Monday, January 31, 2011

I was inspired

So here is the original that I found online:

Melinda at The Scrap Farm
And here is my take on it:
My own
I'm not really sure what I am going to use this for, but I do know that it is going into my process book for later!

Loves!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Home Tour Bathroom edition

Alright, alright!  I know I have totally overloaded you with posts tonight, but I've been really behind on it, in part because I couldn't find my camera charger, and in part because I have just been way too busy.  Anyhow, here are the photos of the main bathroom.
Looking in from the hall

The vanity.  I love that all three panels of the mirror open
for storage

Above the toilet.  I have added flowers to the vase.  The
heart is something I picked up in a grab bag from the
thrifty store in Nashville

The cute little cabinet that we use for storing toilet tissue.

The cabinet again showing where I keep my day-to-day jewelry

The bathroom closet

Closeup of my storage solutions for the closet

Looking out to the living room

Home Tour Hallway Edition

Okay, so I know that I told you back in October that I would be posting hallway pictures of the house really soon.  I did take the pictures, but my camera battery ran out, so I never did load them up here for you.  Without further adoo, here they finally are!

Looking from the living room into the bathroom hall and into the game room!


Looking out of the bathroom hall into the living room hall.  That's our bedroom door.
The display cabinet.  I've added several items to it though
which include my amazing cameras that I got
for my birthday and for Christmas!

Looking down the living room hall into the kitchen.

The right wall.  I've added my huge painting of Audrey Hepburn to it on the close
side and a music cabinet to it on the far side.

The left wall.  I've added framed sheet music fabric (2 frames - one above
the other) to it between the word jazz and the guest bedroom door.

Looking down the living room hall into the living room and out the front door.

Other Presents I made for Christmas

I really did intend to post these pictures up a lot sooner, but my camera completely died, and despite the charger being right in front of my eyes, I could not find it forever!!  So, here you go...beter late than never, right!?

I crocheted this doiley myself!!  I absolutely love the pretty details!

Here you can see those details a little better.

I used some upholstry fabric scraps I had left from my Interior Design days
and created a pretty pillow.  Then I handsewed the doiley to it!

This shows the backside of the pillow.  These are leafs which actually make
sense because I sewed on a little bird charm to the front too.  Sorry
I don't have pictures of that.

This is the up close photo of a giant scarf I made.  The original
pattern called for a much smaller yarn but I had no idea where to stop in the
pattern to create a shorter version, so that left me with a 12 foot scarf!

Here you can see it at it's full length (almost)  I told you that it's huge!

Crocet again!  I did each piece seperate and then stitched it together
to create the bib necklace!

Up close!!
Have a very lovely night!!  Loves!

Finding Some Inspiration! Link List

I have been doing some research for a semester-long project I am working on for my Intro class for Graphic Design.  For the project, we are exploring the process of design from inspiration through completion.  We will be creating a Process Book based on this exploration.  Anyhow, I found some really great articles and websites online to give me some ideas.  Here are some links below.  You will really want to check them out, because a lot of them can actually apply to artists and creatives of all sorts.  The information can be modified and applied for all sorts of projects.  Seriously, CHECK THESE OUT!!

Why Create a Process Book?
Researching for a Design Concept
Organizing your Inspiration
Starting a Freelance Business
Inspiration Online
Assignments for your Sketchbook
Street Sketchbook

Coping with Stress

I am realizing as of late, that stress is a big component of life!  Of course, there is good stress and bad stress.  The bad stress is what makes me crazy.  It wears me down, makes me sad, and doesn't help the winter blues.  It is the stress that I need to fight off!  So, if you are like me and need some good ways to fight off the bad stress that tends to attack, here is a list of things you might enjoy doing.  By doing these things ) especially for the next couple months we have left of winter, hopefully we can fight off some bad stress, build up our happy selves, and maintain a more balanced life.
Here is my list:

Get enough sleep. This one is huge for me!  I might get into bed at 1030, but then I play a game on my phone until I finally force myself to shut my eyes at nearly midnight.  During the day I am always tired and long for a good nap.  I love me a great nap.  So much so that I tend to take 2 hour naps.  Now if I could just get myself to go to bed at a good time and wake up rested, I might be able to feel refreshed after a night of sleep and only take a quick poser nap if needed.


