1.29.12

Future Rockstar

I was able to finish and turn in my "Future Rockstar" basket that was featured in a couple of my previous posts this evening.  It always feels good to finish a large project.  This one is headed to the Shiel Mardi Gras celebration as a silent auction basket.  It is a wonderful fundraiser for our church that Dane and I have truly enjoyed being a part of when we have been able to attend.

In other news Dane had an audition today.  This probably would seem normal to most musicians, and two years ago would have been completely normal to us, too.  However, I view this one as a special blessing to our family because it was the first time he sang an aria in public since his surgery a year ago.  What made it even more special was that he said it went really well.  The past year was full of uncertainty, however, I believe that it has also made Dane and I more focused on and thankful for the blessings that we have been given each and every day.  

1.28.12

Movie Night

I love Audrey Hepburn movies.  Sabrina has to be one of my favorites along with Charade and My Fair Lady.  Needless to say, they aren't exactly Dane's favorites.  So after Dane left for work, I let my inner hopeless romantic out and popped in this classic.  I'm pretty sure Dane's equivalent are scary movies.  (Although, I'm sure he would switch out the wine for a beer or scotch.)

While I would much rather prefer to spend time with my lovely husband, it is nice to once in a while have an evening where I completely veg out on the couch and watch movies.  Since I'm down to only a few days before grad school kicks off again, I'm trying to take as much time as I can to relax before all of the reading, writing, and running start up again.  This is especially true since I'll be starting my thesis this semester.  The crazy thing is, I'm actually looking forward to it.  But in the mean time, I'm going to enjoy my wine and hopelessly romantic movies.

1.27.12

Road Trip: Madison

Yesterday, Dane and I headed up to Madison, WI to see Galileo Galilei by Phillip Glass. The Overture Center for the Arts is truly a beautiful building housing the Museum of Contemporary Art, Opera, Symphony Orchestra, Ballet, and more.  The best part was we were able to watch our friends perform! 

When Dane was in grad school we met so many wonderful people that have become wonderful friends.  Unfortunately, many of them now live far away. Now any time we have the opportunity to see them, we take full advantage of it.  While I may not be musically talented like many of our friends, I am forever grateful that Dane is and introduced me to them.  They have brought so much joy, laughter, and excitement to my life.

1.26.12

Cirque de 2nd Graders

To most people this would probably be a colorful mess of pipe cleaners, felt, feathers, and beads.  To my second graders and me, it's a circus!  I know I have already posted about how amazingly creative children are, but everyday they surprise and inspire me with their ideas.  

For our sculpture unit, I introduced Alexander Calder's Wire Circus sculptures as inspiration.  I taught them how to make basic animal and people forms and from there our circus was born.  We had tight rope walkers, ring masters, monkeys, tigers, and this adorable elephant.  I absolutely love the blue feather ears and the curled trunk.  

When they made their people and animals their own, I went against all teaching logic and it felt wonderful!  I spread out a plethora of supplies and got out of their way.  We structure so much of our students time with activities, projects and lesson plans that are incredibly detailed.  I'm not denying that structure and detail are necessary parts of life.  I'm just hoping that I can strike a healthy balance between structure and free rein.

1.25.12

The Tower

I pass Sears/Willis Tower twice during my daily commutes.  For some reason I have always wished I could pull over and take a picture of it.  I guess today was my lucky day since I was stuck in a bit of traffic...glass half full right?

The funny thing is, like the lake, I try and make a point to notice it at least once during my drive.  I'm afraid that it will become so normal that I don't even realize I'm passing it any more.  It sounds silly but I'm sure there are many others out there who could probably think of something that they pass or see everyday but never really look at or notice is even there.  

1.24.12

Needle and Thread

One of my favorite songs Needle and Thread by Sleeping At Last has really been speaking to my heart lately.  It goes...

"You were a million years of work,"

said God and his Angels with needle and thread.

