Four / 52

Oh, hello.  Sorry for the radio silence.

We have this floral vine/bush outside of our house.  I believe it's called a Clematis plant.  Not really sure.  I do know that I love this bush.  Even before it blooms it's really green and lush.  Our whole backyard is like this.  Our landlords did a great job picking out plants and flowers.  Come August, it's seriously like a jungle.  There are flowers I've never seen before that bloom.  Sadly, no peonies.  But, the park down the street literally has 100 of them.  They are almost all in full bloom.  I've been on a full time peony watch for the last few weeks now.  But anyways, this is the pretty vine/bush.

It was getting a bit overgrown.  We couldn't back the cars out of the driveway without hitting it.  Which was sad.  So, I trimmed it so we could fit through without hitting the bush.  If you've ever really looked at vines they are crazy.  I would love to watch a time lapse video of these grow.  So, I finally pulled off enough so we could fit through the driveway.  I had this handful of beautiful greenery and couldn't even think of throwing it away.  So, I did what anyone else would do in this situation.  I made a garland and put it in our kitchen.

Ta-da!  This literally took me like 10 minutes to put together.  Because it is a vine it was super easy to get a few pieces to stay together.  The most difficult part was getting the garland to stay on the nails I put in the wall.  I love having the plants up high, because I don't have to worry about the boys getting into the plants.  So many plants are poisonous for animals and at the rate my dogs eat plants, grass, and just about anything else they can get their paws on.  I'm thinking we need to get some hanging plants for the kitchen.  Because, folks, this is so not permanent   It's terrible humid here and the poor thing has been hanging for less than 12 hours and already looks sad.  But it was totally fun.  If you want to really get crazy with a floral garland this is the way to go.  But for a free garland that will last you one day, go outside and find some greenery.  While you can probably do this with anything, I found the vines to be super easy to work with.  Now, go make some pretty garland!

Happy Weekend!

I know it's only Friday, but that's basically the weekend right?  I'm hoping to soak up a lot this weekend.  Celebrating a friend's birthday, exploring the local farmer's market, spending time with my brother-in-law, and getting lots of time with the hubs.  He is leaving for China soon and will be gone for about two weeks.

It's been raining all week and I'm really hoping for a rain free and (hopefully) sunny weekend.

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

xoxo,

L

Image taken at Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin two weekends ago.

An untold story.

I've never been someone who has a favorite quote, but last summer this quote hit so close to home.  Last summer, I hit my three year anniversary at my job.  I never expected to be there for three years, but it happened.  My time spent there was great, but I knew that it was time for me to move on.  But, I wasn't quite sure how.  There were times when I physically knew that I needed to move on.  So, I wrote down this quote and slid it in the ID holder of my wallet.  Every time I opened my wallet I saw this.  And it reminded me that I needed to find the courage to move on.  As you know, I did.  But, I've been meaning to share this.  Better late than never.

Hope you are having a great week.

xoxo,

L

Worth Watching / Bill Cunningham New York

So, we watch Netflix a lot.  We don't have cable, so Netflix movies happen a few nights a week.  There are a lot of terrible movies on Netflix, so I'm going to update posts with good ones, ones that are worth watching.  I'll just warn you about the bad ones to save you some time.

I'm a bit behind the time here, but have you seen Bill Cunningham New York?  Oh my gosh, this was so good.  It's been on instant stream for a while, and finally decided to watch it last Thursday while working on a project for my 2D class.  I didn't know much about Bill Cunningham so I learned a lot.  He is such an awesome person and he seams very real.  And how awesome is it that he is in his 80's riding his bike around New York City?  During the documentary Bill is beginning the process of moving out of Carnage Hall into a new apartment.  I had no idea there were people living in Carnage Hall!  There are a few parts of the documentary where Bill and his neighbor sit around and reminisce about the past.  It was hilarious and totally heartwarming at the same time.  Oh, and another favorite is the man with all of the suits.  If you've seen this movie you know what I am talking about.

