Summer 2012 in review

Well, now that tomorrow is my grand return to work and routine, I suppose my summer is over.  And that's okay!  I'm ready for the change.  So here's what I accomplished from mid-June through today:

I moved into Mark's house and we're gradually working to meld our styles and make it our home.  It's been so much fun, but hard work as well.  I love it, and I love living with Mark.  (P.S. Our four cats are adjusting well too!)

A big road trip to Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  See our adventure:

Part 1: SD Badlands

Part 2: Boulder, CO

Part 3: Backpacking (the ascent)

Part 4: Backpacking (the campsite)

Part 5: Backpacking (the descent)

Part 6: Backpacking (the flowers)



Music festivals (River's Edge & Weekend at Harmony), camping, and a wedding.

We put in a craft room!  See our space and the organization we've done so far.

After a summer of applying and interviewing, I got a new job!

Biking.  My stamina definitely improved and we did some longer rides that I never would have contemplated trying in the past!

Plus crafts, cooking, dining out and so many other things I haven't had time to blog about yet!  I can't wait to share the rest of my summer over the next few weeks and get into autumn.  (And wish me luck for the new job I'm starting in just 12 hours!)

What I bought: Art-A-Whirl

I only got a few things at Art-A-Whirl, but it's fine because I've been trying not to go overboard on impulse buying lately.  Last year I bought a few prints, which started my 2011 print-purchasing phase.  Now I have a cardboard sleeve full of prints that need to be framed but are oddly sized.  Anyways, here's what I got:

A Polaroid style magnet from a photographer and a plastic Minnesota love necklace.  Simple, inexpensive, and easy to carry around during a day of walking and exploring. 

Felt work

Well, I've been doing some little felt projects lately, so here they are!

I made this pin for a co-worker's birthday and I love how it turned out.  Purple isn't generally my thing, but the different shades worked so well together!  (Do you like the background?  It's bowling pins!  Sometimes I go with Mark to his league and bring my crafts with.  It's a fun environment to craft in- and no one seems to mind. Plus, there's a cute waitress with a sewing tattoo!)

 

My Minnesota pin.  I made it on a whim: I glued the layers together and stitched the heart.  I think it's just about the cutest thing ever and I absolutely love it!

And another floral pin for a gift.  I modeled it, and after looking at the picture, realized how perfectly it matches my dress, so I may just have to make another for myself!

I have so many other little projects to post, so I hope to get around to them this week now that classes are done (until June).


P.S. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!  I didn't even know until my a few students brought in gifts and treats.  Even if you missed it (like I would have!) don't forget to think about and thank educators who've impacted you or your children! 

MWMF

 

We spent this past weekend away in Winona, MN for the Mid West Music Festival: three days of music, beer, food, nature, and otherwise exploring a town we weren't too familiar with it. 

Disc golf on our first afternoon.

the 4onthefloor

The first night we saw Charlie Parr, Rogue Valley, The Feelin', the 4onthefloor, and a bunch of others. There were so many venues it was hard to figure out where to go at any given time, but once we got the layout of the downtown area it was smooth sailing.

 

The next day we went on a hike and then to the Winona Earth Day festival for music, snacks, and free seeds from some of the vendors. 

 

The town and lakes below the bluffs.

We missed the llama obstacle course.  Bummer.  I think it was probably awesome.  But we did see some good sidewalk chalk art, Koo Koo Kangaroo, and laid on a blanket in the grass in the sun!  I also got some rad wire earrings from a vendor that I will definitely be wearing daily.

We spent a lot of time looking for good food.  Our first hunt for breakfast was a brutal disaster that wound in bad food from a chain, but later we found a few good coffee shops with great vegetarian food. I wanted to hit up a local donut shop that had rave reviews from the only person I knew who lived in Winona... nearly 30 years ago, but it happened to be closed the day we tried to go. 

The weekend ended with a Kimya Dawson- you know, from the Juno soundtrack and whatnot.  It in a Masonic center and everyone sat on the floor.

Well, that's just the start of summer festival season... I can't wait for more!

Minnesota!

A project for part of my Computer Graphics final. Minnesota and trees. Partially based off a sketch for a potential tattoo I did this summer. I like the greens in the Illustrator file, but I think if I do ever immortalize the state on my body, it will be with a sunset. Perhaps the tree from the green version with the bright sunset from the sketch. We shall see. No need to worry about it now. No $$= no tattoos.

Minnesota love

Lately I've been noticing a lot of Minnesota and Twin Cities local pride. Not sure if it's a trend, or that I've just been more aware lately. MN tattoos, gear, music: everywhere.

My favorite MN/TC pick-ups:

Here's a necklace I found at Art-A-Whirl in NE late this spring. It's made by Liz P and you can buy her awesome stainless-steel cut pendants here. (The tree part is an old charm from my grandma.) I've thought about integrating the two into an obligatory Minnesota tattoo, but we'll see!

Another Art-A-Whirl purchase- a screen-printed T with Twin Cities Grain Belt-style logo. Done by Anthem Heart in a studio- I picked the color ink (up to two colors) and shirt, and they printed it in front of you. Very cool, people seem to love it.

My Summit print. 25th Anniversary numbered print from a brewery tour I did there.

A St. Paul/ Minneapolis antique map necklace. Map from the early 1900s. Lefthand Originals.

Last but not least, this old ashtray from my grandma. Every time she and my grandpa would have a garage sale, they'd let my brother and I pick something out. I loved this ashtray. So, I took it and recently found it in an old drawer. Bright colors and Paul Bunyon.