Frost

Goals for 2012

2012-01-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

First of all, I can't believe it's 2012. And I can't believe it's been so long since I posted to my blog (only 3 posts total in 2011)! I love how a new year feels like a reset button has been hit, and it's such a great time to make some small improvements.

One of my goals going into this new year is to post a new entry at least 3 times a week. Some others are:

--to continue to redefine the style and offerings of Frost, and to list 5-7 new items a week
--to re-establish my fitness routine after my mandatory six-week postpartum rest (my second little boy Mikko was born on New Years' Eve)
--to get some new poetry written (it's been ages since I wrote a new poem) and keep submitting it to journals; my most recent work to be published was in the Winter 2012 edition of Amethyst Arsenic

So those are the things I'll be working on this year! What goals do you have going into the new year?

"Dead Sound"

2011-11-25T15:36:00.001-08:00

The first time I ever heard The Raveonettes was one summer at least 5 years ago (probably more like 7) when a local TV channel was using "That Great Love Sound" to promote some summer shows, and from there I bought every album they had out, and every time a new one came out, I bought it at my local record store. Each subsequent album has been deeper, darker, and more unique than the one before, and I find myself always in the mood to listen to The Raveonettes. I've been thrilled by both of their shows that I've had the pleasure of attending in Boston. It's hard to choose one favorite out of so many excellent songs, but one of them has been "Dead Sound" ever since Lust Lust Lust came out. This summer, late one night I was sitting in my apartment watching the video, and it just took hold of me in an incredible, unforeseen way. I hadn't written a poem for months. Part of being a mum and not having a lot of mental free time, I think. But that video, and the song played over and over till it was the landscape of my mind, inspired a poem I now love. Here's my Raveonettes-inspired poem (and I actually have one going inspired by "Black/White").

Dead Sound
Cyndle Plaisted Rials

Your ghost edges flicker into view
as you dance with jerky hip swings,
languorous neck rolls, side to side, all the way
around, curtain of dripping hair
whipping your cheekbone, drowned, the guitars
fuzzed and fading into backgrounds
of a dark moonlit ocean, sweet retro
harmony in a fast-moving car.

This dance is your last hurrah among the living,
your bluish hand twisting the knob
for more sound, vibrations that even your emptiness
might conduct. Your desperation is water-like
drifting in and out of your dark bones
as you flail with unstudied transparent grace.

Your face is white like the moon
even here in candlelight, and it's unclear
if you're been pulled under by accident
or in soft submission. Either way the rhythm of waves
took you, splashes of salt still cresting
your sharp cheek.

Tuesday Playlist: Dark Electro Brooding

2011-07-05T07:25:00.000-07:00

(The perfect visual representation of this playlist)

I would love to share my playlists so you could listen to them right here, but since I've been finding so many great songs on RCRDLBL.com a lot of the things I'd like to include aren't available on playlist.com. I do know that most of these songs are findable on YouTube, so you can get a listen of them there!

This is one of my favorite playlists for late night creation marathons. It's dark and moody with some goth and shoegaze vibes: plenty of fuzzy guitars, the occasional synth, general gorgeous listlessness punctuated by desperate outbursts of emotion--enjoy!

Dark Electro Brooding Playlist

"Beat and the Pulse"--Austra
"Mild Confusion"--Tamaryn
"Little Kids"--Deerhunter
"Black/White"--The Raveonettes
"Public Pervert"--Interpol
"Rainbow Girl(Glasvegas Remake)"--Giana Factory
"Hidden Systems"--Bright Archer
"Roommates(Remix)"--Now, Now
"Advice & Vices"--Chelsea Wolfe
"Another Likely Story"--Au Revoir Simone
"Get Away"--120 Days
"Dry Ice"--Pure X
"A Time To Be So Small"--Interpol
"Leave"--Whirl
"Apparitions"--The Raveonettes

In Love With Fictional Characters

2011-01-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a little late to the party, but thanks to my brother, I have become totally wrapped up in the Showtime series Dexter starring Michael C. Hall. My brother gave me the first season on DVD, the twelve episodes of which I finished in days and then quickly purchased the second season. The photo above is from the opening credits, which I ALWAYS watch, just to see this expression. Needless to say, I am fascinated, and it's all because of the title character. I can't help but be thrilled to see Dexter Morgan himself every time I watch a new episode. The story line is riveting and everything (seriously I can't stop watching it), but my brain is the brain of a poet; I have been known to spend a lot of time fixating, yearning, pining, and longing. It's my nature. I mean, if we didn't get hung up on things, what would we write about?

I had to take a break from Dexter since I only have one Season 2 episode left and the third season hasn't arrived in my mailbox yet, so I popped The Phantom of the Opera into the DVD player again, and that led me to muse on the subject of arresting male leads and the commonalities among the ones I adore. Certainly the Phantom and Dexter aren't the only fictional men that have struck my fancy--Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights springs to mind, and I'm sure there are many others.

Some or all of these factors are present in my ideal fictional man (and let's be real, my actual man as well): he's intense, brooding, and misunderstood; has a dark and mysterious past that has scarred him whether physically, emotionally, or both; he's villainous, but his nefarious deeds have parameters(of course he would never hurt the object of his affection--he might rough her up with some passionate love-making, but never injure her on purpose); he wears a mask in front of most, but the object of his affection eventually gets to see behind it, showing him that he is worthy of love . . . Add some rakish hair, a sullen brow, and a strong body, and there's the man to captivate me!

And it certainly isn't just me. The popularity of the Twilight series, of which I have not been a huge follower, is certainly due to the fact that in general, women seem to be intrinsically drawn to a mysterious, broken man with a core of hidden radiant goodness; you just have to be the One to open your eyes and see it.

Being that special woman, the One who can accept the man as he is when no one else has. . . that's central to the whole idea. I like to think it's separate from the trap of trying to change a man--in this case, you know the guy is damaged and you want him anyway (so badly)! Plus the whole package comes with a hefty weight of tension, and women like tension, do they not? It's emotional foreplay. It's intimacy and intensity with a deep river of romanticism running through it, and there's the core again, this time not just being the One, but feeling the one-ness with that lonely, lonely man. Yes, it's all quite melodramatic in truth. I have never shied away from over-romanticizing anything.

But being in love with a fictional character is just too difficult. I think a lot of people transfer those emotions to the actor, thinking that he must be that brooding, broken man, but I know the truth. It's worse than day-dreaming about an actor. Dexter is an illusion--just words on a page or a portrayal on film, and what could be more hopeless than that?

Poem

2010-09-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

First an aerialist.

A woman so light
she looks like a dewy petal floating
down from the gathered rose of the big top.
Palest pink satin
and sequins. How sure they are
she’s going to
--but to think it would be to wish
it to happen. She swings and tucks, her grip
loosens from the bar

a man swings out in an arc
from the wings, from the dark
to catch her
in that heavy
breathless
pause

the long split-second where it seems sure
she’ll descend to the dusty floor, a crumpled
flower part. But he catches her. How is it
possible that he holds her so certainly?
Does he falter, inwardly, ever? We know
he does not falter. He is her very young
father. They swing and let go and somersault
in tandem
to the ground, movements reciprocal
as they bow. Rubes assume only
they are lovers as he palms
her lower back and they disappear
into shadows—no one does
anything to contradict their assumption.

New Felting!

2010-07-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

Felted Neck Warmer--Antoinette Gold and Blue on Etsy

I was pretty productive this weekend with the felting! I made 4 new pieces and added some to another one I had already worked on. The four new pieces are all on the ide of the one above. Of course they never come out exactly the same, which is most of the fun! I had a ball making them, and I love how many ways they can be worn. If you don't know already, I really like to make pieces that are versatile/convertible! I'm thinking I may have to make myself one of these, and I hardly ever keep anything! Check out the other new handmade items just listed at Frost on Etsy!

I can't wait to buy some more felting supplies! They are the most fun to browse through on Etsy, all those gorgeous colors and textures and all the ways to combine them. . . heavenly! I'll probably wait for some more sales before I go drop a big chunk of change on new supplies--I still need to get a new flyer for my spinning wheel because my son broke my current one! :(

And yes, I am totally procrastinating on packing things to move. It really shouldn't take that much, because so much of our stuff is already in boxes, but it's just so not fun! Oh, well--better sooner than later, because my husband has to work this week, and I don't want to be doing it with just Sage! :)

Neglect

2010-07-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have been an absentee blogger lately! I have been working on some new fall items though, after reading up on the Pantone picks for fall 2010! It's such an awesome resource for designing; I can't believe I didn't know about it till this spring!

So here's a new item that I really love:

Freeform Crochet Collar by Atelier Frost on Etsy

I did a new turquoise cotton one the other day--just haven't photographed it yet. It's been too sunny for my taste. I also have some lovely new colors in a pretty standard design of mine. I've also got some stuff rolling around my head for some convertible/layering garment pieces. We'll see how that goes.

I'm also collecting things and packing for the move! I am NOT looking forward to that, but luckily most things, besides supplies and clothing, are already in banana boxes for the sake of storage here. I acquired a wonderful vacuum, toaster oven, bed spread, bathroom stuff, and more today, which was great! It's going to be nice to have all that space!

Moving and some decorating finds

2010-07-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

I am moving in a few weeks, to a lovely little apartment about 10 minutes away--of course I am in major magazine-scouring, sale-peeping, housewares-radar mode. That's always the best part about moving; decorating a new place! It will be nice to have more space for the three of us and all of our things. . .

Those frames and the mirror pictured cost less than $30 all together! I plan to leave the mirror as is (the frame is sort of gold, but rubbed through to dark brown and red in places--it has some character) and then paint the frames black with some glossy paint. I think my print from Hidden Eloise at Hide N Seek will look great in one of them. I think maybe a nice black and white of the baby would be cool, and I don't know about the rest! I DO know that I need a nice oval ornate one and at least a few smaller ones.

Working on creating my dream rug on the Flor website at the moment--I really like the Martha Stewart Faux Bois patterns!

Independence!

2010-07-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

That's a little graphic I made just for today--I've been experimenting and trying to figure out Illustrator, which I have had for, oh, 6 years. And thanks to a variety of internet tutorials, I have found my way around it fairly well!

Enjoy the day with your families, your cookouts, your fireworks and sparklers--enjoy the freedom!

East West Carnival Collection

2010-06-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

The New Atelier Frost collection.

Sooooo, I've been putting my energies into this new collection. I know what I said about the dark romance, and all of that, but I think I'll be keeping that on the back burner for fall. Because as soon as I started formulating new designs and digging through materials, the raw silk grabbed me, and I just wanted to make something bright and multi-cultural, like the Himalayas by way of the Great Plains and some retro hippie culture. It's all those sitars, I'm telling you--they infiltrated my mind and totally determined the style of this new collection.

Tassels, shimmer, iridescence, bright shiny baubles--it's all here! And the best thing about it is that it feels like totally me. I don't feel influenced by someone else's accessory designs, or anything like that--I feel totally led by my imagination. And that is a great place to be. I feel like my color choices really make my products hang together too. I've always kind of worried that I like and make too many different styles of things for it to all work together in the shop, but I like to think that my customer is a fashion chameleon, a style shape-shifter, just like me. One day she's rockabilly tough-and-sweet, the next she's an earthy bohemian goddess, then she might be a darkly romantic steampunker, a shoe-gazing rocker in an ironic t-shirt, an ethereal nymph in gauze and flowers. Limitlessness!

So for now it's East West Carnival, Savage Romance is in the works for fall, and who knows what after that? I'm just having too much fun with my head full of ideas and designs!

Summer Reading Recommendation

I just picked up a new book at Target to read on the beach. So many of the books I skimmed the backs of were about murders and detectives, divorcees, knitting circles or sewing circles or whatever--a lot of boring stuff, as far as I'm concerned. And then I saw this book by Alice Hoffman:

I started reading it yesterday and I think I'm probably halfway through--I was naughty and I took it out of my beach bag to read in the house!! I can never seem to keep a beach book for long if I really like it. Anyway, it reads very fast, and the story is full of imagination, love, danger, trouble, modern fairy tale. . . most of the elements that I love! I love books with settings that seem otherworldly and the imagination of the characters is just as meaningful as the "real" world.

I was thinking about that as I watched Big Fish again the other night, actually. If you have not seen this marvelous movie, do not continue reading this paragraph!! I do not want to ruin it for you!! SPOILER ALERT! Will (played by Billy Crudup) feels as though he doesn't know his father Edward (Albert Finney) because he tells so many fantastic tales that couldn't possibly be true. As a journalist, Will is obsessed with what actually happened. But a person's imagination is just as important to the creation of the person they are as the things that "really" happened. A lot of people get so troubled by movies where you can't tell what's "real"--I never worry about that.

But anyway, this is becoming an incredibly long post! I highly recommend The Story Sisters for quick and enjoyable reading; the story isn't always pleasant, but it has grabbed me, and I truly enjoy the writing style--it's rather poetic.

