living the creative teen life

new items in the shop and follow my new blog!

2012-01-08T10:50:00.001-06:00

parcel posts and other notes shop on etsy
new blog: typewritten twenty something add me to your readers!

new frame of mind: follow me on my new adventures

2011-10-21T10:16:00.002-05:00

here

Typewritten twenty something

epiphany

2011-10-19T21:38:00.002-05:00

so i've realized i NEED blogging and art and creativity back in my life. i've been consumed by technology and college and i miss this. i've had epiphany on top of epiphany and have been thinking a lot lately. ideas are brewing...going back to the basics. i've met a couple people that have inspired me...so thankful for that. everything happens for a reason and it's the right place and time.

this place is collecting dust. a place i used to love and cherish. expect changes soon if any of you are still following. the teenage years are coming to an end. time for something new.

happy wednesday

monday quote: trying to convince myself it's true

2011-05-02T09:18:00.001-05:00

“what is the feeling when you’re driving away from people, and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? -it’s the too huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-bye. but we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”

- jack kerouac

it's complicated

2011-04-27T15:55:00.003-05:00

going home in 9 days. looking forward to home, the familiar and getting lost, but missing late night dorm dancing and ice cream with my new family.

sieze the day

2011-03-31T17:30:00.001-05:00

new notebook paper painting in the shop.

snail mail

2011-03-23T16:44:00.002-05:00

sending this out to alex.
i found the latest free people catalog in my mailbox today and immediately loved this image. alex and i always talk about crazy adventures we want to have together and ever since she was 12 years old she has been a native american for halloween. she wants to travel the world and experience different cultures. i loved our 4am tea party last summer and our late night walks or indian food dates. one of these days we will go zorbing for sure.

finally...i made something

2011-03-22T12:48:00.002-05:00

did this last night before bed. you can find it in the shop. i plan on making others as well.

right now: craving a pancake, obsessed with words with friends, loving my new xti, enjoying spring weather, missing people

happy tuesday!

saw the hoover dam today

2011-03-18T04:05:00.000-05:00

2011-03-06T21:29:00.002-06:00

guess who is the proud new owner of a canon rebel xti......this guy. my dad bought a new camera and passed his down to me...vair excited.

my parents were in town this weekend to watch one of our home matches on friday. i asked my mom to bring me some art supplies cause i missed making stuff or whatever it is i do. she brought me some embroidery floss, paint, canvases and fabric scraps. i've had some ideas in my head, but keep hesitating for some reason. it has been so long since i have actually made anything and i'm afraid it won't turn out just as i picture in my head. guess the best way to start is the nike way and just do it. i hope to post things on etsy if i ever get around to making a desirable piece.

along with the art supply goodness, she brought me a new spring candle...lilac dandelion. i love it. i routined an angle food cake candle from anthro earlier this year. having a candle while i study is so relaxing.

i can't believe there are only 2 months left of my freshman year of college. time has flown by and it will only get faster from now on. the team and i are headed to las vegas for spring break in a week and i couldn't be more excited for some sunshine and a break.

happy sunday night.

hello random monday

2011-02-21T11:36:00.005-06:00

it's raining. i have to study. listening to regina spektor. writing letters. drinking coffee.

i am going another week sans facebook and it is so refreshing. my friend changed my password for me and i cannot believe how much time i waste on it reading statuses and stalking pictures of people i don't even keep in touch with or really care what they are doing.

here is a monday quote for you:

"spend life with who makes you happy, not who you have to impress"

missing summer days sitting and reading in my backyard with music.

happy valentine's day

2011-02-13T19:34:00.003-06:00

journal entry 1.09.11

2011-02-10T18:44:00.000-06:00

I want to be the girl who listens to obscure indie rock bands, whose laugh is contagious. The girl who wears converse with her dads old sweaters. The girl who makes heartless boys fall in love. I want to be the girl who reads classic novels and keeps a journal of quotes. The girl that drinks tea in animal shaped mugs and occasionally eats Swedish fish for breakfast. I want to be the girl who doesn't care what other people think and embraces the imperfections in everyone.

Revelation upon a 9am caffe americano between class

2011-02-10T08:08:00.001-06:00

Sorry for the silence. I think I'm going to make a come back. I miss this.

goodbye

2010-08-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

goodbye blog world...i don't know how much is going to be going on here for quite some time.

i have spent the past couple days packing away my life as i leave for college tomorrow.

thank you for always being here...for your support, inspiration, and friendship.

all my love,
kayla

birthday present

2010-08-13T10:08:00.002-05:00

filip's little sister just had a birthday so i shipped this little quilted card to her with a dora the explorer doll. i just whipped it together the other day...it had been so long since i had used my sewing machine.

also, amy butler fabrics make me swoon. love them!

happy friday the 13th!

it's here!

2010-08-06T08:52:00.002-05:00

the cloth paper scissors magazine 2011 calendar finally dropped! i'm miss march! there are so many "pretty" months. check it out and purchase it here.

August

2010-08-05T09:09:00.003-05:00

(published in this month's quilting arts magazine)
(custom painting order)

really? already? wowzer.

filip left last wednesday. that was a rough day, but we've been talking and staying in touch so all is well....AND guess who is going to croatia for two weeks in december?! yes...yours truly. and for the sake of miss kara can i get a yaypants?!!!!!!!

i have been busy getting ALL of my stuff for college. i leave on the 22nd. i'm getting kinda nervous now actually. my roommate is canadian so that's cool and i will be the only american on the tennis team of 8 girls. FUN FUN! you can see the roster here.

i've been lazy lately on the art front. i took kara's summer of love online class and loved it, but still need to complete over half of the prompts! i plan on getting most of that done before i go off to school.

happy thursday!

chicago with filip

2010-07-17T15:00:00.003-05:00

i went downtown chicago today with filip...yes, the croatian boy i mentioned before. it was a perfect day and we watched the fireworks from the top of the ferris wheel at navy pier. he gave me a beautiful ring too and i love it and spending time with him. looks like i'll be spending christmas in croatia this year!

hopefully some art coming your way soon...it's been a lazy summer or maybe just busy. happy saturday!

thank you

2010-07-15T17:37:00.007-05:00

thanks to Elizabeth! She has been a dear cyber friend of mine and really encouraged me to explore the world of altered art and mixed media over two years ago. She sent me a beautiful sewn journal in my favorite color as a graduation gift. It was truly a wonderful surprise and I will cherish it forever. All the the hard work that went into it is amazing and handmade gifts are always the best kind of gifts. Each page is unique and the colors and words are bright and inspiring!