Say "no" to things I don't want to or don't have time to do.  It's in my nature to try to make everyone happy.  This means that a lot of times, I stretch myself too thin.  I end up doing all kinds of things for others, and not having enough me time.  I am going to work on doing only the things that I actually want to do, and this should free up some time for myself.  That way, I end up doing lots of stuff that I want to do and still feeling as though I'm not missing out.

Buy myself something I can afford.  Sometimes it's nice to give ourselves a little pick-me-up present.  It puts a smile on our face.  It is important to remember though that we don't need the big fancy gifts.  Sticking to the things we can afford, gives us more financial room and less bad stress over how we are going to afford all the things in life that we "need."

Make enough time to do what I want.  This one relates well to the say no one from above.  When my time isn't filled with doing too many things I don't really want to do just so others are happy, I have more time to do things that I want.  This works in two ways, not only am I not stressed about having too much to do, but, I also am fighting away some of that bad stress by doing the things I want to do!

Buy something for my house or apartment.  I just love it when our home reflects us.  Sometimes a little something here or there can add a little touch of happiness.  It doesn't have to be elaborate, but something new here or there will break up the monotony and give us a fresh perspective.
Solve a problem that's been bothering me.  The matter of time management gets to me!  I could sit for hours and look at pretty websites and make awesome crafty stuff, but then I neglect the dishes or the laundry and it piles up.  Before I know it, I'm tuck with hours and hours of cleaning up.  If I would have just done it in the first place, it would have only taken a couple minutes, instead of all the time it takes when I put it off.

Do something fun outdoors.  Right now, we are having a little "Indian Summer."  This weekend it has been in the 60s and sunny!  I love it.  I need to get out in the sunshine and soak it up before winter returns to us.  The sun really helps to relax me, and gets my positive vibes going.  That reduces my bad stress.  I resolve to try to get out in it a little more often.

Enjoy my favorite hobby.  I get paid tomorrow!  That means that I get to pick up some more yarn and work on crocheting a sweater that I started.  I've also been working on scrapbooking again recently.  It's so much fun to remember all the things I've gotten to do.

Be active with my favorite physical activity.  Ha!!!!  This one is really a tough one for me to put into practice, but I know it is for the best!  I honestly don't care for physical activity much, but I know that it helps that bad stress melt away.  Walking is something that helps me.  I get my heart rate up a bit, I don't really have to breath too heavy and I don't have to sweat (I hate sweating).  Plus, it gives me a little bit of peaceful time to think and enjoy my own thoughts and ideas.

Go to a movie.  I love love love movies!  I especially love going to them and getting a big thing of popcorn.  Movies are stories that we can witness faster than by reading a book.  Usually, I like to watch ones that make me laugh.  Laughter is a really great way to fight off bad stress.

Spend time with my puppy.  Kaye is always happy all of the time.  When she wags her little curly tail at me, I have to smile.  She always makes me feel better.  She loves me unconditionally!

Relax with a good book or magazine.  Part of my goals for this year include reading 12 books.  Reading provides a good quiet atmosphere to be at peace.  It slows down my mind and lets me relax. 

Listen to my favorite music.  Pretty much any music is amazing!  I just love sitting in my car with the windows cracked, the wind blowing and the radio turned up!  I sing to the songs I know and pretend to lip sync to the ones I don't know.  I just know that people are looking at me - with envy of course- wishing they could just let loose and belt out a few tunes themselves!

Have a great week!  Loves!

Monday, January 24, 2011

I locked myself out of the house and the car!!!!