Enough of me ranting on, go watch it!  Have you seen it?  What did you think?

xoxo,

L

Three / 52

This was another project for my 2D Design class.  The assignment was to create an abstract drawing and a non-objective drawing based on piece of artwork.  I drew inspiration from from this Wayne Theibaud's painting.

Wayne Theibaud | Yellow Dress

 Abstract

Non-Objective

I used charcoal on bristal for these two pieces.  It was my first time using charcoal and it was fun, but I definitely need some practice.  

On to the next one!

xoxo,

L

Two / 52

I decided that since I'm working on art projects in class that these should count towards by 52 projects. So, here goes!

This was the first project I completed in my 2D Design class.  We had to create four different illustrations.  One with only vertical and horizontal lines, one with only curvilinear lines, one with only diagonal lines, and one combination piece, putting it all together.

I used tech pens for all of the drawings, and overall was pretty happy with how they turned out.  I was really concerned with making the four of these go together.  That wasn't the point of the project, but for me it was important.

I also realized that I need to triple check my straight edges. I promise they are straight(er) in person.

xoxo,

L

One / 52

Have you ever made something and then when you look at it, you realize it looks like something, but not what you intended?  I did just that this weekend.  If you are thinking, huh? I'll explain.

Nick wanted to make some toys/tugs for the boys this weekend, so we took a trip to the fabric store.  I really need a case for my laptop, so I thought I would try and make a laptop case.  Not that difficult right?  We ended up using the same fabric for our projects, just because we liked the duck canvas.  Saturday night turned into a crazy craft night that included Chemistry goggles, lots of sketches, and our dining room table covered in fabric scraps.  Side bar, I have a really good track record for breaking needles on my sewing machine and we were using pretty thick fabric, so as a precautionary Nick made me wear them.  We finished the dog tugs, but didn't get around to my laptop case until this morning.  At the end of the day it is functional, but it could be improved, but my sewing skills are pretty basic.

We are pretty early in the game here.  After this shot, I'm pretty sure I ripped all the seams out and made a few adjustments.  Did I mention that all but one seam was ripped out and re sewn?  Sounds like fun right?

It fits!  Well, after an adjustment.  Before I ripped one of the seams it didn't fit.  I had to put it away for a few hours because I was just a little frustrated that I made this thing and it didn't fit my laptop!

So, do you see it yet?  What it looks like?  A mailer you buy at the post office?  Yep!  This was not my intention, but now it's all I see when I look at it.  One of my best friends was telling me that she saw someone using a bubble mailer as an iPad case and now I feel like that, but that I went through the effort of sewing one myself.  Hah!

It actually looks even more like a mailer in these photos, it's slightly brighter and more marigold in person.  

I was thisclose to not posting this because it didn't really turn out how I wanted, but then I remembered that's the point of this.  To make things and move on.  Record the good and the bad.

So, now I have a laptop case and it fits my laptop.

Okay, one down.  It's a start!

xoxo,

L

This weekend

We went on a few hikes.

We made homemade macaroni and cheese.

We watched four episodes of the Office.

We talked about what's to come this next year and our move downtown.

We ordered a climbing harness for me and a climbing helmet to share.  Thank goodness our heads are similar in size.  Mine is bigger, just in case you were wondering.

We ripped our hair out trying to figure out how to sew a laptop case (more to come soon).  Seriously, I have so much respect for people that can sew and especially for people that sew clothes.

We saw Lake Michigan in it's mid-February state.  It looks and sounds like a slushy.

Power Cleaning

We didn't get hit with Nemo like the east coast, but we did get about 8" of snow on Thursday, which is the most snow we've had all winter.  Husband told me that he was going to drive into the storm to go downhill skiing in Wisconsin with some of his co-workers.  As he is leaving work he says, oh, and we're all meeting up at our house, and we're leaving now.  My response, "are you serious????" Hah.  Mostly because our house was a mess.  So like a champ, I power cleaned our house in twenty minutes. I was quite proud of my accomplishment, vacuumed, swept, toilet cleaned, dishes done.  When hubs got home I jokingly said, hah, watch no one even come inside! And yes, no one even came inside.  But who doesn't like a clean house.  So, next time you really don't feel like cleaning, but you need to.  Either pretend company is coming over or have someone lie to you and tell you company is coming over.  Works like a charm.

xo,

L

oh, hi!

