Saying Thank You DIY Style

I've been told I'm overly thankful. Not that I'm adequately appreciative or grateful, but that I literally thank people too much. Especially at restaurants . . . I thank my server for every . single . individual item he or she delivers. I even thank the cashier for taking my money. Who thanks people for taking their money? This could stem from years of experience behind bars, aprons and espresso machines, or (more likely) from the understanding that feeling appreciated is so incredibly special. Doing for others brings joy, that's undeniable. But the occasional recognition that comes from doing brings its own kind of happiness. I'm working on the grateful thing, but in the meantime, I'll continue to overly thank anyone and everyone who deserves it.

Especially if it means making crafts!

A few wonderful members of my framily - yep, friends and family, so close they're the same - went out of their way to help me with some wedding planning recently, and I wanted to thank them. Check out these precious-as-pie, DIY (does that rhyme?) thank you bags. 

If you have some folks to thank and think they might like adorable mushroom plant decorations (I'm a really big fan of accessorizing my plants), then consider this a tutorial.

  Pick a patch of floor and ready your supplies. Brown lunch bags, mushroom plant accessories (or whatever other little thank you seems fitting), hole puncher, scissors, coffee-stained luggage tags (see here), tissue paper, jute, colorful markers . . . and a crafty attitude. 

All you have to do is put it all together. Wrap the gift, bag it, punch some holes, write some notes, string some jute, tie a bow and deliver (or mail in Mary Beth's case).

So simple. So cute. And, hopefully, they brought a little joy to someone's day (they did mine). Thanks again gang!

It's Spring, Evergreen . . . and Business Card Holders

Okay, so it's not technically spring, but here in Pine Lake, it looks and feels a lot like my second favorite season. Most of my irises and daffodils have come and gone, my year-round Gerber daisies are rocking, grape hyacinths everywhere, seedums and tulips popping up, Lenten roses hanging on . . . it's all quite lovely.

And . . . inspirational!

I recently contacted the fine folks at Vistaprint to order a few "free" business cards. Of course I got a little excited and ended up buying return labels and all sorts of cute, owl-embellished nonsense to the tune of . . . well, not free. Anyway, I did this after deciding that my evergreen cast iron plant leaves, when curled and set just right, would make fantastic business card holders. I must say, I was right (which I usually am).

I used a smaller bit of foliage, obviously, but after some pressing, rolling, molding, carving, firing, glazing and firing again . . . 

Viola! 

Cast iron plant, leaf-shaped business card holders. I pretty much love them. Just FYI, this can be done with nearly any leaf if you find yourself in need. 

And just for your sheer viewing pleasure, here's a peek at what's blooming in Pine Lake this lovely winter spring season . . .  

I know, these aren't quite beautiful yet. But our
tulips may be one the prettiest things in our yard
when they're up.

Baby Bonanza

There are phases of life that sort of sneak up on you. Like when you realize all your friends are married. Or when they all begin having babies. Hyperbole of course - but it seems like someone I know and love is announcing a pregnancy or giving birth every other day. What does this mean? Baby showers! When we throw a baby shower, it's no joke. There's food, yard games, birth date betting pools, all-out decorating, a bar (with non-alcoholic options included, of course).

Friends Mandi and Andy Staker are expecting a sweet baby girl next month, so Ali Post (also a soon-to-be mother) offered up her place for the celebration. The girls (and a few guys) put on their crafty pants and headed over to make sure the space was special before the shower. 

Here are some of my favorite things:

 We split up tasks - I got flowers. Some baby's breath, mini carnations and other flora sitting in mason jars accented with jute. So simple and cute! Set on a butcher paper runner over brightly colored table clothes - rustic chic for sure. 

I was also charged with putting something together for the future baby Ella. We wanted all her friends and family (framily!) to leave her messages. Card stock with blossoms and butterflies to match the nursery decor, filled out with brightly colored sharpies and stored in a photo box. 

Check out this really impressive diaper cake Ali made. And that spread of presents...

Teamwork isn't always glamorous. Dave and I are hanging the last of the re-purposed paper flowers from Molly's wedding. Those decorations have had a good, good life.

Overall, it was a success. The BBQ was great, the company even better. Ali, Molly, Emily and Julie, I'll be part of your power shower team anytime!

     Thanks for hosting Ali!                                                   Can't wait for Ella's arrival Stakers!

Spread the Word

The Atlanta Young Writers Institute is a start-up venture intended to foster and encourage the aspirations of young writers. It's not brand spanking new, they held a summer session last year - catch the video below. It's also an educational institution where kids can attend workshops and intensives, interacting with professional writers, poets and other young creatives.

I'm happy to announce that I was asked to join their staff of contributors!