Go ye forth and read and imagine and be a style shape-shifter!

Collection Notes

2010-06-18T04:59:00.001-07:00

Something Savage This way Comes
I have had SO MANY things swirling around in my head lately, but they're sort of coalescing into a collection of dark romance and slightly refined savagery. I'm hoping I can do these ideas justice--some attempts turn out to be offensive to the original idea.

Here's one portion of the inspiration. Right around 3:35 it gets really intense for me.

For this new collection, it's not really anything visual that's inspiring me--it's been more music. I've also been listening to "Disturbia" by Rihanna and "She Wolf" by Shakira lately, which intersects with this somehow--still raw, but it's kind of the industrial, insidious side of this imagined girl that this collection is made for--a contrast to her melancholy, wandering, earthy self. . . Needless to say, there will be leather, but there will be gauze; there will be metal, but there will be bone; black, but also brights. . . I'm really excited about this. Even more excited than I was about Haute Electro, maybe because I feel this collection will be saying something more personal.

Speaking of saying something more personal, here's some stuff I jotted around this idea as well. It's interesting to create in more than one medium--if I can't express the idea properly in one, I can try another!

The Hunter

The desert is the fulcrum of despair.
I ride my horse bareback, the wind
braided into my hair. From dark mesas

in the moonlight I see your horns, shadows
of your jaw--my love, my myth. Your mystery
whispers around the rocks, hushes

in a mountain stream. You twist out
of my grasp, wind through feathers. My father
warned me this journey was waste. I packed

my saddle anyway, packed my fur boots,
a wedding headdress. My wedding clothes
I rolled and left under my sister's pillow--

when I find you, you'll take me naked
in the river. I trust this truth. The wind
trails fingers through my hair.

So these are some of my seeds--we'll see what they grow to be.

Long Time No Blog

2010-06-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have just gone missing lately, haven't I? Well the other part of my identity is assistant extraordinaire to my mother, who is the adviser to the senior class at our local high school. This week was their graduation and all the events that go along with it, and my time has been totally sucked up by that. But I have returned from the land of the graduates, and I just listed some new things at Frost on Etsy!

Hand Dyed Felted Gauze Scarf--Green Citrus

Cotton Gauze Adventures
I ordered some cotton gauze a week or 2 ago and I spent a lot of time ripping it and dyeing it--once that part of the process was done, I started felting on some of it, adding beading and embroidery. They're really summery, lightweight scarves, which is nice--plus, I just love doing anything with details and embellishments. That's the thing I enjoy the most about making any pieces, whether they be jewelry, scarves, or clothing.

I hope to have some new scarves and jewelry up soon--I've got some colorful ideas blooming in these parts and after I clean up from the whirlwind week, I'll be all over that!

Oh Nostalgia! Pretty in Pink

2010-05-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Pretty in Pink is an excellent movie, and lately MTV has had the good sense to play it in the afternoons. I remember a few years ago when I was re-introduced to this movie full of awesome fashion (thanks to kooky Trax owner Iona, played by Annie Potts) and marvelously obscure tunes. And the songs I liked the best were the ones played at the club, Cats. Of course these songs are omitted from the soundtrack. Isn't that always the way? Anyway, at that point, the songs were not available on iTunes. But today I peeked again after catching a fave scene (the one were Duckie and Iona are at Cats, and Andie comes by with Blaine) and they had this fabulous rockabilly song on there for the buying! Well wooo-hoooo for me! :)

Overdue

2010-05-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, I've been lax with the posting lately! But here's a poem for you. It's old. From 2005! I was looking at some stuff I had on my external hard drive my old computer, and out of 40 or so poems, this is the only one that really spoke to me in its entirety.

Wanna Get it Right: A Sonic Embodiment
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

I’ve read everything and you seem kinda fucked up kinda pissed off
off on tangents lots of that off-and-on,
sweet unpredictable
focused madness that spreads and intrigues
and I mirror we mirror
I’d watch your face and trace the changes
thatfast, not so fast
as 8mm film tick ticking winding through wheels cogs reeling back
on itself reflexive like all this cyclical
all that rolling circular
back and forth still brilliance from green to blue
sharp shots pairing wit
imparting fabulous personal truths which wind around
legs tangled hair askew around the body a vacuum
poles magnets of coldness or heat— hard to tell. To leave well
enough alone— not my style not yours not
when things cluster
and break shatter rework in the slow
burning silences or the swift exchange
it’s all melting and pooling, swelling
like speed-heated glass so
fragile I won’t blow too hard.

Vintage Lucite!

2010-05-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Midway Brights Vintage Lucite Necklace

This is probably my favorite out of the seven new vintage Lucite necklaces I posted last week. I love the purple-ish color with the turquoise and that orange stripey bead is just awesome!!! I have some other great color combos going on in the necklaces in the shop--check em out at Frost on Etsy!

Poem: "The Fortuneteller"

2010-05-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

Here's another of my circus poems from my MFA manuscript. I've been planning to enter some chapbook/book contests--I think I'll probably expand my circus poems and include them too. I'm also waiting to hear from a dear friend about these and her thoughts on them. I definitely feel that I need some more of them though to really flesh out the series. Anyway, here she is in her dark and shadowed tent,

The Fortuneteller
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

Some offer palms shyly,
as if they never meant to enter the wine-red
tent smelling of jasmine
and incense, but as soon as the flap falls
shut, even the skeptics’ eyes darken,
widen at the prospect of revelation.
The womb released me
with these ancient talents—on the brackish edge
of a river, I read the sky, the birds, my father’s
face in the heat, my angry brother’s black
looks. I read fear everywhere. The rubes
shield their tender fright
with laughter, cup it in their hands
and offer it to me in the shadows
of my tent. Sometimes I tell
the truth about what I see, if it is not too dark,
not too feverish and tragic. If there’s anything
worse than a sad
ending, it’s the knowing
and the wait.

Florence + the Machine

2010-05-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here is something sonically gorgeous, visually mind-blowing, and deeply emotive! I just discovered Florence + the Machine this week, and I've been listening to nothing but the debut album "Lungs." I would totally recommend reading her bio too--it really speaks to me, as someone who has a love of magic, fairy tales, dark love and emotions, and juxtaposition. So sometimes the perfect inspiring, stimulating thing really does come along to pull you out of your creative rut. Speaking of which, I was strolling Sage along on the way to the playground yesterday and the perfect little piece of a poem got snagged in my brain, but I just remembered that now--and the piece of a poem is gone. Hopefully I'll find it later, drifting around somewhere else. I have a firm belief that these things find their way back into our work if they were really true and necessary to say.

Anyway, here is the gorgeous stuff! "Cosmic Love" is just killing me with its savage beauty--not to mention, the lyrics are ethereal and gorgeous as the place the vocals reach. And as otherworldly as the visuals.

Labels

2010-05-12T05:15:00.001-07:00

This morning I headed online to check some shop stats (though I haven't listed anything new since Sage's surgery), and spotted Tara Gentile's post about labels on Scoutie Girl. I definitely related to her struggles to characterize and label herself. I've considered myself a poet for more than 10 years, and I've been crafting and creating fashion accessories and jewelry for just as long.

I think that's the challenge of being someone who wants to do so many things simultaneously. If I narrowed my focus, would I be a truly accomplished practitioner of just one of those things? Because I certainly can't pour the same energies into a variety of disciplines at once. Some days I feel like writing, some days I feel like revising, some days it's spinning, crocheting, dying, felting, paper crafting, graphic designing, photographing, baking, stringing, blogging--if I only had one of these avenues to express myself, I don't think I'd be as fulfilled.

I feel now more than ever, as being a stay-at-home mom has become my definition to a lot of people, that making my range of skills clear to others is even more vital for my personhood. I think that's why I've never had a truly fulfilling day job--I've never been able to take full advantage of all the things I can do.

Even with style choices I've never felt like I could label myself--I love elements of punk, boho, retro glam, goth, mod. . . and that's influenced (as everything else is) by my mood for the day! So I guess I'll just continue to be a great big amalgam of all the things that I do and that inspire me. I'm going with "limitless", Tara!

New: Fun Vintage Lucite Necklaces

2010-05-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have been a HUGE fan of vintage Lucite ever since I discovered it about 5 years ago. It comes in amazing colors, a gorgeous array of surface finishes, and who doesn't love vintage? Anyway, last week I went to my favorite supplier and got some great new beads to add to my collection. Today while Sage napped I finally made some lovely new necklaces! I have plans to go buy more bags of wonderful, colorful beads, but for now, these are ready to be photographed tomorrow and listed with the rest of the Frost! goodies on Etsy!

Post-Surgery

2010-05-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, Sage had his cleft palate repair on Thursday at Maine Med and we were able to go home on Friday, which I was hoping for. It's always so impossible to sleep in the hospital. The worst thing is how stuffy it is! No fresh air is no good for me. Sage definitely isn't back to 100% yet, but he's having a better time now than he was at first! He can't have any solids at all for the next week or so, and I think he's getting sick of yogurt.

But the best thing about it all is that this is the last surgery he'll have until his permanent teeth come in--I can't even express how nice it is to know that the next time he has to have surgery we'll be able to explain it to him and he'll have an idea of what's coming. I always feel like we're tricking Sage with these surgeries because we can't tell him what's going to happen. And then after that one, he may just need some nose/lip touch-ups as his face grows. But as far as that goes, I'm going to leave it up to him--if it's purely cosmetic and doesn't affect functionality, I think he should decide. I would never want him to feel that he needs to look a certain way--I just want him to feel comfortable with who he is.

It's so weird--children born with clefts are often considered "special needs"--now that he's had the surgeries, that has kind of disappeared. I think a lot of people don't notice the little scar on his lip, the little flatness to the left side of his nose, and his teeth. He's just like any other kid.

New Cuffs and Bracelets and Knitting vs. Crochet

2010-04-28T05:36:00.001-07:00

I listed some new things in Frost on Etsy yesterday, and I have some more to do today! Lots of fiber jewelry--mostly cuffs and bracelets.

Adventures in Knitting
I'm thinking about breaking out the knitting needles today too--call me crazy. I don't have the best relationship with knitting. I mean, obviously keeping the proper tension isn't a problem, so evenness isn't an issue. But I just hate how slow it goes! And I don't know a lot of stitches, so I don't feel quite as adept. Like I couldn't sit down and make an improvised item like I can with crochet. I know how to increase, decrease, add in a variety of stitches--but with knitting I am a noob. Yep. A knitting noob. So I don't do it much. But I just love how you can get such an airy garment with knitting. With crochet, you can get a pretty lace pattern going, but if you want a light airy fabric with a really nice drape but fairly solid construction, you gotta knit.

And don't all the pretty yarns seem to be marketed to knitters? It's like crochet is the red-headed stepchild of the fiber arts. . . Despite that, I enjoy it a lot--I just want to have more versatility and options in creating my work. I taught myself to knit using the first Stitch n' Bitch book; luckily Debbie Stoller writes some pretty easy-to-understand directions. Some books I just look at them and I feel all tangled up even though I'm not even holding any yarn! So that's my endeavor for today, I guess--working on the knitting.

Sage News
Sage's surgery on his cleft palate is scheduled for tomorrow, but of course he woke up with a little runny nose and I had to call his plastic surgeon and let her know. Hopefully he gets better by the middle of the day, when she calls again. Otherwise, the surgery will be rescheduled. Which sucks! But I'd much rather have the wait for a safe surgery. I loaded him up on orange juice to rock that Vitamin C, and now I need to find out if there are baby vitamins! :) Hopefully everything will proceed as scheduled!

Love Letter

2010-04-22T17:27:00.001-07:00

The other day when I came downstairs to exercise before my little guy woke up, this is what I saw on the living room floor by the baby's toys.

From my sweet husband! :) Sometimes he really surprises me with these romantic gestures.

First Sale Ever at Frost!

2010-04-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

So Sage is having his third surgery next week, and I decided to offer a Buy One, Get One 50% off Sale from today-April 29th (the day of the surgery). If you happen to mosey on over to Frost on Etsy and find some things you love, once you commit to buy I will send a revised invoice reflecting the discount! Discount taken on item of equal or lesser value. And no matter what you buy, it always ships Priority Mail for $5 in the US!

Scallop Headbands and Bursting with Ideas

2010-04-21T06:10:00.001-07:00

I have been positively blooming with ideas lately! Which is nice, considering I was in quite the imagination-rut recently. For someone whose major enjoyment comes from writing poetry and creating things, when there's nothin' goin' on upstairs and that goes on for a while, I become a pretty miserable lady! But I made some headbands at the end of last week that I really like--that's them up above there. And also, a pretty Victorian-esque cuff that's made out of some jersey remnants from Salaam in Montpelier, VT. Plus a few little felted bits, some beads, some embroidery, and a trim remnant.

