knittens

58 :: 365 :: Thaya

I just love this little girl to pieces. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the feeling I could cry. Just looking at that little nose, those tiny lips, and her big eyes is enough to stop me in my tracks.

I don't think I could have done a better job of capturing her personality. This just is so her.

I love this, this may be my favorite picture of her to date.

By the way, I had my first sale in my shop last night. I'm very excited. I hope they keep coming.

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”

- Thomas Merton


Just wanted to let you all know that I made my first sale on Etsy today. I feel like I'm on top of the world!

xoxo

Well, I decided to do it. I created my shop, choose my pictures, created a new paypal and new email, gave my blog a bit of a face lift...

Tea & Brie is up and running!

Thank you all for the encouragement and support. I already have some of your shops as favorites, but let me know if you are on etsy too so I can put you as a favorite :)

You can find my shop at

http://teaandbrie.etsy.com

and my blog at

http://whimsy.typepad.com

Thanks guys!

xo

My role as a Mother.

You can see my reflection here, subtle and soft.  But my child's eyes aren't the only place you can see my reflection.  I am reflected in her giggles, her grunts, her "ooohs" and "aaaahs".  I'm reflected in her breath, as it grows steady and heavy.  I'm reflected in her concentration.  I'm reflected in her cuddles, her soft touch, her curiosity.  I'm reflected in her ten little fingers and her ten little toes.  Every inch of her is a reflection of me.  But that isn't why I love being a mother.

I love being a mother because as she grows older my reflection will still be there, but more subtle.  With my help, and the help of those who love her, she will slowly grow into her own, becoming more and more of the soul she is destined to be. 

I love being a mother because since the day she was born, not only did I see my reflection in those eyes, but I saw hers in mine.  She immediately became a part of who I am, and will be a part of me forever.  I see her now, every minute of the day, in the way that I wash dishes, make the bed, brush my teeth.  She is always in my thoughts, whether in the forefront or background, always just a recall away.

I love being a mother because the pieces of her that reflect on me influence my actions and attitude.  She helps me let go, play, laugh, and grow.  Without her, I'd be a different person all together.

I love being a mother because her reflection is dependent on me as much as mine is of her.  We need each other, and we always will.  There is proof in this between me and my mother, and there will be proof to her when she is a mother.

I love being a mother because it is a permanent part of me that makes me grow stronger and wiser every day.

It is OK with me if you want cheesy eggs for lunch...

Because at my house you can have breakfast anytime!

:)

As I said in my last post, I am going to be changing the look and feel of my blog.  I am also going to be changing it's location.  I will be a http://whimsy.typepad.com/teaandbrie now.  So, instead of /knittens it will be /teaandbrie.

This post is on the /knittens URL so everyone doing blog readers should get the update info :) 

No matter what, you will always be able to find me at just plain ol' http://whimsy.typepad.com so you can always just stick that in too!

/hugs
xoxo

I'm going to make yogurt parfaits today. Do you want one? You can have raspberry, blueberry, or a combination :)

You've probably noticed that I've changed my name.  I'm still Knittens at heart, though the purpose of this blog has changed for me.  It is now more about my family and my everyday, not exclusively knitting.  I plan on launching my Etsy shop soon, and the name change is a part of that process.  Maybe one day you'll be able to navigate to a site that is run by me with my blog, my art, and a shop.  Wouldn't that be nice?!

So, I'm a little shy about this, but here it goes anyway.

I've decided to open up an Etsy shop. I've got a great idea for a few series that I could do, and I've had a few friends and family members express an interest in buying some prints. I figure why not take it to the next step and see if other people may find my stuff worth a gander.

The shop isn't ready yet... but I've taken some steps to get it there. I've decided what photos I'm going to put up, I've decided on a name (after my little girls), I've made a silly little watermark, a banner, and an avatar. I've decided on some policies, how to ship, and pricing. All that is left is printing.

I'm not sure what I should do about it. My mom just got a really nice Epson that does up to 12x12, but I'm really feeling like I should send the files out to a professional printer. I feel like if I'm going to do it, I ought to do it right.

Do any of you know of good printing places? Preferably online?

