{ Camera Cases }

Hi there! Long time no blog! I wanted to share these oh so cute felt camera cases by Hine. Each one is hand stitched using felt, buttons, and ribbon. Adorable and functional and way funner than any store bought case. Enjoy.

{ Fun Photo Frames }

I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to display my photos. Check out these fun photo frame finds from Photojojo. The doddle photo frame and photo clips are my fav! And how great would it be to give or get Photo ololy as a gift! Great ideas for those who want to display outside the frame ;)

{Doodle Photo Frame}

{Wrap-Around the Corner Frame}

{Photo oloy}

{Foto Clips}

{ 9-5 Project }

Here's a sneak peak of what I've been working on for the past few days at work. The client is Premier Designs jewelry. A quick behind the scenes look from the camera's perspective. Here's what my shots look like minus cropping and before they head to prepress for retouching.

{ 3 out of 6 }

Not bad for a weekend of projects that I wanted to check off my list. It's amazing how something as little as a can of stain can transform the vibe of a piece of furniture. I really liked how my bed frame turned out. Find out where I got the goods for this project for under a buck here! The chocolate covered frozen bananas were also a big hit and very tasty indeed ;) The recipe was a breeze and it was fun to add my own flavors too. For these I used cashews, peanuts, and vanilla cookies and added the whipped topping to up the yum factor. I also was able to enjoy some of my weekend outdoors on my long run (I am up to mile 7 in my half marathon training). It felt equally delicious to feel the warm sun on my face ;)

{before}

{after}

{chocolate covered frozen banana bites}

{ Ready, Set, Go }

The weekend is here!! Yay! Here's what I've got in the works for the lovely weekend ahead. Don't you just love when the weekend begins to take shape on paper on a Friday afternoon? We'll see how much of the list I actually will get to check off. So here goes...... Happy weekend ;)

{ Creative Pitch }

Hello! Work has been keeping me extra busy these past few weeks. It seems like everyday there is new news about changes being made to my company. Luckily no one in either the photo or the design departments have been affected. I can't help but feel blessed to have a job that still excites me to go to everyday. To help spread some of my good cheer I'm in the progress of organizing a donation to a non-profit organization called Creative Pitch. It's a great place that takes in used art supplies for Chicago art teachers to "shop" for supplies and materials to use in there classrooms. I'm hoping that between the photo and design departments we will be able to contribute a sizable donation and help continue to stir the future creative minds of Chicago students.

{ For the Love of....Gadgets! }

Can you imagine what you did before you invited that special piece of technology into your world? I can't either! Here are a few of my most essential gadgets that help make daily life a little more enjoyable, organized, and less hectic. What are your favorite go to gadgets? Have a wonder filled weekend!

{1}. Western Digital 250 GB external hard drive $80
(This external hard drive is an absolute essential of mine.cIt's chic, slim & matches perfectly with my mac!)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{2}. Nike + iPod sport kit $30
(My half marathon training mate. It even talks to me while I'm running to keep me on pace reach my goals!)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{3.} Sony earphones $50
(No more lost sound, thanks to these babies. They really stay in your ears and block out all surrounding noises!)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{4.} Tom Tom GPS $119
(No more annoying U turns and getting lost for me!)

{ For the Love of....B's }

Happy Friday everyone! This week went by fast and I'm excited to have some free time this weekend to spend cleaning, crafting, and day dreaming. There is a winter storm advisory for Saturday which makes all of the above much more likely to happen ;) Here are my loves for your viewing and mouth watering pleasure!

BOOK

A Year of Mornings 3191 Miles Apart

BAKE

Feast your eyes while getting your chocolate fix baking up this beautiful 12 (yep 12) layer cake! Read the delicious details at Bakerella!


BLOG

Follow the crafting tales of Pamela Garrison and see what she crafts up next! I'm loving her sew sweet embroidery download available at her blog.

{ For the Love of....Reflection }

{Strolling in Tortola}

Ahhh....7 long days spent in the mountains, beaches, & Caribbean Islands does the mind and body good! I'm very much still in relax mode and hope it lingers for the remainder of the week! Looking through my photos has been almost as good as actually being there....well almost :)I can't think of a better feeling than coming back after a vacation with the feeling of gratitude, renewed energy, and a restful spirit. It is definitely in my plans to experience more travel this year. Here are some of my favorite shots from my travels.

