how. My creative juices are flowing right now... thinking of lots of ideas...
(image from Blurb)
(via life at 123 house)

Happy Birthday Emet!

Two years ago today will go down in my history as one of the most exciting days ever. It was the day Emet was born. Happy, happy birthday, sweet baby!

Gifts and Crafts

Tomorrow is Emet's two year birthday, so I've been thinking that I need to go get him a present. While searching for ideas, I got lost on Craftsbury Kids. Some of these I would buy, but the blocks and the table just gave me some inspiration for a couple projects!

From Top Left, clockwise: The Toymaker: Paper toys you can make yourself; Tree Blocks; Bird Table Set; Felt Mailbox Play Set

A Free Thursday Night Out

If anyone is up for an art/jewelry show with hors d'oeuvres and then a free concert afterwards, come on out to The Covenant School tomorrow night. The art show begins at 5:30 and the Andrew Osenga concert is at 7:00. If you are not familiar with Andrew Osenga, he is a member of the band Caedmon's Call. If you listen to Christian music, then you have heard of Caedmon's Call, but even if you don't, you have probably heard a song or two of theirs. They recently did one that was featured on Grey's Anatomy. (Click here to see a Grey's video w/ their song Ten Thousand Angels.)


Along with my jewelry and Seth's work, the show will feature June Pitts Kern (I couldn't find her online, sorry!) and my good friend Tiffany Dupree (see some of her work below) who does fabulous paintings and super cool dress boxes. If you live in Nashville and need directions, email me.

Moo...

Yeay! I got my new cards and stickers in the mail just in time for my show Thursday night! (I'll post more on the show later.)

True Trapeze Artists

Real live birds on a wire always catch my attention. Apparently they catch a lot of people's attention. There are a gazillion pictures out there of these little creatures perched on man made electrical high wires, but I still can't get enough of them. There is something beautiful about it. (images below from flickr.)

Since we have a show coming up, I've been trying to get Seth to paint more paintings with birds on a wire like in this one (see our cute house in the background?)

I saw these cups at Fishs Eddy and I also fell in love with the cake plate that matches.

Here are some cute cards from Winifred's Studio.

My Dress in Black

This is for you, Kristen. The dress I got for my birthday is a JE Couture dress (from the fall collection,) and I had a really hard time getting a picture of myself in it but I felt like I had to, because the model from their website does that dress absolutely no justice! She's not even standing up straight and the dress looks too tight on her arms. Her hair looks bad and those shoes are ugly. I do hope I looked better than that on Friday!

Love Those Hoops, Nora

I adore the earrings Nora was wearing on the last episode of Brothers and Sisters. Anyone know who made them or where to find out?

Nicest Thing

This Kate Nash video would make a good Valentine for a crush.

The Weekend

My birthday weekend has been so much fun! Seth took me shopping at Serendipity on Thursday night for the perfect little black dress, then he took me to the Melting Pot for a scrumptious four course fondue dinner. A gorgeous bouquet with my name on it was waiting at our table when we arrived and they took our picture and framed it!


Friday, Seth and I checked in to the Doubletree downtown where we got ready to go meet everyone at PM's (where I wore my little black dress.) About twenty of us were at the restaurant until 11, and then we went to hear Julia sing karaoke and dedicate a song to me! Ha! But that girl can sing. We didn't go back to the hotel until we had done a little dancing, so it was a pretty late night for me. A room service breakfast was a really nice treat especially considering I didn't feel guilty eating it in bed and getting crumbs everywhere. Hey, I didn't have to clean it!
Oh, and I have to give Kristen G. a mention for the Sweet16 birthday cupcake that she gave me at her dinner party Saturday afternoon.
So, there's the download of the best birthday I could have asked for. Next week I'll get back to posting about other stuff besides me. Now that my birthday is over, I'm thoroughly sick of myself.

The necklace winner is...

I'm on my way out to stay in a hotel tonight! Yeay!!! But before I go, here is the winner of the necklace......

It is JennB! Congratulations Jenn. Email me with your address and I'll send the necklace to you.
I had so much fun with these giveaways that I think I'll do more. Keep in touch;)

Second Chance!

I said I would announce the necklace giveaway today, but I don't have time...that gives all you procrastinators a second chance to sign up! Sign up by tomorrow noon and you can still have a chance to win. I'll announce tomorrow. Also, I want to go out tomorrow for my birthday. Everyone is invited. If you think you can come, email me and I'll tell you the when and where!

