the time the winds came.

the downed tree my brother pushed out of the road with his bumper.

As most of you know, parts of the east coast got SLAMMED with a peculiar wind storm about two weeks ago (already ??). We happened to be right in the thick of it here in the heart of Virginia, and I had never seen anything like it. We've had our share of high winds and trees going down, but this was something else. We were down at our creek picnic area celebrating my niece's 4th birthday-eve, when all of a sudden out of nowhere I noticed a black curtain being pulled across the sky to which I said, "Is it supposed to storm tonight?" As soon as that last word came out, the first gush of wind came and we were in for it. Being the closeted thrill-seekers that we are (and because we may have had a little beer buzz), we got up and started running around in the wind, doing circles with our fists in the air & towels out like Superman capes telling Mother Nature to bring it...we were ready for whatever she was wanting to give us!!

And then we lost power for 10 days.

And it was scheduled to be one of the hottest weeks of the summer.

Oh boy.

Obviously, I made it. I almost had a total conniption one afternoon, but I made it. I actually enjoyed it. It taught me a few things about myself and my habits, and I appreciate it for that. I made some notes one evening on what this semi-test of survival taught me:

• I spent waaaaaaay less money than I would have had the internet been working.
• I was eating fresher and I was eating less (thanks to the heat).
• I realized that I don't NEED what I think I need in and around my home. 
• What I truly NEED is water to use or cool off in, family, friends, food, and sleep.
• It's okay to miss a shower for a couple of days...as long as I got in the creek or pool.
• I never thought that I should be doing something else because all I could do was what I was doing at that time. Being on overload was not an option in the heat.
• I have a new respect for real, tangible books which saved my days and nights. Thank you Mr. Head Lamp.
• Car chargers are the bomb-diggity.
• I need more candles.

 Fern was "helping" to clear sticks from the creek.

I tooted my own horn for making it with a positive attitude while others were complaining and getting in fights at the gas station. Yes, that really happened.

It seemed so quiet while the power was off...not just because a/c units and water pumps weren't humming, but there was a sense of stillness and peace in the air. 

I was a little sad to see that go.

currently.

time: 6:39 pm.

location: my craft room.

drinking: a HUGE glass of water.

listening: to the fans blowing because it is hot as balls up here...and some birds chirping in the trees outside.

feeling: so at ease, but yet a small pull of anxiety in the pit of my stomach.

loving: all of the ideas that are circulating in my head and excited about (actually) making them tangible. I feel like I’ve had this burst of creative energy that I’m looking forward to working on AND completing!

enjoying: cleaning out spaces in my house. I worked on my craft room yesterday, and hope to continue taking it room by room. Sometimes I feel so cluttered in my mind, and I know that if physical spaces are cluttered too they tend to trickle into the mind, and I definitely don’t need anymore clutter in either place.

wanting: to get hopeful results tomorrow. I’m not even looking for better...I’m just looking for hope to wake up to every day. This is pretty vague, but that’s the way it has to be for now...or until I feel comfortable enough to share on here.

dreaming: about getting caught up on my PL album, finally being satisfied with the state of my house, and wishes coming true.

thinking: What else can I get rid of? Dammit, I need to finish those invitations! What can I make for the August 4th event? That laundry pile....

creating: new mixed paper books, doily flower paintings, PL spreads, new embellished journals...the list is endless sometimes.

// illustration by Alyssa Nassner (which I will finally have in my possession soon thanks to Fab.com!! //

* I don't know what is going on with the font, but I'm thinking it had something to do with this post being imported. Please pardon the inconsistencies, I'll get it all figured out at some point.

project life: april.

So, a month or so ago, I was just bragging to myself and my PL album how I was so caught up and what's left for me to do now that I was caught up and I was even a little ahead and this was so easy to stay on top of, blah blah blah. TOTALLY GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF.


I am now miserably behind.


But, the good news is that I still look forward to working on it. I just don't. Where is the reasoning in that?? Heck if I know.


