confessions of a blueberry bandit

Moving at a Snail's Pace...

Hello, hello, hello!!! 

I am still here!  I have been 100% consumed by work and life these long weeks (and thus moving quite slowly creatively), but I am finally able to emerge from my shell and share this tiny bit of progress:

Pinkie and Her Pet Snail, now listed in my long-neglected shop!

 

I can't tell you how distressed I have been in this long absence, wanting so often to blog but never quite finding the time...  Firstly because my day job has gradually become my all-day-everyday job.  Secondly because of the wild, rambunctious (but utterly adorable and lovable) puppy running around my house. He is like a furry toddler with very sharp teeth, and is essentially a second full-time job... 

Shorty McShorterson, a.k.a. Mr. Wiggle Jeans... a.k.a. Trouble...

But just look at that sweet little face...

And another big time consumer, what I like to call The Aerobic Awakening of Sara...

Working from home as I do can easily lead to a completely sedentary lifestyle. Which then leads to feeling crummy and cranky and depressed (not to mention putting on a few unwanted pounds).  I made a very wise decision to rejoin my local YMCA (Andy & I had to cancel our membership after the great arm-wrestling incident of 2008).  Considering how little free time I have these days, I've pretty much had to sacrifice creativity (and just about anything else) in the name of physical and emotional well-being.  And it has been so worth it!  I feel like a whole new person and am finding that I'm managing my time better so I can squeeze in fun things like movies and sewing.  I will not bore you with the details of my exercise regimen other than to share my very favorite way to exercise... It's called Zumba and incorporates Latin dance & aerobics. When a friend first told me about it, I said HELL NO, I can't do that!  It looked so cheesy and embarrassing, but now I absolutely love it.  You should check it out and try to imagine an otherwise reserved, bookish gal like myself zumba-ing for a good laugh!  (And try it yourself if you ever get the chance!)

I miss my blog and all the lovely blog-readers out there!  I am going to make every effort to get back in the creative swing of things, but I will probably be adding only a very few things to my shop for the holidays (I'm anticipating some job-related changes that may clear up a bit more free time in the coming months, though).  Maybe a couple more softies.  Maybe some pouches... We'll see what happens.  Here's wishing everyone a lovely & relaxing weekend... and Thanksgiving, just in case I don't get to blog again!

xoxo

Gloomy Sunday...

It's gloomy as gloomy can be around here today, and I'm loving it.  What better weather for catching up on work and some much-needed rest? (I'm recovering from weekend of rock 'n roll and long walks and staying up way past my geriatric bedtime...)

I'm off to listen to my very favorite Billie Holiday song...  I hope everyone is having a lovely (if not pleasantly gloomy) Sunday!  I'll be back soon with some pictures from a recent mini-getaway. 

♥

How exciting is this?

Wes Anderson + Roald Dahl + animated foxes... Just one more reason to be ecstatic about Fall!

♥

New Teeny Tiny Bunnies...

Now in the shop!

♥

Anthropologie & I are like this (fingers twisted)... sort of.

Being an Anthropologie-lovin' gal, I am usually pretty excited when my new catalog arrives in the mail.  I ooh and aah over all the pretty things I can't afford... and then sadly place the catalog in the recycling bin.  

Today I opened my fresh catalog and absolutely choked when I saw this:

My very own BFF and her hubby!!! 

Apparently Anthropologie decided to use real people and places in this season's shoot.  And apparently my BFF is the sneakiest of sneakiests!  It just doesn't get any more real than this... 

♥

Pretend it's Autumn...

Ah, there is the loveliest of breezes in my little corner of the world today!  I'm pretending that Autumn is right around the corner despite the fact that the dreaded month of August is still to come... It seems a perfect day to share a couple of new friends, who are now listed in the shop:

Forest Bunny

 Fern and Her Tiny Birdies

I've been busy as usual (work, rock 'n roll, sewing!) and quite preoccupied with the recent addition to my family. 

Poor Shorty has been wearing an Elizabethan collar for the last ten days or so... When we took him to the vet to be neutered, we found out that he was a Crypt-orchid, which means that one of his little doggie testicles was un-descended.  He had to have a more invasive surgery than usual (two incisions rather than one), and was absolutely pitiful for a couple of days.  He very quickly adjusted to life with a giant collar and has been providing endless entertainment...

Poor Junebug has not quite adjusted to life with Shorty and has been spending her days here, on top of the kitchen cabinet with the long-neglected Print Gocco.  Sigh... We're working on it.

It seems I can't stop making friends in the animal kingdom.  I'm amassing quite a zoo...

Well, back to work and daydreaming for me.  Here's wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

♥

July Goodness...