I know that I have been scarce.  I'm sorry.  School has started and I am having a hard time getting it all together lately.  I feel like I'm running around with my head cut off!  Ever have that feeling?  It's not that fantastic.  Here is just a small example of what I have been up to:
Today I felt so tired during my morning classes that I decided I would come home during lunch break to take a short nap.  After resting for 20 minutes, my alarm woke me up.  I seriously contemplated hitting the snooze button but I knew that if I did that, I would not have time to grab a quick bite to eat and get to class on time.  I got up.  Lunch was a fruit cup and a bagel with cream cheese....so nutritional, I know!  It was time to go.  I said bye to the puppy, locked the door, and headed to my car.  When I got to the car, I realized that I didn't have the keys.  OH NO!!!!!!!!!   I locked them in the house!  I reached into my pocket to grab my cell phone out so that I could call Mr. Fantastic.  I'm really not sure what I thought he could do about it, as he was at work and would be for about 3 more hours.  That's when I discovered that my cell phone was in the house too!  Oh man, this day just gets better.  After walking around the house to confirm what I already knew: that there was no way in, it hit my that my land-lord works across the street.  I ran over with my fingers crossed that she would have a spare key with her.  SHE DID!!!!  So, I was only 5 minutes late for class.  That  isn't too bad.  Then the instructor asked for our homework.  Oh yeah, the homework I had done a week ago because the course sylabus said it was due last week!  Of couse I didn't have it.  That would make things far too easy.  So then I had to ask for forgivness and hope that she would let me scan it all to her tonight.  Thank goodness she did. 
So, tonight, after getting that to the instructor and completing homework for tomorrow, I am ready for sleep.  I just hope that I am not forgetting anything else!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Marian Bantjes

I happened upon an amazing artist today during my school studies.  Her name is Marian Bantjes and she is a Canadian based artist with an idea that blows my mind.  She follows love instead of money, crosses boundries of time, style, and technology, is known for her detailed and lovingly precise vecotr art, and her work is organic and fluid in nature.  I am drawn to her phylosophy and feel connected to her through passion for art.  Please watch this brief video from the TED site.  I hope that you can then understand what art is to me!

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Some Christmas Presents That I Made


This is us!  Christmas Morning 2010.  My favorite picture of us!!

My first scarf that I crocheted!!  I made it for myself!


Tiffany's christmas present:  A reversable bag. 


Here it is again only with the other side facing out.



Scrapbooking Pages


Here are a few scrapbook pages that I put together tonight.  I've been really wanting to get back into the studio and work on some pages.  I thought it would be great to work on them tonight.  I needed something relaxing to do with my time while hanging out at home alone.  Mr. Fantastic is at work and school starts this week.  Woo hoo!
This is my favorite picture of us right now.  Christmas morning 2010

We had so much fun on the 4th of July

Suring the summer of 2008 we spent some time floating down the river in texas

I love this picture of me from when I lived in Savannah.  This tree was gorgeous too!

This boy is all about the man I love so much

I really dont want this story to ever end!

My grandparents love eachother so much!
Have a great week!
Loves!!

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Goal Inspiration Photos






2011 Goals

In order to be accountable, I am posting up my goals for the new year!  It is sure to be an amazing and magical year!!  I can't wait to see how it unfolds!

Loose 50 pounds



Look on the bright side more often


Read 12 books


Go to an event where I can wear a fancy dress


Crochet a blanket


Earn 3.5 or better GPA


Get my quote tattoo


Go to First Friday at least 4 times


Plan and host a wine party


Send someone flowers for no reason


Go to the theater


Visit IKEA


Visit New York


Learn some sign language


Throw a New Years party


Create at least one feature post for my blog


Be a coupon/bargain shopper


Use my reusable bags


Become a better homemaker


Get birthday presents to their recipients on time!


Learn to make pie crust

Looking back at 2010 !My accomplishments!

2010 was a very full year. There was a lot going on throughout it all. I survived the ends of some things and the beginnings of other things. Overall, it was a great success. I embraced my four little words: open, emerge, awake, and alive. I reached inside of myself and brought back a girl I thought I had lost.  Here is a quick rundown of our year:

January – I got to visit with family and Mr. Fantastic!
February – I quit my job that made me so unhappy and traveled around to see family in a few different states.
March – Finished up with the traveling and started packing up to move to Nashville.
April – Moved in with Mr. Fantastic in Nashville and started school.
May – Continued with school and started therapy.
June – Made the President’s Honor Roll, went home for a visit, and became an aunt!
July – Realized that maybe Interior Design was not for me.
August – Had a really tough time loving a friend and contemplated every day what the right thing was to do.
September – Was in a wedding for said friend, and latter decided that I couldn’t let negative people dominate my life. I had to let go. Around this time, Mr. Fantastic decided to go to school and we both decided that a new move would be great because we really liked Knoxville and the school was perfect for both of our goals!
October – We completed our applications to UT, moved to Knoxville, and had a friend stay with us for a couple weeks.
November- We both got JOBS!!!! Yikes!
December – We both got accepted to UT, I made lots of handmade presents, and went up to SD to visit family for Christmas!!


