confessions of a blueberry bandit

Brave Little Kitten...

 

It has been quite a (crummy, emotional, expensive) week...

 

 

Especially for Junebug, who prefers to wear her collar-of-shame Victorian-style rather than the traditional Elizabethan...  The poor thing was struggling so much, crashing around and knocking things over. Somehow she spirited herself out of both collar and semi-confinement around 4:30 this morning.  Not good.  So in a delirious, desperate state, I decided to try turning it around.  And it worked.  It just keeps her from licking where she should not lick, and now she can get around without having to walk backwards.  And it's just more flattering, if you ask me...

 

 

  Poor Junebug has been through a lot this week.  She disappeared for a couple of days and returned trembling, completely traumatized and mysteriously injured.  There were no obvious wounds, but she was walking strangely and refused to eat.  I was worried she may have been hit by a car or crushed by some large object and sent myself into hysterics thinking she was going to die...

Our (very kind) vet did some x-rays and gave her fluids and eventually determined that she was (quite brutally) attacked by another cat.  And, incidentally, discovered a gun pellet in one of Junebug's back legs... Wait, what?  Someone shot my poor baby? When did this happen? Why would someone do that to a tiny, helpless cat???  Fortunately the pellet caused no damage, but the bites were really nasty.  Yesterday we had to go back to the vet to have three abscesses drained and get more antibiotics.  And the dreaded collar...

 

 

A large portion of Junebug's lower back is shaved, and it looks absolutely ghastly.  But I think she's going to be ok.  I'm giving her antibiotics twice a day and applying warm compresses as often as she will let me.  And thanking my lucky stars that I found her when I did.  There is a chance she'll have permanent nerve damage because the bites were near her spine, but I can't think about that right now.  Instead I'm spoiling her with fancy food and treats and giving her as much love as I can. 

Junebug is enduring the stress, pain and boredom with amazing patience.  She truly is a brave little soul, and, cheesy as it may sound, she means the world to me.

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for my dear, sweet little gal...

 

♥

Escape to New York!

Andy & I hopped our train to New York and had a fabulous time! 

I left my "real" camera in my suitcase for the entire trip and only photographed with my iPhone.  I have to admit it was really liberating...  This is coming from someone who used to lug around a large-format (film) camera and tripod and all the accoutrements.  Now I have been completely seduced by digital technology.  It's funny, but getting an iPhone (after resisting it forever) really reignited my love of photographing.  How amazing is it to take a photo and instantly share it with the world?  (Hello, future!  It's so nice to meet you!)

Anyway, it was a lovely & inspiring trip overall.  Please join me (and forgive the ridiculously long post)...

I really loved the unexpected deco lettering on the train station door...

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We had a sleeper car on the way up... It was tiny & expensive, but sooooo worth it!  If you ever travel by train, I highly recommend the upgrade.  (The 19-hour return home in regular seats was miserable...)

  

Am I the only one who gets excited about things like folding sinks?

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There was no lack of graffiti on the train ride... You tend see the skeeziest parts of each city you pass through.  My favorite graffiti was simply the word "crotch" scrawled across a wall. Sadly I did not get a picture.

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 Lovely sunrise view from the train.

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Breakfasting in the diner car.

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Somewhere in Virginia?

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Washington, D.C.

 

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And finally in the big city...

Have I mentioned that I love Hipstamatic?  Yeah, it's trendy, but it makes everything look so great.

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Sake at a Brooklyn sushi joint.

(I ate so much good food, not to mention cupcakes and rice pudding... Why didn't I take more pictures?)

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Henry Darger exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum!!!  Most of the exhibit featured Darger's personal collection of art & ephemera, but there were a couple of his (amazing) large panels.  It was a small-ish exhibit, but great nonetheless.

 

Kasia's a little unsure about what's going on here...

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Somewhat creepy wooden dolls, also in the folk art museum...

And an even creepier hair wreath.  I was fascinated by this.

We also spent some time in the MOMA, one of my favorite museums, but I think I had killed my phone battery by then, so no pictures...)

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And on to the wedding, the whole reason for the trip!