They kissed your head and said, 

"You're a good kid, and you make us proud. 

So just do your best and the rest will come,

And we'll see you soon."

This is such a beautiful image to me and I often think about it when I'm sewing.  What wonderful and positive words of encouragement to think that God tells us we are good, we make him proud, and to give this whole crazy thing we call life our best shot.  I was very fortunate to have parents that told me I was a good kid and I made them proud.  This song verse reminds me that all of those times my parents spoke those kind words and all of the other times that my husband, family, and friends lift me up with words of encouragement they are really speaking God's words and sharing His love.  So those days where I am frustrated, tired, and overwhelmed I try to remember that I just have to do my best...that's all God's asking of me.

1.23.12

Winter Branches

While I would much rather see trees full of green leaves, I do love to look up through the empty branches in the winter.  Nature has an interesting way of using lines.  This picture is almost like an optical illusion to me.  Although I know they are tree branches, I can also see how it looks like the veins on a leaf or even arteries on some sort of biological picture.  I say this and then see my own irony.  The branches are like arteries carrying nutrients to the rest of the tree.  

This is definitely an image I would like to revisit every season.  Just to see the dramatic change that takes place throughout the year.  I love images of nature.  I love seeing how different things change with each season and how they adopt different textures, colors, and lines without any human interference.  It's amazing to think that this tree that is currently dormant and bare will soon wake up, grow leaves that will beautifully provide shade for so many, and then turn a beautiful red-orange before completing the cycle all over again.  It just seems so hopeful and beautiful. 

1.22.12

Piecing it all together

When I don't have a creative project of some sort going I notice that I start to get more stressed and easily frustrated.  Lately my goals have been focused on getting grad school work done, but today I busted out my rotary cutters, fabric, and straight pins.  I have a week and a half until my classes start again.  That means a week and a half to get my creative "fix."

Currently, my project goal is to put together a "Future Rockstar" baby boy basket for a silent auction.  The past couple of years we have been blessed to have several friends bring little bundles of beautiful joy into their families.  Needless to say, I've had the opportunity to practice my sewing skills on baby projects the past couple of years.  

Beginning a project can be both daunting and exciting.  To me it seems like it takes forever to get everything cut out, pinned together, ironed, and appliqued.  However, once it's all pieced together it seems to go together quicker than I expect.  I am starting to view these beginning stages as life lessons in patience and process.  Maybe by carefully piecing all of the little details together now, everything else will come together quicker than I ever expected. 

(Disclaimer: We are not thinking about having our own little bundle of joy soon.  Please see the first paragraph where I mention that I'm in grad school.)  ;)

1.21.12

Winter Wonderland

Today it is safe for me to say that I like snow, as long as my family and I are not driving in it!  Between Dane's three hour drive home from teaching voice students and my two and a half hour drive I didn't have many warm fuzzy feelings toward snow.  That being said, I love looking at fresh snow that hasn't been touched, trampled, or discolored.  I don't think our poor little Boston Terrier feels the same.  She now stands about five feet away from us when we pick up her leash to go outside.

Completely switching gears, I really love how just moving a few inches can completely change the outcome of a picture.  When I saw the snow built up on the railing of a neighboring apartment complex I knew I wanted to capture it.  The first few pictures I took were at eye level with the snow.  Simply moving my camera down about three inches brought the top of the railing out of the middle "dead zone" and allowed me to capture more of the ornate parts below the railing.  I've been trying to challenge myself to explore different viewpoints for my pictures and have enjoyed many of the results.

1.20.12

Spelling Bee

Today we had our school spelling bee to see who would represent our students at the district spelling bee. While only a third grader would get to move on to the next round, our first and second graders had the opportunity to get up on the stage and compete with words at their grade level.  I was called up last minute to be one of the judges that calls out the words.  I have an incredible amount of respect for these kids.  It's intimidating enough to get up on stage in front of your peers.  The impressive part is that many of the students are in a bilingual or transitional classroom.  That means most of the day they are speaking and reading in Spanish.  