I'm also thinking about doing some sort of writing to go with each series. I'm not sure.

So... I'm kinda shy about this whole thing as I said before. It is a complex (is that the word I'm looking for?) I have. I surround myself with people I admire and who I think are fantastic at what they do (not just photography, but with knitting, cooking, writing, etc), but I never consider myself to be on par with them. I work and work, and educate myself, and practice and improve, but still, I don't see myself at their level. I see them (you!) as powerful, strong, determined, and self-assured individuals without doubts or questions.

It very well could be a part of the postpartum depression, or at least accentuated by it.

See, with postpartum, you feel like you are worthless, and anything you do is horrible, and no one loves you. You KNOW that it isn't true, that it is silly, but it is how you feel and you can't break away from it (just a note... I'm doing much better now and feel like this maybe 10% of the time, if that). People around you tell you that they love you, but you just can't believe them. You think they are only saying it to make you feel better. It is hard to explain, but it is a miserable feeling.

Now, I'm really not fishing for compliments here - really. I'm just putting it out there as a part of this process I am going through. I'm trying very hard to validate myself to me, and it seems like putting this all in writing and putting it out there for the world (or the flickr and blogging communities anyway) to read is a great way to sort of pull apart these layers that are making me all hot and sweaty and uncomfortable.

So back to the photography. I see all of these fantastic photographers, and I try to surround myself with their work and their goals and their purposes. This is good and bad. The good part is it really motivates and inspires me to become better at what I do and learn what I can when I can. The bad part is that I convince myself that there is this whole group of amazing artists, and I'm on the fringe. I'm not apart of it.

But, I'm breaking out of that. I AM apart of that (and so are YOU). For pete's sake, you would have thought I'd have learned something those 3 years I was at art school. Art is about expression. It is about putting yourself out there - vulnerable, unsure, and incomplete. It is about how the act of doing so strengthens you, and makes you whole.

Art is about being, trying, thinking. About breaking the rules (or not). About getting outside the box (or not!). It is about LETTING GO.

It is about putting yourself out there for everyone to see, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel because that is how you grow, laugh, love, and learn.

So, there it is. Uncomfortable, shy, unsure, but determined.

And extra points if you read that whole thing. You seriously deserve a drink. But not before you tell me about a good printer.

I had to blog this too, because I just love the vanishing point

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.

Balance

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.”

- Thomas Merton


Just wanted to let you all know that I made my first sale on Etsy today. I feel like I'm on top of the world!

xoxo

Well, I decided to do it. I created my shop, choose my pictures, created a new paypal and new email, gave my blog a bit of a face lift...

Tea & Brie is up and running!

Thank you all for the encouragement and support. I already have some of your shops as favorites, but let me know if you are on etsy too so I can put you as a favorite :)

You can find my shop at

http://teaandbrie.etsy.com

and my blog at

http://whimsy.typepad.com

Thanks guys!

xo

My role as a Mother.

You can see my reflection here, subtle and soft.  But my child's eyes aren't the only place you can see my reflection.  I am reflected in her giggles, her grunts, her "ooohs" and "aaaahs".  I'm reflected in her breath, as it grows steady and heavy.  I'm reflected in her concentration.  I'm reflected in her cuddles, her soft touch, her curiosity.  I'm reflected in her ten little fingers and her ten little toes.  Every inch of her is a reflection of me.  But that isn't why I love being a mother.

I love being a mother because as she grows older my reflection will still be there, but more subtle.  With my help, and the help of those who love her, she will slowly grow into her own, becoming more and more of the soul she is destined to be. 

I love being a mother because since the day she was born, not only did I see my reflection in those eyes, but I saw hers in mine.  She immediately became a part of who I am, and will be a part of me forever.  I see her now, every minute of the day, in the way that I wash dishes, make the bed, brush my teeth.  She is always in my thoughts, whether in the forefront or background, always just a recall away.

I love being a mother because the pieces of her that reflect on me influence my actions and attitude.  She helps me let go, play, laugh, and grow.  Without her, I'd be a different person all together.

I love being a mother because her reflection is dependent on me as much as mine is of her.  We need each other, and we always will.  There is proof in this between me and my mother, and there will be proof to her when she is a mother.