Smokestack in the park where my friends had their wedding.  I can't remember the name of the little park... somewhere in Williamsburg, right by the water.

Chris & Annie getting hitched... It was the windiest day ever, but a really lovely wedding.

 

   The happy couple!

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Amazing view from the park.

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Wedding party jump!

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Andy & me & my amazing wind-blown hair...

Weddings are just like roller coasters!

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That's my man...

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After the ceremony, the bride & groom and most of the wedding party hopped on bicycles and rode to Aurora, where we enjoyed a lovely dinner, and then on to The Richardson, a speak-easy bar where I had an amazing drink called a "Scottish Dew."  All I can say is whiskey and cucumber.  Yum.

Post-wedding sparklers at the bar!

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My last full day in the city I was able to spend some time with my uncle & aunt & cousins who live in NY.  I don't see them often, so I was really pleased that it all worked out.  We had lunch together in a great  Turkish restaurant in Brooklyn, and then just the gals broke off and traipsed around Manhattan.

 

 

They took me to Dylan's Candy Bar, a child's dream-come-true (but potentially a parent's nightmare!), and had frozen hot chocolate.  And cupcakes.  And immediately lapsed into sugar comas.  It was great.

The gumball tabletops and peppermint-striped seats were such a nice touch!

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We spent a long time walking along Central Park and did the customary carousel ride... I love the Central Park carousel so much!

 

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We also explored the High Line, which was new since I was last in NY, and was a really great way to see the city.

It was sad to say goodbye... 

But it was also nice to return home to my little house and my animals.  I'm feeling recharged and ready to get back into makin' stuff.  Hopefully I will have something to share soon!

♥

 

Tuesday Hello

Just a quick hello on this muggy Tuesday...  Some cheery gerbera daisies from my garden and my new milk carton vase from CB2.  I always get myself in trouble when shopping for other people's birthday gifts, but at least this one was inexpensive!

Sigh... back to work for me.  Have a lovely week!

♥

I'm Just Mad About Saffron...

...And Saffron's just mad about her tiny chickadee!  They are both in my shop.

Although I am not, in any way, looking forward to hot weather, I am longing for springtime colors.  Maybe that explains Saffron's sunny yellow, and also these recent (guilty) splurges:

My much-coveted and obscenely pricey pillow from Anthropologie...

And my new red mary-janes...

I have had lots of requests for softies lately, and I promise I am working on several!  They are painstakingly time-consuming (and I do have a full-time day job).  But I'm trying to add at least one new cutie each week.  It's the best I can do for now!  Here is proof that I am making progress:

Since the weather has been a bit nicer lately, Andy & I have made a new habit of walking to our local video store (rather than driving).  To make the long and not so scenic walk more interesting, we take turns being blind-- in other words, walking as long as we can with our eyes closed and not peeking at all!  It is so amazing to take in the sounds and smells and try to guage distance... and it is a pretty great exercise in trust.  I think we're both addicted to these walks and have, thus, come up with a million excuses to rent movies!  Next time you're out with a friend, you should give it a try.  Really.

Well, I'm off to take care of all that business waiting for me...  Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesdays and Cybele

I love you, computer.  Just trust in my love, and everything will be ok...

As you can see, Andy & I have resolved our computer issues, at least for the time being.  Hooray!

And I can finally introduce you to Cybele and her tiny goose!

She is named after one of my very favorite films, Sundays and Cybele (Les Dimanches de Ville d'Avray).  She is nearly finished, and I just couldn't wait to share her.  I think, this time around, I am going to attach a tiny piece of velcro to the goose's belly so that she can perch wherever she likes!   ***UPDATE:  The velcro didn't quite work out, so Cybele's tiny goose is permanently attached to her arm

I will be listing Cybele in my shop shortly.  They're in the shop!

I am working on some other friends of the plush sort, but they probably won't be finished until sometime next week.