Happy Birthday

(above: me and my little sister)

30 things about me (that you maybe don't already know and I didn't already say)
1. I was born in a blizzard at Williamson County Hospital.
2. My middle name is Joan (after my mom, Joan Del.)
3. I called my sister "sissy" when we were playing when I was little.
4. The imaginary "dad" when I played house (when I was 4-6) was named Jack and he looked like Bo from the Dukes of Hazard.
5. My first "boyfriend" (you know, the boy who was your friend but wasn't allowed to chase anyone else on the playground but you) was when I was in preschool. His name was Tom Tom and he looked like the toddler version of Bo from Dukes of Hazard.
6. My dad bought some cows when I was little so he wouldn't have to mow the grass.
7. I got to watch a calf being born.
8. My favorite story that my mom used to tell me was how she climbed up the antenna on the side of her house and got a spanking even though her mom said she could. (makes me want to better monitor what I'm saying "Mmm Hmm" to.)
9. I suggested the name "Adam" to my parents right before he was born- and they named him that.
10. I cried the first time I saw a dead bird.
11. When my grandmother died (my mom's mom) I couldn't cry. Maybe it was because I was 6.
12. For my 10th birthday I got some stirrup pants and a hot pink tunic to go with it and I was stoked!
13. I once made a life size paper doll (that moved) out of card board and metal brads so that I could have a big sister.
14. I couldn't/was scared to dive until I was in high school.
15. I used to sneak into the Burton Hills swimming pool all the time after closing until they hired guards and I got caught.
16. When I was in Jr.h high/high school I thought all the cool grownups went to SATCO (San Antonio taco Co.) all the time.
17. I once let a friend climb up to my second story bedroom window on my tied together sheets. The sheets ripped, but it still worked!
18. I was in a bunch of plays in Jr. high and high school.
19. In college, I tried to save a friend's cat from a vicious dog, but ended up having to go to the ER for a super deep cat bite.
20. My favorite class in college was figure drawing I, II and III.
21. I've been a bridesmaid twice.
22. When I was in high school and college I boycotted the GAP and tried to only wear vintage clothes.
23. Yet I worked at United Colors of Benetton and they made me wear their really uncomfortable suits. ( Although I would probably really like that now.)
24. I've been wearing my nose ring for 12 years now.
25. I got a really dorky flower tattoo in Florida with Amy when I was 18.
26. After I got my first apartment, I called my mom to ask her why there was this really horrible smell coming from the sink. She asked, "Have you washed the dishes?" Uhhh....no....
27. I've waitressed at 4 restaurants and worked at 6.
28. I haven't held a real job (and by 'real' I mean being paid by a boss) for over 6 years.
29. I really look forward to getting magazines and catalogs in the mail.
30. I feel like I should be turning 26 today.

And the winner is...

So it's Wednesday, and I said I'd post the winner of the bracelet today, so here goes...da ta dada...

Lucky number 8!
Congratulations Sandra, you won! Email me with your address and I'll ship your prize to you.

Hurry up and enter to win the necklace giveaway. I'll announce the winner tomorrow.

Wishing...

I really wish the weather would do something more exciting in Nashville than just be cold.

Image from here.

World Geography IQ Challenge

See how smart you are and brush up on your geography.


(via Designmom)

Jewelry Give Away #2

I'm giving away this cool sterling silver and pearl rectangle necklace! Enter a comment on this post from now until midnight on Wednesday and I will announce the random winner on my birthday! Don't forget to sign up for the first giveaway too. (Scroll down to enter that post.)

The Kiev Opera House

I was browsing through flickr and I came upon this photo and instantly recognized it! Hey! I was there! Seth and I saw the Kiev Ballet Company perform Don Quixote in this very building. Another interesting tidbit, the silversmith that I visited with in Ukraine showed us a sterling silver model of this building that he made! To see more great pictures of places we visited, go to this guy's flickr page.

Yummy...

These letter cupcakes are one of my ideas for Emet's upcoming birthday. From Martha's Cutest Cupcakes.

Jewelry Give Away

I've been going through jewelry that I forgot I ever made and had, and I decided that now would be a good time to do a give away! Yes, you heard right, I'm going to be giving pieces of jewelry away. It's my birthday week and I want to spread the joy. The first is a sterling silver cuff with green and purple fluorite. Leave any comment on this post from now until midnight on Tuesday and you will be entered to win. I will announce the random winner on Wednesday afternoon.