I love being a mother because it is a permanent part of me that makes me grow stronger and wiser every day.

It is OK with me if you want cheesy eggs for lunch...

Because at my house you can have breakfast anytime!

:)

As I said in my last post, I am going to be changing the look and feel of my blog.  I am also going to be changing it's location.  I will be a http://whimsy.typepad.com/teaandbrie now.  So, instead of /knittens it will be /teaandbrie.

This post is on the /knittens URL so everyone doing blog readers should get the update info :) 

No matter what, you will always be able to find me at just plain ol' http://whimsy.typepad.com so you can always just stick that in too!

/hugs
xoxo

I'm going to make yogurt parfaits today. Do you want one? You can have raspberry, blueberry, or a combination :)

You've probably noticed that I've changed my name.  I'm still Knittens at heart, though the purpose of this blog has changed for me.  It is now more about my family and my everyday, not exclusively knitting.  I plan on launching my Etsy shop soon, and the name change is a part of that process.  Maybe one day you'll be able to navigate to a site that is run by me with my blog, my art, and a shop.  Wouldn't that be nice?!

So, I'm a little shy about this, but here it goes anyway.

I've decided to open up an Etsy shop. I've got a great idea for a few series that I could do, and I've had a few friends and family members express an interest in buying some prints. I figure why not take it to the next step and see if other people may find my stuff worth a gander.

The shop isn't ready yet... but I've taken some steps to get it there. I've decided what photos I'm going to put up, I've decided on a name (after my little girls), I've made a silly little watermark, a banner, and an avatar. I've decided on some policies, how to ship, and pricing. All that is left is printing.

I'm not sure what I should do about it. My mom just got a really nice Epson that does up to 12x12, but I'm really feeling like I should send the files out to a professional printer. I feel like if I'm going to do it, I ought to do it right.

Do any of you know of good printing places? Preferably online?

I'm also thinking about doing some sort of writing to go with each series. I'm not sure.

So... I'm kinda shy about this whole thing as I said before. It is a complex (is that the word I'm looking for?) I have. I surround myself with people I admire and who I think are fantastic at what they do (not just photography, but with knitting, cooking, writing, etc), but I never consider myself to be on par with them. I work and work, and educate myself, and practice and improve, but still, I don't see myself at their level. I see them (you!) as powerful, strong, determined, and self-assured individuals without doubts or questions.

It very well could be a part of the postpartum depression, or at least accentuated by it.

See, with postpartum, you feel like you are worthless, and anything you do is horrible, and no one loves you. You KNOW that it isn't true, that it is silly, but it is how you feel and you can't break away from it (just a note... I'm doing much better now and feel like this maybe 10% of the time, if that). People around you tell you that they love you, but you just can't believe them. You think they are only saying it to make you feel better. It is hard to explain, but it is a miserable feeling.

Now, I'm really not fishing for compliments here - really. I'm just putting it out there as a part of this process I am going through. I'm trying very hard to validate myself to me, and it seems like putting this all in writing and putting it out there for the world (or the flickr and blogging communities anyway) to read is a great way to sort of pull apart these layers that are making me all hot and sweaty and uncomfortable.

So back to the photography. I see all of these fantastic photographers, and I try to surround myself with their work and their goals and their purposes. This is good and bad. The good part is it really motivates and inspires me to become better at what I do and learn what I can when I can. The bad part is that I convince myself that there is this whole group of amazing artists, and I'm on the fringe. I'm not apart of it.

But, I'm breaking out of that. I AM apart of that (and so are YOU). For pete's sake, you would have thought I'd have learned something those 3 years I was at art school. Art is about expression. It is about putting yourself out there - vulnerable, unsure, and incomplete. It is about how the act of doing so strengthens you, and makes you whole.

Art is about being, trying, thinking. About breaking the rules (or not). About getting outside the box (or not!). It is about LETTING GO.

It is about putting yourself out there for everyone to see, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel because that is how you grow, laugh, love, and learn.

So, there it is. Uncomfortable, shy, unsure, but determined.

And extra points if you read that whole thing. You seriously deserve a drink. But not before you tell me about a good printer.

