holiday greens hunt.

We went out last Sunday on our annual adventure to collect greens from around the farm to make our holiday wreaths. We even added another "vehicle" to the mix to be able to collect as much as we wanted, with room to put our feet. It was not the prettiest of days around here, and certainly not a winter holiday temperature, but we donned our gloves and clippers and headed out on our search.

This is my niece opening the gate for us - I just think her little tooshie looks so cute in her new skinny jeans (which she LOVES), so I had to include it. ;)

There were TONS of pine cones, which I plan on using to yarn-bomb Rachel-style some friends' houses on Wednesday, but the trees definitely didn't look as healthy as in the past due to not having a lot of rain this season. But I think we got some good options for our wreaths/hangings.

The cedar was abundant, although not a lot of berries on some types which was a bummer, but I stuck cedar in some random vases around my house and it smells SO good! And it just puts a smile on my face with it coming out of the vases all crazy.

Here are the Blue Ridge Mountains looking very blue on this gray day.

So, thank you trees for you bounteous clippings to make our homes beautiful and smell like Christmas!

around my crib: christmas crafts.

 

Things are getting busy around here. Again, I am trying to gift handmade as much as possible, and I am loving it. I've rekindled a love/hate relationship with knitting, a very loving friendship with embossing on paper, and an obsession with cross-stitch. I already have an order in for a custom family cross-stitch and I couldn't be more excited to get started on it. Of course, I'm still in the planning process, but still, it's gonna be a goodie.

My brother always opens his "woodshop" on Christmas Eve, so I'm thinking that's going to be my busiest day yet. Maybe I can talk him into opening it some on the evenings to get me started and then he can have it all to himself on the 24th. I'm hoping to do a lot of wood-based projects, more specifically with branches and small trunks. I don't like to cut live trees, so I'll have to check woodpiles and maybe take a little jaunt around the farm for some downed ones. I'm pretty excited to execute what I've got brewing in this head of mine...and I'm pretty sure they are going to be popular with the fam. :)

My cards are all finished and ready to be personalized (I always make it a point to write a little note special to the receiver somewhere on the card). I changed my mind last minute about envelope color, so I'm going to get some more this afternoon and get these puppies mailed out tomorrow.

thanksgiving feast.

We celebrated our day of thanks with another outdoors feast at our creek area on the farm. It was a beautiful day of family, friends, and even the turkey farmers. We feasted on seasonal dishes made from love and locally brewed beer. Everyone was smiling with full bellies and warm hearts. I'll let the pictures do more of the talking.

Hope your Thanksgiving was just as special.

around my town: art + architecture show.

This past weekend was the 2nd Annual Art + Architecture Show at The Sedalia Center, which is pretty much right across the street from where I live - making this event mighty convenient. This is an event held in honor of one of the founding members of the center who dabbled in all areas of the arts, and was quite a special woman. About a month ago, I was asked to set up a booth with my wares and I was quite honored to do so knowing the meaning behind the event.

I really put a lot of thought into my display this time because I wanted it to be very cohesive and somewhat color-themed with light and natural tones. There are still areas for improvement, but I thought it turned out nice and was in line with what I had envisioned.

Here is (somewhat) of a closeup of the stamps I designed. I thought they looked so nice in those perfectly-hued bowls...from Anthropologie of course.

Here are the dreamcatchers I cranked out for this event. I also made a "dreamstick" that sold, but I could never get a good picture of it before it went to be with its new and excited owner. I do plan on making more for my shop.

And here is the full view of my table with my new handmade sign and dreamcatchers hanging up behind me. I was quite pleased with the day, and think I've made a little name for myself around here. :)

yes, you will want to make this.

It is da bomb. You won't regret it and, like me, you might even get locked in to making it every year. It is THAT good.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

32 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin 

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pecan Graham Cracker Crust* (recipe to follow but do first!)

Cinnamon Whipped Cream* (recipe to follow)

Combine the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a large bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin and beat until smooth. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the Pecan Graham Cracker Crust. Place the springform pan in a larger baking pan. Add water to the pan to a depth of 1 inch.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove the springform pan to a wire rack to cool. Cover the springform pan and refrigerate overnight. Loosen the cheesecake from the side of the pan and remove the side of the pan. Place the cheesecake on a serving plate and top with the Cinnamon Whipped Cream. Serves 10-12.