Yesterday it was all new yellows and greens on Frost, but today it's multi-color and bright (those headbands were new yesterday)! I am a total sucker for color even though I typically wear black and season with colorful accessories. In fact, that should be a post sometime-- "what to wear with your all-black wardrobe!" But it's getting warm up here in the Northeast and I am ready for raspberries and lime greens, aquas and oranges! I expect there will be a whole lot of color going on in the future for Atelier Frost on Etsy.

My ideas involve embroidered collars, patchwork scarves, and maybe even some garments!!! Up to this point I have only ever made clothing for myself, but I've been wanting to do some embellishment and reconstruction (and deconstruction) and even some making-from-scratch! So we'll see what comes of that. I'll be sure to keep you posted! Ideas are a balm for the soul!

Fresh Green Braids

2010-04-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

I've been working away at making some new items--lately I'm feeling really inspired by a box of tangled sari silk ribbon I have. The colors are so varied, some with iridescent finishes, plus raw, thready edges. . . There's so much texture! I braided a long (over 10 feet) necklace with shades of green and teal with touches of magenta. I think it came out really beautiful--the colors seem so alive and electric!

Trying out Treasury East

In honor of my color obsession, I also created a treasury on Etsy's new Treasury East, which is in beta testing right now. It's called "Now that's a bright idea!"

I really love everything on that list, but the lime green slippers by natalya1905, the photo (aren't those colors gorgeous?) by bomobob, and that amazing yarn by YOKNITS are my top faves!

You can check out my Fresh Greens Braid Necklace and almost a hundred other unique, eclectically-styled items at Frost on Etsy!

Treasury: Spring Whimsy in Pink and Turquoise

2010-04-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

I was up inexplicably late last night and managed to snag a treasury--I packed it with bright shades for spring and summer. I really love a lot of the things featured here--I love the seahorse print by papermoth. The resin cocktail ring by Triian is amazing!! I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. And I've been a fan of Kecky for a while--that technoPOP print has fabulous color and texture; not to mention it's just plain FUN!

Check out Spring Whimsy in Pink and Turquoise on Etsy!

Poem: "Interpose"

2010-04-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

Interpose
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

Break your soul over my body
like an egg—not like a gem-encrusted
egg on a hutch, that splits
in a predestined spot, a specific range
of opening. I want to see the harsh crack
lines like a mountain silhouette—quick, calligraphic,
one picture, one word. You are an unhealed
cut, on a knuckle or knee—opening
every time I bend. Sharp like one note plucked
on a guitar.

I bit the inside of my cheek
when I chewed and now it has this ugly
habit of insinuating itself, of finding
its way between my teeth again and again.
Things like orange juice
give it rusty edges.

I desperately want to stop
writing you onto every page, letting every subject
suggest you so shamelessly, the way a round
follows itself—when stopped, the same
song, just in a different place.

I wanted to say
something not about you—that was
that space.

New Reclaimed Leather Jewelry

2010-04-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last night I listed some new leather necklaces made from sample swatches from our local tannery that closed down a few years ago. It's actually about a stone's throw from my house! But anyway, they're on hand-braided cord with fun details like beading and embroidery. . . I plan to make some more, because although leather is not all that easy to hand sew through (this is thick leather), it was a lot of fun doing something totally new! Check out Atelier Frost on Etsy to see more new jewelry!

Also, this morning I headed to Etsy and what did I see? The treasury I made of all Maine Team members' items! :) It was very exciting, since it's my first front page with a treasury I made! Just in case it's not there anymore, here's a screen shot of it.

I hope all those lovely people on the front page get lots of views and sales!

Poem: "The Costumer"

2010-04-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday was another PPLP Hoot Night--I started going last month (I'd been "meaning" to go for about 2 years). Last month I made sure to put myself on the list, and my poem, "Breakfast Letters" seemed to be well received. This time I read "The Costumer," from a series of poems about the circus set roughly in the end of the 19th century, beginning of the 20th. I only have about 5 poems in this series, but I want to expand upon them, and I'd really love for them to become a book with illustrations.

I've been looking for someone to work with on this, but the one time I tweeted about it, I got a direct message from someone who wanted to know what my budget was. Maybe I don't know how people are supposed to go about this, but I had hoped I'd find someone that wanted to collaborate--a poem of mine would inspire them to create piece of visual art, and they would be working on the same project, maybe creating a painting of a bearded lady, or an acrobat, or even an animal, and that would inspire me to write a new poem for the project. I want an artistic give and take! But it would have to be someone whose work was bit dark and quirky--not realistic. And it would most likely end up being self-published. But I think the market for that work is there! I really do! Ah, well--I'll keep up my search. Anyway, here's the poem:

The Costumer
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

The seams must be just so. The sequins
must be placed in such a way
that they catch the pink and yellow light
perfectly while Lena rides bareback, her little blue
slippers pointing out, so Hans sparkles
like a shooting star when he flies
out of the cannon. I don’t ask questions
about burn marks, hook holes, blood stains
in costumes. I sew and wash the skin
they get to wear then shed
every night. I care for their fabric personae,
outfits that look bodied
on their hangers in my costume car.
They sway and dance over trestles,
they bump and mingle when we stop. I saw
two holding wrists
last night—it happens occasionally. I know
these costumes better
than I know their wearers, better
than they know me. I know
their measurements, could commission
a coffin for any of them—jugglers, clowns,
aerialists, dancers. The ringmaster’s
dimensions I once knew. Now he prefers
to maintain even that mystery, wearing
store-bought clothes, laundering
and mending his sumptuous silk cravat
—red— the fine black coat with tails
and smooth satin lapels. I am
no longer permitted even the pleasure
of washing his collars and cuffs, the fabric
at the pulse points.

Unqualified Acceptance and Complacency

2010-04-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have long been interested in issues of women and their conceptions of their bodies, and how society fits into the picture and affects how we perceive beauty. I was thinking about this again today because Dr. Phil had a "Fat Debate" going on today, and it made me want to sort out my feelings on everything involved.

I have never at any time been what I considered thin, but looking back at photos, I see that during the end of my undergrad/going into my MFA program, I actually was in really good shape. For some women, being 165-170 lbs and a size 10 is cause for alarm, but I'm 5'10" and I've always had an athletic body. I used to be a runner, I love winter sports like cross country skiing and ice skating, and I've always enjoyed lifting weights and exercising. I come from the land of the Vikings--I'm not meant to be a size 2!

And that's what I was thinking about the most when I was watching Dr. Phil. One part of the debate was from the standpoint of body acceptance, no matter the size. That people should just learn to be comfortable with the body they have. I can't agree with that without qualifying it a bit. You should accept the body you were born to have, and make it the best you can. Not comparing yourself to people with personal trainers, personal chefs, and nutritionists. Not comparing yourself to people who've bought their body parts. Not comparing yourself to models. Or ANYONE else. Not every woman's body was created to be a size 0. But if that's what you naturally are, great!

The emphasis should be on accepting your body because it's different, special, takes you where you need to go, and all that good stuff. But unqualified acceptance doesn't challenge you--and without challenge, there is no improvement. You have to get a little uncomfortable in order to grow. Not just in exercise, but in everything.

If you've never put yourself in a vulnerable position, trying to do something that you know might be a reach for you, whether it be a job, meeting new people, whatever, you won't experience the joy of achieving something tough. Yeah, having my poems rejected from a journal sucks, but what am I going to do? Stop trying to share my poems with the world because it's scary? Hell no! Like Tony Horton says: "Do your best and forget the rest."

So yes, accept your body for what it is--curvy hips, athletic figure, small butt, short legs, big feet, small breasts, big breasts, whatever you have--but make sure you're the best, healthiest, happiest you you can be. That's how I'm operating.

Treasury: Manic Pixie Dream Girls

2010-04-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

My most recent treasury was snagged by just happening to log in one minute before the 333rd list expired! It's called "Manic Pixie Dream Girls" in honor of the eccentric gals in a number of indie movies. You can read a rude man's description of them (Wikipedia says that Nathan Rabin claims Katherine Hepburn's character in Bringing Up Baby was one of the first instances of this archetype, so obviously he's a dumbass. Sorry, but Katherine Hepburn is anything but frivolous).

My feeling about these characters, though, is that they are free spirits, wonderfully interesting, and colorful. Like Zooey Deschanel in ANYTHING she's ever been in? Charming! And even if you don't agree, and you think these characters are shallow, too-hip-for-their-own-good, mopey-music-loving creations from the fantasies of geeky screenwriters, you still can't argue that they don't have style! You can visit and comment on the treasury on Etsy. And if you're in a browsing mood, check out one of the 92 items in my shop!

Figure of Speech

2010-04-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

This poem was included in my MFA manuscript, and it's been through a lot of changes since I wrote it during my undergrad. At the time I was into Robert Hass, so I started writing poems in sections. I think it may still need some more something, but here it is for now! A side note: I can't get this to appear exactly as it's laid out on the page, but hopefully that doesn't affect the reading of it much!

Figure of Speech
Cyndle Plaisted Rials

What is the figure of speech, of stylistic perfection,
expression lovely— out loud or on the page, what is
the most attractive shape?

Ask Calvin Klein:
The figure of speech
is heroin chic
barest minimum frame
for the meaning to hang--
fabulous designer clothing.

Peter Paul Rubens:
She is luxurious, fleshy
luminescent and full-bodied
with Truth—the figure of speech
is fully revelatory and glorious.

Hugh Heffner:
The right figure
is not one of speech! Sex sells, yes,
tanned skin, platinum hair,
the biggest breasts
imaginable. A picture is worth
a million dollars; words
are for people without sex appeal.

-----

It was words for me. Puns
made me laugh, plays on words—my Jack the Ripper
joke that people in my class, people
my age, never understood:

What did Jack the Ripper’s friends say about his skills with women?

He was a real lady-killer!

Maybe it was the oldness
of the colloquialism that made the other kids
not laugh, think I was weird; it was a turn
of phrase that they might have heard
if they liked their grandparents’ TV shows.

-----

A metaphor is not a carte blanche,
not in this world where the slightest reference
calls up numerous entries in a rolodex, some splotched
faded, or no longer accurate—
no association is really free. Poetry
is not psychoanalytic therapy.

-----

The caricature doctor says: white.

wash, wall, wide, wing, sing, span

I think you’re getting a bit carried away. Let’s try this
again. Black.

ball, bat, blood, blend, mend, mink

Clearly you’re not even trying. What do you hope to gain from this
anyway?
-----

Once I let them go, they are not quite mine
anymore, the phrases I utter,
the way I hear them when I say them—
feel free to misquote me. They do.

What are the words,
the little many lots of words
in a hundred thousand shades
that become re-colored with every use?

What does it mean when I and an Atheist
say Jesus Christ?

-----

The figure of lines on a page—like posts
where signs hang, streetlamps, lines
like uneven fences.
Maybe the meaning is not just the configuration,
but it is actually beyond
the margins, something humming
in the air around the lines and paragraphs
scratched and marked
in my straight up-and-down penmanship.
I was sketching, between the words,
the curving hips of a woman’s body.
Something true, the skin and flesh
of an inspired woman, the speech and figure,
fourth finger callused, dirty from pen ink.

A Poem For You, on the First Day of April: The Season

2010-04-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

The Season
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

Commune with the dirt, seeker girl, sneaker
freak, meteoric on a pedal-bike,
breathing deep the greenness, the absolute life. The snow
melts perceptibly, the evening brightens in your dreams.
You leave a sigh on the countertop
and allow love to be. Spring is
quick! It flicks like pink buds in the wind
across the vast everything in sight. You open
your veins like a goddess, let that O positively
out, benefactress, baby, smiler. What’s greener
than this? Only yellow. Drip-
drying happiness in a backyard
on a clothesline that turns in the wind
like a mill. Like a million particles
of ever after, the sun fuses and burns. I call you
“girl” for sure. It is undoable.

Sparked

2010-03-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

My friend Amy, who I met during my time in Vermont College's MFA program, runs this great site of collaborative work between writers and visual artists (and sometimes musicians too)! It's organized in rounds and each round runs for a specific period. How it works is I'm assigned a partner, I send him or her my poem, he or she sends me a visual art piece, and we each work on a response piece to the other's work. At the end of the round, all pieces are submitted to Amy, and she posts them on the site.

This time I was assigned a mixed media artist to whom I sent my poem "The Looking Glass"--you can view it with her response piece. Check out the SPARK website to see more creative, collaborative work!

Haute Electro!

2010-03-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

So this is the first time I've officially made a "collection" of products for my shop. It's called "Haute Electro" and it's pretty much fiber jewelry and hair accessories at the moment. I don't know what I might expand it to, but I just listed a few pieces, and there will be more coming tomorrow. The inspiration for the Haute Electro collection came from some bamboo fiber dyed in shades of neon with black by my friend Sara from LushMommy. A touch of punk, some retro chic, bright Day-Glo colors, tulle, vintage lucite, and metal touches are the essence of these pieces.