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In the mean time, I would like to take a moment to promote a few crafty ladies who are relatively new to Etsy:

1- My friend Rizzie's shop, Made by Rizzie...  Rizzie makes super-cute, amazingly crafted vinyl bags, drawings, and even customized shrinky-dink portraits.  Pictured here, Fat Reggie Tote, Shrinky Dink Portrait, and Mexican Wrastlin Sasquatch Friend:

2- My mom's shop, Sendai Jewelry Designs...  My mom works with polymer clays and precious metal clays to create her own jewelry pieces, and she has also started making really cool purses out of vintage fabric and neckties, as well as some super-quirky drawings.   Pictured here, Valentine Necklace, Apple Turquoise Brown Tote, and Windy Day with Lion Print:

3- My sister Lori's shop, Cherry Matador... Lori makes really lovely earrings, necklaces,  and other jewelry, among other things.  Pictured here: Moonbeam Earrings, Dragons Flight Deluxe, and Enchanting Blue Blossoms:

Creative people of the world, unite and take over!!!

Well, I'm off to attach some velcro.  Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, and be creative!

Reluctant Progress Note #16: See You in September...

Am I the only one weeping tears of joy because the last day of August is finally here? August is definitely my least favorite month.  Though it will still feel like summer for ages in my part of the country, I am celebrating the arrival of September with this:

Nutmeg and his pet snail!   I have been working on this pair all week, and I haven't decided if or where the snail should be permanently attached.  I am considering stitching a small piece of velcro to the snail's underside so that he can slowly make his way wherever he chooses to go!   Either way, the two will be completed and listed in my shop this weekend!

This has been a very busy week of overwork, over-exhaustion and recuperating.  Andy & I finally decided to join the rest of America in watching Heroes (on DVD)...  We both had to take a sick day and wallowed on the couch with our new obsession for at least eight hours straight!  We are nearly finished with the first season, and we are HOOKED.  Sigh...

Much time has also gone to setting up... my new laptop!!! 

It is quite an investment, but I finally made a decision and am quite happy with it.  Now I have to muster up enough courage to actually take it somewhere and be one of those people with their laptops...  When did I become such a modern girl?

Well, the modern world (work) beckons.  Thank you to everyone for all the recent sweet words of encouragement!  Have a lovely weekend and see you in September!

Reluctant Progress Note #15: Greta and her Bluebird

I had a surprise visitor this weekend...

Her name is Greta, and she loves her tiny pet bluebird.  And polka-dotted undies.

She will be making an appearance in my shop later today, though I desperately want to keep her for myself!  The little bird nestling by her ear was a last-minute inspiration, perhaps because I've been reading The Golden Compass... I just love the idea of having my own personal daemon in animal form to comfort and protect me at all times.  The tiny bird almost took longer to make than Greta herself!

I have to get back to the day job soon, but first I wanted to share some recent super-lucky-super-clearance finds from Anthropologie (Andy and I are still feathering our little nest!):

These chairs, which Andy has been obsessing over, especially because they were such an amazing bargain.  These babies were originally $500 apiece (in true Anthropologie fashion), but we snagged both for under $100...  At just the right time of day, they are beautifully illuminated by sunlight streaming through the window.

And this rug, also marked down about 90%... Junebug's favorite new "toy."

Well, I'm off!  Have a lovely Tuesday, and stay tuned for more Progress!  (Hooray!)

Reluctant Progress Note: Lucky #13...

Hello! Yes, I'm still here!  Where does the time go?  Somewhere there are a bunch of rogue hours hanging out with an enormous pitcher of 'ritas...  And laughing at my expense!

These are busy, busy times for me, and there seems to be no relief in sight.  I am, therefore, trying to hone my skills in efficient blogging, which means I have to wait until I manage to steal a tiny morsel of time and then cram several posts into one!  It also means that I will have to take a rather Darwinian approach when prioritizing the details of my life... Only the strongest will live on in the blogosphere!  Already I have squandered today's free moments, so I will just share a bit of Progress with you...  That's right, I said Progress!!!

Amorous Jelly Pillow, 17" x 9".  I am deeply, deeply in love with this pillow, and I haven't decided if I can part with it yet.  It may make an appearance in my shop soon...