I had to blog this too, because I just love the vanishing point

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.

57 :: 365 :: Launch

Well, I decided to do it. I created my shop, choose my pictures, created a new paypal and new email, gave my blog a bit of a face lift...

Tea & Brie is up and running!

Thank you all for the encouragement and support. I already have some of your shops as favorites, but let me know if you are on etsy too so I can put you as a favorite :)

You can find my shop at

http://teaandbrie.etsy.com

and my blog at

http://whimsy.typepad.com

Thanks guys!

xo

My role as a Mother.

You can see my reflection here, subtle and soft.  But my child's eyes aren't the only place you can see my reflection.  I am reflected in her giggles, her grunts, her "ooohs" and "aaaahs".  I'm reflected in her breath, as it grows steady and heavy.  I'm reflected in her concentration.  I'm reflected in her cuddles, her soft touch, her curiosity.  I'm reflected in her ten little fingers and her ten little toes.  Every inch of her is a reflection of me.  But that isn't why I love being a mother.

I love being a mother because as she grows older my reflection will still be there, but more subtle.  With my help, and the help of those who love her, she will slowly grow into her own, becoming more and more of the soul she is destined to be. 

I love being a mother because since the day she was born, not only did I see my reflection in those eyes, but I saw hers in mine.  She immediately became a part of who I am, and will be a part of me forever.  I see her now, every minute of the day, in the way that I wash dishes, make the bed, brush my teeth.  She is always in my thoughts, whether in the forefront or background, always just a recall away.

I love being a mother because the pieces of her that reflect on me influence my actions and attitude.  She helps me let go, play, laugh, and grow.  Without her, I'd be a different person all together.

I love being a mother because her reflection is dependent on me as much as mine is of her.  We need each other, and we always will.  There is proof in this between me and my mother, and there will be proof to her when she is a mother.

I love being a mother because it is a permanent part of me that makes me grow stronger and wiser every day.

It is OK with me if you want cheesy eggs for lunch...

Because at my house you can have breakfast anytime!

:)

As I said in my last post, I am going to be changing the look and feel of my blog.  I am also going to be changing it's location.  I will be a http://whimsy.typepad.com/teaandbrie now.  So, instead of /knittens it will be /teaandbrie.

This post is on the /knittens URL so everyone doing blog readers should get the update info :) 

No matter what, you will always be able to find me at just plain ol' http://whimsy.typepad.com so you can always just stick that in too!

/hugs
xoxo

I'm going to make yogurt parfaits today. Do you want one? You can have raspberry, blueberry, or a combination :)

You've probably noticed that I've changed my name.  I'm still Knittens at heart, though the purpose of this blog has changed for me.  It is now more about my family and my everyday, not exclusively knitting.  I plan on launching my Etsy shop soon, and the name change is a part of that process.  Maybe one day you'll be able to navigate to a site that is run by me with my blog, my art, and a shop.  Wouldn't that be nice?!

So, I'm a little shy about this, but here it goes anyway.

I've decided to open up an Etsy shop. I've got a great idea for a few series that I could do, and I've had a few friends and family members express an interest in buying some prints. I figure why not take it to the next step and see if other people may find my stuff worth a gander.

The shop isn't ready yet... but I've taken some steps to get it there. I've decided what photos I'm going to put up, I've decided on a name (after my little girls), I've made a silly little watermark, a banner, and an avatar. I've decided on some policies, how to ship, and pricing. All that is left is printing.

I'm not sure what I should do about it. My mom just got a really nice Epson that does up to 12x12, but I'm really feeling like I should send the files out to a professional printer. I feel like if I'm going to do it, I ought to do it right.

Do any of you know of good printing places? Preferably online?

I'm also thinking about doing some sort of writing to go with each series. I'm not sure.

So... I'm kinda shy about this whole thing as I said before. It is a complex (is that the word I'm looking for?) I have. I surround myself with people I admire and who I think are fantastic at what they do (not just photography, but with knitting, cooking, writing, etc), but I never consider myself to be on par with them. I work and work, and educate myself, and practice and improve, but still, I don't see myself at their level. I see them (you!) as powerful, strong, determined, and self-assured individuals without doubts or questions.