She also remembered I collected all of my fortune cookie fortunes in a jar and slipped a cute little fortune notebook inside the journal! SWOON! LOVE IT!

She also did a shout out to my blog this week....so sweet! You can find it here.

sunrise tea party (muchas fotos!)

2010-07-04T07:37:00.009-05:00

after seeing the marie antoinette movie last year, alex and i decided we would wake up super early and watch the sunrise to recreate the beautiful scene in the movie. a few days ago she picked me up at 4:30am for our sunrise tea party. we wore dresses and flowers in our hair and headed to the japanese gardens near our houses. it was dark outside and the full moon from the night before was still lingering in the sky. we walked with the picnic basket and blankets and set up our tea party: lit candles, put out the table cloth, and listened to the marie antoinette soundtrack on my ipod speakers.

i brought my 5 piece silver tea set that i pulled out of the box that morning. it was a tea set i had begged my mom to buy me when i was 8 and i never opened it. i never thought at 18 it would be the day. alex poured the passion peach tea which we sipped out of our favorite mugs and set out mini brownies and raspberries. the sun started to rise and some runners passed us sitting there having a tea party at 5am...awkward! it was such a thrilling experience. we sat and told our secrets of summer and plans for the fall. we talked about boys and music and ice cream. it was perfect.

one the sun had risen we walked out toward the river where a smokey fog had begun to cover the water. it was beautiful and we danced around taking pictures. again more runners passed and we laughed so much.

later we hopped the fence to the japanese gardens and took pictures on the bridges and in the little houses completely ignoring the "call for reservations for photography use" sign. we looked ridiculous with the self timer setting it then running back and forth to see if our pictures came out. it was so much fun and we were done by 8am feeling refreshed for the rest of the day.

a sunrise tea party is definitely happening again.

summer of love art journal class

2010-06-25T12:14:00.001-05:00

(cover)

for kara's class

three things

2010-06-25T08:25:00.002-05:00

the lovely miss kara tagged me. i am currently working on her latest online class, the summer of love, and it is so inspiring. she can always inspire me to create when i'm in a creative drought. can't wait to share!

Three Names I Go By:

Fuj or Fuji. People always compliment my last name. I get a lot of "oh like Fujifilm" and "isn't there water named after you? you should drink it" to which i respond, "no, that is FIJI water."

Kay Kay. One of my good friends calls me this. She's my clairey poo and i'm her kay kay...so mature...really, i know.

A combo of the two: KFuj. I also get Kahla, Fudge, and hello moto.

Three Places I Have Been:

Southern California. I was born there, but have lived in IL for most of my life. I will always be a California girl (or gurl if you're into the whole katy perry thing). It's a place I look forward to visiting every year and driving with the windows down along the coast.

Japan. Ok so maybe i was just a newborn and only lived there for a year, but i will always embrace my asian-ness. my mom is irish and white as can be. my dad is japanese american, but grew up and lived in cali through college. my mom went there for business and my dad followed. he took japanese lessons and she spoke it fluently...funny right? i'd like to think i'll go visit now that i am older, but i don't know how i feel about that long flight.

Dairy Queen. yes, it is noteworthy.

Three Favorite Drinks:

chocolate soy milk mixed with almond milk. my favorite post workout drink or for dessert after dinner.

hot chocolate. i am such a sucker for hot chocolate in the winter.

pomegranats peach italian soda. i get it from a small local cafe. it's pretty much summer in a plastic cup with a straw of course. straws make the whole experience.

Three TV Shows I Watch:

Glee. Religiously. if i miss the first two minutes i cannot go on and must watch it when it gets put online the next day. i also cannot have any distractions or things get ugly.

ok so i'm just going to throw these guilty pleasures all together. read them really fast and stop judging me through your computer screen. gossip girl, 90210, and make it or break it.

Three Places I Want to Visit:

Australia.
Brazil.
India.

Three Places I Have Lived:

California. Japan. Illinois.

Three Favorite Dishes:

spicy Indian food. two of my friends and i make frequent indian food runs. we've established the title of "regulars" and yes, we have a "usual."

blueberry oatmeal pancakes.

pad thai.

Three Things I am Looking Forward to:

going to college in the fall.

the lamp-themed birthday party tonight.

day tripping to the dunes.

yes...i do realize it has been almost a month

2010-06-12T12:09:00.005-05:00

i can't thank my parents enough for the past 18 years of my life. i am officially graduated from high school and am enjoying this summer like none other. there is something about summer time that makes me dreamy and nostalgic, this one especially, since i will be off to college in just a few months. my parents have given me unconditional love and support these past four years of high school and i survived and had some of the best times of my life with many more to come.
i had a grad party with two of my friends from school at the pool and it was so much fun having all of our friends together to celebrate.

i surprised my dad with tickets to the earth, wind, and fire concert when we returned home from California. we spent a week there to clean out my grandma's house and have her funeral service. it was a rough week, but i'm glad we were all together during that time. i loved finding old pictures of my dad and photo albums of my great grandparent's wedding.

