What I Wore

Yesterday were my final classes for the semester. It feels a little weird to have no obligations. I'm feeling a little aimless at the moment, but I think I am going to put together a list of goals to complete during my time off from school.
I always dress pretty for my critiques. I feel like it's good to represent yourself well alongside your artwork, even if it is just a college class, this is practice for when I will be playing the real part someday. I picked up this little halter dress at the thrift store a while back and it was finally warm enough to wear it. I love the fun polka dot pattern and is retro inspired design. I really didn't have shoes that matched to well, but eh, it works. I also wore my vintage earrings and clipped up a side of my hair with a little bow.
I feel super awkward showing skin because I am so darn pale. Oh well. I still felt fun and girly and summery.
I don't get my grades back from these two classes until monday, but I received an A- in illustration and rendering. I was 4 points shy of an A. That kinda made me upset. But in my Print media course my instructor said my digital portfolio was "beautiful" which feels so awesome. And I get a double gold star for my Adobe Illustrator designs. I will be posting these shortly, it's just a matter of having some more free time to read up on how to embed the PDF here on le blog.

Dress and earrings- thrifted Shoes- Old Navy

What I Wore

Oh my goodness, it's official, next week is the last week of the semester. Let's see, I have to draw a 15x20 room interior in 2 point perspective with stairs, two incline planes, 2 objects in 1 point perspective and 2 objects rotated to a secondary 2 point perspective. Then I have to create a digital portfolio of this semesters work in InDesign and bring it into Acrobat to make an interactive PDF. And lastly I have to create a Flash animation in which two opposite words of type "attract", it has to be between 40-45 seconds long. Whew! Guess you know what I'm doing this weekend!
It's been warming up subtly, and today we tipped over 80. It's nice, but man is our yard full of weeds. I'm planning on going full force with the veggie garden this year. Last year I gave up after an aphid infestation. A friend at work told me about some organic spray she uses to keep the aphids away, so it's on! I'm expanding my plot size this year and have all sorts of goodies planned for my garden.
I haven't kept up with posting my assignments either, so I have a bunch of those to start sharing soon, I'm looking forward to this much needed break. Get back to family, friends and being home. It makes me so happy just to think about it. On to the outfit post already....

 Shirt & shoes- vintage, thrifted Jeans- Lucky, thrifted Belt- Kohl's Sunglasses- Charlotte Russe

I was a little unsure of this blouse. I fell in love with the gorgeous embroidery, but I still don't know how I feel about having such a large piece of fabric draping off my chest. It's very feminine and flowing, and nice and light for a warm day. The shoes are Mushrooms. SO comfy! Why can't they make shoes this comfy now? A little heel and a little peep toe, easy to walk in but super cute.
Well, hope to be back soon to share some of my art work from the semester and a fantastic cupcake!

I laugh at myself

I really kind of have too. I do a blog post about being back from a blogging hiatus, then disappear again! Oh, I crack me up. All kidding aside, is it weird that I feel super remorseful that I have failed my blog, Epically? Is that even a word? Well, I did it none the less. Once upon a time I had delusions of grandeur and dreamt of someday having an awesome blog with tons of reader worthy content. But then I get so enveloped in my scholastic studies and, well, life in general. And my poor blog goes by the wayside. I feel like I've said this before. Maybe I've just thought about it a lot. I need to jot my ideas down more often, they are way too fleeting. Then maybe I'd have some reader worthy content. I even tried "scheduling" my blog time. But sometimes I just can't fit it in.
I do feel especially bad for missing the past two Project Monday posts, but I have them here today. The topic from last Monday was spring flowers. 'Not fair' is what I thought when I read that over at the Bubblegum Life blog. It was still blustery and threatening snow. And it still is, in between days of 70-75. The next day the fates opened a beautiful bright yellow daffodil in my front yard. So that's what that plant that always dies from the snow looks like. It's come up a couple times since we moved in, and I had an inkling it was a daffodil, but then it never bloomed, or was killed by a freeze. They are quite lovely, and a most definite sign of the season.

Yesterdays  project Monday topic was "sharing happy thoughts". I was inspired by Carrie's photograph, and decided to take a picture of a card Celeste made for me. She draws me pictures and makes me things all the time. It makes me feel so special. I love that she creates wonderful and precious things for me. Lately she has been putting "MPU" on her works of art.
"what's M-P-U?" I ask her
"Muh-wah" she makes a kissing sound that we always make at each other.
How cute, she totally spelled a kissing sound for her mommy. I love it!

And lastly, for my wonderful little catch up and say sorry about my lame forgetting to blog-ness.... I really can't remember my last outfit post. I love sharing my outfit posts. At first I felt like a big fat dork, Same as when I first shared pictures of my home. But then I realized those are my two favorite things from other blogs I read, I love to see how they dress and how they decorate their homes. I first embarked on my little "anti-jeans adventure this past fall. The whole idea was to replace my average jeans and tee shirt get up with something cuter, something a with more style, something not jeans. Well, some of the time. I have been making it a point to dress nicely to all my critiques in class. Yet again, epic fail here, haven't taken any pictures. It's usually cold, windy, poor light... I know, excuses! Anyway, this Spring will be an interesting transition. While I usually pair my skirts and dresses with cardi's, I will have to find a short sleeved substitute as warm weather approaches. It will be a whole new sort of adventure now! I hope I can transition flawlessly, or at least with some grace - XO.

