heading west & a sneak peek

This past week has brought me back to the canvas and paint pens! A few months ago, I had painted this particular canvas some cheery shades of blue and yellow but due to my lack of inspiration I stored it in the closet. Has that ever happened to you? You start off on a project and get all excited about it only to come to the middle and realize you can't envision the finished product? Hm, maybe that's just me. ;)

As I said, this past week has brought it out again and I'm just putting the finishing touches on it; when I revisited the project, I knew that I wanted to put either a scripture verse or a line from a favorite hymn; well, after some debating I went with Hebrews 6:19. Somehow it seemed fitting to put a verse that had to do with the sea and I love that this verse has to do with something as cheerful as hope.
I'm not totally done with it yet but be expecting it in the shop soon!

In other news, I'm heading out west this coming week! Soon we'll be driving off into the sunset, going as far west as you can while still in Texas to visit family and friends; it'll be a grand time and I'm thinking/hoping there will be quite a bit of hiking involved. I'm looking forward to the dryer climate. ;)
All that to say that this space will be a wee quiet until the 21st of this month but don't throw this blog off entirely! I'm looking forward to introducing some new shop items and maybe even a diy project (gotta finish it first though ;) So, until next time, happy friday and happy trails.

p.s. I've update the shop profile! Take a look.

vintage+a sermon

I'm very pleased to show you the new vintage section in the etsy shop!
At last, I've made the decision to list some of my estate sale finds and treasures, though I must confess that it was a bit difficult to decide what to sell; most of my thoughts go like this,

"Okay, I've got to list at least--oh, wait, I remember buying this! It was in that old house with the--no, Elena, just list it, when are you possibly going to use this anyway? Well, maybe someday I'll need a really small decorative bowl and--oh, mercy, just list it!"

So, in the end, I convinced myself decided to pull a few things from my stash and see how they sell in the shop; this week there are a few estate sales that I'm planning on checking out, so hopefully I'll be able to add more things in the shop.

Also, along the "vintage" thread, I saw this diy project for recovering books, vintage-style, on the ever resourceful Design*Sponge (I just love that place); let me know if you try it out, I'd love to see how your covers come out! Currently on the project list are a few painting projects (I've been loving that lately), a lace baby dress, and a shawl for my Mama; so, don't really have the time to devote to this but I'm definitely putting it on my "future project" list (I'm a big fan of lists. : )
What's on your project list?

Also, I wanted to share with you the link that I posted on Deep Roots At Home for this weeks "Encourage One Another" link-up. This week shared this sermon on Humility: A Blessing from Dr. Peter Masters of the Metropolitan Tabernacle. I was first introduced to Dr. Masters when my parents visited during a trip to the UK last year; they were so blessed by his sermons and we've been listening to them online for quite a while.

Dr. Masters precision and burden for the Word of God to be preached rightly makes for a rich and encouraging sermon. (also, I'm a huge fan of accents so it's a nice feature. ; )

Check it out and let me know what you think!

collecting

{source}

This past weekend we were traveling between Austin and Houston, 

a perfectly very normal occurrence around these parts, but what wasn't normal was pulling over at the first sight of a "The Biggest Sale Ever" sign. This happens enough at home but not between cities; typically we fly through, trying to make it to our squishy loved ones just as speedily timely as we can, but--praise the Lord!--my Dad can be kinda spontaneous sometimes and as he knew that I am in a "collecting eclectic plates/platters" mood, he pulled over. 

I'm so glad he did.

You see, I'm on a hunt; about fifty plates, teacups/saucers, and various serving platters are the object and I'm excited. Can't tell you exactly why yet (I need to make sure this is actually going to happen before I tell all), just know that I'm excitedly searching. The end.

Also, this past weekend, I was reminded why I love sewing (quick results). I made a nursing cover for a sweet friend (can't wait to meet you, Asher!) and I made pillow covers for the first time; perhaps one of the favorite parts was the fact that I was making them out of coffee burlap sacks collected from a wee coffee shop in New York (we miss you R family). Photographed finished results to come. 

In other news, I'm also looking for frames. Ugly ones, big ones, ornate ones, small ones, dainty ones (you get the idea), all to create a trail; a memory trail going upstairs (rather like the first picture in this one). 

Yesterday I found one, ???? more to go! As it is kind of a weird shade of green, I'll probably paint it black (or black or mustard or pale grey? hm...let's see); for now it's in my room (next to the finds from this weekends spontaneousness). This has opened a can of creative thoughts, mostly about creating my silhouettes of my family, to be mixed with the photo/memory trail, BUT I think I'll collect more frames before I start.

Any new projects brewing for you on this fine--wet!!--Monday morning?