The AYWI focus is mainly on creative writing, so I'll be adding the voice (every other Monday morning) of a writer making it work in the world of freelance. I'll also be launching a monthly newsletter campaign for the organization, and I just know you all want to subscribe.

We're kicking content development into gear starting this coming week - features, critiques, words and writing prompts of the day. And, we're hoping to have guest contributors, so any writer out there who has interest in being a part of the project . . .

So, swing over to the recently posted AYWI post introducing the new Web writing team, leave a note, help me spread the word. Teacher friends (I know a bunch of you guys) . . . share this with your students.

I think it's a noble and worthwhile project that could grow into something very inspirational for a lot of youth writers. And trust me, knowing you're destined to forge your way using creativity is a tough pill to swallow when you're young. I tried to make myself believe I would be an ophthalmologist for the longest time. Science and medical studies? Psshhh. English degree by way of art school. We all have roles to fill I suppose, and I'm thankful and excited this has become one my mine. 

So, here's the video from last summer's intensive. You can also catch it on the AYWI website. Thanks for stopping by and . . . help me spread the word!

Save the Date Madness

About a year ago, I was sitting in my kitchen with my one of my best friends, Mrs. Molly Turner (then Blair), discussing designs and colors for her wedding invitations over a couple - or a few - delicious libations. Several months prior, we did the same for her save the dates - which turned out fabulous, I might add. We repeated this process for the programs...you get the picture.

We painted; pained over wording and font; and finally came out with something so sweet and personal for every single announcement and RSVP card...it was a wonderful experience. Thanks, Mollz, for asking me to be a part of that.

For those of you who don't yet know, I'm now working my way toward my wedding day. I had such a blast hand crafting and personalizing our save the dates, so I thought I'd share the process and final product with y'all.

Here are few pictures of my save the dates alongside the suite of Molly's wedding stationary...is that the correct terminology? Wedding stationary?

This picture doesn't do the vibrant blues any justice...

Sweet, rustic save the dates...I love arts and crafts!

I made this save the date banner before our engagement photo session.
A big thank you to our friend Lane Garwood who spent a
weekend in the mountains with us, taking pictures, making us
laugh and camping.

Mass of wedding happiness...

I also want to say a big thanks to Etsy shop owner Mayasmomma. Those lovely vintage luggage tags - she hand-stained them. She sent me samples (for free!) of all her sizes before I decided which would work best. She was so responsive and easy to work with. I based our save the dates around those lovely tags. 

I will definitely be using more of these in wedding crafts to come...so thank you!

Oh, and by the way, Molly and Will's wedding could not have turned out better...

Big News

Woodstock Art and Glass will be officially opening its new gallery space on March 2nd, 2012. Why should you care?

Some of my pottery will be on display!

I've contracted as a glass artist with this studio for nearly two years, but recently, we relocated and are working on a massive expansion. We'll be operating a gallery out front, teaching lampworking, blowing and slumping classes in the studio spaces and eventually working our way into pottery wheel and handbuilding instruction. It's really exciting!

Here are just a couple of things that will be making their way up there this week...

A matching set of cups and platter are coming out of the kiln today!

I just love these little crazy owls!

...they make wonderful bookends.

Honeypots may just be too adorable...

Hooray for hand-crafted veggie steamers!

Take a look at the gallery space...

And let me give a quick shout out to the wonderful studio in Tucker, Georgia where they let me throw, use their glazes and fire my work. Zen and Now Clay Studio is full of fabulous people and some incredibly talented artists. Creating there and getting to know new, inspiring people brings me great joy -- now, if it would only bring me great fame and fortune. Dream big!

Getting my pottery on!

Taking the Plunge

Well gang, it's time...

I've avoided getting a Facebook page for so long that it had nearly become a point of pride. I'm amazed I ever knew what was going on without one. But, alas, the day has finally arrived, and it's no longer avoidable. Why?

Pinterest

If any of you reading know me at all, you know that a virtual craft board is something I simply cannot ignore. Decorating tips? DIY wedding ideas? Fabulous photos of food? Travel inspiration? A place to see and share all things artsy? Yes, please!

Thus, I've created a Facebook page to accept my Pinterest invitation. Then, I said, "Self, while you're at it..." and decided to start a blog and an Esty store, too. There's nothing showcased in the latter quite yet, but I'll be sure to post a link when it's up and running.

Since picking pottery back up last year and lampworking the year before that, I've intended to build some sort of platform to share with y'all stories and pictures of my art. So thank you, Pinterest, for giving me that final push.

Hang with me and keep checking back while we watch the social media monster grow! I'll be sharing craft ideas, recipes, art and other tidbits from my life that will very likely have little bearing on your own...but hopefully they'll make you smile and bring you a little joy.