Pecan Graham Cracker Crust

1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons melted butter

Combine the pecans, graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a bowl and toss to mix well. Add the butter and mix well. The mixture should have the consistency of wet sand. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Wrap the bottom and side of the pan with foil to make it watertight.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine the whipping cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a small bowl. Beat at low speed until well blended. Beat at high speed until stiff peaks form.

And there you have it. This recipe comes from a local Junior League cookbook and is one of the most "crispy" pages in my book from plenty of use. I'm actually getting excited to whip one up tomorrow for this year's Thanksgiving feast.

//photo courtesy of Myles Katherine. Font: Mountain Retreat //

in the workshop: mixed paper books.

Just wanted to pop in and show what I recently added to my Etsy shop! I have a few more embellished journals to add as well, but need to photograph them when the weather clears.

This first mixed paper book measures 6x6 and contains bright and summer-inspired papers, which you can see below. These were also the first covers I used the stamp that I designed for this exact purpose. It can be left as-is or you can add the subject or season of your book on the line. It is stamped with white embossing powder to give it a little dimension.

The second 6x6 mixed paper book is the "Polkadots & Pinafores" mixed paper book designed with that special little girl in your life in mind. These make great shower or birthday gifts, and the 6x6 size is perfect for Instagrams.

Here is the 4x6 Winter mini-book. I love this small size that is perfect for printed photos.

And last, but not least are some 'for fun' postcards I designed and had printed. They are white with a glossy front and the perfect message to make someone's day!!

All the above books and postcards are currently available in my shop! Feel free to go check 'em out!

Wow, Blogger is acting REALLY weird today.

project life: the summer months.

Oh boy. I have gotten so behind on my pages and found that I was having a hard time filling the two-page spread because I was so behind, so I decided to go one week for half spread for a bit to get caught up. It helped a lot. Of course, I had to let go of my obsessive thought process that the book was not going to be as cohesive, but the feeling of being more caught up was a better feeling.

I like to share my Project Life pages because a) I like to see them all laid out like this and b) I like to share the perspective of a gal who is single, not married yet, doesn't have kids yet, and spends a lot of time with friends and family. When I'm looking through other Project Lifers pages, they seem to mainly encompass a family unit - which is GREAT, don't get me wrong) - but I just want to be an example that you don't have to have all of that to fill your pages. I think this is going to be great for my nieces and nephews to look back on as they get older to see what they were doing too, or bring up memories with friends as they flip through...some of which is sure to induce a laugh attack and who can not forward to that!?!

So, let's start with May:

And move into June:

My 'Draw Something' interpretation of Beyonce still kills me.

Whoops! Picture still missing!!

On into July (and here's where I start to 2-week-per-spread-it):

Love those little 9-month-old cheeks....

And finally arriving in August:

The rest of August is sporadic so I thought I would spare you until it is complete.

I totally enjoy working on Project Life...definitely going for it again next year (especially once The Seafoam Edition is released). I just have to find a weekly rhythm to it so it doesn't become a chore or pressure where I'm completing a month in a night. I like to keep up with the journaling bits and thank goodness for the Momento app, or I would be waaaaay behind, but staying on top of it will add even more journaling. I'm not sure how long I'll stay with the 2 week spreads, but I just plan on seeing how it goes. I'm hoping to have 2012 in one book filled to the rim with brim, and then be open for 2013 to be in two books. Coordinating, of course.

Please feel free to ask questions about any supplies...I don't really even know where to begin. Most papers come from American Crafts, October Afternoon, Studio Calico, Echo Park, etc., etc. I use a Fiskars corner rounder that I've had for over a year, various black pens, quote cards and 'This Week' cards inspired by Elise Blaha Cripe, pictures are all taken by me and printed at home most of the time (except the spread pic on the last page taken by my niece Myles Katherine...shew...if I've left anything out, please let me know. :)

olive box: number one.

A couple of weeks ago I signed up for a one month subscription (= one package) from Olive Box, and literally could not wait until it arrived on my doorstep.

