What to blog, what to blog...

Lately, I've been at a loss for words because: 1) I'm not really sure what topic/theme of this blog should be- right now I feel like it's just a bunch of randomness that feels blah to me.
2) Me=disorganization and, while my list of things I would like to blog about seems to be getting longer, I have no idea where to begin
2) I am taking a big exam at the end of October and a large majority of my time seems to be devoted to relearning and revewing.

Blogging seemed to be much less complicated when I was blogging for Weddingbee.  In part, because the subject was consolidated to wedding, wedding, and more wedding, but also because I think the audiance was much more focused on a single discussion topic.  I'm sure other bloggers have run into this in the past and I just need to figure out whatever it is I'm trying to put out there.  I absolutely hate that I am now posting once a month, ugh.  I love this little blog as an outlet for my thoughts, so I'm determined to update a little more freqently in the future.  Anyways, I just wanted to let you know where I've been and why it's been so quiet around these parts.

On a happier note, the love of my life bought invested in a DSLR and gifted it to me for my birthday (over a month ago- one of the many things I intended to blog about).  It's a Canon and, even though I'm familiar with the overall camera set-up and settings, it's been a learning process as I have moved from photographing with a point-and-shoot to a DSLR.  This new toy means that I'll have another excuse to take pictures and post them on this blog.

Any blogging tips for a disorganized writer?  Thanks for listening to my rambling :)

What to blog, what to blog...

Revamped Dinnerware

OMG I love!  While browsing through my google reader this pm, I found this:

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Can you believe this is DIY?  Furthermore, it sounds really easy!  Instructions are posted here (by the author & designer, whose blog I love & I'm adding to google reader now).  The project involves a porcelain paint pen, white dinnerware, and an oven.  I can only imagine* the endless possibilities for one-of-a-kind, personalized pieces.  What kind of plates do you eat off of?

*I happen to have white dinnerware and am resisting the urge to try this. I think a shopping trip for a cheap, white serving bowl is in order!

Revamped Dinnerware

Renegade!

I am so excited that this year (more specifically, next weekend), THE Renegade Craft Fair will be making it's first appearance in Austin!  I have yet to decide which day(s) I will attend, but I hope to stop by a few of these shops while I'm there:

Isette

Circa Ceramics

Recession Clothing

The Tinted Mint

Sublime Stitching

Did I mention how excited I am?  Have you been to a Renegade Craft Fair?

Renegade!

World Lupus Day 2010

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Today is World Lupus Day, a celebration of Lupus awareness and a day of remembrance for those who suffer from Lupus and those who have lost their life to Lupus.

Today, I will be remembering my mother, who battled Lupus for most of her life.  She never complained about her hardships with Lupus.  She never let it interfere with being a mother or wife or friend.   And though having Lupus can be lonely and disheartening, she was the most hopeful, positive, and upbeat person I've ever known.  She was a social butterfly that continually reached out to comfort others, and often put the needs of her friends and family before her own.  I think I can safely say that she is continuing to watch over her loved ones from above.  She truly was an angel here on Earth.

You can find out more information here:

http://www.lupus.org/

www.worldlupusday.org

http://www.lupusresearchinstitute.org/

www.couldihavelupus.gov

Are you wearing purple* today?

*Lupus Awareness is signified by the color purple and the butterfly.  May is Lupus Awareness Month.

World Lupus Day 2010

Fancy Pots

I love plants.  And gardens.  And pretty much anything green and flowery.  Several years ago, I attempted to sprucen up some plain terra cotta pots with some acrylic paint.  They've held up pretty well because they house indoor plants, but I doubt they would have lasted as long outdoors.  Then I found this lovely picture via Modish.

Aren't they gorgeous?  Jena posted a great tutorial on how to prep & paint terra cotta pots so that they withstand the outdoor elements.  I think I may have to put this tutorial to use this weekend, if the weather stays nice.

Here is my version of a fancy pot.  I made some similar to these to hold the table assignments for our wedding reception.  (If you follow me here, you've probably already seen this tutorial :) )

Materials:
Terra cotta pots, ribbon, hot glue gun

Tutorial:
Start by hot gluing one end of the ribbon to the pot (picture 1), then pull the ribbon straight down along the side of your pot, holding it on the glued edge, so it doesn’t move around (2).  Make sure once more that the ribbon is straight, then place a glue line along the bottom edge of the pot (3) and press the center of the ribbon down first, then pull either side further in and press down so that the ribbon curves to the pot (4).  I should also note that I left the ribbon on the spool while gluing it to the pot and only cut after the end of the ribbon was glued to the bottom of the pot.

Repeat steps 1-4 for each quadrant of the pot.  I glued the first two across from each other, and likewise with the second two so that there was even spacing amongst all the strips:

Then repeat steps 1-4, gluing two ribbon strips between each quadrant strip:

Do this until your entire pot is covered.  I personally like the overall look of darker ribbon because it is less see through, but that’s just me.  After the pots were covered, I went back and hot glued these thinner ribbons using the same method.

I would love to plant some herbs in these tiny pots, although I'm not sure how the ribbon would hold up against moist dirt- I don't want it to get moldy.  I may have to line them with something (a plastic bag? foil?) before using them as planters.


Or they would also make for some cute containers for my craft room.

Fancy Pots