It very well could be a part of the postpartum depression, or at least accentuated by it.

See, with postpartum, you feel like you are worthless, and anything you do is horrible, and no one loves you. You KNOW that it isn't true, that it is silly, but it is how you feel and you can't break away from it (just a note... I'm doing much better now and feel like this maybe 10% of the time, if that). People around you tell you that they love you, but you just can't believe them. You think they are only saying it to make you feel better. It is hard to explain, but it is a miserable feeling.

Now, I'm really not fishing for compliments here - really. I'm just putting it out there as a part of this process I am going through. I'm trying very hard to validate myself to me, and it seems like putting this all in writing and putting it out there for the world (or the flickr and blogging communities anyway) to read is a great way to sort of pull apart these layers that are making me all hot and sweaty and uncomfortable.

So back to the photography. I see all of these fantastic photographers, and I try to surround myself with their work and their goals and their purposes. This is good and bad. The good part is it really motivates and inspires me to become better at what I do and learn what I can when I can. The bad part is that I convince myself that there is this whole group of amazing artists, and I'm on the fringe. I'm not apart of it.

But, I'm breaking out of that. I AM apart of that (and so are YOU). For pete's sake, you would have thought I'd have learned something those 3 years I was at art school. Art is about expression. It is about putting yourself out there - vulnerable, unsure, and incomplete. It is about how the act of doing so strengthens you, and makes you whole.

Art is about being, trying, thinking. About breaking the rules (or not). About getting outside the box (or not!). It is about LETTING GO.

It is about putting yourself out there for everyone to see, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel because that is how you grow, laugh, love, and learn.

So, there it is. Uncomfortable, shy, unsure, but determined.

And extra points if you read that whole thing. You seriously deserve a drink. But not before you tell me about a good printer.

I had to blog this too, because I just love the vanishing point

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.

My role as a mother

My role as a Mother.

You can see my reflection here, subtle and soft.  But my child's eyes aren't the only place you can see my reflection.  I am reflected in her giggles, her grunts, her "ooohs" and "aaaahs".  I'm reflected in her breath, as it grows steady and heavy.  I'm reflected in her concentration.  I'm reflected in her cuddles, her soft touch, her curiosity.  I'm reflected in her ten little fingers and her ten little toes.  Every inch of her is a reflection of me.  But that isn't why I love being a mother.

I love being a mother because as she grows older my reflection will still be there, but more subtle.  With my help, and the help of those who love her, she will slowly grow into her own, becoming more and more of the soul she is destined to be. 

I love being a mother because since the day she was born, not only did I see my reflection in those eyes, but I saw hers in mine.  She immediately became a part of who I am, and will be a part of me forever.  I see her now, every minute of the day, in the way that I wash dishes, make the bed, brush my teeth.  She is always in my thoughts, whether in the forefront or background, always just a recall away.

I love being a mother because the pieces of her that reflect on me influence my actions and attitude.  She helps me let go, play, laugh, and grow.  Without her, I'd be a different person all together.

I love being a mother because her reflection is dependent on me as much as mine is of her.  We need each other, and we always will.  There is proof in this between me and my mother, and there will be proof to her when she is a mother.

I love being a mother because it is a permanent part of me that makes me grow stronger and wiser every day.

Breakfast for lunch

It is OK with me if you want cheesy eggs for lunch...

Because at my house you can have breakfast anytime!

:)

New URL

As I said in my last post, I am going to be changing the look and feel of my blog.  I am also going to be changing it's location.  I will be a http://whimsy.typepad.com/teaandbrie now.  So, instead of /knittens it will be /teaandbrie.

This post is on the /knittens URL so everyone doing blog readers should get the update info :) 

No matter what, you will always be able to find me at just plain ol' http://whimsy.typepad.com so you can always just stick that in too!

/hugs
xoxo

55 :: 365 :: For You

I'm going to make yogurt parfaits today. Do you want one? You can have raspberry, blueberry, or a combination :)

You've probably noticed that I've changed my name.  I'm still Knittens at heart, though the purpose of this blog has changed for me.  It is now more about my family and my everyday, not exclusively knitting.  I plan on launching my Etsy shop soon, and the name change is a part of that process.  Maybe one day you'll be able to navigate to a site that is run by me with my blog, my art, and a shop.  Wouldn't that be nice?!

