CAVE IN THE CLOUDS.

2012-03-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

One of my new year's goals was to learn more book binding techniques. I recently taught myself Japanese Stab Binding and after that I wanted to learn more. So when our local art museum was hosting book binding workshops I was beyond excited!I signed up for the Coptic Binding workshop. Coptic Binding is something I have wanted to learn for a long, long time so I was ecstatic when I saw it was being offered! I came home from the workshop with the journal pictured.I adore the look of Coptic bound books. I don't know what is is about them, but they are lovely. Coptic Binding wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, although I did end up stitching my book a bit tight (practice makes better, right?). You can tell somewhat in the pictures that the cover of the book is a bit puckered from my pulling a bit too tightly and the cover being soft; but I'm still so happy with how it turned out!Do you have a favourite binding technique? I'd love to add some more to my list to learn!

Onward Slowly

2012-02-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

photos by: mitošinkovie / SOMETHiNG MOMUMENTAL / unknown / Kinfolk / Hello Suckers!

Goodbye

2012-02-21T22:14:00.000-05:00

We leave for Uganda tomorrow. Tomorrow. I am a little more than terrified.

We have a flight to Chicago, a flight from Chicago to London, and finally, a flight from London to Uganda. It is way too much travel time. And, we are flying over an ocean, which just about gives me a panic attack thinking about it. Because anxiety is irrational. And my irrational anxiety is scared to death of flying, and even more scared to death of flying over an ocean. So. We'll see how that goes. I have flown before. Heck, I have even gone to a foreign country before. I can do this.

So to end this post, that has mostly been a little pep talk to myself - we will back around March 7. I have a post or two scheduled to go up while I'm gone, and I will hopefully have more than a post or two once we get back! So. Here's to this. The unknown. The unknown adventure. See you soon.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 22: The Happy Sad

2012-02-17T22:58:00.000-05:00

I haven't much time to art journal lately (can you say, "leaving the country in five days"?), but I managed to grab some time to make a few pages. Those few pages also happened to be the last few pages in the sketchbook I've been art journaling in recently. It's such a sad and happy moment when you use the final page of a notebook.The sketchbook I've been using is also the sketchbook that holds my first ever art journal page, made back on April 29, 2010. I only used that sketchbook for a few pages in 2010, and I stopped using it (and mostly forgot about it) until I needed a new journal in 2011. So this sketchbook has been my main art journal for about a year now, and I'm a little sad to see it finished. It holds a lot. A lot of ups and downs. A whole year of this journey. Not to mention my first art journal pages, which are special just because they were the first. But it is also a happy bundle of memories. A year of growing and learning. And it is one more book in my stack of finished journals. So I'm sad to say goodbye, but I'm excited about the next book to be made.

Who knows what the next book will hold. Happy Friday, all.

The final page of this sketchbook:

Dealing

2012-02-14T22:10:00.001-05:00

Last year, I posted about traveling to Uganda. I also posted about the trip getting cancelled. I briefly mentioned that the trip wasn't cancelled permanently, but I never really thought the trip would happen. Well. Long story short, the trip is back on. As in, we're leaving in eight days, kind of back on.

So. Details. On February 22, my mom, my sister and I are going to be leaving for Uganda. About a month and a half ago, my mom found found the trip opportunity on a blog that she's been following. When she found it, there were only a few days left to answer. And I got talked into going. No, really. (It's not like I'm being forced to go. I want to go; really. I think.) The group we are travelling with (a different group than the last time) is about 11 people big. Most of the trip will happen in/around Kampala (the capital city of Uganda). There will be lots of visiting of children's homes and orphanages. And that's about all I really know.

So. Also. I am currently dealing with one of the worst bouts of anxiety I have ever had to struggle through. I do believe I am coming through the final end of it, but the anxiety is still there. In case you didn't know, anxiety is a beast. Anxiety is irrational, and it likes to suck up all your energy. It likes to confuse your mind. Dealing with anxiety is hard. Right now, the trip and my anxiety are battling it out. But. I am dealing and learning to deal with it. Dealing is hard, and I am learning to say I need help dealing. I am getting better at dealing with it.

That is what is going on right now; that is where I am right now. Freaking out and dealing with it. I can do this. I am (somewhere, somehow) excited about this trip. And I don't want the anxiety to stop me from going on this trip. That's where I'm at. Wish me luck?

Fingerless Mitts

2012-02-07T22:19:00.000-05:00

It doesn't get mentioned a lot on the blog, but I love to knit. Love it. I love the feeling of the needles as they slide back and forth, forming hundred of little knots that in turn create something beautiful. Love it.

Not too long ago, I knitted up a pair of fingers mitts. I made them partly because I was simply needing something to knit, and partly because my fingernails were turning purple with cold on a regular basis. They were made from this pattern from Ravelry and I adore how they turned out. I've already started in on a second pair.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 21: Back Into It

2012-02-04T22:47:00.000-05:00

I realized the other day that, other than working on The Sketchbook Project, I really haven't art journaled since December. I've been journaling less and less lately and it makes me so sad. Life went ~~a little~~ a lot crazy on me, and instead of journaling more I ended up journaling less/not at all.So. I decided to try to get back into the habit of art journaling regularly. Because I need it. I took some breathing time yesterday and made a page. It was wonderful. And now I'm craving more.A little GIF of the page coming together. The pages don't usually change a lot from beginning to end.

The Sketchbook Project: Done

2012-01-30T15:23:00.000-05:00

So, here's the thing: I am terrible at time management. It's true. I go into a project, complicated or otherwise, thinking I have plenty of time to complete the project, and usually end up in the last five minutes scrambling to complete it. That's pretty much how it went with The Sketchbook Project.

When I received my sketchbook way back in September (September? Really?), I figured I had plenty of time to get working on. Which I kind of did, but, like I said, I am terrible with time management. So it all came down to last Friday night when I was putting the finishing touches on it, not in a complete hurried panic, but, really, I only had three more days to get it into the mail.

But even though I ended up finishing my sketchbook last minute, I loved putting it together. It's not my favourite book, but I do love it. And I am a bit sad sending it off, but hopefully someone else out there will enjoy looking through it as much as I enjoyed creating it. And isn't that part of why artists create anyways?

View the entire book, "Untitled", here.

That Art Wall

2012-01-26T23:01:00.001-05:00

I rearranged my art wall not too long ago, after I snatched up one of these beautiful camera drawings from Cara's shop. The new wall makes me happy.

January Shop Update!

2012-01-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

Alright. I'm in love with this month's shop update. It might kill me the part with these babies. But that's a good thing, right? I love what I make. Anyways. New in the shop this month: "Patchwork" journals! Also, the "Picnic" and "Grandma's Apron" journals are back up! So, come visit?

Hey, You

2012-01-19T22:50:00.001-05:00

photos by: margaret durow /.kimmika / Abi / Heather Smith Jones / Lee Wei-I
It's been a little quiet around here (on the blog); life keeps taking me by surprise. It looks like I will be leaving the country in about a month (more on that later) and I am still trying to wrap my head around that. Also, shop update coming this Saturday! And I have about a million other things I would like to say, but no words to put them into. So. Happy Thursday, all.

A Belated Farewell

2012-01-12T22:38:00.000-05:00

photo by: natalie kucken
Dear 2011,
You were an amazing year. I never did dye my hair and I still don't own a pair of TOMS. But. These were not things on a To Do list, these were suggestions of adventure. And I did find adventure in you.
So many things happened and so many new opportunities were found and received. You brought along the start of my Etsy shop, which was the highlight of my year. You helped open me up creatively, and you helped me grow - grow stronger, grow a little bit smarter, and grow closer to God. You brought along a lot of hardship, 2011, but there is no way any of us would grow without hardship, so I will continue to try to be thankful for it all, the ups and the downs.
I am ready for some changes in 2012, but I won't forget you. You held much too much to be forgotten. And so here is my final farewell to you, as I tuck you in with the other memories of other years. I will hold you in my heart as I turn to face 2012. Wish me luck and peace and love.
Loves,Hannah Clare

Days On My Floor - Establishment 20

2011-12-30T22:27:00.000-05:00

So, it went a lot like this: I heard about The Sketchbook Project, was intrigued, and decided why not? I signed up for the project, chose the theme "Untitled", and a few days later received my sketchbook in the mail. And so it started.

I have now started this project four times. Yes, four times. I kept starting, deciding I hated where it was going, and I would start over. But. I think this time, the fourth time, I think I've got it.

The problem was, I was intimated by the project. I was also a little (a lot?) clueless as to what to do with my sketchbook. The fourth time in, though, I realized, it's a sketchbook; there is no wrong way to fill it. The first three times I tried to fill it, I didn't treat it like the rest of my sketchbooks/journals - I kept trying to give it a theme, I kept trying to make it look nice; and there is nothing wrong with that, but that's not how I art journal. I art journal spur of the moment. I journal what is going through my mind just then. I journal with coffee filters and too many Urban Outfitters clippings. I do not journal in a theme; I do not journal with cute stickers or patterned paper. Once I realized that, that I was trying to journal in someone else's style (not necessarily a specific person, just a different style), I realized I needed to stop.

It was time to journal my way.

So. That's what I'm doing - journaling in this sketchbook the same way I would journal in any other sketchbook. I don't know why I was trying to journal differently, because it didn't work and I hated it. But working with the sketchbook my way? I'm loving it.

I am here at Art House Co-Op. Link me up if you're doing this project, too?

The Repeat List: Death Cab For Cutie

2011-12-29T15:01:00.001-05:00

I have a terrible habit of latching onto an album and putting it on repeat for several consecutive days. Death Cab For Cutie's album Codes And Keys would be one of those albums. Take a listen? Codes And Keys by Hannah Clare on Grooveshark
Photo from DCFC's Flickr stream, here.

P.S. In the shop, starting Friday, receive 30% off your purchase with the code "HAPPYNEW". It's almost 2012, people; can you believe it? Happy Thursday, all.

A Christmas Tradition - Doughnuts for Breakfast II

2011-12-25T16:27:00.003-05:00

Apple Fritters (Gluten Free & Vegan)

INGREDIENTS:Fritters- 1 cup gluten free flour mix (mix below)- 1/4 cup sugar- 3/4 teaspoon salt- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice (or 1 teaspoon cinnamon)- 1/3 cup milk (I use almond or coconut)- 1 eggs worth of egg replacer (mix below)- 1 cup cubed apple
Glaze- 1 cup powdered sugar- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract- 2 teaspoons milk
1) Whisk together dry ingredients. Stir in milk and egg; fold in apples (I used canned apples that had been prepped for pie filling, but fresh apples are fine).
2) Heat oil on medium heat. (The oil is ready when the dough floats.) Drop in about 1/4 cup of dough for each fritter (or more/less, depending on the size you want them). Cook until browned (about two minutes), flip, and cook the other side the same. Place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

3) Make the glaze - whisk the ingredients together. My glaze was super thick, but melted when I placed it on the hot doughnuts. Add/take away liquids until it's your preferred consistency. Let the glaze harden.

