Bewitched

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Print by Nan Lawson[/caption]

Today is the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which happens to be one of my favorite books. I also adore the 2005 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley. My husband on the other hand hates it. So when he's getting on my nerves, I put the movie in to let him know he's in the dog house. At one point, the disc was magically scratched up and my poor puppy Loki was blamed.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFsgLhx9dxg?list=PL5EEF0906FD47515A]

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Our WiFi is working again, hooray! Amelia is 5 weeks old in this photo. She's getting so big already!

Creative Space: Kelly Rae Roberts

One of my favorite things to see on the blogs of artists is their messy studios. I like to see that I'm not the only one who makes a mess as I work on a project. Kelly Rae Roberts is one of my favorite artists, and she is such an inspiration. I really enjoy her series Art In Motion,  where she shares the visual journey through the life of one of her paintings — from the blank canvas, to the first splash of inspiration, all the way to the finished piece.

That's What She Said Sunday

Today we had loads of fun playing with the ShopKick app and taking Amelia about town with us. Right now, we have a fussy girl, but it seems the swing we bought today is calming her down...cross your heart and kiss you elbow that something works soon, her little tears break my heart.

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Writing a Children's Book: Writers Block

I've had this idea for a children's book in my head for years, and one night this idea wouldn't let me sleep. I ended up scribbling in a notebook I kept near my bed, with no light and no glasses; then promptly fell back to sleep. The whole thing felt like a dream, and the scribbles in my notebook looked like ancient hieroglyphs in the morning. I was able to decipher some, but I knew I was missing a huge chunk of my wonderful idea in the chicken scratch. I tried to remember what woke me up in the first place, but all I could think of was looking through the windows of houses at night from the street.

I had no idea how to go about writing a book, but the idea was haunting me. I did some research and purchased a 'how to' on writing and illustrating a children's book. I dove right into the book on writing, and I started thinking of my story in terms of pages (32 is the magic number). As a visual person, each page helped me flesh out my story and it started to evolve into something real. I continued to read through the chapters in my 'how to' book, and suddenly all my progress halted...character study...

Now I find myself with too many thoughts, yet nothing to put on paper. Writers block. As I sit here and write this, I realize my mistake was taking my 'how to' book so seriously and loosing sight of how I normally work; which is backwards and hardly ever following the rules.

I know this is only the beginning, and I have many more pages to write (and illustrate). I've somehow come up with the perfect ending in the middle of my story. Now my quest is figuring out how to get there...

This and That

A couple little peeks....
Only the cutest things in life....Happy Monday

That's What She Said Sunday

I know it's easy to get stuck in a mundane rut. Like working a job you don't love, or feeling like you don't have time to do the things you want. If there's one thing I've learned from becoming a stay at home mom, it's you have to do something.

I try to squeeze in some blog posts and crafty time between feedings and naps. I let friends drop by even when my house is a wreck and I haven't showered in days. Yeah, life with a newborn is a tad challenging, but I don't want loose sight of myself and the things I love just because I've become a parent. I think if I don't take a little down time for myself, I might go crazy.

So this is a reminder to live your life, and not just go through the motions.

Happy Sunday!

fifty-two

I had intentions of doing a 365 project, but I can barely find time to sleep and eat, so I decided to jump on the once a week band wagon. My in laws gifted us with a fancy digital camera for Christmas, just in time for me to take a million higher quality (than my phone) pictures of Amelia.

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Do you have plans to do a 365 or 52 project? What is your subject matter?

Live and Breathing

This week in Lubbock, local bands are getting an awesome opportunity to be part of Live and Breathing.

Live and Breathing was created as a way for musicians to get their music heard by recording them in their most basic form at sites that few would ever conceive as musical backdrops. The goal is to “capture intimate performances by musicians in unique, personal settings.”

Here in Lubbock, they are recording in historic sites such as the Las Escarbadas from the XIT Ranch located at the National Ranching Heritage Center.

My husband's band, Thrift Store Cowboys, completed their session on Tuesday.

Jess Hale from Tomahawk Productions also booked all the bands at a local venue, The Blue Light to make it a full week of awesome music.

As soon as the sessions are up on the Live and Breathing website, I will post the link.

