Everyday Beauty

Retreat. Refresh. Rediscover. Remember.

{photo by Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon}

Last week I returned from a trip to California, where I attended Kim Caldwell's fantastic event, An Affaire at Tiffany's. (The gracious Kim doesn't leave out a single beautiful detail at her famous art events!) Art retreats are special and powerful. I came home recharged, refreshed, and inspired. So happy to spend fun times with some of my dearest girlfriends, and to meet new friends as well. There's nothing like surrounding yourself with 70 creative women to give your own creativity a boost and help you reconnect with your artistic spirit. It was almost a rediscovery for me. Made me want to come home and journal and paint and fill my shop up again with trinkety treasures, baubles and bookmarks. Most importantly, on those days when my to do list is a mile long and I'm feeling uninspired, I need to remember how this feels... this wonderful feeling of friendship and connection and creativity. It can change one's whole perspective.

I already have some jewelry in the works and bookmarks nearly finished. Now, if I could only remember the log-in to my website. I know it's written down here somewhere!

Also, I finally created a page on Facebook for my shop. You can "like" it if you want by clicking here. I'll let you know when my shopette gets updated and hopefully I can keep the momentum going!

More Hanging Hearts

Hello! I wanted to show you the pretty hearts I received in the exchange last week. The neutral colors couldn't have been softer or lovlier. It's always interesting how each person creates her version of the same type of thing so uniquely. This one (above) was made by Kerry Lynn Yearly , and each bugle bead was sewn on by hand. Isn't it beautiful? The one below, made by Michele Witchell, has some hand beadwork as well. Love the old pearls spelling out beloved, and that pretty cotton flower!



And this darling puffy eyelet one was completely hand stitched by Letty Worley. Though I don't know any of these women, I am happy to have one of their creations!

Heart Mail

I found this pretty scrapbook paper at my local craft shop, and I'm loving the colors and prints. I used it, along with some lace-printed wrapping paper, to wrap up this small gift for a Valentine. It was mailed yesterday; I hope it makes it there in time. February is nearly half over, which is amazing! A simple cut heart on the back of the package and into the mailbox it goes! Don't you just love Valentine's Day with all it's hearts and pink and love?

A Mother's Love Necklace

A dear friend of mine has spent the past several weeks taking care of her very ill daughters. As mothers, we often tend to put ourselves last, most especially when our children are sick. Being so far away, I thought endlessly about what I could do to reach out to her and offer support. I ordered a few meals to be delivered to the house, but I really wanted to make her something as well. This Mother's Love Necklace sort of came together one evening, and it seemed like a gift she would enjoy. The two letters are the initials of her daughters' nicknames, and the silver locket keeps their pretty faces close at heart. Happily, the girls are doing much better now, which is the greatest gift of all.

Blessings and Beauty

A warm friendly HELLO and HOW ARE YOU? is the very first order of business, don't you think? So, hello! How have you been? I've missed you, and I've missed this place and all the sharing of friendships and ideas and beauty that used to happen around here. Gosh, it's been moons since I've typed a post, and naturally there is much to catch up on. In the past 7 months, we have moved twice, and been really up and kinda down and high and low and everywhere in between. But, {gigantic exhale} life is good, and my family of 5 is well adjusted here and happy as can be! We're surrounded by extended family and don't take a minute of it for granted. It has enriched our lives beyond words. We love our new Ohio home, and I'm happy to report that about 90% of the boxes are unpacked, which was quite the adventure, let me tell ya.

But, anyway. I have been waiting to begin again with my blog. Waiting until the time felt right, and it finally does. It feels like this is exactly what I should be doing at this moment. My craft room is all {pretty much} set up and I'm eager to start creating ANYTHING. I have been missing this part of myself, this creative part, and haven't felt complete without it. Each new day holds so many possibilities and opportunities if only we are open to them. I have not quite been myself for several months now. But something has changed, and I can feel the shift. A fresh new year will sometimes do that.