There's No Place Like...

...Home

It's been very nearly a week since I was last in Austin. 

Not surprisingly, I really miss rinsing diapers (crazy, I know), wiping chubby hands, and getting bitten by Wee Teeth (long story); the rhythm of my home is pretty different from the hustle and bustle of little people laughing and ricocheting around. In case you get the wrong impression, we Marques girlies can get pretty crazy in our own way.

Since being home, I've been settling into my new routine (read: trying to get used to a house without littles--we miss you, Hoods!) and since I've become a huge fan of lists, I made a list of things I'd like to do for September, wanna peak?

Organize Closet (again)

I've become inspired by Kendi's organizational post

Create business goals for 2012

Post Fall 2011 Line for Shop (knitting, knitting, knitting)

Make two more projects using UK yarn (post to come)

We have a trip to NC coming in October and I want to be ready!

Begin video series (Youtube, here I come!)

Research, research, research for my Light bulb Idea (again, post to come!)

So, there you have a few of the things I'm working on; thankfully, I don't really see anything currently on the calendar that would prevent me from checking these items checked off, aside from the fascinating book I'm reading. I'm about 3/4's of the way through The Help and so far, I've really enjoyed it (thanks so much for lending it, J!); a kindred spirit loaned it to me, we have similar taste in novels and this is no exception. I love the feel and flow of Kathryn Stockett's work. It reminds me very much of Harper Lee in the sense that I can clearly "see" everything happening and I am quickly familiar with the characters; the story is set at the tail end of one of my favorite times in history and I love the way Stockett has incorporated so much of the culture and happenings of that time. Have any of you read it/seen the film? 

{Note: the following is not at all to meant to downgrade fiction reading, it's just something I haven't done in a while.} I haven't read a fun, fiction book in quite a while, so I feel the need to ration the time that I spend reading; it's dreadful, but somehow I feel like I'm wasting time when I read fiction (that. sounds. so. prudish.). Honestly, I haven't read such an intriguing novel since, The Chosen (loved that one) or The Red House Mystery (delightful story!), but like Pinterest, I ration the amount of time I spend reading. 

Are you mostly a fiction or non-fiction reader? I'd love any of your suggestions!

Dandelion Root Coffee

{Design*Sponge}

This is day three with the Stickies and my poor sister cannot stand the solitary confinement, so she is headed over to pick up her beloved offspring. I'm very happy to report that there have been NO meltdowns, homesickness, or random bursts of energy. Things have been going relatively smoothly and they've enjoyed every minute, and so have we.

Though I haven't gotten very much knitting done (hurrah for finished projects!), I've been busy working on an embroidery project similar to this one for---well, for someone special. I'm very pleased with the way it's turning out so far!

With the winter season coming to a close, I'm compiling a mental list of spring knits and sewn items for the shop, anything special you'd like to see?

Now, to what you've been waiting for,

the coffee.

I've signed up to get emails from Elana's Pantry and today she posted a recipe for Dandelion Root Coffee. Generally, I'm a pretty big fan of traditional coffee, though it doesn't like me.

So, I am interested to try this recipe for a coffee substitute; it's give me something besides steamed milk to drink at evening gatherings! Really, it's kind of pathetic, any more than a tablespoon full of coffee will make my knees shake; I still love it though, and I'm so glad my Mom brews a pot each morning--the smell is wonderful!

What are your morning rituals?

Hello February

{Design*Sponge}

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers; they come in so many great colors and look wonderful in each stage of life (plus you can hide love notes in the unopened buds and give them to your sister for her birthday).

As I type this, I'm cheerfully listening to the rain pattering outside my window;

it's still fairly dark outside and the inside is still pretty sleepy!

I'm so glad that my sisters don't have to be filming today (yes, they're in a film class and are assigned to create and edit a film each week for class--they're pretty cool and creative!), but I think the rain provides a pretty dramatic background for a scene (or mud war).

Today holds a typical school/ music lesson day and I am hoping to start some more projects (some knitting ones and some embroidery ones--nope, can't tell you now!), and possibly have a cup of tea if it's still raining.

p.s. I have a few {on the needles} posts that need to be shown, so keep your eyes peeled!

Also, be sure to check out my etsy shop!

There are a few new items and one old favorite there!

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Dear February,

So nice to see you, but what was your hurry in getting here?

There were a few things I could have been doing in January but no matter, you're here.

I have lots of plans for you, not the least of which,

learning calligraphy (I have red and white valentines as well as

eggplant and white stationary in my head) and

attending my first Renegade Craft Fair (more on that later)!

Well, I had better get started on my day.

It's been lovely greeting you, please stay as long as you like.

