Creative Inspiration

There is nothing quite like an Indie craft fair to get your creative juices flowing. I had never been to one until this morning. I felt like I was in an Etsy store - brick and mortar style. It was amazing. There were silk-screened t-shirts, canvas totes, tea-towels, and more. There were posters, canvas prints, note cards and stationary. There were terrariums, journals, soaps, candles and dresses.

Every vendor was so talented; so passionate about what they made and sold. It was amazing to see how these individuals had turned their interests and talents into a full on business. It was quite inspiring.

My mom used to make things for craft fairs. She was really great at getting us involved too. Not like child-labor or anything--it was more like doing something together as a family. We'd make necklaces, earrings, Christmas ornaments, and cards. Mom did the really crafty things like wall hangings, holiday decorations and potpourri. Then we'd go to the fairs and set up our stuff. This is actually how I learned how to sell things and count back change. I really liked doing the selling.

I don't know if I'd ever do anything so well that I could sell it to the masses like that, but I like doing crafty things (for myself and others). So now, I'm going to get out my sewing machine!

There is nothing quite like an Indie craft fair to get your creative juices flowing. I had never been to one until this morning. I felt like I was in an Etsy store - brick and mortar style. It was amazing. There were silk-screened t-shirts, canvas totes, tea-towels, and more. There were posters, canvas prints, note cards and stationary. There were terrariums, journals, soaps, candles and dresses.

Every vendor was so talented; so passionate about what they made and sold. It was amazing to see how these individuals had turned their interests and talents into a full on business. It was quite inspiring.

My mom used to make things for craft fairs. She was really great at getting us involved too. Not like child-labor or anything--it was more like doing something together as a family. We'd make necklaces, earrings, Christmas ornaments, and cards. Mom did the really crafty things like wall hangings, holiday decorations and potpourri. Then we'd go to the fairs and set up our stuff. This is actually how I learned how to sell things and count back change. I really liked doing the selling.

I don't know if I'd ever do anything so well that I could sell it to the masses like that, but I like doing crafty things (for myself and others). So now, I'm going to get out my sewing machine!

One Summer Day

Weather in San Francisco is a funny thing. One day it is cold and raining, the next is as close to a midwest summer day as you can get while living on the coast (aka: beautiful), and then the next is foggy and cold again. It's really hard to believe it's July. It's really hard to believe it's summertime! I have to remind myself while I'm putting on my turtleneck sweater that my "summer" will come later (late-August to early October).

But this weekend, Chris and I journeyed south for the day. We drove to Carmel (by the sea) and had a wonderful day sitting on the beach, soaking up the warmth of the sun and the sand. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and did a little window shopping in the way-to-expensive-for-this-girl-shops.

I cannot tell you how refreshed my soul feels after spending the day on the beach! Seriously (deep, relaxing sigh here). Getting away for a day does amazing things to clear your mind and help you relax. I think know I have a tendency to get overly-stressed-out during my week. I don't know why. I don't really have anything to be concerned about except catching my bus, getting to my appointments, doing my job well and cooking dinner. But to be honest, these little things that happen in my day all add up and cause a little (sometimes a lot) of anxiety in me. So, for me to get away and breathe, is beyond wonderful!

I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend!

Walked 339.8 miles

Weather in San Francisco is a funny thing. One day it is cold and raining, the next is as close to a midwest summer day as you can get while living on the coast (aka: beautiful), and then the next is foggy and cold again. It's really hard to believe it's July. It's really hard to believe it's summertime! I have to remind myself while I'm putting on my turtleneck sweater that my "summer" will come later (late-August to early October).

But this weekend, Chris and I journeyed south for the day. We drove to Carmel (by the sea) and had a wonderful day sitting on the beach, soaking up the warmth of the sun and the sand. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and did a little window shopping in the way-to-expensive-for-this-girl-shops.

I cannot tell you how refreshed my soul feels after spending the day on the beach! Seriously (deep, relaxing sigh here). Getting away for a day does amazing things to clear your mind and help you relax. I think know I have a tendency to get overly-stressed-out during my week. I don't know why. I don't really have anything to be concerned about except catching my bus, getting to my appointments, doing my job well and cooking dinner. But to be honest, these little things that happen in my day all add up and cause a little (sometimes a lot) of anxiety in me. So, for me to get away and breathe, is beyond wonderful!

I hope you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend!

Walked 339.8 miles

Please Note

Just wanted to let you know that you now have the ability to post comments to my individual pages now! Individual pages being the tabs on the top of my blog: cooking, sewing, reading list, crafts, and photography. So, if you love my pancake recipe (that I took from Betty Crocker) you can let me know . . . just don't tell me if you hate it!

The downside is that you can't comment on each post/update but on the page as a whole; so if you're commenting on something specific please try to be more specific! (i.e. "This is awesome" will mean that everything I do is awesome when what you really meant was "The recipe for the salad dressing is awesome.")

Comment away people -- it really does make my day!

Just wanted to let you know that you now have the ability to post comments to my individual pages now! Individual pages being the tabs on the top of my blog: cooking, sewing, reading list, crafts, and photography. So, if you love my pancake recipe (that I took from Betty Crocker) you can let me know . . . just don't tell me if you hate it!

The downside is that you can't comment on each post/update but on the page as a whole; so if you're commenting on something specific please try to be more specific! (i.e. "This is awesome" will mean that everything I do is awesome when what you really meant was "The recipe for the salad dressing is awesome.")

Comment away people -- it really does make my day!