July has already been filled with so many lovely things...  like long nature walks with a favorite cousin visiting from afar...

 

Delicious food and fun times with friends...

And a very special new arrival...

Please say hello to The Reverend Shorty Gonzales.  You can just call him Shorty if you like.  He is a tiny, floppy, goofy little muppet of a dog, and I absolutely adore him.  Of course Junebug will always be #1 in my heart, but it has been many long years since I had a dog to love.  Andy & I are quite smitten, and Junebug is taking it all in stride... which is to say she hasn't scratched his eyes out yet.  It's a pretty big adjustment for all of us, but I feel very hopeful that life will be peaceful in no time.  (In case anyone is wondering, Shorty is a mix of Shih-Tzu and miniature Cocker Spaniel...)

We're having a very sleepy Independence Day around here, but we're going to make use of our grill with some friends later on and then watch the fireworks at a nearby park.  Andy & I don't really go out of our way to celebrate it anymore, but today is technically our anniversary... the anniversary of (finally) conquering mutual shyness and holding hands under the fireworks -- our unplanned first-date-of-sorts.  I suppose a new (furry) addition to our little family is a nice way to celebrate Eight Years of Being Together, though!  And the fireworks will be a nice touch...

I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday and/or Independence Day!

♥ ♥ ♥

(Pssst...)

A brand-new softie, one of two which I'll be posting in the shop tomorrow... finally... in semi-honor of my Third Etsy Anniversary... which was Monday. 

I'm trying to assuage all my guilt and disappointment over not being a greater success on Etsy by reminding myself of all the (numerous, crazy) things that have happened in the last three years... like becoming a homeowner, getting a real job, entering the dreaded Thirties, traveling & rock 'n roll touring, not to mention all the other unrelated personal triumphs and tragedies.  Sigh... We're all on our own valid paths, right?

♥

* *  UPDATE  * *

As promised, more pics ... and three new softies now in the shop!!!

 

   

The seven-year-old in me is forever heartbroken...

This is how I choose to remember Michael Jackson...  Fresh-faced and so tremendously talented... my biggest childhood heartthrob, my first concert, still one of my all-time favorite pop stars.  To be honest, I can't help feeling like he died long ago...  It pained me to watch his life turn so tragically sad and scandalous.  His sparkling glove will shine in my heart and my memory forever.  Rest in peace, Michael...

(Now I'm going to listen to Off the Wall over and over again to chase the sadness of it all away.)

Birdie with a yellow bill...

All the sniffles and coughs in the world couldn't dampen my spirit after spying this through my window!

 

xoxo!

My fairy tale cottage...

After two-and-a-half years, two visits from Andy's parents, and countless, countless hours of hard work, it's finally coming together... I'm very pleased to share the fruits of all our labor!

I don't think I've ever worked so hard in all my life...  We spent a whole week scraping brick, painting trim and repainting every single surface on our porch, etc, etc, etc...  I pretty much owe Andy's parents (Rex & Leslie) my soul by now!  I don't know how I will ever manage to express my gratitude...

The Evolution of Our House:





I was so happy to see that electric blue trim go... and the ugly red shutters.  I finally the right shade of green paint, too.

I have always wanted heart shutters, so I doodled a little design, and Andy's stepfather Rex made it happen!   Rex & Andy did a fantastic job building the shutters, and Leslie & I did a fantastic job of painting them, if I do say so myself!

Rex came up with this ingeniously cute solution to our squirrel problem... I'd like to see the squirrel who can chew through this!

We also added some lovely cat-proof screen doors...

And Rex repaired the birdhouse he made for us as a Christmas gift (which was badly mangled by the USPS).  We placed it just outside the kitchen window...

I still have to add some finishing touches (including a new roof later this month), but for now I'm catching up at work and fighting off a pesky cold.  I'll be back soon!

Have a lovely weekend!

♥

The End of May in Pictures...

A tiny tidbit of creative progress...

 

Plenty of spring showers and May flowers...

Memorial Day weekend at the lake... and precious quality time with my dad & sister & her kiddies...

And last night's super-fun CD release show (Marshmallow Coast, The Lolligags, and Casper & the Cookies)... I snapped a picture of Andy & Leslie during the Lolligags set.

And Andy & me rockin' Marshmallow Coast set with our friend Jim (photos courtesy of Leslie)...

 

 

I enjoyed myself a little too much and am still recovering...

I'll be spending this very last day of May doing some work in the yard and a million other chores...  Andy's parents will be here Wednesday, so it's going to be a crazy busy  (but fun!) week.  I'll be sure to post again soon and show some of our home makeover!

Have a lovely week!
♥

Don't try this at home...

