Lilac Saloon

TEMARI

Wowww I love cool new things!!!!  Or rather - new to ME, and therefore, EXCITING AND INSPIRATIONAL!!

Have you ever heard of Japanese Temari?  I think that instead of explain it, I will show you and let the amazing photos speak for themselves!  (Let me give credit to the following websites: http://www.temari.com/index.htm and http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/14 )

 

 

Typealyzer

Does my blog have a personality?  Apparently it can be analyzed and summed up using Typealyzer!  All you do is enter in your url and it gives you the personality of your blog (and therefore, style of communication?).

Here's me... It sounds pretty close to accurate (except, myself as a person is not typically a Performer, as I do not normally like being the center of attention!).

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

 

 

 

Be Grateful and You Will Receive.

Appreciating what we have is something we often forget to do.
It's so much easier to see the lack.

Why does the bad seem to outshine the good?

It's all about where you put your focus.  I've been slowly and steadily training myself to see the good and to always be thankful for what I DO have - even when there is lack or when the situation is not ideal.  Why?

The more you focus your energy on something, the more of that something you will receive.  It's not magic.  It's not ignorance or denial of reality.
It's a way of thinking (a way of FEELING) and a way of living that is a BETTER alternative than to be pessimistic.  Plus, it works.

If you're always concentrating on being happy and noticing the "good" in the moments, you will find more and more reasons to be happy and more situations where "good" arises.  It's like... selective thinking.  This also works for giving thanks and being  grateful for what we have in life.  If you constantly make notice of the many things that you DO have in this life that you really do love and are happy to have (even something as simple and obvious as a warm home or a good lunch) - then more of these things will flow into your life!!
If you notice the lack - you will continue to see more and more lack.

What are you grateful for in your life?
Remember, even the simplest things can seem great once you don't have them anymore.
Be grateful for everything!

What am I grateful for in my life right now?

hover over the pictures to read my notes

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
        
         
And that's just a short list of the many many things!!!

And some wise and related words:

From The Secret Daily Teachings - Thank You Thursday
"Today is Thank You Thursday. Today and every Thursday is your day to say and feel "Thank you" in as many ways as you can.

Write a list of all the people and events you want to give thanks for. 

Return thanks today to those who have done things for you.  

As you walk say "Thank you" in your mind with each step you take. 

As you drive, make each time you stop your cue to say "Thank you." 

At various times in the day, think and feel "Thank you" inside you seven times in a row. 

Look for every opportunity to say "Thank you" to other people, and say it with so much meaning that the person looks right at you. 

Thank your way through every Thursday, and make "Thank you" your predominant thought, feeling, and words of the day.

"Thank you" - two words, inconceivable potential power, and all they need is you to put the power into them by expressing them.

Thank you!"

Pile of Paws

As we were laying around lazily in the living room on Saturday evening - I couldn't help but notice how amazingly darling our little Dahlia was looking!

She is usually a wild terror but this time she was sleepy and cuddley and sweeet!  So I did a little photo shoot of her and let me tell you... she's a top model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this little girl.

Isn't it amazing how an animal can become such a good friend?

Project Columbus Runway

Guess who we saw make it work this weekend in Columbus??

Kelli Martin from Season 5 of Project Runway, yes yes we did!

Kelli showed a small and beautiful collection of very ready to wear pieces in a runway show she held in her boutique in Columbus, Ohio.  The collection consisted mainly of amazing plaids in skirts, dresses, shirts and jackets!  She also showed interesting deconstructed loose knits, vintage prints and some lace in dressier looks, high waists, skinny legged pants and long cardigans.  The collection was split into 3 sections but overall the looks each had a nice vintage essence about them while still feeling very fresh and new!
They were so wearable and buyable - I can't wait to get my hands on a plaid Kelli Martin shirt!!!

Her website will soon be selling her clothes too!

My photos from the show are a bit crazy due to the lighting, the speed of the show, and my intense excitement to watch the show while taking pictures and not mess with camera settings.

 

 

 

 

 

And yes - we also got to meet her!

