Creative outlets

I miss creating.  I used to do it all the time!  Baking, painting, decorating, paper-crafting; somehow these are the things that get pushed to the side most easily when life gets busy.  They are often also the little bits of life that feel most fulfilling.  This month, I've been getting back into decorating, and am scheming up some sewing projects for friends.  Even the little things like redoing my chalboards (I have one in the living room, pictured above, and one in the kitchen) and snapping a few photos on the weekends feels good!  

I've also been thinking big: should I finally take the plunge and open an Etsy shop?

Local Lovelies: Once I went to Boxcar

A long time ago I started a series of posts about my favorite local sights and indulgences.  When we moved to Syracuse two and a half years ago, I tried my best to cultivate that same weekend lifestyle of hunting down special spots in the area and things that make the city (or town) unique that made our life in the Hudson Valley so idyllic.  I've covered the Creekwalk in Syracuse, but my demanding schedule and finances sometimes get in the way of digging in to the Syracuse culture.  STILL, I've been plenty of places - big an small, expensive and free, outdoors and in, simple and complex - they're just waiting to be shared.  Here's one from over two years ago, our first winter back in Syracuse.  

I didn't take too many photos, but one Saturday afternoon I went to check out the Boxcar Press open house.  Boxcar is a letterpress business in the city that had just renovated their studio on the near west side in late 2010.

At the open house, I saw live printing on their beautiful presses, got to try my hand at printmaking, and shopped some of their holiday products, including cards, notepads and coasters.  I also received a free t-shirt and a few sample coasters to take home.

Boxcar was one of my very first experiences with some of the innovative art and local-focused movements that are happening in Syracuse.  Though I haven't been back to their space since December 2010, I always enjoy seeing their work at local art fairs, and checking out their blog from time to time, for tips on printing, and to see what they're up to.

December desktop calendar find and a new art blog to check out

Every since Design*Sponge featured a year's worth of artist desktop calendars, I've been hooked on switching up my desktop monthly, preferably with something a little bit special. I found this one of a nice little deer and winter scene while browsing online today, at Genine's Art Blog, which is worth a peek even if you don't want the calendar. Her blog is packed with her watercolor designs, and so many bird illustrations!

Good things for Sunday

Where has the fall gone to? It passed me by too quickly...

I've been trying to play catch-up this month, but I'm not sure I've been successful. Some wedding-related items are coming along, and I'm beginning to transition into winter decorations around the apartment, and last week I even managed to catch up on a few of my favorite blogs! Go figure. Some of my favorites to keep me busy for the short week ahead:

A free blogging e-course at PuglyPixel. She's also got great free graphic design elements if you're looking to spiff up a website, blog or shop. I used several on our wedding website!

New blog discovered: You Are My Fave.

Pretty country wedding on Project Wedding. With garden roses. Hooray!

If I had a million dollars...

...I'd buy one of everything from EmersonMade. 

Lovely tweed, natural fabrics, and giant flowers.  I want to be able to pull off those giant flowers!  So fun!

And in other inspirational news, Design*Sponge features a 'Living In' all about Sense and Sensibility.  A house filled with fancy pillows, candlsticks and birdcages doesn't sound bad to me.

Mid-week musings and the perfect hideaway

I attended a fabulous Indie craft market last weekend right here in my own home town (more on that later), and had a mini conversation with one of the vendors from Pistachio Press about how addicting blogs are, and how tricky it is to keep up on reading them all.  (Coincidentally, I'd first heard of Pistachio Press some time back via a blog).  My list is pretty long, and there are definitely some that I only manage to click over to once in a blue moon, but every now and then I like to sit down and - at the very least - skim through a few of my favorites to get up to date.  It always helps to inspire me if I'm feeling the need for a new idea or a new project.

Design*Sponge's tutorial on dry brush painting.  I think this might be just what I've been looking for to fix up the sewing able I found this summer.


Cute little sailor-like clothes-peg dolls on this blog that I'll be talking about soon :)  I love anything with a blue striped shirt. 


How to make a birdcage veil and pretty diy chiffon flowers on Project Wedding.

More Design*Sponge:  a guide to the Berkshires.  I've really only ever driven through the area, or stopped at a specific place for an afternoon, but since we'll be attending a wedding in the Berkshires next fall, it might be the perfect opportunity to check out some of these places. 

Finding your missing cell phone.  I think Cup of Jo is officially my most referenced blog.  She finds the best stuff!
Lastly, I came across this jaw-dropping little story and photo slide show of the most amazingly perfect woodsy hideway on a blog last week (though for the life of me, I can't remember what blog!), and have been clicking back to view the pictures ever since.  I think it's probably impossible to see these photos and not be inspired.  I kind of want to live here.  View the full NY Times slideshow and the story.

My 100th post

Late Thursday night, the humid day's air has cooled a bit, spending the evening browsing blogs and websites to pack my mind and digital files chock full of wedding design ideas, the sounds of a baseball video game in the background.  Here's what I'm thinking of tonight:

{ raspberries are in season and i want to pick some soon.  these are from here. }

{a bouquet full of peonies.  these are from here. }

{ we're planning on a dessert bar at our wedding - fingers crossed.  this one is from here. }

This is my 100th post!

Sweet dreams.

Redecorating

Bear with me, I'm trying some new blog layouts. I'm liking the shabby-chicness of this current one, but it might be too frilly, even for my super frilly tastes. Whatcha think?

Spring Cleaning

Even your desktop can use a little freshening up every once in a while. Via How About Orange, I discovered some lovely artist wallpapers at kindred.

I went with this one, by artist Danna Ray. It even fits in perfectly with today's gray-blue skies. Even if you're not interested in downloading one, it's worth it just to browse.

Good morning.

Look what little treasure came in the mail this morning!

(Yes, that is gluestick residue on the desk...)

I love mail, don't you? And it's even better when it is packaged with such detail. Before I even picked it up this morning and realized what it was, I was already loving the look of the natural brown envelope. Anthropologie never ceases to delight me.