4) Eat them warm. Eat lots of them, it's Christmas.

(recipe found here)

Gluten Free Flour Mix- 2 cups millet or rice flour- 2/3 cup potato starch (not potato flour)- 1/3 cup tapioca flour
Flax Meal Egg Replacer- 2 tablespoons boiling water- 1 tablespoon flax meal
Stir ingredients together. Let sit until they form a thick, egg-like consistency (about three minutes).

Merry Christmas you all! (Last years doughnuts.)

DIY Word Art

2011-12-20T14:54:00.000-05:00

I have had a blank 21" x 17" canvas sitting in my closet for months now. I was thinking about doing something similar to this negative-space word art board, but I never really loved the idea of doing it on canvas. So, the canvas sat in my closet unused until I suddenly realized what I wanted to do with it, and this was the result:
It took an afternoon, some catalog pages, a cup of coffee and a denial of perfection. I love the result.

What You'll Need:
- Blank canvas, any size and kind.
- Catalog pages or patterned paper, or photographs or anything else that trips your trigger. I also used a paper bag and a security envelope.
- Craft glue (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)
- Mod Podge (optional)
- Paintbrush
- Letter stencils (optional)

1 - First, measure your canvas. Subtract about two inches from the height and width, then divide that amount by the number of letters in each line of your phrase. This is the size your letters will be. My statement had an odd number of letters, so I knew I'd either have to leave the last space blank, or fill it in with something else; you could also do a different number of letters per line, and change the sizes to fill in the canvas, or you could center your lines. This is all completely up to you.

Also, don't be afraid to rotate your canvas! I was going to paste my letters on vertically, but the statement ended up fitting better if I did it horizontally. So. Don't be afraid to turn things around until they fit. I (because I like details) drew up several diagrams of my phrase before I decided what I liked best.

2 - Cut out your letters. I made a cardboard guide in the size my letters needed to be (mine ended up being a little over 3" x 5"), and cut out rectangles of paper that I then cut into letters. I used a ruler to draw lines on the backs of my papers for the letters, because I wanted them to look uniform. For the "O" and the "S" I free-handed the letters onto the backs and then hoped for the best. You could also use stencils, or print out your letters in a huge font size and then trace those.

My letters did end up being a little big, because I forgot to add room for space between the letters (all those diagrams and no spaces? That would be me), so I took one letter in each row and made it a bit smaller - the "I" ended up being about an inch wide instead of three, and for the second "O" I cut out a circle a little over an inch in diameter. On the last row, I put a banner in the empty space; it worked.

3 - Place your letters. Make sure they all fit how you want them to. Using a paintbrush, spread the craft glue onto the backs of the letters. You don't want to drown your letters, but they do need plenty of glue to stick to the canvas. Slap the letters on.
After the glue is dry, you could cover the entire canvas in a layer of Mod Podge. I didn't, mostly because I didn't want to wait till the glue dried and then remember to Mod Podge it. But. You could Mod Podge it (it would probably be a good idea, by the way).

I love the resulting canvas. I didn't go into it knowing exactly what I wanted to come out with, but I love it! The colours and the random faces peeking out thrill my soul. I think I need to make some more of these, maybe with fabric letters on a piece of plywood (...yeah, I will be making that). Link me up if you make one? Happy Tuesday, all! (And can you believe there is less than a week until Christmas?! This year went by so quickly!)

2011-12-15T12:21:00.001-05:00

This has been sitting in my drafts for about two months now. I was ~~bored~~ procrastinating my TO DO list one day and was playing around with some images I'd picked out of my inspiration folder; I adore the result. So, two months later, I am sharing it with you. (P.S. You guys, I have a problem with pretty iPhone cases. Such. A. Problem.)

Clockwise: Oliver Barrett poster / Society6 iPod case / Unknown / "It's November" portrait by Ellie Niemeyer / Lovely tree-house photo by turnintosomething

5 (Part I): Buy A Pair of Heels

2011-12-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

I've never been a big shoe person. The majority of shoes I own are either flip-flops or flats; I have one pair of moccasins and one pair of boots. That's it, the end. Not very exciting. But then, one morning, I woke up and realized I wanted some cute shoes. Like, some cute heels, people. So. For forever now, I've been searching for the perfect (and cheap) pair of heels. I found this pair while thrifting, and they came pretty close.I don't think I've really worn/owned heels since I was a kid, but I've had a craving for them recently, so, why not? Now I just need some warm weather and an excuse to wear these babies.

2011-11-24T11:57:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow only, receive 20% off your purchase at the shop with the code "BLACKTWENTY"!
Happy Thanksgiving, all! (P.S. Normal blogging will be back soon! Can't wait. Ha.)

2011-11-23T14:07:00.000-05:00

Elements: Fabrics and stitched flowers by Kitschy Digitals; Perforama font (slightly modified).
Just something I've been working on. Reminders. I love how they turned out. I think I'm going to order prints of them and hang them on my wall.

November Shop Update

2011-11-21T22:12:00.001-05:00

Just a little shop update. It's not the update I was hoping for, but considering this past week, I'm glad it's where it is. So. New in the shop...

Happy Monday, all!

Kara Made Stuff...

2011-11-15T10:31:00.002-05:00

...And it's all gorgeous. No, really, you should go check it out. I am loving her line of T-shirts and pullovers.

Also, I have a huge weakness for Kara's doily journals. Or any of her journals, really!Need more? Check out the intro post for Stuff Kara Made, visit Kara on Twitter, and browse the shop. And don't forget to enter Kara's giveaway for a Stuff Kara Made T-shirt over at her blog! Happy Tuesday, all!

2011-11-14T11:29:00.001-05:00

I realized the other day, that it has been a long time since I did some real art journaling. Some "just because I want to" journaling. So that's what I am working on doing these days: art journaling for real. Because I want to. It's been good.

I've been steering through some insane anxiety storms these past few days, so if it's been/is a little quiet around here, that's why. And if you're waiting for an e-mail from me, sorry! I'll be back up as soon as I can. Right now, I'm just taking it all one step at a time.I think I might go do some more "just because" journaling. Happy Monday, all!

Shshh

2011-11-10T08:59:00.003-05:00

Cara of Shshh put up an Etsy update yesterday that I am in love with! I adore Cara's entire shop, but her camera illustrations just about kill me.

Need more? (You do.) Visit Cara's studio, her blog and her lovely shop. (And maybe purchase everything so I don't have to? Yeah.) Happy Thursday, all.

On Balance

2011-11-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

Photo by eightsandnines.
What is balance? It is a science, it is an art. It is the delicate act of steadying trembling scales. It is difficult. Is balance entirely possible?

What is balance? It is the evening out of "this" and "that". It is the finding of what is "that" and what is "this".

Balance is hard. We will spend much of our lives carefully stepping here and there on its teetering scales. Balance is hard. But not entirely impossible. Balance requires practice. It requires help, even when we don't want it.

Balance is personal. My balance is not your balance, and your balance is not my balance. Balance must be searched for, it will not come to you. It is something we must discover.

If Only

2011-11-03T19:32:00.006-04:00

photos by: rostbiff / unknown / Cara Edwards / Julian Bialowas / inmost_light

Over At The Shop...

2011-11-01T08:52:00.002-04:00

Use the code "SHIPITFREE" for free domestic shipping today until November 5!

Days On My Floor - Establishment 19: And Then She BREATHEd

2011-10-29T12:59:00.000-04:00

I finished my Book Of BREATHE just this week. It was a very sad and very happy moment. Sad because it was over and it has been one of my favourite projects so far. Happy because, as I was finishing it, I realized that I had been working on it for nearly a year.

A year. All of the other books I've finished have been made over a few months, at the most. But BREATHE? This was a year long process. It was a year of living, of evolving, and, most importantly, of breathing. As I was stapling the book together, and then photographing it, it was so fun to look back at what was happening in my life over the past year. Even though there aren't very many long journal entries in BREATHE, there are still wonderful little snippets. Music I was listening to. The single thought that wouldn't leave me. The little memories.

Putting together BREATHE has been wonderful. Every time I made a new page, it was a reminder to simply let it out, let it go, to breathe. I might have to make a second Book Of BREATHE just to keep the reminder fresh! I could use no end of breathing these days.

I hope every time I think back on this book that I will remember that is okay to stop thinking about all the "important" things for just a bit. That is is okay to, if only for a few minutes, put off the haunting decisions. It's okay to breathe.

View the entire book here. Happy Saturday, all.

2011-10-26T19:54:00.001-04:00

Just some old black-and-white family photos I found and scanned the other day. There was a decent sized stack of them, but these are my favourites. (From top to bottom: Birds on the beach, my sister, my grandfather, peacocks on the roof and my cousin.)

2011-10-22T11:24:00.002-04:00

Hello, I am just popping in to say I've got an interview up over at Brighid's House. Take a visit?And if you're visiting from Sonya's place - Hello and thanks for visiting! And now I am off for the day... Happy Saturday, all!

October Shop Update!

2011-10-21T09:34:00.004-04:00

I feel like I just updated the shop yesterday...but here it is again! New in the shop this month are some lovely Painted Postcard Prints that I am in love with. Visit the shop and support a starving artist? (There's this thing called "college" looming ahead...)

Happy Friday, all!

The Repeat List: Mumford And Sons

2011-10-19T15:14:00.004-04:00

May I suggest you listen to this right away? It will make your day brighter. Promise. Album: Sigh No More by Mumford And Sons.

Photo of Mumford And Sons found in their gallery, here.

6: Get Another Piercing

2011-10-17T08:46:00.004-04:00

This goal? This item on the 17 Before 18 list? This was the one I was the most excited about. And I was nearly convinced it wasn't going to happen before I turned 18 because, well, it is my seventh ear piercing, and my dad wasn't all that into it. But. It happened. Heck. Yes.
My sister has been wanting to get a second piercing for awhile now, so we went in together. All the girls in our family had our ears pierced when we were babies. For my 15th birthday, I had a double piercing on both my ears, for a total of three holes in each ear. And I've been waiting for two years to get another piercing. My mom jokes that I have perforated ears... I just like holes in my head apparently.

Anyways. Last Friday we popped over to our local beauty salon and had at it.

