St. Valentine

Ah, the big V-day.

Actually, D. and I both wound up working tonight, staffing a big workshop at our studio called “Date Night.” Folks can come as a couple, drink champagne and wine and try their hand at the pottery wheel. We light candles and turn the lights low, set up a sound system and, of course, you have have your picture taken with a cut-out of Patrick Swayze.

D. and I agreed a couple weeks ago that we would both work tonight, then use the money to take ourselves out for a real Valentines next week. That’s why I’m heading to bed on the 14th with sore feet, in need of a soak in the tub.

Still, D. was so sweet. He brought me a big bouquet of red tulips (I mentioned, weeks ago, that I love them) and made a show of writing my name in cursive on a slab of clay, decorated with flowers (he did groan a little when I insisted on keeping it!).

Just spending the night having fun, working hard, teaching pottery and joking around with people I like… Definitely one of the nicest Valentines I could wish for!

Stumbling around

Oy, another night, working until midnight.

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting a juicy story and then finding out there’s no room left in tomorrow’s paper to fit it and do justice…. I spend one hour writing it, and the next hour trying to cut it to size…

And now I collapse into bed…

Shine on

There is sooo much silver jewelry out there… I love it when I find jewelry that is gold and not afraid to show it! (Even if they’re actually brass).

This pair of gorgeous, no-apologies-made earrings comes from PolishedTwo, who really made it hard to pick a favorite piece to feature. Rarely do I find a jewelry designer that I feel I could wear any one of her pieces. Definitely added to my favorites!

Road Trippin’

Last weekend D. and I hopped in a car and took a two night trip covering at least three states, four boroughs of New York and visiting large numbers of family and friends along the way.

The ride culminated in a picturesque evening at a mansion in Princeton, N.J., where one of D.’s painter friends was having an art event. There was huge paintings along every wall, fancy catered tidbits, snow around the courtyard pool and plenty of wine and friends. It’s hard to think of any good description for it, besides lovely.

When the opening wound down, the party began. Those of us who were hardy and young stayed up late, raiding the fridge, talking and generally making mischief and having a wonderful time. But the nicest part of my night was when D. slipped away into the other room and snuck back with a beautiful flower for me, pilfered from one of the huge arrangements (“They won’t notice,” he said).

Not only has it stayed open and beautiful for several days now, but it is filling my apartment with the most amazing strong fragrance.  Every time I walk in the door and get a whiff of it, it’s a reminder of sweetness, friends and happy times….

For a sweetie

Okay, I swear to god I’m not the kind of girl who make a big deal out of Valentines, I’m just on a streak right now. After all, how could I turn away from little soaps made to look exactly like cupcakes?? Like, so much so they are making me hungry! Too cute, from AnitaCraftyCreations.

Roses are Red

In keeping with yesterday’s Valentines theme, here’s another original take on that romantic classic, the rose. Adam, of Infivision, gives us a super-close up look of some amazing flower inner workings.

Frankly, I’m not the rose’s biggest fan (give me a tulip any day), so I think this might be one of the most attractive presentations of it I’ve seen in a long while…

A rose by any other name…

Who says money can’t buy love?

If you haven’t picked out a Valentines present yet, and your loved one especially appreciates cold, hard cash, then I think I found the gift for you! This money rose, by PaperAffection, might not be exactly what I would want, but I’m really tickled by both the concept and the execution.

And hey… a $100 rebate on all purchases!!

Babytalk

I don’t know what I like better about these earrings: The adorable little sprouts, or the fact that the shop is named “Grumblebeans.” That sounds like some sweet little pet name you call your significant other, and blush when you accidentally say it in public.

In fact, D. might just have a new nickname next time he wakes up early and there isn’t any coffee made!

Oh, and Grumblebeans has an awesome little game and discount giveaway on her profile page, check it out!

Under the Sea

I think it’s pretty rare to come across crafters who can make something look so organic it could have been pulled from the ocean floor, and it takes a second look to realize that it’s really something designed and beautiful. That’s why I definitely did a double-take when I came across Coralia’s anemone sculpture. It can hold a candle too – how cool is that?!

Kids’ Stuff

I love this simple little pendant from KreatedbyKelly – so whimsical and cute!

And the name, “remembering kindergarten,” is so perfectly appropriate.

Personally, I have one really distinct memory from kindergarten (besides throwing blocks at a boy who kissed my friend in the class picture). You know that book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar? One of the teachers read that to my class and I imagined that the caterpillar was going to keep getting bigger and bigger, until he stretched out the window and eventually consumed the entire world. I was kinda freaked out.

Guess I had an over-active imagination when I was a kid.