this was after graduation. we did it! these are two of my friends from elementary school. i love how we reconnected during high school and hope we all work hard to keep in touch in the years to come.

i started dating this boy. although he does have to return to Croatia at the end of july (he is an exchange student), i am having a great time with him this summer.

this is me after i received my diploma. i was pretty excited in the heat of the moment.

these twins still have a year left of high school, but they have both been there for me ever since we met my sophomore year. we are family and i know we will always stay in contact. some days they are like my children and others like a mom and dad. i love that we are so comfortable being together or talking about anything. i was very excited on graduation day!

senior breakfast: alex and emmett are my indian food eating buddies and miata night driving pals. we always had a good time in the library doing puzzles during study hall.

lauren and i picnicking on the courthouse lawn in our downtown area. we got chipotle burrito bowls and drank our water bottles with straws because naturally, straws are more fun. lauren was a friend i met just last semester, but we clicked immediately. i feel spontaneous with her and we laughed together when people walked by staring at us.

last, i made this quilt as a contest submission. i'm a gleek...pretty much explains itself.

i don't know when i'll be back again or when i'll actually create something fun to share. i just can't believe this milestone of my life has approached and a new stage is starting.

happy summer!

friday night TPing

2010-05-15T01:17:00.002-05:00

so cliche, but here it goes...

Goodwill:
2 bowling balls: $.99 each
1 clown yard ornament: $.99
2 deer figurines: $.99 each

Meijer
24 pack of toilet paper: $11.15
1 bucket of sidewalk chalk: $1.99

being able to use the excuse "it's ok, i'm just an ignorant, carefree, invincible teenager": PRICELESS

2010-05-06T19:50:00.004-05:00

sorry for all the picture posts...not really in the writing mood right now. tgif tomorrow

prom!

2010-05-06T05:37:00.002-05:00

my date...the foreign exchange student from croatia

"everything was beautiful and nothing hurt" --kurt vonnegut

2010-04-25T08:06:00.005-05:00

i made this series of little quiltie cards with my grandma's jewelry. she gave all of her jewelry to me in december. i completed them a week before she passed and i never got a chance to show them to her. i'm really glad i'll have something i made in her memory.

right now i can honestly say i don't know how to deal with death. it has been a hard year with my uncle passing unexpectedly at the end of january and now my grandma. i took the first death really hard and now i just don't know what to feel. i haven't grieved much this time. actually i only cried outside the nursing home by myself the day she passed. i hadn't lost anyone close to me until this year. i've been trying to keep life as normal as possible...going out with friends and not thinking about it.

on wednesday my parents took me from school cause the doctors said she only had a couple hours left. my dad picked me up and we drove to see her. he said to me, "mom, is dying" and a rush of pain shot through me. i felt tears welling in my eyes. we arrived and i sat on the ground by her bed and grabbed her hand. that is when i lost it. seeing her there, breathing quickly. she seemed unresponsive and cold, but she wouldn't stop looking at me. i saw her take her last breath and it was something i had never experienced in my life. i broke down. she wouldn't suffer anymore. i turned to my parents. one of the things i hate the most in life is seeing my parents cry. my mom left the room and i watched my dad. my heart broke. his brother and his mom both gone within 3 months. i couldn't stay there and see him like that so i left and went outside. i had to get out of that place. i needed to be strong for my parents and i haven't shown emotion since.

it'll take time, i know. and i know i will deal with it when the time comes. i think back to march when my grandma's health was progressing and she was getting well. she told me she wanted to come to my graduation and see me go to prom. i know she won't actually be around, but i know she'll always be here watching from a better place...in a place with my uncle where she won't suffer...in a place where her infectious laugh will take over and make everyone smile just as she did for me.

2010-04-21T21:25:00.001-05:00

my grandmother passed today. i'll be back soon.

hello hello

2010-04-18T20:35:00.002-05:00

so it's been awhile...my apologies. i just wanted to pop in and say thank you to everyone who visited my table at the international quilt festival in chicago this weekend! it was a joy to meet all of you and hopefully inspire you with some new ideas...you can do anything!

sorry for this lame and boring post, but i must go and have a major cram session with all of the homework i put off this weekend. i suffer from severe cases of procrastination at times.

i will be sharing some new projects soon...i promise!

perfect day

2010-04-02T14:55:00.005-05:00

alex and i took a mini road trip to the dunes in michigan yesterday and it was perfect. the breeze, the sunshine, the view, driving with the windows down, spring break oh10 playlist, sunglasses, the kite flying, food, feeling disconnected for a bit. it was beyond lovely. we designated "our spot" on one of the dunes looking out onto the lake with a little ritual. it was so nice to get away and soak up some rays. the weather these past two days has made me oh so happy.

last night i had a surprise party for one of my friends. it was so much fun. we flew my kite out of the sun roof of my car and drove around. sometimes it's so much fun to pull the "it's ok, i'm a crazy, ignorant teenager"-card when receiving strange looks from adults on the sidewalks. i stayed up too late and played poker with the boys and i woke up this morning feeling happy. i'm happy to be a teenage girl, to not have too many responsibilities, and to have friends i really care about.

windows down driving is the highlight of my life right now. i'm off to clean, blast music, and relish the rest of spring break oh10.

one more thing...alex and i made it to the zoo on tuesday. what a great day.

spring break oh10

2010-03-29T22:18:00.002-05:00

kick off ceremony
alex snuck this "artsy" pic at the gas station
she also took this self portrait

SBoh10!!!!!

alex and i had a spring break kick off party on friday night. we lit color-drip candles like the lighting of the olympic torch. of course we blew them out cause we do not have a multimillion dollar torch mechanism to keep lit for the whole week, but on sunday before going back to school, we will ceremoniously light the candles and blow them out. we even discussed burying a time capsule of sorts...we'll see if that happens. we also watched the movie, new york i love you, and thought it was pretty good, but we are still partial to paris je taime. we decided a couple weeks ago that we would spend our spring break doing various things on our bucket lists/possibly do lists. some items include...paint, volunteer, mini road trip, go to the zoo, study (ummm yeah ok), and other exciting, adventurous things.

