Moobie Grace Designs

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wishful Wednesday!

I have a serious case of studio envy...

This is what my space started off looking like...back before I'd ever really even BEGUN...I now have a 5"x5" clear space to work...and added 8 off those shoe storage containers...and 2 more multi-drawer units.

About a year ago...and I'm too embarrassed to post a current picture of the disaster area!

While I do have a designated area...the laundry room isn't exactly creatively inspiring...nor is it decorated all nice and pretty...well other than the piles of laundry! I love that I share the space with The Mr., but when he's got the drill going, and metal shavings are flying everywhere...it's kind of nerve racking. Of course the back door is in there too...which means you have my side of the "studio" (using that term loosely), Mr.'s side...and a very narrow (like inches) path in between for everyone coming in and going out. Then there's the times when there is actually laundry being done...and it never fails...mid micro-sized-piece-of-clay-on-makeshift-needle-tool when....BZZZZZZ!!!...the dryer is done. Scares me to death every single time...piece dropped...many colorful words spoken! And there's no way to turn off the buzzer!

So, I'm window shopping for when 2 of my four move out and I might be able to discreetly occupy the bedroom...like I said...wishful Wednesday!!

Boy do I need one of these...must win lottery first! My bead storage is currently plastic "shoe" boxes, labeled for each color, then the beads are then organized into little Ziploc baggies, and all the boxes stacked on top of each other. While I guess it will have to do, there are those lazy days when I use whatever box is on top...then dig like I'm looking for gold!

Photograph from http://peasinapod.typepad.com/peas-in-a-pod/

This is a must...immediately! While I don't mind shooting photos outside, it stinks when it's overcast, rainy, snowy, or when the dog decides he wants to sniff out the new piece...or is feeling especially photogenic that day and refuses to move his hind end from the setup!

Collapsible light box from http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras-photography/a205/

And even though this is a coat rack...I surely could use it to hang "in progress or not quite-happy-with-it" necklaces on...instead of hanging them off the cabinet knobs...errr...not like I'm doing that or anything!

And while I'm dreaming...I want a pretty vintage-y feel to the room! This will work nicely!

Photograph from Pinterest

Obviously I fell and bumped my head today...so I might as well add this to my new decorated, large, and noise proof studio space...and I have the perfect spot for it already picked out!

www.metalclaysupply.com

I have a thing for birch trees...since I planted one back when I was 5 or 6...the mural...minus the nursery...or I'll never get my own space!!

Ok...I've come back from La-La land...back to the laundry room I go!

And yes, I know I should be thankful that I have somewhere other than the kitchen table to create...and I am...honestly!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Tick Tock

Patience definitely isn't one of my virtues...

Finally, the countdown to Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Blog Party reveal is only 11 days away!! Errr...I better get busy and finish up!

Although I can't quite show you what I've cranked out in the past few weeks...I'll give you a little teaser

Gorgeous lampwork beads from Glass Addictions & my color palette I selected

Jen of Glass Addictions is my bead partner this go-round, and she sent some awesome soup to work with! I've racked my brain trying to come up with unique designs. I'm not in to delicate/demur jewelry (which is pretty hilarious considering that most of the beads I create are on the dainty side), I prefer wearing a single bold piece of jewelry, so Jen's lampwork beads are right up my alley! Now, if I can just bring them justice!

So, slide back this way on March 3rd to see what my obscure little brain came up with, and who knows...I just might reconstruct a new outfit to wear with my creations!

Monday, February 20, 2012

White Blaze Fever

Seriously, I've become obsessed with reading biographies written by "thru-hikers" of the Appalachian Trail. So far...in the past two weeks I've added these to my virtual book shelf:

This was my introduction to biographical trail hiking.

This was by far my favorite...possibly because she hiked the trail ALONE!! Awesome read!

Another great read. These sisters walked much of the trail barefooted!!!

My current read...see...told you I've become a little obsessed!

Our family has spent quite a bit of time hiking day trails along the A.T. mainly within Shenandoah National Park/George Washington National Forest. Spy Rock, Crabtree Falls, and also The Priest (when we are kid-less as it's a little much for them)...are a few of our favorite hang outs.

From our most recent hike to Spy Rock:

Why do 10 yr olds think running on top of mountain is a good idea?