I do want to share my last full layouts from April. Man, I have some work to do.... As of now, I'm totally hitting up weeks at a time - inserting photos, journaling, and ephemera when I find it. This method is actually letting me catch up a lot faster than if I were just going about it one week at a time, but it is definitely not ideal in the record-keeping department. Thank goodness for the Momento app that has pretty much saved me and my album. I am anxious to get caught up so that I can focus on one week at a time though.

I added a 6x12 insert for this week to add a few more pictures of my Dad's birthday bash and included a tab to title it in connection to the spread. And since my Dad needed to be in the showcase, I enlarged one of the singles of him and divided it up between three pockets. I have seen this done before in other PL albums, but I had never done and I am quite happy with it. 

And here is the other side of the 6/12 insert:

I love the idea of really hashing it out on a large journaling card (left side, top right corner) to capture a feeling or thought or whatever, and still keep it hidden for visiting eyes. And the WTF stamp was just perfect to add because it was certainly a WTF moment!

This is one my favorite spreads to date...something about the colors and overall feel to the layout. Plus I just love that picture of the birthday girl with that sparkly turquoise letter in her fairy costume. This is my sister-in-law's sister's daughter (follow that?) who had a lovely picnic to celebrate her first birthday. Each guest was asked to make a pennant for her bedroom, which you can see on the bottom of the right side. They are owl-lovers, so I ordered some wood veneer and made an owl to attach onto the pennant, then added some ball trim for added cuteness. I had so much fun making it, and it was such a special gift to give to her.

Love that wood veneer arrow from Studio Calico pointing to me waaaaaaaaay back in the crowd at the Trampled By Turtles show...makes me chuckle every time.

And here is my newest incomplete spread that will greet me in a few minutes as I make my way upstairs to my craft room. I look forward to sharing a more recent update in the near future...maybe I'll be all caught up!! A gal can dream.

// Weekly quote cards & "This Week" journaling card design inspired by Elise Joy - some quotes used are from her and some are from my collection. // 


Supplies: Project Life by Becky Higgins Core Kit in Clementine, various papers & embellishments from Studio Calico, October Afternoon, Crate Paper, American Crafts, and monthly kits. I'm sure there are plenty more tucked in as well. I print most of my pictures at home using an HP Photosmart Plus printer with Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy (I'm going to Matte paper in my next shopping trip for ink purposes). Please feel free to comment any questions you have about supplies. 

i actually followed through...

...and made my own bleach-designed t-shirt. Usually when I follow a DYI, I do it exactly like the inspiration (something about directions that make me WANT to follow along), and all subsequent others are tweaked to be a little more personalized.


This one was inspired by Emma at Food Coma, who was inspired by Jill at Lune Vintage. (Don't want the credit police getting on me!!) I thought both ladies did a fabulous job, and I just had to follow suit and see what came about.


So, here we go. 

I used one of my Old Navy Vintage Tees that I already had...I knew where I could get another one if I royally screwed this up. I actually have about a handful of the tees, they are the perfect weight with the perfect sleeve length and great heathered colors. I highly recommend a couple for the summer. Anyway, back to the program...

I did mine with bleach and paintbrush. I think for the next one, I will use a pen because it did end up a bit splotchy...which I do like, but would like to experiment with the pen for the next go-round. And, I used this Clorox brand something-or-other, but I don't know if a more concentrated bleach would have done a more thorough job.

Nice trails, huh? Oh well, they give it character.

And the finished product as (documented on Instagram) as I was heading out the door to see The Avett Brothers and show off my new tee.

// Follow me on Instagram: petalineprints. //

project life.

Lately, I've been working my buns off any chance I have to get caught up on my Project Life album. And besides the fact that I'm still not completely caught up (still have some pictures & journaling from this past weekend to add), it is such an indescribable feeling that only a nit-picky & obsessive paper cutter would feel.


I started my 2012 album at the end of January and I quickly realized I was not to keen on the design of pages I purchased from Amazon. The Design A pages were sold out, so I settled for Design F with a scowl on my face. Thankfully, I only bought one pack. (Go me.) So, as any gal would do, I did a little research and I've got some Design A pages coming my way this week. And since you asked, no,  I cannot wait to replace my page contents into the new pages. I've been making do by taping stuff to prepare for the transfer. Nothing was gonna stop me from working on this bad boy!