{Tortola}

{Shores of the Bahamas}

{St. Thomas}

{Bahamas}

{Tortola}

{ For the Love of ...Travel }

I'm packing up my bag as I sit at my desk, double checking to make sure that my passport is in my bag. Tonight I head out with a small close group of family & friend to embark on a most exciting journey to the islands of the Caribbean! I've been looking forward to this trip for months now and I can't believe the day has finally arrived!! I'm going to have to pinch myself when I land in Miami this afternoon. This is a South Park character of me on vacation. Check out how to make your own here. Have fun and I'll see you back in one week with photos and stories from my travels ;)

{ For the Love }

It's February! Can you believe it? In keeping with the spirit of the season I'm dedicating this months posts to all things that I love. Lucky for us, love comes in many forms. I'm always keeping my eyes and spirit open to its special gifts. Here's what I'm loving today, enjoy!

Paper Art:

{PhotoGraphic art by Yulia Brodskaya}

{Paper cut print by elista}


Quick Craft:

{ Hallmark Magazine}

Make a sweet vintage lace serving tray with the help of a photo frame and drawer pulls.


Giveaway:


Register for the Remember Love sweepstakes. Fossil will be awarding one lucky winner a vintage style Schwinn tandem bike!

{ Birthday Wishes }

Happy Friday to all today! It's been a long week, even though I just got back. Funny how that works sometimes. I need time to unwind from all the time I spent....um...unwinding ;) Tonight I'm getting together with family to wish the sweetest boy (who just happens to be my nephew), a happy 6th birthday! Love you Sammy B!
Have a lovely weekend!

{ Freebie Download }

I received an email from MUJKA today and am excited to share her newest download. It's her newest creation, the lovely Damask invitation set. Though I'm not in the market for wedding invites, I thought these might also work as pretty stationary, thank you cards, or even as a frame for a black & white photo. Happy printing ;)

{ Back Into the Swing }

{Photo by Alan Barr, Flicker}

I just flew in from a long sister's extravaganza week in Philadelphia yesterday and I am truly impressed with how much greatness the city had to offer. I was bound to have a great time, because I was in great company all week long. Needless to say the week was filled with great restaurants and a surprise spa afternoon on our last night, thanks sis ;) Here are a few highlights from my trip:

* Philly cheese steak sandwich from Geno's
* Running up the Rocky stairs ......(((Adrian)))!!
* Visiting the Phily Art Museuam
* Taking a horse & carriage ride for a historic tour of the city
* Staying in the posh Sofitel hotel
* Getting dressed up most nights to go out for dinner
* Renting a movie & ordering room service

{ EV Photography Calendar }

I've been working on this for a few months and finally am printing limited copies of my 09 desktop calendar. I've transformed some of my favorite images to resemble sketches and printed them on 90 lb. watercolor paper. I'm very happy with the way they came out. Minimalistic and functional....just the way I like it! Being sold here & here.

{ Lessons from a Sewing Machine }

Have you ever worked on a project for so long that its extraordinariness seems to fade the more and more you work on it? Why do we do this to ourselves? This is exactly what happened with my journey in making my first quilt. Since diving into this project in early summer of 08, I worked steadily on it for weeks on end only to put it away half completed for 2 months. It wasn't until my cousin saw and excitedly commented on my half finished quilt that inspired me to dust of my sewing machine and get back to sewing. I was inspired after seeing how inspired she was! And that positive energy was just was I needed to complete my cozy and calming quilt. With any project I take under my wing I am grateful for the lessons learned. Here are a few that I can add to my list of lessons:

* Take comfort in the smallest of details
* Measure twice, cut once
* Find your sewing inspiration ( mine was my cousin & Project Runway )
* Patience
* Work on a project only when ready to pick it up again... and again... and again
* Explore greener options (mine included organic bamboo batting and 20+ of my favorite cotton tee's)
* Find beauty in the flaws
* Research your materials, patterns, and techniques before starting (my quilting guide from start to finish)
* Above all have fun in creating a project that will live on ;)

See who else is cozying up in her newly fabulous finished quilt. Congrats to That Girl Designs for her sweet creation. You've made Amy Butler proud ;)

{ Hot Dog }

I've been beyond busy at work since the New Year, but it feels good to be back in blog land! I decided to take a personal day today to renew, reconnect, and keep Josie (see above) in good company. Happy New Year to you all ;) Here are some of my goals for the new year:

* Volunteer my time
* Cook using seasonal ingredients
* Take naps on the weekends
* Beat last years half marathon time
* Rediscover a favorite childhood past time
* Make new friends & reconnect with the old
* Take mini vacations
* Stretch daily
* Make my bed everyday