Deep New Year's Thoughts

The other night Scott and I rented Julie and Julia...or is it Julia and Julie?!? Anyhow, after previewing about 17 other movies I settled on it with much less enthusiasm than I would, say, NEW MOON, but I was interested. To back up, I'm not a Food Network fan. Don't get me wrong, I'm a food fan and I like to cook when I don't have toy box deadlines and have to help kids with homework. But I don't watch TV or movies about food, generally speaking.

While watching the movie, I felt some at-one-ness with Julie. Except she was cooking. And me, well, building. She started a blog to document her project. I started a blog to document my woodworking journey. Then sometimes she gets too wrapped up in her project and neglects her husband. And well, that is an understatement for me at times. And how she picks and chooses what she publishes..and gets told by said husband not to write about their fight(s). I, too, pick and choose. Sometimes (often) I just pick the parts that make me laugh or are funny on the page. I don't share everything but then again you knew that. What I probably should share a little bit more of are two things. My gratitude towards my supportive beyond belief husband and family. And the times that are so frustrating and painful that make me want to hang up the drill and go back to a job where I wear heels and do lunches.

I think in the New Year lots of good things will happen. And lots of frustrating (I've just been interrupted by my sweet 7-yr-old SIX times from the start of this entry), tear-inducing moments too. In honor of "letting go" of stuff before the New Year, I'm going to share a few things you haven't read on my blog. Here goes...

1. A handful of times, since starting this career, I've found myself lying on the floor in the garage crying from frustration and exhaustion. While I know it'll happen in 2010, maybe it'll just happen less than a handful.

2. I don't buy into the pink powertool/hand tool crap on the market. Why does a hammer have to be pretty in pink to appeal to women?

3. It's really hard to read negative comments/commentary on my work and sometimes I just want to write F*&$ YOU. But instead, I yell it at my computer screen and then write something back that sounds like I have a publicist. Just once this year, can I write F*&@ YOU? Ok...ok...I won't.

4. People assume since I build kids' furniture that I can build anything. Wrong. I suck at mitering and anything with trim. Don't even ask me how to use a router. Too complicated.

5. I sometimes wish I could take just a three month break from building anything with wood. Don't even want to see it for a quarter of the year. But I don't say that out loud because that would sound incredibly selfish, especially in this economy where I'm beyond thrilled to still have a thriving business. I just said it out loud, didn't I. Selfish bitch I am.

6. I don't thank you enough for being supportive, reading my erratic blog that sometimes isn't updated for weeks, and for just in general, making me feel like what I'm doing is a good thing. I wish only peace, love and prosperity for all of you out there. You keep me going, you really do.


That about does it for 2009. I'm leaving the wood behind tonight and we're making French food. Which OF COURSE, starts with buying a Presto Deep Fryer. Duh! Making Frites and Pets De Nonne (which is fancy for donut). But for a night, I'll feel like Julie who felt like Julia. And there will be butter. Massive amounts of butter.

Happy New Year!!!

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POUF-MAN!

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I love these little retro cassette purses by Marcella Foschi.. very cool!

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Brighton Furniture

This authentic F-4 ejection seat office chair is quite interesting.. also quite ugly!

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The LA Times likes Riley...they REALLY like Riley!!!

Massive big thanks to Lisa Boone who unbeknownst to me has been checking in to see what crazy thing I'm doing in my garage. I woke up this morning to find this article and truly had no idea she was even cooking it up.

THANK YOU LISA!!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2009/12/latest-from-mod-mom-.html

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The first local store to carry the Reclaimed Wreckage brand

Well the good news is I got into 2 stores this week and I'm a featured artist at the y2y Gallery for their event on Dec 19th! Things are going great and I hven't even crated a look book yet. I have a portfolio with no photos in it yet but I've basically been working off referrals.

When I was doing my first market at Trolly Square downtown I got bored with standing in my boooth so had the husband take over and I began to wander with Boston. We found ourselves in a store called Beloved Artisan Jewelry that features 15 (now 16) local artists and their talents. I recognized one of my friends work in there and commented to the cashier that I loved her work and asked how she was doing because I hadn't seen her in awhile.

It turned out the cashier was the store owner and before I left we were talking about my recycled accessories and especially my vinyl record jewelry. We were instant friends and even though I feel like they're taking a chance on me since my jewelry isn't nearly as detailed as most of their other stuff, it's still good. I brought in 12 pieces yesterday and  get the eye-level section of the back wall. It was all so casual and great. I signed the contract which was clear and easy: 3 months, rotate jewelry every month, and keep track of what I've given them. I really hope this turns into a lasting friendship and I can count on recieving a check from them on a monthly basis.

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My Cup Runneth Over

My drinking problem. Yes, they are all half full. And yes, they're all days old.

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Showcase Interview - The Man Behind The Camera At Todd Smith Photography

Image featured in Todd's 2010 Wall Calendar.

I first met Todd from Todd Smith Photography when he left a lovely comment on my blog quite a while ago. Wanting to know who this great sounding fellow was, I checked out his photography website, browsed his blog, and was impressed enough to immediately subscribe and sign up for his newsletter.

