Farm Tables with David Ellison.

Process: Farm Tables With David Ellison from Etsy on Vimeo.

Wood is one of my favorite materials to work with. It is so easy and versatile, and the finishes can be amazing. It's remarkable how something as basic as a plank of wood could hold so much detail. Etsy follows David Ellison, who owns the shop Lorimer Antiques, in his workshop where he demonstrates his noteworthy craft.

Original.

A few weeks ago I went to an art event at my school where the tickets had a quote on them which stuck with me. As an art student I constantly feel pressured to have the most innovative ideas with the most meaning; to come up with things no one has ever seen done before. It's hard, and most times impossible to do on the spot. I needed this reminder to just do what I love. This is why art is unlike anything else, because you are given the freedom to do what you want, which sometime includes messing up. It's all part of the fun, and it's important to remember to just enjoy the process.

"Don't try to be original. Just try to be good."
- Paul Rand

"Monkey" Bread

I'm not so into difficult recipes that have a long prep or bake time. I want something just long enough to enjoy the process, but you don't have to wait on! Banana bread is a pretty typical baked good in the fall, but I make my own with real bananas and real walnuts -- no mix with added flavors here. My own personal touch: chocolate chips. Handmade parchment paper cupcake liners give these muffins that authentic-recipe look.




Ingredients //
2 smashed bananas
1 or 2 sliced bananas (I used 2)
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Walnuts
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions //
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter and bananas in a large mixing bowl. Next, mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add the baking soda and salt. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Add the flour last, mix. Scoop into muffin pan liners as desired. Bake for 30 minutes; a little longer for a loaf pan. Cool and enjoy!

Hello, Suburbia

Meet Lisa. Fellow, Metro DC blogger. I stumbled across her blog, Hello, Suburbia, last week and have spent spare moments clicking through old posts and photos. For a long time I always felt that DC-based blog-girls were few and far between. All the exciting events and bloggers seem to be on the west cost, or in New York. Not true. I've lived in northern Virginia my whole life, and have had an affinity for the area since I was young. Now that I'm older my passion for the city has grown stronger. Reading posts on Lisa's blog have opened my eyes to all the neat little places around that I've just had no idea about! When I graduate, it's where I plan to live and start my career and I can't wait for the adventure. It's good to know I've got people like me in the area.

Right Now: Inspirational Office

As a college student, I'm constantly moving around. Sometimes as often as every semester, I'm shifted from one place to the next and it's difficult to ever feel settled. My belongings, especially, are hard to establish places of their own and this proves difficult, specifically when I have a creative impulse. As much as I want to hurry to my supplies to begin crafting, I can’t because my materials are strewn here and there through my apartment. I dream of the day when I finally have a permanent place, studio space included. Oh, the ways I imagine I could organize!









SOURCES // 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Source of All Things Good

Going to the Paper Source is an experience that could only leave you inspired. It makes me happy to see the final pieces of people's creativity. After brainstorming, sketching, and trying to come up with my own designs, I feel so accomplished when it all finally comes together. Looking at others' designs always makes me wonder about the moment that inspired them to make what they did.

While in the store, I noticed Rifle Paper Co. stationery by Anna Bond. She graduated from my university not long ago as a graphic design major and though I didn't know her I felt so proud to see her pieces in such a notable boutique. It gave me hope for the things I may be able to do once I graduate.

For the longest time I'd been meaning to buy Grace Bonney's book, Design*Sponge at Home (I know, I know, I'm SO late). After debating buying it online for a while, I happened to run into it at Paper Source. I swear, it was a moment. I wasn't expecting to find it, but when I saw it, I couldn't deny it after seeing how gorgeous the cover was in person. I can't wait to take in the content of each page, but sadly, that will have to wait until I'm less busy when I graduate in December.

Ballston Arts & Crafts

Seems all I do these days is talk about craft fairs and do homework. This past weekend was the final Ballston Arts & Crafts Market of the season. It was much smaller than Crafty Bastards and features only local crafters. The weather was perfect this time around, and I was able to bring my mom! I know she loves this kind of event but would never go unless I drag her with me, so it was nice to be there and see the local talent together.



Find out who these crafters are by visiting my facebook page.

Crafty Bastards 2011

This event was just what I needed to remind me to just do what I love. Despite the unexpected cold winds and rain, tons of people came out to support. There were so many different types of handmade goods and it was just nice to see people so passionate about their craft. My highlight was seeing Katharine Watson at her booth, since I'd already been following her blog. I bought one of her Monogram 'M' cards and spoke to her briefly. I'll actually see her again next weekend at the Ballston Arts & Crafts Market on Saturday and the Nana Trunk Show on Sunday. Totally not stalking her or anything! Being at the event made me eager to work more on my own block prints and just being creative.
















Head over to my facebook page to find out who these crafters are!