neon lights burning
breaking up the darkness in
my desolate heart
neon lights burning
breaking up the darkness in
my desolate heart
neon lights burning
breaking up the darkness in
my desolate heart
I stumbled upon...
a small grove in the desert.
.my heart overflows.
and who would've thought...
I came across a woodland
in this vast desert...
in this vast desert...
MondayUPs
Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.
In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff...
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
***
I've always loved fishing... and come from a long line of fishermen (and women).
One of my earliest memories is standing on a chair at my grandmother's house...
and cleaning/gutting fish in her huge sink...
the weekend's haul; I presume... I think I was around 5yrs old.
Later, I would accompany my sister and her family on yearly trips to Canada
(on the premise of babysitting)... and enjoying the wild lakes... fishing... swimming... and boating.
Some of my fondest memories though...
are of fishing with my own kids... and my parents.
And so... this week... I thought I would focus links on things to be done with old fishing gear.
***
These curtains were made from old nets:
and these lamps are from old floats:
here is some decor from old rods:
... and more decor from boards of old boats:
of course... there is always jewelry:
~and art~
and see this link on art made from beach debris...
and here is another!
***
...let's go fishing!!
(made from fishing and boat rope)
~~~~~~~~~~
((the photo for the top of today's post is one I took many years ago
on a trip to Hawaii. Obviously old film... and the colors warped...
but I think it's cool))
I've always loved fishing... and come from a long line of fishermen (and women).
One of my earliest memories is standing on a chair at my grandmother's house...
and cleaning/gutting fish in her huge sink...
the weekend's haul; I presume... I think I was around 5yrs old.
Later, I would accompany my sister and her family on yearly trips to Canada
(on the premise of babysitting)... and enjoying the wild lakes... fishing... swimming... and boating.
Some of my fondest memories though...
are of fishing with my own kids... and my parents.
And so... this week... I thought I would focus links on things to be done with old fishing gear.
***
These curtains were made from old nets:
and these lamps are from old floats:
here is some decor from old rods:
... and more decor from boards of old boats:
of course... there is always jewelry:
~and art~
and see this link on art made from beach debris...
and here is another!
***
...let's go fishing!!
(made from fishing and boat rope)
~~~~~~~~~~
((the photo for the top of today's post is one I took many years ago
on a trip to Hawaii. Obviously old film... and the colors warped...
but I think it's cool))
for the weekend
the collage of photos above... are all photos that I took this week.
And it sorta gives you a taste of my life these past few days...
takeout from a couple of my fav places
takeout from a couple of my fav places
working in the yard
flowers... both inside of the house and outside...
my wonderful Sabrina... who has been taking naps with me and often curls up beside me at night while I watch TV...
a photo of my kitchen table... which shows a stack of books we've all been reading...
fresh fruit... summer is basically here and we've been eating light for the most part
and along the way there have been some "issues"... like the fact that I cracked a rib and such...
but good things too... like working in the studio on some new projects..
And so it goes.
I have been trying to be optimistic about things... and remind myself that steps... no matter how small they may seem...
are still steps in a positive direction... and that good things will come.
are still steps in a positive direction... and that good things will come.
friday finds
I read... alot.
I love the written word.
I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).
***
Sometimes.... you just need some "pretty" in your life.
These blogs are wonderful.... and yes, pretty
Alena Hennessy
Spirit Cloth
Orangette
Kelly Rae
Delights of the Heart
(the photo for today's post... is of a delicate little sweet pea... on the table on my front patio.
They are so pretty... and even if it weren't the flower for April - my birth month - I would love them anyway)
birdsong in the air
sunshine rains down... everywhere
southwest summer day
((...and so I am trying to be optimistic))
((...and so I am trying to be optimistic))
the city sun sets
hiding behind the concrete
high above the wires
black as the dark night
and spinning round in my head
lost in some deep thoughts
***
.some days are easier than others.
and the holly hocks are blooming en mass... a gorgeous dark , deep red... almost black.
___________
Hollyhocks
In the symbolic language of flowers; fertility, or more accurately fecundity, is represented by tall stately hollyhocks, in recognition of their embarrassingly prolific procreative habits. Hollyhocks are members of the ancient mallow family, known and grown since time immemorial. Withered mallow flowers have been found in the grave of a Neanderthal man and in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. They apparently grew in the underworld garden of the goddess Hecate, who was a skilled healer; The botanical name for the genus is A/ceo, from the Greek word for healing, and mallows were used medicinally for centuries, recommended for everything from whooping cough in humans to swollen hocks in horses. Curing the latter was a special attribute of hollyhock leaves.
--from " The Meaning of Flowers" by Shiroona
MondayUPs
Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.
In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff...
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
***
Being Memorial Day weekend... I automatically think of poppies.
But how did that come about?
You can read the back story... HERE
and so today...
I thought I would focus my recycle ideas on all things poppy themed:
for the weekend
well.... the weekend is here... and it's a long one.
So... Happy Memorial Day... with heartfelt thanks to all the veterans...
active duty, retired, and in times past.
Thank you.
I know summer isn't official until June... but we sure are knee deep in summer weather here.
This whole week has seen temps in the 90s... and it's been rough for me.
I feel like I am in a survival-mode of sorts... doing the bare necessities to get by...
sleeping during the hottest times so that I can be productive during the hours when it's cooler.
Which makes for wonky hours... but hey. I am grateful that it cools off at night.
And today... I was able to do some laundry... wash some dishes... and get groceries... so I can't complain.
In the southwest here... people have set up their swamp coolers and had them running ... but we have a family of mourning doves who have taken up residence in the box around our cooler... and we don't want to disturb them... at least not until the babies are more grown and able to fly.
In other news... I've been really happy with some of the things I have been listing in the Etsy shop.