Sorry, that was rude.  I really never introduced myself.  Although that little summary on the right tells you just about all you need to know about me.  But, I guess I'll fill you in a little bit more.

I'm currently going back to school to pursue graphic design.  Now, most of you would think, oh congrats on getting your Master's that's so great!  I'll stop you right there.  Due to so many factors that I don't even feel like talking about, I am going back to school for an Associate's Degree.  Yes, I have my Bachelor's and yes this might be a step backwards, but it's better than nothing and right now it's what I can do (mentally, financially, geographically, financially).  And yes, I'm excited.  I think I always knew that I wanted to do graphic design but didn't realize that people actually got to do this for a living and get paid for it.  I mentioned a few posts ago about that high school graduation announcement I did.  Which seriously, for the record is nothing special.  But that should have been by ah-ha moment!  Silly me.  Fast forward nine years and here I am.  So, I'm enrolled as a full time student and love my classes.  That was not something I've said before.

I met my husband back in high school and we never looked back.  We moved into together after we graduated college and a year later we brought home our baby boy, Moose.  He's a chocolate lab.  We didn't name a child Moose.  But, we would totally name a child Bear.  It's different.  We got married a year after that, which was seriously the best day of my life.  I We put our heart and souls into planning our wedding (again, ah-ha moment Lauren!!) and it was just so so much fun.  We became husband and wife, we ate really good food, and we danced all night long.  Oh, and it was in Lake Tahoe on the Truckee River.  So the setting wasn't bad either.  Last July we brought home Moose's baby brother, Otter.  They have the same parents and are three years and a day apart.  More to come on the boys.

That's husband on the left, little Otter, and Moosey.  This was taken in December in Minnesota.  Yes, our dogs are wearing jackets, boots, and dog gaitors.  For the record it was really cold out and we stay outside for a long time.

So.  School, husband, and the boys.  Add some outdoorsy activities, a few good television shows (husband will tell you they probably aren't good even though he watches them too), and traveling and that's me.

the 14th.

So, Valentine's Day is never really anything the hubs and I celebrate, at least in the way we are told we should celebrate Valentine's Day.  And that means we don't exchange gifts, especially jewelry.  Hubs told me that my engagement ring & wedding band were the only pieces of jewelry I was ever getting from him.  I know, it sounds totally mean, but he did good on those, and I really don't wear much jewelry so it really works out.  I usually try to make something nice for dinner or if I'm really lucky we'll get Chinese take out.  Unfortunately, I heard rumor that everyone was getting food poisoning from the good Chinese restaurant down the street.  Not so hungry for Chinese food anymore.

But there is no harm in putting together a little wish list, right?

1. Ruched Bandeau Hidden Underwire Top // J.Crew 2. Foldover Bikini // J.Crew 3. Primrose AL Harness // Black Diamond 4. Bamboo Capture Graphics Tablet // Wacom 5. Swedish Fish 6. Woman's Down Sweater // Patagonia

This is also known as part of my Pinterest wish list board.  Feel free to follow me on Pinterest.  I am really crossing my fingers on the Patagonia jacket and the tablet.  Not necessarily for Valentine's Day, just because he loves me.

Project Life :: Title Page

I finally received all of my Project Life supplies and am well underway and pretty much up to date so far!  Here is a glance at my title page so far.  There is a good chance I may keep working on it, but for the most part it's finished!

I ordered some Studio Calico wood veneer letters and I absolutely love them.  They are pretty tiny but they are nice because they don't take over the picture.  I'm using the Seafoam kit as my core kit and love it.  I didn't work out of a kit last year, which worked great, but this is definitely easier and looks really put together.