I've quite mastered the disappearing act, don't you think? 

I ended up having a very fun birthday weekend that unfortunately did not include any creative progress.  Oh, well... sometimes you just have let yourself live, right?  At least I can say I made some very good progress in the being social and learning to relax departments.

So far Being Thirty-Two has revolved around learning important (and seemingly common-sense) life lessons... things a sensible person such as myself probably should have grasped long ago.  Sigh...  I thought I'd take a moment to share a few of my favorites...

Lesson Number One:

Don't try to wash a feather pillow in your cantankerous off-brand washing machine.  And don't attempt to dry your now lumpy-and-horrible-smelling feather pillow in your cantankerous, off-brand dryer... because there will be a feather explosion that will clog your lint trap and nearly burn your house to the ground.  And you will end up buying a new pillow anyway.

Lesson Number Two:

Don't go to your local pet store on a Saturday to casually look at the dogs being offered for adoption by various animal rescue agencies.  And don't let a crazy-intense woman sucker you into adopting a crazy-sweet dog that you're not 100% sure about right there on the spot... Because you will tearfully decide that you must return said dog after he destroys your living room and attacks your cat, and you will then be so overwhelmed by guilt that you cry for two days and donate everything purchased for the dog including the very expensive (and negotiable) adoption fee.  And you will feel like the most horrible person in the world.  (Do, however, donate to animal rescue just out of the goodness of your heart!)

Lesson Number Three:

Do not stand outside in the bright afternoon sun for three or four hours without first applying sunblock.  Even if you are chatting with your (very sweet) neighbor and having such a good time that you lose all sense of time.  Especially if you have very pale skin that burns instantly.  Otherwise, your feet will end up looking like this and you won't be able to wear shoes for two days:

I'm happy to say that I am (finally) caught up at work for the first time in many weeks, and I'm looking forward to a nice, long weekend of gardening and sewing (yes, sewing!).  The next few weeks are going to be busier than ever... recording sessions, an upcoming show to celebrate the release of the new Marshmallow Coast CD(!!!), and a visit from Andy's parents.  They're going to help us with as many home-improvement projects as we can squeeze into a week, including painting the exterior of our house.  I am so excited!

Well, I'm off to apply some Vitamin E to my poor feet and agonize over paint colors.  Have a lovely (and sensible) week!

♥ ♥ ♥

p.s.
A few new additions to my garden:

 

Yay for May!

Greetings after another dreadfully long absence!  I've been hiding out under this lovely mushroom that sprouted out of my doormat... actually a pair of mushrooms.  Wouldn't it be nice to live in a mushroom house?

 

April was busy as can be.  Let's see... work, work, and more work... a bit of weeding, planting and digging... lots of trips to the plant nursery... numerous long walks... a few self-reflective, semi-tearful what-the-hell-am-I-doing-with-my-life sessions... an early-birthday shopping trip in Hotlanta with my sweet hubby... a brief but very fun visit with bestest friend & her hubby (in town from Brooklyn).  Throw in a little more work, a generous pinch of insomnia, and a dash of dwindling self-esteem, and that about sums up my month.  (Oh, and did I mention the sewage mishap that resulted in the city coming to clean/ sanitize my bathroom & throw everything away?)  Sigh...  Thank goodness it's May! 

In just three short days, I will be... Thirty-Two.  I try not to obsess about aging, but it's starting to get to me just a little bit.  I keep having those "How did I get here?" moments... Like yesterday, when I was renewing my driver's license at the DMV.  I had the option to renew it for 10 years.  All I could think of was that in 10 years I will be 42.  Oh, my god.  I almost had a meltdown right there.  I think I frightened the poor DMV employee who was unwittingly assisting me in my mid-life crisis... 

So... This weekend I am going to try to spend as much time as I can working on creative endeavors.  And being outside.  Possibly at the same time.  (Though it's going to be a busy weekend... An old friend of Andy's will be staying with us...) I'm feeling rather guilty about opting out of the Craftstravaganza that is taking place here in Athens Saturday & Sunday... I knew well in advance that I wouldn't have time to prepare.  I will be sure to visit a few lovely ladies who will be selling their wares, though.  If you're local, you should definitely check it out!

Well, I'm off to finish up my work for the day so I can squeeze in some sewing and maybe a movie with my main squeeze... and try to figure out the best way to celebrate the ol' birthday on such a busy weekend. 

Happy May to everyone!

♥

p.s.

I'll be working on some more tiny softies like this little guy...

Buttercup and his tiny bird...

Buttercup and his tiny bird love to while away sunny afternoons lying under the hydrangea bush, telling stories to caterpillars... 

