Barely Breathing

As today is my last day off work for the holidays, I thought I'd finally list my gift bags in the etsy shop. Now that Christmas is over, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's!

And, I don't care that Christmas is over, I'm keeping up my lights. :)

Deck the Halls

Christmas came early this year for me and Corban; we spent the last two days in Sherman with family and are already back home in Dallas snuggling with our babykitties and looking forward to spending the 25th together, just the four of us. It was so lovely to hang out with our families without any distractions or pressing schedules. Plus, gifts are always fun to give as well as receive (my hand-painted gift bags were a great success!); we were able to gift our loved ones with some pretty handy items, and we were given tons of awesome kitchen stuff from both families that we are super stoked to use. :)

Oh, and someone gave me a little blue box for Christmas. What could be sweeter?

In case you haven't heard it enough, Merry Christmas! And, my best wishes for safety, health, merriment, and love. :)

Starlight

I had the time of my life last night when Corban and I made it onto the KISS CAM at the Star's game!! Every game we go to, we both secretly really want to get onto the kiss cam, so we were beyond stoked when we got to make out on camera last night. I'm still smiling about it. :)

Plus, our seats were beyond awesome.

Aeroplane

I haven't been happy with my site designs for some time now, so I gave my blog a little makeover today! I hope everyone likes it. :) I'm planning to revamp the etsy site soon, so stay tuned.

The past few weeks I have been workingworkingworking on hand-painted gift bags for all the lovely Christmas presents we're giving to family and friends. I love the personal touch that unique, wrapping gives to the ceremony of gift-giving, which is one of my favorite things, so this has been a really fun process for me. There were some leftover bags, so I've decided to put them up in the shop later this week. I even got excited and busted out a few Valentines bags! I'll post when they're up, but for now here's a preview.

Watching LA Ink like gangbusters today + feeling impulsive lately = I really want a fun new tattoo! Maybe a sweet little heart? I lurrrrrve Katie's adorable elbow hearts.

Maybe as a fun way to start the new year. :)

Tonight Tonight

Happy belated Thanksgiving! Just stopped by to let you guys know that Bubble Addict was featured in a treasury by Dpad called Go Gamers.

Go check it out...maybe you will find a Christmas gift for that special gamer in your life? Remember to shop local today!

Greensleeves

With Black Friday and the "official" holiday shopping season close upon us, I wanted to put in my two cents and urge everyone to...

(banner courtesy A Beautiful Mess)

There are so many independent local shops all over the US, not to mention the hundreds of online crafters and vintage collectors that provide unique products and personal shopping experiences. Often these sellers struggle to make a living while doing what they love, and this holiday season you can say NO to anonymous chains and YES to supporting small businesses by shopping local/handmade for holiday gifts for your loved ones.

Get creative this year! Grab a friend or family member and go on a hunt for those special one-of-a-kind gifts! I for one am super excited to visit Frocks Boutique, Vintage Martini, and of course Etsy for my holiday gift-giving needs.

What are some of your favorite local businesses? :)

Carol of the Bells

Trying out a new font. Like?

I may be a few days early, but I've already started the Christmas music. Carol of the Bells is my absolute, all time, hands-down-kick-his-ass favorite. Acoustic, a capella, and anything in between...I melt every time.

Speaking of Christmas, I have my very first Christmas-themed painting up in the shop!

This piece is called White Elephant and is a testament to my hatred for all holiday gift swap games. White Elephant, Dirty Santa, Chinese Christmas (is that some how racist? probably), Yankee Swap...I don't care what you call it, it is not fun and I will not come to your party.

All the hipsters will be proud of me, I recently made my very first vintage purchases!

A 1978 Mardi Gras t-shirt and a 1960's happy jacket. I think I'm in love.

I can't wait to spend Wednesday baking and Thursday in a food coma. Time to fatten up for the winter.

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
"Throw cares away."

:)

Beautiful Disaster

Omg, you guys, I was reading through my old blog from 2003 and came upon this lovely "poem" that I wrote:

The grass is always greener on the other side
But their reasons are not mine
It's all too cliché for words
Don't rain on my parade

When you speak, you've opened up a can of worms
And it's a horse of a different color
You never know what not to say
The cat's out of the bag

Dr. Seuse had the right idea
One fish, two fish
Red fish, blue fish
I'm trying to count my many blessings

I've reaped what I've sown
Washed my mouth out with soap
Bitten my tongue
What goes around comes around

Whoa. I was all kinds of awesome in high school. You have no idea. But, seriously, it reminded me how open and ready to create and challenge ourselves we all were. I don't know how or why it happens, but it seems that these walls get built up the older we get, maybe to protect ourselves, or to convince the world that we are "adults" who "have it together." But, all this accomplishes is to stifle our creativity and push us closer away from who we really are. I'd like to get that freeness, that vulnerability back somehow. I'd like to be a kid again.

I guess the closest we can ever get is to try to be as open and as true to ourselves as possible. To not let responsibilities and age get us down. After all, I'm still relatively young. I've got time.