I love a little punk in my wardrobe--in college I was punk all the way, clothes-wise. As has been mentioned in a previous post, I was petrified of doing anything permanent to my hair, so I didn't have any crazy hair colors. But I did wear hot pink fishnets, combat boots, over-the-knee socks, things with studs, and lots of black. But I've never been totally sold by one style, so a lot of the time, the things I design are a mish-mash of influences and styles--I think the pieces for Haute Electro are kind of retro-burlesque-punk, which is always fun.

Bringing the poetry to Frost

2010-03-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

So, I started a separate blog for my poetry (if it has not been mentioned, my education is actually in creative writing--BA in English with Writing minor, MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry concentration). But I am not dividing myself between these blogs anymore--I am going to put my life stuff, Frost on Etsy stuff, and poetry stuff all in one place--after all, these are all big parts of who I am.

Here's your first poem that has ever appeared on this blog, from my 2008 MFA manuscript.

Radio Boy
by Cyndle Plaisted Rials

Auroras don’t happen at lunch time, when your lungs
beat time against your ribs. Tattoos. The dual meaning. Let me go on
with my making up and thinking everything has more
than one. I swear it does. This phone in my pocket
is like a tunnel from your lips to my ear, always open
when it’s powered on, whether you’re really there or not. Your voice
is muffled from my pocket—I like that. Hearing you like in a close-rocked
cave, anytime, all day, your stream of consciousness out loud.
I want to hear those sudden lucky thoughts, like a little voice
in your brain, a little you sitting by a flimsy tape
set up like a reel-to-reel (thoughts are cyclical) reading
your thinking out loud—things about cat’s fur, the way you wake up
with hot fingers, what that blue car looks like in the sun. See me
making up your thoughts? But I’m not. The little you is reading
to me, running his finger along each line on the scrawled tape
to keep his place, reading fast to keep up. I hear you thinking
out loud from my pocket, that simple. At first I tried to cover
the sound with my hand. And then I didn’t care who heard.

My adorable son

2010-03-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I just have to do the "here's my cute kid" post. So here's my cute kid! He's been walking around the house a lot lately, taking furniture pit stops. And now if he falls, he stands back up again instead of going immediately back to crawling. It seemed like it happened overnight. One day he could only walk a few steps, now he's touring the rooms like a little toddling pro!

Transitional Accessories

2010-03-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

(Crocus Sky Cowl with hand spun rambouillet--the most velvety, squishy fiber I've ever had the pleasure to spin. Will be listed for sale tomorrow)

I've been making cowls for the last few days. Relatively open stitches, with bands of my hand spun yarn. I like them a lot. But unfortunately, they don't photograph correctly on my torso mannequin--having a neck is a pretty important part of wearing a cowl, and my mannequin has a little stub neck. So I had to model them, although art direction of a photo shoot is a lot easier when you're not IN the photograph. . . I really need to enlist some free or very cheap models sometime here. That'll be my next goal. I did one shop update today, and I'll have another tomorrow.

Ideas for hair accessories have also been swirling through the old noggin lately. . . 'tis the season, I guess. Those will hopefully be coming the end of this week or the beginning of next. Leather butterflies. . . And some neon cuffs with tulle and dupioni and stripes. . . I'm too excited not to get off here and go get working! Check out the new goods, and keep an eye out for more new additions with plenty of new designs!

Ditched the new shop idea

2010-03-20T05:11:00.000-07:00

I had started a new shop for selling supplies, but I have changed my mind about that and decided to just spin yarn to use for my own projects now. So my supply shop is no more! But I have some lovely things I made yesterday with my new hand spun yarn that will hopefully go up today. . . Hooray! :) Nothing else new here--just trying to keep many ongoing projects afloat!

My brother, the future Navy SEAL

2010-03-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

This photo of my little (ha!) brother was in the San Diego Union-Tribune this month--he's on the obstacle course during his BUD/s training. My mother of course called and ordered 10 copies of it! :) He's on San Clemente Island right now for next 5 weeks, but when he's done with that, he'll be back to Coronado for graduation from BUD/s! Another step closer to his dream of becoming one of the toughest of the tough, a Navy SEAL.

His birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and honestly, I can't believe he'll already be 21. I can still remember the day my parents called me from the hospital (I was staying with my grandparents) to tell me that my prayers had been answered and I had a new baby brother. Man, I'm tearing up just thinking about it! Because although we had a little rough patch here and there, I've always had a great relationship with my brother--he's also a really great friend that I love to laugh with (and at), share music and old movies with, and learn about. He's a tough guy, as I'm seeing more and more as he goes through this process, but he's also a sweet and thoughtful guy, and that's what makes him the best brother in the world.

Alright, I'm going to stop before I get too teary. Oh, the emotions of the evening are so intensified! Little brother, my thoughts are with you--I hope you know it.

Spinning New Yarns

2010-03-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

So I finally listed some new yarns on my supply shop. I spun up some of my new bamboo/rayon from LushMommy too, and I'm planning on making some lovely textile jewelry pieces with it. The difference between spinning a fiber like that and wool is like the difference between sewing satin and cotton on the sewing machine. It's a lot more slippery and a little tougher to control. For me, anyway. But the yarns I spun from it came out gorgeous. Her colors are just awesome. I already made another purchase from her. I just keep wanting to buy piles and piles of roving and spinning supplies. Fiber is addictive and there's so much gorgeous stuff out there!

2010-03-12T05:47:00.000-08:00

One of the other things I do in my somewhat busy life is advise a high school yearbook. It's a 200-page book, so it's no small feat. And inevitably, I end up doing a lot of the work (the sentiment was summed up perfectly in the answer to an interview question for a yearbook layout: "Why are you late to class?" "Because I don't care."). It's already my responsibility to do all the design work for the layouts. But the whole book is due on Monday, so I have been working on that what seems like all day every day for the last week and a half. Boy, does my body hate sitting at the computer for that long every day (the yearbook is built online). Anyway, that's the reason for the lack of productivity in other things, like shop updates. But I plan to rectify this soon--I hate feeling like my shop is stagnant.

I have some cool fiber necklace ideas that I'm working on, so we'll see how that goes. I want to do some pieces that are a little more happenstance and deconstructed looking. I'm thinking embroidery, frayed edges, metal. . . If I get anything good made today, I'll take some pics and post!

In other news, my conrod joint to fix my spinning wheel came today! So now I can use the yummy fiber I got from LushMommy, whose stuff is just gorgeous. I want to be in her monthly fiber club SO BADLY!

Well, that's the deal lately--and I am now determined to make something today!

A Surprisingly Good Blurb from a Cruddy Magazine

2010-03-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

So I have been bumming a bit lately because of various areas of life: poetry submission rejections (check that out here), feeling a little lackluster creatively-speaking, and various other blah things.

Let me backtrack a bit to say that I used to LOVE Domino magazine (a fabulous and hip decorating magazine with a few lifestyle things thrown in) and I had a subscription last year sometime. And then Domino was no more, and the magazine publisher, in its infinite wisdom, replaced my funky, sorta indie interior design subscription with one to. . . Glamour. I was less than pleased. That magazine is fluff. Or at least it always has been. I prefer Elle personally--better fashion, more intellectual articles--but Glamour seems to be turning over a new leaf, trying to feature models of all sizes (and not just in weight-specific features--most of the time not even mentioning size, which is refreshing) and they seem to have more articles that mean something.

This month there was a little one-page piece called "Quick: What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?" written by author Kelly Corrigan. The whole little essay is good and got to me. But here's the part that really stuck:

"Aren't we all secretly aware that there are things we'd like to try--and might actually be able to do--if we weren't so damn embarrassed to be seen trying?" . . . "That old self-consciousness that kicks in around kindergarten and holds us hostage until we're finally old enough to wear purple, as the famous poem reads, impacts more than just our fashion choices. It snuffs out dreams."

It made me think of all the things that I haven't done because I was afraid. Afraid of failing privately, afraid of failing publicly and being laughed at--a short list is team sports (I ran track and XC--I felt coordinated enough to run), auditioning for plays, and taking dance classes. There are other things that intimidate me, but I still do them. Like submitting my poems, despite the fact that they get rejected. Repeatedly. Because I have this goal to have my poetry read and heard by other people, I'll keep putting myself out there, just like I did last week at an open mike after a poetry reading. I'll blow up a big bubble and suspend my disbelief and keep trying to get there. I think this has been the problem for me lately: life has no purpose if you're not putting yourself out there and trying to get somewhere.

New, Scary Adventures in DIY! (and the History of my Hair)

2010-03-08T17:56:00.000-08:00

Let me start out by saying that I pretty much find out how to do something if it interests me. Just in the last year or two, I figured out needle and wet felting, knitting, and spinning (next on the list is resin) just because I saw things made with those processes that inspired me. So I did some research, bought supplies, and had at it.

But this story is not just about makin' stuff. The history of my hair is a pretty peaceful one. I've never had a perm, I've had just a handful of haircuts at salons (the rest have been courtesy of my mother), and I've had my hair highlighted once a year in the winter from maybe 1999 to 2007. My hair wasn't virginal, but it was not experienced.

In Vermont on one of my MFA residencies I dyed my hair (with the encouragement and assistance of my fabulous friend Liz) for the first time EVER--that was in January 2008. In junior high I saw other girls with crazy colored hair and wished I had the guts to do it, but I never did. Since 2008 I've dyed my hair various dark browns and a couple of times, even a bright, punchy red. And had a number of haircuts from my mom. She's great at cutting hair, but she has claimed to feel uncomfortable cutting my hair in a more "scene" style (yes, I am not emo but I LOVE scene hair). She gave me one awesome really layered haircut that was great for teasing (had lots of short layers on top/in the back) but I'll be damned if I can get her to do it again!

So today, after I cut Tom's hair (I cut my husband's hair and my son's hair with no nervousness whatsoever now--it wasn't always the case) I said "why don't I just learn to cut my hair myself?" So I watched some videos on YouTube about cutting your own hair, looked at pics of hairstyles I liked, and then I wet my head, velcroed on my hair-repelling Conair poncho, grabbed a comb and scissors, and had at it (I'm pretty sure I never would've undertaken such a project if my spinning wheel were not out of commission, so maybe that turned out to be a good thing today)!

I'm not going to lie. It got a bit dicey here and there. I was real worried about my layers getting out of control. And I don't think I breathed while I did my bangs. One thing that made it less scary was that I didn't actually snip with the scissors--I used a technique more like razoring, I just did it with my open scissors. And you know what? I'll be damned if it's not the best haircut I've ever had! :) Please see the blurry nighttime photo exhibit below. I normally don't take pictures when I don't have makeup on, but I thought this post would be nothing without pics.

It's not all teased and sprayed, but I think it still looks cute that way too. I have to say, as scared as I've always been to cut my own hair, I'm pretty impressed with my first try! Now what new skill can I conquer tomorrow? :)

Chained to the Wheel

2010-03-02T06:36:00.003-08:00

I have been missing because I have been spinning yarn like a crazy person the last few days! I've opened a new shop called Frost Supplies and I just posted my first items in it last night and this morning! It's very exciting. I just love spinning! I'm saving my pennies for a jumbo flyer unit because I like spinning bulky yarns, and I want to be able to do greater quantities of yarn too. At the moment the most I can spin at once is pretty much a max of 100 yards. I must say that buying roving and other spinning supplies is SUPER fun. All the beautiful color combinations. . . It just makes me want to hoard the stuff! Anyway, that's what I've been up to lately! Just another new crafting obsession. . .

A Good Day to Dye

2010-02-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was a dyeing fool. The most popular item I think I've ever had is my Revelry Scarf. I started making them a few months shy of a year ago, and I've sold more than ten on Etsy, plus some at my holiday fairs this year. Last week I pulled out a pile of plain white jersey and decided to make some up then dye them.

I wasn't sure about the fiber content of the jersey (I tend to stock-pile fabric and don't always keep good records of these things), so I didn't know how they would come out, but I finally got around to dyeing yesterday. I also did some formerly white jackets that I plan to embroider and embellish, plus some new jersey scarves that are less tailored than the Revelry Scarf. All told, I dyed 18 pieces yesterday! My fingertips and nail beds are a dull burgundy today.

So I'll be updating the shop with these items, a few at a time. I've been tossing around ideas for a new funky textile jewelry line as well, so we'll see how that goes. Nothing else new under the sun!

One Year

2010-02-11T05:59:00.001-08:00

Sage has been a year old for one week. His birthday was a really nice home celebration with just us (other than an unfortunate appearance by an uninvited guest later in the evening, but I don't want to dwell on unpleasantness). My mother got his cake for him--it was an homage to my brother, who's in Coronado. It was a Sponge Bob cake. She wanted it to say "Happy Birthday, Stinkyface!" but had to settle for "Happy Birthday Sage" (the stinkyface thing is because of this adorable book she bought him--the first one he ever got. It's all about a little boy who asks his mother all these questions about if she would love him if he was an alien, or a one-eyed monster, or a skunk named Stinkyface, etc etc etc).