When it came down to the final two third graders the other two judges and I were actually trying, with much difficulty ourselves, to give them difficult words.  Each tough word we gave them they powered through.  With only five minutes until the end of the school day one of the students slipped up on a word.  The other student was able to take the win.  

I was incredibly happy for the student who had won.  However, what broke my heart was the student who was the first runner up didn't realize how amazing she had been.  She didn't see that out of sixty third graders, she came in second, which is incredibly impressive considering most of her day she speaks and reads in a completely different language from the one she was being quizzed.  I truly pray that once the sting of defeat was gone that she was able to look at today as an amazing hurdle that she jumped with grace and poise.

1.19.12

Chocolate Ice Cream with Sprinkles

It really doesn't take much to talk me into ice cream.  Considering this is the second sweet treat I've posted, it's safe to say I have a bit of a sweet tooth.  I know...I know it's horrible for me.  I'll probably have to run several miles just to burn it all off but I feel like it's an even exchange.

The thing is these pictures have made be incredibly nostalgic at times.  After I take the picture and edit it, I look at it for a bit thinking about what it says to me and about me.  I definitely inherited my sweet tooth from my mom.  Looking at this picture reminds me of all of the times we would go to Custard Cup and get ice cream after school or drive thirty minutes into town at 10:00 at night to get milkshakes from Steak 'n' Shake.  Was it nutritionally necessary to eat ice cream in the middle of the night? Probably not, but I wouldn't change it for the world because those were some of the best talks and memories with my mom.

1.18.12

Guilty Pleasure

I won't lie...I love reading the Martha Stewart magazine.  It's definitely my biggest guilty pleasure.  I love all of the home, craft, cooking, and sewing ideas.  Functional art has always been something that I have gravitated to.  To me it's really rewarding to create something from nothing.  And while my kitchen will probably never look like it came straight out of her magazine, I do enjoy trying to make everyday items just a little bit more special. 

1.17.12

Painting

I love how excited kids get when I tell them we are going to do a painting project.  There's something about the colors, texture, and pure messiness of it that is exciting.  Children's art has to be one of the most creative, uninhibited styles.  Pablo Picasso even went to exhibitions of children's art work.  After seeing the children's work he said, "When I was their age, I could draw like Raphael, but it took me a lifetime to draw like them."

Today I showed one of my student's art works to his teacher.  He had done a really great job on his project and she walked in as I was collecting it.  While the other students were talking and laughing, his teacher asked me if I knew of any children's art classes in the area.  We were talking about how he is very creative and has a talent for art when I happend to glance over at him and realized that he had been listening to us.  What melted my heart was the sweet smile that was on his face.  It's moments like that that jolt me out of the routine of my day and remind me how much I truly love teaching art.

1.16.12

Paper Cranes

During my undergrad my dear friend, Julie and I took our social studies methods class together.  Not only did we get to hear how much our teacher loved Eleanor Roosevelt, we also had to create a social studies unit around a novel.  By luck of the draw we picked the novel Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.   It's a true children's story about a young girl who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and later developed leukemia from the radiation.  During her time in the hospital she began folding paper cranes hoping to make one thousand.  Her goal of one thousand cranes came from the Japanese legend that the one who created one thousand cranes would be granted a wish.  Today people will fold a thousand paper cranes and leave them at the statue of Sadako in Japan with a wish for peace.

One of the lessons Julie and I created was an art lesson where students would fold paper cranes.  Granted my folding isn't always perfect and crisp, but I have enjoyed creating these delicate little creatures ever since.   I have several of them hanging from a mobile in my living room.  It's amazing how relaxing it is to sit back and watch the brightly colored little cranes flying around in circles.  Whenever I see them I think about how it's pretty impressive that a little girl unknowingly used art to promote peace.  Then I think of Julie and I joking about how our teacher would often exclaim, "Oh, that Eleanor!"