And the daughter has been working on some fabulous art... and my dear BAJ has been working on some writing...
a story he's been working on.... and I think it's wonderful.
And with the full moon... brings hope of things to come...
(the photos for today's post are all ones I took last night/ early this am)
friday finds
I read... alot.
I love the written word.
I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).
***
I'm not a girl who is really into fashion.
That said... I love Project Runway... I love textiles...
my grandmother was a fabulous seamstress and designed her own clothing...
my sister was a great creator with fabric... making her own wedding dress and helping her daughter with their dresses...
And I have made quilts and such in the past.
Anyway.
I love fabric and the idea of designing my own someday... and making unique pieces with it.
So today... I thought I would focus on blogs
that feature fashion and textiles.
Like these:
Alexis Lee Ortiz
Eco Fashion
La Touchables
SRI Threads
The Textile Cuisine
IFB
Fashion Indie
a Fashion Blog
Olivia Palermo
the Chriselle Factor
and these 3 buying sites... which I think are really cool:
SteamPunk Clothing Couture
Jay McCarroll
Patricia Michaels
(photo is of the honey-lemon tea that I had while writing this post)
on these blackbird wings
my heart is lifted higher
and dances with clouds
***
along with the thorns
pure loveliness in a jar
parallels abound
***
so much of life is a mixture of pleasure and pain
light and dark
with no absolutes...
so much of life is a mixture of pleasure and pain
light and dark
with no absolutes...
twisting and turning
tied up in glorious knots
windswept and forlorn
***
photo for today's post... is one I took last evening at sunset
no alterations (except slight cropping)... and straight out of the camera
~whoa~
...and I'm thinking about all the folks in Oklahoma.
Having been close to a couple tornadoes myself... I shudder.
MondayUPs
Monday's can be rough... But I'm here to help.
In celebration of my 15th year selling my handmade stuff...
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
I am going to be featuring things I've seen on blogs, on the internet, in books
...wherever inspiration strikes! On making new items from old goods..
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
***
With summer coming on
(yes, already...)
I was thinking of traditional summer activities...
and how they could relate to recycling and upcycling.
My first thought... was the hobby of collecting seashells.
And yes, I collect them too.
But so often... these collected wonders end up in a dusty box in the back of a closet...
or ...if they are lucky... in a jar or dish on display.
But there is so much more you could do with them if you desire too...
And so... today's MondayUPs will feature cool things people are doing with shells these days...
***
Here are some artist sites:
The Fine Shell (art blog)
Christa Wilm
Peggy Greene (a blogpost about her art)
Studio de la Mer
Seashell Finery
***
And of course... a couple cool collections on Pinterest:
here
here
here
***
And this wonderful site
hence, MondayUPs (upcycling)...
***
With summer coming on
(yes, already...)
I was thinking of traditional summer activities...
and how they could relate to recycling and upcycling.
My first thought... was the hobby of collecting seashells.
And yes, I collect them too.
But so often... these collected wonders end up in a dusty box in the back of a closet...
or ...if they are lucky... in a jar or dish on display.
But there is so much more you could do with them if you desire too...
And so... today's MondayUPs will feature cool things people are doing with shells these days...
***
Here are some artist sites:
The Fine Shell (art blog)
Christa Wilm
Peggy Greene (a blogpost about her art)
Studio de la Mer
Seashell Finery
***
And of course... a couple cool collections on Pinterest:
here
here
here
***
And this wonderful site
for the weekend
so... it's the weekend....
It's been a trying couple of weeks... but I am hoping that it will all get better from here on out.
I have been in Lupus Flare for a couple months now... and it's been rough.
More so than in times past... and I'm not sure why.
And so... I've been pretty much a home-body... and resting as much as I am able to.
Which means... my hours are really wonky... and when I have a few bits of energy
... I escape out to the studio to work on something....
...or walk around the block...
...or work in the yard a little...
And today is BAJ and my 23rd Anniversary.
We celebrated with a fabulous dinner at Outback restaurant... and then coffee at our fav Barnes & Noble.
... and today we are just hanging out... watching movies... and enjoying some time with the kiddos and our granddaughter... life is good.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
((here is a peak into some stuff I've been working on in the studio))
friday finds
I read... alot.
I love the written word.
I have decided to feature some of the blogs I read on friday's... hence the title... Friday's Finds.
I have about 250 blogs currently on my reading list... and I'm going to be sharing those links over the course of this year... on Friday's.
(plus any more I come across).
(plus any more I come across).
If you have a blog.... or have a favorite blog that you want me to feature... just shoot me an email (moongipsies@msn.com).
***
Obviously, I love photography.
Here are some more of my fav photography themed blogs:
Elle Moss
Manuela Thames
PFN photo
Holgarific
Susan Tuttle
JohnWalker
*****
...the photo for today's post is of a giant blue iris that I took this week.
One of my neighbors has a lovely iris garden, and has several different colors and varieties
of irises. They are gorgeous.
succulent dreaming
fleshy limbs roast in the sun
weighted down with life
***
...sorry about my rant yesterday.
Sometimes you just get "sick and tired" or being sick and tired.
But today is somewhat better... and life goes on.
thank you all for bearing with me :)
sneezing and wheezing
overheating to the core
allergies suck ass
***
It's been a horrible week so far... in terms of allergies.
Severe sneezing... wheezing... congestion...
coughing... dizziness... migraines
swelling everywhere... severely raw throat...
plugged ears.. and yet... copious drainage.
I think I burnt myself peeing.
eeps.
Please.... let it rain.
***
in other news...
I did manage to get some groceries the other day before things got markedly worse...
and so we have some great food... a fresh bottle of wine...
and the house is nice and clean...
so there isn't a whole lot I have to do.
...the photos are ones I took yesterday.