But it would look so nice on last week's special secret delivery from CB2...  We finally decided on a simple, functional, chocolate-brown couch!  Yeah, we settled a bit, but I think our love will only deepen in time...

I spent most of Sunday assembling this for my studio, still a work-in-progress.  Sigh... Someday I will get my act together!

Thanks to a few deliciously stormy days, my little garden is surviving (despite my best efforts to neglect and destroy it)! 

This summer is going to be full of happenings, including a top-secret trip to New York and a visit from Andy's (amazing) parents.  Our families have never met, though we have been married for three years... I am incredibly excited and anxious!   M Coast will be embarking on a tiny-tour in Fabulous Florida with Casper & the Cookies at the end of May... After a brief lull, there are suddenly a whole slew of gigs on the horizon, as well as a new album to record.  I tend to forget that I am, indeed, in a rock 'n roll band... and then the anxiety kicks in.  Unfortunately, I will be totally nutty for the next few months, until I can return to blissful denial again!

Goodness, I have so many things to share, but they will just have to wait until another day.  Thank you, lovely bloggees, for hanging in there with me!  It means an awful lot!  It may take a while, but I will be back!

p.s.

On the way out of a Chinese restaurant, Emily & I saw the most amazing thing in a gum-ball machine... It was a sticker that read, "I LOVE BLOGGING!"  I was simply floored and immediately began digging in my purse for quarters.  Sadly, neither one of us had the 50 cents that stood between us and ultimate happiness.  Sigh... Who know blogging was such a part of youth culture?  Does this mean that I am hip? 

Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon...

Hello?  Are you still there?

I am terribly sorry for my sudden disappearance!  My crazy 60-hour week unexpectedly turned into three 60-hour weeks (which I am still enduring)!  I have been so busy I could just cry, but it's all for good reason.  I was offered a full-time position at my new transatlantic photography job, and I have officially (and rather emotionally) said my goodbyes to autism.  I have pretty much been working around the clock, and I am so ready for a day off...

Which brings me to this Friday.  Tomorrow.  My first day off in three-and-a-half weeks. And... (gulp) My Thirtieth Birthday!!!!   In less than twenty-four hours, I will be a thirty year-old girl woman.  I'm ready for it.  Really.  At least I think I am...  I have been secretly celebrating and indulging all week long with little presents to myself.  Normally I would be overwhelmed with guilt, but dammit, I have been working so hard!

Here are just a few of my little surprises...

These, to which I have dedicated most of my (ridiculously scarce) free time:

These, from Anthropologie for my laundry-room doors, and this for my kitchen...

This pair and that pair for my poor feet, which have not seen new shoes in about two years... I have lived most of my life in Mary-Janes, but I found myself quite Mary-Janeless for a long time. My shoe tastes are simple, yet incredibly picky, and can be summed up as functional and little-girly...

I cheated yesterday and opened a birthday present from my Aunt Dana that arrived early in the mail (shhhh... don't tell!)... Inside the sweetly-wrapped package was this fantastic little Julie Arkell monograph (sorry, I couldn't find it on Amazon). I was not familiar with her work, but I was instantly smitten. It is so tactile and heart-breaking...

Isn't this birdie ribbon the greatest?

And this special birthday crown, which I intend to wear all day tomorrow...

There are few other very special surprises, but I will post about them soon.  I feel a bit like a ragged queen... Despite all the intense stress, there have been so many wonderful things happening (and not all in the form of material objects)! Since acquiring my little house and my little yard, I have noticed a very strange, almost uncomfortable sensation lurking about. I believe it's called happiness? Peace? Who knew it would be so amazing to sit in the yard with Junebug and spy a bright-eyed woodpecker in a tree? I have very timidly begun to "own" my tiny corner of the world, and I am feeling so incredibly grateful...  I am not accustomed to all of this goodness.

Sadly, creative endeavors are still a bit on hold, though I am hoping to resume next week.  That is, Once I Am Thirty!  I am not much of a party gal, so tonight Andy & I are planning to have dinner & drinks with Emily #1, and tomorrow a big journey to Hotlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium with Emily #2 and her beloved... (**Note: I love both of the Emilys equally... they are both #1 in my heart!)  (***Note: I hope you know I am being totally facetious when I say "Hotlanta...")  This weekend I will spend time with my much-neglected family and my garden. 