I started it being really unsure of myself and my ability to "do it right." I felt like it wouldn't look right unless it looked like the other Project Lifer's pages I had seen, and I didn't like feeling like that. I knew I had it in me, but I guess it's that whole measuring up thing that tends to surface at times like this. I decided to use Elise's weekly spreads as inspiration to get me started because her style seems to be the most relatable for me. I love her weekly quotes and "This Week" cards that are a staple for each week, so I adapted those for me and have been doing the same in my weekly spreads. This might change as I become more and more comfortable, but for now the consistency is really working for me. If you have not checked out her pages, I would definitely recommend it...they are quite fab.

Fern has been such a pal while I work in my craft studio, which has helped. We have a little routine going where I stuff her cute pink Kong with hard-to-get treats to keep her occupied, and I always keep a few extras on my work table. I like to take advantage of her outside potty rotations. I'm starting to think she actually prefers it up here...maybe the carpet feels good on her paws....


I'm absolutely loving this project.


The only problem is how it almost pains me to use some my papers.


I have a slight paper problem.

currently.

Obsessing over when I am going to sit down and dive into Project Life. I have all of the supplies I need (except the Design A pages I'm waiting so impatiently to be restocked), the know-how, some pictures printed, the embellishments...but I just can't seem to physically get started. I see other's PLers pages all over the blog world which makes me so envious, but yet not enough to motivate me to actually start. Also, having a puppy that needed to go out every hour last month put a little hinderance on the situation, but now I think she can handle a couple of hours so I can actually start on a project. We'll see....


Working on training a puppy (man, it's like having a newborn!!), simplifying my house & its contents, making more conscious food choices with an attempt to lose a few, The Sopranos complete seasons on dvd (I've never seen them), finding time for crafts & designing new paper products for my Etsy shop, maintaining a positive approach to life (Acupuncture has been amazing). Pretty much the list is endless.


Thinking about putting together a blog schedule. I do want to blog. It's a great outlet for me since I am out in the country and not a whole lot of opportunity for crafty social gatherings out here, and since I live alone, it's a great way to meet folks and be inspired! There's also the typical thoughts of...do I need to get another part-time job? Should I move? Should I upgrade my car? Should I get rid of this? Should I get rid of that? Oy...


Anticipating the day when it will all come together.


Listening to "Along Came Polly" in the other room, Fern running up and down the hall with a toy chicken carcass & my voice calling her every now & then to make sure she's not getting into mischief.


Eating nothing now, but I do need to start thinking about some grub for lunch. Probably put another dent in the Winter Root Soup I made last week - it is quite delish if I might say so myself. Maybe I'll mix a little quinoa in for good measure...


Wishing for snow. And that my local mexican restaurant would deliver.


I loved this post from Danielle on Sometimes Sweet...so simple, yet a great reminder to just stop in the present and take note of what's going on. (Plus it's a great piece of documentation for Project Life...see, I'm obsessed....)

the new addition.

This little cutie came to live with me at the beginning of January, and I feel like she is just now independent enough for me to have a couple of hours without being worried I'm gonna step in a wet spot somewhere. I swear, I feel like every time I sat down to do something it was time to go back out! Besides her little shark teeth chasing my toes down the hall, she's a good little puppy. Right now we're working on "being invited" on the couch, as opposed to just leaping on there any time she pleases. I've never had a couch dog, and I don't plan on starting now, but her warm snuggles have been quite the pleasure during these cold winter months...she gets in the most precarious little positions.


*these pictures were taken using the Instagram app under petalineprints.

around my crib: christmas.

Wowsers, it's been a while since I posted...sheesh! I'm going to go ahead and assume a 2012 resolution will center around blogging more frequently. I always enjoy it during the planning and actual execution, it's the actual sitting down that's the issue. Anyone else have that problemo?


Anyway, I'm headed out of town for the weekend to ring in the new year properly with family, friends, and live music. It has always been a tradition that Christmas decorations go down by midnight on December 31st, but I'm breaking that tradition!! I want to come home Sunday to a magical house still, so these bad boys are staying up til next week!! (Shhh, don't tell the "Traditions Police.")