So fun. (Above photo: the new sparkle is the forth one up.)
Afterwards we stopped by our little town's one-and-only coffee house. And then we went thrifting. And I took too many pictures throughout the whole ordeal and the adventure was complete.Happy Monday, all.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 18: Compose Yourself

2011-10-15T14:31:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I get bored with art journaling. Horrifying thought, I know. But. It's true. Sometimes, I will sit among my mounds of paper and I will think, What is the point of this again? Often, when it comes to this thought, I just need to take a walk or get some sleep, and I will be back at it again the next day. But sometimes, I just end up stuck in a boredom rut.

One of the best cures for my boredom rut, is to start journaling in a new format. If I'm journaling in my sketchbook, I'll switch to a loose page, or I'll use cardboard as a page base. This time, I was inspired by Kara Haupt's doily journals, and I whipped up a new journal to start working in. It was just the thing I needed.

I love experimenting with different formats to journal with, mostly because the possibilities are endless! I've tried working in a composition notebook before, and it didn't last very long. I got fed up with all the annoying blue and red lines, and I found the black-and-white checkered cover of the composition notebook insanely ugly. (That's one of my little issues - the journal I'm using has to be cute, or I'm just not inspired to use it.) But I adore the record cover I used for this journal re-make, and I am dying to fill it up.

What are you favourite formats to journal in?

Hello And Some Shop Goodness

2011-10-13T15:04:00.005-04:00

Well hello. I feel like it has been so, so quiet on the blog lately! I've been dealing with some crazy anxiety issues these days...and then, well, there's life to deal with. But I've had an amazing past few days, so hopefully I'll be back at blogging now!

I'm just popping in right now to let you all know that I've put the remaining "A Sunlit Corner" Found Paper Journals on sale! The two that are left (here and here) are 20% OFF right now! They're expiring in a week and they're not coming back to the shop, so if you love 'em, grab 'em now.

Also, here's a little peek of some new product coming to the shop this month...

I'm excited. So. Happy. (Should I pop an exclamation mark in here somewhere? Exclamation mark! Yeah that!) Happy Friday, all!

13: Buy A Print

2011-10-06T23:07:00.003-04:00

"One Step" postcard print by Kim Smith.

I decided I was really being a lazy-butt with my 17 Before 18 list. So I bought a print that's been on my wishlist for a long time. I love it because "one step at a time" is something I am constantly, constantly telling myself to do. And now there is a pretty little reminder of it where I can see it every day.

Related to my 17 Before 18 list, I re-wrote the list. Why? Mostly because I have a hard time making up my mind, but also, because I am tired. I am tired of wasting what little energy I have on things I am not passionate about. I tell people, over and over, and I will tell it to anybody, to find their passion, to grab onto it and not let anyone talk them down.

Lately, I have been letting people (including myself) talk me down. I didn't realize this until recently - that I was spending too much time taking my passions and molding them to fit what I perceived others wanted out of them. I realized that I was over this. My passions are mine and I will not let anyone talk me down.

And in a somewhat crazy and round-about way, that leads to why I changed my 17 Before 18 list: Because I am not passionate about my list. But this new list? The one I wrote out on during a very bad, very restless day in which I didn't care what stood in my way? I think I am passionate about it. Some of the items on this list I have been wanting to do for forever now. These things are all about my passions. About new things. About stepping outside of my comfort zone a little bit. That stuff? That I am passionate about.

So I have re-written my list. I will be posting the re-make soon. And hopefully I will be working a lot ~~harder~~ more passionately on completing the items. So. Happy day, all. Go be passionate, okay?

Because I'm Sick

2011-10-04T13:51:00.001-04:00

Some things that make me want to create something. It is a completely random selection (sort of) and has been collected over several days. But I am using the fact that I am sick as an excuse to post it. So. Have at it.

Recycled Travel Journal by Liberty London.

Recycled Security Envelope Notebooks by Saratops.

Oh, and everything else in her shop.

These gorgeous wooden iPhone cases by Lazerwood. I think I need an iPhone.

(P.S. The "Loose Lips Sink Ships" case is probably my favourite.)

These photos of Lindsey's dorm over at I Just Might Explode.
And because I couldn't not include it, this gorgeous song and video:
P.S. Can you believe it's already October?! What in the world.Happy Tuesday, all.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 17

2011-09-30T19:51:00.001-04:00

Do you see that photo up there? I am super proud of it. What in the world? Yeah. These are my two completed Summer of Love books. The top one is from 2010 and the bottom one is from this year. Do you see the difference? I am stoked about the difference. This year's book is huge compared to last year's. I love it and will stop going on about it now.I feel like summer went by super quickly this year. The beginning of summer was pretty decent, but it didn't quite end right. I was so grateful when fall finally fell. Fall is just such a comforting season, with it's sweaters and pumpkin-spiced Chai teas, that it was perfect after the heavy stress of the final weeks of summer.I think I expected a bit much from this summer, and thus killed it before it had a chance to live. Oh well. That being said, this Summer Of Love book turned into such a wonderful book. It was definitely full of the unexpected - like that hospital bracelet up there (four photos up)? Long story in a short breath: I ended up in an ambulance and the ER one day, due to a seizure caused by a procedure at, of all places, the eye doctor. Apparently the numbing drops they put in your eyes to check the pressure just do not agree with me. Scariest day of my life. Anyways.Looking back at the Introduction of this book (bottom of the post), I think it worked out perfectly. I am horrible about, uh, exaggerating and fantasizing to make a better story. But here's the thing - sure, it makes the story better, but it takes away from the heart of said story. That's exactly what I didn't want to do in this book. So I threw it out, the hyperboles and all that jazz, and decided to only put down the bare truth of the stories. And out of that, grew this book, full of heart and soul and truth. It holds the frustrations, the gritty details nobody wants to know about. And it holds the glorious days. Like the Introduction says, "the good, the bad, and the downright horrible".And as the good, the bad, and the downright horrible all together, it became something worth making.

I'm Back.

2011-09-28T22:18:00.000-04:00

Hello. My name is Hannah Clare and I am (finally) returning from the Land of the Downtrodden, the Uninspired and the Unproductive. Yeah. True story. I am blaming it all on the fact that I am a senior this year. Mmmhmm.

Anyways. Enough of that depressing stuff. I finally took photos of my finished Summer of Love book, so look for those tomorrow. And, if it's not up tomorrow, come yell at me. Nah, seriously. Scare me out of this funk. I'm over it.

Also, I finally started working on my sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project. So, look for that, soon, too. So. That's all. Happy Thursday, all.

Ghost Home

2011-09-24T19:40:00.003-04:00

This song is so beautiful. It makes me want to cry every time I hear it. I was going to work on a Days On My Floor post yesterday. It didn't happen. I was going to work on it today. Again, it didn't happen. Instead, I decided to make myself some coffee and just do some journaling for myself. I might pull out Kara Haupt's Fall In Love class. (Because did you know that fall is here already? Amazing, right?) But, I might not. Right now, I am simply going to take it slow. Breathe. And listen to music like the above song - music that is just so wonderful and joyful and beautiful that it overwhelms the soul.
Happy Saturday, all.

September Shop Update!

2011-09-21T08:26:00.005-04:00

This is probably my favourite, and largest, shop update yet. I'm in love with everything that has just been listed. Four one-of-a-kind journals that I posted a little sneak-peek of earlier are up. I have never been so excited about a journal in my life. Also, new Found Elements Grab-Bags are up!And some new journal styles! These two journals are a bit experimental, so let me know what you think?Alright. Enough rambling on my part. Give the shop a visit? And don't forget that you can still get 15% off your purchase if you order before September 23! Happy Wednesday, all!

Summer Archives: Things I Have Learned While Road-Tripping

2011-09-19T11:21:00.002-04:00

1. There are a lot of levels on the Brick game Alex has. Like a lot. And if I'm bored, I can get to some pretty high levels.

2. If you sit next to an open window the whole time you are driving, your entire face will eventually go numb. It's really kind of disturbing when your face goes numb.

3. Knitting is dangerous when sitting in a moving bus. Your yarn is likely to go flying out the window and get stuck on something. True story.4. Many things are not worth crying over. But trying to get to sleep when it is about 150 degrees and the humidity is so bad you can hardly breathe? That you can cry over.

5. Also, said heat and humidity will not kill you. Even if you all think it will.

6. Watch out for slamming doors. Also, forever be prepared for the bus to come to a sudden stop/turn (or as sudden as a bus can stop/turn). If the heat and humidity don't kill you, getting slammed by a door or going flying down half the length of the bus might.

7. Put the groceries away as soon as possible. Because when you fall on a bag of canned-goods, it'll hurt like heck.

8. Even if it doesn't feel very fun when it's happening (whatever "it" is), you will love the memory later on. So chill. And have fun.

Promise the next post won't be a list. Ha, maybe. Happy Monday, all! Make it good.

15 Pieces: Part I - Well, Hello

2011-09-17T22:08:00.003-04:00

15 Pieces. 15 simple (or not) things about me; 15 pieces of my life. Join me?

1. I was adopted. (And no, in case you're curious, I was adopted before I was born - meaning my parents where present when I was born and I have never lived anywhere else but here.) I could write a whole post (or series of posts, really) on this one sentence but here's the summarized version: I am a Hispanic-Italian adopted into a Caucasian family, and it took me until I was 14 to figure out what any of this meant to me. (Just what it means to me is a whole 'nother post.) I love my family to death.

2. Pretty much, my cure-all remedy is "Get a hobby!". Bored? Get a hobby. Losing your mind? Get a hobby. Mid-life crisis? Get a hobby. Don't want to clean your room? Get a hobby. I don't care what it is, but I am forever telling people to, please, get a hobby. Find a passion. Run with it and don't let anyone talk you down.

3. I've been drinking coffee since I was 5. It is a tradition in our family that when you turn five, my grandfather takes you out to get your first cup of coffee and teach you how to "drink it right". My entire family drinks coffee, right down to the four-year-old. We love that stuff.4. I will listen to and love pretty much any kind of music. Except rap. And country. Don't get me started.

5. I have been playing guitar for 5 or so years. Who knows if I'm any good at it. I took piano for a bit when I was younger, but it never stuck.

Make your own list and link me up? I'd love love to read it.

The Sketchbook Project

2011-09-12T12:04:00.003-04:00

I got my sketchbook in the mail this weekend. I chose the theme "Untitled" and I have about six million vague ideas as to where I'm going to take that. It is sitting on my desk looking pretty until I figure out what to do with it. Are you participating in The Sketchbook Project this year? Done it before?

