Preparing for (faux)Turkey Day

Something about cool weather strikes the crafting bug inside of me. I also work for a craft website and get to look at inspiring things all day! Now that it's cooler outside, I'm using my time inside to craft up a storm.

This year my roommate and I have decided to host a big Thanksgiving day event and dinner for fellow transplants like us that aren't going home for the holiday. Of course this involves sprucing up the place with lots of Holiday themed decorations. Here's a few of the things I've made so far:

Wreathes! I love love love seeing one project come out three different ways. Mine (on the far left) is made from burlap, the middle from fabric, and the right from twigs, branches, and ribbon.

Here's a close up of my burlap wreath happily hung on my front door.

And of course we can't forget about the table.

I was surprised how quickly I was about to put this table runner together. It was done in 2 days and looks just as autumn-ish as I was intending. The design isn't as modern as I would like, but as my first quilt project I decided to try something simple so I could actually finish it without it looking like my cat put it together.

Now, on to more crafts...!

Does anyone have any suggestions for Thanksgiving day decorations you think I should make?

Photo Shoot: Toys!

I had the pleasure, excitement, and mostly fun of doing two photo shoots this week for work. I'm a strong believer that you grow from each experience you have. How much you grow, can be up to you. How willing are you to open up, to push yourself, to learn new things, and forget things you thought you knew?

I feel like I've grown a lot from this and I can't wait to do more! It's so thrilling to be at a point in my life where things feels like they're just at the beginning. Everything is infused with possibility.

Here are some of the finals:

I experimented with some post editing techniques for these images since the goal was to invoke a warm, intimate, home-y, almost vintage feeling. I'm really proud of this work, but please feel free to provide some constructive criticism as well. That's one thing I really miss about college...honest feedback.

Alive and Kicking

Hello world, I am alive! I've come to the solid conclusion that there aren't enough hours in the day. No matter how much I do there is an ever growing list of things I still want to do. I am going to try my best to make more regular updates, comments are good motivation, hint hint. I've been busy working, creating, smiling, biking, and generally loving where I am. Here are some of the things that have keep me from blog-land.

1. Friends! This summer has been filled with lots friends! Getting to know some much better and meeting lots of new ones.

2. Exploring! I've been spending time in new parts of town and going out for photo walks with fellow photographers.

3. Photographing! I've been helping on set stills, photo shoots, product shots, and generally working on my portraiture.

4. Biking! I've clocked a couple hundred miles this summer. Maybe 400 total? I've certainly found my "thing." I feel so at peace on a bike.

5. More Biking! Besides biking to work everyday, I've tried to get in as many longer rides as I can. It's hard not to be amazed by the gorgeous scenery here.

6. Hiking! I haven't gotten into the mountains as much as I would have liked to yet, but no fear, they're not going anywhere.

7. Fall activities! Pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and lots of crafts. I've been teaching myself lots of new skills like learning to knit lace. I'll try and post some pictures of my recent projects soon.

July 20, 2011: Day of Biking

I clocked a good 30ish miles today by bike. I wasn't sure if I could do it, but my doubts were silly, I did it and feel great. I started by accompanying a friend to work at 6am; 12miles there, 12 back. I noticed this sign on the way there, neither of us could figure out why this town gets called a lot.

Then that evening I finally got to participate in my first Cruiser Ride. If you're in the area, you have to check it out for yourself if you haven't.

Each week there is a theme, this weeks was Beach Party.

Thousands of people start out at one of three bars across Denver, in custom, with their bikes. Then we take over the streets! Giant packs of bicycles all head toward one central location called...

The Circle of Death. So many people, so many bikes, so much happening.


Circle of Death continues. A side note: no one dies.

All in all a great night. See you next week Cruiser Ride!

July 18, 2011

I don't know if it's luck, or having picked a good place to live, but almost everyone I've meet so far lives within 10 blocks of me. Which comes in handy when the pizza is out of the oven and you have plans to meet a friend at his place in 10 minutes. Walking a handful of blocks with oven mitts and pie plates got us some funny reactions.


A view of downtown Denver, an easy 10 minute bike ride away.

July 17, 2011

During the summer months there is a free jazz concert in City Park every Sunday night. Tons of people pack a picnic and hang out for the evening. Today I meet some friends and their giant dogs. One of the things I'm enjoying most about Denver is how easy it is to get anywhere by bike.

July 15, 2011

They might not admit in when humans are around, but I'm pretty sure they've become friends.