Despite gloomy weather, I’m enjoying a nice quiet holiday weekend with my family, remembering loved ones gone before and feeling gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy. I wish you all the same!
Archive for May, 2008
The Meadow
Published May 25, 2008 favorite things , on my mind Leave a CommentTags: sage meadow studio
For anyone wondering where Sage Meadow Studio comes from, this is the actual “sage meadow” next to my home. I grew up on this land. It’s been in my family for decades and it’s a part of me. I love this quiet place.
The scents of sage brush in the rain and sage mixed with dust on a hot summer day, a warm breeze carrying the light perfumed fragrance of scrubby Russian Olive trees (you can see them in the background of this picture)…these all evoke images of home and peace and carefree childhood for me, of riding on the front of my daddy’s motorcycle while he tended his water, of warm summer nights playing “No Bears are Out Tonight” or listening to the soft clicking of the sprinklers in the field next door. Ahhh. Makes me feel good just thinking about it.
Pearls for Girls
Published May 24, 2008 accessories , gifts Leave a CommentTags: accessories, children's accessories, children's jewelry, jewelry
I’ve enjoyed making a few necklaces for my kindergartner this year…this is one of a set of three for her and some friends, and I love how they turned out. Simple, sweet, and best of all–fast! Is it bad that I want to wear it? I just might!
Photographing the Photographer
Published May 23, 2008 just for fun 2 CommentsTags: my sister's photography
Last week I had the opportunity to tag along on a fun family photo shoot with my little sis. I was in charge of my own camera–catching candid moments and running and just helping out in general. It was a lot of fun, and I managed to sneak in a few photos of her in action. I think she really loves what she’s doing!
I admit it. I love gift wrapping. But I have a love-hate relationship with cards! I mean, I enjoy reading through stacks of thoughtful/sentimental/funny cards at the store and all, but I hate forking over multiple dollars for them. And since I don’t get much alone-shopping-time anymore, it’s just not that fun to peruse the overwhelming plethora of cartoonish greetings. On top of the $$ and time issues, I’m a bit OCD about matchy-matchy stuff, and it bugs me to put cartoons on my pretty packages.
So, from time to time…okay, most of the time…my gifts come cardless. I am ashamed to admit this, and since I’m airing it all out, I will also throw in the admission that I hope most recipients don’t really notice, I mean, who needs another piece of paper kicking around the house, right?
Sometimes it occurs to me though, that a cardless gift is like a sprinkle-less cupcake. I would certainly never wish for someone to think that they don’t mean as much to me because I neglected to give a card. Thus I live with a niggling little shadow of fear that someday someone will feel less loved because of the lack.
I don’t know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I finally had my Eureka! moment and bought some blank cards and tags, perfect for customizing with a bit of wrapping paper or fabric…and I am now at peace. The card gets included, it matches, and no more shadows over my head. Except for when I’m running behind and don’t have time to get it done! But that’s a topic for another day.
Several months ago I purchased some antique ceiling tile tins on Ebay, and they arrived…very rustic and paint-peely and sooty! So how do we go from raw material to cute wall decor? After tossing it around in my head for a while, I attached them to simple box frames made of 1×2″ pine, sprayed them with a finisher, and hung the set of three above my kitchen window. Love ‘em.
The daughter of a farmer and an entrepreneurial mother, I grew up in a productive family. There are six of us siblings, and each of us inherited a drive to succeed, a passion to produce in our chosen fields. I had an idyllic childhood, with my fair share of play time, but somehow (example? osmosis?) I picked up this internal force that has been with me for as long as I can remember.
One might think that once you’ve got the desire, you’re all set to go forth and conquer! But I’m finding that if I don’t manage it carefully, this compulsion can work against me, leaving me exhausted and frustrated before I’ve even begun to work on anything, overwhelmed by piles of unfinished projects and mountains of to-do lists! The intersection of this trait and its powerful counterpart in my personality (the evil procrastinator) is the crux of the creative slump I’ve found myself living in over the past few years, and the reason for writing this blog.
My little vacation last week was so what I needed to get myself gathered and centered and ready to take on the challenge of my days. In the last two weeks, I’ve read or listened to some really helpful books: How to Have a 48-Hour Day by Don Aslett and Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy. Both directly addressed my problems with overwhelm-ment and procrastination, and I’ve enjoyed trying some new approaches to my days. As a bonus: I’m actually getting some sewing done!
(Pictured above, parts of an in-process project using the gorgeous Freshcut fabric line.)
A couple weeks ago Kayla and I grabbed the kiddos and ventured out on the family farm to shoot some pictures of my girls in their Easter dresses. It was a chilly day, so I threw on these too-cute ruffle pants from Matilda Jane. The kids loved playing in the sun and exploring the old homestead.
