Sunday, February 21, 2010

Collecting stories

Terra's recent post about one of her favorite found photos both blew me away and also reminded me of a story I've been wanting to tell. Isn't lovely to be able to peek into their world for just a bit?
















When I was home for Christmas, my mom and I were wandering this cramped antique mall in downtown San Angelo when I stumbled across a lovely bureau. Inside the top drawer were hundreds of old black and white photographs and vintage hankies. Now I've had a fascination with old, found photos since I first discovered the collage work of artist Lisa Congdon.























So I began pulling out the photos and sorting through all of the stories and treasures fit into that now tiny drawer. To be honest, I was sort of lost in my own world when I looked up and noticed my mom was tearing up. "It's so sad," she said. She couldn't believe that so many personal photos were just available for anyone to just buy. In her eyes, these were people's lives that were discarded by uncaring family after they had passed on. She sincerely looked at me and said "you and Charlie better not get rid of our photos like this after we die." I laughed and shook my head at her, pledging never to rid myself of family photos. I told her that that might have been the fate of the photos in that drawer. Imagine that I follow through on my threats to never have children. If I were to die before my brother, all of my worldy possessions would probably be sold off in an estate sale of some kind. I told her that you never know...all of those family photos might end up in a dusty old suitcase at a flea market some day.

That's what I love about those old photos though. When I pick them up and select ones to purchase, I feel like I'm holding so much history in my hands. These were people that were loved and lived and probably overcame great obstacles. Or maybe they danced at grand balls or went on summer picnics with their beaus like in the photo above. I feel like just by looking through the photos or selecting a few to take home I'm doing my part to keep them alive...to share in their history just a little bit (even if it's just one that I made up).

Btw, Elizabeth, you won :-) I'll email you for a reminder about your address.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Looking for a good home

So I've been making so many things for Style School (more than I need) and have decided that some of these things need a good home. Plus, everyone else seems to do giveaways, so who am I to argue with tradition. If you can give this lovely* a good home, just leave a comment, and I'll use some kind of random number generator to choose someone**.



















*It has a button closure.
**Unless it's just Scarlet, then I'll just give it to her. :-)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Dreaming of easter eggs and flip flops

I love winter. I truly do. This winter has been particularly special because I feel like I've finally been able to experience it the way it should be experienced...among mounds and mounds of glorious, white fluffy snow. It is official. This winter is the snowiest in DC's history, and as a native Texan, I'm loving it. Layers of socks and shirts and scarves. Perfect knitting and crafty project weather.

Despite my love, I have a confession to make. I've started dreaming of slightly warmer temperatures that allow me to wear floaty dresses, feel a nice breeze on my legs and slide back into my familiar flip flops.
























I want to plan a massive adult easter egg hunt and invite everyone I know (and even those I don't).
































I want to plan picnics and ride my bike again...


















...and once again go to outdoor movies.

I think that by the beginning of March I will be ready to embrace* spring.

*Also, I am a hypocrite. You should fully expect me to complain of allergies and hating the heat. Just so you know.
**All images courtesy of We Heart It (self-flagellation has begun for being unable to find the original source).