28 & 2013

Yesterday I turned 28 and officially started the new year.  I was a little behind getting my 2013 started because a lot of big changes have been happening; good, life-affirming types of changes.

This month I quit my job of full-time art teaching to pursue a career in art and design. It's been a change that I have been needing, wanting, craving, working towards, and hoping for for far too long now.  It's taken the mister and I years to get to this place where we feel comfortable and settled and ready to take this big step, I'm so lucky to have his support in my life.  And it wasn't until yesterday that I felt ready to sit down and reflect on the past year and look towards the future ahead of me, because my last day of work was the day before my birthday, hence the new year and birthday joint celebration.

Before I talk about goals and plans to come, let me take a step back.  As 2013 started I was transitioning from being a full-time teacher to a part-time student and part-time freelance designer.  I was working 40+ hours at my job while also going to new classes in graphic design and still working on projects for various clients.  The last few weeks were crazy, a whirlwind of tasks that were so spread out I didn't know where to place my focus or my energy.  While teaching was a wonderful opportunity for me, a job that paid my for school the first time around and an experience that took me from being a child to an adult with a real career, it just never felt like the right fit.  My heart and creative mind were always somewhere else- making, planning, aching.  So with this switch into a new phase of my life I am finally able to slow down and think and gain a little more perspective on what I want out of the future.

My plans in the next month, year, and years to come are not set in stone yet but I know that I will be more fulfilled in doing something I can truly enjoy, the exact thing I was trying to teach my students over the last 6 years!  So now I'll be working on expanding my own design and illustrations, building my etsy shop into what I've long wanted it to be, sharing my work here with you as well as on various client projects, and most importantly, I'll be gaining more knowledge as I put some time, money, and effort into my own education.  I can't tell you how excited I am for all of this and I'll be sure to share the journey here with you.  It feels good to do something good for yourself every once in a while.

xo- kat

instagram photo from my pre-birthday weekend with a dear friend at Wrightsville beach. 

easiest party decor ever

When we decided last Monday night to have a small get together for the mister's birthday I thought I'd have plenty of time during the week to set up a menu and nail down some decorations. So when I woke up on Saturday from a really busy week with absolutely nothing done (read- not even thought about) I was a little panicked. After a morning of errands and a small but efficient shopping list I was ready to cook and set up the decorations. I knew the decor had to be simple so I had the idea of lining the wall behind the table with crepe paper strips and really wanted to try the wooden shapes garland that Jenny had shown here. A long strip of double-sided tape was all I needed to adhere about 60 long strips of basic streamer paper to the top of the wall. I painted thin sheets of balsa wood in matching colors with craft paint and cut into geometric shapes with an x-acto. I then used a multi-sized hole punch to (carefully) punch into those and strung them onto waxed cord left over from the Christmas bracelets I made for my girlfriends. It all came together pretty quickly, cost less than $13, and made a simple yet colorful impact. Sometimes a time crunch and last minute ideas are the best.

open me

Today I wanted to share some quick invitations I put together for our little birthday shin dig this weekend, in honor of the mister. We had a snow day off from school/work on Monday so I had time to put together these invitations and figure out how to mail them with a metal brad and string around the outside. After designing, printing, cutting and assembling them I was happy to find out that with just a 20-cents extra stamp (making them non-machine-runnable) I could mail them out.

I am so looking forward to our little celebration! Now I just need to clean the house and figure out a menu...

birthday boy

Happy Birthday to my love. To a sweet, talented, humble, hilarious, hard-working, patient, and unrelentingly loving husband. I am so happy to have celebrated the last 7 of your birthdays with you, I can't wait to celebrate a year of marriage in April, and I feel honored to know I'll celebrate this day with you for all the rest of our years. I love you, mister! xo.

twenty seven.

Happy Birthday to me.

I am enjoying my day at home being crafty (my ideal way to spend the day) and only leaving the house for a lunch out, grabbing a glass of wine later on, and meeting my husband for a downtown dinner. Last night we spent with my family who threw me the most fabulous birthday dinner complete with inspired decorations, a custom menu, absolutely delicious mini butterfinger cheesecakes, and the most exciting gift ever-- a cricut expressions 2. I think I squealed like a child upon opening this. I will be busy crafting while my cricut is busy cutting out my designs today!!