Snow Day

So, I'm a little shy about this, but here it goes anyway.

I've decided to open up an Etsy shop. I've got a great idea for a few series that I could do, and I've had a few friends and family members express an interest in buying some prints. I figure why not take it to the next step and see if other people may find my stuff worth a gander.

The shop isn't ready yet... but I've taken some steps to get it there. I've decided what photos I'm going to put up, I've decided on a name (after my little girls), I've made a silly little watermark, a banner, and an avatar. I've decided on some policies, how to ship, and pricing. All that is left is printing.

I'm not sure what I should do about it. My mom just got a really nice Epson that does up to 12x12, but I'm really feeling like I should send the files out to a professional printer. I feel like if I'm going to do it, I ought to do it right.

Do any of you know of good printing places? Preferably online?

I'm also thinking about doing some sort of writing to go with each series. I'm not sure.

So... I'm kinda shy about this whole thing as I said before. It is a complex (is that the word I'm looking for?) I have. I surround myself with people I admire and who I think are fantastic at what they do (not just photography, but with knitting, cooking, writing, etc), but I never consider myself to be on par with them. I work and work, and educate myself, and practice and improve, but still, I don't see myself at their level. I see them (you!) as powerful, strong, determined, and self-assured individuals without doubts or questions.

It very well could be a part of the postpartum depression, or at least accentuated by it.

See, with postpartum, you feel like you are worthless, and anything you do is horrible, and no one loves you. You KNOW that it isn't true, that it is silly, but it is how you feel and you can't break away from it (just a note... I'm doing much better now and feel like this maybe 10% of the time, if that). People around you tell you that they love you, but you just can't believe them. You think they are only saying it to make you feel better. It is hard to explain, but it is a miserable feeling.

Now, I'm really not fishing for compliments here - really. I'm just putting it out there as a part of this process I am going through. I'm trying very hard to validate myself to me, and it seems like putting this all in writing and putting it out there for the world (or the flickr and blogging communities anyway) to read is a great way to sort of pull apart these layers that are making me all hot and sweaty and uncomfortable.

So back to the photography. I see all of these fantastic photographers, and I try to surround myself with their work and their goals and their purposes. This is good and bad. The good part is it really motivates and inspires me to become better at what I do and learn what I can when I can. The bad part is that I convince myself that there is this whole group of amazing artists, and I'm on the fringe. I'm not apart of it.

But, I'm breaking out of that. I AM apart of that (and so are YOU). For pete's sake, you would have thought I'd have learned something those 3 years I was at art school. Art is about expression. It is about putting yourself out there - vulnerable, unsure, and incomplete. It is about how the act of doing so strengthens you, and makes you whole.

Art is about being, trying, thinking. About breaking the rules (or not). About getting outside the box (or not!). It is about LETTING GO.

It is about putting yourself out there for everyone to see, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel because that is how you grow, laugh, love, and learn.

So, there it is. Uncomfortable, shy, unsure, but determined.

And extra points if you read that whole thing. You seriously deserve a drink. But not before you tell me about a good printer.

I had to blog this too, because I just love the vanishing point

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.

Snowy Drive

I had to blog this too, because I just love the vanishing point

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.

53 :: 365 :: Home

As much as I love taking trips, visiting friends and family, and not having to cook, it is always nice to come back home. Each of us has a spot in our home that we like to call our own. This is Brie's. I rock her here every night. We snuggle together, listening to ocean waves roll in and out (courtesy of her sleep-sheep), and unwind.

Every night, while Matt is giving the girls a bath, I get their rooms ready for the night. I remember as a little girl how my mom would turn on the light in the corner of my room before I would go to bed. The whole room would feel so peaceful, quiet, warm, and inviting. I still love that feeling, and rarely put on overhead lights at night. I prefer a desk lamp or floor light. It feels much more intimate to me.

I hope I am creating the same warm and peaceful feeling for my girls with calming colors, a hand knit blanket, and the soft glow of a small lamp.