Thoughts from Alice W.

Snow Day...

As I mentioned yesterday...a storm was brewing here...and lasted all day...

Resulting in a 'snow day' for many. 

I did something a bit unusual for me on such a day as this...and decided to venture out...and enjoy the beauty of the snow...

This was the view Renoir and I were greeted with as we headed out to the back porch...

After forcefully shoving our way out...we romped and played together in the snow...

Have I told you how much Renoir loves the snow?

Until his paws get too cold that is.

But today we forged our way through it {over a foot and much higher in the drifts}...

and had so much fun together.

We took in the picturesque views from our backyard...

And enjoyed the beauty of the large trees in the front...

Whose boughs were heavy laden with snow...

Then it was time to head in where we welcomed the warmth of our cozy home.

Unfortunately, Renoir had gotten so many "snow balls" stuck to him...we had to melt them away in the warmth of the bath. And he didn't seem to mind today {he does not enjoy the bath as much as he does the snow, for sure}.

And I looked to my White Hyacinth for the hope of spring...while it may not seem close when looking outside...this sweet flower reminds me that it cannot be too far off...

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!

Till next time...

Branching Out...

A storm is brewing here...and I am stuck inside...still.

And still very cold.

Yet, while I dream of spring and warmer days...excitement and new interests brew in my heart.

I have a new found passion.

A new love...if you will...

I am sure it will not come as any surprise to my regular visitors and friends....but it has to do with my camera.

And a new little friend called the 50mm.

My new baby...my new little lens.

After doing a bit of research, I came to realize this was the next lens for me...and that it would give me the creative ability to capture the shots I am so inspired by. I have had it for just about two weeks now...and am enamored with learning what it can do. It is no easy task mind you...but as with anything new there is much to learn.

I wake up now each day wondering what shots I will get...thinking about what I want to capture...

I have also been spending a lot more time on Flickr...making new friends over there and soaking in all of the beauty and inspiration they have to offer.

As well as playing in Photoshop Elements with different textures and techniques.

I am learning to love photography as more than just 'taking pictures'...but a true art form...

This has spurned on another new endeavor...my third Etsy shop....{yes, I know...three is probably a bit excessive...but what can I say, I like the separation and organization}

I have begun to offer my fine art photographs in this shop and am getting them professionally printed so they are top notch quality. I do hope that you will stop by and take a look around...

Till next time {just buried here in the snow and playing with my camera}...

 

A Little Self-Indulgence...

Does anyone else feel like spring is never coming?

Well...I am starting to get the 'cooped up inside for way too long and will I ever see the sun again?' blues...

Every day revolves around the same old thing...the cold...

And I put on the same old things...leggings under  jeans...turtlenecks under sweaters...socks and slippers {the floor here is very cold so slippers are a must}. No care for accessories or frivolities...whatever will keep me warmest is all I look for.

Mind you ~ I have many new pretty things...just waiting for some warmer weather to be pulled from the closet...

But today, I had had enough.

And decided to indulge myself...

I put on my new Vera Wang tights in Olive green {I also have them in dark gray and brown...I love them!}

and my $6.00 shoes from the Goodwill {Renoir did get one...and it has some holes...but they still work}...

and my favorite skirt from Anthropologie...

and indulged myself.

It felt good to be wearing something pretty for a change...something frivolous...something just for me.

Okay...okay...after the "photo shoot" I put on something a bit more practical. But I still have the tights on under my jeans ;)

I hope that you get to enjoy some moments of frivolity and self-indulgence this week...

Till next time...

 

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And a very BIG thank you to all of you who entered my last giveaway and for those of you who took the time to vote for Renoir! He didn't win...but...he did come in number 47 out of over 6,500 dogs so we were very proud of him ;) And he is okay with giving up his dreams of Hollywood...who would want that when they could have a big picture window to sleep in front of 16 hours a day? And no paparazzi disturbing him...

And the winner of the giveaway was Allison...congrats to you!

For You...

 

To my dear sweet blogging friends on this Valentine's day...a simple offering of love and beauty.

I hope that the day greets you with romance from the moment you arise...till the time you rest your head...

And that you remember today, to love yourself...I know that I forget to do this.

But today...I shall be kind to myself.

I will compliment myself...

And treat myself to good things...

And remember that I am unique...with gifts and talents that are all my own...

That I am deserving of love and affection...

And remind myself just how much I am loved.

I do hope that you will do the same.

Happy Valentine's Day sweet friends!

Till next time...

  

Simplicity...

There is something profoundly beautiful in simplicity. But all too often, I forget this.

I start to feel that the "more" I have in every aspect and area of my life...the better it will be.

The better I will be. 

More things, more money, more time, more blog comments and followers, more sales, more career opportunities, more creativity, more skills as an artist, photographer, designer, etc. And what would all of these things equal?

SUCCESS of course!

I would be on top of the world.

I would be content and satisfied.

I would want for nothing.

Everything would be...perfect.

Or...would it?

Would it only leave me wanting...more?

So, I am reminding myself in small ways, each and every day, to find the beauty once again in the simple things. The precious things that I have forgotten in my search and yearning for more...

The hand I get to hold every day if I choose to...

The adorable dog I get to cuddle with...

The tiny house that brings peace and a warm place to stay...