this morning we did each other's hair. we have been wanting to try beachy waves for a while since both of us have very straight hair. notice the beachyness in the pics above. a lot of hair spray was used. then we spent a good chunk of our time volunteering at the local nursing home...it was fun and interesting. we walked around and visited with various patients. there was the complaining lady, the forgetful one, the out going one, the sensible one, the grouch, the 100 year old one, and really just a motley crew. i enjoyed spending time there and talking to the various patients. i tried to imagine what they were like when they were seniors in high school or what kinds of things they were interested in growing up. i liked looking through their photo albums full of black and white pictures. it was quite and eye opening experience and i look forward to going back again.

tomorrow alex and i shall tackle the zoo. lions, tigers, and bears oh my spring break oh10!

it is spring!

2010-03-17T15:56:00.003-05:00

yes! warm weather, windows down, new music, bright colors, new inspiration...it's finally here.

i just discovered this site today and it is making me really happy.

i am planning fun things to do over spring break.

prom dress shopping on saturday.

bucket list making.

indian food date on friday night.

making ice cream cone cupcakes...pics later.

listening to phoenix.

trying to make beachy waves in my straight hair.

wearing my grandma's old jewelry. (seen above displayed in vintage ice cube trays)

happy spring! what are you loving right now?

yay!!

2010-03-15T22:18:00.003-05:00

my quilt was accepted as a finalist for the cloth paper scissors calendar contest. i'll find out if it wins in may, but for now i'm pretty excited!

ps please visit alex's blog. i'm really excited for her and feel inspired reading her lists.

go to the opera...check

2010-03-12T19:52:00.002-06:00

so alex and i went on a field trip to the lyric opera house in chicago yesterday. hmmm, not quite sure what to say about it. it was definitely interesting and i can check it off my life list. i actually never had "go see an opera" on any of my lists, it just seems like one of those things one must experience in life. i enjoyed the first hour, then after that it was about and hour and a half too long of singing in italian. we had fun nonetheless listening to the boys behind us (notice in purposely posed photos) talk about how they "have given up on love" or how "she likes when her men wear black sweat pants" or how "we hit the clubs last weekend" (yeah right).

ps sorry for the terrible photography that doesn't do either of us justice and for my red eye fixer not being able to cover up alex's bionic eye in that one pic.

march march march

2010-03-07T21:27:00.002-06:00

it is march and i cannot believe it. i am so ready for spring. i spent my weekend spring cleaning and it felt so good. i cleared out 2.5 giant trash bags of clothes from my closet and reorganized my desk.

i also made a big march to do list and hope to cross things off throughout the month. i want to take one of my dogs for a walk in the morning before getting ready for school. i think it will help me start the day refreshed.

my friend alex just started a blog and i am really excited for her. we both share secret blog lives. please visit her blog and send her some blog love!

happy march!

maryland trip

2010-03-01T17:13:00.004-06:00

we played in the studio
with chocolate

with crazy hats in a crazy fairy store

with old pirates

and a broadway play.

i spent four days with debra and her beautiful family in maryland. it was so much fun and they are so welcoming and great people to be around. we created and made truffles at a chocolate shop. we celebrated a birthday and went shopping. i stayed up so late each night, always trying to avoid the feeling that i would have to go to sleep as another day passed. the last day was a blur as my trip came to an end. i hope we all continue to be friends and keep in touch because i really enjoyed my time there. it's amazing how you meet people then don't see them for years, but can pick up right where you left off. it is also fun to live in a house with for boys when i'm used to being an only child. since coming home late last night i feel inspired and really lucky to have gotten the opportunity to spend time in maryland this past weekend.

today i am making lists, jamming to john mayer, and looking forward to spring. it's about time for some green grass and windows down driving....oh, and to bust out my new pair of orange sperrys.

happy monday! xo

2010-02-23T16:35:00.002-06:00

i am so excited because i will be visiting this awesome lady and her family for a nice, long, fun-filled weekend. i will be sure to share when i get back!

just discovered lip dubs

2010-02-20T17:35:00.000-06:00

awesome

it's friday (insert deep sigh of relief here)

2010-02-19T15:26:00.002-06:00

tgif.

i need to refresh and start new. i can feel a fresh start. we've been going through some very tough times with my family, but i can feel it turning around.

i played hookey on tuesday and my mom and i went shopping at nordstroms. it was a lot of fun and a nice break. i got my first pair of skinny jeans...make that three! love them. i also got a pair of bright orange sperry topsides!

this weekend i am going to clean my room...it is in desperate need. my closet too! just some spring cleaning.

i also want to work on art this weekend.

i can feel spring...i need spring. it is finally sunny here for the past two days and i have driven home from school with the windows down. ok, maybe it is only 38 outside, but i'm in denial and thinking spring is just around the corner.

i'm excited for tonight. alex is coming over and she, my mom, and i are making homemade pizzas. yesss. i have started wanting to bake or cook every now and then.

oh, and one more thing. is it weird that i like cleaning? loud music and the vac just fit perfectly into my friday nights. love it.

tgif. enjoy it!

2010-02-18T05:52:00.001-06:00

hope you all had a wonderful valentine's day! here are some cards that i made.

inspiration stuff

2010-02-09T15:50:00.004-06:00

hello hello. it's been a tough week or so. i'm staying positive, but sometimes i just can't take it. so much to do and so much i want to do. looking forward to spring and starting to search for prom dresses. i know it's early, but i want to get a unique dress before they are all gone. here are some things that i'm liking right now.

oh and one more thing, i also want to start cooking or baking more. just an odd natural occurence/burning desire deep down.

this quote:
“certain things, they should stay the way they are. you ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them alone.” – j.d. salinger

this ribbon by kelly rae roberts,
these hearts,this piece of art by kris chau.

and this post at color me katie.

happy tuesday!

music love

2010-02-03T21:28:00.002-06:00

found on hula seventy

i'm going to make some valentines.