Anywho, now for my original intention: to share my newest creation! Just finish this morning. Hot off the press. Fresh out of the oven. Etc. This is Polar Bear's Birthday.

I've been working on the piece forever, never feeling that it was right...until this morning. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out and ready to see where this new style is headed. Because honestly, I have no control over it whatsoever.

Well, I gotta go now. I've got a lotta bouncin' to do! Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! T-T-F-N: ta-ta for now!

About A Girl

I have been working on a personal cookbook for the past couple years, but as of late it has kind of fallen into shambles. So, I have been spending time this week cleaning it up, typing out some of my favorite recipes, and trying some new desserts. My newest creation (something I have made before, but like the cupcakes is a seasonal thing) is my Great-Grandmother's Persimmon Cookies.

They are so delicious, there seriously are not words.

In other news, Corban, Daniel, and Stephen recently filmed a new short, Say Nothing.

I have to say that my favorite character is the stud in the red jacket...yum! Seriously, though, they did an excellent job, and I am really looking forward to what they will come up with next. :)

Glitter in the Air

Why are the last two months of the year so busy? I barely have a free moment from now until New Years. Or, it feels that way, at least. The past week has been no exception, full of some sweet and some bitter sweet moments...

...Saying goodbye to a good friend (bitter sweet.) Matt (we're related!...we'll just call it second cousins) and his lady friend Brit left for Irvine, California late last week. They are two of the most relaxed, accepting people that I have known, and I will miss them very much. I was delighted that I was able to spend one last evening drinking, visiting, and generally shooting the breeze with Matt and the guys. Mister and I are already planning to drop by sunny California for a visit soon.

...Attending a Joshua Radin concert (sweet) at House of Blues with Hope. His voice is even more melt-tasitc in person. We were dangerously close to swooning on several occasions.

Redecorating my side of the office (neither sweet, nor bitter sweet, just long over due!) There is definitely still more to do, but everything is now organized and functional (as it should have been a year ago.) I am planning to make some Christmas pompoms, or maybe some bunting in the next couple weeks. :)

Watching the leaves turn (sweet.) When we moved in a year ago, the trees outside the office were beautiful reds and golds; I have been anxiously waiting to see those colors again. Well, the trees are finally turning! Fall colors make me so happy, and I am thrilled to be able to look out the window and enjoy my own little piece of the season.

And, last but not least, baking pumpkin flavored desserts (super sweet!) Lovelovelove pumpkin ANYTHING. I spent a good part of the morning making these Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes by Emma of Red Velvet fame. Obviously my icing fell short of expectations, but the cake is so moist and delicious...I am very proud of myself for just having one (even so, I have a sugar rush like whoa!) Persimmon Cookies coming later this week. :)

I look forward to much more sweet and bitter before the year is up. Hopefully there will be much more of the former. For now, I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving next week (an excuse to make another batch of those cupcakes!) and plans are still in the works to get a new piece posted in ye olde shoppe by the end of the week. Ivy is helping me. :) Enjoy the weather, kids, it's sure to turn nasty soon.

Suspension

Yesterday, an oldie but a goodie, The Last Dolphin was featured in this super sweet treasury by Night Owl Craft Works (or their daughter, anyway.)

This treasury is absolutely adorable, so please go over and give it some commenty love!

In an unrelated note: this is my 100th blog post! Is that a thing? Should there be balloons? This is possibly the only thing that I have committed to for more than a few months at a time, so I guess I should be proud?

Yay, 100 blogs!

I will now watch Parks and Recreation until mister takes me to brunch. I am so hungry.

Immovable

The stars finally aligned this weekend to allow Corban, Connie, Olivia, and me to visit some of their family in Houston. I do not exaggerate when I say that these are some of the most creative, warm, hospitable people I have ever met. We had a wonderful time visiting, eating, and generally being merry. Olivia and Aunt Laura even graced us with a beautiful song!

Now that I have a bit more "free" time, I have been following creative blogs like gangbusters and recently came upon musician Jeremy Larson. I would highly recommend checking out his album Salvation Club, which is FREE here. His integration of strings (especially the cello) melts my heart. I am also completely obsessed with his finance Elsie's blog, A Beautiful Mess. Their talent and creativity is truly inspiring.

New pieces (nature show inspired!) are in the works, hoping to get something up in the shop early next week.

Stay tuned.

Out Of My System

This past week I have tackled the Great Office Re-Organization/Decoration. I've never been happy with the space, and I figure that there's no way I can work in it if I don't even want to be in it. As I enjoy a good craft from time to time, I decided to use this tutorial from Smile and Wave to make myself some rockin' pompoms (no other pompom in the history of the earth has ever been "rockin", but I somehow managed it.) Voila!

So freakin' crafty.

Bittersweet Symphony

Halloween has come and gone, and with it some valuable lessons. The biggest one being that I hate-hate-hatey-hate wearing wigs and will never do so again. Bearing that in mind, feast your eyes on the only time ever that you will see me with black hair (aka Mrs. Mia Wallace):

Mr. Johnson was smarter than I - he dressed up as "Guy In Hoodie". Behold, the Unabomber:

My favorite costume was probably Kim Jong-Il. Who apparently has a thing for ballerinas. Who knew?