Basically I just can't believe he's a year old. He's been pushing a wheeled mop bucket around the house lately--he loves picking things up and dropping them in his little cart as he toodles around. It's very cute. I thought that maybe by the time he was one, I would be thinking about having another, but I'm really not. I saw my super-pregnant cousin the other day and I didn't feel a twinge of longing. Not one. So maybe this is it for us. But then I think of all the fun I've had with my brother and how much I love him, and I wonder if I'm depriving him of something. I guess I still don't know. But in a way I can't imagine having another child.

I guess that's something I'll have to continue to toss around. I guess it's akin to the question "How do you know when someone is the person you want to marry?" And I think answer is purported by many to be "You just know."

Different People, Different Styles & Behavioral Responsibility

2010-02-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

(my "little" bro who is now more than 6 inches taller than me)

This post by Seth Godin about "hunters and farmers" and how they differ is really interesting to me. It specifically made me think of my brother, who as a child in school was pretty easily distracted by birds outside the window, paint peeling on the windowsill beside him, noises in the hall, etc etc etc. The private school we went to wanted him tested for ADD and wouldn't take him for the next school year until testing had been done and (presumably) medication dispensed.

But my mother didn't want him labeled like that, so she opted to homeschool him instead. She did all kinds of great lesson plans with him that made his work really hands-on and vibrant. He did a great job. I believe it was in junior high that he went to public school, and he did well right up through graduating. Tried the community college thing, it wasn't really for him. Now he's in the Navy training to be a SEAL.

If my mother had allowed the school to force him into a "farmer" box, he probably wouldn't be doing what he's doing now. And he probably wouldn't be happy, going against his natural proclivities that way. But that "hunter" mentality is just what he needs to make it as a SEAL--lots and lots of observation, the ability to focus intensely for a the period of time that's required to make all the important things happen. . .

It's really made me think about how Sage might be as he grows up. We've already talked about homeschooling for him, but more and more that seems like a good idea, being able to tailor his lessons to his learning style. Also, because his teeth will probably not be quite normal until he's 8 or 9, I don't really want to subject him to any unnecessary teasing.

I really think that all this diagnosis and medication for ADD and ADHD, from what I've seen, is more harm than help. I've subbed in all grades, from kindergarten to high school, and I've had 5-year-olds come up to me and tell me "I'm gonna be out of control today because I didn't take my medication." It's almost like "Well, I have an attention problem, so I don't have to take responsibility for behaving properly and TRYING to pay attention." That really bothers me. What I think this world needs more of is people taking responsibility for what they do and making sure that the things they ARE doing are something to be proud of. Giving people a cop-out is bull.

That post also made me wonder--am I a hunter or a farmer? And I think that I am a little more hunter than farmer, but they are both there. Self-exploration: so fascinating! What about you? Are you a hunter or a farmer?

Baby in the Cupboard

2010-01-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

My son Sage has progressed, at this level of dexterity and mobility, to opening cupboards and pulling everything out of them. Yesterday he managed to pull out the Cheerios box (he definitely recognizes this box as something pleasant--whenever he sees it, he starts smiling and--there's really no other word for it--panting. So he got that out of the cupboard, opened the box, pulled out the bag of cereal, and commenced to eat right out of the bag. And that was all in no time flat. And too cute not to photograph! :)

He's going to be a year old in exactly one week. It's pretty crazy to think that it was just a year ago I was still pregnant with him. He just learned to clap this week, and I think walking is going to be coming up pretty soon. I remember being in 5th grade and thinking that it took forever just for a week to go by. In college, semesterd went by pretty quickly. But now that I have a child, it seems like a year is gone like that! Can't believe it.

Another Freeform Cuff

2010-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

Here's another freeform cuff I just made--I love the colors. I'm really on a purple kick these days. I just applied for a total dream job--more later on how that's gonna go. I'm seriously praying about it. Non-stop--it's like a mantra in my brain.

I also submitted poems to two of my favorite journals this week: Ninth Letter and Hunger Mountain. Ninth Letter is absolutely amazing. The visual art and written works co-mingle on the pages--it's a big format and one that I would LOVE a subscription to sometime when I have some extra dough. Hunger Mountain is VCFA's (where I did my MFA) journal. They were both online subs, so hopefully I'll hear back before too long.

Oh, so many things happening! How exciting!

Freeform Crochet Foray! Hurray!

2010-01-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am such a geek with my word selection! Anyway, I have been SUPER inspired lately by some freeform crochet pieces I've happened upon on Flickr and other places, so I decided to try my hand at some myself; let me tell you WHAT FUN!! I love making scarves, but occasionally I get a little toasted after doing V-stitch or grit stitch for a few days, and doing this cuff was seriously like shaking out your foot when it's all pins-and-needles! It was like a big, reaching stretch. Just FUN.

Here's my first piece: Apple Kiss

And here's the back:

I'm already working on another! It's great because going into spring, I don't do a lot of scarves--I do more jewelry and hair items. So I expect to be putting more energy into these are spring approaches.

I've also got to get working on some pin-up style snoods--I just love them, and I haven't found a lot on Etsy in the retro style I like. Taking photos of my own head is kind of tough though, at least getting them to look how I want my photos to look--might have to enlist some gals I know to be models. . .

Lovelorn Scarf and a NEW Blog!

2010-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is my newest scarf and I have to say I love it! I started with the tweed and suede yarn, and it just grew from there. I love the weight of it and how it drapes, the scallop edge--the fringe is so cool too! Okay, I will no more gush over my own item. But I do like it.

In other news, I've started a new blog on poetry, writing, and such. It's called "Out of Slumber and Dreams" because my poems often seem draped with the mist of the freshly awakened. And the unconscious mind is so important in writing poetry and dreaming both.

The Heart of the Hopeless Romantic

2010-01-16T16:34:00.001-08:00

I've made a few felted heart brooches this weekend, and I really like how they came out! The above is the Hopeless Romantic's Heart. This is really the first time I've produced items specifically fora a holiday--usually I have all kinds of ideas that never get put into motion, but I wet felted on Thursday and made these, and I've been beading and stitching last night and today. I can't even remember what brought the idea on, but I just started thinking about creating a visual representation of the heart. I also have the Mermaid Heart listed, and in progress are the Punker's Heart and the Fairy's Heart. I've also got some other ideas for love-themed scarves; we'll see how that goes!

In an Etsy Finds Email!! Yahoooo!!!!

2010-01-13T14:58:00.000-08:00

So today I opened my Etsy email and lo, and behold--there I was! Well not me, actually--it was my Downtown Tribal Collar/Fiber Necklace!

I think it's the first time I have ever been featured! I was just very excited, so I wanted to share! :)

New item!

2010-01-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

I started making these cool wrap cuffs from my stash of leather and jersey remnants (leather's from my grandmother's leather goods designer days, the jersey is from a great boutique in Montpelier that designs and cuts a lot of their own pieces). I love the combination of the toughness of the studs and the drape of the jersey, not to mention I think the matte black studs are deathly cool.

I've listed a purple stitched one, and one with three big silver studs with lime stitching.

Oh, I forgot to add that they're actually convertible into a headband too! :) I love versatility!

Celebrity Look-Alike?

2010-01-08T06:11:00.000-08:00

These are the varied women I have been told I look like (and not just once--by a lot of people. Like I meet someone and they say "Hey, you know who you look like? That girl on Scrubs (or "that girl on That 70s Show" etc etc)!

And I really can't see any of them. Here's me (when I was my natural blonde, for the sake of comparison).

Hm. Nope, still don't see it. I think they all have smaller noses. . .

Anyway, I'm hoping to be able to do some sewing today. I got some gorgeous t-shirt weight jersey recently in a beautiful orange and a lovely, au courant medium green. Plus a great linen neutral plaid. . . Hooray!

Worth Pondering

2010-01-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

(Cleft lip progression: Sage at a few weeks old, six months old, and 10 months old, a few months after surgery)

Actually, I realized after I finished that last post that I *do* have something to say and that is this: Today my husband was feeding Sage, and he was talking about Sage's past and upcoming surgeries. And he said that we were "un-perfecting what God made perfect." I have to admit that I've thought about that before. Certainly I wouldn't want Sage to go through life feeling Other and ostracized--but I think the way I'm planning to raise him, he probably would anyway. I always did.

I've settled on the conviction that if it were simply cosmetic, I don't think we would've gone through all of it. I think that would send a message that he is unacceptable as he is, which couldn't be further from the truth. But since these things affect his functioning (lip, palate, teeth) I think it's justifiable. I guess that's my little thing about acceptance and what God makes and all of that difficult stuff.

Still Sick!

2010-01-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how long I have been this sinus-y! Beginning this afternoon, the space between my ears (temples, cheeks, nose, etc) felt like that photo every time I coughed. Or leaned over too far. I'm sure you can imagine what a fun day I've had.

In other news, I will try to write something interesting in the next day or so, as this is certainly not exciting reading.

Snagging a Treasury

2010-01-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

The numbers count down . . . 336 . . . 335 . . . Hours ago I entered search terms relentlessly, seeking the perfectly curated collection. . . I have my title scribbled on a piece of scrap paper next to my computer. I'm knitting to pass the time until suddenly the number drops to 333. . . the words "The Treasury is full right now" blur before me on the screen, my fingers hovering over my keyboard, waiting for the title box to appear. I have an almost uncontrollable urge to apply chapstick to my dry lips. . . The box pops up! I type furiously and hit "Create!"

Yes, that's what it's like every single time I make a treasury on Etsy. But I got one today, and this time my inspiration was "The Night Dances" by Sylvia Plath. I used search terms found in the poem (tiger, petals, lilies, spirals, black amnesias, lamps, planets, six-sided, comets, ego) and I think my favorite item in the treasury is the ring pictured above, by Mercury Orchid. Love it!

New Year, Better Blogging?

2010-01-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

I sure hope so! I'm going to make a concerted effort to blog more this year. Actually, after having more time to think about it, I have since added to the list I posted to Alison Tyler's blog (for which I won a snazzy Elvis quote pendant). So add to that: 1) posting on my blog more; 2) getting better at knitting (already working on that--see photo above); 3) trying to make something happen with singing/band thing (I want to be Karen O.); 4) potty training Sage! Okay, so he's only 11 months now, but summer is a great time to potty-train, I hear.

Since I am no longer on Facebook, this blogging thing should be a bit easier--the time I used to spend on FB I can now spend blogging about something interesting. And actually I would like to spend less time wandering around the vast internet and more time creating.

I have some great new ideas for products, so I'm hoping to get those new things started up and posted--unfortunately EVERYONE in the house is currently ill--even the baby. He has the saddest little cough. But he still smiles and laughs almost as much as usual. I'll post some Christmas pictures in the next day or so (his first Christmas!). Meantime, I'm off to try to snag a Treasury spot, finish my knitted cowl (first thing I've made for myself in about a year), and play some Beatles Rock Band with my brother before he has to fly back to CA tomorrow!

Holy December, it's been a long time!

2009-12-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been a mite busy lately with craft shows and such, but I have finally posted some new items to the shop.

I have all kinds of lovely magical ideas floating around in my head--ideas that involve fairyland details, studs, feathers, leather. . . now that the craft show push is over, hopefully I can start bringing these ideas to life! I'll also hopefully do better with updating my blog--I think I need to go in a more cohesive direction for the new year here. So many things to work on!

Toodle-ooo!

FRONT PAGE!! and handspun yarn plus a new item

2009-10-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I've had my new shop on Etsy for a little over a year, and my dream of being featured on the Front Page finally came true! Of course, for once I wasn't online, and it was there yesterday afternoon. But I checked my Google Analytics report, and saw that I had more than 300 views yesterday--which I knew had to be because of a Front Page item! :) You can check out the archived treasury on CraftCult.

I also made yarn the other day that I used in a brand new item; in fact, I made it because I envisioned the perfect yarn for the project and it had to be done! I made the yarn on my drop spindle with roving from Portland Fiber Studio. I LOVE that place! I could spend so much money there. . .

Yarn:

Butterfly Maiden Scarf (made using the yarn on top in the above photo):

I'm going to see the Raveonettes is Boston on Tuesday too, so this is just an all-around great week or so! :)

I've been stalked!

2009-10-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

I know this is my first update in probably MONTHS! Eeek! But this morning I just received notification that one of my shop items is being featured on etsystalker.com! How exciting!

In other news, Sage's lip repair was done on the first of the month, and he's healing really well--he's his smiley little bouncy self again!

I am starting a new crafting endeavor: spinning! I am armed with a new drop spindle, some gorgeous roving, raw wool, and locks--watch out! I'm sure you can guess that once I get the hang of this, I'll be wanting a wheel--it's the only thing on my Christmas list (besides Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles Rock Band).

Oh, excitement! I also need to get my butt in gear for the holiday shopping season! I have one big unrelated project left to finish (around 17 photo albums, 3000+ photos for a client I found on Craigslist) and then I'll be crocheting like a madwoman! I also have some great accessory ideas after seeing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the Orpheum on Sept. 28th. Karen O's still is AMAZING.

That's all for now! I'll try to keep you posted!