26 was a magical year; I got married, worked really hard on the shop and what felt like a million side projects, tried to get my head on straight for future projects, and enjoyed lots of time with my husband, family, friends, and sweet pup. I have big plans and big hopes for 27 and I have a feeling this year won't disappoint.

gifts to myself

Just in time for my upcoming (27th) birthday next week I was excited to see that this top was back in stock on ModCloth... so I ordered it for myself. I have never been one to gift myself but this year it seemed appropriate. Instead of going out looking for a sparkly birthday outfit I will just sit by the door and hope this gem gets delivered in time.
Oh and here are a few more things I'd love to gift myself this year.five golden rings from etsy seller Fork Whisperer.honeycomb large tote (unfortunately sold) by Jenna Rose.

top: cake pom collection by Potter+Butler.

happy birthday dad!!

Happy Birthday to the guy who is the most grounded, secure, and comforting man I have ever met while still managing to also be the life of the party. You some how survived raising three daughters and a son and imparted your wisdom on us all along the way- but in your quiet approach of actions over words- which I appreciate more than I can ever say.

You have taught me the important things like the joys of hard work and the ways of finances, home-ownership, and keeping a bank account in the positive (after forgiving a few overdraft notices in the early years). And the fun things like how much cooler vinyl feels and sounds than a cd or ipod; that you will always play better in a yard game like bocce if you are balanced out by a beer in the other hand; that ipa's might just be better than pbr's; and that you're never too old to start the dance party. But most importantly the little things like sometimes it is okay to say no when you feel like you're running in a million different directions at once; and that sometimes its also okay to forgive and forget, even when you don't know how things will turn out.

Thank you for all of the lessons, spoken and unspoken, but most of all- thank you for loving us and our mom so. damn. much.

birthday month and little treats

January is my birthday month and with it falling right after the holiday season it is sometimes hard to get excited about, so I was pleasantly surprised last week when I received this little treat in the mail from Anthropologie. Even though I may not actually get around to spending any money on myself this month, I always love the packaging and design from this company. Its like unwrapping a gift just opening the envelope, sliding the little cardboard insert out and seeing how it was all put together. Well done again, Anthro.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy birthday to the woman who gracefully manages to juggle the role of teacher, mother, principal, creator, and wife. You taught me how special it is to cook a meal for the ones you love, to celebrate birthdays for a week straight, to find the positive in the dreariest of days, and most importantly to always keep creating. You've been the rock for our family in hard times, the cheerleader and biggest fan to four children, and a perfect role model of what a strong woman really is.

I love you and am so thankful to call you my mother, happy birthday!

a birthday board

So I totally failed on taking photos at my sisters birthday. That's why it is a week later and I am just getting some sort of excuse for a post up. After all of the crafting, planning, baking, and partying we did I am pretty disappointed by my lack of photo documentation. That's how it always seems to go though- the more you plan the less you remember to take the camera out!

Here is what I could scrounge up to share with you- believe me though- this party was much more epic than what you see here.
Above: the birthday girl in all her hippie glory, the most incredible salted caramel cupcakes by my other talented sister (read about them here), the sisters in our crafted head gear, and the pinata I put together.

**Not pictured: facepainting, whiskey drinking, donut eating contest, pinata busting, tarot card reading in an sheet-tent, crafting with feathers, buttons, herbs, and twine, beautiful flowers, golden pumpkins, a mantle adorned with branches, and lots and lots of food.

The night was wonderful and the smile on my sisters face (for 6 hours straight) made all the work worth it. Love you rabbit.

a birthday and a giveaway

Hello to any readers who are visiting from A Subtle Revelry where Victoria is featuring a giveaway of some of my work today!
I adore the blog and am so excited to be a part of a fun giveaway! You can win $40 to spend on anything in my shop just by leaving a comment over on her post. I also want to offer 20% off to any ASR readers in my hop this week. Just enter code "giveaway" at checkout! Happy shopping!