Happening Here

2011-09-09T13:43:00.002-04:00

Working on some special limited-edition journals for the shop (it is going to kill me to part with these!). And some new books in my ever-growing vintage paper collection. Seriously, my paper collection is taking over my bedroom these days. I think I need a studio.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 16: This, That And Some Love

2011-09-08T21:58:00.002-04:00

I feel like saying this to start off this post: This is my 150th post. I mean, yeah, I've seen a lot of people say that on their 100th or 200th post, but, really, I like the number 150 better. So. This is my 150th post! I think, out of the dozen or so blogs I have had in the past, this is the furthest I have ever gotten in keeping with a blog. Go me! Go CAVE IN THE CLOUDS.

Back to the real point of this post: Days On My Floor. Before I finally cleaned my room yesterday, my floor was one big art journaling disaster. But it was wonderful. I think I journaled like 15 pages in three days. It was good. I was just in this place where the pages would not stop coming - know what I mean? And every time I sat down to clean up it all up, I would pick up a scrap piece of paper, and I suddenly knew the perfect way to use it...and then, of course, I had to use it before I forgot. It was, like, art journal magic.

Lately I've been mixing prompts from Kara's This & That class with the prompts from Kara's other class that I'm working with, Summer of Love. And the results have been some serious art journaling action as mentioned above. Some of my very favourite pages recently have come from these two classes, especially when mixing prompts from the both of them.

I absolutely adore how this Summer of Love book is coming along! It is so, so different from last years. I have this crazy desire to pack it full to bursting in these next two and last weeks of summer. We'll see how that goes. Happy Friday, all.

CAVE IN THE CLOUDS Sale!

2011-09-08T08:31:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe it is already September - this year has gone by so quickly!

Summer is nearly over, so CAVE IN THE CLOUDS is having a little end of summer sale, with everything 15% off with the code "GOODBYE15"! Some of the Found Paper Journals in the shop will be expiring soon, so if you've been wanting one, now is the time to snag it! Also, don't forget that if you purchase a Found Elements Grab-Bag in addition to a Found Paper Journal, you will not be charged any additional shipping for the grab-bag! Sale lasts until September 22, so have some fun and support a starving artist. Happy Thursday, all.

These Days Are...

2011-09-05T22:34:00.000-04:00

...learning not to fight the emotions, but rather to embrace them.

...realizing that decisions are conscious efforts.

...long, hot showers at night, talking to God and maybe crying.

...too much coffee in the mornings; and splattering that last little bit of coffee that hides in the bottom of the cup onto journal pages.

...making an effort to be content, and even joyful, with what I already have.

I will be gone all day tomorrow, attending the funeral and such for my grandfather's brother. (And because I feel like clarifying: I, personally, did not really know my grandfather's brother much...but, clearly, the rest of my family did.) Hopefully I will be back soon soon with some good stuff! Happy Monday, all.

Shabby Apple Giveaway Winner!

2011-09-03T12:53:00.003-04:00

Mr. Random has once again chosen a winner for our giveaway!

Congratulations Suzanne! Keep an eye on your inbox lady, I will be e-mailing you soon soon! If you didn't win, but still need to get your hands on some Shabby Apple goodness, you can still get 10% off your order using the code "CAVEINTHECLOUDS10OFF" until September 24! Happy Saturday, you all!

Rush and Rattle and Rest

2011-09-02T22:18:00.001-04:00

Photo by: girlhulu
All this past week I have been collecting photos for another Days On My Floor post. All this past week I have been putting off things I needed (and still need) to do - like clean my room, and read that book for the Bible Study that started last week, and actually finish up my school. But it is so very annoying to be responsible, so I did none of the above. And now I am behind in the Bible Study book. Very behind.
It drives me crazy how much time I can waste on the internet, without even realizing it, especially when I have things I need to be doing other than being on the internet. I will click a link and then, oh look at that, and I'm off to another place. And again. And before I know it, I have fifty tabs pulled up and I am bouncing back and forth from tab to tab and window to window and then hours have past and I have gotten nothing done and all those tabs are still open. And all those tabs are still open because I cannot get my mind to sit still long enough to finish reading the article I pulled up, or to finish ogling the project that tripped my trigger, or to even remember why I opened that tab in the first place! And, of course, I haven't gotten off my butt to do anything about the inspiration that occurred, multiple times, within those tabs.
I have about fifty tabs opened right now. And it is driving me insane. There are piles of paper on my floor, and a very long To Do list being written in my head. But all I want to do is crawl into bed and continue reading Jane Eyre, and then go to sleep. And not care about the fact that I have not done anything I intended/need to do; and to have it all be okay.
I want to rest. But I am very bad at resting. I am very bad at putting it all down, taking a deep breathe, and just letting my mind and my body heal and recuperate from the late-nights and all that coffee and the constant rush and rattle of my brain. Let me say it again - I am very bad at resting. Even when I'm sick (like these past three days) I cannot get myself to rest. I've been cooking and attempting to clean and do school and working on shop stuff, and generally not giving myself any downtime. I know I need rest. But where is there time to rest among everything I need to do? There isn't. Maybe resting should be on the To Do list.
All of that to say I am going to spend the next hour, or however long until I finally go to sleep, just chilling out. And maybe I will let said "chilling out" continue into tomorrow. Because I have church and Bible Study on Sunday and lots of school on Monday and a funeral to attend on Tuesday, and anything else that will pop up in between all those events and the trials of my patience. But. For right now. I'm going to try to rest. I'm going to turn off the computer and maybe turn on the Christmas lights. And just breathe.
I might delete this post tomorrow. Goodbye.

Summer Archives: View From My Lens

2011-08-29T22:20:00.004-04:00

The view from my seat in the back of the bus. I slept and, well, lived on one of the beds in the back for the entire trip.I wanted to get a photo of every "Welcome To..." state signs as we passed through, but this is the only one I got. We were buzzing down the highway and I snapped and this happened.In Yellowstone National Park, the day we saw Old Faithful.We were driving down the highway and everyone was getting antsy. There was a river next to the road, and we pulled over. It was nearly a straight-up drop to the beach from the parking area, but we climbed down and swam 'till we were frozen.Crossing a river I don't remember. All I know is that I don't like bridges, but I liked the way the water looked in that moment.

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-08-26T22:26:00.002-04:00

Well, apparently, it is the time for giveaways lately. Because I have another one. I am so excited to be hosting this giveaway!

When Shabby Apple contacted me about partnering with them to offer a giveaway, I was shocked. And stoked. I probably did a little dance in my computer chair. But my chair-dancing is a completely different story. So. Here's the deal.Pictured above: San Remo Ring and the Trajan Cuff. All images from Shabby Apple.

Shabby Apple is a vintage-inspired women's clothing boutique, also offering a select range of jewelry and children's clothing. Today, they are offering you a chance to win one of their jewelry pieces, Through The Looking Glass (pictured below)!

Pretty much, I adore this necklace. I will probably end up being super jealous of whoever wins this, but I will try not to be!

To enter this giveaway, pop on over to Shabby Apple and leave a comment letting me know what your favourite item is! (Please make sure to leave a way to contact you if you win!)

For an extra entry, visit and "Like" Shabby Apple's Facebook page and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done so!

This giveaway is open to US residents only (sorry, guys!) and will be open until midnight (EST) Friday, September 2!

If you can't wait 'till the giveaway's over, Shabby Apple is also offering you 10% off your purchase, for the next 30 days, with the coupon code: CAVEINTHECLOUDS10OFF!

The Vinyl Files - Part II: The Postal Service, Give Up

2011-08-25T22:15:00.000-04:00

This is not a vintage record, or anything exciting like that. But it is a good record. And it is even better when you are sitting in the dark with the Christmas lights on. Have you ever noticed how everything is so much better with Christmas lights on?

Give Up by The Postal Service is one of my favourite records. I've enjoyed The Postal Service for years, but it all sounds so much better on vinyl. The crackles, the warmth. Add Christmas lights and it's magical. I'll stop gushing now.

I feel sort of strange buying vinyl albums that came out just a few years ago...it feels like vinyl should be an exclusively vintage item. But I do enjoy them both equally (new and old albums). What do you think? Vintage vinyl or the newer stuff?

My absolute favourite track on this album, is the Shins re-mix of The Postal Service's song We Will Become Silhouettes. Take a listen?

Days On My Floor - Establishment 15: The Instrumental Version

2011-08-19T14:14:00.001-04:00

Time for a random fact about me! I love instrumental music. I have an Explosions In the Sky based station on Pandora just for when I get those instrumental urges.

A good 90% of the time, I am listening to non-instrumental music (like right now, as I edit this post). But the other 10% of the time is when I need to be enchanted by music, but still have room for my own thoughts. I flip it on when I need to feel emotional. Or when my head is just about to explode from all the thoughts. It's calming. I especially enjoy listening to scores from movie soundtracks...like (even thought I'm ashamed to admit this!) the score for the first Twilight movie. Mmhmm. Good score; but just for the record, I really do not like Twilight. At all.Anyways. Back to the point of this post. I've been listening to instrumental music lately. It's been awhile since I've done so, but it is just amazing how much better my mind functions with it on! Especially when I'm art journaling. Love it. So I made a playlist with some of my favourites to share with you all. Turn it on and relax. Turn it on and go make a art journal page or four or ten. Enjoy.

Photos: All the pages pictured above are inspired by Kara Haupt's This & That class. I'm loving it. It's exactly what I've been needing.Happy Friday, all.
P.S. Shop update happening this weekend! New product will be released, which I'm super excited about! Also, a shop visual re-vamp (after only two months? I know). Which I'm also super happy/excited about. I think I'm finally getting around to realizing that CAVE IN THE CLOUDS is not exactly in the place it needs to be. And that is being fixed. And I'm excited. Enough rambling. Have a happy day.

Summer Archives: Puget Sound, WA

2011-08-17T21:56:00.002-04:00

I think I've already said it, but I'm really bad at editing photos. Partly because I have no idea what I'm doing in the actual editing process. But, also because I am really bad at narrowing down the "good photos". I end up with like 50 favourites out of 60 photos. Which really shouldn't happen. I think I'm getting a bit better at it though, editing and narrowing. And so. I give you some narrowed down photos of random rocks and shells. Yes.

These are all from our Bunkhouse Trip, from when we stayed up in Washington. We stopped at Puget Sound one day and while all the kids were collecting crabs and getting wet and nasty, I was busy wandering around taking photos and trespassing on private beaches (really, I really didn't see the sign. Really).I really like how some of these photos turned out. Unfortunately, when I was taking these photos, I only had the fixed lens, and we never had the chance to go back with the zoom lens. Which means I couldn't take good photos of the mountains and all that jazz (which was why I was trying to get closer to said mountains and ended up on the aforementioned private beaches. Yep). So. Taking more photos of Puget Sound will have to be my excuse to go back to Washington, yeah?
Happy Wednesday, all.