Cardigan-Old Navy (one of my faves!) Skirt- Forever 21 Shoes and Earrings- thrifted vintage

Recently Thrifted

I love old books. I guess it goes along with a passion for reading that I've had since I was young. My daughter loves to read too, and that makes me happy. There is so much knowledge to be gained, so many wonderful things have resulted from the printed word. The other day Celeste told me how she went to the library at school and discovered a new (to her) book by Eric Carle called A House for Hermit Crab. She says "I want that book next mom, okay? I love Eric Carle's books, he's a good illustrator."
Too cute, I love it! Old books are one of the things I love to look for at thrift stores, and I've begun a small collection. I'm not just amassing them because they look cool, I actually only buy them if I know I enjoy the topics and will read them one day. When I'm not super duper busy with everything else I do!

 I've picked up a couple neat old books recently. The first one is called "Classic Myths in English Literature" by Charles Mills Gayley  ©1893. The binding has been replaced, but the illustrations are amazing! I have always been fascinated by mythology and have a couple modern books on the topic, so I was over the moon to find such an old text on the subject. 

The second book I picked up recently is call "My Bookhouse in the Nursery" from 1920. It is a fantastic collection of childhood stories, with amazing color illustration. I am so happy to be adding these gorgeous treasures to my collection. What do you like to collect?

XO.

little things that make me happy

So sorry my lovely readers that I missed this Wednesdays Vintage Recipe post. I have been a teensy weensy bit swamped as we are now in the full swing of all my classes. And while I'm doing a ton of work, my blog and Etsy shop are suffering. *sigh* but I am learning valuable skills that will benefit me greatly, and it is a lot of fun in the process. I will be sharing some of my projects shortly!
So we have had snow, snow and well, more snow here lately. It is so ridiculous cold, I don't even want to leave under my blanket on the couch! My computer is in my studio, which is the farthest room away from the furnace, thus the coldest. Super cold. Like more than hour and my fingers and toes go numb. So it's been difficult to do more than my assignments lately. I have been deluding myself with thoughts of Spring, but I know here in Reno, it's pretty far away still. Last year it snowed in June. Yup. June.
But a girl can still dream. I'm dreaming of rain and stomping around in my wellies. Of pretty spring dresses in wonderful hues. Of delicate handbags, and tea on the terrace. Of bright and floral jewelery.

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I just adore these Slugs. They're so fun, and functional!

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With the combination of my two favorite colors, how could I resist? I love the chain woven through the flower, it's a fun and textural design.

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Simple, delicate, light and airy.

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I would have so much fun baking some pretty spring time cupcakes in this lovely spring floral apron.

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I love having a warm cup of tea and watching the rain fall outside my window.

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A lovely, relaxed dress, perfect for a springtime afternoon.

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And of course a gorgeous handbag to compliment.

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And don't forget your hat when those March winds start blowing!

XO.

todays haul

Today I took Celeste to the dollar store to get Valentine's for her school. I know what your thinking, but I tried to convince her that we could make way cuter ones ourselves, but she wanted to buy them. Anyway, while we were there I decided to check out the goodwill bargain bin next door. I found four different circa 1965 Better Homes & Gardens cookbooks, including a bbq one! I aso picked up an old school book called Insights, it still has its library checkout card on the inside cover, which I think is awesome. Lastly I picked up two frames, one for a project I have in mind, the other because I think the old original fill paper in the frame is going to make cool wall art, and a embroidered octagonal clock because I love embroidery. All this for $6.50!
I find what people tend to thrift so fascinating. Everyone is hunting for their own personal treasure (childhood cookbook) and it is neat. I'm always checking out what other people are getting. Sometimes I can't even imagine what they're doing with things like 3 hub caps. What do you thrift for? XO

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Project Monday-Deck the Halls!

While I've already shared some of our little holiday happiness with my blog friends here and here, I thought I'd use this photo prompt to show how we decorate Celeste's room and a couple little touches in the studio! A couple of years back, when Celeste was four, she wanted a Christmas tree in her room sooooo bad. So I picked up this little pink tree and it's ultra girly glittery ornaments at the after Christmas clearance sales. It is Celeste's night light all through the month of December. We also hang the pink jumbo ornament from her ceiling and this year I picked up the pink tinsel garland at the thrift store.

 

In my newly revamped studio space I just added a couple little festive touches. I picked up the glittery wreath at the thrift store earlier this month. It was only a couple dollars and I wanted to deck it out, but since I haven't gotten around to it I figured I just better hang it already! So I took a piece of lace from the scrapbooking drawer and hung it from the bookcase in my studio. I also picked up these vintage Christmas lights for $0.44! I just filled a little bowl with them and voila a little holiday accent!