1.15.12

Hem Line

Hand sewing a hem into six pairs of pants makes me appreciate my sewing machine so much.  About half way through my "little" project I couldn't help but think about how tough life would have been a) before sewing machines and b) before I could go to the mall and purchase ready-to-wear pants.  The thought of hand sewing everything I wear is exhausting.

I often have two thoughts come to my mind, "I could do that myself," or the similar line, "I could make that myself." The problem is my to do list is getting longer than my free time.  I mean, I have a craft board on pinterest that continues to grow with project ideas.  Not to mention that these pants sat on my craft table for almost a month before I could get to them.  The thing is, I take this as a good problem to have.  I always have something to look forward to and a new creative problem to figure out.  I also believe that I am not alone in feeling this.  For now I'm just going to be proud of myself for saving a ton of money by hemming these pants myself!

1.14.12

Evergreen

On my way to the laundry room today I couldn't help but notice the beautiful blue-green color of the Evergreen juxtaposed against the bright, sparkly snow. It seemed so fresh and hopeful.  

This sense of hopefulness has to be one of my favorite things about January.  I love the thought of having a whole year ahead of me to accomplish goals, experience new things, and spend time with family and friends.  I'm sure there will be roadblocks, but that's part of life.  Dane and I have had our fair share of dilemmas over the past couple of years, however in all of those situations I found we always had hope...and an amazing support system of family and friends.

I also love that you can almost sense this hopefulness in others, like a glow.  It's almost like people have a sense that this is their chance to make a change for the better.  I pray that the hopeful glow doesn't fade and that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. 

1.13.12

Life

I absolutely love how Bella always has to be right smack dab in the middle of whatever Dane and I are doing. If we are cooking dinner, she is right under foot. If I want to work on my computer she will practically sit on the keyboard until I move it. 

Tonight was no different. Dane and I decided to play the game of Life tonight and Bella had to check it out for herself. I'm pretty sure the auto insurance in the game does not cover monster dogs stepping on your car. She has engrained herself in our lives so much that I can't imagine it any other way!

1.12.12

Diamonds

I know I'm not the only one in the area who feels that this has been a crazy winter.  Two days ago it was 50 degrees outside....today I was able to take a picture of fresh snow.  As much as I may dislike snow because it hinders my travel, there is something special about it.  I remember this on the first snow fall of the year when I see no less than 6-8 kids spontaneously run from their seats and look outside to see the snow.  Their faces are so sweet as they turn and yell, "It's snowing!!" This causes at least one or two more to run over to make sure it really is snowing. It's pretty adorable.  

I think I love this winter event so much because it reminds me to stop and be fascinated by the beauty falling from the sky.  It makes me remember to stop once and a while and view the world from a child's point of view.  When I was little I loved going out to the shop with my dad.  There were always so many interesting things to see.  I remember walking to the shop with dad one afternoon after it snowed and noticing how glittery the new snow was.  It was so bright it hurt my eyes, but that didn't stop me from pretending that I was walking on a carpet of diamonds.  I felt like the richest little girl in the world.

1.11.12

Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese has to be one of my absolute favorite meals.  As far as I'm concerned it's the ultimate comfort food. Every time we make it I feel like I'm either a) a kid again or b) back in my college apartment with Julie and Aly.  Then again, this isn't exactly the blue box mix.

What I'm even more thankful for is that Dane is always so willing to help out, especially since I've started grad school.  After I've spent the week working, doing homework, and going to class I can't explain how wonderful it is to hear, "How about mac and cheese tonight?" or "Dinner's almost ready." Like I said in another post, meal times are so important to me, not only because I absolutely love food, but also because I look forward to spending time with Dane.  It's just so refreshing to be able to slow down and enjoy our time together. 

Now if Bella would only clean the apartment while Dane and I aren't home.