Just Gotta Let It Out

2011-08-16T10:16:00.000-04:00

This past week or so has been one of the most inspired times of my life. And I just thought I'd share some of what's been inspiring me while it's still inspiring.

Like this amazing video, shared by Michelle of Scissor Quirk, and created by Shimelle:

And this inspiring set of photos by Kara Haupt, entitled "Day At My Desk":
And Liis Klammer's lovely photostream:

And this amazing collection of drawings by Kim Smith:

The collection: 01 /02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 /07 / 08 / 09

What is inspiring you these days?

This & That Winner!

2011-08-13T14:39:00.001-04:00

I'm just popping in real quick to announce the winner of the This & That giveaway! And Random has declared the winner to be...

Congratulations! I'll get your info over to Kara, so be watching for your invite! Also, if you didn't win, there is still time to purchase a spot before the class starts! (You know you want to...)

I will hopefully be back later this evening with a Days On My Floor post, because, honestly, it's been way to long since I did one. And I need it. So. Happy Saturday.

Meet The Bunkhouse

2011-08-11T10:39:00.000-04:00

I have dozens of folders on my desktop loaded with photos from our road-trip. (Are you over me talking about road-trips yet?!) But I thought I had better introduce the entire reason for the trip first: the Bunkhouse.The Bunkhouse (and I'm so sorry if I'm repeating information, I can never remember if I've already said something or not! I'm not the only one, right?) used to be a government shuttle for some department-of-something (I don't remember). The owner before us bought it from the government, converted it into an RV, and deemed it "the Bunkhouse". And then we bought it off the guy.Scanned photos are from the original owner, of the bus in it's original un-converted state.
My mom has always wanted to convert a bus into an RV, but I'm pretty sure she was happy not to have to do the actual renovation work! Even though this baby needs some work to fit our family, it at least runs. Our last RV was completely unpredictable in whether or not it would actually start up, so this was a major plus!And that, is the beginning of the story of the Bunkhouse.

P.S. I went and made a tag for the Bunkhouse, because I'm pretty sure I will have a million posts with photos from this trip and others. So, if you're interested, check it out.

That & That - Sample Pages

2011-08-10T14:02:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I mentioned I was going to post the sample pages I created for Kara Haupt's art journaling class, This & That. So, here they are!

The idea of the class This & That is to mix and match the prompts Kara has come up with. Kara sent me a couple of sample prompts and they collided and exploded and turned into a two-page spread that was just amazingly fun to create! These are the prompts that I chose to work with:

Technique prompts:
- Use a page of your planner or calendar on a page.
- Use a stamp to create a custom patterned paper.

Journaling prompt:
- Give a shout-out to anything by finishing the phrase "Hey, ______".

I don't actually own any stamps, or ink pads for that matter, so instead I used the eraser on a pencil and some acrylic paints instead. It was so much fun and I will definitely be experimenting with this prompt more in future pages! I might have to invest in some actual stamps some day, too.

I am so excited for the rest of this class! Happy Wednesday, all!

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a spot in This & That over here!

This & That - Giveaway!

2011-08-09T22:27:00.005-04:00

I am sure you've heard me talk about Kara Haupt before; I am positive you have. Kara is one of the (very) few bloggers who has stayed in my Bloglovin' for more than a few months. I remember finding her blog and being so surprised to find she was only a bit older than I was, because she was simply so inspiring to me (and most teenagers are, well, not). And she still is.

Kara is one of the biggest inspirations for my art journaling. I have taken nearly all of her classes (online and PDF) and look forward to the inspiration of each new one. When I hit the inevitable art-journalers-block, her classes and pages never cease to get me going again. And I have no doubt her newest online class, This & That, will do the same.

All gushing aside, here's the point of this post: Kara Haupt is offering you a chance to win a spot in her new art journaling class, This & That!

What is This & That about? In Kara's words -
Haven’t scrapbooked in awhile? Feeling uninspired with your current supplies and same old photos? Want to try scrap booking or art journaling but don’t where to start?

This & That is a three week online class jam-packed with challenges, journaling prompts, and techniques designed to get you scrapbooking again. Mix and match and use this and that to create thirty plus pages! Choose one journaling prompt and one technique idea from the pool and combine ideas to get excited about creating again.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me who (or what) inspires your art journaling. (Please make sure to leave a way to contact you if you win!)
For an extra entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave another comment linking to your tweet or blog below.
This giveaway is open to anyone, and ends at noon (EDT) on Saturday, July 13.
Read more about This & That here, and view the rest of Kara's wonderful classes here.
Tomorrow (hopefully) I will be sharing the page I created with some sample prompts from This & That, so check back! Happy Tuesday, all.

We're Back! And We Have A Winner!

2011-08-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

Driving through the Grand Teton National Park, WY.

Well, hello! We are back from our jaunt across the country...and even though it was fun, I am so happy to be home. Where there is air conditioning. And showers. And rooms to hide out in. And internet and Pandora radio. Anyways.

We are back and I have loads of photos to sort through (I filled the memory card on the second day of our drive...lots of photos); so those should be coming soon!

Also, I decided I probably shouldn't wait too much longer to announce the winner of the Daydress Journal giveaway. So, with our friend Random, I have chosen a winner, and that would be: Natty! Congratulations! Keep an eye on your inbox for an e-mail from me.

And that is all for now. Happy Monday, all!

17 Before 18

2011-08-03T10:00:00.003-04:00

This is my 17 Before 18 list. Simply 17 things I want to do. I have no idea if I'll finish them all, and I will probably change some of them over time. But. Here is the list.

Lighten up. Leap. Laugh. Do everything at least once.

Re-vamped list coming soon. I'll link it up here.

Of A Daydream

2011-08-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

Photos by: katherine rodrigues / Lauris Love / Amy F. Hughes / Ellie Niemeyer / :: Kate::

The Vinyl Files - Part I: B.J. Thomas, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head

2011-07-30T10:00:00.013-04:00

The Vinyl Files is an unscheduled feature of CAVE IN THE CLOUDS in which I share my favourite pieces of vinyl. (If I sound like I have no idea what I'm talking about, I probably have no idea what I'm talking about. I just collect vinyl because the covers are often gorgeous.)

I have a bad habit of collecting records simply for their potential as wall art. That's pretty much what happened when I stumbled upon this lovely B.J. Thomas album.

I love the design of this album cover. Covers that open up to a two-page spread are my favourites, and I love the sepia photos and little hand-written notes on this spread. And the photo on the back (pictures below)? I just kind of love it.

I was surprised that I actually enjoyed listening to this album. I have issues with collecting records and then never listening to them, so I've been trying to listen to albums as I bring them in. Sometimes I love it, often I hate it. But I actually enjoyed listening to this one!
Are you a vinyl collector, or do you think it's ridiculous? I know a lot of people are arguing that vinyl sounds better, but really...it doesn't. I just love spinning vinyl with the Christmas lights on. Because it's kind of magical that way. Happy Saturday, all. Go spin some vinyl for me?

Thrifted Therapy: Part II

2011-07-28T10:00:00.001-04:00

I love thrifting at Goodwill. Because it's cheap. And because I have thrifted a whole wardrobe full of Forever 21/Free People/Anthropology/et cetera clothing (yes, really) from there. But the best part about thrifting at Goodwill is their half-price sales. Because cheap just became ridiculously awesome. (Or, you know, something like that.) Here's a few things I picked up at the last half-price sale.

These shoes. My mother thinks they're horrendous. I think they're lovely. Plus, they were brand new; they even had that annoying little piece of elastic that holds the shoes together and makes them so hard to try on. And they were under $2. How in the world could I not get them?!

There are two things I seem to be incapable of leaving a thrifting trip without: coffee mugs and records. I did pick up a mug this last time (a super lovely, bright blue one, that was apparently a Marlboro mug) but I don't have a photo of it. In the vinyl department I made out with a copy of Barbara Streisand's Greatest Hits, B.J. Thomas' Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head and another Ray Conniff And The Singers album (which I am apparently collecting...mostly for the cover art), Somewhere My Love.

Have you thrifted up anything wonderful lately? Link me up. Happy Thursday, all!

Mini Road-Trip: Part II

2011-07-26T10:00:00.007-04:00

The last batch of photos from our mini-road-trip way back. I cannot decide whether or not I like these photographs, but here they are.

If you're reading this, it means that a) I am currently on my way to Seattle and that b) my scheduled posts are working. Both good things, right? I will most likely have internet during the entire trip (because my entire family is a bunch of internet-junkies), but I don't know how often I will/will be able to pop in.
I'm writing this up the night before we leave on a cross-country jaunt, and I am so excited for this trip!
In the summer of 2009 my family bought a junk RV off eBay, and we drove it across the country to Oregon. There were so many times that we broke down, I lost count. We spent nights in WalMart parking lots and learned how to shower in a sink without making a huge mess. We drove for hours straight, daily, with all the windows open, reading and watching and relaxing. We were traveling for an entire month, with no plans, no timelines; we stopped when it looked interesting (the Badlands) and kept driving when it didn't (the rest of South Dakota). It is one of my happiest memories.
This trip is a bit different, but I hope it will still be as wonderful. My family sold our old RV (and out of our entire family, I am the only one who is going to miss that old Georgie Boy) and purchased another one - this time a bus that has been converted into an RV. Tomorrow, we are flying up the Seattle to stop and visit one of my mother's friends, and then we will pick up "The Bus" (which is currently located near-ish to Seattle) and drive back to Indiana. And I am so happy.
So. By the time this posts, I will be off. And hopefully happy. Happy Tuesday, all.

July 22

2011-07-23T22:31:00.001-04:00

Last night was a special night.

A goal I've had for awhile, I don't remember how long, was to read the entire Bible. I've read the Bible nearly every day for years now, but I've never read through the entire book. So I decided I was going to. And last night I finished.

It was boring at times. Sometimes I cried. It made me angry, and joyful, and sometimes it was actually suspenseful. And just because I have read the entire Bible does not mean I understand all of it. Or half of it. Or any of it. But I don't have to understand it all. Through time and many reads, if I'm meant to understand it, I will. But if not, everything is still okay.

I met a man once who has read the Bible, in its entirety, over 40 times. Who knows if I'll ever make it that far. But I am so glad that I have now read it through once. Here's to reading it through twice.

"Daydress" Giveaway!