And, I'm now very pleased to see that Todd has opened up a magnificent Etsy store! Congratulations Todd! It's brimming with his heartfelt photographs, stunning cards, and wonderful calendars. Whilst it's early days yet, I'm positive Todd's astounding talent will be gracing the walls and filling the hearts of many customers from now on.

2010 Wall Calendar.

This extract from Todd's beautifully worded bio on Etsy gives us a taste of his creative process and motivation....

'I recognize truth and beauty by the subtle way my heart reacts.

There is a sweetness in seeing something real. A recognition.

The Upanishads of ancient India say: "That which is not sweet is not true."

A love of transcendent beauty is what inspires me to photograph...

Not merely to document, but to dive into the subtle world of seeing. Photography is meditation for me. I lived in an ashram for a number of years, and I've done a lot of meditation.

The object of meditation is to transcend the everyday, active mode of thinking and experience a more settled state of mind. As the mind settles, one experiences more joy and appreciates more subtle thought and feeling.

Like that, photography starts with the everyday objects around me.

...My job is to appreciate.

Through the process of photography, I find myself a co-creator in the beauty I experience. I like to pay attention to my quietest emotions as I work.'

Pink Blossoms and Yellow Flowers Print.

Icicles Print.

Todd agreed to let me probe his innermost thoughts about life, design, and photography a little further in the following interview....

*****

H.A.H. (Heartfire At Home): What 5 words best describe you?

Todd: Thoughtful, good listener, blissful, independent, spiritual.

H.A.H: Why does your photography mean so much to you? What is it that taking photographs achieves for you?

Todd: Photography can be like meditation for me. It is my way to slow things down. When I'm photographing, I start to pay attention to the subtle aspects of whatever it is I'm looking at. And I start to pay attention to my reactions to them.

Photography is about discovering and appreciating the world around me, and it's about discovering and appreciating the quiet ways my heart reacts.

Without photography, I might go rushing past without ever noticing.

H.A.H: If you had a Secret Room that you could decorate/design just for you, what would it look like?

Todd: My secret room is very relaxing. It is simple in its design and uplifting. The air is pure and fresh like in the mountains.

The walls are light colored, maybe a butter color or a light putty, and the space is bright with lots of window light. I like those old windows with big panes, French doors even, which open to a pleasant sitting space outside. I love to feel the passage of the sun throughout the day.

White linen drapes blow in the breeze. The floor is a light colored hardwood. Maple would be good, or a more exotic grain. I love to work barefoot, and the cool feel of the wood is soothing to me. I also would like a carpet on the floor... refined, not too plush, but delightful to look at. Again, a light colored design, with organic shapes and colors.

The walls will have photographs and artwork on them that make your heart leap for joy when you first see them: bright, fun colors, uplifting themes, nature, happy people.

Fresh, cut flowers are wonderful, as long as I don't have to change the water every day!! :)

I hear the sound of a brook somewhere nearby outside.

H.A.H: Have you gotta 'thing' for anything?

Todd: I have a thing for truth. I get excited when I see real things, real people, anything that is real down to the core. I like building materials to be natural, solid, and free of chemicals.

H.A.H: Do you have a favourite quote or any 'words of wisdom' you particularly like?

Todd: "A camera lens looks both ways, inside and out."

H.A.H: What has been your best photography related memory so far?

Todd: I was driving along a lake not too far from where I live admiring the light and deciding whether to pull over to photograph when a few drops of rain began to fall. The surface was smooth as glass, with reeds poking up through the water. The raindrops made little splashes on the water's surface.

I pulled over quickly, grabbed my camera, and took two or three shots before the rain stopped and the wind came up. I continued photographing, but really the first one or two images were the keepers.

I literally had one minute to stop the car, set up my tripod, check exposure, and compose the shot. I can still feel that elation in having captured that moment.

******

Thanks so much Todd for letting us into your beautiful world! I look forward to gazing at your wonderful photographs for years to come.

Ground Squirrel With Nut Greeting Card.

Pink Tulips Greeting Card.

You can see and purchase Todd's amazing work at his own website 'Todd Smith Photography' or his brand new Etsy shop entitled Todd Smith Photo.

For delightful insights, ideas, and snippets of photographic heaven, sign up to Todd's Newsletter.

And, to get another regular fix of Todd's talent be sure to visit his blog 'Transparency'.

Aspen Trees In Autumn Greeting Card.

Also featured in Todd's 2010 Calendar.

Cheers,

Linda.

******

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Finally....a NEW piece!! Introducing The Riley Paige Toy/Storage Box

I've had this design in my head for a LONG time. Just didn't have time to work on it. I'm still figuring out pricing and getting permissions for patterns but I'm hoping to have this on my online store within the next few weeks.

A couple things I wanted to mention and get your opinion on....

Current Options:
1. Casters or Mid-century style legs

2. Dimensions are the same as the Owyn: 29.5 inches wide by 14 inches deep x 15/12 inches tall.

3. I am going to offer several different pattern collections. So far I have what you see above (or something similar) and was thinking of a pink/mod blue/brown pattern combo. Can you suggest other color/pattern recommendations?