The LMNO stand for all of our names: Lauren, Moose, Nick, and Otter.  We didn't realize that when we named Otter this happened, but we think it's cute.  And yes, we are obsessed with our dogs.  This is your official warning that I talk about my dogs a lot.  #sorryimnotsorry feels appropriate. :)

I just machine stitched around the bottom photo.  I'm guessing it is the photo paper, but my sewing machine didn't go over the picture as easily as it does paper, but I made it work.  Definitely something I'll be doing again.

I'll be posting weeks 1 - 3 soon.  Stay posted!

52 Projects ::

I’ve been seeing a lot of bloggers that are doing a project every week.  While at first, the thought of this was so overwhelming, and stressed me out. But, I’m going to push myself to do this.  A few bloggers I know are pushing to take a family portrait a week or make a scrapbook layout a week. I think that is so awesome. But, I’m going to take all of the rules away.  Just one project a week.  A (photoshop developed & edited) photograph, an invitation, a poster, a card.  Anything goes.   This is totally and completely inspired by this going around Pinterest.  There are so many inspirational pieces on Pinterest, but this one totally hit me. 

Quote by Ira Glass via Pinterest 

I love how completely honest it is.  I read it and was like, yes, a lot of the things I create are totally terrible.  But, isn’t that how we get better?  I’ve heard people say that they cringe when they think of work they’ve done in previous years.  And I totally feel the same way.  The announcements I made for my high school graduation?  But I was so proud of these at the time.  I think that was the first thing I designed.  And I loved all of it.  The idea, the sketches, talking to the printers, heck, even stuffing the envelopes.  It was so satisfying.  And that’s why I’m doing this.  In a few years I will probably cringe at most of the work I do in 2013, but I’ll remember how I felt when it was done.  Pure satisfaction.  

So here’s to 52 projects this year.  I’m only a month behind.  Anyone want to join?  No rules, just fun.

Currently :: 2.1.13

Wearing // Smartwool socks, Underarmour leggings, and a sweatshirt I bought on a ski trip in Steamboat, Colorado.  Also know as, I just got back from taking the boys on a walk and it is 9 degrees outside.

Thinking // I just realized the Super Bowl is the weekend and am totally okay with that.  Although I do love Super Bowl food.  I saw a recipe for corn dog muffins, perhaps I will make those this weekend.  

Listening // Passion Pit on Spotify.  How great is Spotify?  I just have the basic version, so I just try to tune out the commercials.

Looking // At my desk that was clean just yesterday.  But that means I'm working, right?

Excited // For Patagonia's major sale they are having next week.  I look forward to these like you wouldn't believe.  To start my fifth class next week.  Not excited for the time it is held, but oh well.  To get my thoughts and ideas on here more often and on a more regular basis. To watch last nights Grey's episode after dinner.  This girl has big plans on Friday night.

Watching // The boys nap on the couch in the office.  I love that they like to hang out in here with me.

Hoping // For a fun weekend!

////////////////////////////////////////////

Currently is by Tina, from lifelovepaper.

2013.

Welcome 2013, I'm so glad you're here!

2012 was a great year but I'm so excited for what's to come. I'm looking forward to new and exciting changes, and patiently waiting for them to begin.

There are still a few things that got carried over from last year that I need to finish up. I'll be so glad once I've crossed these off my list ::
. Sending (and making!) a few Christmas gifts - that's a bad one.  But, the good news is I will have some pictures of the cowls I made!
. Finishing up Project Life for 2012 - just need to print pictures from over the holidays and add some journaling.  I am planning on regular postings for Project Life, but I'm waiting for my new kit to arrive.

You're correct if you've found that some of the links bring you back to the home page, this is still a work in progress. But please stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by, even though there isn't much to see. Although, I think Pinterest is pretty fantastic, so feel free to browse around there!

L

////
Project Life is a way of memory-keeping that I started last year on a total whim.  I didn't realize how much I would love this project and am so excited to do this for another year.  Becky Higgins is the genius behind all of this.  Her website and blog are a great resource.