1.10.12

1:1 Coffee

When I was at my undergraduate I was a resident assistant.  I've always been thankful for that experience.  I met a lot of great people and it was a nice icebreaker that helped Dane and I start talking to each other when we happened to have the same class.  

While I was an RA I would meet each week with my hall director for a one on one.  I was incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful director that helped me plan a fundraiser supporting the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  We survived housing and dining team building trips and learned that in St. Louis, snow cones came in the flavors of cherry, lime, and purple.  What I feel even more fortunate about is that TK and I still carry on our tradition of having one on ones today.

On my way home I started thinking about how I am so blessed to have friends from so many different chapters of my life.  Each group reminds me of great memories and it is exciting to see how our friendships have grown and changed over the years.  

1.9.12

Airplanes Over Lake Michigan

I will be the first to admit that this isn't my strongest photo and there is an incredible amount of noise in it, however, I had to at least give it my best effort to capture the airplanes.  

The three little dots in the sky over Lake Michigan are the airplanes that are lined up and preparing to land.  I love to see them when I take Bella out for a walk and have counted up to seven all lined up.  I can't help but daydream a little when I see the little faux-constellations.  My mind begins to wander and I start to wonder, "Where they are coming from? Why are they on the plane? I wonder how many are coming home and how many are leaving it."  Then I start to daydream about being on the plane coming home from New York with Dane and Linda.  I remember seeing all of the lights and shortly after, our excitement that Dane had received an offer to go to a young artist program that summer.  

I know my wonderings will never be answered but every time I see them I smile and hope that at least one person on the plane is on their way home.

1.8.12

Singer

I love this old sewing machine.  It was my moms and if I remember right one of her wedding gifts.   I made 4-H projects and practiced the sewing skills I learned from my grandma and Aunt Bonnie.  It's one of my favorite things in our apartment.

  Mom has often asked me, "Wouldn't you like a newer model...one that does embroidery and stuff?"  I will most likely always say no.  The memories I have with this one are way to important for me to move on to a fancier one.  Plus, let's be honest...I'm not exactly ready for Project Runway.  This one does everything I need.

About a year after I married and moved out, mom generously gave her sewing machine to me.  I would love to tell you I jumped in and picked up right where I left off, but I can't.  In all honesty it sat for about a year on my craft table, except for the occasional ripped seam. Thankfully, my close friend, Hannah unknowingly encouraged me to pick up sewing again.  After talking to her and hearing about how she was making a few pieces, I decided to thread it up and try it again.  I am thankful to say I am once again hooked.  I've been able to make baby gifts, household items, and even a skirt.  Thanks to Hannah and my mom, this vintage beauty keeps stitching together more memories for me. 

1.7.12

Adorable

This had to be one of the sweetest movies I've seen in a while.  This is also considering that the last movie I saw was "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."  Very good, but incredibly disturbing at times.

  But back to the zoo...this seriously has to be the dream of young children everywhere.  I mean I'm in my twenties and I still will ask Dane if I can get a pet penguin or monkey once in a while to which he will patiently reply, no.  I figure it never hurts to ask.  The little girl had to be one of the cutest kids I've ever seen.  I'm also a sucker for Matt Damon ever since I read his speech to teachers at a Save our Schools rally.  Yeah, sure it was a little predictable at times, but it was definitely a beautiful, feel good movie.  What made it even better was that I got to see it with a great friend. 

One week of pictures down!

1.6.12

Walking at Sunset

I will admit this picture doesn't do the sunset I saw tonight justice.  I know it was pretty good when Dane comes home and asks me if I saw the sunset.  (P.S. I also like long walks on the beach.)  That being said, this wasn't the picture I had intended on posting tonight.  I went on a long walk with Bella (not on the beach) and had planned on taking a picture from one of the first places I experienced the north shore.  Don't worry...I'll probably post that picture later on in the year. 