-XO

Simply Decorating

I just thought I'd take a moment to share our holiday decorating. I feel it's pretty simple, relatively similar to last year. We changed our living room layout around, so where the tree was last year, is now where our TV is. We don't have too much in the way of decorations, but I do try to get a little more each year. So, last week we decided to get some takeout and decorate!

It was a lot of fun, I just love how excited Celeste gets. She has a little pink tree in her room to, but that girl needs to clean it up before I take pictures! I also picked up a couple more vintage decorations this weekend, one of which is this lighted tree topper which I put on the shelf in my kitchen, it makes such a lovely glow. The other is some pink garland, but that will go in Celeste's room.

This year I also tried hanging some bulbs from my dining chandelier, I think it turned out pretty cute, but some beaded garland would definitely make it pop.  And Celeste and I make a gingerbread house every year, so we will probably do that next weekend. It is an experience, especially with an impatient sugar loving six year old!
See you tomorrow for Project Monday! -XO. K

P.S. I picked up a retro school teacher desk for $5 this weekend, check back for my before and afters!

Happy December- Recently Thrifted Ornaments + Stylish Blogger Award

A couple weeks ago I set out to buy some fresh flowers birthday party, only to find that what was once a neighborhood grocery store was now a thrift store. It really goes to show that I do not get out enough. Well this past weekend I decided to drop of my winter closet clean out at the new thrift store (though my secret motive was to check it out), and while it is new, I did find some really neat things. And no dishes either, which was a little disappointing because I love vintage dishes.
But I was so excited to find these vintage Christmas ornaments. They are light and dark blue mixed in the boxed, and about five are missing, but they were only 44 cents and they are oh so beautiful. I also picked up two vintage skirts, two skirts for Celeste, a couple vintage blouses, sweaters for myself and Celeste and a fun afghan throw. All this amazingly was $42!  
Well I am super excited to announce that Carrie over at Blume and Grow and also the co-author of Bubblegum Life has bestowed me with the Stylish Blogger Award! Thank you so much, I am so happy *blushing* 

By accepting this award I will complete the following:

*Thank and link back to the person who awarded me
*Share 8 things about myself
*Pay it forward to 8 bloggers I have recently discovered
*Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards

Eight things about myself:
*My favorite color is purple, ever since I was a little girl I love all shades of purple, it's just such a magical color. Turquoise is a close second though.
*I really love to garden (hence my blog title) but I have had no luck these past couple of years. I refuse to change my blog to moon in my dirt patch, so I keep trying!
*I love to paint in acrylics and watercolor, but sketching with a pencil is by far my favorite way draw.
*Scrapbooking is like a drug to me. Making a page always eases any stress or tension I may have, and buying new product is so exhilarating
*My favorite CD right now is Mumford and Sons, everything about it is so beautiful, the lyrics, the music, it's amazing and I can't stop listening.
*I love all things vintage, artwork, clothing, dishes, books, decorations. I've always had a fascination with the past. When I was little I used to wish I could have been born in the Victorian era because I loved their dresses!
*I'm scared almost everyday that my creativity won't translate into success or happiness, but I will never stop trying.
*I love to see how other people live and decorate their homes, I love apartment therapy's home tours. 

I love blogs, and there are so many fantastic bloggers out there. Here are eight blogs I have been enjoying lately:
*The Art Cupboard
*Curiosities
*Mixed Plate
*My Folk Lover
*1001 Ways to be More Lovely
*all buttoned up.
*The LuLu Bird
*sunshine and carousels 

And lastly I ordered all my shipping supplies and have completed some paintings for my etsy shop opening in January. Please check back to see my prints!

-XO K. 

I Scrapped My Sketchbook + a Layout

Yep, I thought it would be fun to scrap the cover of my sketchbook for the sketchbook project . I tried to keep it as flat as possible, since it will be going through many hands across many states. But I also wanted to make it stand out a bit. I would hate for all this effort and art to go unnoticed once I send it away, out on its own in the world. I used Sassafras Papers and stickers, Autumn Leaves stamps, A Galaxy writer to doodle in white, a Fiskars punch, DCWV adhesive ribbon, K & co. rub on, Heidi grace rubon, October Afternoon folder tab,  embroidery floss and masking tape. The photo was a photo I took with my web cam. I'm thinking I might also scrap a couple pages inside the sketchbook also, since scrap booking is one of my all time favorite expressions of art!

Next up is a quick little layout I did. I've been in a bit of a "Red" mood lately, and I love the reds in this little photo shoot I did with Celeste. The papers are Graphic 45, the felt posie is made by me, the lace is vintage (thrifted), the ticket Jenni Bowlin, Rub ons  by BoBunny and Autumn Leaves, Transparency by Best Creation Inc. jewels by K & Co. and letters by American Crafts. Hope your having a lovely weekend!  -XO. K.