dreaming of gemstones...

Remember this post from last year? It's where I first fell in love with and decided that I NEED a chaceldony ring someday. But it was like $1000. Eessh. Too spendy.

Since then, I have found quite a few on etsy for a lot less, that I like better. So I'm gonna bore you with some shiny photos while I dream a bit...

Starting with my current favorite. I might just pounce on it- but it's not white gold. So it's not quite perfect. 

(found here, $150)

Truly a gorgeous stone. Such a pretty color!

Coming in second is this one set in silver. Silver is too soft, I have killed all my silver rings. Also, the stone is too light. But it's still gorgeous!

(found here, $135)

This one is so unique, and more casual than the others.

(found here, $58)

This one has a little more sparkle, I'd like to stack this with some other colors to get more of a chunky look.

(found here, $57)

I've also found these druzy rings- I love the rough cut! 

(found here)

I actually like the gold with this one.

(found here)

And finally, this mosaic ring. I love the simplicity, but I think I would get all kinds of crap stuck in the grooves. 

(found here, $160)

What is it about the new year and me lusting after shiny jewelry? 

a european vacation for your living room

Oh goodness.

I just found this little etsy shop called ArtisanieEurope. I'm totally smitten. I want her sculptures all over my house right now.

French Houses.

Cinque Terre.

Mini wearable planter necklace.

anniversary, part 5: shopping

I found this adorable alpaca panda at the SAM in Seattle. Even though he was pricey- I had to have him.

Crafty Wonderland. It's like Etsy in a store. I want to live in Portland just so I can sell my stuff there.

I got some stuff at the store- then they had an event at the convention center, and I bought more handcrafted goodies.

I found this amazing artist, but didn't buy any of her stuff...yet. Fernworks. She layers resin and paint to add depth to her work. I love it. I find her work so calming and pretty.

She also makes jewelry. How gorgeous are these necklaces? She uses grass, saffron and other "found" objects in the layering process. (images borrowed from her website)

You have to check out chet and dot's Etsy shop...

This sweet little whale now resides in my miniature shelf...

And a house almost exactly like this one was the thank you gift I gave to Nan for taking such good care of my house and kittens. (images taken from her etsy shop)

A Woolie Original. I love this piece. It's mounted on wood and hangs to the right of my desk in my studio. Love it. I like to stare at it whist I'm sewing.

This knitted kitten pillow? Are you kidding me? I hug it all the time. Knitted by Emmakat.

Ohhh, the tail. So it sits on it's own. Independent, like a real kitteh!

Can you even believe this little freaked out felt carrot? They also had cheese, bacon, tofu, a tooth, some toast, and a drumstick. He had a pin on him that said "I heart veggies" but it was obscuring his smirk, so I removed it. Handmade by buttonarcade.

So after all the art buying- I limited myself to only 2 (out of the ten) fabric shops that I wanted to visit. I have so much fabric hoarded already- it seemed stupid after finding all that gorgeous art to bring back a ton more. So I just got a few cuts...

I found this fabulous Alexander Henry 60 inch home dec weight fabric at Fabric Depot. Half off. For reals. I may just have to re-upholster my kitchen chairs...

I got these amazing Japanese fabrics at Cool Cottons. I've only ever seen this brand online, so seeing them in person made me giddy. The top two are going to be aprons. The linen owls are waiting for the perfect project, and the other fabric...

...it's a double gauze. Yes, that's right- just like the Aden and Anais blankets. It's so so soft. And I love those little pigs!

Obviously, I spent all the money I have been saving. Money well spent.

itching to have a green thumb

(pallet garden found here)

I want one. I have nowhere to put it. Besides, I'd just kill it anyway.

But this kitchen wall herb garden? Now that is something I might be able to handle! I'll post photos if I actually get it done, I have a TON of other projects that are due before Easter so this will just have to wait.

I love the idea of having fresh herbs to add to all the new recipes I've been trying out (thanks for all the suggestions BTW! The husband and I are much happier in the dinner department...now if I could just get the cleaning under control...)

secret garden

For our 10 year anniversary, I want to go to the Gardens of Marqueyssac...

in France, in case you were wondering.

a weakness for spring

I'm telling you. I have a total weakness for Easter decorations. Besides Halloween, it's the only holiday I'd actually decorate my house for. Lately everywhere I go I see bunnies, chicks, lambs and eggs that beg me to take them home and plaster every surface with their cuteness.

I found the following spring must-haves on the Purl Bee's website. And if I could buy them...I totally would. Alas, some of them are knitting patterns. Is there anyone out there that would like to trade cupcakes for knitting? Please?

Sparrow's Nest.

Why are Easter eggs so cute?? Am I weird?

Such sweet little knitted bunnies.

Can I please have this whole family? I just want to hold them in my lap while I watch re-runs of the X-Files. My cats would haul them off and hide them for their own.

Lamb Pillows.

Now I could make these.

Hmm, what am I doing today?

posie

I found a new blog to read the other day.

I'm totally obsessed.

It's called Posie gets cozy, and she is amazing. She knits the most beautiful and incredible little baby dresses, sweaters and such.

Gasp!

Gah! Look at that button!

Bunnies. I have a weakness for bunnies.

She also features recipes- delicious recipes that I am dying to try out. Like this cake. With frosting that is called Cloudburst. Hello?!?

I want to move to Portland and be her next door neighbor and BFF.

Sorry to be such a stalker, but I am so infatuated. Aren't you?

P.S. ALL photos belong to her, I stole them from her blog. I have also linked to each post- credit needs to go where credit is due.

nest

I totally want one of these in my lush secluded backyard that I will have sometime in the future. But not over water. That's not relaxing.

(found)

in the bag

I am in love with this bag. Not so much the yellow, and I really wish that it would fit my macbook.

found

missed it

Interpol came to town on Monday. We didn't get to go.

When the new album came out last fall, I was so excited to see them live again- so I checked their tour dates and no SLC. Then when Danny and I were at Blue Plate for brunch on Sunday- I found a flier for their show.

I was so mad! Tickets were sold out, of course.

Maybe in another 5 years.

P.S. Does anyone else think that Paul is really unattractive? I love his voice- but when I see photos I'm always like blech!

Sorry. No offense.

bob loblaw

What Danny is getting for Valentine's Day:

Haha I'm totally kidding. We don't do Valentine's Day, but if we did, what says love more that Tobias the Never Nude?

*found via Flannel Animal