2010-02-01T21:39:00.001-06:00

Today I was good at keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact. My uncle passed away unexpectedly yesterday. It hit me so hard and fast. I had never lost anyone close to me before. I cried beyond blubbering and laid in the dark. I had just seen him on my visit a month ago…talked to him six days ago.

Today at school was such a weird feeling. I decided to go to keep my mind off of it. I had some mini breakdowns on the inside but I stayed strong for my parents and me.
Today I was hurting so much on the inside and all around me I saw my peers laughing and smiling with absolutely nothing wrong…not thinking about death or grieving.

Today people asked the ole "how was your weekend?" question expecting the obligatory response of "good" or "fine". The response that immediately came to my mind was "my uncle died" before I uttered an "ok" and moved on.

Today I felt broken and empty.

Today I felt my heart truly ache.

Today everything is going to change for my family, but I just have to stay positive and look for the good.

He would want that for me.

moment jar 1.29.10

2010-01-30T22:24:00.002-06:00

tonight alex and i went out to an indian restaurant. she ordered one thing, and i another. we tried to become more cultured, then we watched the french film, paris je t'aime and contemplated the cute boys and short stories of love. i remember laughing until i cried and how she lives without caring what other people think and how she inspires me to just be myself.

2010-01-27T22:01:00.002-06:00

i like making cupcakes.

goodnight.

2010-01-25T07:01:00.002-06:00

6 year old girl i babysit: Kayla? How do you sneeze? We had a substitute teacher at school and she sneezed funny then said it was ok for us to laugh. Then she said she is also a babysitter and it must be a babysitter thing. Can you sneeze for me?

me: (fake sneeze)

her: Wait, that's what hers sounded like too. It really must be a babysitter thing.

a fresh start

2010-01-21T21:47:00.003-06:00

i love the new year and setting goals and creating new habits. i am working on not wishing my life away...living in the now. i keep saying how much i wish college were here without realizing that this time in my life is what i should soak up the most. i'm at the point where i have freedom with little responsibility. graduation will come soon enough, so for now i will enjoy the now.

i'm also working on some challenge quilts that i'm very excited about. i'll share a lil sumptin sumptin soon!

happy weekend!

hello 2010

2010-01-06T21:45:00.003-06:00

well it's been quite the hiatus...i had a nice and quiet christmas break. visited california and watched lots of movies.

i'm really excited for this year. i will be graduating high school this spring and going off to college in the fall. i know how cliche it is, but it all went by so quickly. i've changed so much over the past three and a half years of high school. tonight i pulled out my drawer of scraps and mementos and discovered little notes and memos from so long ago. it brought back memories. then i took the pile and just started sewing all of the pages together without any plan or specific style. no tape or glue, just my machine.

i've posted pictures of the ornaments i made for our tree this year. with the help of my mom and dad, we completed 72. in november i decided our tree needed new ornaments so we went to work with stamps, fabric, and glitter. it looked great with the paper chains.

well, that's kinda it for now. i need to journal. oh and i was so inspired by this post by miss kara that i have started my own moments jar for 2010. then at the end of the year i can pull out all of my little moments and remember all the good times.

merry christmas to all

2009-12-25T00:13:00.001-06:00

and to all a goodnight.

suggestions?

2009-12-13T14:55:00.002-06:00

any suggestions of song lyrics and or a poem to include in my senior scrapbook project for english? they would be greatly appreciated. i find it hard to pick the right one.

2009-12-12T21:14:00.001-06:00

love this.

"happiness" a journal entry

2009-12-05T17:22:00.003-06:00

{a new print in my room that i got for my birthday}

Happiness...it's such a relative word, feeling, emotion. I know Kara has said you are only as happy as you choose to be and it is completely true.

In English, we are reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury and there is a Happiness Machine in it that only makes people sad when they are away from it. It's like watching a romantic comedy that warms your heart, but then leaves you feeling lonely or wishing for that happy ending in your own life. We discussed if we each had our own happiness machine and what we found joy in. Do we need a happiness machine? Or are we already happy and content with our own lives? Even though pain and sorrow exist, there are still things that bring a smile to our faces.

The book also focuses on finding joy in the little things in life. In the book, the little boy revels in his brand new summer sneakers, the grandpa in the mowing of the lawn, and things like the strangeness of the night. Sunsets...if sunsets lasted forever they would lose their charm.

Often times in life, we turn to our possessions for comfort. Don't get me wrong...I love my technology, but sometimes doesn't it only add to our unhappiness? Catching up on emails cause we are so busy. Sending a text cause there isn't time to talk or we are afraid to have real human interaction. Or just surfing the Internet and seeing all of the things we don't have or reading blogs, wishing we could create something like "so and so" instead of just sitting down and DOING it or trying. Switching on the TV because it is convenient to get lost in it and waste time even if you don't really care about the program that is on. What happened to entertaining ourselves every now and then with something more worthwhile...something that gives us a sense of accomplishment...something that makes us genuinely happy?

My simple pleasures? The smell after the rain. The first time in the summer when I can drive with my windows down and the music a little louder. A walk on a fall day with the leaves crunching beneath my feet. My first cup of Starbucks hot chocolate in December. Staring into the twinkling Christmas lights outside my bedroom window. The first snow. Watching people run for the TVs on Black Friday. A spontaneous stop at a photo booth. Blasting music while vacuuming. Waking up to sunshine through my curtains. Paint under my finger nails. A handful of glitter. A shared glance with a friend during school. Late night phone calls. Sitting in silence with someone. Christmas music and a fire. Rain against my windows as I fall asleep. Waking up on a snow day. Driving home late at night in the darkness. Building a pillow barricade around me as I sleep....the list goes on and on.