As for the goals that I set for 2010, here is how I did with them:
Simplify: I’ve been cooking at home, making handmade gifts, and refurbishing the old instead of buying new!


Begin and Stick with School: I started school in April and continued with it through September. I maintained a 4.0 and President’s Honor Roll. As far as sticking with it part, I came to the realization that Interior Design was not for me, but that Graphic Design was better suited for me! That’s good news. So now that I have transferred to a larger school, I know that I can stick with my choice to go back to school.


Keep a Planner/Calendar: I started out really well with this one, but kind of faded off. I did manage to keep appointments in my calendar though.


Paint a Sunflower: I did this! I painted it for my grams for her birthday.


Buy and Learn to use a sewing machine: I did this!! I have made a few really cool things like my quilted duvet cover and the reversible bag. Plus I altered my bridesmaid dress and made some really beautiful things for a bride even if they weren’t appreciated.


Take at Least 1 picture per day and document them all in a cute little way: Well, I started out pretty well, but that only lasted for a month. I do have a lot of pictures though!


Be more Romantic: This was pretty easy since Mr. Fantastic and I moved in together. We have cute little dinners together and cuddle on the couch. One day we left the house to simply explore! It was amazing.


Get and ride a bicycle whenever logical: I did not get my bicycle. However, we are planning on getting them in the spring. We moved to a house that just so happens to be a 15 minute ride away from campus. Plus, Knoxville is a bike friendly community!


Make a scarf that I have had my eye on Which Includes Learning how to Knit better: Success! I absolutely adore my new scarf….well, my new scarfs plural! In addition to learning how to knit better, I taught myself how to crochet! I am really loving it. I did several crochet projects for Christmas presents and have also made several things for myself. Right now I am working on a sweater!


Finish my military scrapbook and continue with up to date albums: I did not work on my military album much this year. I did quite a few pages about the end of last year and the beginning of this year. I did order over 1,000 pictures though of things from the last 4 years so that I am ready to start going on some more recent scrapbooking!


At least 4 mini albums: Nope. I didn’t make this one either. I blame it on school!


Grow my hair to the middle of my back: Now although I haven’t succeeded in this one, it is not for lack of trying. I only got two haircuts this year and it was only in order to tidy up my hairstyle so that I could keep growing it out. Right now my hair is below my shoulders! I did experiment with going blind and that was fun. It was a lot of upkeep though because my roots kept growing out, so I went back to brown.


Blog more often: I would say that I have been pretty successful with this one! I’ve at least tried to be better about it!


Smile every single day: Yes! It’s pretty easy to smile every day when I am so happy! This year my life has really taken a turn for the better. I’ve done a lot of evaluating and made some positive changes. I’m really in love with how everything is at this moment!


Take time to breath: Ahhhhh! It feels really good. I’ve taken time for myself and begun to say no on occasion. I’ve learned that I can’t do it all, and sometimes I just have to compromise or leave things for a later date.


Over all, 2010 Was amazing. There were some negative parts to it, but I think that we all must endure a little rain if we want to appreciate the sunshine!! Here is my top ten list of 2010:


1. Quitting my job that made me so unhappy.


2. Moving in with Mr. Fantastic


3. Making President’s Honor Roll


4. Becoming the President-elect of ASID (even if I had to resign in order to move away)


5. Becoming an Aunt


6. Living by my four little words in order to really find my true identity again


7. Feeling that I really am a part of Mr. Fantastic’s family and knowing that my family excepts him as part of ours


8. Moving to Knoxville


9. Learning to sew, knit, and crochet (so I could make it a handmade Christmas!)


10. Mr. Fantastic and I both applying for UT and being excepted!!


Taking a look at the year in regards to my 4 little words:  In 2010, I opened up a lot.  I got closer to many good people.  I was honest, and loyal to a fault.  I emerged from my quiet and gloomy self though.  With the help of therapy I even started working on some of my ghosts.  I awakened to a happier me.  I tried to focus on myself for once and doing what made me feel good about myself.  I felt very alive!!
And as far as my color of the year, I was right!  It was perfect in helping me with all my goals, my words, and my life.  I feel very happy and positive about all that I accomplished last year!!