And don't worry if you don't win this one, I'm thinking I'll do one tomorrow and the next day too! Good luck!

Happy Birthday, My Brother

Today is Adam's birthday. Happy birthday!

Warm...

There's nothing like laying in a patch of sunlight to make a person feel better...

Home Sweet Home

A new necklace.

Teeny Super Guys

Bloesem posted about ceramic artist Helen Beard (click here to see her full post.)
I'm in love with these little people! They remind me of the Teeny Super Guy (watch below.)

It's Not Too Late For A New Calendar

My favorite gift that I gave (to all the grandparents) and got (I couldn't not get one for myself!) this Christmas were these 2008 calendars. I love seeing my boys every time I plan something! Get one for your family at Kodak or Snapfish.

My New Ad

I've been working on an animated ad for about three days now and I finally figured it out! Whew! I don't think I wanna do that again!

Collage College

Been thinking about collages. I really love them (good ones) but I haven't done one in a while (unless you count digital, and mine are like pictures side by side so they don't count! Check out this digital collage, I don't even know how to do that.) I collaged several cigar boxes years and years ago to hold craft supplies and I did a collaged birdhouse for The Birdhouse Thing benefit (I can't find a picture, boo hoo! Tif, do you have one?) It's amazing the things that you can collage: Art work, cards, furniture...so many possibilities.
Here's some of my favorite collages around the web. Below: greeting card by Sushipot.

Lanterns by Tartx. (browse this girl's site; she does tons of inspiring work.)

And then there is collaged artwork and jewelry by Sally Jean (which really reminds me of Lynn Whipple, below.)

If you want to do a collage and don't know where to start, here is a tutorial for this charming sewn fabric one. (found via Bloesem.)


Tell me about your collages. What do you collage?

Evenings at 3191

It's great that 3191's A Year of Mornings will be published as a book, but I have been missing their daily photography inspiration...until today. They're back with a year of evenings -and they're just like me, they "don't stay up too late!" Welcome back 3191!

Americana at Creative Caffeine

I had the chance to go to Nashville's best recording studio's -Creative Caffeine- open house last night. There was a crowd of Nashville's top musicians, great food, and we were graced by an intimate "in studio" performance by Adrienne Young and band member Oliver Craven. Adrienne's first album Plow to the End of the Row received a Grammy nomination, but if you like Americana (think Patti Griffin) you'll love all three of her albums. Find out more about her here, listen to her music here.

Happy Birthday the Snail Mail Way

I do love birthday cards! Hopefully I'll be getting some this month;) Here some of my favorites:

 

Top row: Cartolina Cards, Middle row: Egg Press and Good on Paper at Modish shop, Bottom Row: Nantaka Joy (I appreciate the jewelry-esque quality of this design!)

Coke is it.

I love these Coca-Cola bottles! Seth bought them (with Coke inside, of course) around Christmas time at the grocery and I lined the empty ones up on the table with one white rose in each. So pretty. Ali just did a post about the Classic Coke can which is also cool, but I probably wouldn't keep the empty cans...

 

The Three Boys

I was tagged by Carrie to write 8 things about my kid. Since I have three, I'll do three things about each of them. (Yes, I know that adds up to nine things, but I can't very well do a third thing about them.)
Here goes.

About Emet:
1. He has an obsessive fascination with Blue's Clues. He found this day calender at my mom's house and has been carrying it around/sleeping with it for two months.
See the resemblance? If you don't, Emet certainly does (he also never forgets the pencil/crayon that goes with.)

 

2. He is hopelessly addicted to his pacifier.

3. The highlight of his day is when his big brothers come home from school.


About Elijah:
1. He had the whole "Blue's Clues" thing going on too, but now that obsession has transferred to all things Pokemon.

2. When the camera comes out, Elijah is ready to pose.

3. He is either very quiet or very loud. There is no adjusting the volume!


About Kaleb:
1.His favorite thing to do before he goes to bed is read... and he gets quite upset if Elijah is making him not be able to concentrate.
2. The rest of the time, if he can, he will be making noise.

 

3. He made a cool fort in the backyard using old stuff that we had lying around back there. The boys play "Survivorman" in it.

Alright, that's it. Now I tag Kristen, Erin, Rachel, Jana and Jessica. (and anyone else who wants to do it.)