What simple pleasures are you enjoying this month? What makes you happy? Give someone a hug...pick up the phone and call before sending that text to catch up. DO something that makes you smile...something that makes you feel accomplished. Buy yourself a small gift to symbolize your change or your new drive... a new mug, pen, or journal. Don't regret today...make memories.

another year...another birthday

2009-11-30T21:34:00.002-06:00

i celebrated my 18th birthday yesterday. it wasn't as exciting as i thought it would be, but the little moments made all the difference. from putting up the christmas lights to making handmade ornaments...it was special.

i get to decorate the tree this year. on saturday night we started making handmade ornaments that i saw in this post and by sunday afternoon we had 72. i plan to use them on our tree with silver ball ornaments and paper chains i made last week with old anthropologie catalogs.

tomorrow my dad and i are starting a 25 days of christmas project. we each got domo dolls and plan to do a daily photo with our doll in it. by the end we hope to put all of our photos side by side in a mini album. i am excited for this holiday season.

i want to create a list of 18 things to do before i turn 19. any ideas? i'd love some input in the comments section.

2009-11-25T23:02:00.001-06:00

so about that to do list i mentioned yesterday.....hmmmmm.

this is what i did instead. made some owlie cupcakes.

11.24.09

2009-11-24T08:31:00.004-06:00

today i am all about progress and tackling my to do list.

i just got the WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE soundtrack and i have been listening to it over and over and over.

making paper chains with old anthro and urban catalogs.

homework.

crafting.

happy mail plans.

reading too much into my horoscope.

MY BIRTHDAY IS ON SUNDAY!

2009-11-23T16:42:00.003-06:00

more balloon pics

i officially signed to play tennis for indiana university a couple weeks ago...

and my parents got me a gift card to anthropologie! i cannot wait to spend it...isn't the little gift card holder adorable?!

my friends and i all got together to celebrate where we will be playing college tennis at next year!

today my little cousin and i painted some rocks with gesso and glitter.

i don't have any school this week! i hope to get organized, get school work done, and spend time with friends and family. oh and also...make stuff of course!

fall and balloons

2009-11-09T22:26:00.000-06:00

simplifying

2009-11-09T22:01:00.001-06:00

i am simplifying my life right now.

deleted my twitter...it was a time waster.
cleaned up my google reader with the blogs i really follow.
worked on budgeting my time for art, school, friends, and family.

2009-11-04T20:26:00.000-06:00

2009-11-01T20:29:00.001-06:00

feeling lost...lonely. i've turned a blind eye to it all for a long time and now it's all hitting me. i wish there wasn't pain or hurting. i wish we could all get along and that when people say everything happens for a reason...everything was just alright.

oh high school, growing up, friends, family, emotions, fears. such is life.

i loved WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

2009-10-24T19:53:00.002-05:00

(click to make larger)

it was much darker than i expected, but it inspired me to within an inch of my life...i really needed it! it really hit on some great points and made me think about childhood, fear, and hope. it made me feel refreshed.

film pictures...one fall afternoon

2009-10-24T15:18:00.002-05:00

2009-10-18T18:38:00.004-05:00

it's fall and i'm getting that weird tingly feeling as the seasons change and it grows colder. i long for those beautiful fall days when it is perfect for a sweater and a short walk. i went out with some friends in our downtown area...old disposable cameras in hand just to document one fall day. today, i made apple crisp and apple sauce with apples we picked last weekend. the house smells of cinnimon and i can't wait to toast the pumpkin seeds. these traditions just make this season feel complete and i wonder what i'm going to do this time next year when i am away at college for the first time.

i am loving my friends right now and being a typical high schooler. i need to create...i haven't made anything for the longest time. i also need change...get rid of old habits and create new ones. this new season has inspired me to embrace change.

happy fall! go for a walk...soak it in.

(pictures taken by my dad)

2009-10-09T20:17:00.002-05:00

"when i was a little girl i used to read fairy tales. In fairy tales you meet prince charming and he's everything you've ever wanted. in fairy tales the bad guy is easy to spot. the bad guy is always wearing a black cape so you always know who he is. then you grow up and you realize prince charming isn't as easy to find as you thought. you realize the bad guy is not wearing a black cape and he's not easy to spot; he's really funny, and he makes you laugh, and he has perfect hair."
-taylor swift

journals

2009-10-04T11:22:00.004-05:00

(sewed journal...made with anthro, uo, and toast catalogs.)
i love finishing off journals. i finished these four within the past couple of weeks. one for my more secret thoughts, one of lists and for travel, one for college tennis, and one for fun filled with little quotes.

i went over to my friend's house the other day to work on ap calc and we took a study break to reread her 6th grade journal. it was highly entertaining and i really enjoy looking back on my old journals and memories.

i had homecoming last night and it was so much fun! i am loving senior year and it is fun to see how many of us have been friends since kindergarten.

i am spending today catching up on school stuff, packaging some happy mail, and catching up on journalling.

HAPPY SUNDAY!!!

ps i kinda really want to buy on of these.

i have some big news!!

