Our Next Event!

the Afton Mayfair!!   May 19-20 in beautiful downtown Afton!
Saturday 10-5
Sunday 11-4   www.aftonmayfair.com

Hope to see you there...

El Mismo Sol at Lila and Claudine's!!!

I'm excited to announce that my dress line, El Mismo Sol, can now be found at Lila and Claudine's Mahtomedi. AND we're celebrating by having a party!  Thursday May 10 from 6pm to 8pm. Come and see the dresses, try some on, have refreshments, meet me!

              
                                                          I hope to see you there!!

Earth Day 2012 Why not?

Let's really make every day earth day.  Everyone can do a little and what a difference that would make!

 Think before you drive--really.  Plan ahead. Think about your upcoming week. Can you consolidate trips in the car? Challenge yourself to put the least amount of miles on your car that you possibly can for a week. Then make it a habit.  Why not?

Where's your bicycle? Get it out. Put air in the tires. Put on your back pack and run errands close to home on your bike! You'll get some exercise, save money and save emissions into the air. Then make it a habit.  Why not?

See that piece of paper/ pop can/ plastic wrapper on the ground? Pick it up! It doesn't matter where you are--a parking lot, a walking trail--pick it up.  Hey, you bend over, get a little stretch, clean up the place. Make it a habit.  Why not?

Be an example to your friends, your children, total strangers that share this planet. Make it a habit.  Why not?

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

March 20  7:09 a.m.  I don't know if that's the official start time of spring, but it's when mine started today. That's when I was drinking coffee, checking my e-mail when I looked up and saw it:
a purple-y pink sunrise coming up over a fog-covered, glassy river.  I had to go out there. I hadn't eaten yet, but there was no time for breakfast.  I grabbed a handful of almonds, changed clothes and headed out the door.  My paddle and life jacket were right where I'd left them.

My adventure companion, Seemore, was ready and waiting.  Seemore is my kayak and we've traveled this river together many times.  I was rewarded for this early morning venture with scenes of spiraling fog columns lifting off in the distance, warm, fresh air on my face and the wonderful sounds of birds singing their morning songs.

What made this morning jaunt even more special is the fact that this is Minnesota.  We're usually walking around on a foot of snow this time of year!  I love my snow, but I'll take this kind of day anytime!

So, happy spring.  I hope you take a moment to look around, breath in the fresh air and savor the moment.

the carved bird, continued...

Just an update on the little bird I carved after a frustrating day working on my website:
It sat on my work desk for a while and then it became the inspiration for a box that I gave to my young friend Emily on the occasion of her upcoming wedding. 
I can't really believe Emily is getting married because in my mind she's still about 10 years old and we're dragging her along with her brothers and my daughter, under protest, down some cross country ski trails, or camping out making crafts on a beach, or having the kids eat their "hobo" dinners by moonlight--so they can't see how charred they are...wow, time DOES march on!

So, Emily, here's wishing you a happy, happy married life. Listen, think before you speak and laugh a lot.

El Mismo Sol art Dresses website!!

FINALLY!  After dragging my feet for a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time, I have  a website for my dress line.  I'd love it if you took a look!  IF you have questions, you can request info from the site.  Thanks!

www.elmismosol.com

Web research day

I spent several hours yesterday in front of the computer.  Several. Hours. Me. At the computer.  I'm looking into the possiblity of making a website for my work.  Now, I'm ok at simple computer-y things; I can cut and paste, e-mail, blog and edit photos with the rest of you 21st century techies.  But that's about where my knowledge ends.  And my interest.  SEO, PPC, http, html...my mind checks out in a hurry.  It's not that I'm dumb  (at least I don't think that's it!  Oh my, maybe...) .  It's just not my "thing".  There are people who love the web and problem solving on it, but not me. 

So here's what I came away with after a day at the computer, my brain near explosion level. 

When I couldn't take it any more, I grabbed a hunk of wood and my carving knife (and later, band aids) and this little bird appeared.  I had no plans for carving yesterday, but I somehow felt compelled to do something low tech.  Perhaps I'm hopeless as a web designer, but that's what some other people get paid for, bless their hearts!  I'll stick with my simple little things for now.

Winter again!

YAAAAAAY!  Winter is back here in Minnesota along the St. Croix river, 4 inches worth! 

My  friend Thunder came for a visit yesterday--all day in fact.  Thunder is  the "neighborhood dog".  Oh, he has a family which shelters and feeds and loves him, but Thunder likes to check out what everyone else is doing up and down the street.  He is a beautiful, smart, HUGE golden retriever who responds to commands, (well, except "go home", as it turns out) will play fetch forever, and loves attention.  So, he kept me company as I shuffled, uh, I mean shoveled our new fallen snow.  Yes, as you can see by the photo, one of us has unmatched footwear.  That would be me.  I got in two glorious days of skating on a polished-glass river with my nordic skates (they fit on to cross country ski boots) before I sprained my ankle at dragon boat practice. ARGGGGHHH!

So, with snow finally here, calling me out to play, I must bide my time until my ankle heals.  I am completely complying with my doctor's orders by wearing the special boot...and spending a couple of hours outside in the snow with my friend Thunder.  I'm quite sure this is what the doctor meant by "keep icing it". Don't you think? 

HAPPY 2012!!

It's January in Minnesota (well, everywhere!) and I'm still waiting for some snow.

I am a winter girl. I always have been. I love to be out in it, to watch it snow, to feel that winter air. Just call me Smilla! Skating, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, just playing--winter breathes life into me. Maybe I feel more well-preserved in the cold, I don't know, but I'm practically giddy when those flakes start coming down! Taking in a deep breath of snowy air reminds me that I'm alive!!

As you might be able to guess, with temps reaching 50+ degrees here over the past few weeks, this winter girl is NOT happy. However, it's probably the best scenario--for now--since my dear friend and partner in adventure, Lisa, broke her ankle skiing (not here in no-snow land) in December. It's good weather for crutching around and she doesn't have to feel like she's missing out on all the great snow activities. Fine. Ok. Nice. Warm, dry ground- great. Can you feel my, uh, enthusiasm?

So, I shall bide my time until the snow arrives (and it will--this IS Minnesota, after all), working on new ideas for, ironically, El Mismo Sol, the new summer dress line made from re-purposed t-shirts that I plan to "get out there" more in 2012. I'm also making several new stained glass mosaic pieces for a Show in August at Firefly Trading Company (http://www.fireflytradingcompany.com) in Cable, WI.

So, yes, I have things to do, work to get done. Would I rather be outside in the snow?? Don't get me started...