2011-07-21T10:41:00.006-04:00

To go with today's shop update I decided to do a giveaway! CAVE IN THE CLOUDS's first giveaway. So, here we go.

CAVE IN THE CLOUDS is giving away the last edition of the "Daydress" Found Paper Journal!
Giveaway is open until Saturday, August 6th. (Which feels like forever away, but I have no idea when we'll be back from our cross-country trip. And if I take the journal with me, one of my siblings will probably kill it. Sorry.) To enter simply leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you if you win and telling me a little something about yourself. Such as how many songs are in your iTunes or whether or not you sing in the shower. Happy Thursday, all!
* Edit: Thanks for asking Nina, yes this giveaway is open to international readers!
* NOTE: Please, one entry/comment per person! Feel free to share this giveaway, but it will not get you an extra entry. Thank you!

2011-07-20T21:47:00.000-04:00

It's already Wednesday? What happened to this week? Well then.

It's been super busy around here... My family is getting ready to leave on a cross-country trip in a few days; we're flying up to Washington and then road-tripping it back. I'm so looking forward to this trip - I really need it. (You know, a week or so cramped into a tiny thing on wheels with seven other people who haven't bathed in a few days? Yeah, I need that.)

And. In other exciting news: Shop update tomorrow! I'm excited. Hope you are, too. Also, I will be posting a giveaway tomorrow! So. Make sure you check back for that.

Happy Wednesday, all.

2011-07-16T23:31:00.001-04:00

Well. Hello. Have I officially not blogged in forever now?

The past three days have been an insane mish-mash of events. Insane, absolutely insane. And this week I somehow managed not get a single thing done until a few hours ago. Not a single thing. Oh well.

I will blog next week. And I will be getting things done (hopefully). Things like a shop update (which I am so happy with). And that 17 Before 18 list I mentioned way back (if I can come up with one last thing to complete the list - any suggestions?). And maybe a giveaway? Maybe.

And now I am going to sleep. Happy Saturday.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 14: In Short, The Truth

2011-07-09T23:17:00.001-04:00

My Summer Of Love is turning into a Summer Of Truth. Of realizing and finding and searching for the truth. The truth of who I am and who I was. The truth of today. The truth of the moment. The truth of worry. Simply, the truth.

Truth: I have no idea how to write this post. Truth: I have long since lost count of how many times I have tried to write this post. Truth: The fact that I can't seem to write this post is making me crazy.Truth: I like to have "adventures" with friends, especially in the summer. Truth: I do not have enough adventures. I do not get out of the house enough. Truth: My life is boring. But, I once read that having a boring life is the only way to get things done. I might have to work with being boring. My To Do list is pretty long.Lie: I can't make decisions. Truth: I like to think through every, every, little detail before I make a decision. That is okay.Truth: God is the spine of my summer. Truth: God is the spine of my life. Truth: I need to listen to God more often.Truth: I hope you have a Happy Saturday (Sunday? Sunday, too). Mine was pretty decent. Now, back to being boring...

2011-07-04T22:43:00.005-04:00

I've never been big on celebrating the Fourth of July. Or fireworks. Which is kind of sad because both those things fall on my birthday week. Oh well. We went to see a fireworks show Friday night and they set off floating lanterns (sky lanterns, whatever) before the show. Which was the best part. Unfortunately, Melissa and I sat way far back and I didn't get a single decent picture of the lanterns. Sad.

And apparently...I am no good at taking photos of fireworks. Because I forget to do things like turn of auto focus. Yeah. That would have helped a lot. Oh well, I still like how these came out. Happy Monday, all.

Hello Seventeen

2011-07-01T13:32:00.000-04:00

Today I am 17. I've never been big on celebrating my birthday. It's not that I don't like them, I've just never gotten excited over them. It was just one more day in the year. So I have no idea why I was so excited over this birthday.

I was going to do a sort of "Goodbye 16" post, but for whatever reason saying goodbye to 16 seemed so much more depressing than saying hello to 17. I've been saying goodbye too much lately - so now I'm saying Hello. Saying hello to this 17-year-old girl who is looking back at me from the mirror. I think I like her. She's been through a lot, and 16 was a tough year. It was a year of recovery and saying goodbye to pain and anger and selfishness, and mostly pain. A year of struggling and finding her place and learning to take care of herself. A year of finding peace, and of finding God again. A year of hard work. Of broken records. Of discovery. Of trying. Of new things, and of taking risks. It wasn't a bad year. It probably wasn't the best. But that 16th year has molded and made this 17th one. And I am thankful.

It isn't over. This journey. This life. These struggles. But...for today, I'll celebrate making it this far. Happy Friday, all.

Too Much

2011-06-30T22:46:00.001-04:00

I was just sipping my morning coffee, scrolling through my Bloglovin'. I wasn't even looking for it when it came crashing in. Oh, the inspiration. So. Let's have a little inspiration dump, yeah?

From the top: "Jotters" from the Etsy shop Wit & Whistle - the covers are so beautiful! // New shop you should be aware of, Market 203, by Cassie of The Veda House; I literally gasped when I popped into her shop - it's stunning and the products are wonderful to boot! // I needed a new desktop wallpaper, and when searching through the options I had downloaded away, I found this wonderful one by Mandi - so perfect. What's inspiring your day?

Oh, Tuesday

2011-06-28T21:19:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to share this shot I got while I was taking a walk yesterday. Because I like it. And because I'm ~~kind of~~ avoiding dealing with my "To Deal With" pile that is taking over my ~~bedroom~~ ~~life~~ bedroom. Hopefully I will back in a functioning mood soon because I actually had some stuff planned for this week. Happy Tuesday, all! (It is Tuesday, right? Yeah, it's Tuesday. That might explain my mood - I never really liked Tuesdays. Anyways.)

Days On My Floor - Establishment 13: Confession, Story and What-Not

2011-06-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

I started in on Kara Haupt's Summer of Love class on Tuesday. I've kind of been waiting for this since the end of last summer. This class was just so great last year and I couldn't wait to make another book of summer. I've only made the cover of my book and a few pages so far, but I'm really enjoying how it's turning out.
I'm using an old Child Craft book this time around. Last summer I used an ancient novel, which had nearly no illustrations and was really not as fun to work with as it could of been. The pages from this book? So much fun; I can hardly believe it. The full-page illustrations are gorgeous. Plus, looking through all those poems...haha, so many random childhood memories. It's all good.
I feel like I'm putting a lot more life into my book this summer... My book last summer wasn't exactly boring, but I feel like this year, my book has so much more story. If that makes any sense. I also had so much fun putting together the bracelet-bindings for the book! The little heart charm (on the brown bracelet above) is from my Grandmother and has an "H" engraved on the back. Someone else gave it to her and she gave it to me since it had my initial. It's been sitting in my bedroom for a long time now, and I decided I needed to use it. Again, so much more story in this book.

So far the contents of my book are nearly the exact opposite of my book last year. It is so much more from my heart this year. There is so much less fluff; the story forming is so much more real and concrete.

I think I am nailing down my art journaling style. It comes so naturally now, as compared to how I used to sit down and suddenly have the worst case of art-journalers-block. I am learning to journal, not so much for others, but simply for myself. (I can't be the only one guilty of art journaling for others, can I?)
"This is a book. This is my book. A book for records. Ideas. Thoughts. A place to think about all the events of this upcoming summer, the known and the unknown. A book of the adventures planned and, hopefully, the more sporadic details.

This book is not planned. There is no table of contents. It will be left to grow and evolve as the life it is attached to grows and evolves. This book will hold the good and the bad. The crap and the wonder. So if you're looking for a happy ending, you might want to leave. Bye.

Dedication - to summer, to love, to hope, to God. To growing up, to finishing my senior year of high-school. To continually learning to cope. To music. To paint and stitches and growth. To growing pains. To embracing the good, the bad, and the downright horrible. To writing and smearing and gluing it all down. To the found. And the lost. And to whatever may come. To truth and surrender and faith." - From the Introduction page of my book.

Happy Friday, all.

She's. Tired.

2011-06-23T22:21:00.001-04:00

I am so tired these days - emotionally, physically. I think it's a good kind of tired, though. Tired from working, doing things all day. But then today, after the sewing machine decided it didn't like me, I almost lost it. But then my mom bought me dark chocolate. Dark chocolate with cranberries and nuts in it, yummm. I talked to God for a bit. And I made it through the rest of the evening. So. How has your lovely Thursday been?

2: Start An Etsy Shop

2011-06-21T09:49:00.004-04:00

"Start an Etsy shop" has been on my Want To Do list for a long time. It's one of the items on my "17 before 18" list (which I should totally do a post on, yeah?). And I can finally cross it off! *Insert awkward little happy dance here.* I lost way too much sleep over this project.

So. The shop. Currently, I have the journals I was madly making available. I'm hoping to branch out into vintage (specifically vinyl) one o' these days. But. For right now, it's journals.

I don't think I've been this excited over a project for a long time. It feels so good to be working for something. That being said, I am also completely new to this Etsy/handmade marketplace stuff. So. If you've had experience and think I need some tips and pointers, let me have 'em? Contact page over here.

And that's about all I have to say. Happy Tuesday, all! (And happy first day of summer! I am absolutely off to play with Kara's Summer of Love class...you should too, yeah?)

Days On My Floor: Establishment 12

2011-06-17T19:50:00.003-04:00

I haven't had this much fun art journaling in a long time. I totally need the release of art journaling these days. There is just so much going on right now, in my mind and with my To Do lists, and it's so good to just sit down and make art.

Elements: Old receipts, paper grocery sack, Urban Outfitters catalog, tissue paper, yarn wrapper, denim thread, vintage fabric scrap.

Elements: (Above) Paper grocery sack, vintage fabric scrap, Urban Outfitters catalog, cotton twine, vintage pattern paper, vintage bias tape wrapper. (Below) Candie's tissue paper, colour wheel from a vintage paint-mixing How To book, bakers twine, paper grocery sack (ha, notice a pattern?).

I'm loving these pages, and, surprisingly, I'm loving working in this sketchbook. I don't normally enjoy working with such a big space, but maybe it just took some getting used to? I love the challenge of covering the entire page with bits and scraps. So fun. Happy Friday, all!

P.S. Exciting things should be happening around here this next week. Like, on June 21. So, if I don't show up again until then, I'm working on said exciting things. And guess what? I'm so excited!

2011-06-16T22:23:00.000-04:00

I did it with Ian, and now I'm thrilled to be doing it with Moorea! A bit ago, I entered a giveaway at One Pearl Button and was so wonderfully surprised to later discover that I had won! A pair of Drop Box Earrings from Moorea Seal. I don't remember when I stumbled upon Moorea, but ever since then I have loved her jewelry. So. I was desperately excited. And I wasn't disappointed.