2009-10-04T11:18:00.003-05:00

i finally made my college decision...on tuesday night i called up the coach at Indiana University and told him i want to play tennis for him there! i am so excited and relieved i finally know where i will be going next fall. these years have gone by so fast, but i cannot wait to go off to school! along with making my decision i finished my college tennis notebook! i love when i complete an entire journal.

i love this "book"

2009-10-04T11:16:00.001-05:00

keri smith always inspires me.

sorry i have been a bad blogger

2009-09-19T21:20:00.004-05:00

i have just been so extremely busy between school, college visits, and being a teenager :) that i have missed you all!

recently, i have been visiting colleges that are recruiting me for tennis. it's been really exciting to see what college life is all about and to have some offers to think about. it feels so good to see all my hard work is paying off and i have the opportunity to play tennis for some big time colleges! i can't wait, but for now choosing what is best for me will be really hard! i love things from each school i have visited and wish i could just take out a check list and do a create-your-own school like the create-your-own pasta at macaroni grill!

all i know is that time and life is moving fast and i need to enjoy these years and record my thoughts in my journals. i really want to grow up and be able to look back at little things in my life that i wrote about and wouldn't necessarily remember 5, 10, or even 20 years from now.

happy saturday night!

happy monday...happy mail!

2009-08-31T17:56:00.003-05:00

thank you miss kara!!!! i loved the little surprise in my mail box and i'm listening to the mix cds as i write this!!! love them! i hope you have a fabulous senior year as well! is it weird to say that i loved finally getting to see your handwriting in person?! it's quirky and beautiful! thank you!

FUNdue and interventions

2009-08-30T01:02:00.000-05:00

tonight we did an impromtu dance in the middle of our downtown area and held a fake intervention for a friend who was supposedly a recovering gaming addict. we held it in the fondue/coffeehouse downtown and we got some great looks. we went around in a circle each stating how we felt about our friend, justin’s, problem and how it has hurt us and himself. we were all dead serious…no laughing allowed and then a man walked over from his scrabble game and said he was also a survivor and felt our pain. it was hilarious.

flying kites

2009-08-28T23:54:00.001-05:00

i love when the 6 year old wants to take a picture and she takes it crooked.

2009-08-28T23:36:00.002-05:00

so i've been a bad blogger lately...i apologize.

i started school this week...senior year to be exact! i'm nervous and excited and just want to savor the whole experience and hang out with friends and have fun. this week was kinda rough, but i'll get back into the swing of things.

i came home today and went and flew kites with two girls i babysit. it was fun and cute and sometimes hanging out with little girls is just fun and i remember when i was their age and i didn't have a care in the world. now, i am making college decisions and growing up so fast...too fast. i want this year to be memorable and i want to enjoy every moment before it is gone.

happy weekend!

tonight

2009-08-21T23:38:00.002-05:00

i went to my friend's birthday party...15 guys...4 girls. a group of ten toward the end. we ate and started the smoke alarm with the fog machine. there were "fun lights", and mini mosh pits. circles of friendship...group singings of aerosmith's "i don't wanna miss a thing" as well as some black eyed peas. we jumped in circles...swayed in giant group hugs. on a scale of great to super great...the night peaked at extremely great with some extra greatnessosity. senior year is going to be so great and i can just picture us now at homecoming swaying in a circle singing "i don't wanna miss a thing" really loud and obnoxiously while couples take the opportunity to slow dance. friendship circles are way better in the long run!

it was really good. especially the people...i feel lucky.

loved this part

2009-08-17T09:09:00.000-05:00

hello

2009-08-17T08:27:00.003-05:00

so i went and saw (500) days of summer yesterday and i loved...very much! i felt so inspired by the movie...they play house in an ikea and his clothes were so awesome, skinny ties and all. i am also quite obsessed with the soundtrack for the movie nick and norah's infinite playlist.

i am really excited to start working on a custom etsy order. i also have to finish my summer reading for school. bahhhh. it put me to sleep at 8:30 last night. i can't believe i start my senior year next week. life is zooming by. i hope it is an awesome year!

i also spent some much needed time journalling yesterday...it had been so long and i needed to write about some stuff. the other night, my friend was out of town on a college visit so we babysat his little sister and filled his room with balloons, streamers, post it notes, and paper signs. it was really funny. i don't think he appreciated it, but it made for a good time.

well, i hope all is well.

kayla

she loved the smell after the rain

2009-08-14T10:59:00.001-05:00

now in the shop.

rainbows

2009-08-05T18:32:00.005-05:00

so i made this little guy after overhearing a conversation between a little girl and her dad. i was sitting in barnes and noble waiting for a friend when i heard them...

girl: look at the rainbow!

dad: there is probably a pot of gold at the end of it...

girl: that's fakeness, daddy

dad: how do you know? just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not real.

then they got into this whole funny conversation about how she hasn't seen santa claus or the tooth fairy, but once on accident she did see the Easter bunny at the mall.

then she proceeded to tell her dad that she had never seen jesus or god, but she believed in them. this was where i stopped listening because she was getting too philosophical for me. although she did mention that Reese's peanut butter cups were her favorite "junk food" besides gum and sun chips...then i thought since when was gum considered junk food?!

she also mentioned if she could have all the juicy fruit gum she wanted, she would stuff giant balls of it into her mouth.

little kids are the greatest sometimes.

ps...i'm listing this in the shop.

today i...

2009-08-05T16:38:00.002-05:00

cleaned.
organized.
restored the feng shui to my room (i don't really believe in that, but i did it).
listened to jack's mannequin...all day.
sat and thought.
played with my pups.
tried flying a kite in my backyard...key word TRIED aka epic failure.
watched 27 dresses.
made stuff.

tonight, i don't know what i will do. we'll see. there is potential.

happy wednesday!

good bye and good luck

2009-08-02T11:24:00.003-05:00

these past couple of days have been spent at going away parties for some of my really close friends from tennis...it's really sad. we have been so close for such a long time that it's hard to believe the rest of us will be going away next year. the top picture is a gift i made my one friend. on the back i wrote a story with all of our inside jokes from a recent tennis tournament trip.

i really hope we all keep in touch. i see some of these girls coming to my wedding and being friends when we are all older with careers.

to new beginnings...

ohymyyes

2009-08-02T10:44:00.002-05:00

i made this pillow...it's going into the shop!

start a love revolution

2009-07-29T21:26:00.002-05:00

one of my latest embroidery creations now in the shop!

arty stuff

2009-07-29T21:05:00.003-05:00

the journal page is one for kara's class. it's some of my summer playlist.
the heart was just for fun and random...it was sent out with my recent etsy sale.

i'm feeling so inspired right now and loving stitching at night in a clean room with my ipod on shuffle.
hope all is well and you had a happy wednesday!

