Be Strong Take Courage

This weekend we headed to the country where the boys spent some much needed time outside and I enjoyed the quiet inside.


I journaled and sketched and watched this Josh Garrels/Mason Jar Music video probably a dozen times.


This guy. I don't know who he is but this look on his face gets me every time. Maybe it's the point in the song when he stops worrying about hitting the right notes and just realizes how beautiful the music is. I don't know, but I like it. And there's probably something I should learn from it.


And I added this new print to the shop. I've had this in mind for a long time and it was good to finally get it on paper.



There's probably something I should learn from this one too.

Arian : )

Homebody

I'm realizing just how much of a homebody I am. Maybe it's because going out seems like a lot of work these days. More likely it's that I just love the little home that our little house is shaping up to be and the little people (plus Daniel) that I share it with.








I mean, I can spend a day at the zoo (like we did this past weekend), seeing rare and exotic animals from all corners of the globe, and come home with maybe 3 or 4 pics.


But a day at home, man, and my Instagram photo feed is blowin up! (I think that's how the kids are sayin it these days).





There's so much beauty in all the little everyday things. Like milkshake mustaches, little hands making homemade desserts,


muddy feet and faces in the backyard,


and long bed time stories.


Finish the day off with a glass of wine and a streaming live Josh Garrels house show and what more could the outside world have offer me?


I'm working on that flower painting as part of my spring/summer decor for our living room. I'll show you the finished painting soon!

I'll be at home if you need me!

Arian

The Garrels Are Coming!

SO! PUMPED! Today we get to meet the Garrels, swim in Josh's music live with 100+ friends and family, then hang out with the Garrels family over bagels, coffee, (and whatever else I can cook up) on our back porch in the morning. How cool is that!? It's been a frenzy of house cleaning and concert prepping and there is still lots to do!

If you're local to Cincinnati, come by tonight!! You won't regret it!

Yay!
Arian : )

The Wire

It's go time! Two days left to finish our animated video for Josh Garrels! His new (and free!!!!) album releases Wednesday. Daniel has moved his animation station from his office across town into our bedroom with me (yessssss.) so that we can work side by side (or back to back) to get this thing done in the next 36 hours or so. Probably gonna be a late late night but I LOVE. THIS. Love it!! This will be our fourth video we've made together and hopefully our best. Looking forward to sharing it with you!

(a little sneak preview for ya) ; )

Hibernation Mode

The holidays are over, snow is covering the ground, a chill has set into the bones of this old house, and I am officially in hibernation mode. I am gathering my arsenal of space heaters, thick socks, warm beverages, blankets, and my beautifully melancholy "winter music mix" (i.e. Rosie Thomas, Ray Lamontagne, Josh Garrels....) and focusing on our nest. I'm making it cleaner, more organized, more cozy, and making sure there are plenty of snuggle stations tucked in each room.

It's becoming the perfect environment for crafting and sketching! We've got a new sewing machine, a newly-organized craft supplies pantry (thanks, mom!), lots of yarn, and a stash of vintage fabrics ready and waiting to be crafted into beautiful things for our nest. I need to get crackin! (right after I sip a cup of tea, take a hot bath, and nap) ; )

In the meantime, here's a handful of beautiful, crafty photos (some of my recent flickr faves) for your inspiration!

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Arian : )

New To Me

 Hope you had a great weekend! I got my "new" little vintage porcelain enamel desk set up. It doesn't look all that special in the photo but, trust me, it is ; ) So this is where I do most of my work! There's usually a candle burning, a space heater pointed directly at me, a cup of coffee sitting near by, and, lately, some Josh Garrels or Mumford and Sons playing. It's quite cozy.

And Hudson made that pillow for my chair. He's been big into sewing recently. He made himself and Daniel little matching tote bags from my stash of Granny's vintage floral fabrics. Although the two of them sported them proudly to the grocery store, I've since then bought a few yards of more "manly" prints : )

New, warm, fuzzy boots for the quickly-approaching winter temperatures....check!

It's beginning to look more and more like Christmas around town.  We got out our hats and gloves and walked to the bookstore/coffee shop to get gingerbread man cookies and drinks with cinnamon in them.  November's to-do list still seems way too long to really be ready for the Christmas season. But it's coming!

Are YOU feeling ready for it?

Arian : )

Crazy-Talented

I played around editing a few more of the pictures from last week's photo shoot with my crazy-talented musician cousin, Clint. I'm definitely an amateur photographer and don't really know what I am doing but it sure is fun!



Speaking of crazy-talented musicians, if you have two ears and a heart you should know and love and buy Josh Garrels music because it is awesome.





We here in the Armstrong household have been big fans for a while and are super-pumped to start working on merging our art and his music on a fun project in the near future. Can't wait!

- Arian : )