let's go climb a tree :: family photography

when was the last time you climbed a tree? probably a while, right? but you should do it this weekend... you know you'll have fun. and you know you'll feel like a kid again. and you know that's the key to happiness... acting like a kid, i mean.

forget your chores and go climb a tree.

p.s. can you see "bump's" shiner? he walked in front of the swing set at preschool and got kicked in the face. poor little guy. he's tough though! i tried to give him tylenol the evening it happened and he kept saying it didn't hurt... another advantage of being a kid.

xoxo & happy weekend

garden loveliness :: nature photography

there's a beautiful park in town that is home to a rose garden, botanical garden, wildflower garden and more. i met a friend there for a walk the other day and, as always, my breath was taken away by the loveliness.

make art :: art studio photography

today's message: art is love. make art.

a ride on the rails :: midwest photography

a couple weeks ago, i rode the train down to st. louis for a stay. it had been a long time since i have rode on the rails. and although, as i sit in my shop each day, the loud train rolls by and i curse it, when actually on the train, it's quite tolerable. in fact, as i sat in my snugglie little world of a seat, i hardly heard the horn. and the view from my window was comforting. there were scenes i would have otherwise missed in a car on the highway. i love that about a train ride... they move swiftly through the middle of cornfields, wooded lands and the back areas of a city. and don't even get me started on how much i adore the historical train stations... because, to my delight, most have been kept up well and done so in era-specific ways.

plus, i find the whole idea of it romantic. because the shop is right by the station, i get a lot of travelers stopping in. some are headed out west across the country in a sleeping car and others are just down from chicago for work. either way, i love hearing their stories of travel and of family... because, it seems, you can't talk about one without bringing up the other.

a waste :: abstract photography

“wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” 
--marilyn monroe

collections :: photography

tell me. do you collect anything? rocks, keys, plates, globes?

tracing on burlap :: diy

ok, so i started with a deer and ended up with a raven. i didn't love the way the deer turned out, so sorry for the confusion. but, you get the idea...

1. basically, you print out some dark clip art that you like
2. trace onto burlap. i bought these 12x12 squares in the paper section at craft store, but you can certainly cut your own size from a yard or so bought in fabric section.
3. fill in shape with black acrylic paint
4. washi tape to background and frame.

so cute for a seasonal mantel... don't you agree?

decorate your bangles :: diy

picture it: a quit office... all you hear is the typing of keys, the occasional phone ring & whisper and... your bangles. your cubicle neighbor is super annoyed. in fact, the whole office can hear you coming and you realize your bangles are seriously limiting your office pranking abilities. what to do.... ?

i'll tell you! decorate them with embroidery ribbon or yarn. you can now not only get back to your sneaking, pranking and eavesdropping, but you will look fashionable while doing it. you're welcome.

painting donation :: mixed media

yesterday, i told you how i'm helping raise money for the PAA by participating in 'dancing with the starz'. i am also donating some art for the silent auction. my first painting is above. i love her... she's vintage, beautiful and stylish. the perfect representation of urban sassafras!

dancing with the starz :: personal story

i'm going to take a small break from broadcasting blogging today to share some self promotion.

have i told you i'm doing 'dancing with the starz'?!  it's the central illinois version of... well... i'm sure you get it. i am so excited! my partner gene, is a local professional and probably the nicest guy i've ever met. he kisses my hand when he sees me and signs his emails "hugs, gene". adorable right?

anyway, we have been practicing fools, however, that really doesn't matter. you see, the winner is chosen simply by how much money they raise. all proceeds go to the prairie art alliance, which helps local artists start selling their work, holds classes for youth and puts on numerous community events. overall, they are a great non-profit organization that contributes all sorts of culture to our state.

so here's how you can help raise money for the PAA and simultaneously, help me win!

• stop by urban sassafras and donate in person! there are free earrings in it for you if you go this route
• donate online, under my name
• come to the event! there's going to be food, drink and even a dancing lesson! plus, you can see me shake my groove thing.

paper roll owls :: project with kids

i keep finding endless crafts to do with paper rolls.  above, the boys and i made our little owl family for fall decor for our living room. i think it's funny that "the monster's" blue owl looks like an angry bird.

xoxo

earring display :: shop news :: diy

remember when i told you i had an idea? well, here it is. whatcha think?

before, i had my earrings displayed on a chicken-wire frame. they seemed to all blend together, so i got excited to try something different. i'm sure, after a while, i'll get sick of looking at my picture and do, yet again, another display. but for now, i like how the cards also list our contact info for the shop. sneaky marketing... that's my game.

xoxo