Being open to change has to be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding lessons to learn as an artist, or maybe it's just me.  When I get a creative spark, I can almost see the finished project in my mind.  I can turn it and see it from all sides.  Then I start to create and something changes.  Sometimes it doesn't look at all like what I had envisioned.  I'm starting to realize that this can be a beautiful blessing.  (Other times I begrudgingly get out a new piece of clay.) Now if I could only learn this lesson in other areas of life!

1.5.12

Holly Berries

I was walking Bella today and saw these beautiful planters of red and green.  I know Christmas is over but I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of them.  I love photography apps.  It's pretty crazy to me that I can take and edit pictures on my phone.  You also have to realize this is coming from the person who has distinct memories of using their mom's cell phone in a bag...yep a bag.  Oh, and my dad totally had the grey Zac Morris phone.  You know the one.

Lately, I've been using Instagram.  I love it because it's part photo editor and part social media.  The only down fall is that I wish it had more editing options.  That being said, I have been pairing it with other photo apps such as Color Splash and Photoshop Express and getting some interesting results.  My next goal is to try and get to know Hipstamatic a little more.  There are so many film, flash, and lens options that is seems a little daunting.  However, I have seen some pretty awesome pictures that others have taken and I'm pretty excited to give it a try!

1.4.12

Brunch Date

I'm a sucker for food....especially sweets.  I mean who can say no to cinnamon apples, cream cheese, almonds all on top of a toasted english muffin and served on an awesome brown speckled diner plate. Yum.  

As good as the gooey bun was, what was better was that I was able to share it with Dane on a date.  Since I started grad school and he has rehearsal, we often will just miss each other in the craziness of life.  That being said, it makes the days, evenings, dinners, dates that we have together all that more special.  I relish those times.  Yeah, I would love to get in shape, but sharing a gooey bun with my husband on a date is worth all of those extra minutes at the gym.  

1.3.12

Hello, Lake!

I absolutely love living within walking distance from Lake Michigan.  It is like an old friend.  I grew up in the middle of a cornfield (literally) and moved to the Chicago area shortly after I married my lovely husband, Dane.  We love living up here and being a train ride away from art, opera, baseball, football, and great food. (Can you tell what drives this household!) That being said, there are times that I miss the openness of the country.  I love that I can look across the lake for miles like I used to be able to do sitting on the front porch at home.  Although the scenery is completely different, it still feeds that need for space.  

1.2.12

Lazy Bella

Bella is our little social butterfly. When my neighbor and close friend, Amy, and I go on walks she will often joke that I know most of the dog owners on our block.  This is probably true.  The funniest part is we are identified by our dog's names.  I'll often hear, "Oh, you're Bella's owner" when I'm walking her.  I think she might know more people in the neighborhood than I do.

It's really funny how a furry, four legged animal can completely take over your home and your heart.  Considering she can easily clear a room in no time, Bella definitely does not fall under the "fresh" category.  However, Dane and I can both agree that she has blessed our lives.  It took me a year to convince him that we should get a dog, now I'm pretty sure both of us are completely head over heels for her.  I can also safely say that this will probably not be the last time you see her here!

1.1.12

So long 2011...Hello 2012!

As I was checking out one of my latest loves, Pinterest, I came across the 365 days in pictures challenge.  Being a visual person, I'm most excited to look back at the end of 2012 to see what was important, challenging, and just plain beautiful.  Also, I feel like it will be a great way to keep myself accountable for my new years resolutions.

Each month the developer of the challenge will be giving a word that can be used as inspiration/interpretation.  This month the word is "fresh".  My personal goal starting out was to photograph things that were beautiful or remind me how blessed I am.  I do want to continue to use beauty and blessings as inspiration, however, I think it could be fun to interpret the word of the month as well.  

I can't help but think of how extremely blessed I am to begin this pictorial journey and new year surrounded by friends and family. Although I often find that my friends are miles away, I am comforted that we can pick up right where we left off.  

What's more beautiful than that?