post-holiday reflections

Thinking a lot about the words above today. We had a great holiday, but for the first time I can remember, I'm actually enjoying the quiet "after" more than Christmas itself. Trying to craft a space of reflection and solitude as we approach the coming year. I've had a strong sense of big changes ahead of us for awhile now, and I guess I'm trying to work my way into a place where they are possible.

Does that make any sense?

Lying here on my stomach typing, cat asleep on my back, Avett Brothers playing and candle burning in the background, it seems like I'm off to a decent start. But what is the beginning when all that exists is the present? Life and the Paradox of Being . . . so it goes.

Winter, you suit me just fine. Especially since I know spring always comes again.

--

Image via; text added by me, first found here.

a merry little (handmade) christmas

Though working long hours has left me with little time for blogging or anything else, I did manage to relish my favorite season here and there with some additional handmade projects . . .

This banner sort of just came together one Saturday a couple weeks ago. I like its sweet simplicity, and that it took next to nothing energy-wise for me to make it.

I started by covering some mini clothespins in shimmery washi tape.

The knit cord was left over handiwork from our time in Abu Dhabi. 

A couple pushpins and several craft paper letters later, and voila! Easy, chill Christmas decor.

I wish I could say this year's cards were also that simple. 

But NO. They most definitely were not. I should've known I was on dangerous terrain when I started hand-carving the lino block for the text back in early November. In my mind, the cards HAD to have white ink, and for some reason block printing seemed like the best option at the time. Let me just say: IT WAS NOT. Next time, I'm sucking it up and buying the at-home screen printing kit. While I did have fun making them (for the most part), they ended up being pretty time-consuming. 

I ended up using an oil-based watermark ink pad with white embossing powder and a heat tool to get the look I was going for with the text. It took FOREVER to get enough clear, relatively consistent prints to do even the bare minimum number of cards. 

As for the interior text, I just hand wrote it with a marker. As a former handwriting nerd/addict in my elementary school years, this was probably the easiest and most enjoyable step of the entire process.

I ordered all the photos through Postal Pix and attached them with glue dots. All other materials came from Paper Source.

Oh, except for the Nepalese paper I used to line the envelopes. (WHO DOES THIS?!? Crazy people, that's who.) That I picked up at Anthro.

In the end, I love how our cards turned out, and other people seem to enjoy them too, which counts for a lot! After all, the goal was to bring a smile to the faces of our friends and family, and I think these cards did the trick (even if I did want to stab myself in the hand with my Xacto knife on more than one occasion).

Speaking of cards, we have definitely been enjoying any and all that have come our way! They hang on the wall above the entrance to our apartment. and I love seeing them as I pass by. Joy indeed :)

it's beginning . . .

. . . to look ever-so-slightly like Christmas around here. I'm having fun taking my time this year, both out of choice and necessity. 

Lulu supervises the making of a modern yarn tree

Pom-pom making 101: From janky to halfway decent

Gold sticker garlands

Festive nail polish for an at-home manicure

Best. Thing. EVER.

We borrowed a branch from Charlie Brown's tree for these little wooden shoes

alter egos

As I was walking to work today, wool scarf and cozy parka feeling entirely inappropriate for this heat wave we're having, it occurred to me that, as of late, my main fashion goal seems to be dressing like Lindsay Weir. It's subconscious, but oh, it's happening. Considering in the past some of my favorite outfits have channeled Harriet the Spy and other tomboy-ish figures, this isn't exactly shocking. I thought it'd be fun to do the anti-Lindsay (very Emy) thing and put together a little round-up inspired by the character.

similar parka | tshirt | skinnies | loafers | tote | scarf (no longer available)

Also, maybe I don't mean "reimagined" so much as "revised and updated," but you get the gist ;)