Another trip to CrabTree Falls:

My favorite bridge not far from the trail.

There's nothing more spectacular than coming upon waterfalls along the trails...deep within the woods.

Rock hopping is always on the to-do list.

Three out of four of my kids thoroughly enjoy hiking, and you can't keep up with my youngest...she scales inclines and rocks like a spider monkey! I suppose partially because it's one of the places that her learning disability doesn't hold her back. Even when it comes to reading the signs, she can lead by simply by following the white blazes indicating the Appalachian Trail.

These white blazes are painted on trees every so often along the entire 2150+ miles of the trail...GA - MA

I'd love to thru hike, but I know without doubt, I'd never complete it! ADD would make sure of that! I would however like to hike the 540+ miles that run through Virginia (that's over a 1/4 of the entire trail.) I wouldn't dare impose this whack-a-doodle trip on the kids, and I don't think The Mr.'s knees could take it...so it has become another item on my bucket list. Maybe a Mother/Daughter hike when she gets a little older?? That way she can contact emergency medics to retrieve me once she's finished the hike! Most would laugh uncontrolablly at my "dream", you see I'm a far cry from an outdoorsy type of girl. Honestly, the ONLY time I've ever "camped" was once in high school...in the woods...in full view of a friends house! Roughing it to me includes lodging at Super 8.

We can't wait til Spring. St. Mary's Falls is the first on our list for this summer!

St. Mary's Falls in Virginia...more of a trail than a hike.

Also Humpback Rock near Charlottesville:

Dragon's Tooth Hike:

And Little Devils Stairs:

Hurry up SPRING!!!

Friday, February 17, 2012

That Four Letter Word...

...You know the one I'm talking about...that dirty obscene S word...S-N-O-W!!! Living in rural southern Virginia has very few benefits, but not getting much snow happens to be one of the perks!! This year, we've had a "spring like" winter, and believe me, I've thanked The Good Lord, every single day!

But, like everything...all good things must come to an end, and the wretched white stuff is headed our way Sunday. And well, I don't have to tell you how folk in the south act with more than a dusting of powder...

I live just a little to the right of the #4 on the above map of VA

I know people go crazy over the magic that falls from the sky...NOT this girl!! Although it looks innocent and gorgeous in these macro shots:

This cold natured, Raynaud's having girl is not looking forward to it...at all!

For some reason, that I've yet to figure out, most people envision this:

When this is the reality:

Of course the kids, the Mr. and even the dog are waiting with anticipation!! Then again, I'm the one fixing (yes fixing...I live in the south) gallons of hot chocolate, drying wet clothes, scarves, mittens, mopping up the lakes throughout the house...all for 5 minutes worth of outdoor activities...rinse, and repeat...just as soon as the clothes are dry, and the empty mugs are scattered all over the house!!!

My youngest angel...making an angel. This was taken directly off of our front porch...where I could stand in the doorway and use zoom.

Of course the first thing they do is roll in it...guaranteeing completely soaking wet clothing!

See even the Mr. is a crazed lunatic...please pay no attention to our pathetic snowman with leftover Halloween fang mouth!! And NO...she's not smoking a cigarette...please don't call CPS...that's a leftover candy cane discovered in the candy dish when we dug the fangs out!

The dog thoroughly enjoyed his romp. Guess who had to pick the snow off of him??

Why do I have such disdain for the white stuff? "Well, see what happened was" (infamous phrase used in excess around here, from 5 who will remain nameless)...I grew up here:

Maybe you don't recognize the pic above...this is more of what you're used to seeing:

Right on the outskirts of Niagara Falls, Canada. Where blizzards show up on Mother's Day...yes...that has happened!! Where the snow drifts were so bad that we were literally snowed inside...until my Dad could somehow get outside and dig our door out of the 10 foot drift. Where people didn't drive like lunatics at the mere sight of a flake, and grocery stores didn't run out of bread, eggs, milk, toilet paper, and other random necessities at the forecast.

Where checking for frostbite was akin to your mother making sure you brushed your hair. The place where school, businesses, and everything else didn't close up for 10 days until it melted! We walked to school...and I can remember doing so with over a foot of snow on the ground...granted it was only a mile, but I was 8!!