New items, and I just bought 2 Main Showcase spots!

2009-07-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, I totally babysat the Showcase Gateway on Etsy to buy two Main Showcase spots--one in a week, and one in two weeks! I figured I'd let myself get my stock up a bit before that. I've made a few new additions to my shop, and I'm working on more at the moment!

Take a peek at Frost to see my new items, including this one:

I've also got a great idea for a series of pieces--mostly necklaces, bracelets, and rings--inspired by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs most recent album It's Blitz. I'm in the "feeling the music/sketching ideas" phase right now, but there should be a few new things from that in the next week or so.

Shop Update: Just three items, but long overdue!

2009-06-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have just added two sets of new crochet bangles I've just started making. This is the "Atlantic" set; the other is a bright aqua, red, and gold set. I also listed a cuff with a dichroic glass focal piece and some beading. To check out the new stuff, visit my shop!

I'm hoping for a productive week and some more new items added! I am bursting with ideas--it's just a matter of sitting down and working them out! I also have plans for some new stoneware pendants and other pieces. Stay tuned!

Rant: The "Ideal" Woman

2009-06-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

This is from June 11th.

My mother told me today about a friend of my father's who was hanging out at the beach with them this past weekend who said of his wife (who I am sure was not present) "Oh, she's getting worn out. I've gotta trade her in for a new model." This couple is in their early forties. The wife is a youthful and active mother of a five year old boy and a three year old girl, both adorable.

What kind of culture is this where a comment like this, joking or whatever, goes unchastised? I tell you, if I had been there I would've had something to say. Like "Oh, and you're exactly the same guy she met in college? No extra pounds, no recession of the hairline? I guess this is the kind of appreciation women get for sacrificing their bodies to produce children with assholes like yourself."

Because honestly, how can a few hours of "bliss" with a perfect plastic body compare to the intimate complex history of relationship? What depth would you sacrifice for a fleeting moment of attractiveness that adheres to some prescribed notion of beauty that has nothing to do with the reality of the natural female body? And I mean "natural" as in "found in nature."

Think about the "ideal" American female appearance as presented in all types of media: bleach blond hair (how many women have hair that light in adulthood?); tan, hairless skin--and I mean hairless--women are supposed to think they shouldn't even have ARM HAIR anymore; miles of legs, small waist, high round butt, and large breasts that MUST be perky. How many women look like that as God made them?

And I'm not saying anything whiny like "This standard is unfair and impossible to live up to." I'm saying this standard is ridiculous and women SHOULDN'T want to live up to it. Why should anyone buy someone else's imagining of a "beautiful" body when every woman should be celebrating her own body, and all the things that make it unique, which is truly beautiful?

I was watching TV today and there was a young woman in her 20s debating whether or not she should get breast implants. She was an attractive girl with dark hair and a body that seemed to be in very good shape. Her breasts were probably on the smaller side of average, like an A. But her friends, who she worked with at Hooters, told her that buying breasts would make her feel feminine and confident, not to mention making her clothes fit better and her tips grow before her eyes-- almost as fast her cup size!

I think breast implants are totally unnecessary outside of a cancer patient wanting to replace a breast after a mastectomy. Wanting to feel like yourself is different than trying to become someone else. But the ridiculousness of breast implants is not my point here. The problem is thinking you can BUY something that will give you confidence. Placing the responsibility for your self worth on superficial things is nothing but a temporary patch-up. The novelty will wear off, you'll age, whatever is popular will change, whatever--then you are once again without self-confidence.

Rather than buying something that makes our outsides different, why not try evaluating the insides and figuring out why we feel the way we do about ourselves? You know why? Because buying something, even something that costs thousands of dollars, not to mention the obvious physical costs and hidden emotional costs, is easier than delving into our souls. We don't even know ourselves anymore. We just follow along, accept what is given to us, and don't question the norm or ask for more.

I mean, my mother was irritated by what that man said about his wife. But she didn't feel comfortable calling him out for his idiocy. We are polite about the wrong things. Sad. And all we do is run from real emotions into the easy ideals of a society that, even if it is artificial, backwards, and wrong, has clear expectations and a precise mold that you can chip yourself apart to fit into. Until they come out with a newer model.

Two for Tuesday: Things I'm Enjoying

2009-06-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a couple of recommendations for you this fine morning. I have just finished my morning workout, and let me tell you--I have not enjoyed such a relaxing and inspiring one in a long time. The New York City Ballet workout is LOVELY. And easy enough that someone who admires ballet (but doesn't have a lick of dance training) can do it. I highly recommend it for a strength training workout that gets you really in touch with your body and needs no equipment, not even sneakers! Plus it makes me walk around with much nicer posture, and I feel more graceful in all my

Our Jostens Yearbook Rep Ryan came for a little cover meeting yesterday and brought us this lovely book (a copy each for my mother and me). It is such a cool project! I really think my friend, Ms. Cost would love it, if she hasn't seen it already. They're working on a Year of Evenings now. Click on the book cover to check out the blog where they post these photos!

Happy Tuesday!

Lip Adhesion: All Gains Erased

2009-06-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Sage's adhesion tore open last night, so we went through all of that for nothing. I called his plastic surgeon this morning and talked to her about the next step. We did know that there was a possibility of it tearing going into it, and Dr. White told us that if that happened, she would recommend another adhesion. When I spoke with her this morning, I told her that although Tom and I knew what her suggestion was, we felt that we'd prefer Sage to have as few procedures as possible, so we'd like to go ahead with the full repair next. The great thing she said was that when she was doing Sage's adhesion, she wished she was doing a complete repair, because there was actually a lot of give in the left side of his lip, so she would've felt comfortable doing the whole thing.

The adhesion is typically to bring the two portions of the lip closer together so the muscle and skin get stretched a bit--then it's not such a struggle stitching them together in the permanent repair. So after he heals up a bit, we're going to schedule the full repair!

My heart just sank this morning when I saw it, because I felt so sad that he'd gone through all that for seemingly nothing. But he's a resilient boy-- he was already smiling on Saturday and he's back to his happy self now.

Lip Adhesion Post-Op

2009-06-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was quite the day. We got to the Maine Med Scarborough Surgery Center at 6:30 for Sage's lip adhesion. It's a nice-looking facility, actually. But I was just thinking about the fact that my baby boy was having SURGERY at 4 months old. Anyway, he was very cheery until about 7:00 because even though I woke him at five to give him some apple juice (clear liquids only 2 hours before surgery), he really didn't drink much. So he was a hungry little bear.

They took him for anesthesia at 7:15 and didn't let either of us go to see him off to sleep, which bothered me a bit. They told us with babies that young they don't have the parents come in, because it doesn't make much of a difference. That's ridiculous, because he notices the difference when I'm there or not there. I really think it's because they don't want to put in the oxygen tube in front of you (apparently babies that young can't breathe well unassisted when they're that deeply asleep). So we just wandered out of the pre-op area back to the waiting room and waited.

They have these screens that show the patients, coded with different colors that show what step of the procedure they're on. As soon as we saw Sage's showing that they were ready for us to come back there, we found someone to take us back, down a corridor and around corners and through some very soundproof doors. As soon as I heard my son screaming, they didn't need to tell me what recovery room he was in.

He was hoarse from the oxygen tube and the screaming. He also had these braces on his arms so he can't put his hands anywhere near his mouth. They basically don't allow him to bend his elbows at all. Also, someone had put one side on with the velcro toward his body, so his poor little cheek was red and scratched. The nurses were all acting really strange, like they didn't know why he was crying and couldn't figure out why he didn't stop immediately when I held him.

They said not to worry-- he was so numbed up he wasn't crying from pain. They know this how? Did he tell them? I've had my child get shots, and I know his "pain" cry. It's not like his hungry cry or his sleepy cry.

All that aside, when I sat down, they handed me a bottle of pedialyte with a regular nipple! When I said "I don't know if he's going to be able to work with that nipple" the nurse holding it out to me looked at me like I was crazy. Um, hello--can you not see what this child just had done? He has a cleft lip! He can't drink with a normal nipple!

Luckily I had brought both types of nipple he's used. One of them we stopped using because his suck was getting strong enough that it was just coming out too fast, he didn't know until too late that he was full, etc.

So anyway I'm sitting there holding my wriggly child who's screaming his head off, trying to hold his blanket on him (they didn't have him wrapped all that well) and also trying to communicate to my husband that I needed one of Sage's own bottles, giving directions through the . Once we got that sorted out, he really didn't like the pedialyte. I have no idea what it tastes like, but until Thursday he hadn't had anything but my milk and the occasional bottle of formula. I brought apple juice/water for him, and he liked that much better. He ate, spit up blood and apple juice, and then after about 30 minutes of me holding him and walking up and down the hall with him, he fell asleep. Then they told me they needed to take his IV out of his little hand. And basically 10 minutes later I was hauling him out the car in the rain.

The discharge instructions are not even 100 words of pertinent information. Nothing about cleaning around the stitches. And of course when they hand you the paper then ask if you have any questions, you're not thinking about when you get home. You're just thinking about the fact that your baby son is nearly inconsolable after a surgery.

On the way home, I said to Tom, "I wonder how they get those tubes in his ears." And he asked me if I was even sure they did them, because he never saw the ENT there. I didn't either, but his portion of the surgery was only about 10 minutes, so I figured he did his first then left. But I really have no idea. I sincerely hope they did that so he doesn't need to have another separate surgery. They mentioned it in the pre-op room, so I wouldn't think anyone forgot. . .

But now Sage has to wear those arm braces until his post-op appointment with the plastic surgeon, which is supposed to be in one week, but they couldn't fit us in until next Tuesday. So he has to wear them for more like a week and a half. It's all just so irritating. I really felt like we were just booted out yesterday. Plus, these people have paperwork on my son and still call him a "she". Same thing happened at all of his pre-op appointments. "How much does she weigh?" Fourteen pounds, ten ounces, and actually it's "he". One lady said "Really? Sage? Oh, that's interesting." Like, because she felt stupid, she wanted to make sure I did too. But I have never met a female Sage. I really think it's a unisex name. But whatthefuckever.

And of course when you go to an office, you inevitably need to present yourself to at least three people: the receptionist, the nurse/person that takes you to the office, and then the doctor/specialist/person you're actually there to see. It's one thing when people out in public think he's a girl (despite the fact that I always have him dressed VERY boyish (blue, green, orange, brown) and all his accoutrements are black or brown. It just gets pretty damn irritating when each one of the people is a doctor's office has access to paperwork that tells them exactly what sex the child is, if there was any doubt. Tom said he didn't think it was the name-- it's because Sage is such a pretty little boy. Does my husband know just what to say to me, or what? :)

Anyway, my sweet son who for about 1.5 months has been sleeping straight through the night, at least 10 hours, couldn't stay asleep in his little crib and periodically sobbed in his sleep while I held him. It can only get better from here. Until the next surgery (probably in September).

Well, I've probably complained enough. But I really hate how I feel like I can't question a doctor. Like for some reason we are expected to just do what they say because they obviously know what they're talking about. Well, I'm working my way out of that stupid assumption!

I have another rant on paper that I'll be presenting in the next day or so, and I have some items in the works for the shop, so hopefully I'll be taking photos today (good day for it, up here in the great Northeast). Tom's taking a test as part of the application process for an apprenticeship at the Navy Yard. Hopefully that's going well!

Where have I been?

2009-06-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been quite a while since I posted, and we're getting geared up for Sage's first surgery on Friday. He's having a lip adhesion and tubes put in his ears. It's an outpatient procedure that will only take about an hour and a half. I don't really know how I feel-- I mean, I really hope that everything will be okay, with the anesthesia especially. But how many times has this surgery been done? Thousands and thousands. I feel kinda Zen about it. Let's hope I still do in the morning on Friday! It will probably be too early for me to think anything. He has to be there at 6:30 AM in Scarborough.

And meanwhile, my brother is getting rolled back to the next Navy SEAL class because he has to have laser surgery. But he's been in Illinois waiting to go to Coronado for what-- a month and a half now?-- and they couldn't do that before now? Eh, don't even get me started on that.

During all this as well, I'm trying to get my eating habits back in order, and exercise too. And I'm hoping next week to really get back to creating for the shop. So that's me-- how about you?

LIttle Miss Green Apple

2009-04-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to prepare for my gift guides showcase spot tomorrow by adding some new headbands and hair items. I'm not sure what the results will be; I'm hoping it will at least give my shop some more exposure. I'm really trying to promote, but I don't know how to get more people to read my blog, check out my shop, etc. I've just kept adding things here and there, and checked out the forums for some suggestions and critiques of what I can improve. I'm just going to keep going, making pretty things, and having faith!

Happy Sage = Happy Mumma

2009-04-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

Is that not an adorable baby? I mean, I may be a bit biased, but I'm pretty sure I haven't seen a cuter one ever! :) Sage has been giving us happy smiles and joyful laughs every day now for about two weeks! He'll be 3 months old in about a week and a half, and he just slept all night on Friday night! Went to sleep at 8, woke up at 5. He's such a good boy.