Now on to business- a very very HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY to my lovely sister! I didn't get this up yesterday because I was having to much fun celebrating with you!
Tomorrow I'll be sharing a few shots from my hippie-princess-sister's birthday party this past weekend.

weekend invites

It's been a busy week that is leading into an equally busy weekend. Tomorrow we head to a wedding before going to celebrate my older sister's birthday! We have more fun events planned for Sunday but I'll wait and see how they pan out before sharing.
I did want to share the invitation I created for my sister's birthday party though. She decided at twenty-eight that she wanted to throw herself a real birthday celebration. With games, crafts, face-painting, and fortune-telling. It is going to be a bit of a vintage-inspired fall festival. As I said before, we are having quite a hard time pinpointing a description for this so hopefully I will get some great photos that will explain it a little better. Happy Birthday (weekend) Sister! Love you!

Summer, sisters, and surprises

A bit of a late start this Monday but I have lot's of love to share today! First of all, a happy fathers day to my dear, sweet, funny dad whom we had the pleasure of tubing down the Dan River with yesterday!
Today also happens to be my little sister's birthday! Happy Birthday Sarah, we love you!!! We had delicious key lime cheesecake yesterday to celebrate and will commence the birthday activities later today with her favorite past time- shopping! I hope your birthday is a blast and that this year brings you adventures, great memories, and lots of love!
I am also excited to share with you today a new project I am working on. I was honored to be asked to join the team over at the new site, PrettySouthern, where I will be sharing art, entertaining, craft, and decorating tips and inspiration each week. This is so exciting for me to be a part of and I hope it will become a part of your daily reads. Today I have a 4th of July inspiration board for throwing your own celebration in true southern style. I will keep you up to date as I share more posts. Enjoy!

twenty-six

Twenty six was rung in in a big way and followed by a glaring reminder that I am not in my early twenties any more. Today was a little quieter and enjoyed with family and loved ones. Wicker bike baskets, the sweetest mini garlands, and our favorite local pizza made the perfect combination for a homemade party. I look forward to all my twenty-sixth year has in store.

denim and mustard

Birthday outfit inspiration. This is my second chambray shirt post in a week. I don't post a ton of fashion on here so that is certainly a sign. And I have kind of been dreaming about ankle boot heels lately...

source lost, so sorry!

biggest sister

you are the best. that is all. and just to prove this point i have compiled a list of all the things my big sister is the best at::

1. knitting. anything. anytime.
2. holding a conversation while reading a book. while knitting.
   
3. making yard tea.
4. making vegan yumminess.
5. looking exactly the same in every picture for 27 years. this is also kind of creepy.
   

oh and happy birthday to you!!!! xoxo

handmade birthday pt. deux

For my little sister's birthday we went out to dinner and then had some delicious cupcakes (that the birthday girl made herself) and champagne here at our house. For this I made a large banner that I cut letters out of wood-grain contact paper and adorned it with cupcake stickers.
I also sewed a couple other garlands and made some cupcake toppers to match.
Taking my inspiration from here, I covered the house with fresh flowers in vases of various heights.

And of course when families get together, things can get a little silly.

handmade birthdays

As you may have already read on here, I got to help celebrate two very special birthdays this past weekend: my dear friend Ashley and my lovely little sister Sarah. Being that I am out of work for the summer and have much more down-time, I wanted to contribute as many handmade elements as I could to each of their days. Yes, these gifts aren't for me per se, but I think I get just as much out of the process as they do with the final results!

For Ashleigh, the mister and I created a terrarium complete with rocks, moss, succulents, a feather, and some miniature dessert creatures. This was my tamed down (vegetarian-friendly) version of what Ash really wanted for her birthday- a pigs head in a jar...
And to go along with the theme of her birthday we made some mustache cupcake-toppers and colorful banners. I couldn't have done all of it without the help of Justin, who stepped right up to craft with me::All the girls also got fabric flowers for their hair that I made a few months back. I think everything was a hit.
Tomorrow I'll share some moments from our second birthday celebration of the weekend.

sweet sarah

Happy 22nd birthday to the sweetest of littlest sisters! I miss you already and can't wait for you to come stay for a slumber party soon! I am so incredibly proud of who you are and what you have done in your 22 years. You inspire me to be a kinder, gentler person. I had sooooo much fun decorating and getting ready for your birthday and I would do it everyday for you! Love you sister!

happy birthday ashleigh!

Ashface, ash-hole, trashleigh, and many more names I cannot possibly share on here- HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY!!
(Your 24th seems like yesterday)
I love you, you have been an incredible friend, roommate, traveling buddy for many years and I hope we have many more birthdays to celebrate together!