In love with the Sweater

I happened upon this lovely collection of sweaters via Loobylu, a lovely illustrators blog I read. The sweaters, scarfs, and berets are designed by Kim Hargreaves. You really must look at her website because EVERY sweater is so beautiful. I love that they have a classical old fashioned twist to modern fashion. And who doesn't LOVE sweaters.

What I've been "studying"

I have been obsessed with fashion history as of late, it came about from my love for these traditional paintings I've been "collecting" on my computer. I hope these inspire you as much as they do me. As a complete coincidence I watched Becoming Jane last night and fell even more in love with the Regency, or Empire fashion era. Its a MUST SEE!!! Loved it (I cried).

My Studio

I'm sure you all remember my recent post about inspiring art rooms, well I finally have my studio all made up with pretty things and now it's worthy of sharing with all of you.
I don't have any expensive and amazing things like new furniture and storage units, but it is a beautiful room any way. I just made do with what I had already. I used somethings in different ways than they were meant to be used. And I painted the room with left-over paint from my daughters room makeover. I rearranged the furniture and now my drafting table is right next to the window for good light for painting and drawing, and the sewing/crafting table, with the inspiration board over it, is on the other wall so you can see it right when you walk in the room.
It really turned out nice. In fact it surprises me, every time I go in, how great I feel when I'm in there. It's really a great space to work and be creative.










To the Right, is the inspiration board, It is made from an old room divider that we never ever used. If you look close you can see that is is made of mesh wire, that you can see right through, so it couldn't really divide any rooms very well. When I realized that I could use clothes pins to hold inspirational photos and things on it, it became my inspiration board.
I really Love it! It's pretty heavy, so I had Trent make sure and screw it into the studs on the wall.


Below is the shelf that Trent made me a long time ago, that I am now using to store books and stack all of my hat boxes. I never realized I had so many till I arranged them all in one place.

I also used my little daisy pedestal to set come cute dollies on, and a wooden painted L. I'm really enjoying it a-lot! Have a happy Friday I'm off to play in my pretty studio.

Fashion Friday, Neutral with a pop of color

I am in love with these five outfits. The neutral base combined with one bright color looks so great. The grey/blue dress with ruffles on the bodice has to be my favorite! Close behind that is the Red coat! Love it Love it Love it. What can I say I just love all of them. The leggings the tights, the shoes! And I definitely love the layering. the skirts are too short for my taste but these outfits are inspiring nonetheless. All outfits by Karen Walker, images are from the fall 2008 NY fashion show.

5th Anniversary

Five years ago today I married my best friend! I am so happy to have met him, and get to spend my life with him. Our love has grown with each passing day! Just look at how our family has blossomed.

Morning Surprise

This morning I slept in way late and woke to a wonderful smell. At first I thought my husband was cooking the left over pizza for breakfast, but no it was Homemade BREAD! Ahhh, the smell of home made bread is so wonderful. And the taste is just beautiful. The warm, steamy, and soft bread almost melts in your mouth, except for the slight crunch of the perfect crust. Please Sir, can I have some more? To the side here I have photos of the still warm and very beautiful bread Trent made this morning. Aren't the designs he cut into the dough just amazing? They look like artisan bread, straight from the bakery ovens of France. Here is a brief bread history lesson from Trent himself (who worked for awhile in a French-style artisan bakery in Colorado). He says that the traditional French (and other) bakeries would cut different patterns into the bread tops to indicate the different flavors (ie:, olive, garlic, rosemary, whole wheat, rye, etc. [with sourdough versions of each]). Each baker had his own special marks, some of which were quite complex and ornate.

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By the way, here is the recipe for a basic half-wheat dough (enough to make these two loaves):

*2 cups very warm water
*2 Tblsp dry yeast
*3 Tblsp sugar
*1 tsp salt
*2 eggs
*4-5 Cups flour (any mixture of white and wheat...for these ones Trent used 3 1/2 Cups white and about a Cup of wheat). Start with 4 Cups (total) of flour, and add more as needed...

Mix all the above ingredients together until dough forms (dough is good when it makes a ball that doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl...again, this is where you can add that extra flour if needed).

*Add 1/4 Cup (1/2 stick) softened butter to the dough and thoroughly mix it in (...Trent says "Use REAL BUTTER, NOT margarine!!!")

Mix with dough hook for about 2-3 minutes (or knead by hand for about 10 minutes). (Dough should be soft but not at all sticky).

Immediately divide in half and shape into oblong loaves and place on cookie sheet (not too close together). Let rise about 5-10 minutes, then use a very sharp knife to SOFTLY slice patterns into the tops of the loaves (Trent lightly dusted the loaves with white flour before cutting the designs to make the designs more visible). Let rise for another half an hour or so, until roughly double in size.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Storage, Inspiration, and Charm

(Quaint Handmaid)

In my studio you will not find shelves with neatly stacked boxes, all labeled and organized. You will not find vast shelving units, and large clear workspaces. You will be sure to find something so cluttered and horrific that I am not willing to share any photos or go into any further details. :) I will, however, share these inspiring images of what I dream of my craft room/art studio becoming someday!

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STORAGE UNITY

(Lovely Days)

Ah the vast shelving unit. It makes me so happy to see everything put away, when it actually has its own place. In my studio there is no such unit. But there are plans and dreams of making one.

(Zukes Us)

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"Tacked" and charm

(Zukes Us)


All art studios need an inspiration board. This is something I do have but it lacks beauty and charm. I dream of something that is beautiful even when nothing is tacked on it.

(Lovely Days)

(Quaint Handmade)

(pottery barn)