"To share this joy we are excited to introduce our new OliveBox subscription service! As a member you will receive a delightful box of paper & lifestyle products delivered to your front door each month. From cards to artwork to inspiring books and gifting ideas, you never know what exciting products you will unwrap each month. Each box will have a surprise theme and will include goodies that have been transformed by the beauty of paper."

I mean...how could I not see what it was for one month? And how am I going to NOT sign up for more?? Ohhhhhhh...what can I do in order to justify treating myself again?

I decided to just let the pictures do the talking. I'm still kind of speechless over the idea & execution of it all. Simple perfection.

// quote borrowed from Olive Box website to describe the service so you will then want to be surprised too. :) \\

currently.

Obsessing over: the idea I have to design and make stamps for scrapbooking, stationary, notes, etc. I have all these designs in my head that will not stop coming, and I am going to spend some time tomorrow sketching them out. Even if they end up being just for me...I am obsessed with the idea. Oh, and, my camera that I left out in the rain during the-best-weekend-of-my-life is working!! She sat for a good month & a half, I charged her battery this afternoon, and she came right on and took a picture like it was no big deal. Now, I can take halfway decent product pictures and update my shop! Yippee!!

Working on: being non-judgemental, selfless, and kind. I think I'm a kind person, but I know I do judge before there is a good reason (to me) and it just seems hypocritical. The work 'selfless' keeps popping up, and I always believe themes come about when they are necessary to practice. It really seems to pop up when dealing with situations that I just want out of, but it just isn't possible..so I have to find ways to deal. That's where being selfless comes in...I need to make up some sort of chant to repeat in my head when dealing with these emotionally-draining situations.

Thinking about: where I am in my life and where I WANT to go. I'm opening my mind up to putting myself out there in terms of being a craftsperson, and seeing where that takes me. I know I will find something that really excites me...the idea of taking a job that has nothing to do with my future life vision is not worth it to me. So, I just need to pump up my role as a full-time craftsperson and make sh*t happen.

Anticipating: I have a few fun adventures coming up this Fall that I am anxiously awaiting.... I am planning on going to Charlottesville next week to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama with family. It's almost surreal that that is on my calendar so I can't see any way to pass that up! One of my oldest friends is visiting this weekend, and because she is pregnant with her first child I can't wait to rub her belly bump!! Then I'll be seeing Langhorne Slim & The Law two nights in a row...yes, they are THAT awesome. Let's see...then our neighborhood Chili Cookoff, a local craft show I am participating in, then ...drumroll please...The Color Run in Charlotte! I am SO excited for this one and almost more excited for the pictures to come out of it.

Listening to: Right now, I cannot get enough of Shovels & Rope...so good. I got handed a few new cds this weekend of some new releases so I'm looking forward to having those on repeat for a bit...

Eating: I need so badly to go to the grocery store.

Wishing: that I had all of my best, great friends living right next door in a little neighborhood all our own. We are all so spread out, and I just wish sometimes college (and some high school pals) would recreate itself, but with us at our current age, family situation, etc. and with the time to just hang.all.day.

                                               // This 'Currently' template from Danielle at Sometimes Sweet. \\ 

october goals.

Because I am totally bombing (and I mean B-O-M-B-I-N-G) with meeting monthly goals that I have set for myself and thought that making myself accountable by blogging about them would help...I'm going about October a little differently. The specifics don't work with me it is seeming, so I'm going to try being a little more broad with my expectations. Except the dog bed cover and fall decor...but I would think I could handle those...yep.

around my town: country fair.

Welcome to part two of a "new" blog series...Around my _________. I did one this past Christmas with a small decor tour of my home, and here I am again with another round.

Each year The Sedalia Center puts on a Country Fair in our small, small (and I mean small) town which is fortunately right across the main highway from us. They collect local farmers/business owners to showcase their talents such as gardening, canning, baking, animal farming, beekeeping, etc. for the public to check out. Our farm always agrees to be a part of it, so my brother carts a table full of resources and a live animal of some sort. For the past couple of years he has taken our beloved family milk cow Primrose to showcase, but since she is no longer with us, he brought her daughter, Beledene.