The quiet moments...when I can pray and connect with my Creator...

The warm sunset painted each evening out the living room window...

The healthy food and clean water that are readily available...

The inspiration found in the small details all around us...everywhere.

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”
~Henry David Thoreau

Till next time...

{p.s. I just reopened the shop tonight - hope to add new items in the next couple of months.

And...Renoir's contest ends tomorrow and there is still time join the giveaway...ends the 11th at midnight eastern...see the post below for details! Thanks to all who have voted for him so far!}

Make Renoir the MVP! {and a giveaway...}

Ever since he was just a wee pup...we could see it in his eyes...

 
That twinkle...that said star quality...

Never shy from the spotlight, we knew he was meant to do great things...and then one day...turn all 'Hollywood' on us...

And now...he is ready for his big break! When he heard that Bissell commercial he just knew this was it...so he has packed his bags...

and decided to head out on the open road...

 
to claim his fame...

 
It will be grueling work of course...but with a face like this he'll be famous in no time.

The producers will be hounding him and the fans will be lining up to get his autograph...

He'll be forced to wear shades when going out so as not to be hounded by paparazzi...

 
There will be benefits to his fame of course...

Expensive shopping trips...and living in the lap of luxury...

And at the end of a hard days work...he will be dog tired...

But first...before he can live his dream...he needs your help! You can bring all of Renoir's 'Hollywood' dreams to life by voting for him as the Bissell Pet MVP!

Renoir is desperate to get his face on a Bissell box...but it can't happen without you!

So please, head on over and vote for Renoir! There is some steep competition...but Renoir's not worried ;)

He knows you'll pull through for him. 

After all, how could you say no to a face like this?

 

Click the link below to sign up and vote for Renoir! {Yes, you do have to create an account which I know is a pain...but you can opt out of it after you vote ;)}

Voting for this round ends on February 11th at 11:59pm ET so be sure to vote asap!

* * * * *

And as a thank you for your support,  I will having a small giveaway. The winner will receive $25.00 credit good to use towards anything in my Etsy shop or website when it reopens {plus free shipping within the US}. Plus some other pretty things I will throw in. You can enter the giveaway simply by leaving a comment here stating why you think Renoir should win {hey, he told me to write that} - be sure that your blog or email is included so I can contact you.

You can get counted a second time by leaving a comment for Renoir over on his page on the contest {be sure to include your full blog name so I know that it is you somewhere in the comment or send me an email to let me know you have done so - if I can't tell who you are, another winner will be chosen}. And don't forget to vote while you are over there!

And you can triple your chances by posting a blog telling everyone to vote for Renoir! Be sure to include a direct link to Renoir's page in the post for it to count {and let me know you have done so}. Renoir's page link: http://mvp.bissell.com/mvp_PetDetail.aspx?id=8589974868

The giveaway will end at the same time as Renoir's round.

Thanks for helping make my {err...Renoir's!} dreams of fame come true! ;)

Till next time...

 

Somerset Life...

Last August, I approached Jenny Doh {the lovely editor of Somerset Life}, about the opportunity to write a how-to article on making one of my Paper Posy Pomander Balls.
 
She happily agreed and encouraged me to include step-by-step photos of the entire process. After receiving so many emails with requests on instructions, I thought this would be a great way to share how to make these pretty decorations

 
The article is now available in the Somerset Life Winter 2010 edition {p. 119}.

Since I took many photos for this article, all of which could not go to print, I thought I would share some here with some basic instructions. For full details make sure to get the article ;)

First you will need LOTS of coffee filters...

 
Then group them in layers of 3-4, pinch at the bottom and staple...

Next comes time to dye. For the ball featured, I used regular tea bags and some red food coloring.

Dip approximately half of the posies in the tea stain dye and the other half in a mixture of tea stain and red food coloring {a very small amount is all that is needed to turn them pink - adjust amounts according to your preference}.

I use tin foil to place them on. I have shown them above lying on their sides, but have found that you can fit more and get better coloring if you place them with stapled side upright.

Wait for the posies to dry {approximately 24 hours indoors - in the summer I place them outside and they dry within a couple of hours}. When they dry, open up the layers and smooth out wrinkles to create full, "blooming" posies.

You will need a small styrofoam ball {approx. 3-4"}, several corsage pins and approx. 25-30 paper posies.

 
 
I place the pin in the bottom section near the staple and then insert into the styrofoam ball...

Continue around the entire ball alternating colors...

 
Fill in the entire ball {being delicate when pushing in ones in the top and bottom so as not to crush ones on the opposite side}. I fill it in and then start gently pushing them aside to see if there are any open spaces where I can place more...I prefer a really "full" look when I create them.

Last, take some ribbon and insert into the top with a pin {you may need a dab of glue on the end to keep it in place, depending on the weight of the ball}.

 
There are many variations you could do with these balls...including larger or smaller sizes and so many different color options.  You could also turn them into topiary trees by placing a dowel or stick in the center and  then securing in a planter or container. They would make great wedding, shower or birthday party decorations.

I hope that you enjoy the article if you are interested in making these on your own.

In the same issue you will also find four of my photographs in the Miscellany section. I was so delighted to see that many of my images in one issue...

I hope you enjoy it! There are many beautiful articles and projects in this issue...perfect in time for Valentine's day.

Till next time...