As I sit here typing, I am thankful for so many people, experiences, lessons, blessings. I have promised myself to stay nearer to those who are dear to me, and make sure they know how loved they are. Family and friends are everything. So, to all of you reading this, thank you for sharing a bit of your day with me here. Thank you for checking in on me from time to time. Thank you reaching out even when I wasn't. It feels so good to be back, and this would mean nothing without you!

Much love and happiness to you in 2012!

Kite Delights

 
Flying a kite is one of those happy childhood pleasures that never goes out of style. My children love to fly their kites each year when the weather warms up and the breezes carry the tails away until only a speck can be seen against the clear blue sky. It's almost magical to watch them soar.

 
Recently, some friends and I did a little handmade gift exchange, and I made them each a pretty kite sachet. It's basically 2 layers of muslin, cut in a diamond shape, with bits of old laces and trims sewn on the front side, collage style. Ribbon tails in the softest shades are streaming from the bottom tip. 

 
Something sweet for Spring!

 
I filled the kites with rose petals and they became whimsical hanging sachets.

 
It was such fun to make each one and just as fun to photograph them with all those candy colored streamers.

 
Makes me want to go buy a fresh spool of kite string and head to the park. It's a beautiful day here. I hope it's the same wherever you are!
 

Rose Petal Bath Soak

  

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.  -Sylvia Plath

Yes, Ms. Plath I couldn't agree more. I have to say, I'm a bath girl, not too keen on showers. And a nice hot bath needs a nice relaxing bath soak, no? I've been known to whip up simple homemade beauty products from time to time, and as it turns out, most batches make a bit more than 2 arms and 2 legs can use in a reasonable length of time. So, they're perfect for gifting to friends and family. 

Back in the day I made lip balms, hair treatments, scrubs, creams.....you know, before I had kids. But over the past year or so I have really started missing the mixing of shea butter, jojoba oil and beeswax, adding a few drops of essential oils and packaging tins of balms. There is just something wonderful about knowing exactly what you're putting on your body and being able to pronounce all of the ingredients. I guess I'm kind of a hippy that way. You won't find many chemical beauty products in my bathroom cabinets, no petroleum based lip blams in my purse.

 

Well, Sofia and I had a lunch date with Hope, Kelli and Cammy last October (see how timely I am with my blogging! I should have all the Christmas pictures up sometime in June.),  and I made a batch of this simple Rose Petal Bath Soak, filled 3 mason jars and added a few pretty packaging details for each friend.

I thought I'd share the recipe here, in case you're inspired to make some of your own. This recipe is not a science by any means. Feel free to add more or less of anything. Doesn't a nice long bath sound wonderful?

 

Recipe for Rose Petal Bath Soak
---fills 4 Mason jars---

*3 cups Himalayan Pink Salt {not only is it pink, it's also very therapeutic. Click here to learn more.}
*3 cups Epsom Salts
*1 cup Baking Soda
*1 1/2 cups Organic Rose Petals and/or miniature Rose Buds
* a few drops of Vegetable Glycerin {from any pharmacy}
* 1/2 tsp. Rose Absolute Oil {a friend from Bulgaria brought me back a bottle of Bulgarian Rose Absolute, otherwise I would have purchased only a tiny bottle, with such a hefty price tag. You can always substitute a rose fragrance oil or another floral essentilal oil, but Rose Absolute is heavenly and a little goes a long way.}

Here's to happy soaking!

Girl Time

 
Last weekend I escaped for a wonderful relaxing time with a group of dear friends. It was the perfect little retreat, and I loved every minute spent with these girls. Karla invited us to her home, and we spent the days creating together, antiquing together and eating cupcakes together. What more could a girl ask for?

 
Karla made us all feel so welcome, and didn't mind that we were snapping paparazzi-style photos of her studio. It is a feast for the eyes! We all walked in and just sort of stood there in awe, coveting the space full of beautiful things, with hidden treasures in every nook. See those cabinet doors? They are bursting with vintage hats...and that's just the very tip of the iceberg.