I will return a much, much older girl woman with lots of pictures!  I promise!  Have a lovely weekend!

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p.s. I woke up in love this morning...

Burst My Bubble...

Yesterday I was enjoying the peaceful serenity of a shower in my new bathroom, when suddenly I both heard and felt a deafening, dreadful rumble that could only be a tornado...  My heart pounded in my chest as I frantically jumped out of the shower, only to realize that it was just Andy testing out his beloved new surround sound!  I really could have killed him.  Really. 

Until very recently, Andy & I lived a simple life free of all the ridiculous, expensive shackles that the rest of society seemed to need so desperately... Now we have cell-phones and high-speed internet and surround sound and fancy speakers everywhere you look and... a sub-woofer.  (Can someone please tell me what the hell a sub-woofer actually is?)  I'm sure it will be fun to watch that opening scene of Lord of the Rings eight-hundred times, but do we really have to destroy the loveliness of the place where ceiling meets wall?  And will I ever get over that strange, disorienting feeling that the sound just isn't coming from the TV?  Sigh...  The whole issue has been such a point of contention that I finally just had to give in.  And now this is what I gaze at, terrible hateful thing!

An old friend of mine had this theory of life that basically said each person inhabits their own personal bubble that grows and grows (and weakens in strength) depending on the number of things and responsibilities taken on.  Well, I'd say our little bubble is nearly to bursting point!  But I'll get over it.  I'll probably be a surround-sound addict before long.  And besides, Andy is just so darned proud...  Is it just a guy thing?

On a more positive note, I do have some promised pictures, little glimpses of my new world:

Previously-mentioned bathroom that I love almost as much as Junebug!  I should mention that my last bathroom had wood paneling and exposed pipes and rusty water and an unusable bathtub...  (Note the curved shower rod... I thought Andy was crazy, but oh, how it has improved our quality of life!)

And some items recently-acquired for my new kitchen, also a vast improvement over the old one ( wood-paneling and midget-level counter-tops, among other things).  I have always wanted a mortar and pestle, which I will rarely use, but still.  I found this one at IKEA for five dollars.  The pretty Squircle plates and my new favorite mug courtesy of Urban Outfitters.  Andy just had to have the magnetic spice-rack from Target!  (Does he even use spices?)

My new kitchen sink is not encrusted with rust and stains.  Can you believe it?  Oh, and the oven actually works... hence my very first-ever cookies made from scratch.  Oatmeal cookies for everyone!  Every day!

And, oh the tremendous amount of sunlight!!!  My last two or three homes were terrible, dark, dank caves.  We have an overabundance of windows and so much light in the bedroom that we had to buy these flocked curtains from IKEA so Andy will be able to sleep in the daytime.  I'm not sure about them in the context of our bedroom, but they are pretty special.

The studio is still a terrible mess, but we have taken steps toward making it functional (a.k.a. spending lots of money at IKEA...)  We found a computer desk on super clearance, these cute rolly-chairs, and these little boxes which, in true IKEA fashion, had to be assembled, screws and all!

Who is a decision-maker?  I am!  Well, at least I decided where to hang this portrait of Andy & me (painted by  a very good egg for my second wedding anniversary...) and this ice-cream lamp from some other good eggs...

As if I wasn't busy enough, I am also trying very hard to nurture my (inept) love of gardening. Again, the inability to make decisions tends to interfere, but I have been doing what I can. The recent cold-snap pretty much destroyed all the lovely things my mom and I planted in the yard, so pictures will have to come later!   (Just imagine pink hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, and lavender...)

All the recent spending has begun to make me physically ill, so now it's time to relax a bit (though we are still searching for our soul-mate in the form of a sofa...).   Also time to focus on the studio and getting back into productive mode, which means I need to end this endless blog-post!!!  I will continue sharing pictures of my bulging bubble... and hopefully it will remain intact! 

Have a simply lovely weekend!

p.s.