 

 

 

And Peter, of course, made a video of it!!  Check it out!
She even did an awesome intro :) what a nice touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70JSr9RT66s

 

Hidden Treasure = Freezer Paper

After reading more of the "Printing By Hand" book, I decided to give one of the projects a try.  The technique that intrigued me the most was one that is quite simple and it's actually REALLY fun to do.  I think the reason it's so fun is because there's a quick turnaround from concept to completion of the project... so almost right away you can see the project come to life (and not all projects are this way!!).  I typically need that immediate gratification in a project in order to actually finish it because I don't have a lot of free time outside of work to get through big long projects.

This printing technique requires hardly any supplies at all.  I had to go out and buy freezer paper (paper on one side, wax on the other!).  The rest of the supplies I had laying around.  Paint - check.  Brushes - check.  Fabric - check!  Ideas - check check check!  Time... check... (an hour before bed one night).

 

All you do is draw your design on the paper side.
Cut it out with a blade.

 

Iron the stencil onto the fabric and then blot the paint onto the fabric.

 

 

Play with color!

 

Once the paint dries... just peel the paper away to reveal your
MASTERPIECE!

 

 

Ta-daaaaa!

 

 

Try it!!  You will not be disappointed!

Bands of Gold

This morning... we got our rings!

*insert loud choir singing aaaaalelujia!!*



We have been in the design process for months.  We've seen sketches, CAD's, wax molds of the rings twice... 
 
    
 
 and today... we got THE rings!

 



They look so amazingly beautiful in real life and I'm happy to say that we designed them together and will wear them forever.

 

 And we even got a picture with Duncan - the wonderful jeweler who turned our vision into reality.

Textile Design for ME

As you may know, I am a Textile Designer for an apparel company by day (and evening, and nights and sometimes weekends when we're really busy).  Outside of work I have yet to work on too many of my own designs for myself.  I don't know why I haven't... I guess I just leave work at work and explore other creative areas at home.

Saturday I decided to pick up a book that would help inspire me to start creating my own prints at home.

 

It's a really awesome book and it's full of good useful information on techniques and materials and supplies needed for different printing projects.

It worked and it inspired me to spunk up this plain old lampshade into something that adds interest and a bit of my personality to the room!

  

I'm so glad that I STARTED AND FINISHED a project
and now I want to do more more more! 

What should I try next?!  :D 
Isn't it exciting to be excited about something?!

ALERT! Flesh Eating Zombies!

Warning: Aberzombies (zombies in Abercrombie) have been spotted roaming around Columbus on Halloween night and early the next morning.  The article below provides information on the descriptions, whereabouts and habits of the creatures.  For your own protection, please put your children to bed and lock your doors.  The Aberzombies have yet to be detained.

......................

The first appearance of the Aberzombies was on a warm and dark Halloween night.  The strong smell of FIERCE and the sound of flip...flop...flip...flop as they walked was the only indicator that they were approaching.

 

How do you know if an Aberzombie is in the vicinity and what should you do?  Typically you will notice the smell first.  Their cologne is strong and powerful.  You will also notice their perfectly coiffed hair, heavily branded outfits and their shirt collars will often be popped.  Be warned that if bit by one... you will become one of them!  Unfortunately there have yet to be any techniques discovered that are successful in killing these creatures.

 

They typically travel in multiples so you must be prepared to fight off more than one at a time.  They also have been seen traveling with a Deranged Tooth Fairy and a skeleton dressed as the guy who sings Putting On the Ritz.

 

They have been spotted at some of the neighborhood establishments mingling with other local freaks of nature.

 

 

The Aberzombies thirst for fresh blood of the human variety.  But if none is readily available... red wine, vodka and cranberry or tall chilled glasses of Guinness have all been known to tide them over.

 

The Aberzombies are naturally attracted to extremely loud music and therefore can often be found at venues where live music is present.  
If attending a live show, please beware of Aberzombies in the audience and leave immediately if you spot one.

 

Researchers report that the Aberzombies do have one apparent weakness.  You will often encounter them stopping for long periods of time to model and pose for photos.  They take breaks from their hunting spree to take snapshots of themselves and of each other.  If you spot them in this act, you have enough time to get away before they spot you.

 

 

 

 

In order to help with the identification of these specific Columbus Aberzombies, the following photos are the myspace pictures of each zombie.

   

 If you live in the Columbus area - please call in if you happen to spot or identify any of these Aberzombies on the loose.  Their zombie virus is incredibly infectious and no one is safe. 

If you live elsewhere... you're next.