Thursday, February 10, 2011

More than Inspiration

So it's been a rough year. I'm sure it has for a lot of people out there and I'm trying to find solace in the fact that really, if you think about it, there is way more good in the world than there is bad. We just really like to talk about the bad. A lot. So I've decided that I'm going to try not to do that anymore. Please notice that I said "try".

I've also nearly overdosed on self pity parties. I've thrown enough for myself to last a lifetime, so, yeah...only the regular kind of party from here on out...preferably the kind with a theme or a party hat.

I'd like to be like Stephanie Nielson of Nie Nie Dialogues. I started reading her blog before her plane crash and fell in love with her and her family. I kept up on her through her sister's blog and shed tears when new posts began appearing on her page, right from the source. She is such a creative and whimsical mom and I imagine her home to be like a trip to munchkin land, you know, pre wicked witch of the west-era. If you have a moment, give it a read. There are no words for the bravery, passion and optimism that saturates every sentence. Prepare to be inspired.

Love
Jes

From The Happy Vault Vol. 3




I guess I was going through a deer "thing."

Have No Fear


for tomorrow is dress-down-day.

Happy Friday Eve.

Love,
Jes
(Pete and James Todd-Brill, 2011)

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Pop pop got an iPad...


...and he is totally stoked.

Happiness Files 2

Not feeling well and depressed that I'm lesson planning on a Saturday night instead of being somewhere dance-y calls for a quick trip to the happiness files. Here are a few things that make my feet tickle (that's a good thing):
Inside outside outside inside.
Flowers by Emerson Made
Free Mustache Rides! Free!

Have a Happy Weekend...hopefully somewhere dance-y.

Love,
Jes

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Creepy Beautiful

This is what all of those fashion beards will look like come spring (coming soon according to Phil). By chipmunk cheeks.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

From the Happy Vault

I started a folder on my desktop this summer that I called "happiness". While it was, at the time, merely for survival, it has become a great source of, well, happiness for me when I look back at the things I've collected. Here are a few...
Confetti from confetti system
Felt and Embroidered Flower Wreath
I swear I'm going to paint this on an unsuspecting wall.

Happy Tuesday.
Love,
Jes

I Love a Holiday!


Let's forget that Valentine's Day is sorta made up and love it anyway. It could be much worse. We could have grave sweeping day, like they do in China, or Sports Day, like in Japan. Instead, we get a holiday that involves candy, flowers, lace and the color red. What could be better?

Like most holidays, I've always gotten in a bit over my head when it comes to Valentine's Day....like the year when I folded 365 origami stars for Dan and inside each one of them I had written something I loved about him. Man did my fingers hurt.

Or in second grade when Mrs. Fabry offered up a contest (you know how I feel about contests) for the best Valentine in the class and I knew right then and there that I had to win. And I did. The winning entry was a 3 dimensional Valentine's Day sculpture in the round (of sorts). I turned a big square box upside down, painted it green with contrasting dark green blades of grass and some tiny wildflowers here and there. I took popsicle sticks and built a tiny clothes line while sitting outside and staring at my neighbor's clothesline. It was a replica. I then cut out and sewed 27 tiny garments and painted a name of each of my classmates on each of the garments. But the best part was courtesy of Janet, my mom, who never fails. She went out and found tiny clothespins that were to scale. TO SCALE! AAA! And the kicker....painted on one side...in big bold red letters..."SENDING YOU A LINE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY." I think that may have been my mom's idea too. I was so proud that day. I won a green stuffed frog wearing a yellow rain coat and hat.

I made some vulgar valentine's in fashion school that I can't describe here and "Jesus loves you and so do I" cards when I was at Rutgers. It doubles for Dan since Valentine's Day is his birthday. For years I painted him a picture of something he loves like a big pop art bottle of ketchup. I've built him a Mexican love diorama, a pop up book and a cupcake tower with heart toppers adorned with his face. And let's not forget the year that I turned his shore house into France with French decorations, made french food and wore a french outfit with beret. I just love every second of it.

I'm not so sure if I could ever hate a holiday. I guess it's an opportunity for me to let my flag fly.

Happy February (Rabbit Rabbit)
Love
Jes