 
We crafted and crafted until our eyes started to cross. I don't think any of us could keep up with Karla though. She truly lives and breathes art, which is amazing to witness. Beth stopped by too, and joined us for a day of crafting.

 
We each made a miniature dressform from scratch using a really creative technique Karla taught us. I love how each one is so different from the next. So pretty all together!

 
We did some antiquing. I was obviously very excited with my purchases.

 
And Karla, Suzanne and Jenn were too...

 
We were all loving the Victorian Trading Company store. I didn't realize they had an actual store front. Did you know? A little slice of heaven!

 
We headed to Missouri for a visit with Carol, and got a chance to see her beautiful new (old) farmhouse. She set such a lovely Spring table for dinner, and once again we became paparazzi snapping photos of her gorgeous home. Cameras were clicking!

 
Really, I have no words, but it made me want to come home and redecorate my house. You can see pictures of the table setting in Carol's recent blog post. And Jenn has lots of photos of Carol's home and Karla's amazing studio in her recent blog post. It's worth checking out for all the inspiration.

I thought this was a sweet picture of Lori and Carol, in Carol's home.

 
Here is a shot of Heather photographing the pretty table. The best part about the weekend was that we all "get" each other and appreciate good design, good crafts, good antiquing, and good food!

 
And then we headed outdoors for fireside wine and laughter.
Such fun memories.

 
I hadn't been away from my kids for well over a year, and I came home feeling so REFRESHED, relaxed, inspired and ready to take on the world. How is it that a few days away can do wonders for your soul?
Thank God for girlfriends!

Once Upon a Dream ~ Registration Time

 
Hello Friends!

I am very excited to let you know that registration is now under way for Once Upon a Dream! This is the destination art event that Jennifer Hayslip is hosting in beautiful Asheville, NC this October. It will be quite the fairytale, I have to say, right down to the tiniest beautiful detail.

For those who have attended one of Jennifer's previous events, you know that they are so much more than a group of women sitting at tables together hastily making an art project. It is truly a weekend retreat in a charming city, visiting beautiful venues, creating with kindred spirits, eating delicious meals {that you don't have to cook or wash the dishes from!}, complete with shopping, relaxing, endless girl talk and more laughter than you can imagine. To top it off, we will be creating together outdoors, under the sun in the fresh air. Doesn't it all sound incredibly wonderful? Like a dream!

Visit the Once Upon a Dream Blog to get the scoop on the workshops {one of which will be taught by yours truly), the breathtaking venues, and every last magical detail. Space is limited.

I cannot wait 'til October, and I am looking so forward to seeing old blog friends and meeting news ones as well!

Support

 
Women are amazing. Really, we are. Born nurturers, we have the power to lift each other up and support one another through challenging, sad, and trying times. These past few weeks, my faith in the power of friendship was renewed once again. Not that I ever doubted my friendships, but I have been feeling a bit "off" lately, and it was the other women in my life who helped lift me up so I could see with a clear, fresh perspective. 

 
The support came in many forms....your lovely comments here on this blog, private emails from friends and blog readers, phone calls from old friends and new... and even a few cheerful surprises in the mailbox. Just good old-fashioned acts of kindness. How can I even say thank you? Words don't seem like quite enough.

 
On the other hand, I also tried my best to help some of my friends who are going through tough times themselves lately. We all go through ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, happy and sad days. It's nice to know we're not alone on this path through life. It's comforting to be able to relate.

Even a smile from a stranger can change someone's day. It's that powerful.

Today I wish for each of you....a smile, a hug, a bit of good news, a laugh, a phone call from a dear friend, and a kiss from someone you love.

{No, I don't wear these vintage bras, but I thought they would make the point of support in a pretty way! Aren't they beautiful?}