Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Weekend Fun: At the Salsa Bar

A few weekends ago, Danielle and I played dress up as caterer's for our friend Soren's rehearsal dinner.   I was in charge of the salsa bar, dessert and beergaritas.  I had a lot of fun concocting a variety of salsas from scratch, and trying my hand at quirky signage.
Overall, our taco bar was a success and Danielle and I made a pretty good team.  Nevertheless, neither of us will be making any grand entries into the catering arena any time soon since we both realized how much work and effort it takes to cook a meal for forty.  (especially when you overestimate and actually cook a meal for eighty :-))


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Forever Friends

A few weeks ago, Adam and I decided to each design a special friendship bracelet for each other that, ideally, reflected our personalities.  We individually concepted a design and color palette and then presented our proposals, gathered feedback and got to work.  Most of this scheming took place on our way to Wisconsin, much to the dismay of the other passenger and driver.  But they were pretty good sports, especially after they banished Adam to the backseat, next to me, and proceeded to turn up the music in the front.
On my birthday, we officially exchanged bracelets.  We wanted our designs to be similar but not exact.  I love my broken chevron and how we both grounded our bracelets in cream.
It has only been a few weeks, and mine has already faded, but like a true friendship, it can have a little wear and tear and still be good.  I haven't taken it off since.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Weekend Fun:In Oronoco

This past Sunday, a group of ladies and I hit up the Oronoco Gold Rush.   As expected, many things caught my fancy, but, as usual, I left with only a handful of doilies for my ever growing collection.
 I am particularly fond of Native American Beadwork.  I love the work, detail and craftsmanship that goes into making essential items beautiful. It is an aesthetic that I value and strive to put into all my pieces. 
 If only Vintage bikes were easier to ride...
 I liked the contrast of the worn almost smooth wood paired with a clear crystal.  All so simple, humble and chic.
 Still not entirely sure what these were.  I like the shape and the color of the rust.
Pipes!!














Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Snail Mail

Lately, I have really been into snail mail.  There is something so special and sweet about receiving a home made card or a hand written note.  My birthday was a recent reminder of how much I appreciate these small gestures.  Despite our technologically savvy culture, I still make an effort to mail off something with a more personal touch. 
 I mailed this off to a good friend in a California, a thank you for a lovely day spent in San Francisco.  
On my recent visit to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, I picked up these.  I am definitely framing the tandem bike, but the others are tucked away for a special note to a special person.  From left to right the letter press companies are ilee papergoods, Wiley Valentine, and egg press.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Birthday Surprises

I celebrated my birthday a couple of weeks ago at and outside of work and it was hands down one of the best birthdays ever.  The excitement all started in the morning in my cubicle.  Lovely Danielle had adorned my workspace with a banner and crepe streamers.  As I floated in and out of my morning meetings, new fun gifts seemed  to appear.  Stuffed animals, flowers, chocolate dipped oreos, cupcakes, cat magnets, butterfly tank tops; everything was so thoughtful.  
After work, Adam, who was assigned as my birthday escort, escorted me to the Local for happy hour where a group of friends were waiting.  Drinks followed by more gifts.  I couldn't get enough of my hand tooled mahogany ring, butterfly cross stitch, crazy cat lady board game, raspberry lambic, and my very own ice luge.  Later we biked our way to dinner at the Red Stag in Northeast.   Thank you Sharon, for planning the whole event and thank you everyone for being a part of my birthday celebration!  
 By far the best gifts have been the cards.  I love that it is so blatantly obvious how well my friends know me.  Even Box Spring and Muffin surprised me with a card.  I think some of these original masterpieces may be frame worthy.  

 Zinnias, one of my favorites, from Beth
 Gourmet carrot cupcake from Jenny.
And of course a collection of cat magnets from Bubbsie. :-)  Work is already brighter 

Friday, August 19, 2011

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama.


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A Creative Offsite

A few weeks ago my team at work took 2 one hour classes at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.  The first class taught us how to make a bound book with an accordion binding and the second one was an experiment in typography and an intro into the letterpress as we each designed two letters of the alphabet resulting in a collaborative, unique and awesome piece of artwork.  Later we each got a turn to crank the press and number and sign our original pieces.  I left the building yearning to do more.  I snagged the class catalogue for fall and hope to be back soon for a more in depth study into book arts.

I am torn between using my new book as a field guide to MN butterflies, a log of cats or as a work book for friendship bracelet patterns.  There are only 36 pages.  What do you think?
Our individual letters came together to form one unified piece and are now awaiting the chance to be inked.
Once coated in ink, we can see more clearly see the definition of the lines and the patterns.
My printed original now waits to be framed.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Weekend fun: In Buffalo

This past weekend my friend Emily and I indulged ourselves in Buffalo MN at the occasional sales.  Ridiculously charming and priced to sell it was hard to not walk away with too much.  In the end, I took home a lovely frivolously gilded mirror and a handful of lace doilies.

 My new mirror, now hangs sweetly in my bedroom.
 Can you believe someone hand crocheted this?  I have done this before and let me tell you, these guys are a steal at $4!

 I love these vintage games.  One day I will sip lemonade and play croquet.
 This is such a creative way to label garden plants and use up one off silverware.  I was almost tempted to pick one up, but then stupidly pointed out to myself that I can already identify dill and don't really need to label it. 


 I was very intrigued by these tiny little books.  Each one is a collection of short stories from the early 1900's and can fit in your pocket.
 What a gorgeous pitcher! I love the design and, of course, I am a sucker for the white enamel.
This may have been my most exciting find.  Who wouldn't love a gaggle of geese posing as measuring spoons.  If only I weren't so practical about the ones I already own!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Weekend Fun: At the Uptown Art Fair

I absolutely love art fairs.  I find them incredibly inspiring and inspirational.  I often wonder "why don't I do that".  Later, when reality eeks it's way back into my brain,  I remember that I never wanted to sell my goods, for fear it may sacrifice the enjoyment factor.
Anyway, last weekend a group of gals and I took a stroll through the Uptown Art Fair.  As usual, I admired politely until I got to my favorite booth, pottery by Michael Kahn from Greenbush Michigan.  The first year I moved here I bought a piece of his pottery and have been steadily adding to my collection every year.  It is rare, that I come across an artist whose work I adore so much that I consciously begin collecting.  This year I picked up an original framed drawing, 2 mini bug bowls and a lidded bowl which is lovingly hanging out in my bathroom.



Monday, August 8, 2011

the METAMORPHOSIS LOG

Look what my friend Beth made for me!  After helping to raise Adam (the caterpillar), she rightly decided that I needed a log to keep track of my caterpillars.   It is quite possibly the best gift I have ever received.  By the end of the year, I will have a beautiful book highlighting my best bugs.  Along with pictures, I sometimes write little blurbs of interest and of course I name them all...  Enjoy!







Friday, August 5, 2011

{this moment}

Inspired by Soule Mama
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Weekend Fun: At the lake

Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up to this every day?
And to end the day like this?
Sweet Kara invited me to her annual Weekend in Wisconsin at her family lake house on gorgeous Long Lake.  As usual, I did everything and nothing at the same time.  And it was wonderful.  I think Kara summed it all up pretty well; read more about it here.