Week End, Week Start

Hello! Sharing a few bits of life from the last couple days. Mondays are my big in-the-studio day, so even though it's a holiday weekend, mine ends a little early. Like now.  But I did have a good time working on the arrow quilt I mentioned Friday and getting out & about with the boys. Here's a look: 

Progress towards the arrow quilt with Lotta Jansdotter fabrics...feels so good
to be quilting again!

And, true to what I do when given a tutorial, I change it. Turned it into a chevron placement instead. So excited for this one!

Looking down....
(man, I've got some long toes!)

Last night we had a little get together with my lovely friend whose boys are pals with Jack.  She so kindly made me a vegan feast! Plus, she's got style like nobody's business. Here's her charming table centerpiece. 

Saturday started off cold & gray, plus we've all been in a bit of a funk. So I thought a nice brisk walk with some steamed soy milk + chocolate and vanilla powder as the end reward was just the thing to get us back on track :) 

With all this rain (help me!) we've been crafting it up like crazy. I cut dozens of triangles from our decorating paint chips and Jack arranged them on canvas in what I feel is a most brilliant pattern design! ;) 

Of course, it's not all fun & games around here - Jack with his freshly folded stack of towels, so proud of his chore accomplishment!

Where's the Baby? Oh, he's too busy walking (!) everywhere for me to catch up and snap a photo. Yikes. I so cannot believe he's almost one. Party planning commence....

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. xoxo

Arrow Quilt

I adore all things geometric-y...especially combined with quilting. I found this amazing tip for creating a triangle quilt from Molly Flanders. It so clever, I just might have to try it out this weekend. In fact, I've been aching to quilt for so long - it's how I started sewing. I've got a fabulous sneak peek Lotta Jansdotter fabric pack that, along with this tutorial would create a an awesome wall hanging for our staircase!

Would love to hear what you're creating this weekend!

Color Lovin'

I love mixing colors and finding new combinations. Here are some of my current favorites:

turquoise + orange 

gorgeous woven fabric with this Summer Love floral

gold + gray + pops of brights

this one was a happy surprise! 

warms + cools 

love this fresh mix.

coral + aquas + bright

burst of sunshine!

warm neutrals + bolds

blush pink + rich gem tones

marina blue + orange

my favorite stand-by 

What color combo do you love?

Finding Inspiration

{snap}

Oh, man. This is so true for me & my life. When I look back, my best moments and triumphs are when I recognized a good thing and ran for it.  Like when the surprising acceptance letter arrived in my mailbox or the amazing teaching position. The dismal failures and disappointments it seems, are the times when I thought I had it all figured out. When I thought I could twist and turn. Just doesn't work like that. There's a fine line between forging your own path and ignoring what is sent your way.  Sadly, I have a very odd way of turning down opportunities. Sounds even more foolish when I actually write it out.  Of course, sometimes we have to let things pass us by, not every opportunity is meant for us. But, I am most saddened by the opportunities that shined and called to me....and I just kept walking.  Friendships, jobs, new pursuits, relationships, collaborations...


But, I'm not one to dwell. Right now, I'm focusing on reclaiming and seizing those moments that come my way. Whether they be brief and quiet or screaming loud.  

In the Nursery with Cherry Walls {Product Review}

Here's the nursery all decked out in aqua splendor with lots of cuteness from Cherry Walls. Well, it's a corner of the nursery anyway.  It's been almost two months since we moved into our new home and I'm happy this project is nearly completed.  Four walls of super dark hunter green gold flecked wallpaper and buckets of patience later, little Luke is now able to enjoy his cheerful room. Since he's nearly a year-old (eeks!), my aim was to choose colors and designs that can be reused and repurposed as he transitions into older boy stuff (and probably away from mama's favorite yellow + gray + aqua....).  So I was thrilled to received these decals from Cherry Walls. They were super easy to use and add lots of contrast to this baby boy bliss. 

Even better than being temporary? They can be easily reapplied (I tried it out just to make sure).  This means that when Luke decides he'd prefer narwhals over birds and galaxies over trees, I can move this beauty branch into my studio! When that time comes I'll add in the pretty pink blossoms I've set aside for now. 

The decals arrived well packaged and were easy to remove.  I was surprised at how strong but not gooey sticky they were. Initially, I was hesitant to put anything on the walls. After all the blood, sweat, & painting, I've yet to hang a picture. But the sample decal included in the pack (genius!) was reassuring and good way to practice. 