He eats like a ravenous little beastie. But he's getting toward an adult food schedule-- a lot fewer times a day, but around 6 or 7 ozs. every time. He hasn't been weighed since the beginning of the month, but I'm sure he's up around 13.5-14 pounds!

That's my little Sage update-- I should have another kind of update in a day or so! New products, if I can get them done in time. I bought a showcase spot for Wednesday, so I want to make sure to have plenty of warm-weather accessories in there.

Felting Fool

2009-04-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

That's what I've been lately! I finally got the hang of wet felting, and I've done it every day for the past three! I don't know that I'll ever bother to completely needle felt anything again! It's so time-consuming. I've posted four brand new items today on my shop, and I'm really pleased with everything about them! Even the photographs. Here's one for you:

That's what I call the "Firebreather Ring"; it's of course wet felted then stitched then beaded. I hope to add quite a few more of those to the shop soon. I've also made some lovely headbands with flowers, which I've been wanting to make for a long time. There is a dark teal snood with accompanying flower in the works; look for that in the next day or so. I love snoods, and I want to bring them back. I crocheted a lovely brown one for myself a few years ago, and people always commented on it.

That's what's new in the fashion wonderland. . . Planning on lots of new exciting and visually delicious products in my near future.

Oh, and on the poetry front, I've entered a few poetry contests and sent some in to journals that don't pay. I'll of course let you know!

The Cuteness and Adobe Adventures

2009-03-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

So I was finally able to install my Adobe Create Suite2 on Tom's computer. As you may know, I am now 2 versions behind the most recent, and I've had this software for a WHILE. But my computer did not have enough memory to install and run it. I am going to try to teach myself all the fun stuff I can. I think Photoshop is really going to help with the photos for my shop.

Speaking of which, I got my hands on some deliciously lovely roving at Portland Fiber Gallery and Weaving Studio, which I had the good fortune to visit on Friday. I'll be doing some new felted projects soon, and my brother's girlfriend has agreed to model for me. I'm really excited about that, because I plan on working on some new jewelry and hair accessories, and those are so much easier to photograph on someone else. I should have an update ready for Sunday, I hope. I'll keep you posted!

Monday Monday

2009-03-16T05:37:00.000-07:00

So I have been a ghost lately, when it comes to my internet presence. This is because of a little thing called a yearbook deadline, which is today but we got an extension till Wednesday. I have been layout-ing and editing and photo-placing till I can't see straight! But yesterday we took a break from all that to go the beach, and it was a beautiful day indeed. My parents, Tom, Sage, and I all went down to York to enjoy the sunshine. This is Tom on the porch:

And I also took a few pics of Sage yesterday too, in the first non-newborn size clothing he's been able to wear! We went to his doctor on Thursday and he weighed 9 lbs. 10 ozs! Plus he grew about 2 inches. That means in the last 3 weeks he gained almost 3 pounds! He's a little porker. And he's finally getting baby chub-- fat little cheeks, rolls on his legs, and little round belly! I love it!

His weight gain means that when we go see the plastic surgeon at the end of the month, they'll probably schedule his surgery then and there (he has to be 10 pounds before they'll operate, and the rate he's gaining, he'll easily be there in another 2 weeks).

Not only have I not had time for blogging, I haven't had time for creating! And that's a sad thing indeed. I have some ideas for some new shop additions, and I'm hoping once this yearbook is done, I'll have some time for that.

Some Makeup Fun For Me

2009-02-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Last night while I was waiting for Tom to come home I decided to do my makeup and hair to surprise him (instead of being in pajamas and a ponytail, as I often am lately). I really liked how it came out, so I snapped some pictures of it.

When all you seem to do is pump breast milk, feed it to the baby, and change him, you need a little something to feel sexy every once in a while! Oh, and it had the desired effect on Tom too-- the first thing he said to me when he walked in was "You're beauuutiful!" :) Made my day!

What I Saw this Morning

2009-02-21T07:10:00.001-08:00

How sweet and adorable is that? I have to say, there is nothing more visually stimulating than a sexy man and a lovely little baby. I can see why guys would use a baby to pick up chicks! :) I'm kidding-- but seriously, my heart just melted when I saw them like that.

A song and some photos

2009-02-20T13:04:00.000-08:00

I saw this video on VH1 the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised to see something that was original, unusual, and charming, rather than the standard half-naked women and cars, like in the hip-hop videos that get so much airtime. So I wanted to share it with you! :) Something about it reminds me of The Science of Sleep; probably the rustic feel of the fabric items, and the surreal setting and movements.

And of course, there will be photos of Sage in this post! We went to the doctor today, and since we were discharged on the 11th, he has gained almost a pound! He's up over his birth weight now-- 6 lbs. 13 ozs! Lately we've been laying him in front of the wood stove for an hour or two in the morning, naked so his bum can air out and he can move all around! Today, he kind of fell prey to the incredible warmth there.

And this is him looking a little more modest. For the longest time, he kept his little breech legs bent right up by his body, but now he stretches out a bit more, as you can see here!

I'm sure we'll continue to think that everything he does is adorable and must be digitally captured. I never cared before about having a video camera; now I really want one!

Bath Time with the Bean

2009-02-18T08:28:00.001-08:00

As you can probably tell, he's not nuts about the whole bathing thing! :) But he looks so cute after we dry him off-- his hair fluffs up like a little baby chicken's! But while his teeny body is all wet and he's howling, he seems so bitty and vulnerable.

You know, I'm home all day and it seems like I should be able to get all kinds of things done-- I mean, he sleeps 3-4 hrs at a time, and it only takes him about 15 minutes to eat-- but it seems like all I have time for is taking care of him. The time just vaporizes or something. Because of course I have to pump every 2 hrs, and he needs to be changed and all that good stuff. But I have a wonderful time with him, and I think eventually everything will get to be a little smoother and quicker. Ta-ta from Mummaland!

This is our little sweetie!

2009-02-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

Here's our Sage having some dinner with Daddy! We're finally home and happy to be here, but I haven't gotten a ton of sleep. Not that I expect to get much for the next 10 or so years. Probably even longer, because my mother still wakes up worried about my brother. I guess once you have kids, it never ends!

I'm sure I'll have more pictures in the near future. We have been trying to take pictures of all the little things, even his first bath at home tonight. He didn't love that, that's for sure! :) But we're all happy and healthy here-- just a little more tired than usual!

Still in the hospital

2009-02-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

So Sage had a little spell where his heart rate and oxygen levels dropped around 2AM on Saturday when they tried to give him his car seat test. After that happened, they kept him in the nursery on a monitor all day. Around 9 that night he passed a second car seat test, and he was back in our room, with the expectation that we would be going home on Sunday morning (the pediatrician on that day had said that if he was good on the monitor all day and passed the test at night, that was a reasonable expectation). So here it is Monday, and we're still here. Why? Because a different pediatrician that was on yesterday just decided that he was keeping Sage here IN THE NURSERY ON THE MONITOR until Wednesday. And now I don't even have a room (I was discharged on Saturday night), so I'm just hanging out in the nursery with all my belongings on a cart, not even sure when or whether I will have a bed tonight. Tom and I are pretty frustrated with the whole situation, and kind of getting to the point where we want to sign him out "against medical advice." So that's where things are. . . That's all I can really say right now.

Early

2009-02-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am a Mumma! All of a sudden! Our little boy was born at 5 AM on Wednesday, the 4th. He was 36 weeks; about a month early according to our due date, but he is still a nice healthy boy at 6 lbs 8 ozs! I'll give the quick and dirty details: Just a little before 2 AM my water broke while I was sleeping. My contractions were about 4 or 5 minutes apart at that time. We were at the hospital by 2:30, where they determined that I was dilated to 4cm. They checked Sage's position with an ultrasound and he was breech. By 3:30 they had determined that I would be having a C-section. I was in the OR by 4:30, they scrubbed me up, gave me the epidural, and brought Tom in just before 5 AM. By 5:06 we had our little Sage Cameron! He is the most precious thing. Daddy is in love too, and can't seem to get enough of holding our little honey! Despite being early and having his cleft lip/palate to contend with, Sage has been great at feeding, and we're hoping to go home this weekend.

I'll post some photos when I finally get home!

Me= Ridiculously Bad at Posting Lately

2009-02-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

I think that even though I normally consider myself a pretty good multi-tasker, it seems that one thing always falls behind when I take up another. Or it could be that I have more than just a few things going on lately.

For example: I have been awesome at posting new items on my shop lately. But my poetry has fallen WAY behind. However, I have gotten a poem published in a journal created by some media students at USM, so that is pretty exciting. The weirdest thing is that I didn't even realize they had chosen a piece of mine until the other day when I googled myself! Yes, I am guilty of googling myself periodically, just to see what comes up. But my name and poem title were on their table of contents! So I was pretty excited about that.

As you can clearly see, I have been horrible at updating the blog. Just awful. I mean, no posts since Dec. 18th? That's just pathetic. But I have returned, and hopefully I will be better in the future. Though I don't know how much extra time I'll have when I begin breastfeeding 9-12 times a day. SERIOUSLY. I just found out that that is how many times a day Sage will need to eat. And then all the corresponding diaper changes. . . I'm kind of wondering if I'll be doing anything else at all once he's here! And his due date is just 30 short days around the corner, if he comes when expected. Am I prepared? I have NO IDEA.

An issue of great importance to much of the indie crafting community

2008-12-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

I just recently became a member of Indiepublic.com, and yesterday I was made aware of a huge issue concerning legislation on the manufacturing of toys that will really affect the business of many crafters who make items for children. For more info, visit the Handmade Toy Alliance's proposal on Change.org, found here.

This may seem like a small thing, but it will have a huge effect on the economy, not to mention the lives of individuals who use their talents to create childrens' products. Get the word out if you can!

Also, check out these and other great kids' items on Etsy.

1. "Buzz" by TandCATE 2. "Christmas Crayons" by monsterbugblankets 3. "Timmy" by giraffina 4. "Pick Your Own Vegis" by gingerblossoms

Crazy Days

2008-12-16T05:10:00.000-08:00

So life up here has been a bit nutty lately! The craft shows are now over, so I have a little bit more time to do what I want, but we had an ice storm that began on Thursday. School was closed early that afternoon, and what ensued was not a happy little snow day. My friend Sarah described the typical experience very well on her blog. My birthday was on Friday, which was sort of uneventful as far as birthday things go (no dinner out, or anything like that); but it was still pretty nice. My parents have always heated the house with wood (we only turn the furnace on when we need hot water for dishes or bathing) so we had both a heat source and a way of cooking food there. Other than not playing Rock Band or having lights, the day was pretty much like our normal life. There was a bit of mad scramble to get the food out of the refrigerator and freezer and out into the snow. But by Saturday around noon, we were back on the grid, and all was well.

Anyone who knows me fairly well knows that my brother and Tom have not really gotten along all that great since last January after a little scuffle they had. Tom has been wanting to make things up with Cam and let the past be past, but Cam hasn't been all that receptive to Tom's overtures of friendship. However, on Saturday night, we all had a lot of fun together, and the two boys talked FINALLY, and everything is all right now. So I'm pretty darn happy.

House-buying plans are at a standstill these days; I have been given the opportunity to keep living at home, and I think that's going to be a better idea. I think maybe buying a house and having a baby with no money saved behind us might be a stressful amount of responsibility all of a sudden, especially for Tom. Ah, all seems to be right with the world! Now I just need to get a time to take pictures of all the things I've been making with my extra time! :)

I have been naughty

2008-12-01T09:09:00.000-08:00

and neglected my poor blog! I've been outrageously busy lately; I'm doing craft shows and trying to get the yearbook in order and looking at a house to buy with my sweet husband. . . And some of my time lately has been sucked up by my brother and this plaguing, outrageously fun time-suck.

I promise that soon I will be a good girl and post something more than a passing update! :)

I have a paying gig as a writer!

2008-11-14T06:21:00.000-08:00

Well, so it doesn't pay much. But I have signed a contract with Suite101 to be a contributing writer. It's sort of on the idea of About.com, where there are articles on just about anything you could imagine to want to know about. As I said, the pay isn't stellar or anything, but we all have to start somewhere, right? Right. So I'm starting. It will at least be good to get me writing and generating article ideas (I have to write 10 articles every three months), plus I'll have those articles for clips in the event I want to apply for any other writing position. AND it's still a publishing credit. From the articles I've read on there, there is a definite quality standard, and they seem to have some great "celebrity" and feature writers. It's my goal of course, to get to Feature Writer status. I wrote my first article yesterday: 'Suggested Reading for Poets." It's a mini review of three books I've found really helpful in my writing efforts. I got some feedback from my editor about it, and I fixed the things she pointed out; hopefully it'll be live by the end of the day!

I'm working on some new items for the shop-- bigger, different types of things from what I have now. Hoping to have an update over the weekend, provided there's some good photography light! :) I just love Fridays, don't you? Even dark, late-fall-type rainy ones.