I had such a great time decorating this year, and really put effort into changing things up from last year, and adding more sparkle here and there, as well as getting ideas off the internet and actually following through with them. Decorating was also a major form of much-needed distraction from some personal upheaval I've experienced lately...so I'm just not ready to take it all down yet and want to enjoy it for as long as I can.

...and this is one is my favorites:

Happy New Year!!

a perfect thanksgiving.

After many years of envisioning an outdoors Thanksgiving meal and it never taking place, I finally got my wish granted this year. The weather could not have been more perfect, the food more delicious, and the company present more special. It is definitely one for the books and hopefully a new tradition was started...weather permitting of course.

This garland was a little something I whipped up while we were finishing up cooking. I knew I wanted to do something to spice up the napkin/hand tools basket, but what ended up happening was beyond what I had envisioned when I went up to my craft room. It's so funny how that happens....

We collected all of our pumpkins, fall decor, leftover burlap from another event, and some acorns and berries from the woods for a little table excitement. My sister-in-law's sister certainly has a knack for centerpieces.

After the food was brought out, we all gathered around and each read a page from Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message, and then my mom read a Wendell Berry poem to remind all of us to be grateful for the wonderful bounty Mother Earth provides all of us on a daily basis. (Isn't her shawl fabulous...might have to "borrow" that one!!)

A couple of the kiddos with their cute little autumn headbands.

Plate #1. It almost became a double-decker...

And luckily for the pigs, they got to celebrate Thanksgiving as well!!

Did any of you continue or start a special Thanksgiving tradition this year?

been scrapbooking a 'lil bit...

...even though they are last year's pictures. But, I did set a goal with myself to rock out 2010 in a scrapbook, and that's exactly what I'm doing...even though it's almost 2012.


Yep, that's how I roll.

(cute) craft room chaos.

Because my life is in such limbo right now and I just can't figure out what I want to/need to/should be doing with my days, I have agreed to the special weekly commitment of taking care of my niece and nephew once a week. They come over with smiles on their faces in the morning, we play, eat lunch, take naps, have snack, play some more & then they go home. All three of us love it and I really can't wait until the next time they come see me.


I have a large craft room upstairs that used to just be empty roof space (a larger metal roof was put on my house a few years before I lived here), but had been sectioned off to remodel an upstairs room with bathroom, etc...which had never been done. So, about two years ago, I invested in my cousin's carpentry skills and we cut out a huge hole in my guest room ceiling, built some stairs, and made a cozy craft room! (I hope to do a Craft Room Tour in a future blog post, but as you will see in the following photos it needs a little tlc before that happens.)


Anyway (holy side note), I have most of the Fisher-Price toys that my brother and I used to have as kids and some other favorite toys in a fabric bin upstairs for my niece & nephew to play with. I thought this was a great idea because while they are occupied with playing, I can be right there working on paper or sewing projects! And sometimes they go up by themselves to play if I'm making lunch or something and we do little verbal check-ins that are so cute...

Me: Kiddies, y'all okay?

Noah: Yeah...and Gilliam's not getting into any of your stuff Hannie, 

we're playing with the people.

Well, here was the state of things when I went up the other day to work on a few things:

All I could do was start laughing...and say to myself "Hoooooooooly sh*t." But then I started looking around more closely and saw where they had set up little separate play areas which were just so sweet.

Notice the beds all lined up with people in each one...and they added a fourth one on a floor mat (second to left). I will add that they sleep in two twin beds right next to each other. I imagine their little hands carefully placing each piece of furniture or little person and it just melts my auntie heart.

I recently bought a new pack of Papermates, so I passed my old set down to Noah who loves not having to ask me if he can use them to draw his perfect geometric designs and practice his name. And I usually have to put about 5 tops back on, but looks like he's finally remembering to do that.

Check out the baby driving with the girl in the back looking out the window. And the ear in the top of Mr. Potato Head's head. Hee hee.