I'll leave you with a video taken by a fan at The Blue Light

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkN51ZtfdIw]

Photos taken from instagram: Jess Hale (jattomahawk), Live and Breathing (liveandbreathing), and Kristyn (rosemarycross16). Edited/filtered by me. Video from Dylan Rutter.

If you are in the area, there are more awesome bands to see through the rest of the week. Check out Tomahawk Productions for more information.

That's What She Said Sunday

I have to look at my phone about 50 times a day to remember what day it is, but I'm working on a semblance of a schedule again. And hello, it's Sunday!

As a new parent, I felt this quote was fitting, and something I never want to forget. My mom always let me be who I wanted to be, and I think I'm a happy and unique individual because of it. So thanks mom!

Happy Sunday!

Favorite Albums of 2012

I remember the days I used to buy tons of music. Now a days, I am mostly hunting down vinyl and buying a few select records on itunes or while waiting in line at Starbucks. When did I get so picky? Here are few albums I've enjoyed this past year:

This was an album I picked up at Starbucks. In high school I was a huge Fiona Apple fan, and back then I could relate to her anger and angst. Sadly, this album hasn't found its way into my itunes library. I need to get on that, because I have a bad habit of scratching up cd's.

I was turned on to The Civil Wars by the song they did with Taylor Swift for The Hunger Games movie. This is a nice chill record that I like to put on while I work.

I actually bought this on vinyl for my husband. The first gift I ever bought my husband was a Shins cd (which we've lost). I've been on a mission to buy him all their albums on vinyl since we got a record player.

I'm in love with this album, and listened to it constantly. My husband on the other hand, can't stand it. I saw on twitter where they've started writing for their next album. Also, can't wait for the new Eisley release this year.

One of my old roommates has the best taste in music, and when he recommended this album I thought he was crazy. But I rocked out in my car most of the summer to this album with my windows down and hair trailing out the window like a rebellious high school kid.

Besides the new Eisley album, I am looking forward to the new Josh Ritter, Perma, and One Wolf albums coming out this year.

What albums were your favorite this past year? And what albums are you looking forward to in 2013?

Goals/Resolutions for 2013

[caption id="attachment_131" align="aligncenter" width="584"] by Kelly Rae Roberts[/caption]

When thinking of my goals/resolutions for the New Year, I remembered this post and print by Kelly Rae Roberts. It has inspired me to get this year started on the right foot, to focus on the positive, and not to forget to just live in the moment.

2013 Goals/Resolutions:

1. Be Brave: This year is all about taking chances, and doing all those things I only dream about. Being brave is also about letting go. I plan to ask myself, "is this holding me back, or moving me forward?" This covers a broad range of topics, from my art to my home.

2. Embrace Change: There have already been so many changes in my life and the year has barely started. Having a baby has changed my life completely, and the transition to motherhood has been a bit rocky, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it. We have lots of big decisions to make, and I have no idea where they will take us. What I do know, is that embracing the changes and keeping a positive attitude will keep me happier than worrying and fretting.

3. Stay True: I feel as though I am at a turning point in my life where I am changing and growing as a person. I want to embrace this change, but stay true to myself. It's crazy how much my tastes, style, and thoughts are evolving. I'm not sure if this change has to do with turning 30 or becoming a mother (perhaps both), but I'm definitely growing up and it's kinda weird.

4. Celebrate Everything: This year I want to celebrate and document everything. I think this year will be exciting as I see it through the eyes of my daughter. Watching her grow everyday has been cause to celebrate, and I can't stop taking pictures of her and kissing her cute face. Everything seems new and exciting as we just live each day as a new family. I am working on doing a 365 photography project, and it only seemed natural that Amelia is my muse. :)

What are your goals/resolutions for 2013? Leave a comment, I'd love to know what is going on with you for 2013!

Happy 2013

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's!

I turned 30 on New Year's Eve, and my wonderful husband took me to the closest book store for a latte and a browse through the crafty books and manga. I'm an easy girl to please.

It was our first outing with Amelia (and using the stroller), which was an overall success. Being a new parent is definitely a learning experience and a daily challenge. :)

Right now I am working on my goals for the new year, and thinking on some major life decisions in between feedings and trying to catch some sleep.

So, here's to a new year of awesomeness and adventure!

Happy 2013!