Oh, perhaps you noticed-- I actually know how to do an embedded link now! Whoopeeee!

I couldn't wait any longer

2008-11-08T14:16:00.001-08:00

I decided just to take some darn pictures today! I just added 10 new items to my shop, where I always offer free shipping in the US! I tried some colored backgrounds using canvases I painted; I think they came out nice. Here is one of my favorite things I added today:

This is the Violet and Forget-Me-Not Collar, with lovely crochet flower, little aqua lucite flower, and tons of seed beads! I can't even tell you how many of those little things are stitched on there! :)

Check out my shop for the other 9 items I've posted today! www.atelierfrost.etsy.com

Excuses, Excuses

2008-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

The weather in this neck of the woods has been absolutely abysmal for photography of new items! I want to do this big shop update, but wouldn't you know that every day has been ugly and gray for the past couple. I just hate using a flash; the colors seem to get so distorted. So I'll just wait for half-way decent day.

Meanwhile, I have actually done some writing, and other than working constantly on the yearbook as well, I have been re-reading some old favorites.

The first one, which I've read SO MANY times, is Cintra Wilson's Colors Insulting to Nature. It is one of very few books that can make me truly laugh out loud. I think I can safely say this is my favorite book ever. It chronicles the life of Liza Normal, a girl born in the 70s and raised on the mega-glitz fairy tales of television and movies who, understandably, has a hard time reconciling these fantasies and her un-fabulous life. The novel follows her from birth to her late 20s-- through all the embarrassments of high school, the earnest and drug-addled questioning of self, and tons of other events of humor and sadness. The writing is just stellar; Cintra Wilson is a savagely hilarious critic of pop culture and how it can screw us up if we believe in its sparkly technicolor facade. Considering that she is a playwright and screenwriter, I can't believe this book isn't a movie. I would love to see this on the screen. It should absolutely not get into the hands of a big studio-- a smaller indie company would have to do it. I also can't think of an actress that would do this part justice.

The second one is Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang. I was in seventh grade the first time I ever read anything by Joyce Carol Oates; it was a short story called "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" I was haunted by it-- I read the photocopied, stapled-corner pages of it over and over. I had just never read anything so dark and mysterious before. It left me hanging in a way no other writing ever had. At the story's close, you just can't say with certainty what will happen and if it's bad or good. That kind of ending is not something you find in writing geared toward young people; it's actually not a kind of writing that receives a lot of attention in the US in general. Last night I was just reading an article by Scott Elliott in an old issue of the AWP magazine, The Writer's Chronicle. He discusses magical realism, which is a genre I love: Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Innocent Erendira, almost any of Robert Coover's writing (the collection Pricksongs and Descants is my favorite). I mean, I'm a poet, so I appreciate the fantastic, the stretch of the imagination. But that's not a commonly-favored style in this country. Other cultures, like in South America and Asia, aren't as uncomfortable with a conclusion that actually doesn't conclude much, or with a story line that requires some suspension of disbelief. Just look at French film compared to the majority of US films. Michel Gondry's work is amazing (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep), but I don't think it's as respected or appreciated by the majority of people in this country. They are often movies where "nothing happens" (i.e. no explosions, infidelity, or high-speed chases) and a lot of what does happen is highly questionable in its reality; these films are cerebral. A lot of what we see is on the fine line between the "real" world and the imagination.

Whew! I didn't plan on launching into that, just from talking about Joyce Carol Oates! Anyway, Foxfire is a great novel that delves into a lot of interesting feminist issues, and that's another one that I would never bring in a crate to the used bookstore!

Wild Mind, by Natalie Goldberg, is another of her books on writing; the pieces in it are excellent to give you a little push in the "write" direction. Most are only a page or two, and they can be really helpful for a quick focus-- I read these until I hit on something that helps me feel "ready" to write. While I prefer one of her other books, Writing Down the Bones, (and both get a little heavy on the "I'm a Buddhist, and all these Buddhist tenets apply to writing-- don't forget I'm a Buddhist who studied with a Zen master" patter) this one is still a good one. It gets the job done!

So that's where I am these days: crocheting, cogitating theoretically, and creating a high school yearbook. I hope to have an update to the shop in the next few days. When I do, you'll be the first to know!

Monday Monday

2008-10-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

I just had an eventful, tiring weekend! I hate when I feel more tired on Monday than I did on Friday! It all started on Friday afternoon, helping my mother with her junior class fund-raiser. The kids transformed some of the school's hallways to create "Spook Alley." It was actually a fun event, scaring little kids and high schoolers alike, and the kids raised some pretty good money for their class. My day on Friday starting with waking at 6 AM, going to work at the high school, making cotton candy for 2 hours after school, then beginning the hallway set-up, doing makeup for the ghouls, goblins, and zombies, doing my own makeup, maintaining order in the halls, and leading tour groups through. Then we had to tear down the event at 11 PM, pack cars, and eat cotton candy. Well, I had to. . . So I didn't get to bed until 3 AM. It was a LONG day.

Saturday Tom and I had another stay at the York Harbor Inn, courtesy of my parents. They even told us to charge dinner and brunch to the room! It was wonderful. The L.L. Bean room, where we stayed, has a deck that faces the ocean-- it's right over the dining room, on the front of the building. Tom liked how rustic the decor was; it even smelled like a camp!

The innkeeper Paul was just wonderful-- in fact, everyone was so friendly and showed us such hospitality! Dinner was amazing. I had the most delicious Filet Mignon with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes! Breakfast was delicious too. The French Toast was made of French bread, and it was so wonderfully seasoned, with powdered sugar. And the bacon! Oh, yum. I wish I could eat there all the time! I would really recommend eating at YHI anytime, in the dining room or the pub. Both have great atmosphere, and they offer the same menu, so it just depends on if you feel like a more casual environment or one that is a little more refined.

Yesterday we were going to go to Haunted Acres in Epping (Tom's boss gave us tickets), but we were just too tired to go there last night! That'll have to be next weekend. I'm really not looking forward to it-- spooky hauntings are not my thing! But Tom wants to go, and I guess that's what being married is all about-- getting the pants scared offa you if that's what your husband likes!

I'm gearing up for another update to my shop-- I think today will be a good day to take photos. I should have at least five new items up by Wednesday! If anyone can give me some pointers on how to get the word out on my shop, I would really appreciate it! I read the Etsy Storque articles, but I would love some help from anyone who has ideas!

My New Shop is Populated!

2008-10-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have spent yesterday and today in a combination of photographing and measuring products, editing photos, writing witty descriptions, and listing my 17 new items in my shop! I am a little giddy over all of this.

Here's just one of the items that went up for sale in my shop today!

Check it out and let me know what you think; of the photos, the descriptions, everything! I needed some feedback! www.atelierfrost.etsy.com

First Post from Mrs. Rials!

2008-10-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's me, as of about 4 o'clock yesterday! I only have a few photos today, but when I get the rest from my aunt's camera, I will put them on my Flickr and post a link. But it was a lovely day. The weather was a bit brisk, but it was still nice out, and actually, I think this season suits me more than summer. But our ceremony was across from the York Harbor Inn, down in a little clearing of trees looking out over the ocean. Tom was so nervous his legs were shaking! Julie did a beautiful job, our readings and vows were beautiful, and it was everything I hoped for!

After the ceremony, we headed over to the York Harbor Inn for a fantastic pub dinner, drinks for everyone else (yummy hot cider for me), and lots of laughs, family, and fun. Tom and my mother had a hopeful, positive conversation, which was huge for me. I wasn't sure up till about Saturday if my mother would even be there, but she ended up helping me with my dress, making my gorgeous bouquet, making my veil, buying delicious chocolates for favors, and buying us a beautiful box of tasty treats to share later. My parents treated all of us for dinner, and they also booked us a room for the night in the Inn. Not only that, when we got to the lovely ocean view room with its big comfy jacuzzi, there was an envelope with my name on it on the nightstand. Inside was a gift certificate for a stay at the Inn next Saturday night, in a different room. Tom and I both had to work this morning, so they wanted us to be able to really enjoy a night and the next day there. I was so overwhelmed by my parents' generosity! And my mother's willingness to allow herself to be close to Tom, and start over anew. It was just a beautiful, perfect day! :)

Goin' to the Chapel

2008-10-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

has been stuck in my head since yesterday. I blame it on Etsy. I was looking at bridal items and there was a shrug with that name, and it just kept over and over in my head. And not even the whole song, which is one thing. Just that stupid chorus. So perhaps now I have plagued you with the curse, and we can all be miserable together.

Yesterday afternoon Tom and I went to Eliot to meet Julie and she was a SWEETIE! So warm and lovely; she hugged us when we got there! I'm so happy that such a nice woman will be performing our wedding for us. We planned the ceremony all out, and I had an outline and everything all ready for her when we got there. When she heard I was a poet, we talked a little about incorporating a poem of my own. . . I'll have to see about that! I think most of my poems just aren't the right tone for a wedding ceremony.

This is the only one that may be deemed even remotely appropriate, and I think that's quite a stretch.

Like X-Rays

You in your physical body never appeared
in the dream—you were a concept hovering
at the edge of everything that happened: something about you
in the strange blue poppies that bloomed in charmingly rapid
photosynthesis, the perfect desk
with cubbyholes and secret drawers—backdrop shot
through with a tinge of everything I have ever wished.

I sewed crow wings
to my shoulder blades. More accurately, asked
you to, with your steady hand, not to mention
the unease I feel at the sight, the needle
gleaming dull
under a layer of pulled skin. I opened
my new wings out in two arches
from my shoulders—they were like mountains
in the dark.

In the morning I was a reckless brightness,
soul alone in whisperland, you a silent
something elsewhere, in a place of packages
and barcodes,
an exact world.

I think of the people around you, filing
by in heavy thick-soled boots, gleaming black
against the dirty thirsty snow. Who are they?
Not the soul-saving brigade. But forget
about them. I’m trying to, writing you
this letter in the sky over this house, so cloud-wispy
and real. You see the shapes
of my close-mouth words? I will try to make a sound
for you.

My poems are just too complicated a lot of the time. Yes, a lot are about love, but it's not just blinding happiness. And a lot of the ones that are like that, it's not completely obvious they're about love. So I think we'll just let Allen Ginsberg and e.e. cummings do their thing with the readings we've chosen. I'll put the full text on here in the next day or so. And then we'll have pictures! I'm actually really happy that this week has just been a mad rush. I'm terrible when anticipating things for a long time. I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve. So the less time I have to look forward to something, the happier I am! :) Yay yay yay! Wedding in 2 days!

Wedding on the FastTrack!

2008-10-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

So Tom and I have decided to stop moving the wedding date around, and stop trying to have a big family thing. We got our marriage license last weekend, and we're getting married this Sunday, if all goes according to plan. The weather looks good for it, so hopefully that's something we can count on!

I found an excellent JP named Julie Draper; we're going to meet with her tomorrow afternoon! I've only invited some sweet friends, and not many of them at that! It looks as though it'll be about 10 guests, all right around our age. No family, as I'm sure you can tell from that. I'm sick of being upset over it, so I've just decided to be happy about who IS going to be there and let everything else just be.

But now I'm in the peculiar position of trying to figure out a wedding ensemble in the next 3 days! Not that I haven't made clothes in less time. . . and anyway, it'll be fun! :) I'll keep you posted on how that goes, and after Sunday, I'll post some pics. Yay for us!

First Day of my new blog

2008-10-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

This is my first post of my new blog. I've had one on Blogspot that has been sporadically updated, but this is my chance to turn over a new leaf! I have started a new Etsy shop as well, which as yet has nothing in it, but these two new sites I have commandeered are a sisterhood, so I thought it only made sense to begin anew in the blogosphere.

Since this is technically a new blog, I feel it is only right to introduce myself and explain my intentions. I am a Southern Maine resident, a fiance, an expectant mother, and a creator. The first things I remember creating were doll clothes. But I branched out from that to begin making jewelry around the age of 11. Polymer clay beads were my big thing for a few years, but then my mother was moving her small business in the jewelry direction, so we soon had Swarovski crystal, sterling silver, and semi-precious beads to work with. Needless to say, Sculpey clay didn't fare well against those sparkly new competitors.

I learned to crochet around 16 or 17, and for a while I just did my little double or single crochet scarves. That got dull quick, and I obtained some books and taught myself lots of prettier stitches. Over the past summer, I started wet and needle felting, and to further expand my fiber skills, I just taught myself to knit using the Stitch n' Bitch book. I think Debbie Stoller is about the only person who could've taught me to knit. Now I have my eye on learning to spin my own yarn, to really complete the fiber madness.

So that's my crafting history in a nutshell, minus the ATC mania that overtook me from 2006-2007. I've always loved paper crafts too. And sewing is something I've done over the whole course of my creative life, both by hand and on my mother's Bernina.

I think that's been enough excitement for today. I won't post a link to my shop until I get something in it, which will hopefully happen in the next couple days or so!