Thrilled to realize these kits can easily be mixed & matched as my design aesthetic and preferences change. Maybe our birds would like to be paired with this flock later on down the road? 



View the whole collection of lovely designs and options on the CherryWalls website and connect with them by visiting them on Twitterand Facebook.

California Love

A few snapshots from our California vacation last week. Enjoyed the fun & sun at Disneyland & Legoland....nothing better than seeing the little guys soak up all the excitement! I enjoyed the time away and break from our usual routine but so glad to be home again.  


10 things I (re)learned on vacation:

• Waiting in line isn't so bad. It's a good time to chat....or just eavesdrop ;) 
• I'm not addicted to coffee after all
• Plane rides are tough, no matter how sweet the baby
• Fun & enjoyment are choices, not just things we magically find
• Cool design is everywhere
• It's ok to not work every single day
• I didn't miss television one bit 
• It's a Small World is *still* my favorite ride
• My boys can find dirt to dig and rocks to climb no matter where we go. 
• The best memories are made in those brief moments when we're not even trying.....

Best Gift

{rifle paper co.}

Happy day to all whose mothering makes the world go round. 

Oh So Lovely Cards for Mother's Day

These delightful cards just sing out for Mother's Day. They're originally created by Eat Drink Chic for Once Wed as DIY thank you notes to bridesmaids, but I think the vintage buttons, personal touches, and hand printing make them perfect for mums too.  Besides, they're just plain pretty. 

A Few Geometrics To Love

 a little bit of cool geometric goodness:

{LBC Paper}

{red tile studio}

{the swan lake}

{chalkology}

Color Me Happy: Mint + Tan

Stepping out my usual bright & bold box for this lovely mix of minty and tan goodness. 

Outfit by Sunday Crossbow

Necklace by Botanical Bird

Cosmetic Bag by Curious Miss Clay

Art Print from The Wonder Forest

Bowls from Suite One Studio

what color mix would you like to see next?

More in the Color Me Happy series:

Navy + Orange

Marigold + Teal

Coral + Turquoise

Tea Time

I adore the Kate Wilson's work - this art print would make a lovely gift for mom! 

Speaking of mums, many thanks to The Small Things Blog for including my bag in their charming Mother's Day Gift Guide, go take a peek. 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend! xoxo

Cinco De Mayo - Fiesta Garland

Doing lots of last minute packing before our big vacation...but there's still time to fiesta! 
Loving this charming fiesta garland from Oh, Happy Day.  It's a perfect for preoccupying the little guy while I double check we've packed the sunscreen :) 


Enjoy the weekend! I've got many posts lined up while we're out & about. xoxo

Empowered

Ok, so I confess. For the last, I don't know, four years (!) there's been an avenue I wanted to pursue.  But haven't.  Why? Well, I think our charming friends Fear, Doubt, and Guilt have all played a fascinating role.  I realize that I've actually told myself, 'oh that's not for you, maybe for others but not you.'  And the really crappy part is I sort of started believing it.  But there was something deep down that always kind of tugged at me...the notion that I've done really crazy, difficult, challenging things in my life (like, um, teaching high school special education in super rough neighborhoods. When I was 21. Yeah.) .... 

So why can't I do this next big thing? 

I'm really good at thinking of all the reasons I can't do something.  And I'm pretty convincing too. Not enough money, no time, who will watch the kids?, I need a degree for that, that's just not how the process works.
See?! You're convinced too! Whatever I was scheming up probably just won't work.  


And you know, it just might not. I might fail. I might be really sucky at it all. 

But, I just *might* be good at it. It might possibly lead to something else. Something else even more amazing. 

In the last few months, I've felt incredible connections, moments of inspiration and instances where I thought, "get out! this gal is speaking right to me!"  When Noisette Academy's Empowerment Project launched last month, I had to scoop up a copy of her kit. Isa is a dear friend and an incredible source of wisdom and vision....I really wanted to cheer on her mission to support women in Rwanda. But it went beyond that. Her Empowerment Kit (seen above) really spoke to me, it encouraged that little voice inside telling me to try this next big thing.  I've already thought on a few of the pages and am anxious/excited/hopeful to make time during vacation and dwell in my dreams. 


And so, I'm going to try that new big thing.  It's scary and crazy and whatever....but I'm going to give it a go.


I'll happily be sharing my process and progress. Whether the result makes a major splash or just me falling on my face, I'm gonna do this.