daily thought :: inspiration

don't you agree?

confessions of a junky :: art studio photography

junkidy junk junk. i really love junk. some would say [my husband] that i have a problem. i can't help it... i literally feel a rush of anxiety run through me when i stumble upon a box of old tools, a grandpa's garage, or something of the like. i justify my obsesh with the art of creating fobots for the shop.

but then... i took it to another level last weekend when i found myself creating backdrops to photograph my junk. i set up scenes. i was doing this in the middle of the night. i was giddy.

and you know what? i'm not ashamed. i love my junkidy junk junk. and the photos... i think they're weird. and that's what i like about them.

i'm weird. you're weird. isn't that the best thing ever?

xoxo

studio tour :: art studio photography

over the weekend, the shop girls helped me cleaned up the ridiculous mess i call my art studio. located in the back of the shop, over the holidays, this room became the dumping ground for 1/2 finished projects. seriously, you couldn't even walk into it. seriously.

last sunday night, my sparkly cousin and i spent the evening crafting & drinking wine by candlelight to celebrate what a giant day of organizing we had. i didn't even care that i had to wake up early with my boys the next day, because there is an adrenaline rush that comes with a fresh art room... don't you think?

loves to my ol' sparkly. xoxo

a beautiful mess :: personal story

here are some messes i find beautiful...

1. the mess on christmas morning, after presents are torn open by children
2. the mess inside a paint jar when i am done working on a canvas
3. the mess on my boys after they have been playing in the mud
4. the mess of a strong and stressful marriage
5. the mess in my kitchen after a birthday cake has been decorated
6. the mess on the living room floor during an epic blanket fort
7. the mess in the liter box. "in" being the key word here
8. the mess of my hair... that one day out of the year when i wake up and the "bed head" look actually happened in a lovely way
9. the mess of a mother/daughter relationship
10. the mess of my life. i love it.

otherwise, i pretty much like things nice & tidy. xoxo

make art :: art studio photography

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

artful supplies :: home photography

as promised, here are the lovely photographs of "sparkly cousin's" art studio!  i chose close-up images because i am always impressed by how organized she is.  the girl should offer a class in sorting.  you know how the rich and famous have people come clean out their clothes closets?... well, i believe, "ol' sparkly" could make a happy living sorting school supplies.

i hope yesterday and today's photos inspire you into a weekend project of beauty.  they certainly have made me want to drink a little wine and craft away!

happy friday friends.  xoxo

happy accident :: personal story

this morning, i taught an 'us kiddos' class and afterwards i was cleaning up and stumbled upon this little happy accident!  so cute right?!  it made me smile big.

see how tiny it was?   i can't believe i noticed it.

happy valentines day friends!  xoxo

postcard art :: photography :: graphic design

i have been working on a new line of postcard designs for my shop.  lately, i have been loving patterns so i thought i'd mix them with some of my photography.  what do you think?   don't you just find postcards to be the most fun kind of snail mail?


p.s.  i have a name for my shop!  'urban sassafras' will be opening this fall.  what a difficult task it was to come up with the perfect title!  my incredibly talented friend, scott richardson, is working on a logo for me.  we met for lunch yesterday and i'm giddy with excitement!  stay tuned...

color love :: photography

'Creativity takes courage.' --Henri Matisse

a red balloon :: composite photography

Mary Poppins: First of all, I would like to make one thing quite clear.
Mr. Banks: Yes?
Mary Poppins: I never explain anything.

a room for creativity :: home photography

my "sparkly cousin" has a room tucked away in the upstairs of her home that is made to create.   it's full of art she's collected and supplies she's hand picked.   the room instantly makes you feel inspired.   in fact, it makes me a little giddy.