2009-07-27T13:44:00.000-05:00

flying a kite has been on my "possibly do this summer" list...now i think i just might.

right now

2009-07-27T13:14:00.002-05:00

i am listening to music, stitching with pretty embroidery floss, thinking about my future, sensing possibility, wanting to buy a large bouquet of balloons, thinking about taking a walk, and feeling content yet something else is eating at me.

i am also still in the clothes i was wearing yesterday...late night road trips are my excuse. i just crashed into my bed last night when we got home. i hope this week home is amazing and i make the best of it with the right balance of motivation, rest, discipline, and friends.

liking this song

2009-07-25T20:30:00.001-05:00

part of my college recruiting process

2009-07-25T20:03:00.002-05:00

so i play tennis as you may or may not know and i have been talking to lots of coaches this summer that are recruiting me...today i got an email from the university of san francisco coach. here is a snip it of the email...take note of the bolded words:

Why University of San Francisco?

It is a beautiful campus in what is referred to as “the most beautiful city in the world.”

It is a private institution located on a 52 acre hilltop in the center of San Francisco with breathtaking views.

We have an excellent academic reputation and offer a wide variety of undergraduate degree programs.

The student to faculty ratio is 14:1 fostering small classes in a personal environment.

The shopping at Union Square is the best in the country and only a bus ride away.

The soccer guys are HOT and ranked Top 10 in the country.

The on-campus apartments are executive style, high class suites.

Internationally recognized urban university “Educating minds and hearts to change the world.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
my dad's response:

the school sits on an active fault line
the HOT soccer boys like boys

story of my life...

question

2009-07-25T19:58:00.002-05:00

from my friend peter.

How can the best ever be good enough in a universe where even the stars burn out and die?

any answers? sometimes i just can't deal with his philosophical self so you all can take it from here and give him an answer to think about that'd be great.

i took a literal approach and told him it takes millions of years for a star to die....he was left unsatisfied.

random

2009-07-24T08:29:00.002-05:00

i had a dream my friend bought me a pair of sperry topsiders...i've always liked them, but never thought i could pull them off. in my dream i am caught wearing them with a pair of rolled tube socks and i just look absolutely full of ridiculousosity.

i am going out of town again. i'll be back next week with some crafty stuff. i'm kinda obsessed with embroidery right now. hopefully i will have some etsy updates soon.

keep it crafty!

chicka woot

2009-07-18T21:22:00.001-05:00

IT'S MY

BLOGIVERSARY!!!!!

2009-07-17T17:03:00.001-05:00

composition notebook for kara's class. covered with an urban outfitters bag.

custom etsy order: perfect pair

2009-07-16T11:18:00.002-05:00

off in the magical world...the us postal service.

2009-07-13T18:47:00.003-05:00

claire...photo shoot. more here.

2009-07-13T18:21:00.002-05:00

jamie the hippie...photo shoot. more here.

2009-07-13T17:44:00.003-05:00

me...photo shoot pics. more here.

check plus

2009-07-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

i made this pillow for my friend, kelsey's, birthday. there are so many kelseyisms and this is just one...she has a thing for giving anything awesome a check plus complete with the hand motions. i know this isn't very cool to you, but she liked it.

it has given me more ideas like oh my yes, LOL, etc.

2009-07-09T00:21:00.002-05:00

dollar store frame + stickers= little surprise gift for my beautiful friend...she always makes me smile.

text convo with griff: proof i have been reading too much georgia nicolson

2009-07-06T19:52:00.003-05:00

me: i'm in the car on the way home from georgia smarty

griff: i know

me: quit your nervy spaz and get your nippy noodles together. i don't have time for this nonsense chuddie.

griff: holy crap

me: pardon me but i have no time for droopy mates aboard their huffmobile using sour lingo.

griff: oh my words

me: oh my blimey fandango.

griff: i like that

me: well aren't you just a fuss and a half to please? so full of tensionosity.

griff: wow. that last one is great.

me: you just like when i am babbling wubbish like a monk in a monkhouse with a hint of confusiosity.

griff: Mhmm

me: adios. don't get your undercrackers in a bunch.

griff: lol. i'll try.

as posted here.
find georgia in all her marrviness here to understand what i'm rambling about.

FINALLY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-06T19:28:00.004-05:00

(combating my funk)

thank goodness...it had been too long. i feel so much better being back. i went for a drive in my car to the library...windows down of course, then drove around our little downtown to really let the "yay...(sigh) i am home and it feels so good" feeling to soak in. we had a 12 hour ride home today from Georgia and by the time we pulled into the driveway, we just kinda sat there for about ten minutes before unloading the car. i'm feeling extremely inspired right now and i am itching to create. i made some stuff while i was away...the two paintings above and the journal page.

this week i hope to

get good sleep and wake up early feeling refreshed
make art daily
list new etsy stuff
have a venting day with peter
noodles and company with justin
photo shoot with jamie and claire
make something for kelsey's birthday
have a clean and organized room
blog daily
regroup and get ready for the rest of my summer tennis tournaments

for now i will unpack and make lists for my week home before i leave again.

happy monday!

i was in a funk

2009-07-03T19:33:00.002-05:00

about a stupid boy.

i'm in Georgia for a tennis tournament and was in a major funk this morning so my dad and i made a trip to Michael's and once i had some paint and markers in my hands i was already feeling better. it's funny how art and the urge to create gives you energy and makes you happy. i'm glad for it...i was feeling so dead today.

anyone feel the same?