I finished these guys a few days ago, but I've been waiting all week for a nice sunny day to take photos.  They'll be hopping their way into my shop later today or tomorrow. 

I'm also working on some tiny birds and bunnies to be sold individually... Hopefully I can finish some this weekend.  Hooray!

Have a lovely Friday!

♥

Pssst....

New things in the shop !

More to come this week!

♥ ♥ ♥

Rainy days and tiny bunnies...

Say hello to Rosie and her tiny bunny friend!  (That bunny sure is full of secrets...)

I have been dying to make a teeny-tiny bunny for ages, and I finally got my chance today.  It was my first real day off in almost three weeks, and it was dreadfully, deliciously dark & rainy.  I settled myself on the couch with Junebug and sewed away the hours.  It was exactly what I needed!  I am planning to take some better pictures tomorrow (if the sun finally peeks out as promised), and then I'll be listing Rosie in my shop.  Hopefully I'll be able to finish a few other friends who have been waiting in the wings for a while.  

I hope at least a few people participated in Earth Hour...  Andy & I turned off (and unplugged) everything in the house and walked down the street to sit in the dark with our friend Leslie.  I was disappointed to see that ours was the only dark house on our block.  Oh, well.

I'm off to play with... my new Wacom tablet!!!  Andy gave it to me as a combo anniversary/birthday gift.  I am hoping it will inspire me to start drawing again after my (embarrassingly) long dry spell.

Hopefully more finished projects tomorrow!

♥

Happy Anniversary (to me & my love)!

Five years ago this very day, Andy and I tied the knot!  It's funny, I feel as if I have known him my whole life and longer...  We are both crazy-busy with our prospective jobs this week, so we're planning on a low-key evening at home with dinner and wine.  (We may sneak away on a mini-adventure in a couple of weekends.) 

I am just so thankful that we're together!  Here's to five more lifetimes...

xoxo

♥ ♥ ♥

p.s.
Junebug didn't want the occasion to pass without a bit of fanfare, so she brought us a tiny (dead) mouse this morning.  She's always the thoughtful one!

 

Welcome, Spring!

I've been waiting for you...

 

Andy & I had a lovely time on our trip to Denver, relaxing and visiting with family & friends.  Unfortunately we both got a terrible bug just before returning home.   I spent all of last week being sooooo sick and trying to catch up at work.  (Andy & I had to struggle through a show even though both of us felt ghastly and Andy's voice was going.)  I've only felt well again the last couple of days, just in time for the beautiful spring weather we've been having!  I've been sneaking out to soak up some sun every chance I get and enjoying some nice, long walks.  Craftiness has, as usual, been on hold... but I promise I have several things that are near-finished.  I'll be working all weekend to help meet a huge deadline for my job, and then I'm hoping I can get back in the studio next week!

In the meantime, I'll share some pictures from our trip.  Andy's parents own a bit of property in the mountains (Ranch of the Rockies), where they've built two tiny but super-comfy cabins.  We spent two very relaxing days there and were sad when it was time to leave.  It is breathtakingly beautiful there, in the high plains...

 

Our little cabin...

 

The view from the outhouse (the most pleasant outhouse imaginable!)...

Everything is powered by wind or sun, both of which there is a great abundance...

 

  

(Sorry... Obviously I have a thing for Airstreams...)

 

 

I'll be back soon with some honest-to-goodness Progress! 

Happy Spring!  (I suppose it's Happy Autumn for everyone in the southern hemisphere!)

♥ ♥ ♥

p.s. 

I just had to sneak in a picture of Andy & me riding an ATV... probably the only time you'll catch me on one!  It was terrifying!

And, of course, the obligatory picture of Junebug enjoying a sunny afternoon...

So Long, Farewell... for now

Hello!  Greetings from Birmingham, where I am sipping my morning coffee & chatting with my dad.

I had planned to blog again and share pictures of the 8 inches of snow that fell on Sunday, but I lost power for more than 24 hours!!!  I have never seen so much snow in my life!  Andy & I had an impromptu snowball fight with our friends Leslie, Mike & Eric, who luckily live very close-by.  We even had fun tromping through the snow to the drugstore to buy candles and provisions.  We sat huddled under blankets by our big window in candle light and just gazed at all that beautiful snow... it was lovely and sort of romantic.  And then the cold set in.  By morning we could see our breath in the house and all of our food had spoiled.  (Why didn't I think to stick the contents of the refrigerator in all that snow?) Monday was a miserable day, indeed, but we survived! 

We're off to Denver today to visit Andy's family.  I've closed up the shop and will reopen it next Tuesday, March 10th.  In the meantime, I hope everyone has a lovely week!

xoxo