I feel like the above barn setup deserves its own post. We live on a working farm in Virginia, where my brother manages a herd of grassfed beef, pastured pork & poultry, and several milk cows. Well, Noah loves going to work with my brother and mimics what he sees and hears on the farm in his play. Sometimes it gets so hilarious...especially when he gets his "man voice" and starts telling me stories of his imaginary friend "Poot Salt" helping put up fencing and drinking Dr. Peppers. Well, you see that black bull on the top of the barn? You guessed it, he's waiting to go to slaughter. And you see that mama cow lying down in the grass? Yep, she's calving and that's her waterer behind her. I'm not sure what the tractor is doing half in the pond, but I can only imagine....

little luna.

As of a week ago today, I am the proud new auntie of Miss Luna Vaughan.

She was born at home to my brother and sister-in-law, and I was extremely fortunate enough to assist at her beautiful birth alongside their midwife and apprentice. Births are an incredibly magical event to anyone involved, and I have been fortunate enough to assist at about 19 births so far (Luna's big sister being one of them). Although, they can't help but be so much more meaningful when it is family. I will have a special little bond to Luna for as long as I live because I watched as she took her first breath of fresh, country air, and that is truly a gift to hold in my heart forever.


Besides possibly giving birth to your own, have you been witness to one of life's natural miracles?

are you a....?

...doodler, writer, journaler (is that even a word because if not, it should be), note-taker, list-maker, or brainstormer? Not like you couldn't be all of the above, but even if you are just one...


Check these puppies out:

All embellished journals above are listed in the shop, and more are soon to follow so be sure and check back soon!

happy birthday ma!

My Mom with a seemingly concerned me...Circa 1977

Today is this special lady's birthday and we are celebrating by traveling to Charlottesville tomorrow to hit up Anthropologie (she just HAS to use her birthday discount you know) and enjoy lady's lunch at her choice of many delicious places to eat in the area. Psst...I'm hoping it will be outside to enjoy this beautiful fall weather...do I have the non-birthday right to sway her decision?

5 Fun Facts About My Mom:

1. She used to literally iron her hair across the counter to make it straight...and it ended up waist-length with a lovely 70s part straight up the middle.

2. One time we were sledding and she "broke her ass" on a bump in the hill. We still refer to that snowy winter as "the one that Mom broke her ass."

3. She got married when she was 18, and she and my Dad celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this year. I'll go ahead and throw in that I threw them one heck of a 50th wedding anniversary party last year; one that they are STILL talking about and one that was MUCH deserved!

4. She has baskets and baskets of yarn because she can't imagine actually using them and not be able to squeeze them in their perfectly-wound ball of softness when the urge arises.

5. When we were little and my cousins were over, she and my aunt used to let us have "Cussing Sessions" to get it all out (under supervision)...these usually lasted until someone under age 10 let out the F-bomb...aaaaand that was usually me....

Not only is her name awesome, but....

...her illustrative work is as well!!


I was sitting at a bar in Baltimore supporting a friend's fundraising efforts (really...I was supporting) for running the NYC marathon in honor of another friend who passed away, when the little red light on my BlackBerry started to blink in anticipation of being checked. So, naturally, I obliged.


Lo and behold sat my beautifully executed silhouette that I recently commissioned from Moorea Seal. Needless to say, my phone was quite popular for the next few minutes while this was being shown off to everyone!

Isn't it beautiful?!?!?

I love it! And what makes it even better is that Moorea was so wonderful and easy to work with - she had wonderful suggestions for what to do and also fulfilled my wish of including my new favorite headband in the silhouette! I love the colors, the background, and it's me! I've been hesitant about putting a "signature" picture of me on the blog (just not my style to pose for a headshot), so this was the route to go with making my blog a little more personal. I'll get less camera shy in the future, but this is just perfect!

I borrowed this little rundown of Moorea's services from her blog: 

Are you interested in having a portrait of yourself illustrated by me?  Or perhaps you are planning ahead for Christmas gifts for someone you love.  An illustrated portrait is such a special way of capturing a moment in time, for yourself or someone you love, whether it is used for your internet presence or to display in your home.  Email me at mooreaseal{at}gmail.com to chat about creating a one of a kind illustration just for you! 

But you should also go here and read up on her packages and past clients - she does such a wonderful job!! And you may have seen a few of these floating around in the blog world....

Thank you Miss Moorea Seal!! ;)