Friday, January 30, 2009

{ 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!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

{ 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 ;)

Monday, January 26, 2009

{ 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

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

{ 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.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

{ 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 ;)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

{ 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