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Strep! Toy Boxes! Christmas!

I'm alive!!! And back in the saddle again. Damn strep throat (with vomiting - who knew?) knocked me on my rear last week. My mind is all over the place today so I thought I'd post some cool stuff going on in bullet form...

• NEW TOY BOX COMING SOON! I posted a preview of a new toy box I'm finishing on Facebook. Look for more info soon. :)
  
  
• Thanks so much to Darryl Masterson for featuring my work on his blog. Darryl is a fellow woodworker that I met through Lumberjocks. www.anetsyfavorite.blogspot.com
  
  
• A new store called Baby Bot in Canada is officially launching this week! They have 15 Mod Mom storage pieces in stock so if you're in Canada and need one pronto, check out Baby Bot. www.babybot.com
  
  
• Happy Holidays! And thanks for reading my silly blog. :)
  

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Stacey Malis: My inspiration for the Susan G Komen 3 Day

Stacey has always been a HUGE part of my life. Even in times where we don't talk as often as we should, she's been there for me whenever I've needed her. When my family was about to disown me because I got pregnant out of wedlock (ridiculous) she was the only one to really stand up for me and the only reason I still have a relationship with my family today. When I was a little kid, she always gave the best Christmas presents and took me to theme parks and out to do cool things. I had my own bed at her house and my only memories of potty-training were with her.



Today Stacey has been battling breast cancer for a year and a half.


On Monday she'll have a hysterectomy to prevent the tumors on her skull, ribs, and spine from growing and hopefully kill them without radiation. Since the cancer feeds on estrogen, it only makes sense that if your body isn't producing it, the tumors will die.


Seeing her fight and still be there for me the past several months has been the most unbelievable act of love I've ever seen. She is my inspiration for doing the Susan G Komen 3 day walk this November. I'll walk 60 miles in 3 days and raise $2,300 for the cause. I'm a little nervous as to how I'm going to raise that kind of money but I'm sure I can if I start this early.


I just had to vocalize all this and really get it out there. Thanks for listening.

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A Schmooze Of Bedrooms....

Image from A Beach Cottage.

'A what?' I hear you say!

A schmooze...... a smooze, a snooch...... something like that.

A bit of background.... ('Thank goodness!' you say).

A few weeks ago I was reading an article in the newspaper (like this one)about all the words that've recently been admitted into the Macquarie Dictionary and classed as 'real' words instead of just modern slang.

Words and phrases like 'skinny jeans' and 'boyzillian wax' are apparently now so mainstream they deserve such a place. Even 'lace eyelashes' and 'ear gauging' get a gig!

Then, a few days later I was watching a documentary about bats and it mentioned bats like to live together, and a group of bats is called a 'camp' of bats. How cute! Who would've thought a group of bats would be called a 'camp'!

This, along with the Macquarie Dictionary article got my interior design obsessed brain to thinking (yes, yes, strange combination, I know).....

I like to keep collections of rooms I love.... so, like a 'herd of elephants', or a 'pod of whales', or a 'posy of flowers', or a 'neighbourhood of houses', I decided a group of anything related to interior design deserved a proper name! Whence of course I took it upon myself to come up with some appropriate misnomers.

So, what would I call a group of bedrooms? A group of bathrooms? A group of kitchens?

What new words/phrases could I create that may one day edge their way into the dictionary of everyday vernacular?

First to spring to mind was the question of bedrooms. What would I call a group of them?

Well, you smooch and snooze in a bedroom.... so maybe a combination of those two words.... smooze or snooch! Maybe a word a little like both of them.... schmooze (it sounds more fluid or something!)

Or, maybe the word 'drift', because you drift off to sleep (unless you're an insomniac like me) in a bedroom.

And, I like the word 'sanctuary' because the bedroom is a place of sanctuary and comfort.

So I could call my group of bedrooms -

• a schmooze of bedrooms,
• a smooze of bedrooms,
• a snooch of bedrooms,
• a drift of bedrooms, or
• a sanctuary of bedrooms!

What do you think? Got any ideas? Any other names you could suggest?

I think I'm sticking with 'schmooze' for the time being, it tickles my fancy.

So here they are.....

.... a schmooze of glorious bedrooms!

Image from Apartment Therapy via FFFFound.

Image from Another Shade of Grey.

Image from Kelly and Olive.

Image from Country Living.

Image from Pottery Barn Teen.

Image from Canadian House and Home.

Image from FFFFound.

Image from Made by Girl.

Image from Chic Tip.

Image from The Daily Bed.

Image from Camilla At Home.

Image from Sweet Home Style on Tumblr.

Image from Pottery Barn Teen.

Now, onto my next 'naming' adventure.... I'm thinking I'll show you a 'clutch of cabinets', or a 'nobble of nooks', or a 'dish of dining rooms'. My writer's brain is pondering big time on some of these. Stay tuned!

Cheers,

Linda.

******

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