Love,

E

Happy Friday

{Remnants from a past project}

How is your Friday going?

Today has held very much studying (microeconomics--very different from studying for the Humanities exam!), thinking, writing, and planning. I'm very excited to be helping to plan a semi-surprise birthday party for a friend. Semi-surprise meaning that the Birthday Person knows there will be a party, just not the details. I'm also making a hat for the Birthday Person which will be pretty fun to have in the knitting basket!

Recently I've been enjoying the musical collaborations of

Mark O'Connor, Yo Yo Ma, and Edgar Meyer, particularly in their Appalachia Waltz album.

My new favorite is "First Impressions", I've been listening to it constantly,

along with Edith Piaf of course :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

A Very Merry Birthday

{Design*Sponge}

Thirteen more days :)

Twenty is a big step for me; I've never been twenty before

and that means I won't be a teenager anymore

--actually, I hadn't thought of that one (really, I hadn't!) until my orthodontist mentioned it.

It seems so much more than nineteen, so I'm hoping it will be a better balance for the braces:)

Seriously, I don't usually get so excited about my birthday but this one is

pretty special for two reasons--okay, maybe three:

1. We'll be in New York(!!!), thus the East Coast in the Fall.

I'm really looking forward to the accents, colors, and yes,

the cold!

Papaya drink and hot dog, roasted chestnuts, and NY pizza,

here I come!

2. I might be able to convince my family to go see an opera

(I'm thinking a matinee of Cosi fan tutte, we shall see).

3. We'll be with dear, sweet friends.

This is probably the main reason that thrills me the most :)

{bonus} For just one year it will be that much easier to calculate how far apart

Nicole and I are in age! Yes, that reason was free of charge

This is Grace.

She is small and very sweet.

She's also sporting the latest custom birthday crown; made with love for the party of a special birthday girl. I've branched out from the style I used for Mia; for example, with the one above, I covered the elastic with fabric and I did a few things different in the way I embroidered the pieces together. It was pretty fun to put together and I hope the Little Birthday Girl enjoys it!

{Inspiration}

This is a lightweight coat a dear friend loaned to us--isn't it adorable!

Yes, those felt flowers are sewn onto the sides of the light blue corduroy

I'm so excited to wear in on the plane!

We still have a few things to wrap up at the house and all of the packing to do!

Tomorrow we are planning to spend some time in Austin and are hoping to find some hostess gifts, other gifts, and general shopping. I know we just saw them

but we're all aching to see Nicole and the Stickies!

Dom won't be 17 months forever and I don't think we can see our family too often.

Are there any other Fall birthday people out there?

It's my favorite season and a pretty good month in which to have a birthday :)

There Once Was A Chair...

...quite a plain chair.

This piece has been in my room for a few years and recently (like, two months ago recently), I bought some fabric that better suited my fancy, and took off the original fabric.

For some reason that I can't remember, I waited a while before putting the new fabric on, and I realized that this new project went a wee bit over my head (read: I was very nervous).

Thankfully, I now have a sweet, friend helping, who is a much more accomplished seamstress than I. After just one afternoon, we've made some wonderful headway and are half finished with this chair! I'll post more when I've finished :)

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{side note}

This post from Oh, Hello Friend (you are loved) reminded me of how fun it would be to learn about printing on a letterpress.

Coming Along

This month finds my mind and knitting bag pretty full.

There are so many projects I'd like to start (and finish) as well as lots of things to fit into our schedule; it's funny how quickly time flies by. It seems like I'm always working to make the most of my time. I've come to the conclusion that few people are truly busy each moment of the day/week. Quite the contrary, the majority of people really have lots of spare time; it's really a matter of redeeming it. So, I ought to be grateful for the schedule I have a make the most of it.

For me, getting up earlier (accompanied with going to bed earlier) and scheduling my month has helped--novel idea, I know, but it's the simple things in life :)

And now, a few pictures from my knitting bag...

Here is the workings of my first lace cardigan, and despite the fact that it has been frogged a few times, I understand the lace pattern! It's pretty exciting since it opens a whole new world of lace patterns and it will (hopefully) make this cardi go a bit faster so I can wear it!

This is one project that I need to make time for,

as I really can't visit with people and knit at the same time for this one.

Here are some sweet mary jane booties (aren't they cute!) that I made via Ravelry;
I learned some new things on this one and now I can whip out a pair in a day or so--easy peasy! This would be a great, quick gift to make for a special, wee someone; I plan on making a few pairs this week.

And finally, the beginnings of a chemo hat that I am planning on donating.

Right now it is sitting in a corner in my knitting bag because of a slight confusion in the pattern but I know that a quick visit with Mrs. Frye and/or youtube will provide the remedy.