These earrings are beautiful. The moment I got them in the mail, I switched out my cheap Claire's earrings for these. They totally made my day. They've been begging to be worn for the past five days. So. If you haven't looked around Moorea's shop, I totally recommend you do. It's gorgeous.

And that is all I wanted to say. Because the rest of the stuff floating around in my brain doesn't even make sense anymore. Happy Thursday, all!

2011-06-15T20:53:00.003-04:00

I love that music has power. I love that music has feeling. That music can wrap itself around you and, if only for three minutes, protect from everything. To render your mind unable to think and process those thoughts that were just haunting you. To make you feel safe, sad, thankful, warm. To fill you with joy. To make you want to cry and laugh and dance. Whatever your ailment, music has a cure.

That is why I listen to music.

Today I made brownies and listened to this song on repeat, in the dark and quiet of my bedroom with only the Christmas lights on and my window open. It was good. (Especially the brownies.)

Up Up

2011-06-13T15:14:00.002-04:00

Apparently, on Friday I had some "good stuff" planned for today. Yeah. I have no idea what I was talking about. So. I'll give you what I've got today. Hot air balloon photos!

Yeah. Those are my photos. The photos looking down from the balloon are so not mine. Because I was too busy trying not to panic to take photos. See, it was getting really windy when we went up in the balloon. Which meant the balloon was swaying like mad. And apparently, we could only go up about half the height they normally take the balloon up because it was just too windy to go any higher. And, really, I am so glad we couldn't go up any higher. I was okay when we about, oh, maybe ten feet in the air. Yeah. That was fine. But I think we got up to about 250 feet and then I nearly had a full-blown panic attack. Still, it was fun.
They told me you could see all the way downtown from the balloon. I was too scared to look. I was ~~kind of~~ hiding behind the wall of the balloon basket. Trying not to cry or something. When the balloon was landing, I did peek out of the basket a little. I think I eventually stood up again. Yay me. I really wasn't kidding when I said it was a terrifying experience.

When we landed we found out that if we hadn't landed, like, just then...things could have gone bad because it had suddenly gotten too windy to be safe/take the balloon up again. Yeah, thankyousomuchfornottellingmethatwhileIwasintheballoon. Anyways. It was fun. It was crazy. Crazy mostly because my mom, who is terrified of heights, actually loved it. While my sisters and I were, uhm, hiding. The same thing happens to me when I'm in a plane. Yeah...I really hate flying because it scares me to death.

Now that you know all that...Happy Monday, all!

Snap A Shot...

2011-06-11T22:36:00.002-04:00

...of what I've been up to.

Hopefully I'll be back on Monday with some good stuff. Happy weekend, all!

DIY "Wallpaper"

2011-06-07T13:11:00.013-04:00

I've been feeling pretty nasty emotionally this past week or two, so when I woke up actually feeling alive today, good things happened.

So. Somehow the mirror in my closet got broken. It needed to be replaced, and the mirror I wanted to replace it with a whole heck of a lot smaller. Which left a whole heck of a lot of an ugly wall revealed. So this happened:
Big ugly wall turned art wall. Yay. And I took a bunch of photos for a DIY/tutorial. Because I wanted to.

What You'll Need:
- How-to painting book (Or any other book that has large, full-page pictures that trip your trigger.)
- Hammer (Optional; depends on whether or not you use nail brads. See below.)
- Nail brads or tape (There are brads in the photo, but I ended up using tape. More on that later.)
- Box knife or scissors
- Good music (Like Apple Horse.)

Step 1: Remove the staples from your book. (I used a pair of scissors to pull the edges of the stales up, but I can think of so many other safer ways to do this, because, you know, there happens to be a lot of blood and pain when you take a chunk out of your hand with a pair of flying scissors. But. That is a different story.)

Step 2: Making sure your pages are aligned, use a box knife or pair of scissors to cut them down the center. After you have done this, you could also trim the ragged edges off the pages for smoother edges. But, that is optional.

Step 3: Using tape (or nail brads), tape the pages to your desired wall. I started off using nail brads, before I realized/remembered that it would be so much easier to remove or rearrange the pages if I just used tape. So I switched to some painters tape I had on hand. Great stuff, painters tape. Doesn't stick to your wall. So nice.

Nail brads might give you a smoother wall of pages, and they will probably be less likely to get torn, since the corners will be tacked down. But. Tape is so much easier. Take your pick.

Also. I overlapped my pages a bit on the edges to make sure there was no wall showing between them. But you can do whatever.

Step 4: Enjoy your new wall. (I simply put up my new mirror right over the paper wall. There is now a random hole in one of the pages. But who cares, really? As long as the thing stays on the wall.)

And your done. And you have a pretty wall to boot. Happy Tuesday, all!

Mini Road-Trip: Part I

2011-06-06T18:58:00.008-04:00

Some photos from our mini road-trip last week (wow, this past week went by fast). We packed up the RV and ended up back at Conner Prairie, something I could have lived without, but whatever, it was nice to head out for a bit. And that hot air balloon ride we missed the last time? We got it this time. Terrifying. Very few photos from that experience.
More photos to come. Happy Monday, all.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 11: Travel Edition

2011-06-03T20:05:00.001-04:00

When packing for our mini-road trip, I was determined that, for once in my life, I would pack only what I needed. I have a huge problem with packing things "just in case", AKA, not necessary. I have stuffed to bursting large duffel bags when packing for a single night. It's crazy. So. I decided I was going to do it differently this time. I think I made it. I packed up everything for a day-and-a-half in my little Samsonite bag (and heck, I still had room left), and I even managed to slip in some art journaling supplies.
I've never art journaled while traveling before. I have just plain journaled, and packed way too many books for trips, but I wasn't sure how to conquer the traveling art journal. I ended up packing the necessities: scissors, a good pen, and a hole punch (unfortunately, I forgot glue. How do you forget glue? What?). For the journal itself, I packed a little vintage record book that I had attempted to start on a trip to Chicago (fail); I topped it off with an Anthropolgie catalog I got it the mail just before we left. I threw it all in the Samsonite and hoped for the best. (I still can't believe I forgot to pack glue.)
My original plan had been to use the Anthro catalog as my page elements, but once I realized I'd forgotten glue, the plan had to change. I ditched the record book and decided to do something similar to the BREATHE project, using the catalog as the journal itself. This project was named PEN AND TH(INK), and so far, I'm really liking how it's coming out.

So how about you? Ever art journaled while traveling? Do you have tips, techniques, whatever? I'd love to hear. Happy Friday, all!

Hello...

2011-05-31T21:32:00.002-04:00

Hey all. I just wanted to pop in because I feel like I haven't blogged much lately. And I want to.

These past few days have been pretty rough emotionally. I'm hoping this nasty mood will shake off soon. I've got my Christmas lights on and this song on repeat, and it feels so nice.

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving with my family on a mini-road trip. We were supposed to leave maybe a few hours ago, but it didn't happen. So. We're leaving tomorrow. I'm hoping it will be good for me. No To Do lists. No internet. I'm actually happy.

I have zero structure for this post, but whatever, right? I just had some things I wanted to say. And a few photos I wanted to share. These photos have been in my drafts for a while now, and I just couldn't figure out how I wanted to share them. So I'm putting them in here. They're all from a walk I took about a week ago. I actually kind of like them.

Happy Tuesday, all! And...happy last day of May? Oh dear.

I Am Learning...

2011-05-28T22:47:00.001-04:00

...that I really, really, really do not need more to be "happy".

...that I am extremely goal-orientated. I need things to work towards. Lots of things.

...that it is perfectly okay to emotional/sad for no apparent reason. That is called life.

...that happiness is not necessarily dependent on the situation.

...that even if "no-one" else understand what or why, it's okay to do it anyway.

...that "perfect" does not always mean better. In fact, it rarely does.

...that the only person I will ever be truly happy being is, simply, myself. (Yeah, I know, right? But who is that?!)

...that yes, dear, you really do need a good bit of sleep. Really. Sorry.

...the difference between "giving up" because I'm not doing this anymore, and giving up because I'm being lazy.

...how much is too much.

...that messes can be beautiful and inspiring.

Days On My Floor - Establishment 10 (Sort Of)

2011-05-27T23:14:00.004-04:00

I was thinking about this weeks Days On My Floor establishment, and I realized that a) it's already Friday?! (uhm, hello? What happened to this week?); and b) I really haven't spent enough time on the floor this week. I've only made two and a half journal pages this past week. Sad. But. I have been doing other, more exciting things. Well, more exciting than my two and a half journal pages anyways.
I like projects. I thrive when I have goals. I like to do things over and over again until I feel like I have mastered the art of it. For whatever random reason, I haven't had any of these lately. So I've been searching for a project, and I might have found it. It makes me happy: journal making. (Both the floral-fabric covered and light blue journals in the photo below.)
So these days I am perfecting the art of making journals. I have no idea where the idea for these babies came from, it was just suddenly there and I ran with it while I could. I am so enjoying sewin', foldin', stitchin' and snappin' these together!
What are the journals for? Yeah, I'm kind of wondering the same thing. They are sitting in a nicely-sized, continually-growing pile right now. I have a few ideas floating around, but have yet to hammer one down. We'll see. Right now I am simply making them to keep myself sane.

Photo above: a cover for a journal in the works. Two photos up: Free The People's album Torches on repeat; all day. And, yes, the fabric I'm currently using for journal covers is the same fabric I made this Project ReStyle clutch with; seriously, I have now made curtains, and apron, a clutch, and four journals out of a the same fabric - and I still have scraps. Crazy. Happy Friday, all!

2011-05-25T11:24:00.013-04:00

I tend to tear things up when I am angry. This is also often accompanied by the inexplicable urge to punch a hole in the wall. Thankfully, the punching is often appeased with the act of hammering nails into a wall for new wall art.

Anyways. I have been stuck in a such a weird mood these past few days...I don't even know what's going on in my mind. Whatever. Too much coffee and lots of art journaling and plenty of walks. Also. This song. It randomly popped onto my Pandora station and I kind of, uhm, fell for it. I needed some new music anyways. (Annnd, I still need new music. Suggestions? I'll take 'em all.)

Now that I have rambled on about nothing...Happy Wednesday, all!

FIBERFEST

2011-05-23T12:19:00.002-04:00

I don't like taking photos in public much. I think a lot of my dislike of it stems from my family always having comments about my photography. UHMYEAH. But. I'm working on getting over stuff like that. Which means taking more photos in public.

