*yawn*

When I'm not taking photos, visiting blogs, and participating in general online merriment... I work retail.

I'm super tired this week.

Already.

Cozy Sunday

Mmmmm.....
Wreaths on our railings, white lights in super-sized terrarium jars, new jazz holiday cd playing, football on the tube... it's a cozy Sunday.

{More prettiness.}

I'm not sure how long these lights can stay on, they feel a little warm in there. I might be paranoid, but better safe than sorry. Oh, and it's really not dark here, it's just the way the photo turned out. The sky is blue and it's sunny. =) Now I'm thinking a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup would be sorta nice...

See you in the coming week!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday friends! Do you have a great weekend planned?

I made this bunting this morning. It's the first thing I've ever sewn as an adult. (I made a really pathetic freestyle Care Bear when I was little. So sad! haha) I didn't get too involved with it because I really should have been cleaning my house instead. Whenever I should be cleaning I always find something more fun to do! ; )

We are getting together with our favorite couple tonight. I'm so excited for yummy burgers and laughing until my face hurts. =) Tomorrow we are going to a Golden Gopher basketball game with my hubs and his dad and brother. I love college sports, basketball in particular, so it's going to be a great time. And to top it off, W7 Collective is open this weekend! I have framed pieces for sale there along with individual holiday cards. Run over there if you have a chance! It's a really great group this month and it won't be open again until February. You don't want to miss it.

So, what's the plan for your weekend? I hope it is fun. And I hope you do many of your favorite things.

~Lovely Clusters~

Curations. Treasuries. Lovely Clusters. Whatever the name, I love pretty groupings of what sellers are making. By color, by theme, however you want to do it, I'm all over it! Everything looks better with friends surrounding it. Right now, two of my prints, Blue on the Sill and Sweet White, are over on Lovely Clusters. I have to say "Yum!" I love the groupings they have over there, showcasing so many great items. It makes me click and click and click.

Thank you for inviting me Vicki!

P.S. You can read a very sweet profile about me (*blush*) by Jess of Sweet Eventide. She found me via Lovely Clusters and she's a total doll, who just happens to takes divine photos to boot!

{What's inspiring me...}

1. 309: 12.6.07, 2. Untitled, 3. nanook 2, 4. setting up christmas, 5. peace, 6. Untitled

Here are some images that have been inspiring me to get in the winter/holiday mood. I thought I better hurry up and post it because snow is coming and because I'm already seeing that awesome reindeer shot everywhere. ; )

Can I tell you something? Remember back in October when I wanted to start decorating for Christmas? And then remember a week ago when I said I was stalling. (It's okay, I don't expect you to remember. hehe) Well, I think I figured out what my problem is...

It just feels like it's been such a rough year for everyone. A year where we've just barely squeaked by. Jobs are lost left and right. Those in dire need are suffering even more because the average person's means to help are dwindling. Then I read this story about a church selling their original Tiffany stained glass window so that it could keep it's shelter open.

I just don't feel like hauling out all the crystal and shiny ornaments. I don't feel like heaping on the decor and extras. I just want my simple tree, standing in the corner, lit by only tiny white lights. It gives me room to breath and reflect. To see what is really important. To have space to think and hopefully be reminded to give to others more than myself.

I'm so lucky to have a house. A house with boxes full of ornaments in the basement at that! I'm sure I'll drag them out next year. But this year they can sit quietly tucked away because I need the space to think and I think that's all right.

*s-a-t-u-r-d-a-y night!*

Yup, that was the BayCity Rollers I just quoted. =) Got to admit, it gets ya going just a little bit, doesn't it? Hehehe

On this Saturday I'm feeling happy because I'm lucky enough to be included in the gorgeous treasury above. Didn't Mira do a lovely job putting items together? I feel so lucky and honored when I'm included in a treasury, especially one where I want every single thing in it.

This afternoon the hubs was nice enough come with me to the No Coast Craft-o-Rama here in midtown Minneapolis. What an event! The crowd was crazy! It's such a fun thing every December. (I believe it's in it's 3rd year.) My main goal, besides checking out all the awesomeness, was to support my Etsy seller friend Jamie and her mom Carmen, from City Chic Country Mouse. I'm pumped because I purchased one of her beautiful aprons today. Now it just comes down to convincing myself to part with it-- it's suppose to be a Christmas gift! Shhhh, don't tell. I might have to keep it. My current City Chic Country Mouse apron needs a friend. =)

~with humble thanks~

I love the internet. I love the way it connects us with new ideas, products, and people. And I love having a shop online and meeting so many new friends. I'm so lucky right now to be mentioned on two fantastic blogs run by powerhouse ladies who do so much for creatives like me. Their kindness and support humbles me and makes me smile. *sigh*

Thank you sooooo much Melissa and Holly. xoxo

Happy December 1st!

And so it starts... the decorating! I wanted to start way back in October, because we had a day or two of snow and I needed the cheering up. But then it got warm again, and we haven't seen snow or terrible cold since then, so I've been avoiding decorating for the holidays, pretending that it is still Fall.

Now I can officially drag out the decorations, but I'm stalling. I don't think I'll get into the spirit until the snow flies. Then I'll probably leave then up until March. Seriously. I've done it before. ; )

So, are you in the decorating mood, or are you stalling like me? Is there something that ignites it for you?

(In the spirit of full disclosure, we aren't complete sans decorations here. I put these trees and deer up last night and we have two prelit trees up, but they don't have any decorations on them. I just can't do it! hahaha)