She is such a sweet cow...as you can see. What's even more sweet is that my niece is so connected to her that she'll just walk up to her and rub her or lean on her (or even saddle her up) and Beledene just hangs out chewing her cud without a care in the world. She especially loves being scratched under her chin and behind her ears...just like her mama.

Feel free to check out our farm website for more farm-focused goings-ons and information...I'm the main blogger over there as well. Matter of fact, I think I'm due for a post!

currently.

photo

Obsessing over: the idea of wearing scarves again!!! I just ordered a new one from Free People that I have been eye-balling, and I am so excited about wearing my neon and gray one from Anthropologie I purchased at the end of the season last year. Yay for coziness!!

Working on: some new paintings...and catching up on Project Life. Now I'm having a paper issue and my printer is printing waaaaay too much blue. Don't you just wish sometimes things that things would go seamlessly when you want them to? Maybe it's karma, but it seems like one little hiccup after another...and not like any of them matter in the grand scheme of things but they are still quite frustrating!!

Thinking about: my days and what I want to do with them. I'm kind of looking for a part-timer in an area that excites me so that I can have the freedom to do the things that make me tick (like having a day with my nieces and nephew a week), but still have a regular schedule...and a little cash flow is always nice!

Anticipating: my upcoming trip to Atlanta with my cousin for the Music Midtown. I am so excited to get out of town for a few days, see different people, eat at different restaurants, laugh with an old college pal, and I'm hoping to cram in a trip to Paper Source ;). Let's not forget the AWESOME music that will be poured into my ears and soul for two days!!

Listening to: the ending credit music from Almost Famous. One of the greatest movies ever.

Eating: Just ate a breakfast of a sprouted wheat english muffin, raw butter, avocados, and tomato slices from my garden.

Wishing: that my glands would become a regular size again so I can swallow comfortably. First it was one side making me want to scream, and now the other side is taking its turn. Side effects from pure exhaustion are still lingering...


**I am planning on regularly scheduling my 'Currently' post for Sundays, but since The Curiosity Shoppe was at Target, I was a little preoccupied. Of course, they had nothing that I went for, which is probably a very good thing for my wallet.

// This 'Currently' template from Danielle at Sometimes Sweet. \\

september goals.

Update Etsy shop: I've really been feeling like I want to get back into painting, and I actually did a little bit last night. Being creative keeps me so balanced I feel...I always know when I haven't made time for it. So, for my own home to not be filled with my own paintings, I hope to gather a collection and list in my shop. I'll be sure to post when this happens. I have also planned to gather some papers together for themed mixed paper books along with a Winter mini-book, which will be listed as well. I realize it is not even really Fall yet, but I love the "idea" of planning ahead. ;)

Blog at least 2 times a week: Still working on this. Post-Its for my weekly calendar are on my next shopping list.

Stay on task with 30 Days of Lists: My idea with this was to add to my weekly Project Life spreads so it wouldn't be something totally separate to keep up with. Well, I have been totally preoccupied with this cold/sinus/whatever-the-hell-it-is-I-still-have and I haven't even started. This is going to change TODAY.

Blog one Project Life post a week: I am slowly but surely getting caught up on my Project Life with total plans to share in this here blog. I left my nice camera outside of my tent on that awesome weekend in August, and I'm thinking it's dunzo. This was the camera I loved to use for blog snapshots, so I'm gonna have to tweak the quality with my point & shoot and be happy with it. I keep forgetting my camera is pretty much a goner until I think of something I want captured and then I find myself pouting a little. And then something else comes along, and the point of why I wanted to take pictures if gone...hence the lack of Project Life posts.

Take one bike ride + two walks a week: Still going with this one. It's going to be really awesome when the weather turns a little I don't break into a humid sweat the second my foot goes out the door.

** I know I said that I would check in on my August goals, and after looking over them there is sadly no point. So pitiful. So, so pitiful. Cheers to September goals actually getting crossed off!!

wait, it's september?

Holy moses, August came and went in a total blur. And I have to blame it solely on this:

photo credit.

That's right. Langhorne Slim & The Law at our family farm.  