Last weekend there was a Fiber Fest, and I was so horrendously bored I decided to go. And practice taking photos in public. I need more fests in my life anyways.
Loved the barn the fest was in (two photos up). And it wasn't, you know, too awkward...I guess. But it's kind of like driving a big, bright-red fifteen passenger van around town - people will give you weird looks. I guess you get used to it after awhile? (And yes, I have driven a big, bright-red fifteen passenger van around town.)

How do you work with taking photos in public? Happy Monday, all!

Days On My Floor - Establishment 9

2011-05-20T14:23:00.002-04:00

I love colour. My room is a colour explosion. I make a point of having brightly coloured, miss-matched hangers in my closet. I once walked five+ miles just to buy some bright coral lipstick because I just needed some colour.

Okay, yeah, so maybe that last one just makes me seem weird, but that's not really the point, right? I love colour. For awhile, all I wore was grey-scale clothing. I had white walls and a black bedspread, very little accent colour at all. And then suddenly, I had had enough. I needed colour. Now, I can't remember the last time I wore a black t-shirt comfortably.
Unfortunately, there is one aspect of my life that colour really doesn't make its way into: art journaling. Which drives me nuts. My pages have been feeling especially bland lately. Maybe it's just that summer is happening, and summer is bright and happy and so my pages need to be? I had very little colour in my winter pages. I have very little colourful art journaling elements. I wasn't feeling very creative at all because there was just so little colour. But then I got a Free People catalog in the mail. You know what that catalog had in it? COLOUR.
And I made my first really colourful page maybe ever. I keep pulling it out just so I can look at it, because I'm so happy with it. The photos do not do it justice. I need to make pages like this more often.
Two photos above: A typewritten rant/letter I stuck into the pocket on the page. The 'pocket' was made out of the top of a coffee bag. It still smells like coffee and that makes me happy.
Elements in the pages: Forever 21 bag, coffee packaging, painters tape, embroidery thread, a piece of a record cover, security envelope, and the May Free People catalog.

Happy Friday, all!

Alex Gets Madeover

2011-05-18T14:27:00.006-04:00

Oh dear, this post is making me happy. Partly because it's so...out there. Partly because it's absolutely something I would do. Ahhh, just wait.

Okay. So you all have met Alex, right? Well, I was in the shower this morning, and I always get crazy/wonderful ideas in the shower, and I decided Alex needed a make-over. Specifically, Alex needed a new retro pineapple suit. Yeah, you can laugh now. I'm laughing.

So, here's what happened today.
Alex starts to wonder why the heck he's in the middle of a DIY project without headphones. When his body gets traced onto contact paper, he starts to get a little nervous.
But then, when the pineapple paper gets glued onto the contact paper, he starts to freak out. Because he thinks he's finally figured out what's going on.
Yep. He knew it was coming. But then he decides this new suit is comfy, and he'll let it stay for a while.
Maybe all that lack of sleep has finally gone to my head? I don't know. Ahaha. I've lost my mind. Anyways. What do you think, all? Too girly for a man? Because, yeah, Alex is a man. Okay I'm stopping now. Happy Wednesday!

To Kill Two Fears With One Inspiration

2011-05-17T12:29:00.001-04:00

Apparently, when I'm bored, I am daring and adventurous. Well, as daring and adventurous as you can be while still sitting in a computer chair. Anyways.
Out of intense boredom on a Sunday afternoon, I was aimlessly looking through folders on my desktop, searching for who-knows-what, and I came across a knitting pattern for a beret I'd downloaded forever ago. And I decided to make it. Even though it involved way too many cables (Fear #1) and was knitted mostly on circular needles (Fear #2).
You know what I found out? Cables (these cables, anyway) are ridiculously easy. Ya know, if you do it right. The first time I tried cables, it failed. My stitches were way too tight and it ended up being a tangled mess of yarn. Same with knitting on circular needles. My stitches got hopelessly twisted the first time I tried it, and it ended with me losing my mind. Or, something like that. So, with those two experiences in place, I wasn't too sure about this beret project. But. YouTube knitting-how-to videos are amazing and, this time, I got it. I'm so happy. And I'm loving the finished project! Now, to wear a hat in the middle of summer...
Yeah, and I guess the moral of this post is: just do it. It can't be that hard. And anybody out there who's scared to try cables/circular needles? Make this hat. Happy Tuesday, all!

(P.S. Much thanks to my sister for modeling the finished beret!)

Thrifted Therapy

2011-05-16T08:12:00.002-04:00

On Friday I went thrifting. It was so, so good for my tortured emotions. I so enjoy searching through all the junk and coming out with the occasional treasure. And this time, I came out of with a bag and a bag-full of goodies all for twelve bucks. Yeah, have I ever mentioned that I love thrifting?

Vintage Samsonite luggage bag. My mother thought I was crazy, especially since it was half my bill, but you know what? I really like it. It's beautiful. There.
I'm super glad I ended up grabbing that coffee mug, because the next day my favourite coffee mug ended up mysteriously broken in the dishwasher. Time for a new favourite? Heck yes. Also: another pair of vintage sunglasses to add to my unofficial-collection, and an Elvis Christmas album on 8-track (just because I wanted it).
I have a problem with records... I am just now realizing this. I can't remember a time when I've actually walked out of thrifting record-free, in like maybe the last six+ months. Yikes. Of course, I am continually buying them simply for their covers, but I do usually give them a listen before rebuilding them.

I also got a pair of Free People coveralls (oh my?!) and a gorgeous mock-vintage skirt, but I didn't end up with pictures of them. Maybe I should do some outfit posts in the future? We'll see.

Have any thrifting scores lately? Happy, happy Monday, all!

Searching For Inspiration

2011-05-12T12:48:00.002-04:00

I've been riding in an emotional slump these past few days; nothing too bad, but I haven't had the energy to do much lately, and that's what's killing me. I've been scrolling through my inspiration folders in search of some creative energy, but really haven't been able to find it, sad. Maybe you can find some?

Photos from top: Adorable cupcake liners from Sunshine & Carousels; gorgeous wedding photo from Our Labor Of Love; Lemon Poppy-Seed Muffins, yum yum, recipe here; lovely art journal page from the amazing Kara Haupt; such a lovely bedroom photo from Amanda Johnson.

Okay, clearly I've got a thing for yellow... It's just such a happy colour, and right now that's where I want to be: happy. Happy Thursday, all!

Lights Painting

2011-05-09T20:14:00.016-04:00

Officially, my summer break started on May 1. It's kind of killing me. I feel so unproductive... I need some projects to work on. Something. Anything. I guess I could be editing all those photos on my desktop that have been sitting there for, uhm, weeks. Or I could write a novel with all this free time...I need a job.

I have no idea how I was going to put this post together. It was all ready in my mind this morning, but then this afternoon I got ~~hit~~ run over by this massively killer head ache. And this head ache is killing me more than summer break. So much more.

Anyways. These photos happened last night when we were driving home, and I got bored, and started playing with the camera settings. And I love how some of them turned out. And they are really the whole point of all that rambling about summer breaks and head aches. Sorry if this post is nuts, but this head ache is really the only thing I can think about right now.

And now I am going to go and try to self-medicate this head ache with some Pushing Daisies. I'll let you know if it works. Happy Monday, all!

Days On My Floor - Establishment 8

2011-05-06T19:09:00.002-04:00

It was 65 degrees yesterday and I took a walk. I love taking walks - it's probably my favourite thing about spring/summer. Last summer I got into the habit of taking the camera with me when I walked. Yesterday I took photos in a bee-infested tree that is blooming in our front yard, except the battery died on me in the middle of it, because, you now, I never actually charge the battery when I need to.

Anyways. This weather is absolutely inspiring me lately. Apparently I need too much sunlight to actually be creatively productive.

I've been working on my "BREATHE" project. I don't think I've worked on since February...sad. I had actually completely forgotten about it until I was cleaning out my room and found it in my "current art journal projects" box.

Photo blurbs - First photo: "Let it be" has become my mantra lately. Lyrics on the page above are from Northern Room's song "Galaxy".

Happy Friday, all!

Chevron

2011-05-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

I have been working on my crocheted afghan again. Since we could possibly still be going to Uganda, I guess I could still be working on my baby booties, but I really missed working on my afghan. I'm super happy to be working on it again! Actually, I'm a bit surprised at how much I enjoy working on this project; when I started it, I was scared I would get tired of it fast and never finish it. But no. I'm loving it.

I think what keeps me excited about this project is that I don't really have a plan for it. I have a huge, huge bag of yarn that I'm working from. Some of the yarn was my great-grandmothers and some of it I stole from my mother. I love working with all the different colours and textures, so fun!
Happy Thursday, all!

P.S. - It's 65 degrees today. I am so happy.

Changes

2011-05-03T08:38:00.020-04:00

I'm not exactly sure where to start this post. The beginning is always good, isn't it? So I guess I will start there.

The prologue goes a bit like this: When I wrote up this post, I don't think I was fully aware of just how excited I was about traveling to Uganda. It might have taken me a while to get it completely in my system that I was leaving the country, but once I got that down, I was excited. Very.

And then things happened. Again.

On Sunday, my mom received an e-mail saying that because of intense political unrest in Uganda, it was possible that our trip to Uganda would be canceled/postponed. I said "things happened, again" because this trip has been planned multiple times. My mom and my sister where planning to leave for Uganda back in March, but because of the Ugandan elections, and promised violence because of the elections, their trip was postponed. So, needless to say, we were all very disappointed and a little on edge after the e-mail on Sunday.

Then Monday happened. My mom received a phone call (from the same person who sent the e-mail); the Ugandan family that is a partner with the Awake Children's Foundation is leaving the country for safety. Trip officially canceled.

So, here I am today not entirely sure what to think. The first time this trip was canceled, I was nearly gleeful. But that was because I am (very) selfish. I have changed since then - my heart has changed. And now I am sad. Someone asked me what I was most looking forward to with this trip, and I wasn't exactly sure how to answer... I was looking forward to a lot of things. The general experience of another country; meeting the children, because I love kids; and in all honesty, the 12 hour tour of London (due to layovers...ew) on our travel there. So yes, I am sad.

But I'll be okay. I have been kept back by sadness too many times in my life, and I am learning that I do not need to let it hold me back. So, with God, I will keep moving on. This trip to Uganda is not officially/completely forever canceled - it might happen sometime later this year, we just don't know right now. Not knowing things has also kept me back too many times. But this time, with God, I'll be okay. I am not immobile. And I don't have to me. God has it all in hand, and God will pull it together however it needs to be. I am confident in that.

Happy Tuesday, all!