Well, glad that's over! Now I can just go back to being boring ol' me. Happy Post-Halloween Autumn!

Your Sweet Boom

Lately I have been desperate for inspiration; sadly, inspiration must be mad at me because he hasn't returned my calls. Lucky for me, this morning I ran in to him without even expecting it, at the Art Mind etsy store. These emotion statues are eloquent and thoughtful (not to mention a little smarmy at times.) They look more grown than made. Right now, my feeling is Frustrated.

But, who knows, maybe I can entice inspiration to stick around a while?

Completely Exposed

Did I not promise you that there would, indeed be more?

Ta-da! Pumpkin Carving up in the shop just in time to not get to you in time for Halloween. However, it is my opinion that this little guy would be an excellent addition to any family Thanksgiving dinner.

I really ought to finish cleaning my side of the office (mister's is always spick as well as span), but I think I might just curl up with a couple baby kitties and finish up Great Expectations. What book are you working on this week?

Keep On The Sunnyside

Day 6 is going really well. I'd elaborate, but I've still got a few hours (and another Ranger's game) to go. I can, however, give you a preview.

Drumroll, please...

...the dry spell is over! I just got a new painting up in the store: Lickity Split.

And there's more where that came from. I'll keep you posted.

Proof of Life

Proof that I have a painting being shown in public:

Proof that we went to Worldfest and saw our Astoria ladies:

Proof that I saw a beautiful sunrise:

Proof that Ivy is slowing trying to suffocate Harley:

Day 1

In no particular order:

Went for 1 run.

Smoked 0 cigarettes.

Drank 0 alcoholic beverages.

Ate 0 meals comprised of nutritionally void "food" product.

Started 1 thought experiment meant to aide in deciding What I Want To Be When I Grow Up.

Purchased 1 wig for Halloween costume (and thwarted mister's designs to get me in a "sexy" outfit.)

Read 3 more chapters of Great Expectations (which, by the way, is shaping up to be an extremely entertaining novel...love me some Victorian literature.)

Completed 3-5 useful sketches for future possible paintings.

Listened to 1 rockin' musician Emmaline at Dunn Bros.

Purchased 1 cookbook about pies n' tarts (the dessert kind.)

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with October 23, 2010. Now I am enjoying the photographic stylings of Lauren Pinson (and being a little jealous that I can't take such lovely pictures.)

G'night.

**PS**

I bet you though I've forgotten about the shop. I have not. I am scheming a scheme in days gone by. New and hopefully exciting things to come soon.

Casino Clouds

Today is my second day back to work after a five day vacation with my mister to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. We stayed in Austin for a couple days, then came back home and generally lazed about. It was wonderful and romantic - a very sorely needed chance to catch up, relax, and just enjoy being with one another...

Also, a good excuse to eat lots of fabulous food and watch lots of Rangers games.

He surprised me with champaign, roses, and a gigantic suite with a view...

...and dinner at Wink!

The Antelope was freaking fabulous.

We spent an after noon eating and reading on a porch.

Oh, and the Rangers won a couple times. :)

Glad to get a break tonight from cheering on the Rangers. Love my boys, but they are wearing me out! I am now going to enjoy some Haagen Dazs Peach Sorbet. :)

Just So You Know

Food is good. Food sustains. But passion gives life. Passion is something that enables us to leave some things behind while fighting for greater things, and to experience what we were meant to. What a sad day it would be if we all forsook our passion just to put food on our tables.

-Shaun Menary

Inspiring words from an amazing photographer. Check out his site.

Oh, To Grace How Great A Debtor...

...daily I'm constrained to be.

Green Light

Want to hear something kind of awesome? You know that last treasury that featured Put Them To Sleep? It totally made it to the front page of Etsy. Yes, that's right. I was on the front page of Etsy. Kind of freaking awesome. :)

A Little Bit More

The nine-to-five is not so generous a schedule for those of us who have all our energy in the morning. I wake up ready to tackle all my personal goals and generally kick ass/take names. I come home and all I want to do is vegg on the couch with a glass of wine. No cooking. No cleaning. No painting. Mindlessness. Which is perhaps why my apartment is currently in shambles.

Today will bite, but the evening is sure not to disappoint.

"The night is passing! Day shall come again!"

Love, your friendly neighborhood Chelle

Another Day

Oh, I am so hungry! Waiting for Puppay to come home so we can cook dinner together can be difficult. Pasta with tomato and meat sauce....mmmm. Guess I'll just have to have some wine and watch a little Sex and the City while I wait. Life is tough sometimes. :)

My favorite piece (listen to me playing favorites), Put Them To Sleep was just featured in another fabulous treasury, Queen of Hearts Goes Black! Lots of gothic reds and blacks. Go check it out, maybe leave a comment (hint hint.)