I feel like the whole month of August was centered around this one night, and for me, I guess it was. I get a vision in my head of the look and feel of how I want something to go and that's it. There's no room for derailment and no room for mistakes. My to-do list the week leading up to it was unbelievable. But, the end result left me with the greatest smile on my face because it surpassed everything I had envisioned...with a few added bonuses. Like an early morning dance party in my kitchen with Langhorne, Billy, and my new friend Courtney. Or my friend showing up out of the blue after rearranging her whole day of flights to get home in time to drive from NC to the farm. Or hanging on the porch the next morning stalling their departure because no one wanted to leave. 

//Instagram: @petaline//

This whole thing was just such a great feeling.

I'll be back tomorrow with how I made out on my August goals (hint: terrible) and my goals for September. Let's hope they turn out better.

*My niece was commissioned to take pictures, but she just moved out to Portland, Oregon, so I'll be getting them after she gets settled. I'll be sure to share them. It allows me to relive it. No complaints there.

august goals.

Find at least one holiday craft show to vend: This goal came about after attending my niece's going away/craft sale extravaganza last weekend, and I realized how much I enjoyed having my goods out for folks to see. Regardless of the fact it was mostly family that purchased from me, it was still a good feeling. I have this vision of what I want my setup to be, and I feel like I get closer and closer to it each time I set up. I'm hoping to set up at least once this fall at a neighborhood event, and then at a holiday market this upcoming season. It also gives me initiative to produce more items (which I will share in an upcoming post).

Blog at least 2 times a week: Yep, yep...this is one is back because it still has to remain something to cross off physically. It's not quite habit yet, but I am finding myself thinking about what it is I want to blog about more, and then I'd love to come up with a schedule. There is SO much blog tip inspiration out there, and I am soaking it up when I come across it in my web travels.

Complete guest room/office makeover: I've lived in my house for at least 7 years, and I have never "finished" decorating this room. I've replaced furniture, added furniture, taken away furniture, and then switched it all around. But it has just never been COMPLETE in my mind. So, this month is for finishing the damn thing so I can stop thinking about it...which entails: repainting the storage cabinet, compiling instagram prints to 2 canvases, getting rid of some things, replacing the rug & curtains, adding a bed skirt, etc., etc., etc. Ey yi yi.

Read one fiction + 1 non-fiction/reference book: I only reached half of this goal last month, so I plan on doing better this month. I'm in the first third of The Night Circus, and hope to finish The Creative Habit (which I've been reading for about 2 months now).

Take one bike ride a week: I think this is pretty self-explanatory.... ;)


Do you have any goals for August?

currently.

Obsessing over: Happy Street. Yes, I'm in my 30s, but this game is the cutest thing I have seen in a loooong time. I'm playing it on my iPad and I got my 19-year-old niece hooked on it through her iPhone. It is unbelievable. The graphics are so crisp and cute, the sounds are so crisp and cute, and it just puts a smile on my face anytime I check in. Of course, there's no point, I don't plan on putting any money towards it, but I/we just love it.

Working on: getting my house situated and set to where I feel good walking in the front door as opposed to being consumed by immediate annoyance because this pile is here, that bag is there, or unfinished decor projects are everywhere. I finished one half of my curtain project today, and hope to get the other half finished tomorrow so my other window is happy too.

Thinking about: what else I can do...in all aspects.

Anticipating: crawling into my bed. Oh, and when I get my next reward on Happy Street....

Listening to: The Office, Season 5. So hilarious.

Eating: nothing right at the moment, but I did heat up lunch leftovers for dinner that consisted of local salad greens, basil quinoa, and homegrown squash patties. Yum!

Wishing: my overall health would level out successfully and I can move forward with my grand plans. ;) I just have to keep trusting that what I'm doing is working, and not lose sight of the end result. It's getting easier, I do have to say.

* I'm waiting for some files to download so I thought I would do a quick check-in. I finally talked my Mom into getting a MacBook Pro so that she can be synced between her iPad and laptop. Plus, her old laptop was getting soooo slooooow and totally not user-friendly to someone who missed the technology benchmark. Not a week went by that I wasn't getting a phone call about where pictures were or the infamous How do I...? Yup, simplifying is key here.

I'd love to hear what's currently happening in your world!

// This 'Currently' template from Danielle at Sometimes Sweet. \\